Almost every trattoria and restaurant in Rome will have at least a few classic Roman pasta dishes on the menu. You can either rent one in Florence for the day or join a private tour such as this one or this one. Its home to nearlyall of the Roman sights youve seen in movieslike the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Roman Forum, jut to name a few. pottery and ceramics - Rome Forum - Tripadvisor While Rome is an enormous, sprawling metropolis, Florence is a much smaller city geographically: with the exception of heading out on day trips to the Tuscan countryside, you likely won't need any transportation other than your own two feet while here! Hi, my name is Angela Corrias, I am an Italian with passion for travelling. If ancient history is your thing, then Rome is the obvious choice. Though much smaller in size, Florence is filled to the brim with museums, artwork, restaurants, and other stellar sites. Be sure to wear long pants or a skirt that goes below your kneesand yes, that goes for guys, too. If you only have time to visit Rome or Florence on your trip, how do you choose? If you want to immerse yourself in history, explore the famous landmarks in Rome. They are home to the masterpieces of the most famous Italian artists, including Michelangelo, Bernini, Borromini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Botticelli. I have friends who tell me 2 days in Florence will be enough; others tell me I need to give it more time. Thanks, Allison! Spain or Portugal: Which Iberian Escape is Right For You? The city has been home to some of the most important events in Western history, and it shows. If youre looking for leather goods, Florence is the place to go. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Both Florence and Rome are very popular tourist destinations in Italy, so you can expect large crowds in both cities especially in the high season, usually July and August. Look, heres the bottom line: theres no such thing as somewhere in Italy that has bad food (though food does vary by regiondont except epic Napoli pizza in Venice) but Tuscan food is something special. Ultimately, when it comes to Rome vs. Florence, its all about your personal preference. We typically focus on travel in the USA and Europe (especially in our beloved Italy), but feature destinations across the world! Hotel Lungarno Nestled right against the Arno River and home to one of the best views of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence (not to mention some of the best views of the rest of Florence from their top deck), Hotel Lungarno is our personal if we everreallywant to splurge hotel in Florence. We asked an Italian Tour Director where to get gelato in Florence. There are also other ways to travel between Rome and Florence. Churches, chapels and a bevy of lesser-known museums showcase masterpieces galore. Looking for gelato recs from an expert? As an Amazon Associate, Our Escape Clause earns from qualifying purchases. Florence was at the heart of this incredible period of cultural and artistic achievement. Yes, because while you can eat and drink extraordinarily well in both Rome and Florence, the cities have important differences between them. Genoa is very well connected to the surrounding area by train, so anything from Rome to the French Riviera to Zurich is at your fingertips. You really should title your blog Taking Travel by Storm. Scarf If youre visiting Florence or Rome in the summer and are female, its likely youll be wearing a tank top or off-the-shoulder top. Each of the characters of this era is memorable: Cosimo the Elder, Lorenzo, Galileo Galilei, Machiavelli, Savonarola and his Bonfire of the Vanities, et al. Rome is a heady mix of haunting ruins, awe-inspiring art and vibrant street life. Eric Hittinger on Twitter: "Instead of Paris, go to Lille, Nantes, Lyon From the Roman emperors through the drama of the popes to Mussolini, Rome stars or at least makes an important appearance in much of the narrative for the history of European culture. Better Florentine Steak In Rome Than In Florence - Tripadvisor Rome vs Milan - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums Rome vs. Florence Airport? - Rick Steves Travel Forum Lets get started! Dont get us wrong, youre going to have some excellent eats whether you visit Rome vs. Florence. From accommodation to restaurants, there are more budget choices in Rome than in Florence. # 1 lhenry1998 Original Poster Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 45 Likes: 0 Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts Rome vs Milan We are going to Italy for the first time, and are torn between Rome and Milan. Whether youre looking at Florence cathedral or a notable Roman building such as Palazzo Barberini, its impossible to miss the fact that both Florence and Rome are overflowing with artistic history. Rome is Rome, why would you leave? How Many Days in Venice, Italy do you Really Need? In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Both is definitely an excellent choice. "what is so different between the two". Overall, Rome has better transportation and connectivity options than Florence, making it easier to get around the city. The world's most famous street artist has left a new artwork that very much sums up the year 2020 has been. Naples vs. Florence: The Short Answer Florence - historical town (2) Florence is the smaller of the two cities. ). Bus tickets cost between 7 and 32 depending on the company and how many stops they make. Here is the night count: Venice=2 Florence=2 Cinque Terre=2 Rome=4 Total=10 nights Finishing in Rome may be better because from the Amalfi Coast to the Naples airport is over an hour drive by taxi and since it's 40 miles, it wouldn't be cheap. I also spend a lot of time in Veneto, and Florence is only 2 hours drive away, which may have something to do with my bias! WHERE TO STAY IN FLORENCE, ITALY | TOP AREAS + HOTELS, BEST VIEWS IN FLORENCE + MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES. We truly learned and ate different things on each tour. When I fell in love with Italy, it was in Rome. Many day trips from Florence include quaint hill towns and villages such as San Gimignano and Volterra. Rome and Florence are among the most popular cities in Italy. You cant ask for a better location for exploring Rome, as it literally overlooks the Castel SantAngelo and is a short walk away from all the major Centro Storico sights. For any first timer it can stressful to choose so I am sure your post will help a lot of people make their choice wisely! ), The Best Florence Tours To Learn More About This Gorgeous City, Florence In One Day Top Things To See And Do In 1 Day In Florence, Rome offers a wealth of historical and cultural sights, going off the beaten path in the Italian capital, traditional dishes of every Italian region, The best way to travel between Rome and Florence is by train, 20 Regions of Italy All You Need To Plan a Dream Trip, Turin vs Milan: 16 Differences Between These Fantastic Cities. Here is a comparison of the two cities based on things like culture, food, and nightlife. Florence is particularly known for its magnificent Renaissance art, while Rome is home to some of the most iconic Baroque masterpieces. Its where you can admire the masterpiece that is David, where you can marvel at the work of Botticelli in the Uffizi Gallery, where you can see the grave of Galileo where it sits in the Santa Croce Church. Florence is more picturesque, with pretty buildings and an amazing art gallery (Birth of Venus and David are both in Florence). The price of the ticket from Rome to Florence with the fast depends on the season and also if you book it well in advance. