Rome in July is Rome in high season, when the sultry weather dictates its own rules for staying outdoors and tourists are much more numerous. The tips from our article will help you plan your trip to Rome in July so that you have only the most positive impressions of the Eternal City.
July has its advantages: no precipitation and bright, cloudless, piercingly blue sky, against which the golden Roman buildings are especially expressive. It is the perfect time for romantic walks under the stars, picnics, summer concerts and open-air workshops, unusual excursions and photo shoots.
Table of contents:
1. What’s the Weather in Rome in July?
2. How to Dress in Rome in July?
3. Holidays in Rome in July
4. What to Do in Rome in July?
1. What’s the Weather in Rome in July?
July is the hottest month in Rome. The average temperature rarely drops below +25°C/77°F and can reach a high of +35°C/95°F and even +40°C/104°F.
From as early as 11.00am the sun starts to get really hot, especially in windless weather. Staying in the sun for a long time is bad for your health (you can get a heat stroke), so we recommend choosing the right time for walks, excursions and photo shoots.
It is better to start early in the morning (at 7 AM – 9 AM) or in the afternoon at 4 PM – 5 PM. In July, when the sun and heat are at their peak, book your excursions as early as possible at dawn or in the evening. And the smartest thing you can do between 12.00 AM and 3.30 PM is to do as the Romans did and take a siesta.
You can take a more global break and head to the Tyrrhenian Sea coast, which is a 40-minute drive from Rome. It is even necessary to relax on the beach and cool off in the sea water after the sightseeing program in order to start exploring the Eternal City with renewed vigor. The water temperature in the Tyrrhenian Sea in July reaches +25° C/77° F.
Average daily temperature in Rome in July: +27° C/80° F
Maximum daytime temperature in Rome in July: +40° C/104° F
Minimum daytime temperature in Rome in July: +19° C/667° F
2. How to Dress in Rome in July?
July is the height of summer, which in the Roman subtropics means hot and dry weather. You can safely stuff your suitcase with only summer things – shorts, T-shirts, T-shirts, dresses, sundresses, skirts. In the city on 7 hills, comfortable shoes will certainly come in handy, so you can walk for long periods of time without rubbing your feet.
You will need everything that can protect you from the sun: sunglasses, a hat with fields, sunscreen and… a scarf. Of course, not a woolen one, but a light cotton one, which you can throw over your shoulders or head to avoid the sun. A scarf will also come in handy for visiting the Vatican and churches.
You can also bring a swimsuit, because 30-40 minutes by car or train from the Eternal City is the Tyrrhenian Sea with its sandy beaches. On a hot day, escape to Fregene or Ostia for swimming, sunbathing and seafood.
In hot weather, remember that exposed legs above the knees and shoulders are inappropriate for visiting Vatican museums and churches. And flip-flops, ultra-short tops, skirts and shorts that slightly cover the body are appropriate only on the beach.
Rules for staying in the heat:
- Drink plenty of water, and sodas and coffee will not do – just plain fresh water. Take a bottle of water with you and fill it up at Rome’s many drinking fountains (see a map of fountains here).
- Try to wait out the sun in a cool room, but avoid being directly under the air conditioning to avoid catching a cold.
- Always bring a hat, sunglasses, a bottle of water, and sunscreen. Take care of your head!
- Summer is a good reason to visit the catacombs of Rome. The catacombs are an amazing underground world that will tell you a lot about the history of the Eternal City and Christianity.
- Stay close to the fountains, walk in the parks, hide in the shade of buildings and trees. It’s always cool and peaceful in the Roman churches.
3. Holidays in Rome in July
From July 15 to 24 is the celebration of La Festa de Noantri in Trastevere
The origins of the festival date back to 1535, when a statue of the Virgin Mary was miraculously found at the mouth of the Tiber River. The statue was given to the Church of the Carmelite Order in Trastevere. La Festa de Noantri can be roughly translated as “the feast of the rest of us”, that is, as opposed to “you who live in other neighborhoods”, and is celebrated only in the Trastevere area.
