Is August a good time to visit Rome?
Picking a destination like Rome has a huge benefit: it’s always a great time to visit Rome, no matter the month. But there are certain times of the year that are better, depending on the type of weather you prefer and the events that are on. If you love summertime, you don’t mind very hot and humid weather and you’re planning on spending a few days on the coast, August is a good to visit Rome. Just bear in mind that it’s high tourist season, many restaurants and bars are closed due to Ferragosto, and there are practically no locals. If you’re traveling to Rome in August, here’s what you should expect!
The weather in Rome in August
Summer in Rome is very hot! So you shouldn’t be surprised by very hot and humid weather of August. Just make sure you stay hydrated, that you wear a hat if you spend lots of hours under the sun, and that you put on sunscreen! During the day average temperatures hit 30°C to 38°C while in the evening they cool down to below 26°C. If you’re looking for sunny sunny and hot and humid weather, August is a great time of the year to visit Rome.
We recommend you visit the outdoor sites in the morning, keep the indoor sites with air conditioning for the afternoon and stop at your accommodation for a break after lunch so you don’t spend the hot hours under the sun.
What to wear in August in Rome?
Temperatures in August are hot during the day and night:
- You’ll definitely want to pack a pair of comfortable shoes (remember, Rome is filled with cobblestones). If you’re planning on going around with sandals during the day, make sure they are very comfortable. Trust us.
- It’s only natural that you wear shorts in August, just please bear in mind that if you’re planning on visiting religious sites, you won’t be allowed access with shorts.
- T-shirts are a must to pack, they are both light and cover your shoulders at the same time, allowing you to access any site.
- Don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen!
- A light cardigan for the evening is perfect, in case it ever gets chilly (it probably won’t).
- Long pants or skirts for the evening
- A bathing suit in case you want to go to a swimming pool in Rome or the beach
- If you’re going to be spending many hours under the sun, definitely don’t forget a hat!
Dress code in Rome
Now that we’ve covered the weather and what to pack for Rome, let me in you on the dress code in Rome! As mentioned above, if you’re visiting religious sites like the Vatican, you need to cover your knees and shoulders. For outings, locals have a smart-casual or smart-elegant dress code. Most restaurants, unless they are very elegant, don’t require jackets for men, but we encourage you to dress nicely, either with a shirt or a polo for men, and a dress or pants and a nice top for women.
Please not that if you are going clubbing, depending on to the club there will be a dress code that’s required. For more stylish clubs, men – make sure you have a shirt, dark pants (not jeans) and nice shoes.
What events are on in Rome in August?
August in Rome is a slow month in terms of events because most Romans escape the heat and head to the nearby seaside towns. But you’ll still find a few summer events in Rome that continue through August:
- For some outdoor fun, don’t miss out on the Lungo il Tevere festival on the banks of the Tiber river. You can enjoy live entertainment ranging from live music and cultural performances as well as outdoor restaurants and bars.
- The outdoor Festival di Caracalla, which sees Teatro dell’Opera’s opera and ballet performances, as well as concerts performed at the open-air Baths of Caracalla.
- If you’re into jazz music, don’t miss out on the splendid Village Celimontana Jazz Festival.
- The Viaggio nei Fori continues, it’s a virtual tour created by Piero Angela and Paco Langiano where visitors will have the chance to see two exciting portrayals of life in Ancient Rome, reconstructed within the Imperial Fora using light, images, film and animation. A fantastic experience.
- August has some great exhibitions in store, too.
National holidays in Italy in August
Please bear in mind that August 15th is the national holiday, Ferragosto, meaning all museums and sightseeing areas will be closed. This includes:
- The Vatican Museums
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- The Colosseum
- The Borghese Gallery
- Museums and Exhibitions
- Restaurants and bars
The best things to do in Rome in August
In addition to going on guided tours of the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum (make sure you have a skip-the-line ticket to avoid massive lines under the sun) and throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain, there are plenty of other fun things to do in Rome in August:
- Go to one of the beaches near Rome
- Have a night out at one of best summer bars and clubs in Rome
- Go rafting along the Tiber River
- Experience a Kayak tour at Castelli Romani
- Go bike riding along the Ancient Appian Way
- Go on a Vespa tour of Rome
- Explore street art on a Vespa Tour
- Explore the Ostia Antica Archeological Park
- Go on a walking tour of Testaccio
- Learn to make pizza
- Explore Trastevere or Villa Borghese with a treasure hunt
- Learn to make gelato in an authentic gelateria
- Learn to make pasta and tiramisu in a family owned Roman restaurant
- Indulge in a wine tasting experience in a cozy wine bar near Campo de’ Fiori
- Visit the Vatican Museums at night time!
- Go on a day trip to Ponza Island
- Are you visiting Rome with kids? Check out our guide: www.romeing.it/visit-rome-with-kids/
Emergencies in Rome + Essential Info
In case anything were to happen during your stay in Rome, here are some useful contacts:
- Doctors: in case you were to get sick in Rome, MedinAction is an on-demand house call medical service for travelers, expatriates, and students abroad. MedinAction delivers qualified English-speaking doctors in Rome and other cities in Italy (Milan, Bologna, Florence, Venice) to a patient’s doorstep, 24/7.
- Carabinieri: 112
- Police: 113
- Fire Brigade: 115
- First Aid Ambulance: 118
- Police Headquarters: 06.4686
- 24h Pharmacies: 06.228941
