What to Wear in Rome: By Season, for Churches and for Photos
Wear light layers, shoes made for cobblestones, and carry something that covers your shoulders and knees for churches. That covers most of Rome. The rest depends on the month, and, if you are having photos taken, on the colours that look good against warm Roman stone. We photograph visitors in Rome all year, so this guide mixes the weather data with what we see work on camera.
The short answer
| Spring | March to May: 17–25°C by day, 6–13°C at night. Layers and a light jacket |
|---|---|
| Summer | June to August: 30–33°C by day. Linen, cotton, a hat |
| Autumn | September to November: 28°C falling to 17°C. Layers and an umbrella |
| Winter | December to February: 13–14°C by day, 3–4°C at night. A warm coat |
| Churches | Shoulders covered. Men in long trousers, women in trousers or a skirt below the knee |
| Shoes | Flat or block-heeled, cushioned soles. Thin heels catch in the cobblestones |
In this guide
What to wear in Rome by season
The averages below are for Rome Urbe, 1991–2020: the mean daytime high and night-time low for each month.
Spring: March, April and May
Highs of 17°C in March, 20°C in April and 25°C in May, with nights between 6°C and 13°C. Mornings are fresh and afternoons warm, so dress in layers: a light knit or shirt, a trench or denim jacket, and trousers or a midi skirt.
Spring has about seven rainy days a month in March and April, so a compact umbrella earns its place.
Summer: June, July and August
July and August average 33°C by day, and the nights stay near 19°C. Choose linen and cotton in light colours, a hat and sunglasses, and keep a light scarf in your bag for church visits.
Rain is rare, around two days a month in July and August. Heat is the challenge, which is why we start summer photoshoots early in the morning.
Autumn: September, October and November
September is still summer at 28°C. October cools to 23°C by day and 12°C at night, and November to 17°C and 8°C. Bring a jacket for the evenings and waterproof shoes from late October.
Autumn gets wetter as it goes: around six rainy days in September, seven in October and nine in November.
Winter: December, January and February
Days of 13–14°C and nights of 3–4°C. It rarely freezes, but the damp makes it feel colder. A warm coat, a scarf, a sweater and closed shoes are enough for most days. December is the wettest month, with around nine rainy days.
Vatican and church dress code in Rome
St Peter’s Basilica asks that clothing be appropriate for a sacred place: men wear long trousers, women wear trousers or a skirt below the knee, and everyone covers their shoulders. Guards check at the entrance, and people in shorts or sleeveless tops are turned away.
Other churches in Rome, including the Pantheon, which is still a working church, expect the same basic modesty. The easy fix is a light scarf or shawl in your bag, and trousers rather than shorts on any day you plan to go inside.
Shoes for Rome
Rome’s streets are paved with sampietrini, small square cobblestones with wide gaps between them. Thin heels catch, and thin soles hurt after an hour. Walking shoes, loafers or trainers with cushioned soles are the local choice.
For photos, bring the shoes you love in a bag and change at each spot. It takes a minute and saves your feet.
Want photos of the two of you here? A Rome photographer plans the route around the crowds and directs you from the first minute. See Rome photoshoots
What to wear for a photoshoot in Rome
Rome is built of warm travertine, ochre and terracotta. The colours that stand out against it are mint, blush pink, red, soft blue, cream and white. Beige and sand tones tend to blend into the stone, and neon and big logos pull the eye away from faces.
- Couples: coordinate, don’t match. One light and one mid tone, such as cream with navy, or white with soft blue.
- Dresses: long, light fabrics move beautifully on the steps and by the fountains. Silk, chiffon and tulle all catch the breeze.
- Families: two or three soft colours that go together, and comfortable shoes the children can run in.
- Early starts: sunrise sessions from October to April start somewhere between 3°C and 12°C. Wear a coat between frames and take it off for the photo.
For wedding clothes and elopements, see our elopement page. For long gowns with a train, the flying dress photoshoot page has more examples.
Not sure what to wear? Ask us
We send every client a short outfit guide before the shoot · from €180 · 24/7 WhatsApp support
What to wear in Rome: questions
Can you wear shorts in Rome?
Yes, in the streets. Not in St Peter’s Basilica, where men must wear long trousers and women trousers or a skirt below the knee, so plan church visits on a trousers day.
Can women wear sleeveless tops in Rome?
Yes, outdoors. Cover your shoulders before entering a church, with a shawl or a light shirt.
What is the Vatican dress code?
Shoulders covered for everyone; long trousers for men; trousers or a skirt below the knee for women. It is checked at the entrance to St Peter’s Basilica, so carry a light scarf if you are wearing a sleeveless top. St Peter’s Square itself is open to all, whatever you wear.
What shoes should I wear in Rome?
Cushioned walking shoes, loafers or trainers. The cobblestones are hard on thin soles and thin heels.
What should I wear in Rome in October?
Layers. October averages 23°C by day and 12°C at night, with around seven rainy days, so a light jacket and an umbrella are worth packing.
What should I wear in Rome in December?
A warm coat, a scarf and waterproof shoes. December averages 13°C by day and 4°C at night, and it is the wettest month of the year.
What colours look best in photos in Rome?
Colours that contrast with warm stone: mint, blush pink, red, soft blue, white and cream. Avoid beige that matches the walls, and neon.
Temperatures and rainy days: Rome Urbe station averages, 1991–2020. St Peter’s dress code checked on 27 September 2026 against basilicasanpietro.va.
