Last summer, my friend took her daughter on a surprise birthday trip to Italy. (Was she in for an incredible surprise or what?) Several weeks before the trip, my friend emailed and asked,
“If we had two extra days to tour around,
would you suggest Rome or Florence?”
Good question. Hard answer.
That’s like trying to determine whether bacio gelato, a delicious blend of chocolate and hazelnut is better than pistacchio gelato (no need to translate that one). Both are equally delicious. It just depends on what you like and what you’re in the mood for.
The same is true for Rome or Florence. They’re both amazing destinations. But if you had to choose a few extra days in one or the other, it would depend—on you.
What do you like? What’s your travel style?
Your palate alone may influence where you go. The food in both places is great.Sometimes you may crave some robust local Florentine cuisine, and other times a good slice of “pizza rossa” (Rome) is what the doctor ordered.
Rome
Rome feels vibrant and full of life. Walk down the streets in Rome and it seems to whisper, “I’m a happening place. Aren’t you just lovin’ it?” Part of the excitement comes from the nearly three million residents and tons of things to do and see. You could spend days in Rome and not see everything.
On the other hand, because Rome stretches close to 500 square miles, it doesn’t always feel crowded. (Unless, of course, you’re traveling during high season and happen to be visiting Trevi fountain.) There’s space to breathe, to wander, to shop, to relax at a café over the strong, black coffee Rome is known for.
In Rome you’ve got all the marks of a major metropolis juxtaposed with antiquities that date well before the time of Christ. High-end galleries and boutiques hug the avenues that lead to marvels like the Pantheon. The metro line runs through the same city where chariots once raced at Circus Maximus.
And the monuments? Sigh. Let’s just say there’s a reason over six million people visit Rome every year.
Florence
In comparison, Florence has an almost small-town feel. The historic center fits into a loop just twenty miles squared. You can walk from the old north gate to the south gate in about forty minutes.
Though quarters may feel a little tight (okay, very tight) when too many tourists flood Florence, that’s easily remedied. Within minutes, you can travel to the outskirts and experience the authentic Italy countryside that rings the city.
Florence oozes cultural sophistication. It’s the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci; Michelangelo; Cimabue, father of Italian painting; and Brunelleschi and Donatello founders of the Renaissance. Art schools, academies and cultural centers sit side by side Renaissance masterpieces. Our guide once said, “Florence is like an open-air museum.” And it’s true.
So if you have a few extra days, should you choose Rome or Florence? The best answer is to know what YOU like and enjoy!
FAQs
It just depends on what you like and what you're in the mood for. The same is true for Rome or Florence. They're both amazing destinations. But if you had to choose a few extra days in one or the other, it would depend—on you.
How many days to spend in Rome and Florence? ›
For travelers wanting to visit Rome and Florence exclusively, plan six to seven days for a well-paced trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as five days.
What is the best city in Italy for 3 days? ›
To help you plan your trip, here are ten of Italy's best city breaks.
- Florence.
- Venice.
- Milan.
- Naples.
- Rome.
- Verona.
- Turin.
- Bologna.
If you're looking to just hit the city's top highlights, three or so days should be enough. But if you're like us, hitting the hotspots will only make you curious to stay longer – especially in a place as rich with culture, cuisine, and history as Florence.
How many days in Rome is enough? ›
There are two simple answers to this question: Four or seven days. To add context, if you're making a multi-city Italian journey, you should allocate at least four days to Rome if you arrive early on day one and leave late on day four. Otherwise, consider five days if you can.
How many nights in Florence is enough? ›
Ok, let's start: I would say that you should spend in Florence at least 3 days, especially if it is the first time you visit the city. In less than 3 days there's a real risk of doing a tour de force, dedicating little time to too many things, without fully appreciating any of them.
Is 3 days in Rome too much? ›
Can Rome be done in 3 days? 3 days is a lovely amount of time to spend in Rome. While not enough to see 'everything', three days in Rome are sufficient to visit Rome's most famous sites, taste Rome's best food and even relax in one of the city's beautiful piazzas.
Is a day trip from Florence to Rome worth it? ›
A day trip to Florence from Rome also allows travelers more time to explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside. The food in Florence is also a major attraction, with dishes like bavette (flatbread sandwiches) and olive-oil cake being particularly popular. Rome is the perfect starting point for a day trip to Florence.
Is it possible to do a day trip to Rome from Florence? ›
The tour will begin with your private driver collecting you from your hotel in Florence (another custom location in the area can be agreed) with a luxury sedan or minivan, and after 2.5H drive you will reach the center of Rome, the Eternal City.
Where to go in Italy if you only have 4 days? ›
Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are my recommended priorities:
- 4 days: Rome, Florence.
- 6 days, add: Venice.
- 8 days: Cinque Terre.
- 10 days, add: Siena.
- 13 days, add: Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast.
- 16 days, add: Milan, Lake Como (Varenna)
First port of call for many travelers is Rome, Italy's charismatic capital. You'll never be able to cover all of its monuments and masterpieces, but there are some you won't want to miss. The Colosseum and Pantheon are obvious highlights, along with the Roman Forum and Palatino.
What are the top three places to visit in Italy for first timers? ›
Italy One Week Itinerary Summary
I recommend spending three nights in Rome, two nights in Florence, and two nights in Venice.
Is the train ride from Rome to Florence scenic? ›
Florence is 274 kms (170 miles) north of Rome, about 3 hours by car, but only 1.5 hours by high-speed train. Is the train from Rome to Florence scenic? Parts of the journey are scenic, though not exceedingly so. Most of the time you'll just be passing through flat agricultural fields that are rather nondescript.
How far is Rome from Florence via train? ›
The distance from Rome to Florence is 162 miles and many high-speed trains make the trip in just 1 hour and 29 minutes. Rome to Florence train takes you north through Italy's scenic Lazio and Tuscany regions. Most trains travel directly from Rome to Florence; you won't be required to change trains.
What is the best month to visit Florence Italy? ›
Shoulder Season in Florence is from March to Mid-May and October and November. These months cover spring and autumn seasons, and have pleasant weather conditions. If dates are not a concern, this is the best time to travel to Florence.
Is Florence worth a day trip from Rome? ›
If your Rome visit spans more than a few days and you aren't planning to spend another few days in Florence, you can still get a taste of the Renaissance capital by making it a day trip from Rome. It's a long day, to be sure, but a long day spent in Florence is better than a short day in many other places.
Is Florence as touristy as Rome? ›
The tourist area of Florence is compact and very dominated by tourism. The tourist area of Rome is a bit larger, and has many more locals mixed in with the tourists. Sightseeing in Florence is dominated by Renaissance art. Roman sightseeing is dominated by ancient Roman sights like the Colosseum, and Baroque art.
Is 2 nights in Rome long enough? ›
While we'd generally say that 2 days in Rome is not enough to do it fully justice, we at Tourist Italy believe that with the right itinerary, anything is possible. With 2 days in Rome, Italy's capital, you can explore the highlights of one of the world's oldest cities, brimming with historic treasures.
