Ferragosto in Rome 2024: what to do from 12 to 18 August

12-18 August in Rome: experience Rome and its wonderful surroundings to the full during the week that marks the peak of Summer, pausing in the shadow of ancient walls, strolling through open museums, churches and monuments, exploring parks, beaches and ancient villages, and of course tasting all the specialities of Roman cuisine.

For over two thousand years, Rome has embraced us with its magic and timeless beauty. The week of Ferragosto, despite the high temperatures, is one of the ideal times to explore the city: little traffic, few people, silence and quiet as never before. But Rome never closes for holidays: even during the summer there is no shortage of opportunities for fun and entertainment!

Check here the calendar of Roma Live events from 12 to 18 August 2024.

• ESTATE ROMANA
• ART AND CULTURE - MUSEUMS & MAIN EXHIBITIONS
• MUSIC, SHOWS AND EVENTS
• WALKS IN THE PARKS AND OUT-OF-TOWN TRIPS
• TRADITIONAL SUMMER RECIPES
• OUR TIPS: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR STAY IN ROME FROM 12 TO 18 AUGUST 2024

 

Estate Romana

The Estate Romana is one big stage that turns the spotlight on the entire city. The traditional summer event promoted by the Department of Culture of Roma Capitale brings entertainment and culture from the centre to the outskirts of Rome, with a wide programme of events: film screenings, performances, concerts, exhibitions, meetings, guided tours, workshops for children and young people and much more. Discover the complete programme here.

Art and culture - Museums & main exhibitions

Museums and archaeological sites

Prestigious collections, surprising archaeological areas, priceless treasures and a unique cultural heritage to spend a day of culture and shelter from the sun:

• The Musei in Comune di Roma Capitale are also waiting for you from 12 to 18 August to tell you about the greatness of Rome and its many faces. For information on the programme, opening times and access to the individual museums and archaeological sites, visit the official website.
• Visits also continue in the State Museums in August during the usual opening hours and according to the modalities established by the individual structures. For more information on openings and access procedures, consult the official websites of the individual museums.
• The Vatican Museums are closed on 14, 15 and 18 August but on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 the opening will be extended until 8 p.m. (with last admission at 6 p.m.).

Main Exhibitions

A selection of exhibitions not to be missed:

• Filippo and Filippino Lippi. Ingegno e bizzarrie nell'arte del Rinascimento - At the Capitoline Museums, the golden age of the Italian Renaissance through some of the masterpieces by Fra‘ Filippo Lippi, one of the greatest artists of Cosimo de’ Medici's Florence, and his son Filippino, heir to his father's genius who was able to interpret the artistic taste of late 15th century Rome.
• Mario Testino. A Beautiful World - At the Palazzo Bonaparte, the new project by Mario Testino, one of the most famous fashion photographers of our time: 70 large-format photographs that narrate the different cultural identities of the countries he has visited.
• Louise Bourgeois. L’inconscio della memoria - At the Borghese Gallery 20 sculptural works by the French-Canadian artist Louise Bourgeois, focusing on the themes of metamorphosis, memory and the expression of emotional and psychological states, dialogue with the unique architecture of the Gallery and with the collection gathered by Cardinal Scipione Borghese.
• The Colossal Statue of Constantine - Capitoline Museums Garden of Villa Caffarelli - The impressive reconstruction of the Colossus of Constantine, 13 metres high, is one of the most representative works of late antique Roman sculpture and has been created on a scale of 1:1, thanks to the in-depth study of literary and epigraphic sources and the nine surviving fragments of the original grandiose sculpture - head, right arm, wrist, right hand, right knee, right shin, right foot, left foot - preserved in the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori.
• Botero a Roma - Eight monumental statues, imposing and iconic creations by Fernando Botero, are on show for the first time in some of the city's most fascinating squares: the Terrazza del Pincio, Piazza del Popolo, Via del Corso, Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, Piazza San Silvestro and Piazza Mignanelli.
• Visit to the Bunker and Air Raid Shelters at Villa Torlonia - Villa Torlonia Museums - The new visit itinerary that, with an unprecedented multimedia set-up, once again opens the two underground structures to the public for an immersive and experiential visit presenting a piece of Rome’s history, evoking one of the city’s darkest and most dramatic pages. For all information, opening hours, how to visit and to purchase online, visit: museiincomuneroma.vivaticket.it.
• Passeggiate Romane - At the MAXXI museum, an unusual stroll through the history of the city, a journey through time between Rome's past and present, among ancient mosaics, 18th-century views and contemporary works of art, with a scenographic set designed by Maestro Dante Ferretti.
• Luigi Bartolini incisore - The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art celebrates the genius of one of the most influential and eclectic Marche artists of the 20th century by exhibiting 100 works, engravings (etchings, aquatints, puntesecche), unpublished documents, photographs and literary works.
• Narciso. La fotografia allo specchio - At the Baths of Caracalla, 78 iconic shots by 35 of the most important international photographers of the 20th and 21st centuries dialogue with the majestic Roman remains of the great imperial thermal complex inaugurated in 216 A.D., a place for bathing, sport and body care, but also for walking and studying.

