10 things to do in Rome in September

Unlike other months of the year, Rome in September does not have many cultural or religious events. The activities that predominate are those focused on social, entertainment and even sports. There are options for people of all ages and preferences.

With citizens returning from their vacations and students returning to their study centers, tourists still have many plans ahead. Read on and find out what the highlights are.

In the first two weeks of September there are still Kaleidoscope festival events taking place. Those who attend have the opportunity to enter film screenings of all kinds, plus sometimes opera and ballet performances are planned.

Kaleidoscope in the gardens of Villa Borghese lasts for three months, with activities taking place for a little over 90 consecutive nights. Don't be surprised if there is no dance or singing performance when you attend, as the festival is mainly focused on film.

Since September is the last few days to enjoy the Kaleidoscope performances, it's worth attending if possible. Tickets are free and the number of people allowed is limited, as the capacity of the venue is respected. Oh, and don't forget to take the opportunity to visit the amazing Borghese Gallery.

September is an ideal month if you want to discover all the beauty of the city from a totally different and original point of view. And for this, I recommend you to book a sightseeing cruise on the Tiber River in Rome. Ideal to get the best views of the city and a photo album that will be the envy of your friends and family.

In addition, you will not miss any detail because you will be provided with an audio guide that will tell you interesting comments about the architecture, history and most emblematic points of the city.

You have two options. On the one hand, you can make a round trip, which lasts approximately 1 hour; or you can choose to access the boat during 24 hours, and so get on and off at the most interesting points. A very entertaining and, above all, original visit!

Useful information

• Price: From 16 €.
• Where: You can leave from different points of the city.

Of course, an essential plan for the hottest days of September is to visit its main museums. You have several options to choose from depending on your tastes, preferences and who you go with. Here are the ones that, in my opinion, are essential

• Tickets for the Wax Museum of Rome, from $11: Ideal if you go with the little ones of the house or with friends and family, since, in that case, the laughs are guaranteed. With over 250 wax figures, you will have the chance to meet and share a photo with musicians, poets, actors, politicians and popular characters. In addition, you can enjoy a premium experience by booking the audio guide.
• Tickets for IKONO Rome, from $19: A museum that features more than 12 interactive installations and a ball pool where you can take some dreamy pictures. A magical world full of creativity and, above all, color.
• Tickets for the Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, from $20 And in this museum you will take a trip back in time to discover Etruscan and pre-Roman treasures. Plus, with the audio guide available, you won't miss any historical detail. And best of all, with this ticket you won't have to wait in line.

Useful information

• Price: A plan for less than 20 €.
• Where: Different locations in the city.

Another ideal proposal for the month of September, when the nights are still very pleasant, is to take a night tour of Rome by vespa, lasting about 3 hours, in which you will visit the most emblematic places of this wonderful city such as the Basilica of the Four Crowned Saints, the churches of Santo Stefano Rotondo and Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, the Circus Maximus, the Protestant Cemetery or the Orange Garden, among many others.

And since you will be accompanied by an expert guide, you will not miss any detail of each of these iconic points of the Eternal City. And to top off the experience, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious espresso coffee or Italian ice cream.

Useful information

• Price: From 153 €.
• Where: Transfer to and from the hotel (at selected hotels).

It is possible to do these activities at other times of the year, but why do I recommend them for September? In this month, the heat of July and August is behind us and the temperatures are not yet so low. Thanks to the cooler weather it is a good idea to participate in these activities without ending the day being too exhausted.

What I advise you to do outdoors in Rome in September is hiking or excursions, such as going to Pompeii from Rome or going to Florence from Rome. From the Italian capital there are many activities of this kind that you can do with your family. In them you can enjoy incredible landscapes and get to know Rome in an original way.

Gay Village is one of the most important LGBT events in the Italian capital, it has been organized since the beginning of the 21st century. Over the years it has become one of the main meeting points for Romans who are part of the homosexual community.

