Italy, Europe

Rome in August

Ferragosto (August 15) empties the locals out and closes many family restaurants for weeks. Major sights stay open in the heat.

Think twiceHottest month, highs near 90F (32C)

Colosseum, Rome — RomePhoto: Diliff, CC BY-SA 2.5

The straight answer

August is a month to think twice about visiting Rome. Ferragosto (August 15) empties the locals out and closes many family restaurants for weeks. Major sights stay open in the heat.

Weather: Hottest month, highs near 90F (32C)
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What August is like in Rome

August is Rome's hottest month, with highs near 90F (32C). Around Ferragosto on August 15, many Romans leave town, and a real share of family-run restaurants and small shops close for two to four weeks. The Colosseum, Vatican, and big museums stay open, but the heat on the stone is hard, especially for kids.

This is the month to skip if you have any choice. Crowds are a bit lighter than July, but the heat and closures make it the weakest month of the year. Late September or October give you warm days, open restaurants, and far more comfort.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Rome this month.

A quieter city after Ferragosto

With locals away, some neighborhoods feel empty and peaceful in the evenings. Streets that are jammed in May are easy to walk.

Summer concerts and outdoor cinema

Estate Romana is still running, and an outdoor film on a warm night is a good way to end a day.

Air-conditioned museums

The Vatican Museums and the big galleries make good midday refuges when the Forum is too hot to face.

What to pack for August

Lightweight, breathable clothing
A wide-brim hat and strong sunscreen
A refillable water bottle
A cover-up for shoulders and knees in churches

Our timing tip

If you must go in August, check that any restaurant you want is open that week, because many family places close around August 15.

Book Rome for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
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Opens a hotel search for Rome in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
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Vacation rentals in Rome
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets in Rome
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Rome for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

Estate Romana

June through September

The city's summer program: open-air cinema, concerts, and pop-up bars along the Tiber.

Ferragosto

August 15 every year

The national summer holiday. Romans leave town and many family businesses close for surrounding weeks.

Things to do in Rome

Full guide

Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine

One combined ticket, best booked weeks ahead in season. Enter at opening or book an evening slot in summer; the Forum has almost no shade.

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Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Closed Sundays (except a free final-Sunday opening with huge lines). Book the earliest slot and walk directly to the Sistine Chapel first.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

St Peter's Basilica

Free entry but airport-style security; the line is shortest before 8am. Papal events on Wednesdays and Sundays reshape the square.

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The Pantheon

The best-preserved ancient building on Earth. Now a modest timed-entry ticket; go early or near closing for the light through the oculus.

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Trastevere at dinner

Cross the river for the classic Roman evening. Book the well-known trattorias; walk-ins work on the side streets.

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Borghese Gallery

Strict timed entry with capped visitors, which keeps it civilized even in May. Reserve well ahead; Berninis alone justify the trip.

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Beat the crowds

Book the Vatican Museums' first entry, skip the audio-guide shuffle, and go straight to the Sistine Chapel, then work backward through the collections against the flow.
Do the Colosseum at opening and the Forum in late afternoon; midday is the worst of both heat and tour groups.
The famous fountains and piazzas cost nothing and close never: see them before 8am, then spend the crowded midday hours inside booked, timed-entry sights.
In summer, flip your day Roman-style: sights at dawn, long lunch and rest, back out at 6pm. Evening openings at the Colosseum and Vatican are the season's best-kept tickets.

Know before you go

August around Ferragosto (August 15): many family-run trattorias and small shops close for two to four weeks. Major monuments, the Vatican Museums, and big restaurants stay open. Check any specific restaurant before building a night around it.
The Vatican Museums close on Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month, which is free and ferociously crowded. St Peter's stays open daily but closes to visitors during papal events.
Papal audiences (typically Wednesday mornings) and Sunday Angelus reshape St Peter's Square; visit the basilica on other mornings for the calmest access.
Fixed holidays to plan around: January 1 and 6, April 25, May 1, June 2 (Republic Day), June 29, August 15, November 1, and December 8, 25, and 26. Museums vary between closed and holiday hours on each.

Rome in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Rome?

August is a month to think twice about visiting Rome. Ferragosto (August 15) empties the locals out and closes many family restaurants for weeks. Major sights stay open in the heat.

What is the weather like in Rome in August?

Hottest month, highs near 90F (32C).

Is Rome crowded in August?

Rome is busy in August, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.

What is happening in Rome in August?

Estate Romana (june through september); Ferragosto (august 15 every year).