Complete packing list for Rome to be comfortable and stylish in all seasons. Tips from a local to be ready for the weather, stay comfortable, stylish and get the Rome dress code right!
One of the most common questions I get about planning a trip to Rome and one I love helping people with is about what to wear in Rome.
What should pack for your trip to Rome: is it true Italians don’t wear sneakers (no)? And that you need a special dress code to enter the Vatican (yes)? Can I be comfortable and yet not stand out for all the wrong reasons?
I can help! I am from Rome and have been helping friends and readers getting ready, planning and packing for Rome for more years that I can count.
Being from Rome, I know exactly what works and what doesn’t in the city, in terms of comfort, safety and style and since I also love to travel, I also know well the challenges of getting the clothes you want and essentials you need all your luggage.
In this guide to what to pack for Rome, I share my knowledge of the city to help you make the best packing decisions and be comfortable, safe and happy about your attire while visiting Rome.
This Rome packing list is my answer to all your questions. What to know more? Get in touch on Facebook and I will be happy to help more!
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Before we start: let’s debunk some packing myths!
Before we dive into this packing list for Rome, I want to address one thing I hear all the time and cause undue stress.
The incorrect notion that you need to dress like a local of you will send out / be refused entry into places / be target. You absolutely do not!
First of all, there is not such thing as a local: locals dress differently depending on what they are doing and their personal style so there is no such thing as a standard local.
If you are going to work in an office then yes, of course you will see some element of business style that are consistent but if you are out and about sightseeing, you’ll see locals have all sorts of styles.
Second, we have a lot of tourism in Rome so the idea to have to look like a local to blend in doesn’t really work: as a tourist, in many areas you’ll be part of the majority so the one that stands out is often the actual local 🙂
The only times when you may want to follow some rules are if you are entering churches (as they do have a dress code) or going to work or an event. Outside of these situations, you can very much wear what you want.
In terms of safety, the main thing to avoid is to make your belonging easy to grab and this works with all types of attires and applies to tourists and locals.
Pickpockets go for easy targets such as backpockets and backpacks. To minimize the risk of being pickpocketed:
- do not carry phones or wallets in your pockets, keep them on a lanyard or an inner pocket of your bag
- carry your backpack in front of you whenever you are in busy areas. It is easy to open a backpack on your shoulders without you noticing; it is not as easy to do if you have it in front of you
- opt for a crossbody bag instead of a backpack and move it to the front in busy areas and on public transport
- never leave your bag unattended
These precautions will work much better than changing your personal style in an attempt to blend in.
What to pack for Rome: travel essentials
Before we dive into our full packing list, this is my pick of the top things you need to pack for a trip to Rome.
Excellent, broken in walking shoes
In Rome, you are going to do a lot of walking and having proper shoes that support your feet is paramount.
The best type of shoes to use in Rome are good sneakers or walking shoes with arch support.
I personally find excellent Adidas, Brooks or Sneakers shoes which I find give a good bounce and protect the arch of your foot and your ankle from Rome’s cobblestone streets.
Please, please, please, do not believe those who tell you Italians don’t wear sneakers, it is simply not true!
Italians do not wear running shoes to go to work in an office (although this is also changing and fashion sneakers are becoming more and more and more acceptable) but we do wear them to walk around the city.
A cross body bag
This is the most comfortable type of travel bag for Rome and one that will allow you to enter museums (big backpacks are not allowed) and to keep your belongings safe at all times.
As I mentioned before, crossbody bags are easy to keep safe in busy areas. I do not believe anti theft bags are necessary but if they give you peace of mind, they can be a good investment.
Cash and credit cards
You should not walk around Rome with a lot of cash however, always have some of you, on top of your ATM cards / credit cards as cash comes in handy for parking, tips etc.
Top tip: when you want to get money out of an ATM, opt for those attached to banks rather than the free standing machines as the bank ones are safer.
Travel Adapter and Converter
Rome uses 2 and 3 hole sockets and, for those, you need a travel adapter.
If you come from outside the EU, there is also a good chance you may need a travel converter. A converter ensures you can use your non dual voltage appliances without them getting fried by Europe’s higher voltage!
Italian Phrasebook
You don’t need to speak Italian to travel to Rome but having a few sentences to order a meal or express gratitude will go a long way.
I love the lonely planet pocket guides which are small enough to fit in your handbag but packed with useful tips or you can also find useful my >>> list of Italian words and sentences for travelers
A shawl / pashmina for church visits
Rome churches and more precisely Rome main basilicas have a dress code and not abiding it may result in being turned away.
The Vatican is the place with strictest rules but smaller churches will also request that you cover bare shoulders and cleavage and, sometimes, cover legs if wearing shorts or very short skirts.
