This post will provide a lot of different ideas for things you can do in Rome during the month of July 2022. In addition to our top 10 list, you will also find sections devoted to free things to do, family-friendly attractions and nighttime events. If you’re looking for additional activities, make sure to read our post about the best things to see in City Centre.
- Top 10 Things to Do
- Things to Do at Night
- Free Things to Do
- Family-Friendly Activities
- Free Tours by Foot
NOTE: As of May 2022, laws and regulations in Rome have been eased, and you will no longer require a mask or proof of vaccination everywhere, there are still some locations where you must wear a mask:
- Public transport
- Cinemas and theaters
- Indoor sports arenas
- Concert halls
- Hospitals
While masks and vaccines may not be required by law anymore, they are still heavily recommended, and some museums/attractions will still insist on these protective practices.
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO
1. Go on a Sightseeing Tour
No matter when you visit Rome, it’s always a good time to do some sightseeing. This ancient city is filled with wonderful and historic landmarks to see!
We offer a number of free walking tours in Rome, including the city's centre, the Rome Forum, the Colosseum, the Vatican, and more.
For more things to do in Rome at any time of year, visit our post here.
2. Go to Roma Summer Fest
This is one of the biggest music festivals in Rome, and there will be quite a few notable musicians performing during the month of July. The cheaper tickets for each concert range from about €23 - €69 on average.
Here are the artists expected to perform:
- July 2: Deep Purple
- July 3: Kasabian
- July 4: Rufus Wainwright
- July 5: Omara Portuondo
- July 7: Mahmood
- July 8: Fiorella Mannoia
- July 10: Gregory Porter
- July 11: Yann Tiersen
- July 12: Bandabardo & Cisco
- July 13: Herbie Hancock
- July 16: Michael Kiwanuka
- July 17: Simple Minds
- July 18: The Smile
- July 19: Paolo Nutini
- July 22: LP
- July 27: Patti Smith Quartet
- July 28: Carmen Consoli
- July 30: Steve Hackett
- July 31: Riccardo Cocciante
For more information about the festival, click here.
3. Take a Food Tour
You can't come to Rome and not partake of some of her most famous dishes. Obviously Rome is known for pasta, but it has perfected Porchetta, Osso Buco, Gelato, and many other delicious fare.
To go along with Rome's delectable dishes, a tasting some of Italy's best wines is a must-do.
Here are just a few options:
- Street Food Tour
- Taste of Testaccio Food Tour
- Trastevere: Food and Drink Tour
- Street Food Tour with Pizza Making
- Food and Wine Tasting in a Medieval Cellar
- Half Day Food and Wine Tasting
- 3-hour Foot and Wine Tasting
4. Attend Rock in Roma
There’s more than one concert series happening in Rome this July. Rock in Roma welcomes a variety of popular musicians to play each summer, and this year is no different.
Whether you’re a fan of hard rock or you prefer hip-hop there will probably be someone you like playing at this event. Here are just some of the artists:
- Deep Purple | July 2nd
- The Chemical Brothers | July 8th
- Herbie Hancock | July 13th
- Patti Smith Quartet | July 17th
5. See an Opera at the Caracalla Baths
Every Summer, Teatro Dell’Opera puts on a series of concerts, ballets, and operas at the Caracalla Baths. This is an incredible opportunity to see a show which uses the ruins of a historic landmark as a backdrop. Planned for July 2022 are:
Opera
Ballet
- Notre-Dame De Paris | July 21st - August 3rd
- Roberto Bolle and Friends | July 12th - July 14th
Concerts
- David Garrett Alive | July 25th
TIP: The Caracalla Baths are included on at least one of the lines provided by bus tours in Rome. Check our Roman bus tours post for more information.
6. Celebrate Festa De’ Noantri
This festival, in which locals celebrate the Madonna of Mount Carmel, takes place in the Trastevere district, usually over a few weeks in July.
Near the end of the festival an impressively adorned statue of the Virgin Mary is carried through the Trastevere from one church to another.
After reaching its final destination, it will stay there until the end of the festival when it will return to its original location by boat along the Tiber.
Festa de’ Noantri is free to attend. Click here to find the program for this event.
7. Take in the Circo Maximo Experience
This can't-miss experience has been running for more than a year, and in July is nearing the end of it's run.
It is a virtual reality walk through of Circus Maximus, Rome's chariot racing/entertainment stadium.
You'll be given a VR headset and an audio guide that will walk you through the stages of Circus Maximus, from it's creation to it's various renovations and transformations over the centuries and under various rulers.
