Rome in August?

No , I wouldn't even consider changing dates because of closures , there will be few to none ( by end of August most people will be returned anyways ) .

It will still be very hot , so if heat is an issue ( it is for me and yes, I've been in both August and July ) so if heat bothers you then sure move dates further into end of sept . , but not over closures.

Closures affect residents much more than visitors. If you are staying in the center of Rome you will find almost everything open to serve tourists. If you were planning stay in a neighborhood remote from the center, you'd find some closures. But it will be very hot. If you can delay 3 or 4 weeks, it is a much more pleasant time of year.

Thank you all. Yes I know it will be in the mid to upper 80's but that is dine. I was more so worried about closures. We are staying in central Rome so we should be fine. I will proceed with my plans. Thanks.

Walk in the shade and drink lots of water.

You're staying in parts of Rome where restaurants cater mostly to tourists and to local 20-something who couldn't afford to go on holiday. Kids that just want to get drunk and hit on the first tourist they meet as soon as possible.

Such areas of Rome and such places are always open for business, they don't make money with grown up italians.

It could be easily not in eighties but hundred plus. I am not a masochist I would not go there in summer. I know we have these temperatures in the US in some places, too, but our AC is not comparable to theirs or better said theirs is not comparable to ours. Otherwise almost everything will be open.

What Ilja said. The average high temp in August is 87F. When I read that, I do not think it will be in the 80s. I think there will be many days in the mid-90s if not higher. Which isn't to say that you will not--somehow--survive.

I just looked at wunderground.com. Its historical graph for August 2016 shows that the temp hit 90 or higher on at least 24 days. It got up to at least 95 on five days. August 2015 was substantially worse. It included 9 days in a row of 95-degree days.

I would echo the concern about the heat. We were just there in early June and it was very hot, with humidity. I've also been in Rome in August when temperatures were over 100 degrees. The effect of all that concrete/stone exacerbates the temperatures. After this past trip, I've decided to not go to Europe at all in the summer, now that our kids are grown and we're no longer tied to their school and sports schedules.

I will keep my fingers crossed that the heat wave is gone by the time you get there!

Rome and Chicago have similar populations. ( approx 2.8 million) If you were going to Chicago, would you ask the same question(s)?

As already noted, a few places may be closed but there will certainly be enough restaurants and stores and tourist sites open that you will be able to eat, sleep, tour and collect trinkets, until your credit card is maxed out and you checking account depleted.

Heat might be a better reason to shift the schedule

I think Rome is great anytime, but as Deidre said upthread, Europe in the summer is not desirable to everybody, me included. If that's what you're locked into, so be it, but we've traveled to Europe 3 times--once in October and twice late February/early March. October was fine but quite a bit of rain in Sicily, but Rome in late February is not all that cold--40's to 60's and magnificent, made even better with minimal crowds except at the major attractions, which are busy all the time. The climate was like late spring in the Midwest. We loved it.

Enjoy your planning!

We were in Rome the last week of May this year. The highs were around 90, most places were quite crowded and much of our time was spent amid stone and concrete. We kept saying to each other, "Imagine what this would be like in August," not in a good way. The saving grace was that our room at the Hotel San Carlo had much stronger air conditioning than our hotels in Venice and Florence. So at least we could be as cool as we wanted after peeling off our sweat-soaked clothes.

Rome is a fabulous city and we absolutely want to go back. We're also accustomed to hot weather, but I have no intention of making a future return to Rome in August.

If it's in the 80s you'll be quite lucky...I would be willing to bet money it will be in the 90s+ with high humidity. Not my favorite place to be in August - just drink a lot of water, wear loose clothing, and move slowly.
Closures will not be an issue...tourist sights and places that cater to tourists don't close.

Many restaurants will be open, so no need to change your plans. However, one word does come to mind...HOT.

Buon viaggio,

I was in Roma for the first two weeks of July this year. The first few days were surprisingly mild. Then the heat rolled in. An average of temps in the 80s means nights in the high 70s and days in the high 90s.

Thanks all for your responses. I got the point - it's hot in Rome in August.

But I'm not sure you realize how hot it will be. !!!just teasing!!! But my one suggestion is finding a hotel with an outdoor pool. Wouldn't that feel great in the evening with a cold drink! Have a WONDERFUL trip!!!

Peg

I was there late October 2016 and it was crazy hot and humid. It might have only been mid-80s but when it's humid and you are running around, it seems hotter. I cannot imagine going to Rome or Italy in general in August, but I am sure you know what you are getting into.

Wow, it's still hot in Octiber? Lol...based on the responses I already changed my dates to 7 - 18 October.

October will be fine! It may get warm during the day but not "hot" like in July or August and as shadows are lengthening, it is easier to manage. The breeze comes up in late afternoon and evenings are pleasant. You'll even need a light wrap occasionally.

October can be very nice! We were there some years ago towards the beginning/middle-ish of the month and had glorious weather: warm enough to eat outside during the evenings without a jacket but not so hot during the day that we were uncomfortable. Had some light rain/drizzle one morning but not enough to bother. Every year can be different but I'd MUCH prefer October to July (the first time I saw Rome) or August.