September Weather in Rome: Hottest on Record, Average Temperatures, and Humidity

View of Rome from Castel Sant'Angelo
© S.Borisov/Shutterstock.com

Written by Patrick MacFarland

Updated: August 29, 2023

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Dolce far niente! The sweetness of doing nothing! Romans take that to heart when they go on holiday and you should too. If you are visiting Rome in September, the weather will be quite nice. The summer heat is subsiding before the crispness of autumn starts. It will be a perfect time to go.

When you are in Rome, do the typical tourist attractions, but also enjoy life and relax, just like the Romans do. Go to a café and people watch. The incredible feeling of just doing nothing and taking in life will positively change you.

So pack your bags and take a trip to Rome. We’ll explore the average temperatures, humidity, and temperature records for September. We’ll also add some fun things to do and eat while you’re in Rome.

Woman drinking coffee at outdoor cafe near coliseum, the most famous landmark in Rome. Concept of italian lifestyle and traveling Italy. Caucasian woman wearing dress and shawl in hair

Used for gladiator combat, executions, and other blood sports, the Colosseum is over 1,900 years old.

©RossHelen/Shutterstock.com

Average Temperature in Rome

Rome is located in the southern half of Italy. This means it has more of a Mediterranean climate than its neighbors in the north. When it comes to September, the average temperature for the capital city of Rome ranges from a high of 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) to a low of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius). Tourists are lucky that they won’t experience extreme weather in September.

Sunrise is around 7:00 a.m. and sunset is at around 7:30 p.m., which gives you about 12 hours of daylight. That’s plenty of time to explore the rich Roman historical and cultural sites.

The Hottest Temperature on Record

Rome saw an intense summer in 2023. The heat wave where temperatures rose to 107 degrees Fahrenheit killed many people. However, in September, things are starting to cool down. The hottest temperature in September ever recorded was 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). 

The extreme weather seen in 2023 is bound to happen again in the future and may even happen in other months, not just in the summer. Unfortunately, the weather patterns on Earth are changing rapidly because of climate change.

The Coldest Temperature on Record

September in Rome is known to be quite pleasant. It’s not as hot as the summer months like July and August and it’s not as cold as the winter. You will truly have a nice time when you visit Rome in September. In the case of anomalies, the coldest temperature in September ever recorded was almost 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius).

Rainfall and Humidity in September

Vatican City by night. Illuminated dome of St Peters Basilica and St Peters Square. Group of tourists on Via della Conciliazione. Rome, Italy.

The Romans built Rome to ensure all roads led there, which is why the saying, “All roads lead to Rome,” got coined.

©Pyty/Shutterstock.com

There is a minimal chance that you will see rain in Rome during September. Rome is dry and not humid, especially during summer. The average amount of rain in September is less than half an inch and no more than five rainy days. If you do get to see rain, consider that a huge anomaly.

UV Index in September

Rome is located in the southern half of Italy and that means it gets more sun than Northern Italy. September is one of the hotter months, so the sun will shine brightly during the daytime. In terms of how harmful the sun’s ultraviolet rays are in September, Rome is at a UV Index of 6. This means that the sun can harm your skin in a short amount of time.

Wear sunscreen to ensure you don’t get sunburnt. Buy a hat for further protection and make sure you wear loose clothing so you don’t get too overheated.

Natural Disasters in September

In the past, Rome has suffered from earthquakes, fires, and floods. Things have changed in recent times. In September, there aren’t a lot of worries when it comes to natural disasters. The only exception would be the heat. During summer, Rome can get hot. There have been studies where scientists have studied overheating in urban areas like Rome. As for September, intense dry heat isn’t normal.

Visiting Rome in September

Piazza di Spagna in Rome, italy. Spanish steps in Rome, Italy in the morning. One of the most famous squares in Rome, Italy. Rome architecture and landmark.

Italian architect Francesco de Sanctis built the Spanish steps, which have a total of 135 steps.

©Vlas Telino studio/Shutterstock.com

There is a laundry list of things to do in Rome. You won’t run out of historical and cultural sites if you are in Rome, known as the Eternal City. Visit the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon. There will be a learning experience going to these impressive architectural sites. If you want to check out the Roman Catholic influence on Italy, look no further to Vatican City and the impressive frescos at Saint Peter’s Basilica.

For those of you who are more nature-oriented, you can have a lovely walk in Villa Borghese. Or you can drive outside the city for a day hike near Lake Bracciano. Once you reach the top, you will be able to see breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding hills and mountains. And look out to see if you spot the Italian sparrow, which is Italy’s national bird. You can also explore the village of Calcata Vecchia, which is a medieval town close to Rome. There, you can have a nice romantic dinner with a picturesque backdrop. 

Things to Eat and Drink in Rome

Just like Julia Roberts’s character in Eat Pray Love, you will have endless possibilities of food right at your fingertips. Rome is just like that. It will enchant you with pasta, risotto, pizza, and more. When you go to Rome, there are a few things you have to try to ensure your taste buds go wild. 

First things first, order a pizza alla romana. Olives, artichokes, prosciutto, and egg all in one slice of heaven. Craving something other than pasta? Try supplí! They’re balls stuffed with mozzarella, risotto, and marinara sauce. Woah, how good does that sound? And for pasta, make sure you order the cacio e pepe. It’s a simple, yet delicious meal. You can pair all these meals with a glass of wine. After dinner, you can get an aperitif like limoncello to finish the night perfectly.

Of course, when you wake up, you’ll want to get a coffee and cornetto, which is a little pastry. And for a night on the town, you can always go with an Aperol Spritz. Sounds delectable!

Fun Facts About Rome

Vatican City

Pope Francis is the head of Vatican City, which is the smallest country in the world.

©Sergii Figurnyi/Shutterstock.com

  • Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded in 753 B.C.
  • Rome has more than 900 churches.
  • There are over 2,000 fountains in Rome.
  • The first shopping center in the world was built in Rome.
  • Vatican City is not a city, but an independent country, which is entirely within the city of Rome.
  • The Colosseum was featured in the movie The Gladiator, and in real life, over one million people died.
  • Modern-day Rome is built above Ancient Rome and there are still ruins you can explore.

Conclusion

Rome in September is pleasant. It’s not too hot and it’s not cold at all. Because Rome is in Southern Italy, you’ll get to enjoy the city without any severe disruptions. You can go out and explore the rich Roman history with no worries.

Rome is the most visited city in Italy, which means there’s something for everyone. There’s even a pasta museum in the city. So don’t worry about running out of things to do. You won’t and in fact, you will have to go back because you will still have things on your list you won’t be able to get to. But hey, if you threw one coin into the Trevi Fountain, you’re destined to go back to the Eternal City!


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About the Author

Patrick Macfarland is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering travel, geography, and history. Patrick has been writing for more than 10 years. In the past, he has been a teacher and a political candidate. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from SDSU and a Master's Degree in European Union Studies from CIFE. From San Diego, California, Patrick loves to travel and try new recipes to cook.

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