Wondering what to pack for Rome in summer to beat the heat, enter churches and stay stylish? We can help with this full packing list and style guide for your summer vacation to Rome.
Packing for Rome in summer is a bit of a headache.
The city seems set to put contradictory demands on the traveler and if you add to this the conflicting advice you find on the web, it is no surprise that the question ‘what to pack for Rome in summer’ pops up often, in travelers’ groups.
Since I grew up in Rome, knowing what to wear in the city in summer is second nature to me so I am also well equipped to help you make sensible, smart decisions when it comes to packing for Rome in the hot months.
In this guide, I will help you decide what to pack to be safe, appropriate for churches and comfortable.
I will also help debunk some myths about style and what you ‘must wear’ in Rome. Quick spoiler: it is all much easier than it seems!
Ready for this packing list for Rome in summer? Let’s go!
My top tips for packing for Rome in summer
To newcomers deciding what to wear in Rome in the summer months, I always recommend to to take into account three main things:
Because Rome in summer is hot, you want to have summer dressed and light materials to avoid becoming a sweaty mess.
The heat in Rome in July and August especially is seriously intense and must not be underestimated. Especially in the last couple of years, we have seen temperature of 40C / 104F which is A LOT.
Light clothing, bags that can hold cold drinks, sandals, potentially cooling towels and fans are a must.
Because catholic churches have strict dress codes, you want clothes that are not too revealing or could be perceived as disrespectful.
So, despite the intense heat, it is good to have in your luggage at least one outfit that covers shoulders and knees, which is what big basilicas want covered to allow entry.
Lastly, let’s debunk a myth!
I hear all the times the struggle visitors have trying to ‘dress like a local’ to blend in. The good news is: you do not have to been in or change your wardrobe for Rome!
In Rome, we have a huge number of visitors (so you won’t stand out looking like one) and we also have a huge variety of personal styles when it comes to locals.
Unless you are coming to Rome for work and need a certain attire, you can very much wear whatever you want.
To make life hard for pickpockets, you don’t need to look like a local but rather you need awareness of your surroundings and, potentially, a hard to open bag. Do not worry about style, only worry about making it hard for them with clever packing solutions!
What to pack for Rome in summer: how hot is summer in Rome?
Summer in Rome is VERY hot and humid.
June sees average temperatures between 17 and 28 degrees Celsius (about 82F) and they grow steady during July and August when weather measurements report temperatures between as high as 40C (104F): this has increased in the last two years.
This may not seem much and it is indeed a lot less hot than you may experience in the California desert, the Emirates or even Florence.
However, don’t let the temperatures fool you into thinking Rome in summer is a pleasant and mild: Rome is very humid and these tame summer temperatures often translate into very unpleasant and sticky days.
During summer in Rome you need to always remember to:
Avoid sightseeing in the middle of the day, when sunstroke is a common occurrence (the Forum and the Colosseum, in particular, should not be visited in the height of summer).
Always have water with you and a reusable bottle so you can stock up at the nearest fountain
Wear breathable clothing made of natural fibers that do not trap the heat on your body
Wear breathable shoes or, even better, sandals: the temperature of your feet is important to regulate that of the rest of your body and a good pair of sandals will help you not just tame the cobbles but the Rome summer heat too!
Please note that it is currently compulsory to wear face masks indoors: don’t forget to carry one.
What to pack for Rome in summer to beat the heath:
- Short sleeve tops in natural materials
- Summer skirt /dresses
- Sandals
- Sun hat
- Sun glasses
- Sandals
You may also want to consider cooling towels, portable fans and umbrellas: lately they are a common sight as many visitors sun protection devices!
Dress code for Rome churches: how strict is it?
You may have heard that Rome churches and religious sites in Rome in general have a dress code that goes a little beyond the ‘dress respectfully’ principle.
Indeed, Rome churches and more specifically the big basilicas like St Peter, apply specific rules to what visitors should and should not wear and these sometimes result in well meaning visitors carrying tickets being denied entry due to the length of their shorts.
The dress code is strict or at least: it can be.
You will hear many people telling you they were able to enter the Vatican in short shorts but please remember this: this is at the discretion of the person at the door.
If you get a person who applies the dress code, they will deny you entry and you will have no recourse. The fact that someone else may have ‘gotten away with it’ does not help you in the case of being denied entry.
especially for the Vertical and Vatican Museums (which include the Sistine Chapel), the wisest thing is to abide by the dress code and wear shorts / skirts that are below the knees, tops that cover the shoulders and your midriff.
What to pack for visiting Rome churches that are not the Vatican
When it comes to smaller churches the rules for appropriate clothing is Rome are pretty straightforward.