Music, shows and events

• Le notti di San Lorenzo - The nights of San Lorenzo at the Planetarium and Villa di Massenzio - Three evenings to spend looking up and making a wish. To the unmissable spectacle of the Perseids, the so-called rain of falling stars which in popular Christian tradition is said to represent the tears shed by St Lawrence during his torture or the hot coals on which the saint was burned alive on 10 August in 258 AD, Roma Capitale, Assessorato alla Cultura, Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali dedicates three special events at the Planetarium and the Villa di Massenzio on 10, 11 and 12 August.
• Village Celimontana - Jazz, swing, manouche and rock ‘n’ roll, with some of Italy's greatest bands, in the evocative setting of Villa Celimontana. Discover the appointments from 12 to 18 August here.
• Tempietto Concerts - Young musicians and established performers enliven Rome's nights with classical, pop, jazz and folk music against the charming backdrop of the Theatre of Marcellus. The concerts are preceded by a guided tour, both in Italian and English, in the archaeological park around the monumental theatre named by Augustus after his favourite nephew. Discover the dates from 12 to 18 August here.
• Journeys through Ancient Rome - Forum of Caesar - Every evening, the extraordinary multimedia show that tells the millenary story of the fascinating area of the Forum in ancient Roman times.
• Tiberis 2024 - The park overlooking the Tiber: an area of about two hectares, located on the left bank of the river, at the height of Ponte Marconi, equipped with water games for children, straw umbrellas and areas for relaxing, a refreshment point, table football, table tennis and two beach volleyball courts.
• Lungo il Tevere...Roma 2024 - A dive into history, culture and entertainment in a unique setting, with the Tiber Island in the background. Between Ponte Sisto and Ponte Sublicio, once again this year the banks of the river of the Romans will be filled with lights, colours and music to offer unique evenings with photographic and film exhibitions, literary and musical quotes, book presentations, theatre and concerts.
• Festival des Cabanes di Villa Medici III Edition - The fascinating gardens of Villa Medici are the ideal setting for six temporary installations, micro-architectures, proto-dwellings, original creations by international architects, artists and builders, made of wood or recycled materials to blend in perfectly with the greenery of the gardens and hedges.

Walks in the parks and out-of-town trips

A day at the park - Villa Borghese, Villa Doria Pamphilj, Villa Ada Savoia, Villa Torlonia, Villa Celimontana are just some of the wonderful places in which Rome's marvellous villas are set, buildings rich in history and charm for a regenerating stroll amidst the green of nature and the white marbles in Spring days. 

A day at the seaside

• The Sea of Rome - At Ostia you can experience the magic of the sea just a few kilometres from the centre of Rome: walk barefoot on the beach after a rich meal of fresh fish and good wine, feel the warmth of the sun on your skin and breathe in the intense sensations that only the sea can transmit.
• Il Borghetto dei Pescatori (Fishermen's Village) - Discover the picturesque settlement where time seems to stand still: flavours and ancient traditions between the sea of Ostia and the lush Castelfusano pine forest.
• The Pineta di Castelfusano - Overlooking the wild coastal dunes of the Roman coastline, the Pineta di Castelfusano extends over about 15,900 hectares and features a great variety of natural environments including evergreen forests, river banks and mouths, dunes, wetlands, expanses of Mediterranean scrub, stretches of surprisingly beautiful Roman countryside and agricultural landscapes. The area preserves an exceptional historical-archaeological heritage that includes the Ostia Antica Archaeological Park, the Imperial Ports of Claudius and Trajan, the Via Severiana, Pliny's Villa, the Castle of Julius II, the Renaissance Tor San Michele, attributed to Michelangelo, the medieval Torre Boacciana, the medieval castles of Castel Fusano (Chigi) and Ostia Antica, and the palaeontological sites of Castel di Guido and Malafede.
• Santa Severa and Pyrgi - A few kilometres from Rome, a magical place where you can spend a day of culture or relaxation by the sea, strolling through fields of wheat and striking beaches of black sand and blue water. A magical place dominated by the imposing castle, a strategic outpost on the sea with an enchanting village whose narrow streets still exude a medieval atmosphere with their festivals, noble courts and battles.

