Rome in October
 

I am going to Rome in 2 days and staying with family I barely know. Its been my understanding that I dress for the season but it is unseasonably hot in Rome this week 79 Fahrenheit! Im concerned about shoes mostly--can I wear dressy strappy sandals (with the exception of touring?) Or would I be wholly out of place wearing anything but closed shoes?

What else might I need that I am not thinking of?
And her only email to me a month ago said--bring one heavy coat, also we often go to the beach. Beach as in sunbathing???? Rome has a beach?

Any help greatly appreciated

You will be out of place in sandals. I doubt anyone will be going to the beach(about 30 minutes outside Rome) for swimming this time of year.

I recommend a wrap of some kind for cooler nights. I always take one....great on the plane.

Even if you don't swim at the beach....you may want to take a windbreaker or something like it in case they do intend on going to the beach. If you have an all-weather trench coat, that might be the best warmer coat to take.

We were there in September and we had one day that was rainy and surprisingly cold!

Have a great time.

Keep checking the forecast for Rome. It is unlikely you will need a heavy coat but take a raincoat and something you can layer underneath if it turns chilly. The weather in Rome looks pretty normal for the next couple of weeks.

Even if you could wear strappy sandles this time of year, walking on cobblestones would be impossible.

It's not Siberia, and if you want to wear strappy sandals to dinner, it's fine! As you said, you wouldn't wear them touring.

As some have indicated above, just take LAYERS so you're prepared for temps anywhere between 50 to 80. And it's greatly possible that range could take place in one day. That was our experience one March, another time of quite variable Rome weather.

Here is what weather.com predicts as of today:

Oct. 23: high 76, low 57
Oct. 24: high 74, low 54
Oct. 25: high 71, low 54
Oct. 26: high 70, low 57, 30% chance of rain
Oct. 27: high 68, low 56, 60% chance of rain
Oct. 28: high 67, low 52, 60% chance of rain
Oct. 29: high 65, low 51, 10% chance of rain
Oct. 30: high 64, low 50

Thanks so much and thanks ALL!

I am in Rome now. I am seeing Euopean tourists in shorts and flip flops!

many Women in boots but also Lots of women still wearing strappy sandles.

Wear what makes you comfortable for walking and want you want.

haven,t even needed a sweater in the evening.

Thank you! I think only tourists will be wearing flip flops but Im not sure why I was told I cant wear sandals! I appreciate it.

I believed the outdated info about no jeans on my first trip ten years ago - and of course everyone was in jeans!