Very short skirts of shorts are a no go and bare shoulder strapless tops or tops with spaghetti straps are considered not appropriate. The same applies to tops that leave you back or belly bare or that have very deep front V necks.
You are unlikely to get people to stop you from going in if wearing shorts however, I believe it is important to know about this to be respectful to church goers who may find it not suitable for the place
Some churches are equipped with shawls you can borrow and consider enough to have them wrapped around you to cover up. This is not very common but it is worth keeping an eye out for them when entering a church as they make things super easy!
Summarizing, to visit Rome smaller churches you usually do not need any special attire although you want to avoid very revealing clothes if you have church sightseeing plans.
For church visits in Rome in summer pack:
- Short sleeve tops that cover your shoulders (this applies to men and women)
- Knee length skirts or long linen trousers for women so you can have covered legs but survive the heat
- Long trousers for men
- Be advised that this applies to teenagers too. While there is not standard cut off for the dress code, young kids tend to be able to wear whatever they want as they cannot be ‘immodest’. Once they look more grown up, it is best to follow adult rules
What to wear for visiting the Vatican in summer: dress code
The Vatican has a strict dress code that applies in all seasons but that becomes exceptionally important in summer.
The best place to start to figure out what to wear for visiting the Vatican is summer is the site of the Vatican itself but I also made a detailed >>> list of clothing dos and don’ts for the Vatican <<<
The main things to remember when dressing for Vatican City are:
- No low cut tops
- No sleeveless clothing (t-shirts are ok)
- No shorts (women and men)
- No miniskirts (this means anything above the knee)
- No super tights clothing or see through
- No hats
Please be advised: a shawl to cover legs or bare shoulders is not enough at the Vatican.
These rules are on the site of the Vatican itself and apply both to the museums and the basilica.
To visit St Peter’s square only there is no special dress code required: the square is technically part of Vatican State but there is no border control and you will not be stopped when entering.
However, due to the special religious significance of the place for many, I always find it is advisable to respect the dress code on the square too.
To be sure not to cause offense, I always recommend to simply plan for a day at the Vatican in advance and wear suitable clothing.
Some ideas on what to wear to visit the Vatican in summer
- Long linen or cotton trousers (linen ones are very common with locals too, you will blend in!)
- Knee length, midi or long skirts or summer dresses
- Shirt and chinos for men
- Teenagers should follow the same dress code as adults and avoid very tight clothing or tops/ shorts that reveal the belly or legs
What to wear in Rome in summer: essentials
Churches aside, your packing list for Rome should have some summer essentials and a few. My essentials for Rome in summer are:
- Short sleeve tops
- Linen / cotton trousers
- Not excessively short skirts and summer dresses
- Underwear, socks etc
- Nightwear
- A nicer outfit for a more elegant dinner out
- necklaces for add a dash of color to your outfit
- A light scarf to cover shoulders in smaller churches
- Toiletries
- Swimsuit (if planning in a day at the local pool or a day trip to the sea)
- Great walking shoes / sandals (see below)
Other things to pack for Rome in summer
Great walking shoes
In Rome you will walk, a lot! It is absolutely normal for visitors to clock in well over 20k steps a day so good walking shoes are a must. I highly recommend fashion sneakers (summer, breathable models) and sandals with rubber soles and good cushioning for tackling those cobbles!
Find her >>> my list of recommended shoes for Rome
A cross body bag
Crossbody bags are your best friend in Rome. They stay close to the body, making it hard for pickpockets to get in, they come in many styles often suitable for going day to night and they are the most popular style among locals, meaning you won’t stick out for the wrong reasons.
You do not need an anti theft bag in Rome but do opt for a cross body bag that zips up and, ideally, had internal pockets.
Don’t go too big when it comes to size: remember you will have to lug it around for long hours!
A refillable water bottle
Rome gets very hot in summer and staying hydrated is a must.
Rome tap water is delicious and you can make the most of the city’s many drinkable fountains carrying around your won bottle.
The city has a massive problem with waste so with your won bottle you will help the environment too!
A sun hat
Sun hats are a little touristy but the sun in Rome is so strong in this case you should go for sun safety ahead of look. If you pick a nice straw one (there are good models for men and women) you may strike a good balance between not getting a sun stroke and looking nice
Sunglasses
Italians have a love affair with sunglasses in all seasons and summer is of course prime time for them!
Phone charger
You are likely to use your phone a lot in Rome, either to take photo,check the map or show entrance tickets at attractions.
My battery always gets drained fast when sightseeing in Rome so getting a good spare portable power bank is paramount
Sunscreen
Even if you avoid sightseeing in the hottest hours of the day, the Rome sun will gt to your skin so sunscreen in Rome is, for many, a must.