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, Im working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA. Dreaming of being in the Eternal City right now? Interesting! When it comes to this debate, I think we all have our biases! *Tour prices are per person, before flights, and based on two travelers per hotel room on select departure dates. In Florence, every step is a journey through time, a celebration of enduring beauty. While both cities have brilliant history, Rome is essentially a living museum. La Loggia degli Albizi is a good choice for coffee and pastry for breakfast and it is close to the Duomo. But if youre looking for a more offbeat city break, pick Rome. Tuscan cuisine is a paradise unto itself. Local magnificence aside, it might also be the paucity of nearby world-class sights. Rome. However, if art is more your thing, Florence is hard to beat. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. The city itself is a beauty, but it offers more than even meets the eye. Pisa has that famous tower, Lucca embodies the medieval walled ideal, Siena is a hilltop paragon of Italian Gothic beauty, Arezzo has art, Chianti pours its incomparable wine the list goes on and on. That said, as a general guide, we would recommend allowing at least 2-3 days for Florence and 4-7 days for Rome. Meals feature platters of cured meats, cheeses and pate-topped toasts, and mains include bistecca alla fiorentina, Florences iconic T-bone steak. Let us know on our Facebook page! Its one of the worlds most charismatic cities. From Florences mouthwatering Florentine steak to Romes iconic spaghetti carbonara, there is something for everyone to enjoy. And if youre anything like us, youll want to visit Rome and Florence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Naples in January are around 8C (47F), and Florence is about 7C (45F). Plan ahead! Check rates & books your stay at the Pantheon Inn! One option is to take a bus. Hitting Rome and Florence back to back might be a bit intense for . Before heading home, Francis . Make the most of your time in Italy with Lonely Planets range of travel guides and phrasebooks. And because its such a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, youll have no trouble meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures living in Rome. Romans eat late and then drink at bars before heading off to a club around 1am. For those who want to experience something truly unique, there is also the opportunity to enjoy the evenings in both cities with an aperitif. When considering Florence vs. Rome, know that with every turn on the streets of Florence comes a new sculpture, stunning mural, or picture-perfect piece of Renaissance architecture. Last Updated October 9, 2022 Florence, the City of Lilies, and Rome, the Eternal City, both own up to their nicknames thanks to their charms and grandeur. But theres something about Florence that just cant be beat. From world-renowned dishes like spaghetti alla carbonara and tonnarelli cacio e pepe to more humble fares like street food suppl and trippa alla romana, the Eternal City offers something for every taste. If shopping is on your list, Rome is the winner in the great Florence vs. Rome debate. The delights of bothRome and Florence are reason enough for a trip to Italy. We recommend both food tours in both cities. Ive enjoyed reading your posts so much! I know Florence better than Rome and each time I'm there I buy Deruta pottery from this place-La Botteghina Del Ceramista . In Rome, you can visit famous landmarks such as the Vatican City and St. Peters Basilica, which are decked out in holiday decorations this time of year. You can even explore the archaeological remains of bathhouses, palaces, and meeting spaces where the Romans spent most of their time. Boasting a number of world-class wineries such as Antinori and Frescobaldi, if you are a fan of Italian wine, you definitely dont want to miss going wine tasting in the Chianti region. If you absolutely must choose between the two, we would recommend Florence if you are interested in smaller, walkable cities and accessible countryside on your trip, and Rome if youre looking for a large, majestic citywhat other kind of experience could Rome offer, after all, after being the seat of an empire? The best part about Florence is that you can plan your day on your own accord. But yes, Florences quiet side streets are so dreamy. But it is not dummy-proof, which is why we enlisted three of Italy's most knowledgeable Italy experts to pen this guide, which was revised after Italy's pandemic lockdowns. You can stroll through the ruins of the splendor that once defined the Roman Empire, and get an close-up look at the regal relics. If so, then Rome is the city for you (and some of the historical, Major sites, like the Colosseum and the Vatican, are not within walking distance of each other, so planning an itinerary (and getting around to all the most. Florence vs. Venice, Italy | Which Should you Visit? There are many reasons to choose Rome over Florence as a travel destination, and wanting to visit the Vatican is a pretty obvious one. ROME, June 16 (Reuters) - Pope Francis was discharged from hospital on Friday morning, nine days after surgery to repair an abdominal hernia, and his doctor said he was stronger than before . Theres no denying that Florence and Rome are two of the most art-rich cities in the world. There are, however, a few differences that you should keep in mind when choosing Rome vs. Florence. It has an edge for 2, 6, and 7. I hope you have a magnificent time in Sicily! Rome or Florence: Which Italian City to Visit? - tosomeplacenew Packed with iconic sites like the Duomo, Santa Croce, the Uffizi Gallery, and more, the best part of Florence is that everything is in walking distance. Each city boasts some of the most magnificent things that Italy has to offer, from artistic masterpieces like the statue of David to world-class archeological sites like the Colosseum. The best way to travel between Rome and Florence is by train. If you really want to live like an Italian, you dont have to rush at all. Its the fastest, most efficient, and relatively easiest way. Each of these romantic cities figures prominently on the bucket lists of travelers worldwide. Both Rome and Florence have a lot to offer and it really depends on what youre looking for.