Walk around Rome and find yourself bumping into a monument, landmark or a venue that holds invaluable artistic wealth around every other corner. Its ancient ruins and ornate churches tell tales of the men bygone, while modern Rome is moving into the millennium with speed and desire that will leave you breathless. Explore the museums, discover the monuments, admire the art, savour the cuisine, and walk the length of the Tiber, at the end of it you will still feel unsatisfied and never want to say goodbye to Rome. July is an exciting time to explore Rome and is at the peak of its tourist season, and here is a guide to help you plan your trip to Rome in July.
What Makes Rome in July Special?
Clear skies and long nights – Rome in July is in the peak of summer and can be hot! But, it means clear blue skies with no rainfall to mess up your plans. Also, you can truly live like the Italians, start your day early, break for a long lunch and siesta and then continue sightseeing till late in the night.
Summer festivals abound – Romans love to stay out in the summer as long as possible and with the array of festivals happening you won’t know when the sun came up! From international rock festivals to film festivals, from the orchestra in the gardens to art exhibitions along the Tiber, there is something for everyone!
Local flavour – Romans head for their vacation only in August which means they are still around in July and you can experience their culture in local piazzas and trattorias and at events like Festa dei Noantri. Shop at the summer sale, sign up for cooking classes or bike around the city to live as Romans do!
Rome Weather in July
July is one of the hottest months of the year in Rome. The average highs lurk around 31°C with historical highs of up to 35°C, while at night the temperature goes down to 19°C. Rome in July enjoys clear skies with less to no rainfall. Don't forget your sunscreen while visiting Rome in July!
Rome in July: Things to Do
1
Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica
One might argue that Vatican City has the world’s highest per square foot of valuable art. In the middle of Rome, the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica all next door to each other exhibit the best art and a combo guided tour is the best way to explore them.
July Timings
Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel:
Monday to Saturday - 9 am-6 pm
Closed on all Sundays except last Sunday
St. Peter’s Basilica:
Daily - 7 am-6:30 pm
Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma RM,
Italy
Getting There ›
2
Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
Walk the path of the ancient Romans and explore the iconic Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum, which are all located in the same vicinity. Take a tour and skip the line with your expert guide who will regale you with stories of gladiators and generals who shaped world history.
July Timings
Colosseum: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Palatine Hill: 8:30 am-7 pm
Roman Forum: 9 am-7 pm
Piazza del Colosseo, 00184, Rome,
Italy
Getting There ›
3
Roman Catacombs
Crypts and burial grounds are ripe for myths and legends, and the Roman Catacombs are no less. These underground burial spaces spread for kilometres under Rome and were used by Christians and Jews between 2nd-5th centuries to bury their dead. Take a guided tour to discover these underground mazes!
July Timings
All the Roman Catacombs are open from 9 am-12 pm and 2 pm-5 pm.
They are closed on the following days:
- Catacombs of San Sebastiano – Sunday
- Catacombs of San Callisto – Wednesday
- Catacombs of Priscilla – Monday
- Catacombs of Domitilla – Tuesday
Via Salaria, 430, 00199 Roma RM,
Italy
Getting There ›
4
Borghese Gallery and Borghese Gardens
The works of Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael, and Bernini, all find a home in the Villa Borghese, a fantastic art gallery and museum that rivals the best in the world. The Villa is surrounded by exquisite gardens and you can take guided tours to explore it fully in a limited time.
July Timings
Tuesday to Sunday - 9 am-7 pm (Five slots of two-hours with last entry at 5 pm)
Closed on Mondays
Viale del Museo Borghese, 00197 Roma RM,
Italy
Getting There ›
5
Rome Bike Tour
Explore Rome at your own pace on a bike! Cycle around the Trajan Forum, Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, Jewish Ghetto and Campo de Fiori and learn about their history from an expert tour guide. No hassle of public transport and all the comforts of stopping and exploring!
July Timings
Tour starts at 10 am
Via di Santa Eufemia 15, Rome,
Italy
Getting There ›
6
Navona Square
There’s nothing more beautiful in Rome than the Piazza Navona, also known in English as Navona Square. The piazza flaunts Bernini sculptures, elaborate fountains, a magnificent church, colourful casts of street artists, quaint cafes and lots of open space, bathing in sunshine and brimming with tourists. Like they say, Piazza Navona Rome is where the liveliness of Roman life is explicitly tangible.
