Rome in September

By Robert Heaney
Published: July 18, 2024
Rome's Colosseum among lush green trees

Seeing out the final glorious days of the Roman summer, the eternal city greets the last few waves of peak-season visitors in search of their own taste of authentic Italian culture, cuisine and history. Thousands flock to enjoy the veritable Mediterranean paradise of Rome in September exploring its world-renowned monuments, sampling its many culinary delights or joining in on some of the month’s largest summertime events.

Visiting Rome in September

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Average Temperature: 61 - 81°F • Average Rainfall: 6 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 8 hours/day

With the academic summer break just about over and many families and holidaymakers alike returning home, September begins to see out the final days of Rome’s tourist high season. That certainly isn’t to say that Rome is by any means quiet throughout this month, though, as the final days of summer also stand as some of the most bustling of them all.

This period is most popular with individuals and couples making the most of summer following the peak waves of tourism in months prior. For the most part, Rome maintains its very much renowned electric atmosphere throughout September, owing in part to the vast program of events taking place throughout the period. As such, you can still expect a good deal of queueing and high-season airfare and hotel rates for the privilege of experiencing the eternal city in its prime.

No doubt a significant factor in this maintained flow of visitors is the city’s idyllic Mediterranean climate. With near-constant sunshine, relatively sparse rainfall and temperatures remaining reliably warm throughout the month, September is just as good as the rest of summer for taking a load off in one of Rome’s many serene outdoor spaces or enjoying a refreshing glass of local vino on a traditional Italian terrace.

Things to do in September

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Whether your itinerary is jam-packed with activities or a more laid-back exploration of this Mediterranean capital, any trip to Rome would be incomplete without exploring its poster UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Colosseum, now the world’s largest standing amphitheater, and the Pantheon, a former Roman temple, both offer unique insights into the daily lives and customs of one of Europe’s most historically influential empires.

Close second to these renowned monuments is Vatican City, famously the beating heart of Roman Catholicism and the permanent residence of the Pope. What makes this tiny nation truly remarkable, aside from its status as the smallest country in the world, is the world-renowned craftsmanship of the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and the iconic and sprawling St. Peter’s Square.

As far as popular sights go, few in Rome have quite as much of a reputation as the likes of Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, connecting Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinità dei Monti. Despite – or perhaps because of – the apparent serenity and highly photogenic nature of these landmarks, they tend to get particularly crowded at peak times, so be sure to visit early in the day to snap that perfect shot.

Those on the hunt to soak in as much culture and history as possible should make their way to the Roman Forum, once the site of many important administrative buildings in ancient Rome, now reduced to mere whispers of their former glory. For some truly ancient history, Palatine Hill stands as the cradle of Roman civilization, housing the city’s oldest ruins and maintaining an air of mystique with its fabled reputation as the site of the Lupercal cave of ancient Roman myth.

What’s On in September

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Isola del Cinema

Each summer, Tiber Island, located between Pons Fabricius and the Trastevere district, transforms into the magical Isola del Cinema, or Isle of Cinema. Over the course of several weeks throughout the summer period, the island becomes the epicenter of visual entertainment with a vibrant and evocative film festival dedicated to bringing to the limelight the best in Italian cinema.

Inviting directors, actors, producers, screenwriters, musicians and film aficionados alike, the festival operates a vast program of outdoor screenings of great Italian films, alongside many critically-acclaimed international offerings from over 100 countries. Works on display typically include everything from full-length features and short films to virtual reality gaming experiences.

Concerti del Tempietto

Throughout summer, the ancient open-air Theater of Marcellus among the ruins of the Temple of Apollo Sosianus comes alive with an historic Roman music festival. For roughly three months, the Concerti del Tempietto puts on an impressive program of concerts across a wide range of genres.

Musicians both established and niche offer everything from classical concerts and opera arias to pop and jazz performances. Tickets to the festival typically include a guided tour of the archaeological park around the Theater of Marcellus, both in Italian and English, exploring the parallels between the venue’s modern day role and its original dedication to performing arts twenty centuries ago.

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.

Romaeuropa Festival

One of the largest cultural events to take place each year in the Italian capital, Romaeuropa brings together hundreds of artists across a wide range of disciplines and from a variety of countries to help put together an impressive program of dance, music, theater, circus and digital arts performances.

