10 Things to Do in Rome in September

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

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

The Caleidoscopio festival events are still taking place during the first two weeks of September. Attendees have the opportunity to see all kinds of films, and on some occasions, opera and ballet performances are also planned.

Caleidoscopio in the gardens of Villa Borghese lasts for three months, with activities taking place on just over 90 consecutive nights. Don't be surprised if there are no dance or singing performances when you attend, as the festival focuses mainly on cinema.

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

September is the ideal month if you want to discover all the beauty of the city from a totally different and original perspective. To do so, I recommend booking a tourist cruise on the River Tiber in Rome. It's the perfect way to get the best views of the city and an album of photos that will be the envy of your friends and family.

What's more, you won't miss a thing because you'll be provided with an audio guide that will give you interesting commentary on the architecture, history and most emblematic sights of the city.

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

Useful information

• Price: From £16.
• Where: You can depart from different points in the city.

Of course, a must-do on the hottest days of September is to visit the city's main museums. There are several options to choose from depending on your tastes, preferences and who you are travelling with. Here are the ones that, in my opinion, are essential

• Tickets for the Rome Wax Museum, from AED 43: Ideal if you are travelling with children or with friends and family, as laughter is guaranteed. With more than 250 wax figures, you will have the chance to meet and take photos with musicians, poets, actors, politicians and popular characters. You can also enjoy a premium experience by booking an audio guide.
• IKONO Rome: A museum with more than 12 interactive installations and a ball pool where you can take dreamlike photographs. A magical world full of creativity and, above all, colour.
• Tickets for the Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, from AED 86: In this museum, you will travel back in time to discover Etruscan and pre-Roman treasures. What's more, with the audio guide available, you won't miss a single historical detail. Best of all, with this ticket, you won't have to queue.

Useful information

• Price: A plan for less than £20.
• Where: Various locations throughout the city.

Another ideal option for September, when the nights are still very pleasant, is to take a night tour of Rome by Vespa, lasting approximately 3 hours, during which you will visit the most emblematic places in 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 and the Orange Garden, among many others.

And as you will be accompanied by an expert guide, you won't miss a single detail of each of these iconic spots in the Eternal City. What's more, to round off the experience in style, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious espresso or Italian ice cream.

Useful information

• Price: From £153.
• Where: Return transfer to your 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 cool weather, it's a good idea to take part in these activities without ending the day feeling too exhausted.

What I recommend doing outdoors in Rome in September is hiking or excursions, such as going to Pompeii from Rome or going to Florence from Rome. There are many activities of this kind available from the Italian capital that are suitable for the whole family. 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, organised 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 gay community.

As Gay Village is known for not discriminating against attendees, foreign tourists are welcome. The event is attended by figures from the worlds of entertainment, business and even politics who support the LGBT community. The best time to attend when visiting Rome is in the first few days of September.

There are many activities at the festival, the most common being dancing and electronic music. In addition, Gay Village has food and drink stalls that contribute to the festive atmosphere.

Useful information

about the Gay Village

• Price: free admission.
• Where: Testaccio neighbourhood.

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

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

Useful information

about Romaeuropa

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

During these months, there are many film festivals in Rome, one of the most notable being the Arena Garbatella. The most acclaimed films are screened there during the first weeks of September. In addition to the screenings, there are usually theatre performances and live music, but these are not very common.

The screen is outdoors and surrounded by trees and houses, making for a pleasant setting. Tickets can be purchased on site from 8:30 p.m. and there is a daily programme starting at 9:15 p.m.

Useful information

about Arena Garbatella

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

In September, craft fairs are usually held in different streets of the Italian capital. These are perfect for buying souvenirs to take home from your trip to Rome in September. If you look carefully, you will be able to find wonderful paintings at good prices.

One of the streets where you can find these fairs is Via Margutta, which is known for its modern art centres. In Via dell'Orso, exhibitions are also usually held in the last weeks of September. This street is located near Piazza Navona.

Useful information

about craft fairs

• Price: free admission.
• Where: various streets in Rome, the main ones being Via Margutta and Via dell'Orso.

Rome's Notte Bianca usually takes place at the end of September, when Romans decide to enjoy night-time activities. Throughout the night, you can visit squares where there are music, dance and film shows.

Shops, restaurants and other buildings in the city remain open during the Notte Bianca. Public transport offers discounts and runs almost until dawn. You're sure to find something to entertain you if you take part in Rome's Notte Bianca.

Useful information

about Rome's Notte Bianca

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

One factor you need to take into account when planning your trip to Rome is the weather. As I mentioned before, Rome is cool in September, with a high of 26°C and a low of 18°C, which is nothing like travelling to Rome in summer.

The weather is perfect for walking around the city without feeling overwhelmed by heat and humidity or feeling too cold. In September, there are between 8 and 15 rainy days. As for daylight hours, there are approximately 10.8 hours of sunlight.

Most foreigners who travel to Rome choose the months of July and August, so in September the tourist influx has already decreased. Because of this, monuments and other popular sites are not too crowded. Although you may still encounter 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 streets of the city for most of the day.

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

• Blouses, mostly light and some heavier ones.
• Shorts and comfortable long trousers.
• A jumper in case it rains during your stay in the city.
• Comfortable shoes that protect you from the heat and rain.
• Sunglasses and a hat.
• Umbrella.
• Sunscreen and a bottle to carry water on your outings.
• A bag in which you can carry everything you need when you go out to explore Rome.

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