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Things to Do in Rome in July

Walking Tours
Bus Tours
Vatican
Colosseum
Things To Do
Discounts
Travel Guide
Updated: May 26, 2023
 By Stephen Pickhardt

This post will provide several things you can do in Rome during July 2023.

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 ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS IN JULY

This section will feature our top 10 activities to enjoy in Rome throughout July.

Several of the items below are already included for free with the purchase of a tourist attraction discount pass.

For tips on the most popular activities in Rome, check out the following posts:

1. Take 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 several free walking tours in Rome, including the city's center, the Rome Forum, the Colosseum, the Vatican, and more, with evening options. 

Free Rome Tour

Taking a hop-on-hop-off bus tour is a great way to combine simple, stress-free transport around Rome with an informative audio guide!

If you’re looking to save money, consider taking either a self-guided or an audio tour of Rome.

For more things to do in Rome at any time of year, visit our post here.

2. Attend a Concert

No matter when you choose to visit Rome, chances are there will be more than a few great musical options to take advantage of.

Classical Music/Opera

Some of these theatrical performances are included with the Opera Pass.

Also, check Rome tourist passes to see if they either include one of these concerts for free or offer a discount on tickets!

Pop Concerts

Festivals

  • Roma Summer Fest | July - September | Cavea Amphiotheatre | featuring: various artists
  • Rock in Roma | July - September | various locations | featuring: various artists
  • Lungo Il Tevere | June - September | various locations along the Tiber | featuring: music, theatre, dance, arts

3. Take a Food Tour or Cooking Class

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 fares.

To go along with Rome's delectable dishes, tasting some of Italy's best wines is a must-do as well.

Food Tours

Cooking Classes

4. Take a Walk Down Via Appia

With summer here, this is the perfect time to stroll down one of the most ancient roads in Rome – Via Appia.

If you’re worried that you might miss something by going alone, there are some bike tours and even walking tours with catacomb and aqueduct access that you might want to consider.

That said, it’s entirely free to walk down Via Appia, and we have a guide covering what to see on Appian Way.

Even if you’re not interested in walking the whole way, there are also bike rentals you can use to make your journey on this historic road easier and more enjoyable.

Whether you’re looking for a fun activity that won’t cost a dime or you want to learn as much as possible about this ancient highway on a guided tour, this is an excellent activity for families.

Check our post about things to do with kids in Rome for even more family-friendly activities. 

5. Go to Gladiator School

If you want your kids to become thoroughly engrossed in ancient Roman culture, you’ll be happy to know that there’s actually a Gladiator School in Rome.

During this 2-hour class, your kids will adorn armor and learn how to duel.

Although they provide a lot of interesting historical information, it’s important to note that this company isn’t actually trying to turn your children into Gladiators.

This is more of a fun activity that can also be very educational for your kids (age 6+).

6. Celebrate Festa De’ Noantri

This festival, in which locals celebrate the Madonna of Mount Carmel, takes place in the Trastevere district, usually over the last 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 proven to be so popular it's been running for over two years now.

It is a virtual reality walkthrough 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 its creation to its various renovations and transformations over the centuries and under various rulers.

This outdoor walk lasts for about 40 minutes, and the audio is in six languages. To purchase tickets, click here.

8. Take the Family to an Amusement Park

A lot of amusement parks in the area will be opening up around this time of year, so if you're looking for a fun family activity, you might want to consider visiting one of these locations.

If it's a particularly hot day, consider heading to Aquafelix, a water park full of beautiful pools, slides, and other fun things to do.

Alternatively, you might also enjoy Zoomarine, a water-themed amusement park with dolphin shows and over 30 rides!

There's a combo ticket that combines both Aquafelix and Zoomarine for one low price, and we recommend that option to save money and experience both parks! 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 that add to the mood, can be found throughout the city.

In addition to these options, film buffs might enjoy a trip to Cinecitta World. For more family fun, consider either MagicLand, Roma World or Luneur Park.

9. 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 resides in a trendy neighborhood in Rome, has vegetables, fruits, flowers, soaps, and more on offer.

(For an idea 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 7 am to 2 pm (14:00).

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 some people 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.

The sales usually start in early July and continue until mid-August.

THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN JULY

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 grandeur laid out before you when on one of the dozens of rooftop terraces in Rome.

Just a few are:

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
  • Departure: 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 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 several 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

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 IN JULY

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 Samplings Food at Local Markets.

You can find additional ideas in our 50 Free Things to Do in Rome post.

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 and Forum
  • The Borghese Gallery (booking required)
  • Baths of Caracalla
  • Castel Sant'Angelo
  • 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

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.

See the Pope in Rome

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 ACTIVITIES IN JULY

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 Circus 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 6:00 pm (18:00) in between March 26 and October 28. 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 center, 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 shops 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 of 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.

Ostia Beach is only about an hour away from the city center, 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, several companies 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:

About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: May 26th, 2023
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