Over the course of several months, Rome becomes the true cultural epicenter of Italy, with artists both established and upcoming sharing their multidisciplinary talents and passions for thousands to enjoy. Performances tend to range from classical compositions to cutting-edge technological displays, covering just about the whole spectrum of the modern performing arts.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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The dome of St Peter's Basilica silhouetted against a deep red sunset
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Things to do at Night in Rome

Rome is more relaxed, more romantic and altogether more enchanting in the evenings, when ancient monuments are beautifully illuminated and locals chatter over aperitivi at piazza bars and cafés. Our guide to the best things to do at night in Rome includes after-dark tours of the Colosseum and Vatican Museums, a moonlit stroll along the Tiber and a trip to trendy Trastevere.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Couple throwing coins over their shoulders into the Trevi Fountain in Rome
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Neighborhoods in Rome

Exploring some of the planet’s best-preserved Ancient Roman architecture, wandering cobbled lanes lined with swoonsome palazzi and picture-perfect ocher-colored houses, or just watching the world go by over espresso at a sidewalk café: there’s really something for everyone in Rome’s patchwork of 21 districts, or rione. Hop aboard for our whistle-stop tour of seven of the best neighborhoods in Rome. Centro Storico Right in the heart of the action, Rome’s historic center is unquestionably the best place to start your voyage of discovery in this ancient city. The name is really a catch-all for the relatively compact area that encompasses – deep breath – the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Capitoline Museums and the Circus Maximus. And that’s just for starters. This magical labyrinth of atmospheric cobbled alleys, sprawling baroque piazzas and gleaming Renaissance palaces is a treasure trove for history lovers and, well, anyone with even a passing interest in beautiful art or architecture (you’ll find works by the likes of Caravaggio, Bernini and Michelangelo in many of the museums and churches around these parts). And, if it all gets too much, you can always rest up with tagliatelle at a traditional trattoria or people-watch over coffee and cannoli at a cute café. Afterwards, head over to the Largo di Torre Argentina, home of Rome’s biggest cat sanctuary, to spot felines basking in the sunshine amid the ancient ruins of Roman Republican temples and the Theatre of Pompey. Tridente Tridente picks up where the historic center left off, and is loosely defined as the area around the triple-prong of streets that radiate out south from Piazza del Popolo, a vast cobbled square lined with churches and palazzi, as well as several grand fountains and a monumental Egyptian obelisk (they don't do things by half in Rome). It’s here you can get kitted out in the finest Italian fashions in the boutiques on and around Via dei Condotti. We’re talking Gucci, Fendi, Armani, Valentino et al, so be prepared to splurge. Suitably attired, make for the Trevi Fountain where you can indulge in the age-old tradition of throwing in a coin. Assuming you have any left, that is. Then give the quads a workout on the 135-step climb up the Spanish Steps. At the top sits the magnificent Renaissance confection that is the Trinità dei Monti church. Step into its cool interior, where a pair of anamorphic frescoes from the 17th Century are among the many splendid decorative features. Monti Crammed in between the Colosseum, the Quirinal Hill, and the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, diminutive Monti is an attraction all of its own. Ivy climbs ocher-colored houses and wraps itself round iron balconies and locals chatter over morning coffee on the picturesque piazzas. In case it wasn’t already obvious, this largely residential Rome neighborhood is a photographer’s paradise. Budding snappers should head to La Casetta, a tiny trattoria for which the term ‘ivy-clad’ is something of an understatement – it’s virtually drowning in the stuff! Or make for Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, a vibrant square where sunset Aperols are accompanied by sensational views of the Colosseum silhouetted against the skyline. Monteverde Vecchio The clue’s in the name here: Monteverde Vecchio is one of the greenest neighborhoods in Rome. Go here to seek respite from the urban sprawl and enjoy the fresh air and tranquility promised by the Janiculum Hill and the expanse of landscaped gardens surrounding the grand Villa Doria Pamphili. Trastevere Just downriver from the Vatican, Trastevere is another of those Rome neighborhoods that just begs to be photographed, chock-full as it is of café-lined piazzas, achingly picturesque medieval churches and those familiar ocher-colored houses sporting quirky cast-iron door knockers and brightly painted window shutters. Grab a gelato and stroll across medieval Ponte Sisto to Piazza Trilussa, where locals meet and mingle in the evening by the monumental fountain. Visit the fine botanical garden that overlooks baroque Palazzo Corsini. And don’t miss the Sunday flea market at Porta Portese, an absolute treasure trove for diehard rummagers. Take your best haggling game to snare bargains on everything from vintage fashions and antique jewelry to pre-loved vinyl, classic comic books and, well, just about every other trinket and knick-knack you can imagine. Ostiense On the banks of the Tiber, Ostiense wears its industrial heritage on its sleeve, its landscape dominated by a huge metal gasometer from the decommissioned gasworks. If that’s already piqued your interest in this buzzing ‘burb, where ancient and modern Rome collide, you’re going to absolutely love the Central Montemartini museum, where dozens of ancient Greek and Roman statues, busts and friezes hewn from marble and stone are displayed against a backdrop of pipes, engines, turbines and dials inside a former electrical power station. And that’s not all. There’s a thriving street art scene here – meaning Ostiense is one of the best places to see work from up-and-coming Rome graffitos – as well as a number of hip bars, a smattering of craft beer pubs, and a cat café. One of Catholic Rome’s ‘big four’ basilicas, St Paul Outside the Walls, cuts an incongruous figure against what is an otherwise distinctly modern urban landscape. Parione The central rione of Parione is probably most famous for its two sprawling piazzas. Make for vibrant Campo dei Fiori, where Rome’s longest-running market (operating here since 1869), brings its riot of color, sound and scent every morning (except Sunday). Follow your nose past the rainbows of blooming gerberas to the unmissable foodie stalls. You’d require the willpower of a saint to resist temptation in the face of these mountains of homemade cake, freshly baked loaves and pungent Italian cheeses. In the evening, do as the locals do and soak up the baroque splendor of Piazza Navona on a twilight stroll across its cobbled expanse, pausing to swoon at Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), watch the street entertainers ply their trade and snap Instagram-ready shots of the fairytale palazzos and churches that line the square. Paper thin and ultra crispy wood-fired pizza at an authentic trattoria (washed down with local craft ales, natch) provides the perfect ending to a day in this historic Rome neighborhood. 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
Vatican City viewed from above
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Rome in January

