Travel blog & tips on a budget from a 30 year old blogger

How To Escape The Heat Wave In Rome

Europe Italy Rome
Posted: July 20, 2012

Summer in Rome can get very hot, up to 45 degrees at the end of July and in August. I thought by visiting in the beginning of July, I would avoid some of the heat. Unfortunately there was a heat wave during my stay and I had to come up with a few ways to escape the heat wave, while still seeing Rome:

1) Museums

Some of the museums are air-conditioned, while others are not, but it is still cooler than walking around outside.  I went to the Vatican museum, which had a fantastic collection of art and also includes access to the Sistene Chapel. It still was rather stuffy in some parts of the museum, but at least it was shaded from the burning midday sun.

Vatican Museum | being30.com

2) Shopping

There are many street markets in Rome, but if you want to avoid the heat, it is probably best if you go to some of the major air-conditioned shops.  On Via Cavour there are many high street stores such as Benetton, Intimissimo, Calzedona and Zara which appears to be one of the biggest in Rome.    If you have a very healthy wallet you can go shopping on Via Condotti, where Gucci and Prada are located.  Their shop are always nicely air-conditioned. Via Nationale have a number of shops, Benetton, Timberland and Max Mara.

Zara | Escaping the Heat

3) Trip to the beach

Not many people think of Rome and the beach together, but the sea is not that far away.  Many people say it only takes 30 mins, it is more like an hour train ride away from the Termini station to the Stealla Polare train station.  There are private beaches, which are less crowded, have changing and bathroom facilities. It costs about 10 euros to go in so it might be worth it for the day, you also get a sun lounger.  There are free beaches as well but they tend to be quite packed and you are also not allowed to play ball games (something which you can do on the private beach).  The water is not a clear blue as you may find along the Tuscan or Amalfi coast, but it is still a nice trip to the beach, especially when it is so hot in the city.

Ostia Lido Beach Rome | being30.com

4) Dine inside

There are some restaurants that have a shaded terrace outside with fans blowing mist towards the customers, which is quite refreshing.  Alternatively, step inside an air-conditioned restaurant.  Sometimes you just have to do this in order to escape the heat.  Any restaurant which has air-conditioning will clearly state this on their front doors as it is definitely something to promote on a hot summer day. Alternatively, duck in and out of the many gelatos in the city, eating ice cream is one way to cool down.

Italian gelato

5) Shade under the trees

Visit the 148 acre park, the Borghese gardens in the northern part of the city. This has been a public park in Rome since 1903 when the city bought the Villa Borghese from the Borghese family. There are many shady spots to have a picnic or just chill out from the hot city.  There are fountains and even a lake in the middle of the park which has an island featuring a temple, dedicated to the God of healing – Aesculapius.

Due to the age of many apartments in the city, they do not have air-conditioning.  Before you leave for the day, close all shutters and windows to keep the heat out and only open them at night time once the cool night air has settled in the city. I did not have air-conditioning where I was staying, but I will make sure I have next time I visit.

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