00186 Roma RM,
Italy
Getting There ›
7
Day Trip to Tuscany
You will feel like you've walked into a wallpaper, as you witness the sight of rolling hills, picturesque villages and the iconic Cypress trees in the beautiful region of Tuscany. Take a day tour of the region known for its vineyards and enjoy a tour with comfortable transport and a 3-course meal.
July Timings
Tour starts at 7:30 am
Piazza del Popolo 00187 Roma RM Italy, Roma
Italy
Getting There ›
8
Rome By Night
Enjoy the mellow summer nights of Rome as you explore the alleys and streets lined with historic monuments and landmarks. Pick a tour that takes you across the best of Rome or one that introduces to the legends and ghosts of this ancient city. Either way, you will have a night to remember!
July Timings
Depends on the tour chosen
S. Andrea della Valle Church, Rome
Italy
Getting There ›
9
Angels & Demons Tour
Walk in the steps of the fictional Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon from the famous book ‘Angels and Demons’ as you uncover the secrets behind the art and monuments in Rome. Even if you are not a fan of the book you will be amazed by the significance and symbolism in the artwork.
June Timings
Tue & Fri at 9:00 am
Piazza del Popolo, Rome
Italy
Getting There ›
10
Food Tours in Rome
Go beyond just savoring the best pizzas and pasta in Rome, learn about their origins and learn to cook them for yourself! Take your pick of a food tour that takes you to amazing trattorias, gelaterias, vineyards, and indulge in cooking pasta from scratch. No one feasts like the Romans!
June Timings
Depends on the experience chosen
Rome,
Italy
Getting There ›
Rome in July : Events to Look Out For
Lungo il Tevere 2022
June – September
Literally meaning ‘Along the Tiber’, this summer festivals celebrates music, theatre, dance and the arts at venues along the Tiber River in the heart of Rome. Events run all through summer and late into night so you always have something to do!
Giardini di Luglio
July 16 - July 19
IThe ‘Gardens of July’ is a summer music festival conducted in the grounds of the Villa Borghese. The verdant location witnesses artists from across the world performing a variety of genres. Usually, the program includes international music from a host of countries.
Opera at the Baths of Caracalla
All of July
The Baths of Caracalla come to life during summer when the ancient ruins turn to a stage for Opera and Ballet performances. Catch the German violinist David Garrett, George Bizet’s Carmen and many more perform this July.
Rock in Roma
June 10 - September 11
A rock-music event that takes place every year, Rock in Roma brings various headlining artists like Deep Purple, Cigarettes After Sex, The Chemical Brothers, Herbie Hancock, and many more! It began in 2002 and this year, the festival that is scheduled to take place across multiple days from June 10th onward.
Isola del Cinema
June 16 - September 3
The Isola del Cinema is currently in its 28th edition and is conducted on the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Tiber Island. It focuses on Italian and International cinema and features full length features, short movies, VR & Gaming and hosts several exhibitions.
Concerto del Tempietto
July 1 - October 2
Every night in the summer as the sun sets the lights of the historic Theatre of Marcellus come on, and the stage is set for classical musicians. Singers and musicians play exquisite classical music that transforms the atmosphere into a magical realm.
Rome in July: 5-day Itinerary
Need help planning your Rome vacation? Check out our detailed Rome itineraries here.
5 Days In Rome Itinerary
1
Colosseum
€21
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
€21
Trevi Fountain
Free Entry
2
St. Peter's Basilica & Vatican Necropolis
€13.65
Vatican Museums
Sistine Chapel
€5
3
Borghese Gallery
€54
Roman Catacombs
€69
Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano
€10
4
Rome to Naples
€131
Rome to Pompeii
€129
Rome to Amalfi Coast
€198
5
Trastevere
Roman Ghetto
Appian Way
Rome in July: Seasonal Delicacies
Every summer buffet in Rome will have this on the menu, delicious juicy melons wrapped with salty ham! The recipe dates back to 2 AD when healers of the time deemed the combination to be healthy. Healthy or not, it’s tasty for sure!
Where to eat: Ristorante Al Padovano
No other dish screams summer like the Caprese Salad! Gorgeous locally-grown tomatoes, fresh basil leaves and creamy mozzarella, all sliced up and garnished with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, that’s perfection right there! You can eat as a side or even make a meal of it.
Where to eat: Cantina e Cucina
You might find bright yellow-orange blossoms in all produce markets in July, these are zucchini flowers and are found abundantly in summer. They are eaten as toppings on pizzas or added to pastas but the best way to eat them is fried and with a side of a Bellini!
