Most people pack for Rome's heat and forget about the ground. You'll walk far more than you plan to, mostly on sampietrini, the old basalt cobbles that turn slick after rain and wreck thin soles. Get the shoes right and the rest of the bag is easy.
Rome weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 14°C57°F | 15°C59°F | 17°C63°F | 20°C68°F | 23°C73°F | 31°C88°F | 34°C93°F | 33°C91°F | 28°C82°F | 24°C75°F | 17°C63°F | 14°C57°F |
| Low | 6°C43°F | 5°C41°F | 8°C46°F | 9°C48°F | 13°C55°F | 19°C66°F | 22°C72°F | 21°C70°F | 18°C64°F | 14°C57°F | 9°C48°F | 5°C41°F |
| Rain days | 10 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 7 |
Season by season
Winter
December–FebruaryHighs of 14–15°C (57–59°F) and lows of 5–6°C (41–43°F). That's mild, but churches and stone apartments hold the cold, and you'll get 7 to 10 rain days a month. A warm layer and a packable rain shell cover it, and the Vatican Museums queue is usually much shorter.
Spring
March–MayHighs climb from 17°C (63°F) in March to 23°C (73°F) in May, with lows of 8–13°C (46–55°F). This is Rome's wettest stretch, and May tops the year with 15 rain days. Pack layers and a rain shell, because a dry morning on the Palatine can be a downpour by lunch.
Summer
June–AugustJuly hits 34°C (93°F) and August 33°C (91°F), with lows of 19–22°C (66–72°F), so nights stay warm too. Rain almost disappears, just 3 days in July. Dress light, carry a bottle and refill it at the nasoni, the free street fountains. Do the Forum at 8am, not 2pm.
Autumn
September–NovemberSeptember is still hot at 28°C (82°F), then October drops to 24°C (75°F) and November to 17°C (63°F). October brings 12 rain days, so the rain shell goes back in the bag. This is our pick for Rome, warm enough for dinner outside in Trastevere and cool enough to walk all day.
What to bring to Rome
0 of 24 packed- Allbirds Women's Tree Dasher 2Footwear & Shoe Care
A cushioned crash pad and a traction outsole are exactly what Rome's cobbles demand, and you can throw them in the wash after a dusty day at the Forum.
- Allbirds Men's Tree Dasher 2Footwear & Shoe Care
The men's version, with a breathable knit upper for 34°C (93°F) July afternoons and a grippy sole for wet sampietrini, so check the price before you book.
- Hydro Flask 18 oz Standard Mouth Bottle with Flex CapWater Bottles & Hydration
Fill it at any nasone and it stays cold for 24 hours, which beats paying for warm bottled water outside the Colosseum.
- Pacsafe GO Anti-Theft Tech CrossbodyDocuments & Security
Termini, the 64 bus and the Trevi crowds are where pickpockets work, and a steel-wire strap with lockable zips makes you the harder target.
- A warm wrapClothing
Throw it over your shoulders at the door of St Peter's, then use it as a blanket on the flight home.
- Bearwind S40 Portable Handheld Turbo FanTech & Power
The summer queue for the Vatican Museums is the hottest place in Rome, and a fan in your hand makes the wait a lot easier to take.
The sliding EU plug covers Italy's C and F sockets, and three USB-C ports charge your phone, watch and camera off one hotel outlet.
Clothing
- Good jeans or linen trousers · 2Romans dress neat and casual
- Plain shirts and tops · 5
- Knee-length shorts or skirt · 2July hits 34°C; knees covered for St Peter's
- Sweater for evenings · 1October lows of 14°C
- Warm layer · 1Winter lows of 5–6°C, churches hold the cold
- Packable rain shellMay tops the year with 15 rain days
- Sun hatLittle shade at the Forum in summer
Footwear
- Sandals with a proper sole · 1 pairFine in summer on the cobbles
- Cushioned walking socks · 5 pairsYou'll walk far more than you plan
Gear
- Compact umbrellaDry mornings on the Palatine can turn to downpours
- Sunglasses
- Soft bag or backpack instead of a hard-shell suitcaseStone streets from Termini, tiny hotel lifts
Health and toiletries
- SunscreenSummer sightseeing in 33–34°C heat
- Blister plastersUneven sampietrini all day
Documents and money
- Passport
- Booked Vatican Museums tickets
Tech
- Portable power bank
What shoes should you pack for Rome?
Cushioned sneakers with real grip. The cobbles in the centro storico are uneven and slippery when wet, and the Spanish Steps, the Aventine and the Gianicolo add plenty of climbing. Bring a pair you've already broken in. Sandals are fine in summer if they have a proper sole.
What do people wear in Rome?
Romans dress neat and casual. Good jeans or linen trousers, plain shirts and clean sneakers fit in anywhere. Shorts are fine on the street in summer, but St Peter's and most churches want shoulders and knees covered, and the guards do turn people away.
What plugs does Rome use?
Italy uses type C, F and L sockets at 230V. The EU plug on a universal adapter handles C and F, and many type L sockets also take a slim two-pin C plug. Phone and laptop chargers are fine on 230V, but check anything that heats up, like a hair straightener, before you plug it in.
Tours and things to do in Rome
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Rome.
What should you leave at home for Rome?
Leave the heels and anything with a thin sole, they won't last a day on the cobbles. Skip the big hard-shell suitcase too. Dragging it from Termini over stone is miserable, and plenty of old hotels have a tiny lift or none at all.
Around Rome
Packing for Rome: questions people ask
What should I wear in Rome in October?
Expect highs around 24°C (75°F), lows of 14°C (57°F) and 12 rain days. Pack jeans or light trousers, T-shirts, a sweater for the evening and a packable rain shell.
Is Rome too hot to visit in July?
July is the hottest month with a 34°C (93°F) average high. It's doable if you sightsee early, rest in the afternoon and carry a bottle you can refill at the street fountains.
Do I need to cover up at the Vatican?
Yes. St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums want shoulders and knees covered, and most churches in Rome do too. A light wrap in your bag solves it.
What shoes are best for walking in Rome?
Cushioned sneakers with good grip. The cobblestones are uneven and slick when wet, so skip thin soles and heels.
Do I need a plug adapter for Rome?
Yes, unless you're coming from elsewhere in mainland Europe. Italy uses C, F and L sockets at 230V, and a universal adapter with an EU plug covers most of them.
Prices change often — the price on the retailer’s page is the one you pay.