Heat in Rome · What to do when it’s hot in Rome

The heat in Rome in summer is normal. In some years it gets very hot as early as mid-June, in other years not until the end of July.

In Rome, heat is normal and Rome and the Romans are prepared for it. But be careful! Do not step into the monumental fountains or you will be fined!

Hotel selection

When it’s hot in summer, rooms with air conditioning are important. Ideally, the hotel should be located in the city center, between Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Venezia, so you can relax in the hotel for a while during the day. Read our information about hotels in Rome.

What to do in Rome in the heat

There is no siesta for the working people in Rome. This is not a problem as they usually work in air-conditioned rooms. The Romans take a break for lunch, usually for one hour starting between 12:30 and 1 pm.

Visitors to the city should plan a siesta on hot days. After a strenuous morning program, you can escape the heat of the day and get some rest.

For the siesta, find a shady place. Churches are always pleasantly cool. Many churches have benches or chairs.

These are our favorite places to take a siesta in Rome:

1. The baths of Diocletian

The Baths of Diocletian are located across from Termini Central Station. They are part of the National Museum of Rome.

Inside the museum you can see the remains of the ancient baths, various courtyards and an exhibition on the creation and spread of the Latin alphabet. Particularly impressive is the cloister built by Michelangelo. In this huge cloister you will find wonderful places to rest and there is almost always a light breeze.

But the ancient baths were much larger than the area that can be visited today as a museum. To the left of the museum, you can visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, which was built into the Baths, free of charge. From the entrance of the Basilica you can see the Piazza della Repubblica. The square also stands on the ruins of the ancient Baths and its semicircular shape corresponds to the semicircle of the exedra of the ancient complex.

Opening hours of the museum: from Tuesday to Sunday 9:30 am – 7 pm

2. The catacombs

The catacombs are a good way to cool off. The Calixtus Catacombs on the Via Appia Antica have a beautiful park where you can spend time before or after visiting the catacombs. The Basilica of San Sebastiano is also pleasantly cool.

To get to the catacombs, take bus 118 from Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum or bus 218 from San Giovanni.

More about the catacombs on the Appian way.

3. The Pincio

The Pincio is a park and terrace above the Piazza del Popolo. It offers a wonderful view of the city and is pleasantly shaded. Four-wheeled pedal cars can be rented on the Pincio.

A wide path leads from the Pincio to Villa Borghese. However, you have to walk a bit in the blazing sun, which is not so pleasant on hot days.

4. Villa Borghese

The park of Villa Borghese is also very pleasant on hot summer days.

To get to Villa Borghese, there is a very convenient passage through the Spagna metro station. The passage is free. Just to the right of the Flaminio Metro station, a road leads to the Villa through a wide gate.

The other side of the Villa can be reached by tram lines 3 and 8. For the Borghese Gallery and the Bioparco Zoo, get off at the Bioparco stop.

The Villa has a lot to offer: free museums, a children’s playground, a cinema, a lake with rowing boats and a small bar.

5. Rome’s squares

There are bars and restaurants with tables everywhere in Rome’s squares. But for a table in front of the Pantheon or in Piazza Navona, you will have to pay several times the normal price. If you don’t want that, you should visit one of the very good ice cream parlors with their own ice cream production. You can buy an ice cream there and then enjoy it on the street.

A very good one is Giolitti, behind the Pantheon. There are many other good ice cream parlors in Rome, but Giolitti has a large Viennese coffeehouse-style room where you can relax with a sundae buried under a huge mountain of cream. So for a rest stop between the Pantheon and the Parliament, Giolitti is a good choice

Sightseeing

The city council recommends that people with health problems do not go outdoors between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. when the alert is at level 2, and everyone when the alert is at level 3.

If you still want to go sightseeing, you need to protect yourself from the heat.

1. Heat and sun protection: Wear light-colored clothing and protect yourself with sunscreen, a sun hat or parasol. However, remember the dress code in sacred places such as churches, catacombs and the Sistine Chapel: you are not allowed in without a head covering. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Spaghetti straps, shorts or miniskirts are not allowed.
2. Drink plenty of water: There are plenty of drinking fountains. You can drink this water without hesitation and fill your water bottles. Use plastic bottles. Metal or glass bottles are not allowed in most places of interest. Avoid coffee, sweetened and alcoholic drinks. To find the nearest fountain, you can download the Public Utilities app.
3. Do not walk too much: Use the hop on hop off buses or public transportation. A golf cart tour is also a good option.
4. Avoid queues: Waiting in line at the Colosseum or the Vatican Museums in the summer heat is a nightmare. Book well in advance. There is no priority entrance to St. Peter’s, but you can try early morning or late afternoon when the lines are shorter.

