Rome and Florence are 2 of the show-stopper cities of Italy. Both offer world-famous monuments, incredible history, art, architecture and delicious food. And ideally both cities are great to be added to your Italy itinerary. But if you have to choose one, this guide is designed to help you compare Rome vs Florence and then decide which city works best for you.
If due to time or budget constraints, you want to figure whether to pick Rome or Florence for a first-time visit, dive in. This post covers the best things to do and attractions in Rome and Florence, ideas for day trips, food and shopping options. That will help you decide between Florence or Rome, whichever city is best suited for your Italian trip.
In 2025, you also have to the consider the impact of Italian Jubilee when planning a trip to Rome vs. Florence. Rome will attract potentially 32 million tourists due to Jubilee along with the usual traffic it gets. But the city has been spruced up to look its best in the Jubilee year, plus there would be unique celebrations ongoing in Rome through the year. The atmosphere will be unlike any other time, especially in Vatican City. Some of this traffic will also spill over to Florence. Needless to say, all famous attractions in Rome, Vatican City and Florence would need to be booked in advance.
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A visit to Rome vs. Florence
Historical Landmarks
The landmarks in Rome are truly one of a kind. Be it the Colosseum, one of the manmade Wonders of the World, and the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill next to it. Or some of the other famous attractions you may know of, like the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, to name a few.
On a first trip to Italy, Rome packs a punch unlike any other city. You can stroll through the ruins of the splendour that once defined the Roman Empire, and get an close-up look at the ancient relics in Rome. We enjoyed Rome in 4 days on a family trip and barely scratched the surface of all that it offers.
See some of the best tour options in Rome:
Florence to me, felt more like an open air museum. Packed with iconic sites like the Duomo, Santa Croce, the Uffizi Gallery, and more. The photographs of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile are postcard perfect. Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, the best part of Florence is that everything is in walking distance. Consider this Half-day tour Florence’s artistic and architectural highlights.
If you think of iconic landmarks of Italy or even Europe, Rome definitely trumps Florence, and I am not even counting the Vatican City as yet!
Art and Architecture
Thanks to its Renaissance past, Florence is filled to the brim with art museums, sculptures, and galleries. It is the birthplace of some of the period’s most notable artists: da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli.
Florence’s wealth of museums and galleries house many of the world’s most exquisite examples of Renaissance art. The Uffizi and Galleria dell’Accademia are world-famous. Consider this Uffizi and Accademia Small Group Walking Tour for art immersion.
If Florence is defined by Renaissance art, Rome is celebrated for the ornate styles of baroque. The National Roman Museum is one of the world’s best museums for classical art. Nothing is as synonymous with baroque as Bernini’s famous sculpture The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. The Borghese Gallery is where you’ll find numerous artistic treasures created by sculptors like Bernini and Antonio Canova.
You do find impressive art and architecture in Rome, and then there is the collection in Vatican City. The opulence, history and the breathtaking art and architecture at the Vatican Museums will leave you speechless. St. Peter’s is covered with marble, gold, and masterpieces like Michelangelo’s La Pietà.
Due to Jubilee crowds, pre-booking tickets for Vatican Museums is a must. consider these tours:
Both Rome and Florence offer incredible art and architecture. But if you are deeply interested in Renaissance art, a visit to Florence is the best. Rome will work out better if your focus is Baroque art and architecture.
Food and Wine
One of the key reasons to visit Florence is its fabulous culinary scene. Tuscany also is one of Italy’s finest wine regions, and it is easy to take a wine-tasting tour from Florence to visit Tuscan vineyards. Florence’s exceptional dining scene ranges from enoteche (wine bars) bursting with cured meats to family-run trattorias. Then there are bustling food markets, modern Tuscan cafes and innovative top-end restaurants.
Rome, of course, is no slouch in the food and wine department. You should try traditional Italian dishes like Roman style artichoke, pasta dishes like Bucatini all’Amatriciana, spaghetti alla carbonara, cacio e pepe, here.
Some of the best places to eat out in Rome are the streets surrounding the Trastevere, packed with traditional Italian restaurants. Consider this top-rated food tour around Campo de’ Fiori, the Jewish Ghetto, and Trastevere.
Rome offers a larger range of culinary options, including regional specialties from across Italy, while Florence is more focused on traditional Tuscan fare. You do need to do more research for good food in Rome though.
Shopping
If shopping is on your list, Rome is the winner in the great Florence vs. Rome debate. Rome has so many shops to visit—with fashionable clothing, Italian souvenirs, and even the big brands we all know well.