This outdoor walk lasts for about 40 minutes, and audio is in six language. To purchase tickets, click here.
8. Enjoy Live Music at the Museum
There will be a few different museums offering programs during July, ones which will allow you to hear classical music.
Live performances by professional musicians, in locations which add to the mood, can be found throughout the city.
The following are just a few options:
- Rooftop Bar Opera Show: The Great Beauty in Rome
- Open Air Opera Concert: Best Arias and Love Duets
- Capuchin’s Crypt: Sacred Music in the Heart of Rome
9. Attend the Great Arias Concert
If you’re not interested in the concerts taking place during either Rock in Roma or Summer Fest, this is an excellent alternative.
The Opera Lirica di Roma is celebrating some the great arias and most famous classical music pieces by Italian composers.
Pieces by Puccini, Vivaldi, Rossini, Verdi, Leoncavallo, and Mascagni are on the program.
Tickets can be purchased here.
10. Take Part in the Sales
There are two times per year when Rome celebrates massive sales throughout the city, and one of them just so happens to take place during the first few weeks of July. This sale will find several local shops slashing prices by as much as 50%, allowing you to save a lot of money on a variety of items.
That being said, you should be wary of any discount higher than that, because there are some people who will try to scam you during this period. As long as you stick to the main stores, chances are you’ll find plenty of excellent deals.
Dates for 2022 have not yet been released, so check back for updates.
11. Sample Foods at a Local Market
It may seem like a simple idea, but July is a wonderful time to visit local markets such as Campo De’Fiori, Field of Flowers, in English).
The market, which risides in a trendy neighborhood in Rome, has vegetables, fruits, flowers, soaps, and more on offer. (For an ideas of which fruits & veggies to enjoy during July, check out this guide to seasonal eating in Italy)
Although it isn’t free, this is a very affordable activity that you and your family can enjoy while wandering around Rome.
Hours are 7am to 2 pm (14:00).
THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT
This section will provide some great ideas for things you can do at night while visiting Rome in July. If you’re looking for more activities, make sure to check our other sections for events such as Rome Summer Fest, Rock in Roma, or an Opera at the Caracalla Baths.
Have a Glass of Wine on a Rooftop Terrace
You have many options for viewing the gradeur laid out before you when on one of the dozens of rooftop terraces in Rome.
Just a few are:
Cielo Terrace at the top of the Spanish Steps.
Matter Tarrae - in Piazza Navona. with a 360 view of Rome.
Aroma Retaurant - overlooking the Colosseum.
Experience the Capuchin Crypts After Dark
These historic crypts can be pretty creepy during the day, but the atmosphere gets even more disturbing at night. If you’re up for the macabre, this is an excellent location to visit after the sun goes down. The Capuchin Crypts are open to professional tours after hours which provide a lot of useful information about the Bone Chapel and the 4,000 monks whose remains adorn its walls.
- Tickets can be purchased here.
- Guided tour in Eglish
- Duration: 45 minutes long
- Depature: Piazza Barberini, P.za Barberini, 00187 Roma RM, Italy - next to the fountain in the middle of the square.
Visit the Trevi Fountain
You've probably seen videos of crowds lined up around Trevi fountain, waiting to get close enough to take a selfie and throw in a coin.
The best time to see the fountain and avoid the crowds is late in the evening. It's gorgeous aglow with lights, and it's much quieter than in the daytime.
If you'd like a night tour of a number of Rome's A-list attractions, including the Trevi Fountain, consider a VIP-12-stop-tour by (air-conditioned) vehicle. Your driver will narrate the trip and stop at the ruins, fountains, and squares that dot the gorgeous city that is Rome.
Click here for tickets and more information.
To view our online Trevi Fountain tour , click here.
Take a Night Tour of the Colosseum
The summer is a very popular time for historic landmarks such as the Colosseum, and it can also be pretty uncomfortable to visit on a hot day. As a result, one of the best ways to see this site during July is on a night tour.
There are a few different tour companies that offer this service, allowing you to see areas that are usually off limits and enjoy a trip after the sun sets. Break away from the crowds and experience a guided trip through one of the most notable locations in all of Rome.
Click here for tickets and more information.
FREE THINGS TO DO
The following section will discuss some of the more fun and interesting things you can do in Rome during July. If you’re looking for more ideas, make sure to check our other sections for events such as Festa De’ Noantri and the Festival Trastevere Rione del Cinema.
Go to a Free Museum
If you don’t feel like paying to see the Colosseum at night, you can always brave the crowds and see it for free on the first Sunday of every month.
