Waving off the final days of spring, Rome prepares to welcome the busiest period of the year. Ahead of the academic summer break and the waves of holiday-making families, many choose this month to experience all that Rome has to offer during one of its most idyllic periods. A trip to Rome in June comes packaged with glorious Mediterranean weather, a bustling city atmosphere and a host of hotly-anticipated seasonal events.
Visiting Rome in June
Average Temperature: 63 - 84°F • Average Rainfall: 4 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day
Standing as the boundary between spring and summer, June is very much a period of transition for Rome. Throughout the month, the city waves off the final days of the spring shoulder season and beckons in the coming flocks of summertime tourists.
Though Rome can rarely ever be considered quiet, owing to the largely evergreen nature of its most popular attractions, you can expect Rome to get a whole lot busier from June onwards. Come sufficiently early in the month, and you may just be fortunate enough to benefit from the final few off-season deals on airfare and accommodation prices.
For the rest of June, though, the eternal city truly begins to fill up with visitors from across the globe, all vying for a chance to experience Rome’s unique blend of culture, cuisine and history. If you’re keen to join in on Rome’s famous bustling atmosphere, then this is the time to come.
As summer rolls around, Rome’s renowned Mediterranean climate falls into place. Average temperatures flirt between pleasantly mild and comfortably warm, aided by regular sunshine and low rainfall. Whether you see yourself exploring the ancient city’s streets or sunbathing on a traditional Italian terrace, Rome’s weather in June is hard to beat.
Things to do in June
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Known as the eternal city, Rome is widely popular for its vast collection of world-class historical sites. Most popular is naturally the Colosseum, one of the most recognizable UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the world’s largest standing amphitheater. Also protected by UNESCO is the Pantheon, the maintenance of which permits visitors a remarkable window into daily life in ancient Rome.
Second only to these lauded historical sites, Vatican City is one of the most popular sights in Rome. The beating heart of Roman Catholicism and the smallest country in the world, the Vatican is famous for being the permanent residence of the Pope and the site of the famous Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s legendary frescoes continue to inspire onlookers.
Also popular with many tourists is the expert Baroque craftsmanship of Trevi Fountain and the monumental Spanish Steps traversing the steep slope between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti. Around this time of year, these areas can get very busy during peak times, so it’s best to visit early in the day if you want to enjoy them in their more authentic state.
Those looking to retrace the steps of Europe’s most notable historical empire can explore the ruins of the Roman Forum, once the site of important Roman governmental buildings. A similar site stands atop Palatine Hill, Rome’s most ancient area and the supposed location of the fabled Lupercal cave of ancient Roman myth.
For those with a taste for the dark and macabre, there’s a hidden underworld to Rome waiting to be explored. The Rome Catacombs comprise hundreds of miles of subterranean tunnels stretching far beneath the city, notable for housing the remains of thousands of ancient Romans.
While much of Rome is easily accessible on foot, a Big Bus Rome pass offers an alternative means of getting around while giving your feet a likely well-needed rest. With its hop-on, hop-off policy and its main route passing by many key landmarks and attractions, accompanied by optional audio commentary packed with local insights, this is one of the most convenient and comfortable ways to explore the city.
What's On in June
Republic Day
On June 2, Italy celebrates its most important public holiday with the Festa della Repubblica, marking the anniversary of the formation of the Italian republic in 1946 and the resulting unity of previously fractured Italian states into one uniform nation. As a public holiday, many stores and services are likely to remain closed for the day.
While some take the opportunity to kick back with a day off work, many flock to grab a seat along Via dei Fori Imperiali to watch the annual military parade, attended by all departments of the Italian military and their accompanying marching bands. One of the parade’s highlights is a flyover by the Frecce Tricolori, in which nine Italian Air Force aircraft soar overhead, leaving streaks of green, white, and red smoke in the sky.
Rock in Roma
It wouldn’t be a European summer without the introduction of festival season. Rock in Roma takes place over multiple weeks and draws in thousands of rock fans of all shapes, sizes and nationalities to enjoy the stellar performances of some of the world’s biggest names in rock. Previous editions have included sets by the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phoenix and Marilyn Manson.
Lungo il Tevere
One of the most hotly anticipated festivals of the year, Lungo il Tevere (‘Along the Tiber’) attracts hordes of visitors keen to join in on its unique and exciting program of riverside events and activities. It isn’t difficult to notice when the festival comes to town, with the banks of the Tiber simply brimming with all manner of event stands, art installations and interactive exhibits.
The event typically lasts the duration of summer, with a vast program of evening shows, performances, improvised theater and live music concerts by local bands at its core. During the daytime, though, the venue stands as somewhat of an interactive expo of art installations, unique photo ops and street arcade games like air hockey and foosball.
Usually accompanying the festival is a market of local vendors selling all manner of wares, from vintage records to hand-crafted jewelry. Sometimes present at the market are the likes of tarot readers and petting zoos hosted by local animal shelters charities. The festival also hosts a number of pop-up restaurants, cafés and bars, offering cuisine and beverages both local and international.
