If you are planning your trip to Rome in October and are not sure whether it’s a good time or not, you are in the right place.
The lovely weather of Rome in autumn allows you to engage in many outdoor activities. This is why October in Rome is the perfect time to enjoy long walks.
In this guide, we will give you plenty of information on how to plan your October trip to Rome including what to do, what to wear, and what to expect from the weather.
Weather in Rome in October
Rome’s temperatures in October are ideal for traveling. In fact, weather-wise, October is one of the best months to visit Rome. The temperatures range from a minimum of 12°C (53°F) and a maximum of 22°C (72°F).
The rainy days start to be more than in summer but not yet like further along in fall like November and December, which are usually the rainiest months. In October in Rome, you can expect around a week of rain scattered around the whole month. The rest is pretty much sunny.
Is October a good time to travel to Rome?
October is a perfect month to visit Rome for many reasons. Fantastic weather, great light for photography enthusiasts, and fewer crowds will make your trip unforgettable.
What to do in October in Rome
Visit the Colosseum and Ancient Rome’s ruins
When the weather is not too hot nor too cold, visiting the Colosseum and the archaeological parks of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill is a pleasure. These sites are mainly open-air and the perfect weather allows for a nice stroll in the ancient city.
While the crowds are nowhere near those of May and August, there will still be some queues. That’s why I suggest reserving your entrance online or booking a private tour so that you can skip the line. This saves you plenty of time, something you want to optimize especially if you are in Rome for a short stay.
Explore the Vatican
When the tourist crowds start fading away, that’s the right time to visit the most popular sights, and the Vatican is filled with those. From the Vatican Museums to Saint Peter’s Basilica and Dome to the stunning St. Peter’s Square and Gardens, the Holy See is packed with famous and popular landmarks.
Remember, however, that Rome in October is not as quiet as in February or March, so booking online your access to the Vatican Museums is still recommended.
Stroll around Trastevere
Trastevere is always very popular, and since walking around is the best thing you can do here, a nice day in October is the perfect time to organize that.
Enjoy a walk around Trastevere’s narrow alleys, visit the local museums and churches such as the beautiful Santa Maria in Trastevere and Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, and stop at the many cafes or restaurants to relax and recharge.
There are plenty of nice eateries in Trastevere, whether you want to tuck into pizza, enjoy a healthy lunch, savor artisan gelato, or just stop for a coffee.
Enjoy the beauty of the city center
Packed with the landmarks and sights that make Rome famous, the Centro Storico is a never-ending source of art and beauty to be explored all year round. October, however, is particularly beautiful because the weather is mild and the colors start turning warm golden and yellow.
From Piazza Navona to Campo de’ Fiori, from Via del Corso to the Trevi Fountain, from the Pantheon to the Spanish Steps, wherever you look in Rome’s city center, you are confronted with masterpieces and majestic buildings.
Getting lost in the maze of the historic center’s narrow alleys is one of the best activities you can plan in Rome in October.
Join one of the events of October 2023 in Rome
- Walking tour with wine and chocolate tasting. October 1st, 5-10 pm, starting at Four Rivers’ Fountain in Piazza Navona. 10€ per person, mandatory booking here.
- Strade aperte – Via del Pellegrino. October 1st, 10 am-8 pm. Free activities for adults and children.
- Strade aperte – Via dei Banchi Nuovi. October 1st, 10 am-8 pm. Local artisans showcase their work and products out of their workshops.
- Eurhop Beer Festival. October 6th, 7th, and 8th, Salone delle Fontane.
- Vintage Market. October 21st-22nd, 10 am-8 pm, Ex Deposito Atac, Via Tuscolana 179.
- Exhibition of photographer Letizia Battaglia. The whole month at the Baths of Caracalla.
- Tevere Day. October 7th, 8th, and 9th. 150 free events on the banks of the Tiber River.
Join a concert in Rome in October 2023
- Jazz al Museo. October 1st, 11.30 am-1 pm, Jazz concert of Francesco Fratini and Giuseppe Romagnoli at Museo Barracco, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 166. Free entrance.
- Maratona di Pianoforte. October 1st, 2-5 pm, Palazzo Braschi, Piazza di S. Pantaleo 10. Free entrance.
- Roma Jazz Festival. October 12th-26 at Auditorium Parco della Musica.
Explore Rome’s hidden gems
Often, the lesser-known and visited monuments are as beautiful and as important as the most famous landmarks of Rome’s city center. Take a day off your Rome October trip to explore the city off the beaten track.
For example, instead of visiting the oh-so-famous Colosseum, head to the Baths of Caracalla, stunning ruins of Rome’s largest public baths.
Or instead of staying in the crowded city center, head to lesser-visited neighborhoods such as the traditional Testaccio, the hip Ostiense, or the multi-cultural Esquilino.
Take a day trip
The easiest day trip from Rome is to the ruins of the ancient city of Ostia Antica, but there are many that you can take in October thanks to the great weather. Being not too hot anymore, you can easily go for longer hikes and walks.
Whether you wander the streets of towns like Viterbo or Civita di Bagnoregio, explore the ruins of the villas in Tivoli, or go for a hike in the Terminillo mount, a trip to October in Rome is perfect for arranging a day out of the city.
What to pack for Rome in October
- Travel documents. Passport or national ID, depending on where you come from.
- Camera. A travel camera is very much necessary to capture the best travel memories. If you are not a pro, the camera of your smartphone will do just fine.
- Umbrella. Rain starts so carrying a lightweight foldable umbrella can save you time and money.
- Reusable water bottle. Take advantage of the nasoni fountains in Rome and refill your own bottle for free.
- Crossbody bag. This is very handy to carry your belongings and safer than a backpack, especially when you are using public transport and need to wear it in front.
- Sunglasses. October in Rome will certainly offer pretty sunny days.
- Sunscreen. Fair skins will need it.
- Shawl. For the evenings even if they are hot.
What to wear in October in Rome
- Long-sleeve tops. Long sleeves start to become more frequent in October. Even though you might find T-shirts still wearable around midday, in the morning and in the evening, long sleeves are a better option.
- Light jacket. This is mainly for the evening, I often wear a simple blazer or a versatile denim jacket.
- Comfortable trousers. Cotton, linen, denim. Any type of loose and comfortable trousers is necessary as you will be walking plenty in Rome.
- Walking shoes. Sneakers are my go-to but there are plenty of comfortable walking shoes models to choose from.
- A pair of fancier shoes. If you want to go for dinner out and wear a fancier outfit, you might want to pair the right shoes. Usually, a pair of ankle boots will do with both trousers and skirts.
- Dresses. It’s still not too cold, so dresses can be handy to wear in October in Rome.
- Socks/stockings. As fall is starting to be in full swing, it’s hardly the time to wear sandals barefoot. Socks become necessary and so are stockings for women wearing skirts.
