Rome in June

By Robert Heaney
Italian National Republic Day Air Show

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

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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

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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.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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View of St Peter's Square and Basilica from a nearby apartment in the Vatican, Rome
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Where To Stay in Rome

There’s no straight-out winner when it comes to deciding where to stay in Rome, so densely packed is the Eternal City with extraordinary things to see and do: think ancient monuments, baroque palazzi, lively piazzas and atmospheric mazes of cobbled alleys. And, in spite of its famed seven hills and seemingly impenetrable labyrinth of streets, it’s actually deceptively easy to get around, thanks to a relatively compact center and a user-friendly public transit system that includes metro, buses and trams. Check out our short guide to where to stay in Rome below... Best for Seeing it All Rome’s Centro Storico – the ancient city’s historic center – is where you’ll find almost all of the big-hitting attractions. We’re talking the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, Piazza Navona and more. Plus, within a mere 20 minutes’ walk, more bucket-list beauties, including the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and St Peter’s Square. In short, if you’re a first-time visitor, an insatiable sightseer, or a family with kids who demand to be as close to the main action as possible, a stay bang in the center of town is likely to be your best bet. Sure, the noise – a 24-hour cacophony of tooting Vespa horns, over-excited tourists and partying locals – can be irritating at times, particularly if you’ve booked a hotel overlooking a busy piazza or thoroughfare. But, hey, what price that epic view of the planet’s largest surviving Roman amphitheater? Or the ability to step straight from your hotel or apartment onto a bustling baroque piazza for your morning espresso and cornetti? It goes without saying that there are hundreds of eating and drinking options in the historic district, from tiny trattoria to luxury fine dining and dive bars to classy cocktail joints. So you won’t want for places to fill your face with delicious pizza romana. There’s an equally impressive variety of accommodations on offer here, too: glam luxury hotels, roomy family apartments, modest boutique B&Bs and more, though you’ll of course pay a premium for the location. But, boy, is it worth it. Best for Luxury Strictly for those on an A-list budget, the Tridente neighborhood is Rome’s swankiest postcode. Named for the three huge prongs (oh ok then, roads) that radiate out from Piazza del Popolo, this area is packed with bucket-list attractions (hello, Villa Borghese, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain!) as well as picture-postcard palm-lined piazzas, elegant townhouses, and some of the most wallet-worrying designer boutiques in town. That’s right: it’s here you’ll find Via dei Condotti, Rome’s most exclusive shopping street, where the likes of Armani, Fendi, Gucci and Valentino – to name just a few – ply their trade. Unsurprisingly then, many of Rome’s glammest hotels can be found in this neighborhood from celeb hangout The Hassler at the top of the Spanish Steps to fashionista favorite Portrait Roma, where personal shoppers can be arranged for trips to nearby Via dei Condotti. Proximity to other big attractions including the Pantheon and Forum also make Tridente a surprisingly good choice for families – assuming you have deep enough pockets. Best for Living Like a Local Cute ocher-colored houses with brightly painted shutters and iron balconies that drip with vines and ivy, charming cobbled piazzas where locals chatter in the shade of olive trees, and some of the best gelato in town! Welcome to Trastevere on