For the unexpected visit to a church, the best solution in hot weather is to carry a shawl: this is usually enough to cover shoulders on a hot day.
Reusable water bottle
Rome has delicious, free drinkable water flowing straight from its drinking fountains. Bring a reusable water bottle with you at all times to save money and help reduce the rubbish problem in the city!
Apps and maps
Apps and paper maps can be a lifesaver in Rome. Some I recommend when sightseeing in the Eternal City are:
- Google maps
- Google translate
- Free Now (taxi app)
- TicketAppy (for bus tickets. you can read here >>> all about public transportation in Rome)
- GetYourGuide (tour bookings)
- Booking.com (hotel bookings)
Clothes
The types of clothes to wear in Rome depend largely on the season of your visit (see below).
In general, it is handy to know that Romans prefer somewhat modest attire and are above all practical: good walking shoes and sensible clothing are the way to go!
In terms of style, as I mentioned above you’ll see a huge variety!
If we were to generalize, we can say that in work and for dinners out that Italians wear on a daily basis what can be called ‘smart casual’ – think jeans rather than tracksuit bottoms and leggings (those are for the gym) and fashion sneakers rather than runners.
Shorts are not a popular choice especially for women and men over 30 although honestly, no one will pay any attention so don’t stress over it if that’s your style!
Kids and teens can wear whatever they please.
Other things to pack for a trip to Rome
- Flip flops / house socks for hotel rooms
- Swimsuit for hotel spa/swimming pool or day trips from the city
- Nicer outfit for an evening out only if you are planning on fancy rooftops or restaurants. Standard restaurants do not require special attire
- Extra battery pack for your mobile or camera
- Packing cubes
- Essential toiletries
- Sun screen
- Essential medications and prescriptions if needed
- An extra pair of shoes should yours get wet/become uncomfortable while sightseeing in Rome
If traveling with kids, I also recommend you pack
Stroller
Baby carrier
Good to know! You can find all baby essentials in Rome so you don’t have to pack daily essentials such as diapers etc. you can find here >>> where to get baby and toddler essentials in Rome
Important tips for Vatican visits and Vatican dress code
The Vatican has a very strict dress code and visitors not abiding by it are regularly refused entrance, even with a valid ticket.
To avoid bad surprises, on the day you are visiting the Vatican I recommend you dress specifically for the occasion and in particular:
- Cover shoulders: avoid strapless tops, spaghetti straps tops and vests (both men and women)
- Avoid above the knee skirts and shorts (men and women)
- Avoid exposing excessive cleavage, a waist/belly or back
- Do not wear slogans or prints that may be perceived as offensive
If in doubt, go for the most conservative option: St Peter basilica and museums enforce this dress code (the Sistine chapel inside the museums is consecrated and as such a sacred space) and while you hear the occasional exception being made, that’s just what it is, an exception. The risk of being turned away is high and very much not worth it.
You can read here >>> What to wear at the Vatican to get the dress code right
Rome packing list for each season
Rome has 4 different seasons with different weather patterns. This is what to pack for each.
What to pack for Rome in winter (December to March)
Rome can be surprisingly cold in winter.
While temperatures seem to suggest mild days, the city’s humidity make Rome winter surprisingly bitter and being ready with the appropriate clothing is paramount.
In winter you want to have good waterproof shoes, long pants, long sleeve tops, warm sweater, good winter jacket, scarf, gloves and hat.
If you come from very cold weathers you may not find all these items useful at all times but cold winter days have caught umprepared many cold weather visitors so you definitely want to have some warm clothing with you!
You can find here >>> my packing list for Rome in winter
What to pack for Rome in spring (March to June)
Spring is a lovely season in Rome but a tricky one for packing.
The weather in Rome in spring is very changeable and you need to be ready for hot dry days, cold and wet ones and anything in between!
For spring in Rome, you want to pack long pants, closed shoes, short sleeves, sweater, mid season jacket and a rain layer.
You can find here >>> my packing list for Rome in spring
What to pack for Rome in summer (June to August)
Summer in Rome is hot hot hot and has only been getting hotter in the last few years! So, if coming in summer, you want light clothes that are breathable so think strappy tops, shorts, t-shirts, summer dresses, sandals etc.
Just make sure you have one more modest outfit for church day.
You can find here>>> my packing list for Rome in summer
What to pack for Rome in the fall (September to December)
Fall in Rome is a time of mild, pleasant yet changeable weather so you’ll want laters!
At this time, I recommend you pack long pants, short sleeves, sweater, mid season jacket (especially towards November and later) and closed shoes.
You can find here >>> my packing list for Rome in the fall
I hope you found our Rome packing list useful and it helps you stay comfortable at all times: safe Rome travels and happy packing!
This post was published in 2019 and has now been fully updated with new photos and current info.