How To Correctly Pack When You’re Going To Rome For The First Time

PublishedAugust 21, 2018

There’s a lot to look forward to when you’re planning your first trip to Rome. Not only do you get to see too many amazing sites to count, but you also have the perfect excuse to eat pasta, pizza, and gelato every single day.

Whether you’re visiting Rome for several weeks or just a few short days, you’re going to want to make sure you bring the right items with you. It can be overwhelming to pack when traveling to Europe, especially if it’s your first time overseas, or your first time in Italy.

When it comes to clothes, you obviously want to keep the weather in mind. For example, Rome is known for being scorching hot during the summer months, especially July and August. There are also some cultural things to keep in mind when choosing outfits to wear on your trip.

Whatever your concern is, be sure to bring the below items on your first trip to the Eternal City.

Flat, Comfortable Shoes
Blundstone Women’s Original 500 Boots | Blundstone
One of the most charming things about walking through Rome is the old-world feel of the tiny, winding, cobblestone streets. Unfortunately, that’s also what makes walking in Rome so difficult, and you’ll definitely be walking a lot. As much as you might want to bring heeled shoes to look stylish, pack comfortable, flat shoes that won’t leave you with a sprained ankle. These Blundstone boots look chic, they’re comfortable, and they’ll keep you from falling.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Loose Pants
Topshop Stripe Peg Trousers | Nordstrom
If you’re visiting Rome in the summer or whenever it’s really hot there, you might be tempted to check out the sites in a short dress or shorts. Be careful, though: if you’re going to the Vatican, it’s not considered appropriate to show your knees, so you’ll want to steer clear of short skirts, dresses, or shorts. Instead, try a pair of loose linen pants. This pair from Topshop looks cool and shouldn’t make you too warm.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

A Light Scarf
Treasure & Bond Shimmer Kimono | Nordstrom
Speaking of things you’re not supposed to show at the Vatican: showing shoulders is a no-no, and it’s not really allowed at a lot of big churches in Rome. To be safe, carry around a light sweater or shawl to throw over your shoulders whenever you need to. This black one is versatile and great for even very hot temperatures.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Wine Protectors
Wine Wings 4 Pack | Amazon
This isn’t exactly for your trip - it’s more for coming home. It’s hard to go to Italy and not feel tempted to buy wine to bring back with you, and packing it in any kind of luggage can be nerve-wracking (the last thing you want is a broken wine bottle in your bag). Bring along some wine protectors, like these wine bags, if you think you’re going to be bringing some vino back.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

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Blister Pads
Band-Aid Healing Blister Pads | Walgreens
No matter when you go or what you choose to do, one thing is for sure: you’ll be on your feet a lot. This means that even the most comfortable shoes might end up giving you a blister or feeling achy. Keep blister pads on hand to make yourself feel better. These are great to stick in your shoes whenever needed, so keep them close by.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Chill Packs
Chill Towel The Original PVA Cooling Towel | Amazon
If you’re going to Rome during the summer months, or even during the spring, you might find that it’s really, really hot. This is especially true when it’s crowded, and you’re standing on line or in a crowded building. Bring chill packs with you to stay cool. This cooling towel actually works and couldn’t be easier to use.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

Universal Power Adaptor
Insten Universal World Wide Power Adaptor | Amazon
It sounds obvious to seasoned travelers, but those who haven’t been to Rome - or Europe - before might not realize they need a power adaptor in order to use things like your phone charger or curling wand. Get one that specifically works in Europe, or one like this, which has all different options.

Graphic: Jessica Booth

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