the west bank of the Tiber, arguably Rome’s most photogenic neighborhood. Still within walking distance of the historic center and with some fine close-up views of St Peter’s Basilica (especially from Janiculum Hill), Trastevere is la dolce vita writ large, all café culture during the day and lively nightlife as dusk descends. It’s well-connected to the city center by bus and tram, largely car free, and has plenty of affordable Airbnb accommodation to boot! What’s not to like? Join the locals for evening aperitifs on the steps of the monumental fountain on bustling Piazza Trilussa, as the sun sets over the medieval Ponte Sisto bridge. And make for San Cosimato market (daily except Sundays) for farm-fresh local produce including pungent Lazio cheeses, piquant Tuscan salamis and just-baked focaccia. You’ll quickly find that being on the edge of the main action needn’t mean missing out. Bars and restaurants are just as plentiful here as anywhere else, and trattoria, cafés and craft pubs have a pleasantly local feel. Best for Visiting the Vatican Wondering where to stay in Rome if you’re primarily interested in exploring the Vatican’s extensive museums, snapping selfies in front of St Peter’s Basilica, marveling at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel masterpiece and attending an audience with the Pope himself in St Peter’s Square? Prati may be the neighborhood for you. A little off the beaten track and therefore less touristy than more central districts, Prati is a suave suburb of smart shopping streets and broad Italian boulevards that makes for easy access to the Vatican and nearby Castel Sant’Angelo, an imposing cylindrical fortress commissioned by Emperor Hadrian as a family mausoleum 2,000 years ago, and now a fantastic museum packed with frescoes, sculptures, paintings and military weaponry, topped off with sweeping terrace views of the magnificent Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II and the city beyond. There’s a good range of mid-range hotels to be found in Prati and, should you wish to bypass the Vatican and go straight to town, it’s just a short hop on the metro’s A-line. Stick around for what some say is the best pizza in Rome, courtesy of dough demon Gabriele Bonci and his legendary local foodie favorite Pizzarium. Try a slice of potato and mozzarella heaven. Serious carb overload for sure, but there’s a reason it’s their best seller. Best for Hip Young Things Hip with a dollop of history is perhaps the neatest way of describing the post-industrial landscape of Ostiense, which is still dominated by the towering gasometer from the city’s decommissioned gasworks. Locals have taken the theme and run with it: here’s where to find trendy bars and experimental cuisine, and some of the best street art in the city. Metro subways, abandoned factories, apartment blocks: there’s no canvas too big or small for the up-and-coming Ostiense graffitos. Take a stroll and marvel at these impressive murals before heading over to the utterly amazing Central Montemartini museum, a former power station inside of which ancient Roman and Greek statues are juxtaposed against an industrial backdrop of huge turbines, vents and pipes. It’s really quite something. If this all feels a bit modern, fear not: Ostiense is also home to some excellent old-school attractions, including one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas, St Paul Outside the Walls, an enormous Neoclassical confection with sections that date back to the 4th Century. And the rather incongruous Pyramid of Cestius, a gleaming white marble tomb that’s almost as old as the city itself, Find it at the northern end of Via Ostiense, the district’s main thoroughfare. Note that Ostiense is a little way from the main city center attractions so may be best reserved for second or third-timers when deciding where to stay in Rome. Save on things to do in Rome Save on admission to Rome attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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Adventurous Things to do in Rome

