Packing for Rome in August? Let's Make It Easy!

Packing for Rome in August?

I've lived through more than 20 years of muggy Rome summers, and I can tell you just what to pack, how to plan for August weather, and how not to overpack.

Find out what kind of weather to expect, how I dress in August in Rome, and what not to leave at home.

Packing for Rome in August - what to bring and how to dress

Rome in August is hot; there's no escaping this.

This is the time of year I get the most out of my sundresses, capri-length flowy cotton pants, tank tops, and sandals.

In August, I rarely wear jeans, bring a cardigan out with me, or wear any long-sleeved tops. Of course, I always carry a scarf with me so I can cover my shoulders when I want to visit a church.

Whether you're visiting Rome in early August, mid-August, or late August, I recommend packing lightweight cottons and linens and leaving your jackets at home.

On this page, you'll find:

• What weather to expect in Rome in August
• Dressing for the sun in Rome
• How I dress in Rome in August - my best advice
• Things to pack in any season

Weather in Rome in August

I secretly love being in Rome in August, humidity or no humidity.

The city is calm and quiet, at least in the areas away from the must-see sites. I can drive and park just about anywhere, and occasional beach days provide us with breaks from the heat.

The temperature in Rome in August is fairly consistent, averaging around 86-90 Fahrenheit/30-32 Celsius during the day and around 65-70 Fahrenheit/18-22 Celsius at night.

By the end of August, the heat and humidity start to wane.

Either way, throughout August, I only wear lightweight summer clothes made of breathable fabrics.

While it does cool off a bit in the evenings, it's still warm, so I only bring a scarf with me, although I seldom need it.

We don't get much rain in August, although it's always possible. And if it does, great! Everything cools down, even if temporarily.

Dressing for the sun in Rome in August

August is one of the hottest months of the year in Rome, so keep your packing light.

Bring some flowy skirts or sundresses, cotton capri pants, plain light cotton or linen pants, tanks, cool tees, and even shorts. Jeans will be too hot.

Roman adults don't tend to wear shorts around the city, but they are used to tourists doing it, so go right ahead.

A great item to bring to Rome in August is a bathing suit, as you may wind up at the beach, whether you plan to or not.

Around the Ferragosto holiday on August 15, many Romans take it easy—often with a picnic in the park. Follow their lead: pick up some food from a supermarket or deli, and bring along a lightweight pareo or beach wrap. It’s perfect not just for the beach, but also for lounging on the grass.

Be prepared to cover up when visiting religious sites, especially the Vatican (Saint Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel).

I recommend hiking pants with removable bottoms that you can wear on the day you visit the Vatican, so you can cover your knees to go inside. You can then take the bottoms back off when you leave. 

I always wear a sun hat with SPF. I recommend one that's easy to scrunch up and keep in your backpack.

Speaking of backpacks, this is one of the best things to wear to sightsee in Rome. It allows you to keep your hands free.

It gives you someplace to keep your water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, scarf, and battery charger, among other things.

I also recommend cooling towels. A cooling towel around your neck can make the difference between tolerable and miserable when standing in line at the Colosseum or walking across Piazza Navona at noon.

Don't forget your sunglasses and a reusable water bottle to fill up with fresh, cold water from Rome's water fountains (called "nasoni" in Italian - big nose.)

As for shoes, stick with comfortable walking sandals or cotton tennis shoes for walking around the city; flip flops will not hold up to the cobblestones or the heat.

Click here to read more tips about staying cool in Rome.

Packing for Rome in August - How I dress

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I walk around Rome a lot.

I love to walk everywhere when I can, because in Rome there is always something new to see.

I also love looking at things I know well, like the Colosseum, and seeing it in a new light, or finding a new detail.

I walk around Rome at many different times of day, throughout the year.

So I know just how to dress in Rome year-round.

These are my recommendations for what to include when packing for Rome in August, many of which I own or use:

Whether you're packing for Rome in August for the beginning, middle, or end of the month, you're only going to need light summer clothes, and no extra layers like cardigans or jackets.

General Rome packing tips for any time of year

So what else do you need to consider when packing for Rome in August?

These are just a few of my personal recommendations for what is essential to pack for Rome, any time of year:

I've got lots more suggestions for what to bring when you visit Rome.

As well as the specific information here about packing for Rome in August, see my page about What to Pack for Rome where you can download a handy packing list, and visit my Amazon page for all my shopping recommendations.

Find more information on what to expect when traveling to Rome in August here, here for general tips about visiting Rome in summer, and here for current exhibits and events in August in Rome.

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Visit our dedicated pages about what to pack for Rome for every month:

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