You’re Supposed to Avoid Rome in August. I Went Anyway.

I’m not usually one for visiting popular destinations at peak season. However, I was on my way to Georgia and Rome happened to offer the best flight deals for the post-Atlantic leg of my journey. I’m also a history nerd so, naturally, Rome exerted an almost magnetic draw.

I’d read that August was one of the worst times of year to visit Rome, though. But who knew if I’d get the chance again? Opportunity knocks but once, they say — and overall, I’m glad I went in spite of the warnings. 

Why you “shouldn’t” visit Rome in August vs. what I actually experienced

Rome is a popular tourist destination. But it’s especially crowded in the summer.

“All roads lead to Rome.” This saying is almost as old as the Eternal City itself and holds true, even though the mighty Roman Empire is a thing of the past. Rome’s combination of timeless historical landmarks, charming atmosphere, mouthwatering cuisine, and rich culture make it appeal to almost every category of traveler.

Crowds and heat are the main reasons it’s recommended not to go in August, but I found that neither was that bad.

August is the end of the peak tourist season and I found that the crowds weren’t that bad. There were a lot of people but I’d seen much worse elsewhere. Maybe the general stigma against visiting in August thinned the crowds out compared to the previous two months.

Weather is another reason why this month is unpopular. Roman summers tend to be hot and humid and I was preparing for the worst. But I found both factors to not be nearly what I was dreading.

It was hot, but I’ve experienced much worse when visiting Midwestern or Southern states in the US. Plus, I’d spent the last two years living in Arizona and Eastern Washington, so my heat tolerance had increased considerably since leaving where I grew up in Alaska.

Prices increase during peak season but in my opinion, hotel rates were reasonable given the value.

Summer is almost universally the most expensive time to travel. I managed to cut a few corners staying at more scaled-down accommodations. Sure, Rome had far greater luxuries to offer, but I’m not made of money. At the same time, even the more basic properties had little touches that added a refined simplicity that many hotels in America don’t bother with.

August is the month many Italians take off for vacation, but I found that most restaurants in the central tourist areas were still open.

Another factor is that in August, many locals in Italy go on their own vacations. However, the main tourist areas were far from deserted. Basically every business was still in full operation. 

Further from the city center, I found a few closed cafes here and there. It made for a pleasant change of pace from the more tourist-trodden areas. I especially enjoyed walking down the elegant, tree-shaded Via Veneto which, while still popular with visitors, was a bit more off the beaten path.

Overall, I thought traveling to Rome in August was a great experience.

It’s hard not to fall in love with Rome.

I’d turn a seemingly random corner and bam — there was the Colosseum. Around another corner, the Vatican loomed majestically in the distance. In between the timeless monuments, narrow cobblestone streets traced their way up and down the slopes of the City of Seven Hills.

I love classical music and scarcely a night passes without some performance being held in Rome. One evening, I attended a recital of opera arias in an old church. The next night, I took in an open-air performance of highlights from The Lord of the Rings soundtrack. There’s also no shortage of contemporary music venues.

4 ways to make the most of an August trip to Rome

Overall, August is still more expensive than other travel months so, for many, it will not be the best time to visit Italy. Still, I found ways to save money. Additionally, the heat was easy to manage and so were the crowds. I never got that dreaded sense of agoraphobia during my stay in Rome. 

I was pleasantly surprised and wouldn’t have any qualms with another August journey to the city of Caesar Augustus. If you choose to visit Rome during this month, however, there are a few things you can do to make the most of your trip. 

#1 – Save money by booking simpler, cheaper stays

You don’t need to live like an emperor when visiting Rome. There’s a wide variety of quality, low-cost hotels near Rome’s Termini Station (which connects to the airport). There are also pilgrimage houses that offer rooms to anyone. The accommodations are basic but comfortable, and there’s usually a good spread for breakfast.

See Catherine’s guide to where to stay in Rome for more area and hotel recommendations.

#2 – Walk places to see more of the city

Walking is one of my favorite ways to get around when traveling. I often opt to go on foot even if my destination has a top-notch public transportation system.

Rome has an excellent system of metro bus lines, but then you’d miss out on exploring the almost endless network of side streets and back alleys. You could seriously make a trip out of exploring them alone!

#3 – Stay hydrated with the help of fountains throughout Rome

The effects of the summer heat can creep up on you. Thankfully, Rome has a ton of water fountains (nasoni) with perfectly safe drinking water. Tempting as it is, you can’t dip your feet in the larger fountains — it’s illegal to do so. But you may be able to discreetly splash your face.

Stores sell bottled water and you can easily refill the bottle at any of the nasoni scattered across the city. Note that sparkling water is a popular beverage in Europe (Rome is no exception) but won’t hydrate you half as well as still water. 

#4 – See what you can during a short visit and plan to return

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Likewise, you can’t possibly fit everything in the Eternal City into one visit. A shorter trip (I spent 5 days) in August can help minimize expenses.

On my way back from Georgia, I had an overnight stay in Rome. It was November and the city had quieted down considerably. I was able to see a few sights that I hadn’t gotten to on my first trip. If I’d had more time, I would have loved to explore more of Rome, but it wasn’t meant to be — at least not that time.

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Have you ever been to Rome or another major tourist destination in peak season? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments section below! 

And if you want to plan a trip like mine, be sure to read our list of tips for solo travel in Italy.