If you're bored of the landmarks, why not get the blood pumping with some engaging activities such as thrilling skydiving, a vespa ride around the streets or a spooky ghost tour?
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Expertly-crafted interior walls of the Pantheon
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Rome in May

As Rome waltzes toward the coming summertime rush, May offers a unique window of idyllic Mediterranean weather, delectable Italian cuisine and the last remnants of a somewhat quieter capital. If you’re looking for the best combination of circumstances to visit the eternal city, a trip to Rome in May is truly the one to beat. Visiting Rome in May Average Temperature: 55 - 75°F • Average Rainfall: 7 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day May is perhaps one of the most idyllic periods in which to visit Rome. As spring begins drawing to a close, so too does the spring shoulder season as visitors begin flocking to the Italian capital in force for their own brief piece of Mediterranean paradise. This is typically the final hoorah before the coming peak season of tourism, which makes it prime time to experience the best that the city has to offer while it’s still comparatively quiet. Come early enough in the month, and you’re likely to still benefit from off-peak airfare and accommodation rates, with prices not quite as low as winter and early spring but often significantly lower than summertime rates. With summer just around the corner, Rome in May well and truly embraces its renowned Mediterranean climate. Average temperatures range between mild and very pleasantly warm, complemented by regular sunshine ideal for exploring the city or relaxing on a traditional Italian terrace. That being said, at least one day of rainfall per week isn’t yet out of the question, so it’s always wise to pack an umbrella just in case. Things to do in May Just about any visitor to Rome is sure to be keen to tour some of the eternal city’s poster-boy landmarks and attractions. Of course, taking pride of place is the Colosseum, renowned UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest standing amphitheater on Earth. Following closely behind, the Pantheon temple offers a remarkably intact insight into ancient Roman social and religious practices and pastimes. Whether you’re a devout Catholic, an architectural enthusiast or simply a keen traveler looking to tick off the smallest country in the world, Vatican City is certain to be of interest. Home to the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, the vast historical collections of the Vatican Museums and, of course, the famous seat of Roman Catholicism, the Vatican is truly one of Europe’s greatest marvels and a real bucket-list destination. Among the most attractive places throughout Rome to take a break from wandering the busy city streets are the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Popular with many tourists for their incredibly photogenic qualities, these are often some of the most crowded places during peak times, so be sure to arrive early enough in the day if you’re looking to snap that perfect shot. For an alternative way to explore the Italian capital and a chance to rest your feet between attractions, a Big Bus Rome tour passes by many of the city’s top landmarks and offers audio insights into their cultural and historical significance. Those looking to discover an otherwise untold underworld of Rome can explore the macabre underground passages of the Rome Catacombs, lined floor to ceiling with the skeletons of a civilization long since passed. If you find yourself in Rome for more than just a few days, why not take advantage of the idyllic weather to experience more of what Italy has to offer? Just over an hour away by train, the likes of Naples, Florence and Pompeii each offer a unique blend of Italian culture, history and cuisine ideal for a delightful day out. What's On in May Primo Maggio May 1 marks a rather important day for Italy, with a national holiday for Primo Maggio, or May Day, offering many businesses and services the opportunity to take the day off. Running in conjunction with the holiday, the Festa dei Lavoratori, or Worker’s Day, commemorates the efforts of the working population and the social and economic achievements of trade unions on behalf of their members. While much of the country takes the day to rest, Rome’s trade unions famously host the annual Concerto del Primo Maggio outside the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, just a short walk from the Colosseum. The concert typically begins in the late afternoon and continues right into the late hours of the night, with performances from a variety of established and upcoming Italian artists. With many stores and services closed for the day, May 1 is an ideal day for outdoor excursions. If the weather’s in your favor, the likes of Palatine Hill, the Botanical Garden, the Orange Garden and the Rome Rose Garden are fantastic for a relaxing day out beneath the sun with a picnic of traditional Italian meats and local wine. Rome Outdoor Festival For the best part of a month in late spring, Rome’s Mattatoio Testaccio museum comes alive as it hosts Italy’s largest annual metropolitan culture festival. Through a vast program of events, the Rome Outdoor Festival serves to celebrate Italian art, music and pop culture in all forms, centered around a different theme each year. The festival spreads itself across several key festival zones. Taking pride of place, the Art Pavilion is home to a variety of engaging and often interactive art installations from both established and rising international artists. The Television Section offers a program of screenings and events dedicated to entertainment, science, culture, sports, TV and movies. Guest speakers and organizations hold performances, debates and lectures on a variety of topics in the Conference Section, while the Market Area offers local and international artisans and designers the opportunity to exhibit and sell their wares. The market typically introduces a new theme each week, making for a rolling catalog of vendors and products, while the city’s best bartenders offer attendees a specialist menu of beverages and refreshments in the food area. Open House Roma In celebration of Rome’s world-class architecture and design, Open House Roma invites the public to explore some of the city’s most lauded buildings for one weekend each spring. The event aims to feature a balanced mix of architecture, from small-scale to large and ancient to contemporary, typically opening the doors to more than 200 sites dating back throughout the vast history of the city. Venues are spread across various categories, including private residences, buildings little known to many of Rome’s residents, hospitality establishments, key locations from throughout various historical eras and a collection of institutes dedicated to knowledge, culture and research. As an Open House event, visitors have a rare opportunity to discover some of Rome’s more exclusive architectural marvels free of charge. For those with more of a specialist interest in the design, heritage and preservation of the venues, the festival also features various talks, tours and special events hosted by experts throughout many of the buildings.
Robert Heaney

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