Italy, Europe

Rome in July

Cobblestones, no shade, and the year's longest lines. If you must, go at dawn and after dinner, and book air conditioning.

Think twiceHot, highs near 89F (32C), heat waves common

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

The straight answer

July is a month to think twice about visiting Rome. Cobblestones, no shade, and the year's longest lines. If you must, go at dawn and after dinner, and book air conditioning.

Weather: Hot, highs near 89F (32C), heat waves common
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What July is like in Rome

July is hot and crowded. Highs sit near 89F (32C), and heat waves push well past that. Rome is stone, cobbles, and not much shade, so it feels hotter than the number. Lines at the Colosseum and Vatican are the longest of the year, and prices stay high.

Honestly, this is a month to avoid if you can. If school holidays leave you no choice, book a hotel with strong air conditioning, see sights at dawn, and rest midday. Otherwise, move your trip to May or October for a far better visit.

Make the most of July

What is especially good about Rome this month.

Open-air summer nights

Estate Romana runs outdoor films and concerts, and the riverside bars along the Tiber are a nice way to spend a hot evening.

Dawn at the fountains

The Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps at 7am are cool, quiet, and empty. It is the best hour of a July day.

Night visits to the big sights

Evening entries at the Colosseum or Vatican beat the heat. They sell out, so book as soon as they open.

What to pack for July

The lightest breathable clothes you own
A sun hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen
A large refillable water bottle
A light scarf to cover shoulders in churches
Electrolyte packets for long walking days

Our timing tip

Book a hotel with air conditioning you have confirmed in reviews, and schedule every outdoor site for before 10am or after 6pm.

Book Rome for July.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Rome
Opens a hotel search for Rome in July, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for July
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
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.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Rome
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Rome for July. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in July

Estate Romana

June through September

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

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

Trastevere at dinner

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

Tickets and tours →

Borghese Gallery

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

Tickets and tours →

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 July, quick answers

Is July a good time to visit Rome?

July is a month to think twice about visiting Rome. Cobblestones, no shade, and the year's longest lines. If you must, go at dawn and after dinner, and book air conditioning.

What is the weather like in Rome in July?

Hot, highs near 89F (32C), heat waves common.

Is Rome crowded in July?

July is peak crowd season in Rome; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in Rome in July?

Estate Romana (june through september).