Rome summer. Many say that the summer in Rome is too hot. Might be. But it’s worth visiting Rome in summer. Many Romans are on vacation and on the mild summer evenings there is an extensive program with events and gastronomic offers.
Rome summer · The best time to travel
Already at the beginning of the school holidays in mid-June the traffic is noticeably reduced and many Romans leave the city.
In August the city becomes even quieter because many companies and offices are closed for at least two weeks. There is little traffic during this time and the attractions are more accessible. In August, for example, you don’t need to pre-order for papal audiences.
Estate Romana · Roman summer
Rome offers an extensive program in the summer to enjoy the long evenings outdoors. As part of the Roman Summer, the Estate Romana, there are numerous free concerts and film screenings.
In 2020, thanks to a flash of inspiration in the city government of then Mayor Raggi, Roman Summer was renamed Romarama and the duration of the event was extended until New Year’s Day. The mascot of Romarama was not “La Lupa”, the emblem of the city. It was a cat that somehow seemed to have made contact with the universe. Whether it received an answer, we do not know.
The new city government is now trying to give the event an organization again. It is now called Estate Romana again and has a new logo. However, the cat inventor seems to be still in office and dignity. A press release of the city-owned agency with the name Zètema of June 16, which was so incomprehensible that one could not read out any meaningful content, suggests this. For Zètema, its own work is probably already an art form with the technique of triggering strong feelings in the customer out of the created chaos.
Be that as it may, we have gathered the most important information about the Roman summer for you from various sources.
Events
June 3rd – July 31st, 2022
Open air Cinema Festival · Trastevere · Monte Ciocci · Cervelletta
Trastevere – Piazza San Cosimato
Films are shown in Piazza S. Cosimato in Trastevere from Wednesday to Sunday. The films are shown in the original language with Italian subtitles. Admission is free. The projections start at 9:15 pm. Program
Cervelletta
Further projections will be held from June 9th to July 24th, at 9:15 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday, in the Casale della Cervelletta. The Parco della Cervelletta is unfortunately difficult to reach by public transport, especially after midnight. 
Monte Ciocci
There are projections on Monte Ciocci from June 18 to July 24, at 9:15 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday. Monte Ciocci is a vantage point over Rome that is particularly popular with young people. From here you can see St. Peter’s dome very well. From the Metro A station Valle Aurelia it goes up stairs to the mountain. The next train station is Appiano and from there it goes a little downhill.
Reservation
Entry is free and no reservation is required. If you get too cold, bring a blanket.
Open Air Kino in the Villa Borghese
The Casa del Cinema in Villa Borghese organizes performances with free admission in summer. The events will take place at different times. The screenings take place partly in the original sound with Italian subtitles. The program can be found at www.casadelcinema.it. Largo Marcello Mastroianni, 1
Jazz at Villa Celimontana
Jazz concerts are held every evening in the “Village Celimontana”. Bar & Streetfood
4th June – 28th August 22 Sunday brunch 12:30Villa Celimontana on Caelius Hill can be reached on foot from the Maximus Circus via the Salita di San Gregorio. From the Colosseum, take Via Claudia. Bus 81 Stop Villa Celimontana Program
Roman nights – Concerti del Tempietto
1.07.-2.10.2022 20:30
18:30 – 19:30 Rehearsal
19:45 Guided tour of the Teatro di Marcello, 20:30 Concert
Chiostro di Campitelli
Roma Summer Fest at Parco della Musica
Summer festival in Parco della Musica in the north of Rome on Via Flaminia. See here all the events. Tickets
Tram 2
Summer at Casa del Jazz
The Casa del Jazz is located in a park south of the Baths of Caracalla.
Events and Tickets Casa del Jazz
Bus 160, 671, 714, 792
The thermal baths of Caracalla
Until 9 August
The thermal baths of Caracalla offer a very nice atmosphere. There are concerts and operas. Events and Tickets Baths of Caracalla
Bus 118, 628, 671, 714, 792
Rock in Rome
The Rock Festival in Rome runs until the end of July and has two venues:
- The racecourse Capanelle Bus 118, 520, 664
- The Auditorium Parco della Musica Tram 2
The Roman Theater of Ostia Antica
July and September
Another spectacular venue is the Roman theater in the excavations of Ostia Antica. The theater was built in the time of Augustus with 3,000 seats and was expanded to 4,000 seats in the 2nd century.
Events and tickets Ostia Antica
Metro Piramide – Ostia Lido stazione Ostia Antica
Summer on the terrace of the Gianicolo
Food, drinks, live music and disco on the terrace of the Gianicolo. Until October daily from 7:00 p.m.
Piazzale Giuseppe GaribaldiSummer on the Tiber
A funfair with shooting galleries and high striker. There is also food and drink. Daily from 7 pm until the end of August.
Ponte Sisto – Tiber Island
Romaeuropa Festival at Parco della Musica
Music – Dance – Theater
8 September – 20 November
Tram 2
Summer weather in Rome
In summer, the maximum temperatures in Rome are regularly above 30°C and the minimum temperatures are rarely below 20°C. Grasses and meadows turn brown. When choosing accommodation, air-conditioned rooms are recommended. A regular breeze moves through the city and the temperatures are not uncomfortable in the shade. Nevertheless, you should have a sun hat or a parasol with you for protection.
Attention! When visiting the sacred sites, including the catacombs and papal audiences, the shoulders and knees must be covered, even on hot summer days.
How to really enjoy Rome in summer
In the early morning the city is calm and empty. The sunrise offers wonderful pictures and maybe you will meet a wedding couple at the photo shoot. Early morning is also the best time to jog.
When planning your day, you should take care not to walk around in the heat of the afternoon. You should plan rest periods or a visit to a park, a swimming pool or a trip to the sea.
The best way to get around on two wheels is by e-bike or Vespa; on four wheels there are golf carts, hop on hop off buses and public transport. The luxurious variant is a sightseeing tour in the air-conditioned luxury limousine.
A lively and colorful nightlife develops after sunset. Traditional festivals and events along the banks of the Tiber provide variety.
Roman summer food
On hot summer days, you may not feel like having an extensive lunch. A nice salad plate, a sandwich, fresh fruit or an ice cream sundle is often enough. Many bars offer small dishes for lunch. Roman office workers go to lunch around 1pm. Follow them and you will find good places for a light lunch. For a good ice cream, we recommend our article on the best ice cream parlors in Rome.
Zum Abendessen lassen The Romans take more time for dinner. It can also take several hours between a starter and a dessert. There is a lot of fish and grilled food. The heavy Roman cuisine is less suitable for summer. Artichokes are winter vegetables, in summer they come from far away.
You might want to take the train from the pyramid to Ostia and have a nice dinner by the sea.