You can buy it in the city (in supermarkets, ‘profumerie’ shops and pharmacies) but the brands are often different from what you may find abroad – I know when in the US I don’t recognize any! if you have a favorite one or have very sensitive skin, I recommend you bring your own
Mosquito repellent
Rome has many mosquitoes and they are voracious beasts! At present they are not known for carrying diseases but their bites are itchy: do bring mosquito repellent for your skin and for your room (unless your hotel has A/C, not all do)
Italian phrase book / phrase finder
You don’t need to speak Italian to travel to Rome but some Italian goes a long way. I love small pocket books that you can carry in your bag: worse case, you can open them an point to the sentence you want!
if you don’t want to spend money and prefer an online option, you can get here >>> my Italian for travelers’ language guide
Travel adapter and converter
Rome has 2 pins European sockets and if you come from outside of Europe chances are you will need a travel adapter for your appliances to work.
If you come from a country with a different voltage system, you also want to make sure you have a travel converter, for all your non dual voltage appliances (otherwise the higher voltage here will fry them!)
What not to pack for Rome
As well as things to pack for Rome in summer I find it useful to know also what not to pack! Specifically, items that will bulk up your luggage and will have little or no use in Rome:
Flip flops: unless you use them in the hotel or are planning on going to the pool, flip flops are not good city footwear as the long walks and cobbles call for better protection. Opt for sandals instead.
Stilettos or very high heels: you will hurt yourselves on cobbles and absolutely do not need to blend in with locals, not even in elegant restaurants. Nice shoes, either flat of with smaller heel, will be more appropriate
Very short shorts or skirts: this goes with what we said above about visiting churches but it is a good rule also not to stand out. Very short shorts are usually worn by tourists only and might make you feel out of place in restaurants too.
What to wear in Rome in summer: style notes
A few questions seem to come up often when discussing what to pack for Rome and I hope I can help you get clarity on what to wear and what locals do.
As I mentioned above: you do not need to dress like a local unless you are going to an office or event where a specific dress code or style may be appropriate.
The notes below are more out of curiosity, since I get often asked, but please do not take them as absolute rules or rules you need to abide to in Rome. You can wear what you want, no one will even notice!
How dressy is Rome?
Not as much as you may think! Italians are known for being stylish but our style is more smart casual than full on elegant.
The cut of clothing is important in terms of style so you’ll notice even casual items like jeans tend to be well fitted (unless there is a specific style choice for a different look).
Popular items are chinos pants for men, polos, linen trousers for women, long flowing skirts for women. Kids and teens are partial to sportswear.
Athletic wear is not common with locals outside of sports venues and usually the ‘giveaway’ of the American tourist. There is nothing wrong with that so if that’s your style, go for it!
Is it true people don’t wear sneakers in Rome?
No! This is absolute nonsense.
In Italy in general and in Rome in particular we do not wear sneakers to go to work (although this is changing in more casual working environment or to go out at night (unless you are very young or want to dress very young).
However, we do wear them when walking and at weekends, so if you go sightseeing, absolutely wear sneakers!! The most popular ones are fashion ones (Veja, Puma, New Balance etc) although the fashion changes so quickly, you see a huge variety of them everywhere.
The only place where they are not necessarily appropriate is high end restaurants: they are no problem in standard restaurants.
Can I wear shorts in Rome?
Unless you are visiting churches you can indeed wear shorts in Rome.
Just be advised that they are not common for adults and are usually considered an item of clothing for kids and teenagers (and tourists!).
Again this is not a problem but may explain why you don’t often see them mentioned in packing lists or style guides.
Can I wear flip flops in Rome?
You can but I discourage you to do so on a couple of accounts. Flip flops are awful on cobbles and you are likely to damage your ankles very quick without the support of good shoes. Also, Rome is dirty and you don’t want your feet as close and as exposed.
Last but not least, as I sad above flip flops are not rally considered shoes in Italy (they are more seaside / house shoe type of thing) and may not be accepted in the more upscale restaurants, unless they are the dressier type (leather etc)
I hope you found this overview of what to wear I Rome in summer useful and it helped to answer the question
What to pack for Rome in the summer? Quick list of essentials
- Underwear and sleeping gear
- Short sleeve tops
- Summer skirt / dress/ shorts (below the knee for church day)
- Comfortable walking sandals
- Sun hat and sun glasses
- Good crossbody bag
- Reusable water bottle
- Chargers, adaptor, converter
- Extra battery pack
- Cash and cards
- Travel documents/ ID
- Essential medications and prescriptions
- Swimsuit and flipflops for the pool
- Basic toiletries
- Cooling towel / portable fan if using
- Stroller for small kids (You can also bring a carrier but in the heat of summer the risk of overheating while baby wearing is high)
Safe travels!
Updated summer 2024