September in Rome: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

In September, as Romans are returning from their summer holidays, the summer heat and the tourist crowds begin to subside. Although it's not a particularly busy time of year for the cultural calendar, the city is still abuzz with things to do, such as events and festivals like the Osola del Cinema, Stadio Olimpico soccer matches, and the Taste of Roma festival.

Rome Weather in September

With average temperatures ranging from the 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) in the daytime down to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) at night throughout most of the month, Rome's weather in September might be some of the best the city experiences all year. However, temperatures will start to drop as the month progresses, and the nighttime lows can fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).

• Average high: 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius)
• Average low: 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius)

If you choose to go swimming, the water in the Mediterranean Sea has an average temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) in September. One of the city's driest months of the year with just 1.5 inches (40 millimeters) of rainfall over six days in the month, September is one of the best times to go swimming near Rome.

What to Pack

You can look forward to enjoying the best of Rome's Mediterranean climate in September, which means, you won't need to pack many layers to stay comfortable. Be sure to pack a couple of pairs of shorts, T-shirts, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts to accommodate the warmer daytime temperatures and cooler nighttime temperatures. You'll also want to bring comfortable shoes, beachwear, and maybe even hiking gear depending on what you plan to do during your trip.

September Events in Rome

While the throngs of summer tourists may have left the city and local schoolchildren have mostly returned to their studies, you'll still find plenty of great events all month long. During 2020, many of these events may be canceled or postponed. Be sure to check the official websites of the organizers for the latest details.

• Movies at Isola Del Cinema: Widescreen movies are shown outdoors during Isola Del Cinema on Tiberina Island almost every night in the summer, which includes September. It's a part of Estate Romana, or Roman summer, a series of organized festivals concerts, theater performances, and other cultural events.
• Stadio Olimpico Soccer Games: The 70,000-seat home stadium of both of Rome's soccer teams—AS Roma and SS Lazio—Stadio Olimpico is one of the world's most famous sports venues. Games typically occur on Sundays and tickets can be purchased online, over the phone, at the stadium, or the teams' official stores throughout the city. Avoid purchasing seats in the Curva Nord and Curva Sud sections of the stadium, which are known as the rowdy sections.
• Gay Village Street Fair: Rome's Gay Village has a celebratory street fair running from late May to early September in the Testaccio neighborhood. You'll find a festive atmosphere consisting of music, dancing, food stands, and alcohol.
• RomaEuropa Festival: Beginning in late September, the RomaEuropa Festival features cutting-edge local and international performances of dance, theatre, music, and film, as well as visual arts installations at venues across the city.
• Taste of Roma: During the third weekend of September, you can sample food from some of Rome's top chefs, take Italian cooking classes, and watch live demonstrations of some of the latest culinary trends on the grounds of the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome's Flaminio neighborhood.

September Travel Tips

• Although the summer tourist crowds have gone, September is still considered the high season for tourism in Rome. However, hotels typically offer mid-season rates for the first six days of the month and you'll find long wait times at most establishments, few of which take reservations.
• Avoid tourist restaurants and travel off the beaten paths to find local spots that won't have as long of wait times—but they will often have even more authentic cuisine.
• Figs and grapes are both coming into season in September, making it a great time to sample fig gelato, fresh figs with prosciutto on pizza Bianca, and locally-produced wines.
• You'll find larger crowds and longer lines at must-see attractions in the city; consider booking skip-the-line tickets or just passing by famous landmarks instead of going inside.