Rome Or Florence: An Impossible Choice!

Rome or Florence… Picking between these two cities is so difficult. I struggled so much when it came to planning our itinerary and was lucky enough to add to our itinerary because we had the time. Not everyone has this luxury which is why, I’m going to weigh the pros and cons of each city. That should help you make the decision for yourself.

I would also like to add that despite being to both cities, I would still pause when weighing the options between Rome or Florence. This is because I loved both the cities for very different reasons. Both the cities have totally different vibes and very different attractions. Which is why I think the answer to this question will differ from person to person. It is all based on preferences and experiences.

That being said, I would put both cities on my itinerary again because I feel as if there is still so much to see.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Read my disclaimer for further information.

Transport

Airports

One of the first things that I always talk about is the accessibility of a city. Rome has a huge airport and is connected not just to other cities in Italy but to other countries as well. This makes it so easy to get into and out of Rome even if you just have a short time on your hands. Florence has an airport too and it is also very well connected but it isn’t as busy as Rome.

Driving Into The City

We chose to drive to Rome and Florence from the Netherlands. Which is why I have first hand experience with this part of the Rome Vs Florence discussion. Driving into Florence can be a nightmare not because of bad roads but because of all the restricted areas and permits that you need to obtain first hand. It is a smaller city so if you want to park on the outskirts and commute in, it is still pretty challenging with the transport.

Rome of the other hand was easier to figure out. It has numerous buses that ply through the city so if you don’t want to drive in then you can easily park on the outskirts and take one in.

Rome Vs Florence: On this aspect, we definitely found Rome easier. It wasn’t a deal breaker though. Florence was still worth the hassle.

Parking

Finding parking is always a hassle. When it came to Rome, we managed to get parking with our accommodation and left our car there for the entire period. In Florence we combined parking with the permit and it was expensive.

Needless to say, parking is expensive in both cities. I did notice that many of the reviews in Florence said that cars were broken into. So vet your parking carefully. Check the reviews and don’t leave anything valuable inside. The same holds true for Rome.

Rome or Florence: There’s no clear winner here as far as costs are concerned.

Accommodation

One of the biggest parts of our budget is always reserved for accommodation. In big cities this can get costly and if I have to weigh and see which is better, Rome or Florence, I would say that both of them are expensive. There are all kinds of types of accommodation in both cities so again there is no clear winner.

Sights In The City

I think it is very important to consider that the sights are very different in both cities. Rome is bustling and there are sights to see and things to do. Its a very busy atmosphere. You feel the need to move because you instantly realise just how big the city is.

On the you could easily spend two days in Florence and not cover all the highlights of the city. Florence is more colorful. It also has its crowds and they can be overwhelming but you don’t feel rushed as much. There’s music playing and street art. Plenty of free things to do in Florence if you want to keep the budget tight too.

Rome on the other hand has all the ancient roman monuments. You get to see the Colosseum up close. The Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Palatine hill and more are all within your grasp. I do recommend booking your tickets in advance for the Colosseum because they sell out.

While Rome has its monuments, you will find that Florence is an open air museum. You could turn any corner and see something gorgeous. You can see why this is hard. Both these cities just have so much to offer.

Rome or Florence: Both are great but I think I would prefer to put it this way. If you like history then go to Rome. If you love art and music then Florence is your spot.

Safety

Safety is always an important consideration when it comes to picking a travel location. Now I found both Rome and Florence the same when it came to safety but I do know that many people find Rome a little less safe.

One thing that I need to add here is that both the cities have crowds and pickpockets are common. So you have to be mindful about your valuables.

Rome Vs Florence : The Food Scene

I know that there are loads of great restaurants in Rome but finding one and getting a seat was always so hard. Florence felt a little less rushed and it was easier to figure out. Even as far as the actual food was concerned, I found the food in Florence was absolutely delicious. Despite doing the same research in Rome, there were a couple of times when we were disappointed.

It is also worth adding that many of the restaurants in the city center of Rome tend to be more expensive than in Florence. It is expected but worth mentioning.

Rome or Florence for the food: Definitely Florence

Rome Vs Florence: Day Trips

Is Italy worth visiting? Weighing the pros and cons.

This is another hard one to give you a direct answer about. Rome is famous because you can take a day trip to the Vatican which is a whole new country. There’s a lot to see and do there. Plus you could literally walk in and out of it.

Florence on the other hand is famous for its day trip to Pisa. Its a longer journey but totally worth it because you get to see the famous leaning tower of Pisa.

Those are just the famous day trips. There are loads of great places that you can get to from both the cities. Smaller locations where you get to visit the Italian countryside. Florence lets you see the Tuscan countryside and visit the vineyards. Rome is close to the beach so you can cool off on a hot summer day.

Rome or Florence for the day trips: Honestly I love both and its really about what you would rather see and do.

Rome Vs Florence: Walkability

Both Rome and Florence are walkable cities. You can push your stroller through them if you want and get about easily. There is however a big difference between them.

Rome is HUGE. Getting from attraction to attraction can take a toll on your legs if you aren’t used to it. I don’t really mind but it did become harder with the children so we had to take the stroller along even though they were bigger at that time.

Florence on the other hand is more compact. You can quickly crisscross across the city. So its walkable but you don’t have to travel quite as far as Rome.

Rome or Florence as far as walkability is concerned: Florence not because Rome isn’t walkable but because everything is just closer.

Rome Or Florence: A Comparison For Different Travel Types

Sometimes I find that it is better to figure out what kind of traveler you are or what kind of travel will you be doing on this particular trip. This is because some cities suit certain types of travel better than others. Let’s draw up a table and see which one ranks better or is it just as hard to choose (which I still think it is!) We will also look at a synopsis that covers what we have already talked about above.

Safety	Florence & Rome though some people prefer Florence
Food	Florence
Transport	Rome
Accessibility	Both but Florence you don’t have to cover such long distances
Architecture	Both but the styles differ
Views	Florence
Museums	Both
Budget Friendly	Both are expensive
Day Trips	Both
Historical Structures	Rome but Florence does have its fair share and its just different.

Now let’s take a look at the travel styles.

Families	Both
Couples	Both though we preferred Florence
History Lovers	Rome
Foodies	Florence
Wine Lovers	Florence
Luxury Travel	Both
Off Season Travel	Both
First Time in Italy	Both
Long Stay (3 or more days)	Rome (though Florence works because you can unwind)

As you can see, the choice between Rome or Florence is an impossible one. Both offer a range of activities. Both cater to different budgets and both has so much to offer. As I said before, Rome is about the history and the mystery. Florence is about the art and culture. If you can’t pick both then this should help you decide.