Where to eat: Ristorante Fiore di Zucca
The spicy, meaty and tangy flavours of a traditional Caponata will burst in your mouth all at once! This cooked salad is a favorite of Romans in summer thanks to the fresh produce of eggplants, tomatoes, capers, and olives.
Where to eat: Osteria dell'Ingegno
There is coffee and there is gelato, how can you go wrong with this? Affogato is the perfect way to get your shot of caffeine in the summer in Rome. A cold dessert, the Affogato is a scoop of vanilla gelato topped with a shot of espresso.
Where to eat: Fiocco di neve
Rome July Essentials
LanguageItalian
Time zoneGMT+2
Country Code+39
Socket Type C, L, F
CurrencyEuros €
Rome Weather in July
The sun is at its hottest in July and you will experience temperatures around 31°. The days are long with around 14 hours of sunlight, the sun rises at around 5:45 AM and sets around 8:40 PM. There is low humidity and almost no chance of rainfall.
Where to Stay in Rome during July
Rome is a tourist city but it is also where millions of Romans live and work and you can have an option of picking a variety of styles and budget of accommodation. The most romantic areas are Aventine and Monti, Trastevere is for the bohemian traveler, Centro Storico is the central historic part ideal for the first timer and Termini is good for those on a budget.
Here are our recommendations :
- Luxury Hotels: Hotel Artemidee, The Fifteen Keys Hotel, Singer Palace Hotel
- Mid-Range: Princeps Boutique Hotel, Residenza San Calisto, Hotel Pensione Barrett
- Budget: Fabio Massimo Design Hotel, Resort La Rocchetta, Villa Patrizia
What to Pack for Visiting Rome in July
In Rome you have to pack for two types of sightseeing – Religious and otherwise. All the churches and religious sites like synagogues require you to dress modestly with elbow and knees covered, both for men and women. For the rest of your trip you can carry the best summer clothes, add in a hat, cap or even an umbrella to ward off the heat and shine. Also, carry sunscreen and good walking shoes as old Rome is no place for heels!
Getting Around Rome in July
Rome does not have an extensive public transport network like other European cities, yet you can get around to major landmarks in an inexpensive way. Here is how you can do that –
- Metro – Two lines A and B, they run from 5:30 AM to 1:30 AM and are cheap.
- Tram – An exhaustive network of six lines, convenient to hop and hop off.
- Urban Railway – There are three lines and connect to Lido, Viterbo and Giardinetti.
- Buses – Extensive network of 338 bus lines, 22 night buses and 8,260 stops, however can be a bit confusing to find the right bus and stop.
The best way to go around the city is to use a Roma Pass, and if you still need more information you can read all about the Public Transportation system in Rome here.
Tips for Visiting Rome in July
- Summer means late night specials in Rome and you can visit the Colosseum until midnight or the Castel Sant’Angelo until 11 PM from Thursdays to Sundays. If you love light shows then head to the ones at Forum of Augustus and Julius Caesar’s Forum.
- Summer sales are big in Italy and Rome starts its ‘Saldi’ or sale season on 6th July and goes on till 15th August 2019. With huge discounts on designer brands, this is the right time to fill up your wardrobe.
- Water is your best weapon against the summer heat and you can bring a reusable water bottle and keep refilling it from the water fountains across the city. There are hundreds of water fountains called ‘nasoni’ and they have safe drinking water.
- The Festival Trastevere Rione Del Cinema is a free movie festival that is held at Piazza San Cosimato in Trastevere. The festival runs from 1st June to 1st August and features one movie every night at 9:15 PM.
- The Alta Roma Fashion Week, the official fashion week of Rome will happen from 4th – 7th July 2019. It is a great time to be in Rome for fashionistas who would love to check out the latest styles.
Explore Rome by Months
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Ready to Visit Rome in July?
Here are some quick links to articles that will make your Roma vacation all the more special !
FAQs
The average highs lurk around 31°C with historical highs of up to 35°C, while at night the temperature goes down to 19°C in Rome in July.
All the churches and religious sites like synagogues require you to dress modestly with elbows and knees covered, both for men and women. For the rest of your trip you can carry the best summer clothes, add in a hat, cap, or even an umbrella to ward off the heat and shine.
Since July and August are peak travel seasons, you can expect crowds at the major tourist attractions and in restaurants, cafes, and pubs in Rome.
Some of the best attractions in Rome in July are Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum, and the Roman Catacombs.
The best ways to travel around Rome is via the Metro, Trams, Urban Railways and Buses.
