10 summer activities to do in Rome
Rome isn’t a perfect summer beach town, and it doesn’t pretend to be. What it is instead is a city with an incredible historical background that never slows down, even when the sun’s blazing. There are smart ways to explore the city in summer, so here are 10 things to do in Rome in the hottest season:
1. Visit the Colosseum in the early morning
Rome's most famous landmark attracts swarms of visitors by late morning, and standing in that line in the blistering sun is no fun for anyone. Get a skip-the-line or early-access ticket and show up when it opens. The sun is not so hot, the light is better for photos, and you can even hear your guide without being shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of other curious visitors. Look for a tour that includes the underground level and arena floor. You’ll get a sense of just how massive and well-engineered the Colosseum really was, and why it still amazes two millennia later.
2. Cool down at the Capitoline Museums
Rome's not lacking ruins and churches, naturally, but if you need culture and a bit of a break from the sun, visit the Capitoline Museums. These are some of the world's earliest public museums, sitting atop the hill where the government of ancient Rome did. Inside, you'll find pieces like the renowned bronze she-wolf statue and enormous pieces of what's left of a colossal statue of Emperor Constantine. The museum is air-conditioned and lined with windows with truly mazing views over the Roman Forum.
3. Vatican Museums night tour
The Vatican and Vatican Museums are overwhelming enough on any typical day, but during the summer months, the museums sometimes open in the evenings. If you're feeling adventurous, book a guided evening tour. It's one of the more VIP ways to see one of the world's most famous art collections, and it would fit very well into much of the upscale Rome experiences, if that's the kind of vacation you're taking.
4. Seeing an Opera at the Baths of Caracalla
Get tickets to an outdoor concert or opera at the Baths of Caracalla. These are the ruins of a gigantic Roman bath complex, and in the summer, it is a platform for global performances. Even if you are not into opera, the atmosphere alone is worth it. You're hearing live music in a 3rd-century ruin on a Roman starry night. It's such a dreamlike experience of the past and present and one of the city's must-remember things.
5. Climb up to Castel Sant'Angelo for the panorama
If you’re in the mood for views and don’t mind a few stairs, Castel Sant’Angelo is a must. Originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, it later became a fortress, a papal residence, and even a prison. Today, it’s a museum. One with a seriously impressive rooftop.
You can view the Vatican, the Tiber River, and all of central Rome from the top. Go there in the late afternoon when the sun is lower and the breeze blows. The castle itself is mostly indoors too, so it's a wonderful haven from the open sun.
6. Watch the sunset at Pincian Hill
High above Piazza del Popolo is one of Rome's secret sunset jewels: Pincian Hill. The terrace gazes out over rooftops of the city, with St. Peter's dome in the distance. It's especially nice in the evening when locals come out to take an evening stroll, and street performers fill the air with soothing music. You don't need a reservation, a ticket, or a tour. Just go, grab a spot on the railing, and enjoy the view.
Villa Borghese park is just behind it, so you can stroll through the shaded gardens first.
7. Step inside the Pantheon
The Pantheon is Rome's hippest spot to visit. It's a ginormous, really old Roman temple that was repurposed as a church, with an exemplary dome and giant hole in the middle (the oculus). The inside stays relatively cool, even at noon, so it's an excellent midday break. It's now ticketed, so it's worth reserving online well ahead. Once inside, take a minute to just stand and look up – 2,000 years on, and nobody has quite figured out precisely how the Romans built this thing so well.
8. Visit a summer Art Exhibition at MAXXI or Galleria Borghese
Rome's summer art life doesn't slow down – it just relocates indoors. Galleria Borghese (a stunning villa packed with Caravaggios, Berninis, and Raphaels) and MAXXI (Rome's contemporary art museum) often host temporary summer exhibitions that are less busy than the city's major tourist sites.
9. Escape to EUR's modern architecture and parks
Grab Metro B and get to EUR, a conceived suburb constructed during the 20th century. It has spacious avenues, modern architecture, and grand parks – all the inverse of central Rome's twisty alleys.
The shaded lakeside park is perfect for an afternoon walk or even a picnic. It’s a calmer, cooler side of the city.
10. People-watch in Piazza Navona or Campo de' Fiori
As the sun starts to set, Rome's piazzas come alive. Piazza Navona, its street performers and fountains, and Campo de' Fiori, are two of the best places to just sit, have a sip of coffee or aperitivo, and watch the city go by.
You don't need to have a plan - just grab an icy beverage, sit somewhere, and let Rome entertain you. That's the kind of unscripted moment the city does so well. No ticket needed, no guide required, no rush – just Rome being itself.
And if you're looking for something a bit more special, remember that luxury things to do in Rome can add comfort and exclusivity to an already unforgettable vacation.
