Summer Weather In Rome, Italy
Beat August Temperatures: Cheap Cold Drinks & Gelati Near Colosseum
For good value refreshments near the Roman Forum and Colosseo Metro Stop, obey the golden rule: Never buy anything in the vicinity of a man dressed as a gladiator.
August temperatures in Rome
August temperatures in Rome, Italy, can be absolutely sweltering. A lack of sea breeze combines with a hot sun and big crowds to make things rather sticky, sweaty and uncomfortable. In many cities this wouldn’t matter all that much, because many of the attractions are indoors, but Rome is a little different.
Colosseum and Roman Forum in the heat
After all, miss out on the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, St Peter’s Square and Trevi Fountain just because it’s a bit too hot and a visitor is missing out on some of the best that the ancient Italian capital has to offer. So if it’s 31 degrees Celsius in the shade (and it will seem a lot hotter if, take it from someone who’s already suffered…), it’s time to just grin and bear the heat.
Cold drinks and ice cream
Well, either that or fill up with cold drinks and ice cream. The problem with this, of course, is that most outlets selling such necessities near the major tourist attractions do so at often outrageous prices. This is particularly true of the little carts parked on the pavements selling everything from sandwiches to fruit juice and any shop contained within a metro station.
Colosseo Metro Stop
This price-hiking is arguably worst outside the Roman Forum and Colosseum. There are plenty of wallet-busters outside the Colosseo metro stop and if a visitor finds themselves gasping for something cold there, it’s time to apply the Golden Rule of Rome City Travel.
The Golden Rule of Rome City Travel
This is quite simple: Never buy anything in the vicinity of a man dressed as a gladiator. If that doesn’t appear to make sense, visit Rome and it will do. They maraud around the tourist sites, trying to get money in return for posing for photos. It generally works out that anywhere the gladiators can be found, the opportunist rip-off vendors are. In summer weather and August temperatures, they can make a killing as the sweaty, thirsty hordes gasp for something to take the sting out of the oppressive heat.
Cheap gelati, drinks and pizzerias
Mercifully, it only takes a short detour away from the Colosseum to find a few good value pizzerias and gelato bars in which refreshments come relatively cheap. Simply cross the busy main road (and tram line) and head to the little grid across from it. Good deals on drinks, gelati and pizza can be had on Via Capo d’Africa, Via dei Santissimi and Via di San Giovanni in Laterano. Despite being fairly close to another major tourist site – the Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano and the massive basilica that dominates it – these restaurants and cafes offer comparatively good value.
