Can anyone tell me if they have been in Rome in August? I keep on reading that this is the worst time to go as many restaurants and shops are closed. Surely it can't be that bad!

I need some reassurance!

I have been to Rome in August. Whereas some of the restaurants and shops may have been closed I didn't notice any difference in service levels, etc. None of the "sights" are closed...it seems a good number of Romans might leave the city for elsewhere at this point.
I wouldn't change my plans for travel there in August..but I do think it would be wise to have a hotel that is air conditioned. It can be extremely hot in Rome in August and an A/C'd hotel/place to stay will be worht every penny I think. Enjoy your trip.

Yes. In August of 2001. Sometimes we have little choice. It is August or no trip. for me, that's a no brainer. I second that recommendation for a room with air conditioning! And yes, some places will be closed. But, there's so mcuh to do and see in Rome. No way you'll run out of places to see and restaurants to eat in during your vacation, even in August. If you have your heart set on a particular shop, site, event or trattoria, make a point of finding out when they close for the August holidays. Then, plan accordingly & enjoy. As I've said here before, the only place in Italy I truly would avoid in August is Bologna. The Bolognese leave their fair city in droves in August.

you couldnt pay me enough.....

See...that's one LESS person you'll have to contend with to see the sights!

Make that two, Intrepid.

Thanks for your responses. I do feel better now! And I also checked that my hotel has got air conditioned rooms.

This is more than just a city break for us, so we have opted for a hotel with pool so that we can relax during the hottest time of the day.

Anyway where I come from the summer consists of rain mainly. So the change will be welcome...

Romans go on their summer holidays in August, so the city will be pretty empty, but tourist sights are well opened.
Be aware of sun burning. Weather has been very hot since May.

Make that 3, Liz. If God wanted me to melt, he'd have put me into a Salvador Dali painting!

BC

In August 2001, my brother rented a houuse in Tuscany for a month. He invited me and I stayed free at a beautiful villa.
Part of the trip was spent in Rome. Even for FREE, I would never go back there in August.
But, if it is the only time you can go and I were you, I would try it once.
Then you can say you would never go back then. It was just too hot for me.

It was very hot in July (I'm just back) in both Rome and Tuscany but if you have air conditioning (and it looks like you do) and you make sure you keep hydrated (lots of water and gelato) and take breaks, you'll be fine. I am not a heat lover at all but found once we were out of the direct sunlight it was not too bad, especially if there was a breeze. I did wear a lot of sleeveless tops and shorts or capris (just make sure you have something to cover your shoulders/legs for access to churches)plus open toed shoes and always carried bottled water. Admittedly spring or fall would likely provide some relief from the heat, but you'll have a wonderful time regardless. Have fun!

Tory

I was in Rome in early August, 1994. Never more. It was way too hot, there were too many tourists, and only a few locals around. Besides, many shops and restaurants were closed.

I nearly fainted while visiting the Sistine Chapel. It was exttemely hot, and the place was packed with Japanese tourists, carrying all sorts of cameras and photograph gear.

If you can't go later, or earlier, say before June, or from September on, do your sightseeing early in the morning, or after 4, 5 PM. Between 11:30 AM and 5 PM, the heat is nearly umbearable. After lunch, do as Romans ( and Italians, in general) do: go back to your air conditionned hotel, and take a nap before starting to tour again in the late afternoon.

You must be a HEAT lover to go, otherwise you'll be miserable.

Can't you go in the winter or Thanksgiving?

Personally, I find all cities miserable when it's hot, not just Rome.

There's a reason why city slickers have country houses.

Coachboy

bella30,
Airconditioning in your room wont help you while exploring Rome. All I can say is... DONT GO IN AUGUST !!!!

For those of you who found Rome nothing but miserable in August, could you let me know where you are from? And do you find all cities miserable in the summer or is Rome particularly so?

I only ask because NYC can be terribly hot (and humid) in the summer, and it's true that the city - like Rome or Paris - empties out in August (I also go to my beach house when I can), but I actually like to be in the city during August weekends because they are so quiet.

I wouldn't go in August , either. Way too hot ( I'm here in Los Angeles), few Italians, lots of tourists, many of the smaller places are closed. IF this is the ONLY time you can go, well, I guess you go, but to me it's hell. I'm even debating about Florence in early June. It's different if you live in a hot and humid city (lived in NYC for four years didn't mind the summers-it was empty) than if you are a tourist trying to sightsee.NOw having said all that, two couples I know went to Italy (Rome and Florence) last August and loved it. They just took it easy, had AC, and a pool.

If you are used to heat and have an air conditioned room you can return to for relaxing and refreshing, I'd say go. This is a great year to go to Europe -- tourism is down which means lines are much shorter. Just take it slowly and hit the hot spots early in the morning or late in the day. Have a great time!

we were in Rome last August and had a great time - didn't see much closed but we didn't go with a set list of restaurants to visit. highly recommend a little place called Marios near the forum - not to be confused with other Mario's in the city. great food, great ambiance and good location. have fun

txtree, I am from Michigan and live less than an hour away from the Canadian border. My family is from Canada, so perhaps my blood does run a bit "colder".

BC

August is a great time to be in Rome if you don't mind the heat. It's so much easier to get around by public transport, there are no queues - and there is a full season of outdoor concerts and events - L'ESTATE ROMANA.

Steve