October in Rome is a deceptive month: it still feels like summer, but it isn’t anymore. The days are slowly getting shorter, the air cools only in the evening, and the light takes on that golden hue that the ancient Romans called “ottobrata.”
Anyone looking for things to do in Rome in October knows that the picture-perfect route between the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain is best left to those just passing through. October offers plenty for anyone who doesn’t want to be bored, whether a resident or a discerning tourist: from outdoor sports to rainy-day hideaways, day trips, and off-the-beaten-path concerts, the month offers more opportunities than you’ll ever need.
Here are 15 unique ideas, perfect for both those who live in the city and those who are just discovering it.
Candlelight, the candlelit concerts
If you’re looking for a thrill this October, don’t miss the Candlelight concerts: among the many options, highlights include the tributes to Einaudi and Cesare Cremonini on the 9th, Disney songs on the 16th and 17th, and especially the Halloween Classics on the 30th at Palazzo Ripetta: a string quartet, candlelight, and the most iconic tracks from horror movies. Different venues depending on the evening—Palazzo Ripetta, Teatro Ghione, TH Roma Carpegna—tickets starting at €15. A romantic outing or a group experience, always something new.
Laughter in the Dark at Maison Rosè
Pigneto is taking a break from the usual aperitivo: at Maison Rosè, a stand-up comedy series curated by Saverio Raimondo is taking center stage, featuring names like Michela Giraud, Daniele Tinti, and Stefano Rapone taking turns on stage between courses of French cuisine. On October 1, the evening is part of the Pigneto Comedy Fest, featuring a special cast and a format that’s slightly different from the usual. A small venue, an international atmosphere, and laughter up close.
The Jazz Room: Sinatra and Armstrong at the Ellington Club
The Ellington Club, a vintage-style dinner club in the heart of Pigneto, hostsa one-hour live tribute to Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong: from “Fly Me to the Moon” to “What a Wonderful World,” reinterpreted by a top-notch band. You can dine at a table or just have a drink, but it’s best to arrive half an hour early: seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tickets starting at €34.
Vinicio Capossela at the Teatro Olimpico
Two dates featuring one of the most original singer-songwriters on the Italian scene: Vinicio Capossela brings a show to the Teatro Olimpico that is at once a concert, theater, and storytelling, featuring accordion, atmospheric orchestrations, and a creative vision that draws from singer-songwriting, folk, and the avant-garde. For those seeking a live experience different from the usual arena tour, in an Italian-style venue that makes everything feel more intimate. Check for tickets on the official ticketing sites ( Ticketone/Vivaticket).
Visit the “Painted City” beneath Colle Oppio
After years of restoration funded by the PNRR, the Baths of Trajan are reopening with a fresco that had remained hidden for two thousand years: the “Painted City,” ten square meters of towers and walls depicted in bird’s-eye view, next to the five-meter-tall Great Mosaic. Starting October 2, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, guided tours are available in Italian and free of charge, with six daily sessions—at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. —and a maximum of 15 participants per time slot.
Reservations recommended at 060608 (daily, 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.); technical and historical information available on the Rome Superintendency’s website.
GranMotori, the motor festival that captures the spirit of La Dolce Vita
The Tenuta di Fiorano, along the Appian Way, hosts a unique immersive experience featuring over 200 classic cars and motorcycles, supercars, and youngtimers. There are freestyle shows, regularity races supported by ACI, talks with drivers and collectors, and gourmet street food. You don’t have to be a car enthusiast to have fun—a driving simulator is also included. Admission starts at €49 (half-day), full-price tickets start at €85.
Canterano Black Truffle Festival
In the Simbruini Mountains, an hour and a half from Rome, the small village of Canterano comes alive for two weekends with its black truffle festival: taglierini , crostini, and dishes with the scent of the woods, prepared by local families. No industrial food stands here—just home-cooked meals and shared tables over a glass of local wine. A leisurely day trip and one of Lazio’s must-see festivals, set amid stone-paved alleys and mountain air.
