10 Things to Do in Rome in October

If you decide to visit Rome in the fall—specifically in October—you’ll have the chance to admire Rome’s sights without the crowds. At your own pace and on your own terms. You no longer have to wait in a huge line to explore the Trevi Fountain or enter the Colosseum.

It’s a month when the weather isn’t as sticky as in summer or as freezing as in winter, but just right. Come on, it’s a delight! Do you like movies? Well, this October is the perfect time to attend one of the world’s most famous film festivals.

If one of your motivations for traveling to Rome is to indulge in the delights of Italian cuisine, October opens up a whole new world of possibilities for you to explore. In Italy, this month is synonymous with seasonal produce like white truffles, pumpkin, persimmons, and mushrooms. Rome’s restaurants take advantage of this to incorporate these delicacies into their menus.

The white truffle is the delicacy of delicacies. An extremely expensive treat that isn’t usually cooked, but rather shaved over any pasta dish for a truly exceptional result. How can you tell if you’re looking at a high-quality white truffle? Because the price of the dish will be around €40. As for pumpkin, you can find it in the fillings of gnocchi. Yum-yum!

While it’s true that mushrooms (funghi) are available on restaurant menus in Rome year-round, in October you can be sure they’re 100% fresh. Finally, persimmons are the fruit of the season. There are salads featuring this fruit that are finger-licking good!

Best Restaurants in Rome in October

• If you’re looking for good food at a more than reasonable price, I recommend the Broccoletti restaurant. It’s a tiny but very cute spot known for its home-style cooking and, above all, seasonal dishes.

• For pumpkin lovers, Colline Emiliane is a restaurant in Rome just a few blocks from the Trevi Fountain. Don’t miss the tortelli di zucca, ravioli stuffed with sweet pumpkin. I can’t find the words to describe how delicious they are!

With autumn just beginning, Rome’s parks and gardens are starting to take on a kaleidoscope of colors. Shades of yellow join the reds and browns, enveloping the landscape in a blanket of color. You’ve surely already included a visit to the gardens of Villa Borghese—the Italian capital’s most popular park—in your travel plans. This place is worth visiting any time of year, but in October it shows its most photogenic side.

The charming gardens and neoclassical buildings invite you to take a stroll where you’ll have the chance to disconnect for a moment from the hustle and bustle of the city center. One of Rome’s most splendid and picturesque views is offered by the Lake Garden with the Temple of Aesculapius.

How to get to Villa Borghese?

The best way to get to Villa Borghese is by the Rome Metro. You can get off at the Spagna station. If you’re in the city center, you can also reach the park on foot, as it won’t take more than 20 minutes.

Although Rome isn’t particularly known for Halloween, the holiday is gradually gaining popularity in the city. You can take advantage of the spookiest night of the year to go on a night tour of Rome and discover some of the secrets and curiosities of the Italian capital. These types of tours offer a different perspective on the city—one that’s quieter and more peaceful.

Even more spine-chilling are the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian. If you want to add a touch of terror to this occasion, join an underground tour of Rome’s streets. Rome’s catacombs are underground galleries that were used for centuries as cemeteries, so you can imagine just how chilling they are.

The Rome Film Festival has been held annually in the Italian capital since 2006. Its main venue is the Auditorium Parco della Musica, though screenings also take place at other locations throughout the city. It usually takes place in mid-October and lasts about 10 days. Did you know that the red carpet laid out for the event is one of the largest in the world? A whopping 1,300 m²!

As a fun fact, the award’s design is inspired by the silhouette of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. If you’re traveling to Rome in October, check the festival dates and review the schedule, because you might be able to find time to attend one of the film talks featuring guest actors.

The Rome Opera House resumes its schedule of performances and concerts in October, making it an exceptional plan for any rainy autumn day. Ballet and opera performances take place in two separate venues. On one hand, you have the opportunity to visit the Teatro Constanzi, which serves as the main venue. On the other hand, the National Theater is another venue belonging to the Rome Opera.

The first hosts the famous opera La Traviata, which dates back to 1853. There’s no better plan than this iconic opera during your trip to Rome in a historic theater like the Teatro Constanzi, which will transport you back to the 19th century.

