There are several factors to consider when choosing between two great cities, such as Florence and Rome. Sights, size, and walkability can all play factors in deciding which city to visit and how many days to allocate to each. If you are wondering which city is bigger, more walkable, and has a higher population, continue reading below.
Key Takeaways
- At 39.5 square miles, Florence is much smaller than Rome
- Rome will require taxis and their metro to view the sites, while most of Florence can be explored on foot
- Oth cities are filled with a lot of sites to see and explore, so you will still need a few days for each.
An Overview of Rome
- Size: 496.1 square miles
- Population: about 2.9 million
Rome is a relatively big city. In order to see all the sites, you’ll likely need to take the metro or a taxi. While there are metro lines that connect many of the sites, including the Colosseum and the Vatican, the metro lines are not quite as extensive as other cities in Europe, due to the city finding ruins every time they try to expand the train line.
Rome can be even larger depending on how you define it. If you include only the city proper (Comune di Roma), it is a little larger than New York City. However, the entire metropolitan area includes about 5,000 square miles.
An Overview of Florence
- Size: 39.5 square miles
- Population: about 370,000
Florence is a relatively small city and as a result is very easy to explore on foot or via bike. Most of the downtown centers around the main church (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (The Duomo)). However, as you explore the sites of Florence, we recommend crossing the Arno, to discover really good restaurants and climb the Piazzale Michaelangeo.
Although, Florence is small, it is still packed with history and sites, so you will likely still need
Which is Bigger?
Florence is indeed much smaller than Rome, making it a more walkable city. However, if you are trying to decide between Florence and Rome, both cities have a lot to offer. Despite its small size, Florence has a lot of history in between its borders that will still take a few days to truly explore. On the other hand, Rome’s history spans a wider stretch, including important architectural marvels from antiquity, as well as important art from the Baroque Era.
Have you been to both cities? Which was your favorite? Leave it in the comments below:
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