As Roman residents know, the Italian capital empties out in August, with business closures and people leaving the city to escape the heat. But for those who stay, there are still plenty of activities to choose from to make the most of the city when it’s less crowded.

Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, last week announced a new initiative to tackle the upcoming heatwave. Eleven movie theatres will host free screenings twice a day until August 4th to provide shelter from the heat. The films will start between 1 and 2.45pm and between 6.30 and 6.45pm.

Outdoor movie screenings at night will also continue throughout August in many locations across Rome.

The outdoor theatre Ettore Scola in Villa Borghese hosts free movie screenings in the original language with Italian subtitles. The programme is published week by week, and you can also bring your dog and enjoy the park together before the screening, as the venue is pet-friendly.

If you like watching films in Italian and have missed some of the movies in theatres during the year, Cinevillage is the place to go, with €5 screenings until September. The films will be shown at four different venues: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Villa Lazzaroni, Villa Bonelli and Parco Marconi, sometimes with guest speakers introducing the movies.

READ ALSO: Where to watch outdoor cinema in Italy this summer

For art and culture lovers, there is no shortage of museums and exhibitions to explore: Diego Rivera’s paintings are on show at Musei Capitolini, film fans can learn about filmmaker Ettore Scola at Museo di Roma, and photography enthusiasts can see images of New York through the years at Museo di Roma in Trastevere, among many others. Some of the exhibitions are free for Roman residents and MIC card holders.

The Colosseum and the Pantheon will also have special late-night openings during August as part of a new initiative announced by the Italian culture and tourist ministries. The Colosseum will be open from 7.45 to 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, while the Pantheon will be open every day, except Thursday, from 7 to 11pm.

Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said the special evening openings “offer a chance to experience, in a suggestive atmosphere, two universal testimonies of history and human ingenuity,” as reported by RomaToday.

READ ALSO: Public swimming pools in Italy: Where (and how) to cool off

While many restaurants and pubs close for ferie (holidays) in August, and it’s advisable to always check openings online or call ahead, some parks and outdoor venues will still be open offering music and events.

For those who prefer going out at night, when the heat is more bearable, Parco Schuster, Parco Appio, Parco Caracalla and Testaccio Estate host game-nights, DJ sets, concerts and more, with free entry and food and drink options available for purchase.

The venues post their programmes on their website and social media week by week.