Both are Italian icons and both are a lot, but they feel very different. Rome is a big, chaotic city of ancient ruins and Baroque piazzas. Florence is a compact Renaissance jewel you can walk across in half an hour.
Rome: big, ancient and grand
Rome is where you see 2,000 years of history in one city: the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon, the Vatican and endless piazzas. It is larger, louder and more varied, with great food in every district. You need at least three days, and it rewards a longer stay.
- Best for
- Ancient history, scale
- Size
- Big, needs transport
- Days needed
- 3–5
- Vibe
- Lively, chaotic
- Day trips
- Pompeii, Orvieto
- Art
- Vatican, Borghese
Florence: compact and artistic
Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance, with the Uffizi, the David, the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio all within walking distance. It is calmer, more refined and easier to see in a short time, and a great base for Tuscany. Two days cover the highlights, and three let you relax.
How to choose
- First-time Italy and ancient history: Rome.
- Art lovers and short trips: Florence.
- Food and wine day trips: Florence, for Tuscany.
- A bit of everything in a week: both.
- Walking-only trips: Florence.
Seeing both: a 5-day split
- 1Days 1–3 in Rome: Colosseum and Forum, Vatican, then piazzas and Trastevere.
- 2Day 4: fast train to Florence (about 1.5 hours), then the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio.
- 3Day 5 in Florence: the Uffizi and Accademia, and an evening in Oltrarno.
Food and wine compared
Rome's cuisine is built on pasta (carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana), offal, artichokes and pizza. Florence is famous for bistecca alla fiorentina (a thick T-bone steak), ribollita (a bean and bread soup), lampredotto (a tripe sandwich) and pappa al pomodoro. Tuscan wines, such as Chianti and Brunello, are a big reason to visit.
Rome has more variety and a lively street food scene, while Florence has a more traditional, meat-heavy menu. In both cities, avoid restaurants near the main sights and look for places where locals eat.
Day trips from each
The hilltop towns around Florence are among the most beautiful in Italy, and a winery tour with lunch is an indulgent day. From Rome, Pompeii is a bigger but longer outing.
- From Rome: Pompeii, Tivoli, Ostia Antica, Orvieto and the Amalfi Coast.
- From Florence: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti wineries, Lucca and Cinque Terre.
- Both: an easy train to the other, and to Bologna or Naples.
- Best for wine lovers: Florence, for Tuscany tours.
- Best for history lovers: Rome, for the ancient sites.
Budget and timing
Hotel prices in both cities rise in spring and autumn, and again in summer. Florence is smaller, so you can stay in the centre and walk everywhere. In Rome, you may need transport, but the metro and buses are cheap. Museums are the biggest expense in Florence, whereas in Rome the Colosseum and Vatican tickets add up.
If your budget is limited, pick a base for most of your time and take the fast train for a day trip to the other. The journey is about an hour and a half, and tickets are cheap if booked early. See our Colosseum guide, the Vatican guide and the Rome day trips guide.
Plan the details
Read our Colosseum tickets guide, Uffizi and Accademia guide and the best time to visit Rome. See the Rome guide and Florence guide.
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Florence: your questions answered
How long is the train from Rome to Florence?
About 1.5 hours by fast train.
Which is cheaper?
Both vary, but Florence is generally a bit cheaper to eat out.
Which is better for a first trip?
Rome for ancient history, Florence for art.
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