Rome - family holiday?

[Figgygal]

We have a week's beach holiday booked in spain booked late August but now we all quite fancy Italy and particularly Rome.
Is it a bad idea? Too hot? Too busy?
A week Too much given it's usually a city break?
Would we be better staying elsewhere and travelling in? Splitting up time across different locations? Or reducing time there generally and then freeing up leave for later in year.

I've been considering rome without kids for years so not considered whether it would work for them at 13 and 8 but they've been youtubing and both say it's what they want

Thanks for any insight

I think you can never have too long in Rome in the sense that there is so much to see / eat / do, BUT I would do almost anything to avoid going in peak summer. Too hot, too crowded, lines are too long for everything, lots of the Romans have actually left town to go on their own holidays, pickpockets everywhere, etc. I really would recommend going at a different time if you can possibly manage it.

I've never been there in August, but a friend of mine has been there several times during that month. When all the streets and stone buildings get hot and the sun is still shining she says it's like a stone-lined oven. If your family is good at getting up and out of the hotel early, you could do some sites before it gets too hot, then perhaps chill in a hotel pool in the afternoon.
You could easily combine it with a trip to Vesuvius, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri as it’s only an hour on the train from Naples. I flew in and out of Naples when I visited those places.

What pps said. I adore Rome, but it’s well-nigh unbearable in high summer.

Rome is amazing. However in the hight of summer not to pleasant imo. Also this year is a jubilee year for pilgrims with the Holy Door and it will be more rammed than usual. Not to mention the new Pope. Personally I would avoid.

We took our three aged 10, 12, 14, and it was perfect for a week, BUT we went in May half-term! We had an ideal apartment right, bang in the middle. We walked everywhere..and even got up at 4.30am for a day trip to Pompeii and up Vesuvius.
Personally, I don't think you could cover all the sites you'd like to, in high summer temperatures, you'd get too sapped.

Totally recommend, but could you do May?
Realise this suggestion doesn't solve the problem of a week in the summer holidays.

We went in late May and were hiding from the heat at some of the sites. Admittedly it was a bit hotter than usual for May that year, but still cooler than summer.

I wouldn’t touch August with a bargepole.

What about going in October half term instead ?

End of March / April is a perfect time for Rome. You’ll walk everywhere, there are cobbles and the last thing you want is the intense heat of the summer. Dh and I spent 4 days there for our honeymoon in 2012 and we absolutely loved it. We want to take Ds aged 12 there next year. Lots to see and do and the food is amazing.

I've been in August and October half term. The latter was much better. August is stifling and I like it hot.

Not in August
you could easily combine with Florence if you wanted to stay a week

Don't go to Florence in August either though (same issue)

Absolutely love Rome, but you would be mad to go in August!

I loved Rome, it is my favourite city I’ve visited so far. We went in June and it was VERY hot so can only imagine what August would be like! However a week would allow you to visit the sights spread out over the week, and concentrate on seeing them as early as possible in the morning and then chilling in the afternoon. I’d choose Rome over a Spanish beach holiday but I’m a city person.

Mine are also mad to go. We are thinking of going during the mid term break in October

I will go against the grain here and say I don't think it's too hot, depending on your tolerance. 32-35 degrees is, to me, not particularly bad - though I grew up in the middle east! Edit to say i think it's a fabulous trip idea, and so, so so much to do and see.

We went last October and it was still hot but not too hot. Perfect really. I would not go in summer.

Rome in August is a nightmare in terms of heat and number of tourists. Easter is a lovely time to go to Italy.

Went to Rome last August for the day off a cruise ship. The heat was unbearable. Given that it involved a lot of walking too, after about midday it was just too hot. Also too busy. We'd booked things ahead but joining a queue to join the queue was not uncommon.

I was paranoid about getting pick pocketed too so bought a travel bag. Thankfully that didn't happen. I think 3 days would be enough to see everything we wanted. We've been in October, that was much more bearable.

I went to Milan a few years ago in August and most places were shut down. I was then told a lot of the Italians leave for the coast on this month. Just something you might want to check, might only have been a thing in Milan though

Thanks all
I think August is out 😃
I'll take a look at October half - already have may 2026 planned out unfortunately.

We went in October HT when DS was 9. It’s definitely a good time of year to go.

Now you have to tell us (me) what your 2026 plans are.

Absolutely do not do Rome in high summer. We mistakenly did a day trip last year, we were staying further north a few hours away. Honestly, I wanted to change my underwear every 2 hours, we downed bottles if water with no effect, saw loads but didnt mentally take it in as soooo hot. 40 degrees plus, no wind, dusty. Do it but do it in Oct half term. We we literally slopping around like zombies. Would suggest tuscany or umbria and visit florence, pisa, siena etc.

To add to this - we went in May half term and it was sometimes a bit hot. But it was great! We actually stayed out of the city at a Eurocamp type park which for us worked really well. We had pool days and city days. Although obviously it was a bit more faff getting into the city.

@planthelpadvice please can I ask where you stayed and how you travelled into the city. This is something I'd love to do with my family. Thanks

I like Rome and have spent some time there, but there are far better places to spend a week in August in Italy!
I'd go to Tuscany and spend a weekend in Florence, the rest of the time in the hills or by the sea....it down to Puglia, fly into Bari. Or up in the lakes.