Is September 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 more interesting in terms of events and the weather. And surely, September is one of the best times to visit Rome: it’s still summer, Romans are coming back from the holidays, rooftop season is still in full swing, it isn’t a high tourist season and the weather is great. If you’re traveling to Rome in September, keep reading!
The weather in Rome in September
Summer in Rome is very hot! But September is the last month of summer and the weather is just perfect: the days are still long, it isn’t unbearably hot anymore and there is practically no rainfall! During the day average temperatures hit 25°C to 30°C while in the evening they cool down to 22°C. If you’re looking for sunny and warm weather during the day and slightly cooler temperatures at night, September is a great time of the year to visit Rome.
What to wear in September in Rome?
Temperatures in September are warm during the day and get cooler at night:
- You’ll definitely want to pack a pair of comfortable shoes (remember, Rome is filled with cobblestones). Don’t forget your sandals, too!
- While many foreigners tend to wear shorts in September, please bear in mind that if you’re planning on visiting religious sites, you won’t be allowed access with shorts. Also, know that you won’t see many locals wearing them in the city.
- 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.
- September is filled by bright and sunny days, so don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen!
- A light cardigan or a blazer for the evening is a must in case it gets chilly
- Long pants or skirts for the evening
- A bathing suit for the day if you want to enjoy the beach
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 September?
September is when the city of Rome reawakens after the summer holidays! So the calendar 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:
- The Vinòforum wine festival (usually in June but this year it’s been postponed to September) that sees over 2,000 different wine labels with presentations from sommeliers.
- The four-day food extravaganza, Taste of Roma, dedicated to exploring top culinary talents, new tastes and flavors. Some of the city’s finest chefs will be partaking, giving you the opportunity to try some of the city’s finest food.
- Experience some summer fun with Rooftop Life, they organize weekly aperitivos in some of Rome’s best rooftop bars. It’s a great opportunity to have fun, meet new people and network.
- The 35th edition of the Romaeuropa Festival–a dazzling array of theatre, dance, circus, art, technology and music performances that will be showcased at 20 different venues throughout the city.
- The open-air Silvano Toti Globe Theatre, a recreation of theElizabethan theatre, where you can see Shakespeare’s masterpieces in Italian played in Villa Borghese.
- 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.
- September is also the time to catch some new and old exhibitions.
- Don’t miss out on the best concerts in Rome in September.
The best things to do in Rome in September
In addition to going on guided tours of the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum and throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain, there are plenty of other great activities for you to do in September during the day:
- Go to one of the beaches near 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 near Piazza Navona
- Explore Trastevere or Villa Borghese with a treasure hunt
- Learn to make gelato in an authentic gelateria
- Learn to make pasta near the Trevi Fountain
- 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
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
