Your moment of August zen. Things will very slowly start to come back to life here soon. I have been making the most of the peace and quiet.
August 01, I wrote this piece last year making my case for staying in Rome for August. The website where it was originally published no longer exists so I will repost it here. You can find more of my August in Rome resources in this updated post. Rome in August is a wonderful thing. That is not necessarily the most popular opinion. For those of us who stay there is a wonderful unflustered vibe to the usually chaotic city. You need to be a little more flexible if you are planning on spending time in Rome in August but armed with a few key tips you can experience your own Nanni Moretti in Caro Diaro moments.
View this post on Instagram. August in Rome is hot. Save yourself a visit in the blazing sun and instead book a tour of the Colosseum for after the sun sets.
You will have the entire Colosseum almost all to yourself. I live right next to Colosseum. I walk by it every single day and it still makes me stop and usually snap a picture to take it in. To be inside, in silence, with stars instead of sunshine overhead is truly an extraordinary and emotional experience. Afterward, book in for a drink at the new very chic cocktail bar, The Court. Go to Giggetto for solid Roman classics with a view of the Portico di Ottavio. This mish-mash of Roman archeology was originally commissioned by Augustus for his sister around 27 BC.
If you missed a crispy fried artichoke in-season while we were all locked inside, this is one of the few restaurants that serve them year-round. They are still fresh and cleaned daily to see how they do it, stop by in the late morning to book your table in person The Bucatini Amatriciana is a delicious tomatoey mess and the tiramisu is both creamy and crunchy at the same time.
