Does your heart waver between Rome and Florence? If the Eternal City is attractive with its monuments and cultural sites, it is difficult to give up the joys of a getaway in the heart of the cradle of the Italian artistic Renaissance. Especially since each destination is a must for any lover of art and cultural discoveries.
Rome or Florence: which one to choose?
To help you make the right choice, we suggest you discover Rome, rightly nicknamed the "Eternal City", and Florence, the capital of Tuscany, through comparison criteria such as climate and weather, budget to plan, cultural attractions and activities to do for a weekend getaway or for a week.
Rome is the capital of Italy. It is famous for its monuments and sites dating back to Roman times and the Vatican City, seat of the Roman Catholic Church. Rome is also popular for its sweetness of life, reflected in the atmosphere of its many squares, such as Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo and many more.
St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican
Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is the cradle of the Italian artistic Renaissance. It is therefore fundamental for its many museums, but also for its magnificent squares and historic centers, including the famous Ponte Vecchio.
Ponte Vecchio in Florence
Which city to choose according to climate and weather?
To determine which city is the most welcoming, we chose the one that has many days with ideal weather conditions for a city break.
Best weather forecast: Rome
Rome and Florence are characterized by a Mediterranean climate that results in a mild winter and a hot summer. Only winter temperatures in Rome are less cold compared to Florence. Likewise, during the summer season, the weather conditions in Rome are particularly magnificent, with beautiful sunny and warm days, while in Florence you can always expect some rainy days. From the climatic point of view, the city of Rome prevails over Florence, which is relatively rainy, during the transitional seasons.
The Trevi Fountain in Rome
Which city to choose according to the price of airline tickets?
The price of the airline ticket can greatly influence the travel budget . Therefore, it is advisable to take it into account when choosing the best destination.
Cheapest average round-trip airfare: Rome
This time, once again, it is the Eternal City that takes the cake for the most advantageous destination.The average price of a round-trip to Rome from Paris airport is around €125. If during the low season, in January for example, the price of a round-trip ticket Paris-Rome-Paris is around 88 €, in high season you can expect 210 €.
The destination to choose according to your budget
For a successful trip, it is important to prepare your budget. We were interested in the prices of goods and services in Rome and Florence to designate the most advantageous destination.
The cheapest city: Rome
After comparing the costs related to the main expense items such as accommodation, restaurant, activities and public transport, it turned out that the daily cost in Rome is cheaper than in Florence. The difference is justified by the price of accommodation. In fact, against all expectations, Rome offers a wide variety of accommodations at a relatively affordable price compared to Florence.
Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome
Quality of life: health, safety, pollution
To choose the destination where life is good, we were interested in safety and health. Which city is safer: Rome or Florence?
It is good to live in both Rome and Florence.
According to our comparison criteria, the city of Rome is as pleasant as the city of Florence. In fact, the time when Florence was considered a dangerous city is over! And just like other popular tourist destinations, Rome has some offenders.
Which city to choose according to travelers' opinions: Rome or Florence?
If we refer to the opinions of travelers who differ according to their own criteria, the average age of travelers and their favorite activities, it is difficult to decide between Rome and Florence.
Travelers prefer: Rome and Florence.
Those who take into consideration the romantic character and cultural interest choose without hesitation the city of Rome. In fact, how can you resist the call to visit the Trevi Fountain and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City? But those who are interested in Italian Renaissance art and the authentic character of the city opt for Florence.
Santa Croce Square in Florence
Which destination to choose for a weekend or a week: Rome or Florence?
The time available for a romantic or family getaway influences the quality of the stay. In fact, a sightseeing tour is more enjoyable when more time is available.
For a romantic weekend, prefer Florence.
To fully appreciate a romantic weekend getaway, it is best to choose activities that allow you to rekindle the flames of amorous passion. Why not stroll through the magnificent squares of Florence?
The arches of the Vasari Corridor in Florence
For a week, I prefer Rome
You won't have time to get bored in Rome, thanks to many cultural sites and magnificent squares, to discover without haste. Especially since Rome also lends itself to a romantic stay.
The Colosseum in Rome
Which city to choose, according to the places of interest to visit?
The interest of a city break lies in the satisfaction of discovering many places, tourist sites and in the possibility of diversifying activities.
The city with the most UNESCO-listed sites: Rome
No city can compete with Rome in terms of UNESCO heritage sites. Of course, 6 of the 52 UNESCO sites and monuments in Italy are in Rome, while Florence has only one: the historic center of Florence.
The Roman Forums of Rome
The most cultural destination: Rome and Florence
Home to half of the works preserved in Italy and 20% of the works classified as Unesco heritage, Florence is undoubtedly a cultural destination! But it's hard for all that to compete with Rome and its Roman-era ruins such as the Colosseum or the Roman Forum.
View of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
So, which is your choice: Rome or Florence?
After comparisons of various criteria, everything points to Rome remaining the preferred destination, whether for a fan of cultural discovery or just for lovers of romantic getaways. However, keep in mind that the city of Florence, its historic center, its magnificent squares can also surprise lovers of urban getaways. And what is your choice, leave us your comment!
