Packing For Rome In July? Let's Make It Easy!

Packing for Rome in July?

Alessandro and I spent 17 years running a B&B here, helping our guests fine-tune their travel plans—right down to what should (and shouldn’t) go in their suitcases.

After more than two decades of Roman summers, I can tell you just what to pack, how to plan for July 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 July - what to bring and how to dress

Rome in July is hot and humid, even at night. 

In July, I rotate my sundresses, capri-length cotton flowy pants, sleeveless tops, breathable tennis shoes, and sandals.

That's it.

No jeans, cardigans, or jackets. I do, however, always carry a lightweight summer scarf in my bag so I can cover my shoulders when I want to pop into a church.

When I head out during the day, I wear or carry a sunhat, a pair of polarized sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen.

When you pack for visiting Rome in July, avoid bringing synthetic fabrics or anything heavy, flip flops, and jackets or jumpers.

On this page you'll find:

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

Weather in Rome in July

The weather in Rome in July is consistent throughout the month.

Temperatures average around 80-85 Fahrenheit/27-30 Celsius during the day and around 65-70 Fahrenheit/18-22 Celsius during the night.

Because it's also so muggy, we sometimes get storm bursts due to high pressure.

These summer storms typically don't last long.

You may want to be prepared for the rain - a lightweight summer shell and a travel umbrella can be useful items to pack.

They don't weigh much or take up much room in your luggage or daypack.

Dressing for the sun in Rome in July

July is one of the hottest months of the year.

I wear clothing made from linen, cotton or cotton blends, or jersey fabrics. Try to avoid denim or polyester materials.

While you may want to wear shorts, I find that wearing longer, looser clothing, such as linen pants or midi or maxi skirts, helps me stay cooler than wearing shorter clothing with the heat beating down on my legs.

I strongly recommend staying out of the sun in the middle of the day, and limiting your sightseeing to early morning and late afternoon or evening.

Even in the evenings, it's still hot and humid, and it can feel like the air is weighing down on you.

So whether you're heading out for aperitivo, outdoor dining, or a late-night tour or stroll, you can wear short sleeves or even go with bare shoulders.

I don't think you need anything for your shoulders except a scarf for visiting churches, but if you want to pack a lightweight cardigan, you can keep it in your daypack in case of a rare temperature drop.

In July, there are shows at the Baths of Caracalla.

The Rome Opera house puts on concerts, ballets, and operas.

I've attended quite a few shows there and even on stifling July evenings, the air in the bleachers can be cool and even breezy at times. I think it's because there is so much lawn that absorbs the heat.

This is a great way to spend a summer evening in Rome, and also cool down. But again, for me, a scarf is more than enough if I feel a slight chill. And since I get hot easily, I go back and forth between that and using my fan to cool me down.

If you decide to attend a show here, you don't have to worry about dressing up too much. People come in varying degrees of dress. If you happen to have something a little more elegant than shorts and a tank top, it might be nice to wear it here, but it's not required.

Be prepared to cover up when visiting churches.

The rules in Italy about visiting churches or any holy site (synagogue, mosque, catacombs) are the same - no bare knees, shoulders, or midriffs.

In July, I never leave the house without my sunhat with SPF, and a pair of polarized sunglasses.

Because your body loses water and mineral salts in this heat, it's important to stay hydrated, so I recommend carrying a reusable water bottle to fill up from Rome's water fountains.

I also suggest bringing comfortable walking sandals or cotton tennis shoes. It can be tempting to wear flip flops or other lightweight sandals, but I strongly recommend against this.

Between the heat and the cobblestones, they won't last long.

Just bring hiking or other good-quality walking sandals that you've already broken in.

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

Packing for Rome in July - 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 believe me when I tell you, I know just how to dress in Rome year-round.

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

General Rome packing tips for any time of year

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

These are just a few of my 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 July, 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 July here, here for general tips about visiting Rome in summer, and here for current exhibits and events in July in Rome.

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

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