10 Things to Do in Rome in Summer

One of the most beautiful seasons to travel to Rome is summer. The Eternal City shines with a special light, the colours of the streets are more vivid than ever, and you can enjoy the best pasta and pizza in the city in the shade on outdoor terraces.

In this article, I'll tell you everything you can do in the Italian capital to have an unforgettable experience. Of course, to avoid getting burnt, remember to bring a bottle of water, sunscreen and a hat!

Who hasn't dreamed of touring the old town of Rome on a Vespa? Feeling like Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the film 'Roman Holiday' is possible thanks to this iconic vehicle, which will allow you to discover the other side of the Eternal City. The decadent but charming streets of the Eternal City will make you fall head over heels in love with it.

Summer is the best time to ride a Vespa around Rome, a city where, although it may not seem like it, it rains quite a lot the rest of the year. And we all know that rain and motorcycles don't mix. So now, enjoy la dolce far niente!

The best time to explore the city is when the sun goes down. The monuments and fountains are illuminated and the metropolis looks more magical and romantic than ever. When the high temperatures give you a break, there are many romantic places to see in Rome that come to life in the moonlight.

One of the most special moments I experienced on my trip was when I saw the Trevi Fountain at night for the first time. There is a traditional legend that says if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they will return to the Eternal City. I threw one in. Could the legend be true?

Walking around Rome at night with an ice cream in your hand is not a bad idea either. In my case, to explore the city at night more comfortably, I booked a 3-hour night tour for €41 on foot or by bike, which allowed me to make the most of my time twice as much as if I had done it on my own.

One of the best ways to beat the high summer temperatures in Rome is to cool off with a delicious homemade ice cream at Giolitti, the oldest ice cream parlour in the Eternal City. For me, the best thing about Rome is exploring it bite by bite. Cool idea, right?

Make a note in your diary to visit the Giolitti ice cream parlour, near the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain, which, with more than a century of history, has become one of the symbols of the city. Even Hollywood stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck fell in love with this place, tasting this dessert during the filming of 'Roman Holiday' (1953). By the way, you'll find over a hundred different flavours! Here's a little guide to the best ice creams in Rome.

Useful information about the Giolitti ice cream parlour

• Price: from €3.50 for an ice cream cone or tub.
• Where: Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, Rome.
• Recommended for... solo travellers, couples and families.

Try Rome's famous slushies

During the hot months, there's nothing more popular than having a granita or, better still, a grattachecca, a Roman invention from the beginning of the last century made with ice, syrup and fruit. You'll find it at numerous street stalls and cafés; it's as common as horchata in Valencia. And it's delicious!

An ideal place to spend the day when the weather is good is Tiber Island, a small islet barely 270 metres long located in the middle of the River Tiber and connected to the city by two ancient Roman bridges. You'll appreciate the river breeze!

If you want to do something different in summer, every year this island hosts the L'Isola del Cinema International Film and Culture Festival, which offers open-air cinema. And many of the festival's events are free. That's right! You can also improve your Italian, as many of the films are in this language.

You can also take the opportunity to cool off by taking a sightseeing cruise on the River Tiber or using this means of transport to visit the city's main monuments without having to endure the high summer temperatures in Rome.

During the summer, there's no stopping Rome! To escape the high temperatures and avoid feeling dizzy, a good idea is to take refuge in places with air conditioning. It's always better in the cool! Of course, I admit that there will be more tourists than at other times of the year, so get up early!

• Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: Given the number of works it houses, the Vatican is truly vast, and touring it with an expert will help you focus on the most important things. In this post, I explain the best guided tours of the Vatican.
• Capitoline Museums: During my trip to Rome, this was one of the museums that surprised me the most. The Capitoline Museums are considered the oldest art galleries in the world, and you'll find some real treasures there.
• Galleria Borghese: This museum is another of Rome's must-see art galleries. It is located in Villa Borghese and has an extraordinary collection of works by the best artists of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
• Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia: If you want to experience a fascinating journey through time, this museum will give you the opportunity to stroll among some of the most fascinating pieces and ruins from the pre-Roman and Etruscan periods.
• Wax Museum: Discover the wax statues of 250 celebrities, artists, actors, poets, musicians and political figures in this famous wax gallery and visit the workshop to learn how the figures are made.
• Gladiator School and Museum: At this school-museum, you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of Roman gladiators and become one yourself by practising fighting techniques and participating in games and other activities.
• Leonardo Da Vinci Museum: In this interactive museum, you can see more than 65 machines, many of them full-scale replicas, and you will also have the opportunity to visit an archaeological site buried under the museum dating back to 43 BC.

If you're travelling to Rome in the summer, whether as a couple, with friends or with family, one of the best things you can do is go to Fregene beach, located about 40 kilometres from the capital and bathed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, and take a refreshing dip.

