If you are in Rome over the weekend of July 25 and 26, 2026, get ready to deal with the summer heat. Let's be honest: walking through the narrow streets at two in the afternoon in July is a terrible idea. It is much better to plan your outings for the early morning or evening, when the air cools down and the city becomes much more enjoyable. For this weekend, there are three great options to help you escape the usual crowds in the historic center and discover different parts of the city.
Archaeology outside the city: the Archaeological Park of Gabii
If you want to escape the concrete of the city center, there is an interesting alternative to the usual Roman ruins. The Archaeological Park of Gabii is opening its doors for free this weekend. It is located in the Ancient Roman Countryside area, along Via Prenestina, about twenty kilometers from the center.
This site preserves the remains of an ancient Latin city that was once a rival of Rome. You can walk among the ruins of the temple of Juno Gabina and the ancient paved streets without the crowds you would find at the Roman Forum. Admission is free and you do not need a ticket, making it an excellent option for a morning trip. To plan your visit and check access details, you can consult the scheda delle aperture straordinarie del parco.
A quick tip: bring a large bottle of water and a hat. There is very little shade and there are no cafes inside the archaeological site.
Music under the stars: Pink Floyd Legend at the Auditorium
On Sunday evening, July 26, 2026, the main event is great rock music. The Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone hosts the Pink Floyd Legend show dedicated to the famous album The Wall, as part of the Roma Summer Fest 2026 lineup.
This is not your average tribute concert. The stage will also feature the vocal group Anonima Armonisti and the young actors of Musical Weekend, in a production that combines music, theater, and visual special effects. The event takes place in the open-air Cavea, a space that offers great acoustics in the evening and a more comfortable temperature than indoor halls. Tickets can be purchased through the official Auditorium channels. You can find more information about the evening on the pagina dedicata al concerto dei Pink Floyd Legend.
Workshops for the little ones: Smartlabs in museums
If you are traveling with children and looking for a way to keep them entertained away from the summer sun, this weekend features the creative workshops of the Smartlabs program. These activities are designed specifically for young visitors and are organized in various museum venues during July weekends.
The workshops offer hands-on activities and educational games that let children discover art and history without getting bored. Booking is mandatory for these activities, as spaces are limited to ensure well-managed groups. To find details on individual workshops and book your spot, you can refer to the sezione attività per bambini del portale turistico.
How to get there and opening hours
Here is the practical information to reach the three events this weekend in Rome:
- Archaeological Park of Gabii: For the updated opening hours of the Archaeological Park of Gabii, please consult the scheda delle aperture straordinarie del parco. Admission is free. For information on how to reach the site by public transport, we recommend checking the ATAC website. For detailed driving directions, please consult the scheda delle aperture straordinarie del parco.
- Pink Floyd Legend in The Wall: The show will take place at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone; for times and tickets, consult the pagina dedicata al concerto dei Pink Floyd Legend. For updated information on how to reach the Auditorium by public transport, check the ATAC website.
- Smartlabs: The workshops take place over the weekend; for the exact times of each session, consult the sezione attività per bambini del portale turistico. Venues vary depending on the chosen workshop. Since these are civic museums, they are all easily accessible by city center bus lines or metro lines A and B.
One final practical tip for getting around during these July days: avoid trying to hail a taxi on the street, as it is almost impossible to find one this way in Rome. Use the official taxi stands or urban mobility apps to book your ride in advance, especially at the end of the concert at the Auditorium when demand is extremely high.