The real pulsating artery of Roman shopping is Via del Corso, the 2-km open-air shopping centre where you can find everything, for all budgets and for all tastes. Lovers of luxury and high fashion visit the Trident area, for exclusive Italian and international brands. Trident is perhaps the most high-end destination for Roman shopping. Those looking to window-shop rather than buy should traverse this area anyway. Also worth checking out is the neighbourhood around Campo de Fiori and the boho chic Monti district.
Florence also has excellent shopping options. The famous shopping area here is in the heart of the historic center: via de’ Calzaiuoli, via Roma, Piazza della Repubblica. Then there are sleepy areas like Sant’Ambrogio and the Oltrarno are where you’ll find more unusual treasures. For luxury shopping, head to the area of via de’ Tornabuoni and via della Vigna Nuova for sophisticated stores.
Walkable City
Rome is large and sprawling, so you’ll need to allow for much more time than you think to get around and travel between the main attractions. In Rome, golf cart tours are often recommend to make everyone in the family happy.
The historic centre in Rome is quite walkable and the Colosseum, Roman Forum and the Palatine are within walking distance of each other. But you will need to take taxis or public transport in Rome when moving between certain sites. Exploring the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica also involves a LOT of walking!
Florence is arguably much smaller and easier to get around on foot alone. The best part about Florence is that you can plan your day on your own accord. There’s no need to worry about understanding a public transit system or sit in traffic for spending a day in Florence with kids. Its key attractions – like the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Accademia – are within easy walking distance of each other.
If the ease of getting around and being able to walk just about everywhere is a factor, I would suggest you choose Florence over Rome.
Day Trips from Rome vs. Florence
It is easy to do several day trips from Rome by taking advantage of speedy trains from the Roma Termini station. Out at the nearby coast, Ostia Antica offers a chance to see the remains of a Roman port. It is a great short haul to one of Rome’s lesser visited archaeological sites. Or you can visit the archaeological sites of Cerveteri, one of the Etruscan civilization’s most significant locations.
Hilltop Tivoli is home to 2 Unesco World Heritage sites: Villa Adriana, the emperor Hadrian’s colossal country estate, and Villa d’Este, famous for its landscaped gardens and lavish fountains. Head to the verdant Castelli Romani, for volcanic lakes, dazzling castles, and fantastic wine. Pompeii is a popular day trip from Rome, passing by Mount Vesuvius.
Florence is an excellent base as well for day trips. We did a private day tour from Florence to cover some of the medieval towns in Tuscany and a visit to a winery. The most popular Tuscan town to be explored is Siena, known for its gothic architecture. Another charming medieval town is Lucca and is known as the city of 100 churches. Tourists usually combine this with a trip to Pisa, to take the famed picture of the Leaning Tower.
Foodies should head to Bologna, the capital of Emilia Romagna region. You can visit the art city of Arezzo and explore Italy’s largest antique market here. If you enjoy wine, do visit Chianti or the Val d’orcia region in Tuscany, both known for charming medieval villages, vineyards and wineries. If you are craving breathtaking ocean views, head to Cinque Terre and experience the region’s unique cliffside towns. It is easy to reach fashionable and cosmopolitan Milan from Florence.
Summary: Rome vs Florence
If world-famous landmarks is what you are seeking, Rome is your best bet. With star attractions, plenty of choices for food, wine, shopping, all that is needed for a great trip to Rome is some planning. If you are including the Amalfi coast in your Italy itinerary, you may want to start in Rome and then head to southern Italy from here.
If a small walkable city with focus on Renaissance art and architecture appeals to you, head to Florence. This city is also the gateway to Tuscan countryside. If your Italy itinerary includes Venice, Cinque Terre, Emilia Romagna, the Dolomites, or the Northern Lakes regions, you may want to start in Florence which is slightly closer.
Planning a trip to Italy? Check out these posts:
For a 2-week Itinerary: The classic two-week Italy Itinerary.
Italy has show-stopper cities: 4 days in Rome, One day in Florence, Vatican City and 2 days in Venice.
Don’t forget Tuscany. Day trip from Florence to Tuscany, Best areas to stay in Tuscany.
Italian regions to explore in the north: Lake Towns in Northern Italy, Lake Como and Cinque Terre: a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Italian regions to explore in the south: Amalfi coast itinerary for 4 days and Capri 1 day itinerary
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Tough call but I think I’m team Rome. Just love the buzz there! But I adore Tuscany as a whole so I might just prefer the smaller towns there to Florence. Italy is awesome regardless so will never turn down a trip to either!
Well said.
Great post on trips to Rome VS. Florence. Thanks for sharing!
I admit to loving Florence more. Smaller means less to think about and less walking 🙂 Great tips!
That’s true.