Did you know that the ending of Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita (1960) was shot here? In this film-like setting, you can contemplate the intense blue of the sea, enjoy a jazz concert and watch the sunset while sipping a delicious cocktail.

Treat yourself to an Italian aperitif

This place also serves the best Roman aperitifs (Italian tapas) in the area. But what is the famous Italian aperitif? As well as being a very economical option for dinner near Rome, it is a cultural tradition throughout the country. From 6 p.m. onwards, you can order a drink and enjoy a buffet prepared for the occasion, which usually includes pasta, salads and cold cuts, for a fixed price. Don't miss it!

Whether you travel to Rome in July or August, the heat can be stifling, but fortunately there are plenty of outdoor activities to cool off. One of my favourites is to lose myself in nature and its little villages!

A few kilometres from the big city are the Alban Hills (in Italian, Colli Albani), a group of volcanic hills that stretch across the Italian region of Lazio. Here you will find vegetation, lakes where you can swim, archaeological remains and medieval architecture at the top. It is a magical place to escape the heat and bustle of Rome!

The Castelli Romani region is famous for its wine production. If you are looking for a good place to eat in Rome, I recommend trying a glass of Romanella white wine and roast pork porchetta. Delicious!

The Pope's summer residence

Did you know that even the current Pope Francis has his summer residence in this area, called Castelli Romani? In addition, the region was highly prized in the past by Italian nobles for its pleasant summer temperatures and peaceful atmosphere.

One of my favourite pastimes in Rome in summer was strolling through the Orange Garden, one of the best-kept secrets of the Eternal City, located on the Aventine Hill, one of the seven hills. Here you will discover one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the entire capital thanks to its impressive viewpoint, and in summer it has a very special light. You'll love it!

If you feel like getting off the beaten track in Rome during the summer, take note of the city's best-hidden secret places, in addition to the Orange Garden. This will allow you to get to know the metropolis as if you were a true Roman. As Albert Einstein said, "If you want different results, don't always do the same thing."

If you're travelling to Rome with children in the summer, one of the best things you can do is spend a day at Hydromania, the only water park in the capital. The park, which usually opens around 15 June, has slides, a semi-Olympic swimming pool, a wave machine, a beach area, hydromassage... and much more. Let's go for a swim!

Located on the outskirts of Rome, Hydromania is easily accessible by public or private transport and is visited by more than 220,000 people every summer season. In addition, every day it organises events for all ages, such as water aerobics classes, dancing, water slide races and water games, among other activities. Children will love it!

From June to September, Rome's swimming pools open their doors so that both Italians and tourists can spend a summer's day sunbathing, relaxing or enjoying a delicious cocktail by the pool. Taking a dip in the cool water in summer is a fantastic idea. Don't you think?

Feel like an elite athlete in an Olympic swimming pool

If you like swimming and doing laps in the pool, my advice is to visit the Piscina delle Rose sports complex, where you can swim in the popular Olympic-sized pool, built for the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. You'll feel like an athlete! In summer, it's a great way to escape the heat and chaos of the city. What's more, the entrance fee includes access to water activities.

Be prepared to suffer in the Roman summer heat:

• Visiting Rome in June: Summer begins this month, with a minimum temperature of 17º and a maximum of 28º C.
• Visiting Rome in July: The minimum temperature is 19º and the maximum reaches 31º C.
• Visiting Rome in August: The thermometer registers the highest temperatures of the year, between 19º and 31º C.
• Visiting Rome in September: The thermometer registers minimum temperatures around 16º and maximum temperatures of 27º.

• Drink water like there's no tomorrow: in summer in Rome, you'll feel like your feet are sticking to the pavement! That's why it's essential to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. The best thing to do? I recommend buying a bottle of water and refilling it for free at any of the fountains scattered throughout the city. Keep an eye out! There are mobile apps that allow you to locate the nearest fountain.
• Avoid the sun during the middle of the day: here's a selection of the best restaurants where you can take shelter from the scorching midday summer sun. I hope you're reading this post on an empty stomach, because otherwise you'll get hungry when you see the succulent Roman pasta and pizza. I gained 4 kilos during my trip, but I wouldn't change a thing!

Essential items for your summer suitcase

• Sunscreen.
• Comfortable shoes or sandals.
• Hat.
• Bikini or swimsuit.
• Towel.
• Tank tops or short-sleeved T-shirts.
• Jacket for air conditioning.

In this article, you've read about some summer plans, but if you're not satisfied and want to return to Rome at another time of year, here are some guides to the best things to do in Rome in spring, what to see and do in Rome in autumn, and what to do in Rome in winter. Every season has its charm!