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Rome In July – Planning Tips For An Amazing Italian Holiday

ByBeppe Castro

Visiting Rome in July can be a challenge because the weather is hot and the crowds are full, but luckily these tips will help you enjoy your visit to Italy.

Rome In July - Stay Hydrated

Stay Hydrated

Is Rome In July A Good Month To Visit?

Anytime is a great time to visit Rome, but keep in mind that the crowds will be the largest ever this season and the heat can definitely get oppressive. Don’t let that dissuade you from making plans to visit the Eternal City. 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 in Rome. Some 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.
  • Plan to use your middays for indoor activities, like visiting museums, or better yet, take a relaxing and rejuvenating nap.
  • 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.

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Is Rome In July Too Hot?

You aren’t visiting a desert and there are ways to beat the heat in Rome, so I would say that it is not too hot to visit Rome in July. Of course, this 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 a lot of water, wear sunscreen and keep an eye out for shade and A/C.

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

What Is The Weather Like In Rome In July?

The weather in Rome in July is hot and it should not be underestimated. The average low temperatures in Rome in July are delightful at 65°F (18°C) and the average high temperatures are a comfortable 87°F (30°C). This may sound comfortable, but I can assure you that walking around in the hot sun all day combined with the likelihood of a heatwave, or unexpectedly higher temperatures can be impactful. It is not uncommon for the highs to be higher than 95°F (35°C), so plan accordingly.

Rome In July - Rome At Night

Explore Rome At Night

How Should I Dress In Rome In July?

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. You can also plan for more seasonable evenings when it is time to go to dinner. 

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 should be comfortable when you go out to dinner (after 9:00 PM), but the effect of Urban Heat Islands (UHI) will keep it pretty warm even after the sun goes down.

Is Rome In July Too Crowded?

July is in the middle of high season for travel to Rome, so yes, it will be crowded. Too crowded is really up to you. If you don’t like being in crowds, if rubbing elbows is annoying and you just wish people would F#@cking Move, then July might not be the best time for you because the opportunity for aggravation is definitely higher in July.

If you still want to come in July, or your schedule doesn’t have many other options, it can still be managed. Just be sure to book tours ahead of your visit, make reservations for every meal and make sure your hotel has A/C so you can use it as a midday escape from the oppressive heat.

What Foods Are Seasonal In July?

The seasonal foods that are available in July are the best and they shouldn’t be missed. There are new fruits available in July, like: watermelons and blueberries. There is also a new addition to your choice of vegetables, chicory, with others like asparagus and artichokes beginning to disappear.

Here is a more complete list of the fruits and vegetables you should be able to find in Rome during July:

  • Fruits: Apricots, black cherries, watermelon, cherries, figs, strawberries, raspberries, melons, blueberries, peaches, plums

  • Vegetables: Garlic, beets, carrots, cabbage, cucumbers, chicory, beans, green beans, broad beans, salads, eggplants, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, chicory, radishes, celery, zucchini

Rome In July - Watermelon Season

Watermelon Season

What Are The Important Italian Holidays In July?

In a country that loves its holidays as much as Italy does, it surprises me that there are no Italian national holidays in July. There is a regional holiday on July 15th, the Feast of Santa Rosalia in Palermo, but that is about it. My unconfirmed suspicion is that because Ferragosto in Italy is so substantial that it might be a little gratuitous to have any breaks in July. 

What Interesting Events Happen In Rome In July?

There are many interesting cultural events in July, 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 cultural events in July that caught our eyes which you might also want to be aware of:

  • Coldplay (From July 13th to the 16th) – This is one of the most anticipated concerts of the 2024 Summer concert season for Coldplay fans. The concert will be held at the amazing Stadio Olimpico in Rome for a multi-day event that follows on the success of their 2023 sold-out European tour.
  • Deep Purple (July 10th) – If you are old like me, Deep Purple might be your cup of tea. They will be returning to the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone as a part of the Rock in Roma 2024 program. “Smoke On The Water” – Am I Right?
  • “Uninhabitable Architecture” Exhibit (All July) – This exhibit is held at one of my favorite museums in Rome, Centrale Montemartini, which also is a Must See, but for this show you can experience a view of architecture and housing functionality that are emblematic of their city. It is shown through the works of famous photographer and LUCE archives.
  • “Ambienti 1956-2010. Environments by Women Artists II” (All July) – This is an immersive exhibition at Rome’s MAXXI museum that highlights the fundamental contribution of women in less investigated forms of artistic expression.
  • Summertime Casa del Jazz (All July) – At the House of Jazz in Rome, July will be filled with a long series of concerts by Italian and International artists. July concerts include performances by: Jonathan Blake, Paolo Fresu and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram.
Rome In July - Concerts

Circus Maximus Is A Concert Space

More Information On Things To Do In Rome In July

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 Information On Things To Do In Rome All Year

You should never hesitate planning a trip to Rome in July, 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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