What to Pack for Your Rome Vacation

A trip starts the moment you begin packing your bags. For your Roman vacation, you need a clear idea of what to bring. What you pack can make a real difference between a comfortable, successful trip and one full of surprises.

Many variables affect what your ideal luggage should contain. The season and length of your stay matter most. But your vacation style plays a role too. Do you like walking a lot? Will you use public transportation or smart solutions like Rome in Golf Cart? Choose the right shoes for each need.

Do you enjoy nightlife? You’ll certainly bring appropriate outfits, but don’t forget to pack a light sweater.

Let’s look at the clothes and accessories that can’t be missing from your suitcase and backpack.

Comfortable Clothing Without Sacrificing Style

Many tourists who come to Italy, especially Rome, want to celebrate the beauty, elegance, and fashion typical of Italian culture. In a city like this, you can easily feel like you’re on a stage, a runway, or a red carpet. But this doesn’t always match the season, weather, and pace of a vacation in a big city.

A few targeted suggestions and some attention help you combine style and comfort, the right touch of taste with practical necessity.

First, consider the period. Each season requires appropriate clothing. Although Rome is generally a warm city, there are seasons and situations when you need to dress more warmly.

How to Dress in Rome During Spring

Spring in Rome is usually quite warm already. Sometimes it feels like summer, other times the weather in March and April is still a bit unpredictable. But generally, the spring period has a mild, temperate climate.

A pair of light pants or a long skirt, a shirt or a light t-shirt are almost always enough. Keep a cotton sweater and a light jacket handy for weather changes and evening hours.

Right after sunset, even after a warm day, a fairly cool breeze often picks up.

For a small touch of style, when the air cools down, a scarf or a light pashmina can be a useful and elegant idea.

How to Dress in Rome During Summer

In July and August, but often in June or September too, the thermometer in Rome frequently exceeds 35 degrees Celsius. This is the famous Roman summer, full of events, outdoor evenings, and days that seem endless. But it’s also a season that requires a lot of attention because the sun beats down really hard.

Generally, light and breathable clothing is recommended, preferring light colors that avoid heat accumulation. Linen is the summer fabric par excellence, but cotton works well too. Synthetic fabrics can cause excessive sweating, unless they’re technical clothing designed to promote perspiration.

Summer is the season for shorts, or very light pants and dresses, t-shirts and linen shirts.

Miniskirts and tank tops are fine for women, but don’t forget a good amount of sunscreen to avoid burns (we’ll remind you about this later too).

Moving around under the Roman sun can be quite demanding. You won’t have this problem if you choose to visit the city aboard a golf cart.

The vehicles from Rome in Golf Cart are open on the sides to guarantee a fresh and ventilated ride, but equipped with an upper cover that protects from the sun.

How to Dress in Rome During Fall

Fall is the most variable season. More than any other season, from October to December, the famous advice to dress “in layers” applies.

The fall period is beautiful in Rome, and the climate is usually pleasant. In October, there are even days that can still seem like summer (the famous “Roman October days”). Even in November, the climate can still be mild. But you need to be ready to cover up, because just a small disturbance, a half day of rain, can significantly lower temperatures.

Fall days also feature significant temperature variations over 24 hours. Quite cool mornings and even very warm afternoons are the norm. In Rome during fall, people say that you leave home in the morning with penguins and return in the afternoon with camels!

It’s time to wear pants and long dresses that aren’t too light, shirts and long-sleeved sweaters, cardigans (not too heavy), or cover-ups for cooler moments.

Keep a jacket, preferably waterproof, always handy, especially in the evening.

A light scarf or foulard can complete the outfit, protecting your neck from the evening breeze and temperature changes.

How to Dress in Rome During Winter

Although Rome has a Mediterranean climate, winter makes itself felt here too. From December to March, temperatures drop quite a bit, while almost always remaining a few degrees above zero.

If you’re planning a winter vacation in Rome, maybe to experience the magic of Christmas, don’t forget heavier pants, dresses, and socks. The climate won’t be freezing, but a wool sweater and a coat won’t be out of place at all.

