Comparison · Florence vs Rome · Italy
Florence vs Rome
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Giorgio Galeotti, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Florence for Renaissance art and Brunelleschi's dome; choose Rome for Colosseum, Vatican and Sistine Chapel and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 231 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 231 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Florence
- April–May and September–October
- Best time for Rome
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Florence | Rome | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Italy | Italy |
| Known for | Renaissance art, Brunelleschi's dome and Michelangelo's David | Colosseum, Vatican and Sistine Chapel and Ancient ruins |
| Best time to visit | April–May and September–October | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $170–$300 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 11°C (52°F) | January, 12°C (54°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | FLR, PSA, BLQ | FCO, CIA |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Florence for…
Renaissance art and Brunelleschi's dome. Florence fits the Duomo, the Uffizi, Michelangelo's David and the Ponte Vecchio into a historic centre you can cross on foot in about 25 minutes. Most visitors stay between Santa Maria Novella station and Santa Croce, with the Oltrarno across the Arno for…
Choose Rome for…
Colosseum, Vatican and Sistine Chapel and free sights. Rome layers nearly 3,000 years of history into a walkable centre: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Baroque piazzas such as Navona and, across the Tiber, Vatican City with St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Most sights lie inside the…
Top sights compared
| # | Florence | Rome |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florence Cathedral (Duomo) | Colosseum |
| 2 | Uffizi Gallery | Roman Forum and Palatine Hill |
| 3 | Galleria dell'Accademia | Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel |
| 4 | Ponte Vecchio | St Peter's Basilica |
| 5 | Piazzale Michelangelo | Pantheon |
Food compared
| Florence | Rome |
|---|---|
| Bistecca alla fiorentina | Spaghetti alla carbonara |
| Lampredotto | Cacio e pepe |
| Ribollita | Bucatini all'amatriciana |
| Schiacciata | Supplì |
Which is cheaper?
Florence and Rome cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$320 in Florence and $170–$300 in Rome (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Rome on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Florence and Rome are about 231 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Florence and 4 in Rome.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Florence or Rome cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 in Florence and $170–$300 in Rome (estimates).
+Is Florence or Rome better for a first trip?
Pick Florence for Renaissance art and Brunelleschi's dome, or Rome for Colosseum, Vatican and Sistine Chapel and free sights.
+How far is Florence from Rome?
About 231 km in a straight line.