Paddling at sunset on Lake Castel Gandolfo
A three-hour kayak tour on the calm waters of Lake Albano, among the submerged stilt houses of the Villaggio dei Mulini and the shores where, centuries ago, popes vacationing in Castel Gandolfo would treat themselves to boat trips. The guides recount the history of the area as you paddle among the reflections on the water, and the outing almost always ends with an aperitif featuring wine, cheese, and cured meats from Lazio. Starting at about €40, this tour is also suitable for those who have never tried kayaking before. Available through the end of October, with afternoon tours also available.
A warm afternoon at the bookstore, browsing the shelves with a Pumpkin Spice Latte
As the days grow shorter, the perfect treat is a hot cup of tea, a Matcha Latte, or the quintessential fall drink: the Pumpkin Spice Latte. It’s even better if you can enjoy it while leafing through books of all kinds, with no rush to get up from the table. Rome has no shortage of bookstores-cum-cafés: the Caffè Letterario in Ostiense, with 1,000 square meters of space dedicated to a library and live music; the Libreria Caffè Bohémien in Monti, featuring a 1920s atmosphere complete with a piano anyone can play; and Lo Yeti in Pigneto, for those seeking titles you can’t find anywhere else.
And did you know that Rome is home to Starbucks’ first “literary café” in Italy? It spans 300 square meters in a 15th-century building and features a permanent book-crossing area. It’s located in the Rione Parione neighborhood.
Under the Stars of Frasso Sabino
The “Virginio Cesarini” Astronomical Observatory opens its doors to the public free of charge (online reservations required): the event begins at 5:45 p.m. with telescope observations, continues with a tour of the facility, and concludes with a session at the digital planetarium. At an elevation of 500 meters, with a view of snow-capped Mount Terminillo: bring a heavy jacket—it gets cold quickly up there, even in October.
Tickets aren’t on sale yet, but this is the page to keep an eye on. Follow the Roman Amateur Astronomers Association on their social media channels to stay up to date on their activities.
Wine and Laughter at the Teatro Centrale
“An Idiot’s Guide to Wine” is coming to Rome—a show written by Merrick Watts, the world’s only WSET-certified comedian: seventy minutes of stand-up comedy in Italian paired with a tasting of six different wines from around the world. Perfect for anyone who wants to laugh without taking themselves too seriously, even if you’re a complete beginner. Tickets start at 36€, and admission is restricted to adults. If you’d like to learn more, you’ll find all the details about the event in this article.
Among Pumpkins and Scarecrows in Castel Gandolfo
The Tenuta delle Zucche is back with two hectares to explore: choose your own pumpkin to carve, get lost in the Scarecrow Maze, and try the Jumping Pumpkin and the Giant Foosball. Free admission for children up to age 10, with a street food area for those who want to extend their day. One of the most beautiful fall parks near Rome.
Open Wineries in the Castelli Romani
With the grape harvest just wrapped up, October is the month when the wineries of Frascati and the Castelli Romani open their doors for tastings, vineyard tours, and samples straight from the barrel. It’s a recurring event—different every weekend—offering a chance to discover small producers whose wines rarely make it to Roman restaurants, all without the chaos of the more crowded wine festivals. Perfect for a leisurely Saturday with friends, sipping one glass after another.
Fall foliage in the chestnut forests of the Cimini Mountains
Just an hour from Rome, the woods around Lake Vico blaze with shades of ochre and red when October arrives: it’s the perfect time for walks through centuries-old chestnut groves, in a protected natural area far from the city’s most photographed viewpoints. The dirt roads are ideal for walks lasting just a few hours or for a full day out with a packed lunch. Thanks to the altitude, the fall foliage lasts longer here than in the city center.
Forest Bathing at Rome’s Botanical Garden
In the heart of Trastevere, among the city’s oldest trees, you can practice “forest bathing”: a slow, guided walk designed to slow your breathing and quiet your thoughts—certainly not just to rack up steps. The Botanical Garden is Italy’s first experimental center for urban forest therapy—a fact that surprises even many Romans. Individual sessions cost €60 and are suitable even for those who have never tried similar practices. Available all month, by reservation.