A day at the Castelli Romani - Located south-east of Rome, the Castelli Romani area, immersed in greenery and history, is the ideal place for a day trip out of town. Among the lakes and ancient volcanic craters, where emperors, pontiffs and ecclesiastical dignitaries had their luxurious residences built, overlook the 17 municipalities that offer unusual itineraries on foot or by bicycle to discover the architectural and natural beauties and the excellent food and wine that make the traditional Roman cuisine unique. Don't miss: the bread of Genzano and Lariano, the PDO wine of the area, the grapes of Colonna, the 'coppiette' of Ariccia, spicy strips of dried meat, and the 'pupazza' of Frascati, a shortbread biscuit flavoured with honey.

A day in Tivoli - Discovering the enchanting town framed by nature of extraordinary beauty. Tivoli is the ideal place for walks and excursions even during the holidays. The marvellous Villa Adriana, Villa d'Este and Villa Gregoriana were, at the time of the Grand Tour, favourite destinations of novelists, painters, poets and musicians who drew inspiration from their works of art, monuments and unspoilt landscapes.

Traditional summer recipes

• Tomatoes with rice - This delicious recipe is a must in Rome's summer gastronomy: colourful, tasty and perfumed, tomatoes with rice are a real explosion of Mediterranean flavours.
• Pollo alla romana con i peperoni (Roman-style chicken with peppers) - A great classic of Roman cuisine traditionally prepared by the family on the occasion of Ferragosto (mid-August), also excellent eaten cold, strictly followed by a slice of iced watermelon.
• Pizza with figs - Sweet stars of summer, rich in nutrients and highly energetic. Both the light and dark varieties are a real delicacy, but it's important to choose ripe, sugary, soft fruit, together with white oven-baked pizza - Roman style - topped only with extra virgin olive oil and salt. To enhance the sweetness and delicate flavour of the figs, add slices of prosciutto crudo or choose from the gourmet variants combined with ricotta, honey and thyme, or crescenza, gorgonzola or pecorino cheese, or even cherry tomatoes and rocket for a triumph of flavours and colours.
• Sauté of Lupini or Cannolicchi - Since the days of Imperial Rome, when the Empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Caspian Sea, tasty preparations and condiments were dedicated to fish species and their processing. Here is a simple preparation that brings out the delicate flavours of these two delicious shellfish.
• The king of summer fruits: the watermelon - In the Roman tradition, watermelon was the inevitable end to the Ferragosto (mid-August) lunch, which included some specialities of a simple and familiar nature that brought the family together around the table.
• The grattachecca - Thirst-quenching, inviting, colourful, the grattachecca is the ideal dessert for a refreshing break during hot summer days spent discovering the beauties of the Eternal City or for an evening stroll, caressed by the characteristic Roman Ponentino wind. Just a few ingredients for a true delicacy: syrups or juices, fresh fruit and, of course, ice.
• Wine and the culture of drinking in Rome - The fil rouge that runs through the history of the Capitoline gastronomic tradition is of course wine, the protagonist of the table and extraordinary accompaniment, in its different declinations - white, red and rosé - of all sorts of dishes and preparations.

Our tips: how to make the most of your stay in rome from 12 to 18 august 2024

Here are our suggestions and sightseeing tips for the highlight week of this Summer:

1. Walks among the fountains - An itinerary that takes you on a discovery of the fountains not to be missed: monumental, bizarre, baroque, these small and large masterpieces shine in the most famous squares or reveal themselves in hidden corners of the city.
2. Seven XS Masterpieces - In addition to the majesty of monuments such as the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, Rome hides precious embroideries, small-scale works that shine with a special light, that strike the eye or the imagination in spite of their size and that contain an infinity of suggestions. To rediscover the great beauty of small things, we accompany you on a discovery of seven ‘extra-small’ masterpieces, in the certainty that, at least in art, what really counts are proportions and the perfect balance between elements.
3. Villa of Maxentius - One of the most evocative architectures in the Roman countryside, to be visited even at sunset.
4. Museo delle Mura - Inside the Porta San Sebastiano, one of the largest and best preserved of the Aurelian Walls, is this small and charming museum with free admission. Don't miss the walk along the walkway and the view of the Arch of Drusus.
5. Porta Portese Market - Located in the characteristic Rione Trastevere, this historical market is the most famous and largest in Rome and a Sunday ritual for the Romans and one of the essential stops for tourists visiting Rome.

Photo: Redazione Turismo Roma