Keep in mind, though, that during the central hours of a beautiful sunny day, even in winter, temperatures can become quite mild. So be ready to remove some layers to adapt to temperature variations.

Some Advice for Every Season

There are also particular situations that may require appropriate clothing regardless of the season or weather.

For example, if you visit the catacombs, you’ll find a light jacket useful anyway, possibly one that protects you from humidity.

Or if you have plans for a particularly elegant evening or event, maybe at the theater or in a high-level restaurant, even if it’s summer you certainly can’t show up in shorts and a t-shirt.

Also remember that in most churches and basilicas you’ll need to have your shoulders and legs covered. Often a scarf or a pareo is enough to solve the problem on the fly, in an easy way and, with a bit of taste, even elegantly.

The Right Shoes to Enjoy Rome Without Fatigue

Rome is a city where you walk a lot, so you need the right shoes. The streets and sidewalks aren’t always smooth and flat, so you need to be careful about missteps. Many city streets still have surfaces made of “sanpietrini,” the small stone blocks that are characteristic and charming but not always comfortable to walk on!

As for footwear, a lot depends on the season. But generally speaking, your suitcase shouldn’t be missing the following items.

• Light but sturdy sneakers, with a good sole that cushions your foot during long walks. An excellent alternative can be trekking or trail running shoes, maybe not too technical, which are usually very comfortable, light and breathable
• A pair of heavier, waterproof shoes, like ankle boots or light boots, in case of rain
• Sandals and flip-flops for rest or break moments only, to avoid instead during walks, even if it’s hot

Of course, special moments (a dinner, a party, a chic evening) aren’t excluded when you can indulge in elegant footwear. The important thing is not to expect to visit Rome always wearing English-style shoes or high heels, and in any case always have a more comfortable change with you.

Obviously, it’s not necessary to walk all over Rome on foot. There are several solutions to move around quickly and comfortably. An example? With Rome in Golf Cart you can visit all the most beautiful places in the eternal city, with organized or custom tours, without worries and without fatigue!

Useful and Smart Accessories

To make sure nothing is missing from your vacation luggage, here are some accessories and items you need to remember to put in your suitcase.

To Complete Your Outfit

• Sunglasses and hat are nothing short of indispensable, especially in summer but not only. It’s better to always have them with you
• Scarves and foulards we already mentioned them, but they’re so comfortable and versatile (for wind, for evening, for a touch of style, to cover up in church) that it’s worth remembering them again
• Gloves and beanie may seem exaggerated, but in fall and especially in winter, light gloves and a beanie that covers your head and ears can come in very handy
• Fan not just because it’s back in fashion, but it’s a real ally both against excessive heat and against bad smells (you know those crowded summer buses? Exactly)

To Face Any Eventuality

• Reusable water bottle very useful especially in summer, to fill at public fountains present everywhere
• Sunscreen better to always have it handy, not just in the middle of summer. A day outdoors under the Roman sun requires good and constant protection
• Power bank to recharge your smartphone during the day
• Backpack or shoulder bag to always carry documents, water, camera, a t-shirt or a sweater. Always being careful of pickpockets
• Small padlock equipped with a key or, even more convenient, a numerical combination, is useful for closing backpack zippers or for securing it to a chair while you’re eating outdoors
• Wet wipes and travel deodorant precious allies on hot days and in crowded places
• Folding umbrella or pocket raincoat for weather surprises, especially in fall and winter, but also for possible summer storms
• Mini medical kit against small ailments or accidents, it’s good to always have at least some band-aids and pain relievers
• City map you can opt for a classic paper map or a digital map, so you always have an idea of where you are and where you want to go. Here you can download the official tourist map in PDF

Rome is a big city, where wide streets alternate with small, hidden alleys. Getting lost is beautiful, but knowing how to find yourself again matters too!

Speaking of guides, the last piece of advice we give you to “put in your suitcase” is to rely on the guides and experience of Rome in Golf Cart. This way you’ll be sure not to miss anything in this wonderful city!