Shopping in Rome

Shopping in Rome is always a good idea! Rome is a shopping paradise for fashion and budget conscious visitors. In the city center you can find everything from luxury brands to mass-produced goods and second-hand items.

Nearly all stores have powerful air conditioning systems that keep the air cool. Most stores close between 7 pm and 8 pm. The luxury department store La Rinascente on Via del Tritone is open until midnight, with a roof terrace where you can dine and enjoy the view.

Go out in the evening

Rome comes alive in the evening. As soon as the sun goes down, the temperature drops. The Romans go out to dinner around 9 pm. Visit one of the good restaurants in Trastevere, in the center, along the Tiber or in the Monti district. After dinner, stroll through the squares or go to a music venue. However, most of them don’t open until 11 p.m. or even midnight.

Glass bottles are banned in the center of Rome!

Get up early

Take our advice and book a hotel in the city center. Enjoy Rome before dawn. In the early morning hours you have the fountains and squares almost to yourself. Watching the sunrise from the Spanish Steps or the Trevi Fountain is a unique experience.

If it’s cool in the morning, you can also go jogging. Later you can meet at the hotel for a good breakfast.

Excursions

There are several amusement parks and outlet centers in the Rome area. Romans also like to go to the seaside or the nearby mountains.

Hydromania

On the western outskirts lies the water park Hydromania. Hydromania is a popular destination. Unfortunately, the connection by public transport is a bit difficult

Public Transport: Bus 088 to the terminus of Tram 8 (Casaletto), Bus 906 to the Metro A Station Valle Aurelia

Summer opening hours: 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, weekends and public holidays until 7 pm

Zoomarine

On the coast south of Rome is the water and adventure park Zoomarine. Zoomarine offers attractions for all ages, from pools and slides, theme and adventure parks to penguins, seals and a dolphin show.

Public transport: COTRAL regional bus from Metro B terminus Laurentina direction Pomezia-Torvaianica to Piazza Italia stop.

Cinecittà World

Located next to the Castel Romano Outlet Center on Via Pontina in the south of Rome, this amusement park features Cinecittà World, Aqua World and Roma World.

Public transport: Take the COTRAL regional bus from the Laurentina Metro B terminus in the direction of Castel Romano and get off at the Outlet stop. The journey takes 22-26 minutes.

Ponza island

A trip to the island of Ponza is the absolute highlight, which will be remembered for many years. Here you can not only escape the heat of the city, you can enjoy the sun and the warmth! The speedboat will take you from Anzio to the island. Here you will find crystal clear water as on the most beautiful beaches of Sardinia or as in Calabria. On the island of Ponza there are natural pools on the rocky coast. The island belongs to the Circeo National Park.

Ostia Lido

Many Romans travel to the coast on hot days. There are several train lines that can take you to the coast. The journey to Ostia is very comfortable. You can take the local train from the subway station B Piramide to Ostia. Ostia is part of the municipality of Rome and you can make the trip with the city transportation ticket.

Ostia is a suburb of Rome with excellent restaurants by the sea and a small pedestrian area in the center. Unfortunately, the quality of the sea water in Ostia is not very good. If you want to visit a bathing establishment in Ostia, you should choose one with a swimming pool.

Read on information about Ostia Lido

Ostia Antica

A trip to Ostia and Ostia Antica is a wonderful combination. The origins of this ancient port city date back to the 7th century BC. The visible remains date back to the 4th century BC. Ostia Antica is located on the banks of the Tiber and served as a shipping and trading base.

The museum grounds offer plenty of shade, especially from the tall pine trees, and there is a pleasant breeze even on hot summer days.

It takes at least two hours to visit the entire complex.

Public Transportation to Ostia Antica: Local train on the city line from the Pyramid, metro station on line B, to the Ostia Antica stop.

Read our article about Ostia Antica

Tivoli · Villa d’Este

Castel Gandolfo

Another beautiful destination is Castel Gandolfo. This is the summer residence of the Popes. Pope Francis has decided to stay in Rome for the summer, so the palace and gardens can be visited.