There are many additional museums and historic sites you can visit for free on this day. Here is a list of additional locations:
- Colosseum
- The Borghese Gallery (booking required)
- Baths of Caracalla
- Castel Sant'Anglo
- Ostia Antica
- National Rome Museum (Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps, Crypta Balbi, Diocletian Baths)
- Villa Giulia (Etruscan museum)
- Palazzo Barberini
- Palazzo Corsini
- Galleria Spada
- Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli
- Villa d'Este in Tivoli
- Palazzo Venezia
- National Museum of Oriental Art
- National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography
- The Museum of Folk Arts and Traditions
- The Museum of the Early Middle Ages
- National Museum of Musical Instruments
- Capitoline Museums
- Trajan’s Market
- Ara Pacis
- Palazzo Braschi
Note that some state run museums (and the Vatican) are not included, as are some special exhibitions.
Take a Walk Through Villa Borghese
This is one of the most beautiful areas in all of Rome, and there are many locations in Villa Borghese where you are free to walk around and enjoy the view.
If you’re interested in other activities, this is also where you will find the Bioparco and Cinema dei Piccoli, both of which are perfect for children and families. See our post Things to Do at Villa Borghese to plan your visit.
If you plan on seeing the landmarks of Rome, Villa Borghese is only around a 55-minute walk from sites such as the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. These might be great locations to either start or stop your trip around the city.
See the Pope at the Vatican
There are two different opportunities to see the Pope for free each week. You will require a free ticket to see him on Wednesday, but on Sunday he will perform the Angelus from the window of his apartment which you can watch simply by arriving at the right time.
While the Sunday Angelus takes place at 12 pm, the Wednesday Papal Audience starts in the morning at 10:30 am.
If you’re trying to beat the heat, you may want to consider applying for a ticket to see one of these audiences instead of the Angelus. During the summer, this event is usually held outside in St. Peter’s Square.
For more details, make sure to read our post about things to do at St. Peter’s Basilica.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
This section will focus on activities that families may want to consider while visiting Rome in July. For even more ideas, make sure to look at our other sections to learn about attractions like Villa Borghese, the Trevi Fountain, or the Circos Maximo Experience.
Visit the Bioparco
Located in Villa Borghese, the Bioparco (Rome’s Zoo) has a lot of exotic animals to see and experience. This location offers a summer center for children which will provide unique opportunities to learn about wildlife. See a variety of different animals like Elephants, Giraffes, Alligators, Tigers, Camels and more.
Ticket prices are below, although note that purchases 30-60 days out bring the price down for adults and children, and there is a promo price for those who go 2 hours before the park closes.
- €17/Adults
- €11/Disabled
- €14/Seniors (Wednesdays €9)
- €14/Children Over 1 metre tall & up to 10 yrs old (Wednesdays €9)
- Kids under 1 metre tall are FREE
- Those accompanying the disabled are FREE
Zoo hours are between 9:30 am and 7:00 pm (19:00) in between March 26 and October 31. There are also special events in July. See here for more details.
If you'd like to also visit Villa Borghese, please read our post about things to do here.
Grab a Gelato
It gets hot in Rome during July, so you may want to consider getting a classic summer treat while visiting.
There are several wonderful Gelato shops located all around the city centre, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding a place to enjoy this Italian treat.
You’ll undoubtedly find many popular flavors no matter which shop you choose, but some locations will have very unique and interesting flavor combinations.
Check this list of ten excellent gelato places in Rome to get an idea for where you might want to go.
Go For a Swim
The summer is a perfect time to go swimming either at the pool or at the beach. Thankfully, both of these are options you can consider in Rome.
The Ostia Beach is only about an hour away from the city centre, and you can get there using the metro system.
Alternatively, you may want to consider getting a hotel that has a pool. There are several hotels in Rome with swimming pools, and you might be able to avoid some pretty big crowds by choosing this option. Rooms at these locations typically cost between €60 - €170 per night.
Take a Tour For Kids
It’s not always going to be easy to keep your children engrossed while visiting historic locations around Rome. As a result, there are several companies who provide tours specifically aimed at children.
Some excursions include things like gelato and pizza to keep everyone well fed and happy during a hot summer day. This is a great way to bring the history of Roman landmarks alive for your family.
Here are just a few options you may want to consider:
- Colosseum Gladiator Tour
- Vatican Scavenger Hunt
- Rome: Illuminated Rome Tour for Kids with Gelato & Pizza
- Rome Treasure Hunt: Play, Have Fun, Learn
