Nothing pairs better with the views of the Pantheon, Colosseum, or Trevi Fountain like a frosty treat served in a cup, cone or on a stick!

Cool off this summer with any one or a combination of the Italian frozen delights below, just in time for your Italian summer vacation. Pick out some artisanal gelato, grab a Roman grattachecca from a street kiosk, scoop up the deliciousness of a Sicilian granita, or relive your childhood with an all natural popsicle!

Gelato

This is the pretty obvious go-to. And chances are you were planning on venturing out on your own gelato tour regardless of the weather. But not all gelato is created equal. Chances are if you stumble upon a place packed with tourists offering more than 30 flavors of towering gelato in rainbow of colors: it’s not the best gelato. Here are a few (non-conclusive) marks of good quality gelato:

• Gelato is stored in covered wells: called pozzetti, these deep wells keep the gelato from oxidizing, maintaining the natural flavors
• Colors are subdued, not vibrant: contrary to popular belief, pistacchio should be a beige color, not green. If the pistacchio gelato is a green color it means there is artificial color in it, so you can’t be sure there aren’t other artificial colors and flavorings in other flavors.
• More than 30 flavors: artisanal, high quality gelato is made in small batches because churning machines are expensive, take quite a bit of time, and high quality natural ingredients are expensive. If there are more than 30 flavors, it’s likely the gelato is made industrially and is not artisanal.

So where can you be sure to find good quality, artisanal gelato? Here are a few of our favorites:

Trastevere Fior di Luna (Via della Lungaretta 96, Rome)

Prati Gracchi (Via dei Gracchi 272)

Aventino Il Gelato di Claudio Torce (Viale Aventino 59, Rome)

Piazza Navona Gelateria del Teatro (Via dei Coronari, 65-66)

Corso Trieste Gelateria daRe (Via Bisagno, 19)

Grattachecca

It’s as delicious as it is hard to pronounce (gra-ta-kek-o). Imagine real Italian ice flavored with either fresh lemon syrup or any one of the traditional Fabbri syrup flavors like coconut, orange, cherry, and pineapple, then topped with fresh fruit. Ice is shaved using a special hand grater for each grattachecca to add to the experience.

The center of Rome was once full of small kiosks selling the frosty treat during the hot summer. Today few kiosks remain, but one of the most popular is located on Lungotevere Raffaello Sanzio, near Tiber Island (Isola Tiberina). Another is located in Prati on Via Trionfale, 37, called Sora Maria.

Granita

A traditionally Sicilian frozen treat, it’s safe to say quality granite can be enjoyed in Rome too. Lemon, almond, coconut, and coffee flavors are some of the most traditional. Enjoy them separately or together, with or without whipped cream. Grab an icy treat at Cremeria Monforte (Via della Rotonda, 22)  before taking a walk to admire the Pantheon from all angles. Alternatively for the secret haven of the best Sicilian sweet treats in Rome (including granite), head to Dolci di Nonna Vincenza (Via dell’Arco del Monte, 98) and give into your sweet tooth.

Ghiacciolo (Popsicle)

Photo credit: Steccolecco

Keep cool as you enjoy a frozen treat on a stick! Steccolecco prides itself on fresh, natural ingredients. A must try are any of the seasonal fruit popsicles for a burst of juicy frozen fruity goodness!

Steccolecco

Website

There are 4 Steccolecco stores in Rome – find the one closest to you!

• Parioli (Mercato Parioli – Viale Parioli and Via della Moschea)
• Prati (Via Giuseppe Avezzana 27)
• Ponte Milvio (Via Riano 1)
• Jewish Neighborhood (Via del Portico d’Ottavia, 6)

Looking for a place to stay in Rome with air conditioning?

ROMAC manages over 40 apartments in the historic center of Rome, most with refreshing air conditioning units to keep you cool your whole stay. Browse our website for your perfect vacation apartment with air conditioning!

How do you keep cool in the summer in Rome? Share your experiences in the comments below!