In search of autumn colors, I discovered that Palatine Hill offers one of the most beautiful scenes of the season. It is one of Rome’s oldest sites, a place where, according to legend, Luperca—the she-wolf who nursed Romulus and Remus, the city’s founders—once lived.

Palatine Hill is home to an impressive archaeological site that, in October, is adorned with shades of ochre, green, and red. This spot is a must-see on Rome’s photography tours because the panoramic view is splendid.

The Trastevere neighborhood is one of Rome’s most charming districts. Crowded with tourists in the summer, in October you’ll see its friendliest side. The noticeably less crowded streets will let you appreciate every corner much better. If there’s one reason people love this neighborhood, it’s because it preserves the traditional and authentic flavor of everyday life in Rome. And now you can enjoy it without the crowds.

Browse the little shops selling quirky trinkets without having to wait in line, and fall in love with the colorful houses. Plus, Trastevere is one of the best places to explore Italian cuisine at trattorias, traditional restaurants serving home-style food.

Did you know that on the first Sunday of every month, admission to many Roman museums is free? Yes, you read that right. October is no exception, so if you’re lucky enough to be in Rome this weekend, take advantage of it. This first Sunday in October, you can visit the Roman Colosseum, the Barberini Palace, the Borghese Gallery, the Baths of Diocletian, and many more without paying a single cent.

But the good news doesn’t end there. If the Vatican Museums are on your travel itinerary, you’ll be happy to know that admission is also free on the last Sunday of every month. That said, the line can be overwhelming, so I recommend making an effort and getting there early. October is no longer peak season, but, you know, no one wants to miss the chance to save on admission! One last tip: if you want to enjoy the artwork even more, I recommend a guided tour of Rome’s museums—you’ll be surprised!

Another premier event taking place in the middle of October is Rome Art Week (RAW). This event is designed as a meeting point between artists and the public. Additionally, it aims to promote contemporary art in all its forms through exhibitions, conferences, and many other activities.

In past editions, more than a hundred art galleries and institutions participated, meaning there’s plenty to choose from. Among them are the Casa Argentina, the Royal Academy of Spain, the University of Rome’s Academy of Fine Arts, and many others. As the dates approach, I recommend checking out the schedule if you’re interested in art.

The feast day of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated every year on October 4. Because of his love for animals, he is considered the patron saint of animals. If you’re in Rome on this date, I encourage you to visit the Church of San Francesco a Ripa, located in the Trastevere neighborhood.

This basilica is dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, as he stayed there for a few days when he visited Rome to see the Pope. Because of its special connection to this historical figure, a special ceremony is usually held in his honor every October 4.

What’s the weather like in Rome in October? Will it be sunny or rainy? Knowing the weather at your destination is crucial for planning your trip down to the last detail. While you may still feel the lingering warmth of September in early October, if you travel toward the end of the month, you might be surprised by rain and dropping temperatures.

In Italy, as in Spain, October is part of the fall season. For that reason, it’s a changeable month where you have to be prepared for anything. The first few days of the month can be so warm that you might even feel like going to the beach. That said, at night you’ll start to notice that summer is behind us and feel the drop in temperatures. Highs can reach up to 20°C, but lows can drop to 8°C.

If you plan to travel in late October, then the true autumn weather will be more pronounced. What does this mean? You might need a slightly thicker jacket and even an umbrella. Don’t worry if you happen to have a rainy day—it has its own charm too!

I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Rome is a very touristy city. In fact, it’s one of the top 5 most visited cities in Europe. That’s why there will always be tourists. That said, it’s nothing like the tourist crowds during the summer months, when the stifling heat is compounded by people practically everywhere you turn. In October, the good news is that you can really feel the drop in visitors, which you can use to your advantage.

October is a great time to visit Rome, not just because the temperatures have (finally) dropped and you can sightsee without melting. Another plus for this month is that, even though it’s far from empty, the tourist crowds are smaller. That said, remember that in October we have two spectacular long weekends in Spain (the Pilar and All Saints’ Day holidays), so if you’re traveling during these dates, there might actually be more activity in Rome.