The miraculous finding of the statue of the Virgin Mary (Santa Maria del Carmine Madonna, or Madonna Fiumarola – Madonna of the River), who is the patron saint of Trastevere, is celebrated with annual colorful processions. The statue of the Virgin Mary is moved on a stretcher from church to church, accompanied by priests, religious pilgrims and ordinary tourists.
4. What to Do in Rome in July?
Free Days to Visit Rome’s Museums in July
The day of free admission to public museums (except the Vatican Museums) is the first Sunday of each month, which in July 2023 falls on the 2nd. Museums and archaeological areas such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Thermae of Caracalla, Galleria Borghese, Palazzo Barberini, Ostia Antica, etc. can be visited free of charge.
The free day to visit the Vatican Museums in July 2024 is July 28 (last Sunday of the month). You can also visit the Vatican Museums on Friday evenings from 7 PM to 11 PM.
Walk Along the Promenade Along the Tiber
From early June to early September, the annual outdoor festival Lungo il Tevere Roma takes place along the Tiber promenade.
The festival organizes exhibitions, concerts, hand-made goods fairs, master classes, and entertainment for children. What could be better than a stroll along the great river in the evening, when it’s not so hot anymore?
Admission is free, but concerts and movie screenings may be charged. You will also find numerous restaurants and discos.
Where does it take place? On both sides of the Tiber River in the area of the Ponte Garibaldi and Ponte Sublicio bridges. Entrance is from the Ghetto and Trastevere districts.
Light Multimedia Show at the Rome Forum
The season of multimedia light shows at the Roman Forum is late spring, summer and early fall. The ruins and stones will literally come to life before your eyes: with the help of a sophisticated system of projectors and audio system with headphones (including Russian language) you will travel back in time, see pictures from the daily life of the Eternal City during the reign of Gaius Julius Caesar and the first emperor Octavian Augustus.
The show takes place in the evening and lasts 40-45 minutes. You have the opportunity to see two different light shows to choose from and visit the forums of Caesar or Augustus (price 16€). Also for a special price of 27€ you can visit both historical and educational shows in Rome for the ultimate experience.
Rock in Roma
If you think that Rome is associated only with classical music, the Rock in Roma festival will change the musical image of the Italian capital. Rock in Roma is a summer series of rock concerts.
The Rock in Rome Festival in 2024 is set to take place at two different venues in Rome. Some of the performances are scheduled at the Capannelle Racecourse, which has been the “home” of Rock in Roma since 200. Other events will take place at the Circus Maximus, an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium and mass entertainment venue that has previously hosted large-scale live shows.
The festival will feature a range of performances across different dates. Confirmed acts and their dates include Gabry Ponte on June 15, Salmo Noyz on June 21, Geolier on June 28, Calcutta on June 30, Tommaso Paradiso on July 4, Bruce Dickinson on July 5, and Tedua on July 27. All these performances are scheduled to start at 21:45, except for Bruce Dickinson’s performance, which begins at 8.30 PM.
You can purchase tickets on the official website: https://rockinroma.com/en/acquisto-biglietti/
Have a Picnic in One of Rome’s Parks
Try spending one of your days in Rome in the same place where the Romans themselves relax – in nature, in one of Rome’s many parks. There are many ideas: you can rent bicycles or a whole bicycle car for a family, take a boat ride on a picturesque lake, have a picnic, make your children happy with a visit to the attractions (there is one in the Villa Borghese Park).
Music Under the Stars in the Thermae of Caracalla
Want to feel like Anita Ekberg in La Dolce Vita? Go to an open-air opera in the Thermae of Caracalla. July’s program includes Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata and Rigoletto.
You can see more details here https://www.romeing.it/festival-caracalla/
Go on a Shopping Spree
Sales in Italy are quite official and always take place at the same time. In winter it is January-February and in summer it is July-August. Sales start on the first Thursday of July (in 2024 it is July 4), and discounts reach 70-90%.
