Rome In August – Planning Tips For A Perfect Trip To Italy

ByBeppe Castro

A trip to Rome in August can be a real challenge because the weather is very hot and the crowds are full, but this guide will help you enjoy the Eternal City.

Rome in August - Stay Cool With Gelato
Stay Cool In August

Is August A Good Month To Visit?

I’ve said it many times: Anytime is a great time to visit Rome. You will need to keep in mind that the crowds will be the largest ever during the summer months and the heat can definitely get oppressive.

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Don’t let that dissuade you from making plans for a vacation in Rome. You can adjust your schedule to minimize the chance of fighting with the crowds and take some simple steps to avoid the heat and you can still have an amazing time here. Some popular recommendations:

  • Plan your outdoor activities, like visiting the Colosseum, early in the morning or as late in the afternoon as possible. For me, morning is best because even during the hottest months, the mornings are pleasant.
  • Plan to use your middays for indoor activities, like visiting museums, or better yet, take a relaxing and rejuvenating nap after an indoor lunch.
  • To avoid any last minute troubles, be sure to make reservations for every restaurant, tourist site and train ride well in advance of your trip. If you are working with a travel agent or tour company, be sure to tell them how important this is.

Follow these general recommendations and you should have an amazing time, despite the crowds and the heat.

Is Rome In August Too Hot?

July and August generally have similar weather, so I would say that it is not too hot to visit Rome in August. The decision depends on your tolerance for heat and it definitely is hot in Rome in the summer. Don’t underestimate the impact of heat: wear comfortable clothing, drink LOTS of cold water, wear sunscreen and take advantage of shade and A/C whenever possible.

One of my favorite things about Rome is that there are water fountains all over the city, called Nasone, offering the weary traveler delicious, cool and very refreshing drinkable water to keep you hydrated for the long day in the sun. Be sure to take advantage of this and consider bringing or buying some electrolyte powders available at most pharmacies (Farmacia).

Rome in August - Use The Nasone
Use The Nasone!

What Is The Weather Like In Rome In August?

The weather in Rome in August is as hot as it gets and it should be accounted for. The average low temperatures in Rome in August are delightful at 65°F (18°C) and the average high temperatures are a comfortable 87°F (30°C). These are the same as July and while this may sound comfortable, walking around in the hot sun all day combined with the possibility of a heatwave (or just unexpectedly higher temperatures) can be impactful, so plan accordingly.

How Should I Dress In Rome In August?

You should be dressing as lightly as your sense of style will allow during the heat of the day, which for me is shorts and t-shirts. In general, shorts, t-shirts, tank-tops, polo shirts and other light clothing are acceptable, except for when you are visiting religious sites, like churches. You should expect that women need to cover their shoulders, men and women need pants that go below the knees and men can’t wear baseball caps.

Late in the evening, pants and jackets can be comfortable when you go out to a more fancy dinner, but the effect of Urban Heat Islands (UHI) will keep it pretty warm even after the sun goes down.

Rome in August - Watch For Rainbows
Watch For Rainbows

What Foods Are Seasonal in August?

The seasonal foods that are available in August are the best and they shouldn’t be missed. There are new fruits available in August, like: apples and pears. There is also a new addition to your choice of vegetables: lettuce, radicchio and pumpkins with other fruits and vegetables starting to disappear. Here is a more complete list of the fruits and vegetables you should be able to find in Rome during August:

  • Fruits: Watermelons, figs, strawberries, raspberries, apples, melons, blueberries, pears, peaches, plums, grapes.
  • Vegetables: Garlic, carrots, cabbage, cucumbers, chicory, beans, lettuce, eggplants, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, radicchio, radishes, celery, pumpkins, zucchini.
Rome in August - Watermelon Season
Watermelon Season

What Are The Important Italian Holidays In August?

The most obvious and important holiday in August is Ferragosto in Italy, which is an important Italian break from daily life across Italy that you need to be aware of if you are taking your Roman vacation in August.

Many businesses will close for some or all of August only to return in September. We moved into our apartment during August, so this had initially concerned me somewhat selfishly because I was worried that something I needed to do as part of the relocation wouldn’t be possible for a month. Would I be able to get my gas, electric and internet hooked up? Would the hardware stores be able to make copies of our keys? Could I get a haircut? I probably worried too much, but when you walk around seeing all the closed businesses and signs saying: “See You In September!” you start to wonder.

Rome in August - Remember Ferragosto
Don’t Forget About The Ferragosto Vacation!

What Interesting Events Happen In Rome In August?

There are many interesting cultural events in August, and you can see below that the concert season is in full swing. A very good list of cultural events can be found on the RomeToday website. Here are some specific events in August that you might also want to be aware of:

  • Summer In The City (All Month) – One of the most anticipated events of the Roman summer returns to the heart of Rome. Every evening from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM with free admission, the historic banks of the Tiber will once again come alive with the 24th edition of Lungo il Tevere Roma – Un Fiume di Cultura, the event that annually transforms the Lungotevere into a vast space dedicated to culture, entertainment, music, crafts, food, and social gatherings.
  • Concerts In The Park (August 2nd) – The grand finale will conclude with an Italian premiere featuring Omar Sosa and his new Trio project, Vibe Factor, featuring two leading European jazz and word musicians: Diego Piñera on drums and percussion and Joo Kraus on trumpet, vocals, and effects. Electronic instruments, a grand piano, Uruguayan drums and polyrhythms, hip-hop rhythms, and a journey through the Latin American music of Brazil and Uruguay, all imbued with creative sound and infectious energy.
  • Rome By Night (All August) – Photographs by Hervé Gloaguen” is an exhibition at the Museo di Roma in Trastevere, Piazza di Sant’Egidio 1/b. In 1974, Hervé Gloaguen, a member of the prestigious Viva photography agency, was one of the rare French photographers to express himself in color, while most of his colleagues used black and white in the tradition of the humanists. During a trip to Italy, which he traveled from north to south with his wife and their newborn baby, he stopped in Rome and parked his Volkswagen van at the campsite on Monte Antenne, overlooking the city. Always seeking to be as close as possible to his subject, he captures images of young people around fountains, on café terraces, and in restaurants, revealing exclusive corners of the Eternal City. He immediately had the intuition that he needed to capture the mysteries of nightlife and its lights.

More Things To Do In August

You should never hesitate planning a trip to Rome any time during the year, but if you are uncertain which month would be right for you, check out some of these other posts that can assist you with your planning.

More Ideas On Things To Do In Rome All Year

You should never hesitate planning a trip to Rome in August, or any time of the year, but if you are uncertain which month would be right for you, check out some of these other posts that can assist you with your planning.

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