One of Europe’s most popular destinations for its wealth of ancient historical sites, vibrant culture and world-class cuisine, Rome is genuinely a destination for all. While you can certainly enjoy the vast majority of the city’s highlights year-round, there’s a great deal to be said for the sheer freedom granted by a winter’s trip to Rome in January. Rome in January Average Temperature: 37 - 55°F • Average Rainfall: 7 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 4 hours/day With the main festivities of the holiday season and New Year’s Eve now little more than a recent memory, Rome tends to return to its usual low-season tourism rates. While the largely evergreen nature of the capital’s famous attractions means that you’ll never be far from other tourists, January nevertheless stands as one of the quietest periods to visit. For some, a winter trip makes for the ideal Rome experience. Fewer crowds mean admission to the city’s top sights should be much easier and seats at some of its more sought-after cafés, bars and restaurants should be more abundant and attainable. As the cherry on top, most airlines and hotels also operate low-season rates, often making for quite the substantial discount on their peak-time prices. As is the case for much of winter in Rome, temperatures throughout January flirt between cold and pleasantly mild, making it a little trickier to plan out more weather-dependent activities. One thing that’s almost guaranteed, however, is at least one day of rainfall per week, so it’s wise to pack for both the cooler weather and the chance of rain. Things to do in January Among the locations to benefit most from the smaller low-season crowds of January, the Vatican Museums and St. Paul’s Basilica may top them all. Aside from a few religious events throughout the month and the usual Sunday masses, this serves as one of the most serene periods for the Vatican, offering visitors the perfect opportunity to explore the renowned site at its most authentic. Equally ideal to explore during the quiet season for those with the stomach for them are the narrow and macabre passages of the Roman Catacombs. Over sixty of these subterranean passages stretch hundreds of miles beneath the city, lined with the hundreds of eerie Roman skeletons buried between the second and fifth centuries. January also offers one of the best opportunities to snap a much sought-after photo of the likes of Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona in their prime. Without quite the same intense crowds you’d expect from a visit in summer, these beautiful landmarks offer a peaceful space to take a break from the bustling streets of the Italian capital. Be sure to visit early in the morning if you truly want to experience these sights at their quietest. Typically beginning the first weekend after New Year’s Day, January marks the start of Italy’s annual winter sales. Throughout Rome, retailers big and small take this chance to offer a large portion of their inventory at often quite impressive discounts, sometimes as high as 70%. Most sales continue as long as stocks last, sometimes running through to the end of February. If you’re looking for an excuse to grab a souvenir or two from your trip, there’s no better time to bag a real bargain. What's On in January Feast of the Epiphany Throughout Italy, January 6 is a day full of festivity. Marking the day that the Three Kings were said to have arrived at the baby Jesus’ crib, the Epiphany sees Rome erupt in celebration. Revelers gather in many popular squares and parks throughout the city in a marvelous spectacle of dancing, live music, masquerades, fairground rides and family activities. A common character of the Epiphany is La Befana, a witch-like figure adored by children across Italy for her Santa Claus-esque status as official gift bringer of the festival. Many children will hang stockings by windows or fireplaces and leave offerings of wine and cake for La Befana, in hopes of receiving candies and other treats in return. The Viva la Befana procession is core to the festival, making its way through the city’s historical streets complete with Magi riding camels, ancient Roman chariots and various other historical characters. Many locals will join the parade in all manner of medieval costumes, carrying symbolic gifts for the Pope as the caravan makes its way to its final destination in St. Peter’s Square. Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate Another religious festival that offers quite a spectacle indeed takes place on January 17 with the ‘Blessing of the Animals’ as part of the Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate. Held in honor of Saint Anthony the Abbot, Italian patron saint of butchers and domestic animals, one of the festival’s central traditions sees many pet owners and farmers bring their animals to receive an annual blessing from a cardinal. Alongside this ritual of blessings, the festival is also celebrated with processions of dancers and performers, live music and impressive bonfires. Fire serves as a central symbol of the festival, in reference to a legend in which the saint stole the devil’s fire and gifted it to humans.
Robert Heaney

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