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Rome or Florence? It’s an important question to consider if you are limited on time or budget. Rome has a long, rich history with sites such as the Colosseum and Vatican City. Florence, on the other hand, boasts some of the best Renaissance art in all of Italy.

Whether you choose to toss a coin into the Trevi in Rome or drink wine in Florence will depend on your travel preferences. Below is a list comparing the two cities.

Key Takeaways

• Florence is generally more walkable, while Rome is larger with more sites to see.
• Florentine artwork focuses primarily on the Renaissance, while Rome sites encompass various points of history with sites including the Colosseum and the Vatican Museum.
• Both cities have great food and can be done on a budget.

The Size of the Cities

Rome and Florence are very different in size and, as a result, offer a completely different vibe.

Rome

Rome is a large city, and while it is still walkable to a certain degree, you will likely need to use the subway, a taxi, or a bicycle to get around. It also does have the hustle and bustle associated with a big city and there is a lot to do.

Florence

Florence is a small, very walkable city. It also has a lot of charm and is situated in the middle of the Tuscan countryside, making it one of the prettiest places (in our opinion) in Italy. If you prefer a slower pace while still having plenty to do, consider Florence.

History 

Both Rome and Florence have fascinating histories. Below is a preview of what to expect.

Rome

Legend states that Rome was founded by the twins Romulus and Remus in 753 BC and this long history can be felt throughout the city.  In fact, there are so many archaeological finds that it’s become a problem for the city to expand its subway system. 

Here you will see the influence of Greek art, the Renaissance, and the Baroque era in every corner of the city. Sites, such as the Colosseum, allow you to stand while the gladiators stood. In Vatican City, you can marvel the beauty of the Sistine Chapel, which Michelangelo painted in 1512. Over 2,000 fountains span the city with work in the Baroque style, including that of the famous Bernini. You can even walk some of the famous Roman roads, one of which, the Appian Way, was constructed in 312 BC.

History is a core part of every aspect of Rome, and the fusion of various eras is a big part of the culture of the city. If you are interested in ancient Rome or want to see the Sistine Chapel, you should go here.

Florence

Florence’s history is heavily influenced by the powerful Medici family and Renaissance art.

The Medicis were originally a banking family, who would later rise to nobility. Their wealth allowed them to collect vast amounts of art and construct the Duomo (in the center of the city). Florence is also the birthplace of prominent artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, who had a profound influence on the Renaissance.  If you like Renaissance art, you may prefer Florence over Rome.

Food Scene

You really can’t go wrong with Italian food, but below are our recommendations for each city.

Rome

The pasta and pizza in Rome are absolutely amazing. We recommend, in particular, trying the cacio e pepe and Roman-style pizza. We also highly recommend taking a pasta class if possible (This was some of the most amazing food I’ve ever had).

Pro Tip: If the waiter offers parmesan cheese on top, try the dish without it. Many restaurants will only do this because of the tourists. However, if the chef intended for the dish to have cheese, he or she would have included it on top. You can still reach for the parmesan if you don’t like it, but we recommend trying it the way the cooks intended first.

Florence

Florence is well-known for a variety of foods, including:

• Pistachios: Yum! You can get pistachios on and in everything. Our recommendation: A croissant filled with Pistachio cream. Delicious!
• Truffles: Florence is also well-known for their truffles. We recommend trying a pasta dish covered in a truffle sauce.
• Ribollitta: Looking for something warm and delicious? Look no further! Ribollita is a hearty bread soup and absolutely amazing.
• Unsalted bread: This is a Florentine staple (although admittedly not my favorite). You’ll notice breads in restaurants are unsalted, and since it’s a tradition, it’s worth a try! If you don’t like salt as much as I do, you may prefer this.
• Wine: Being in the heart of Tuscany means there is excellent wine throughout the region.

Museums, Attractions, and Art 

Both cities have a large number of museums with a big collection of some of the most famous art pieces in the world. Below is a very brief snapshot of what you can expect to see in each city.

Rome

Rome is filled with art, including works from Bernini and Michelangelo. It also has a rich history. Prominent sites include:

The Colosseum

Constructed in 72 AD, the Colosseum is the biggest amphitheater ever constructed.

Vatican City 

Vatican City is known for St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the headquarters of the Catholic Church. 

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi fountain is 20 meters wide and is breathtaking. Be sure to throw a coin into the Trevi, since it means you will eventuall return to Rome.

Florence

The Medicis was a prominent ruling family, responsible for most of the art in Florence. Be sure to check out the museums of Florence, to see some of the incredible Renaissance artwork.

Uffizi

The Uffizi Gallery was the Medici’s personal art collection. Prized pieces include Michelangelo’s only painted work and The Birth of Venus.

David

The Statue of David is located in a small museum in Florence known as the Academia Gallery of Florence. While David is the highlight, we recommend checking out the other statues and paintings in the gallery.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

When the Cathedral was completed, it was considered an engineering marvel due to the dome. Today, you can explore the beautiful interior and exterior. We recommend making your way to the top to catch some great views of the city. 

Fun Fact: The exterior of the dome was never completed, since Michelangelo thought it looked ugly. If you look up, you can see the parts that are complete and incomplete.

Location & Airports

Both cities have airports and are located pretty conveniently withing Italy. Additioanlly, budget European airlines should fly into either airport (though Rome may be cheaper if you are an American).

Rome

Rome is relatively close to the coastline and has a large airport, making it ideal to access from a lot of the world. If you are looking to expand your travels to places such as Positano, it’s also much easier to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast than from Florence to the Amalfi.

Florence

Florence is in the heart of Tuscany, which makes it ideal for day trips around the region. Consider Siena, San Gimignano, and Volterra as options. Florence also has an airport, but this is much smaller in size.

Time Needed

The time needed in each city will vary based on the sites you would like to see. However, Rome is bigger and will likely require a few more days.

Rome

For Rome, we recommend 5 days, although most major sites can be seen in 3 days if you have a packed schedule. Sites such as Vatican City can easily encompass a whole day, so be sure to account for that in your planning.

Florence

For Florence, we recommend 3-4 days (with extra if you plan on exploring other towns in Tuscany). If needed, you can likely see most sites in 2 days (though be prepared for a very packed schedule!)

Price

Compared to American cities such as New York and Boston, Rome and Florence will likely feel very affordable. Even compared to other nearby cities, both Rome and Florence are great options if you are looking to travel cheaply in Europe.

However, Florence will be cheaper in many cases than Rome.

Rome vs Florence: How to Choose

It’s hard to make a decision between two iconic cities. In summary, here’s what we’d recommend:

Go to Rome if: 

• You want to explore a large city
• You are interested in ancient Rome
• You’ve always wanted to see the Sistine Chapel

Go to Florence if:

• You are a wine lover
• You are primarily interested in the Renaissance
• You are looking for a more laid-back vibe.

Which city is your favorite? Let us know 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Florence or Rome better for a first time to Italy?

Which city is best for you will depend on your tastes and preferences. Rome is bigger, and Florence is more laid back. Check out our chart above for an easy comparison and to better plan your international trip.

How far apart are Florence and Rome?

Rome and Italy are only 162 miles apart. With a high-speed train, you can travel from Rome to Florence in about 1 hour and 30 minutes