As the Gay Village is characterized by not discriminating attendees, foreign tourists are welcome. Entertainment, business and even political figures who support the LGBT community are invited to the event. The opportunity to attend when you visit Rome is in the first days of September.

At the festival there are many activities, the most common are dancing and electronic music. In addition, in the Gay Village there are food and drink stalls that contribute to the festive environment.

Useful information about the Gay Village

about the Gay Village

• Price: free access.
• Where: Testaccio district.

In Romaeuropa it has been held since the 1980s, its steady growth has made it one of the most important cultural festivals in the country. It starts around the second week of September and features performances of dance, music, theater and avant-garde local and international cinema.

Due to the wide variety of events available at Romaeuropa, it is recommended for the whole family. If you go to Rome with children, they will be entertained by the musicals, choreographies and plays. There are also specific activities for children at this festival.

Useful information

about Romaeuropa

• Price: from 10 €.
• Where: Opificio Romaeuropa, Via dei Magazzini Generali.
• More information: on the website of Romaeuropa Festival.

During these months film festivals abound in Rome, one of the most outstanding is the Arena Garbatella. There, the most renowned films are presented during the first weeks of September. In addition to the screenings, theatrical plays and live music are often presented, but are not very common.

The screen is outdoors and is surrounded by trees and houses that make the environment pleasant. Tickets can be purchased on site from 8:30 pm and there is a daily program at around 9:15 pm.

Useful information

about Arena Garbatella

• Price: from 6 €.
• Where: Arena di Garbatella, Piazza Benedetto Brin.
• More info: Arena Garbatella website.

In September, craft fairs are usually placed in different streets of the Italian capital. These are perfect for you to buy some items to take home as souvenirs of your trip to Rome in September. If you search well, you will be able to find wonderful paintings with good prices.

One of the streets where it is possible to find these fairs is in Via Margutta, this is known for having modern art centers. In Via dell'Orso, exhibitions are also usually placed in the last weeks of September. This Via is located near Piazza Navona.

Useful information

about craft fairs

• Price: free access.
• Where: different streets in Rome, the main ones are Via Margutta and Via dell'Orso.

The Notte Bianca of the city of Rome usually takes place at the end of September, on that occasion the Romans opt for night activities. Throughout the night you can visit squares, where there are music, dance and cinema shows.

Shops, restaurants and other buildings in the city remain open on the Notte Bianca. Public transportation offers discounts and works almost until dawn. You are sure to find something to entertain yourself if you participate in Rome's Notte Bianca.

Useful information

about the Notte Bianca di Roma

• Price: free access to many shows in streets and squares.
• Where: the Notte Bianca is celebrated all over the city.

One factor that you need to take into account when planning all the things to do in Rome is the weather. As I mentioned before, Rome is cool in September, the highest temperature is 26°C and when it goes down it reaches 18°C, nothing comparable to traveling to Rome in summer.

The weather is perfect for walking around the city without feeling the heat and humidity weighing you down or being too cold. In September there are rainy days, these range from 8 to 15 days. As for daylight hours, these are approximately 10.8 hours.

Most of the foreigners who travel to Rome choose July and August, so in September the number of tourists has already decreased. Because of that, monuments and other widely visited places are not too crowded. Although there is still a possibility of queues, they are not too long.

I mentioned earlier that Romans return to work and school in September. Therefore, there are few people on the city streets at most times of the day.

One of the ways to make the most of your visit to Rome without any inconveniences is to prepare your suitcase properly. What I recommend you to bring if you visit the Italian capital in September is:

• Blouses, mostly cool and some thicker ones.
• Shorts and long, comfortable pants.
• Sweater in case it rains on any of the days you are in the city.
• Comfortable shoes to protect you from the heat and rain.
• Sunglasses and hat.
• Umbrella.
• Sunscreen and a bottle of water to carry on your outings.
• A bag in which you can carry what you need when you go out and about in Rome.

Are you ready to go to Rome? The tips I have given you will be useful to have fun and be prepared. I wish you a happy trip.