What to Wear in Rome
Italy · 8 monthly packing guides
Rome punishes the unprepared. St Peter's and the Vatican Museums require covered shoulders and knees, and the Museums also turn away hats, so sleeves, a hem below the knee and a hat you can take off get you through the door in any season. The sampietrini cobblestones are hard on thin heels, and summer afternoons hit 33°C / 91°F. Pack leather shoes broken in for actual walking, and a scarf in the bag for church entries.
Choose your month below to match your layers and shoes to the weather. Across the months covered, average daily lows reach 3°C / 37°F in January; average highs reach 32°C / 90°F in August.
Compare Rome by month
Monthly averages help compare packing needs; check the forecast before departure. Only months with published guides are listed. See the source notes below for station and measurement differences. Scroll across the table to see all weather details on a small screen.
| Month | Average low | Average high | Rain days | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January packing guide | 3°C / 37°F | 12°C / 54°F | 9 | 9h 30m |
| February packing guide | 4°C / 39°F | 13°C / 55°F | 9 | 10h 35m |
| May packing guide | 13°C / 55°F | 22°C / 72°F | 6 | 14h 35m |
| June packing guide | 17°C / 63°F | 28°C / 82°F | 3 | 15h |
| July packing guide | 19°C / 66°F | 31°C / 88°F | 2 | 14h 50m |
| August packing guide | 20°C / 68°F | 32°C / 90°F | 2 | 13h 55m |
| September packing guide | 16°C / 61°F | 27°C / 81°F | 6 | 12h 20m |
| December packing guide | 5°C / 41°F | 13°C / 55°F | 12 | 9h 10m |
Choose your Rome packing list
Rome in January: 12°C / 54°F afternoons, 3°C / 37°F nights, about 9 wet days, the winter sales and the cold, clear tramontana.
In this capsule: Pewter grey double-breasted wool coat, below the knee; Ink navy fine merino roll-neck; Pale dove-grey flat-front wool trousers.
Rome in February: 13°C / 55°F afternoons, 4°C / 39°F nights, about 9 wet days, and Lent opening on the Aventine on Wednesday 10 February 2027.
In this capsule: Charcoal wool overcoat, single-breasted, below the knee; Ivory fine merino roll-neck; Black bias-cut midi skirt, mid-calf.
Rome in May is the shoulder-season sweet spot — 22°C / 72°F afternoons, 13°C / 55°F mornings, before the August heat that empties the city. The walking is everything: 8-10 miles per day on sampietrini.
In this capsule: Linen or cotton midi dress; Tailored cotton or linen wide-leg trousers; Leather sandals — already broken in.
Rome in June is when summer sets in — 28°C / 82°F afternoons, only 3 rain days, the city before Ferragosto empties it. Linen does most of the work.
In this capsule: Linen midi dress (sleeveless or cap-sleeved); Wide-leg linen trousers (cream, navy, or olive); Cotton or linen button-down (white, cream, or fine stripe).
Rome in July is hot and dry — 31°C / 88°F afternoons, only 2 rain days. Travertine and marble re-radiate heat past midnight. Locals run early and late.
In this capsule: Loose linen midi dress in cream, white, or oat; Lightweight linen wide-leg trousers (cream or pale navy); Cotton tank or sleeveless silk shell.
Rome in August is the empty-city month — 32°C / 90°F heat, Ferragosto exodus, Trastevere and Monti restaurants closed for owner vacations from August 10 through 25.
In this capsule: Pale linen midi dress (cream, white, oat, sage); Lightweight pale linen wide-leg trousers; Cotton or silk tank — pale neutral.
Rome in September: 26.5°C / 80°F afternoons, 16.1°C / 61°F mornings, 6 rain days — still summer, with the ferragosto crowds gone.
In this capsule: Linen or cotton midi dress with sleeves, or a covered top and midi skirt; Light scarf or gauze overshirt; Leather sandals or loafers with a real sole.
Rome in December: 13°C / 55°F afternoons, 5°C / 41°F nights, about 12 wet days, and a month spent inside churches with a dress code.
In this capsule: Espresso long wool coat, notch lapel; Deep burgundy chunky cable-knit cardigan; Cream brushed-wool stole, fringed.
Climate sources by month
These credits follow the source recorded on each monthly guide. Climate figures inform the packing advice; outfit combinations and illustrations are editorial suggestions.
- January: NOAA NCEI · Roma Ciampino · 1991–2020 normalsthe Aeronautica Militare operates the station; NOAA NCEI computed the temperatures from its 16239099999 global-summary-of-the-day record (30 Januaries) and the rain days from its IT000016239 monthly record (23 Januaries). Ciampino sits 15 km southeast of the centre at 105 m and runs colder at night than the historic centre.
- February: NOAA NCEI · Roma Ciampino · 1991–2020 normalsthe Aeronautica Militare operates the station; NOAA NCEI computed the temperatures from its 16239099999 global-summary-of-the-day record (30 Februaries) and the rain days from its IT000016239 monthly record (23 Februaries). Sunshine is the Aeronautica Militare's own 1991–2020 normal. Ciampino sits 15 km southeast of the centre at 105 m and runs colder at night than the historic centre.
- May: Servizio Meteorologico Aeronautica Militare · Ciampino · 1991–2020 normals
- June: Servizio Meteorologico Aeronautica Militare · Ciampino · 1991–2020 normals
- July: Servizio Meteorologico Aeronautica Militare · Ciampino · 1991–2020 normals
- August: Servizio Meteorologico Aeronautica Militare · Ciampino · 1991–2020 normals
- September: Servizio Meteorologico Aeronautica Militare · Ciampino · 1991–2020 normals
- December: NOAA NCEI · Roma Ciampino · 1991–2020 normalsthe Aeronautica Militare operates the station; NOAA NCEI computed the temperatures from its 16239099999 global-summary-of-the-day record (30 Decembers) and the rain days from its IT000016239 monthly record (23 Decembers). Ciampino sits 15 km southeast of the centre at 105 m and runs colder at night than the historic centre.
Frequently asked questions
Start with your travel month. The 8 published guides cover January, February, May, June, July, August, September, December. Compare the average low as well as the high: among these months, January has the lowest average low at 3°C / 37°F, while August has the highest average high at 32°C / 90°F. For a trip spanning two months, read both lists before deciding which layers to bring.
No. They are monthly climate averages for planning, not temperatures promised for a particular day or hour. Check the local forecast close to departure and adjust your layers and rain protection. The source, station and averaging period are listed for each month where recorded; different stations or rain-day definitions can affect comparisons.
No. Treat the capsule as a set of clothing functions: walking shoes, a base outfit, weather protection and any change for dinner or a venue's dress code. Start with equivalents you own. Adjust quantities to your trip length and laundry access; the illustrations are outfit suggestions, not a shopping requirement.