What to wear in Rome?

Excited and raring to go on your trip to Rome, but not sure what to wear? No problem! This article clues you in on all the essential clothing items you’ll need for your Italian getaway.

Wander the cobbled streets with a pizza in hand and marvel at one of the most iconic cities in the world without worrying about what to wear! We’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out our top 5 clothing essentials that can’t be missed off your Rome packing list.

  • Comfortable Shoes

    These are a must when visiting Rome! With so many attractions to see, you’ll be doing a lot of walking on bumpy, cobblestone streets in and amongst lots of other tourists. The last thing you want is to miss out on one of the capital’s beautiful attractions because your feet are crying out in pain. Furthermore, there’s sure to be crowds whatever time you go, so you might want to consider taking shoes which cover your toes to protect them from the onslaught of the many bustling tourists. On top of this, you might as well throw in some blister plasters, especially if your shoes have been bought brand new for your trip! We advise against this as well, if possible. Well-loved durable shoes will serve you a lot better than some brand new, barely-used rigid ones.

  • Modest Clothing

    This goes for men and women alike. As an old and rather religious city, travellers should be aware that certain dress codes may be in place when visiting various sites around Rome. The Vatican City for example, and many churches don’t allow bare shoulders or legs to be shown in public. Most sites will have details of this on their website, so it might be worth doing your research beforehand. However, to be on the safe side, we suggest dressing modestly whenever you can. This will take the pressure off and ensures you won’t miss out on any amazing attractions simply because you happened to wear a vest rather than a t-shirt that day.  Plus, if you’re travelling to Rome during the summer months, modest clothing will help protect you from the sun. Bonus!

    By modest clothing, I mean long trousers and skirts, and anything that will cover your shoulders. If your visit to Rome is during the winter months, this isn’t necessarily something to worry about. However, many tourists who travel to Rome from May-September may not be aware that they need to cover up more than they thought, despite the heat. Jeans and a t-shirt for example are fine! If you want something a bit lighter, long linen trousers or skirts might be a more preferable option.  As long as your choice of clothing goes down to your knees, and there is little to no flesh shown on your upper half (no low-cut tops!) you’ll be super.

  • A Scarf or Shawl

    To add to the point above, a scarf or shawl is a great option to cover your body up when needed and uncover it again when you want to. Summer or winter, a scarf offers great protection from the heat, wind and cold. Whilst the weather can get up to 30° during the day in summer, the evenings can be cool, so a scarf is the perfect accessory to any outfit, ready to be draped over you when you start to feel a slight chill.

  • A Hat

    Sunhat or woolly beanie, we trust you to make that choice depending what season you decide to head to Rome. Either way, a hat is a great idea, to keep you protected from the sun, shielding your eyes and face the sun’s strong rays, so you can carry on enjoying your Rome day out. A beanie or other woolly hat will give you an extra level of warmth in the colder months and protect your ears from the wind, again, meaning you can make the most of what’s around you.

  • Handy Backpack

    Not too small and not too big, a backpack leaves your hands free to propel you forward through the streets of Rome. Touch the ancient walls of the colosseum, feel the refreshing water of the Trevi Fountain and lick your fingers clean after tucking into an authentic Italian pizza. Enjoy hands-free exploring whilst staying organised, with everything you need to carry evenly distributed across your back. A good size backpack leaves plenty of space for your water bottle, snacks, camera, money and any documents you may need. We should warn you however, pickpocketing is a danger in Rome, so you might want to consider purchasing a bag which has anti-theft technology. This can include features such as slash-resistant material, RFID (Radio-frequency identification) blocking used to protect your contactless cards and secret compartments for your most precious belongings.

That’s it! You’re ready to take on a full day of exploring! If you haven’t already, check out our website for inspiration, or even better, book onto one of our Rome tours.

Related article: Things to know before visiting Rome

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