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Rome in summer can be wonderful - you'll enjoy warm, usually sunny days and pleasant evenings.
The days are long and you can sight-see even at night. Find out how to get the most out of a summer visit to the Eternal City!
I love Rome in the summer.
One of my favorite things to do is get up really early and enjoy the city before it gets too hot or too crowded.
The morning light is intense and warm and the air is still slightly cool.
Even if you are not a morning person, there are many ways to enjoy Rome in summer.
On this page, you'll find:
I know that for many people, summer is the only time you can travel.
And I know that the things that concern people the most about travelling in the summer to Rome are the heat and the crowds.
Contrary to many people's beliefs, summer is not quite as crowded in Rome as spring and fall are.
Yes, it's true, you will find crowds in Rome in summer.
But nothing like the crowds we get in months with more temperate weather.
Precisely because people try to avoid visiting a city like Rome when it's super hot and humid, summer is more of a mid-season than spring or fall.
I have found that in summer, people stay in Rome for 3 days or fewer, and often take one of those days to visit a nearby beach.
Especially if they are visiting Rome with kids.
Many of us who live in Rome love it in summer because it empties out when many Italians take their holidays (especially in July but mostly in August), and it's a treat to stroll around on balmy summer nights in less-crowded sites and piazzas.
Booking.comFor the most part, weather in Rome in summer is hot and humid.
The beginning and end of summer are more moderate but in July and August it can get really hot and muggy in Rome, even at night.
The best rule of thumb for sight-seeing in the summer in Rome is to stay out of the heat in the middle of the day.
Click here to read my top ten tips for staying cool in Rome.
Visit my dedicated pages for all the summer months in Rome
We don't get too much rain in summer but you may want to bring a light waterproof shell.
No matter when you visit Rome, there are five things you should always bring:
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Comfortable shoes
I suggest sturdy walking sandals and try to avoid flimsy beach-style flip flops.
Make sure they are be comfortable for all the walking you will do.
A scarf
Romans wear scarves year-round.
In summer, you will be glad you have a scarf on chilly airplanes but also to cover your bare shoulders so you can enter churches.
A backpack
A pickpocket-proof backpack is the ideal way to sight-see.
It leaves your hands free for picture-taking, holding onto rails, and riding a bike or scooter if you decide to rent one.
Travel/trip insurance
I know this is not a thing to pack per se, but it's such an important part of travel these days.
If you think you are already covered by your credit card's insurance, you should double check the fine print. It's not likely to cover what you really need when travelling.
Besides the above, when you visit Rome in summer, here are a few easy rules of thumb:
For more details about what to pack for Rome visit my page here.
The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome
Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.
In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Castel Sant'Angelo, and much more.
And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.
Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers.
One of the nice things about summer in Rome is that it's not full of national or religious holidays, which means sites and shops are pretty much open normally most of the summer.
There are a few holidays and events to keep in mind when planning your visit:
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Sight-seeing in Rome in summer is best inside where there is air-conditioning, but that's not always possible.
The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and many other sites are all outside.
So to visit those sites in summer, you should plan for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the head and overhead sun.
Click here to read my top ten tips for keeping cool in summer.
In summer, these are some of the best things to do in Rome:
You might consider taking a side trip to the beautiful Dolomites for some cool weather and stunning mountain scenery.
Summer in Rome is a great time to enjoy all your favorite summer fruits like peaches, apricots, melons, and berries.
This is also when tomatoes are at their juiciest and tastiest, so a caprese (tomato and mozzarella) with fresh basil (also in season) is perfect this time of year.
Summer is a great time for sampling these in-season foods:
I urge visitors to Rome not to look for artichokes which are not at all in season in summer, but due to rising demand, many restaurants will offer them in summer, even if you won't find them in the markets.
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