Summer weekend in Rome
How locals do summer in Rome — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Rome
Villa Borghese
OutdoorsPinciano
Park above the Spanish Steps — rent rowboats on the lake, see the Bernini collection.
Aventine Keyhole
OutdoorsAventine Hill
Look through the keyhole at Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta — three states framed.
Testaccio Market
Food & DrinkTestaccio
Working-class food market — supplì, trapizzino, fresh pasta.
Trastevere
Food & DrinkTrastevere
Cobbled lanes, ivy-covered trattorias and Sunday lunch that runs until 5pm.
Where to eat
Da Enzo al 29
$$$Roman · Trastevere
Tiny 25-seat trattoria — cacio e pepe and the carciofi alla giudia.
Pizzarium Bonci
$Pizza al taglio · Prati
Gabriele Bonci's slab pizza — point at slices, weighed, eat outside.
Roscioli
$$$Roman · Campo de' Fiori
Salumeria-and-wine-bar with the city's most argued-over carbonara.
Salumeria Roscioli — Pasta Tasting
$$$$Pasta · Campo de' Fiori
The dedicated pasta tasting room above the salumeria — five iconic plates.
Giolitti
$Gelato · Pantheon
Open since 1900 — order pistachio and stracciatella.
Live & on stage
Auditorium Parco della Musica
Flaminio · Year-round · Classical / Mixed
Estate Romana
Citywide · Jun – Sep · Free / Mixed
Rock in Roma
Ippodromo Capannelle · Jun – Jul · Mixed
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Trastevere, Villa Borghese, Testaccio Market. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Rome and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.