Rome or Venice: Choosing the perfect Italian getaway

Are you planning a trip to Italy and want to know if Rome or Venice is better for you? This is the article for you. Here we compare the two popular holiday destinations in terms of attractions, safety, accommodation, and much more.

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Rome or Venice: Some background

Before we get into the battle of Rome vs Venice here is a little bit of background on each destination.

Rome

Located in the Central – Western part of the Italian Peninsula, Rome has gained the nickname the eternal city. It was founded over 2,700 years ago, and it’s history has shaped a lot of the world we live in, particularly Europe.

Pre-pandemic over 9 million people visited Rome each year, so it is very much a tourist hot spot. This is no surprise considering how much there is to see and do in Rome. For starters it has more churches than any other city – there are over 900, and it also has over 2000 fountains. So it’s fair to say that you won’t be bored when visiting Rome.

Venice

Located in the Northern Part of Italy, Venice is the capital of the Veneto region. The region is made up of 100 small islands in the Adriatic Sea.

Venice is often referred to as the city of canals or the floating city. With this in mind, it won’t shock you to know there are no roads in Venice only canals and footpaths.

Rome or Venice: which one is better for accommodation

Accommodation plays a big part in deciding on your next vacation. So here we look at whether Rome or Venice is better when it comes to accommodation choices.

Rome

Rome is huge and there are so many great areas to stay that suit all budget types. For a lot of the tourist attractions you want to stay somewhere in between Stazione Termini, in the east, and the Vatican City in the west. Around Termini station it can be a bit rough around the edges, but the accommodation is really well priced and there are a lot of food and drink options around here.

Wondering if Rome is worth visiting? Here is a guide.

Venice

Accommodation in Venice is expensive. Space is at such a premium here so you will find yourself forking out quite a bit of money for a really small room. Ours was so small in fact that the shower was almost over the toilet and every time we washed, the bathroom would be left soaking. Unfortunately this is just how it is in Venice.

You need to book your accommodation early, and try to avoid visiting during festivals or key holidays as prices skyrocket.

Wondering if Venice is worth visiting? Here is a guide.

Rome or Venice?

Rome is the better choice when it comes to accommodation options. It’s a bigger city, so obviously there is more choice. Space in Venice is very much at a premium and because of this hotels are super expensive.

Rome or Venice: which one is better for attractions

If you are wondering if Rome or Venice is the better option for you based on tourist attractions alone, this is the section for you.

Rome

Full of ancient sites, roman ruins, and trendy neighbourhoods, there is no shortage of things to do in Rome. Here are some of the highlights.

And for more information on visiting Rome you can checkout this guide.

The Colosseum

So you really cannot visit Rome without seeing the Colosseum. Built in 69-70 AD  and is by far one of the most popular attractions in Rome. It has a bloody history as it was famously where tens of thousands of animals and gladiators met their gruesome ends as crowds looked on.

Pantheon

This former Roman temple turned church is another of Rome’s most iconic sights and best preserved too.

Inside the Pantheon is the dome which has a hole in the top. This is referred to as the eye or oculus of the Pantheon. Water can get in when it rains but only a small amount and  it drains through the slanted floor of the structure.

The Vatican Museum

Home to about 7km of exhibitions, the Vatican Museum is famed for housing one of the world’s greatest art collections. You could realistically spend all day here admiring the exhibits, though for the more time conscious, the Sistine Chapel is a must see.

The chapel roof was actually one of Michelangelo’s most challenging creations. It is such an incredible piece of artwork, but be warned it is strictly prohibited to take photos inside.

St Peter’s Basilica

Around the corner from The Vatican Museum is St Peter’s Basilica. Although I should point out that technically the museum and St Peter’s Basilica are not in Rome or Italy, but Vatican City instead.

The Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps are a set of steps between the Piazza di Spagna at the base, and Piazza Trinita dei Monti, with the church of the same name at the top.

I should also mention that all those photos of the steps with barely anyone on them are actually taken really early in the morning. Don’t expect to get the steps all to yourself unless you are willing to get up early.

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain dates back to ancient Roman times and is one of the oldest water sources in Rome. It is tradition when visiting to toss a coin over your shoulder into the fountain. This ensures that you will be back in the city one day.

Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum

One of the most ancient sites in Rome is Palatine Hill. Located next to the Colosseum Palatine Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome. Apparently in ancient times Palatine Hill was prime real estate.

The Palatine is home to the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus, and is basically an archeological site. Some of Ancient Rome’s most famous legends were said to have taken place here such as Romulus and Remus being found in the cave by the she-wolf.

Venice

Filled with grand buildings, and glorious canals Venice is very much a sight to behold. Here are some of the top things to do.

For more on Venice here is a 3 day itinerary.

San Marco

San Marco, or St Mark’s Square is the main square in Venice. And one of the top sights is of course the Basilica di San Marco. There are lots of places to sit and enjoy an incredibly overpriced coffee, and it’s also great for people watching.

Palazzo Ducale

This light pink checkered building near St Mark’s Square is not to be missed. The attic housed a prison that Cassanova himself was held in. There is also a secret passages tour here that we unfortunately didn’t get a chance to do, but it is on our list for next time.

Doge’s Palace

Doge’s Palace is one of the most important historic landmarks in Venice. It once served as the seat of Venetian politics and power, and is now a popular tourist attraction.

The Bridge of Sighs

This small limestone bridge is one of the most popular in Venice. Apparently it was built to move prisoners between buildings, and rumour has it the bridge was the last view of the outside world for criminals being sentenced to their deaths. As they viewed the world for the last time they would take a final sigh.

Go island hopping

Another must in Venice is to take the Vaporetto to some of the other islands like Murano, Burano, and the Lido. They are all so different but Burano with its colourful houses has to be our absolute favourite. You can also book private tours with professionals who will be able to give you all the information you need about each of the islands and their history.

Ride a gondola

It’s totally cliched, but something that must be done in Venice. You can get a Gondola from several locations around Venice. A lot of people tend to depart from around San Marco, but we decided to hop on around the Rialto.

Rialto Bridge

One of the oldest and grandest bridges in Venice is the Rialto. It is a very busy bridge though so be prepared to jostle your way through swarms of tourists. From the top though you get a pretty incredible view of the Grand Canal.

Rome or Venice?

This is a hard one, but we have to go with Rome. Venice is beautiful but Rome has some of the most visited attractions in the world.

Rome or Venice: which one is better for unique experiences

If you are looking for something a little different for your next holiday, or just want to find some hidden gems, you might be wondering if Venice or Rome is the better choice.

Rome

Obviously the thing that draws tourists to Rome is the ancient Roman empire and it’s history. There are just so many magical wonders to find in the city, from unique arty courtyards, to rooftop bars with breathtaking views.

Venice

Venice itself is a unique experience. I mean where else in the world can you go where there are no cars, but instead gondolas are considered a form of transport? From the magical Grand Canal to the impressive walkways and opulent architecture, Venice feels like a fairy tale.

Rome or Venice?

Venice is the winner because just walking around here is an out of this world experience.

Rome or Venice: which one is more picturesque

Here we explore whether Rome or Venice is the more picturesque city to visit.

Rome

Rome is a mystical city filled with Roman ruins, cobbled streets, and stunning piazzas. It feels like everywhere you turn you will find ancient architecture mixed into an urban cityscape. A lot of the beauty is very obvious but in our opinion the true picturesque spots in Rome are when you delve deeper than the traditional tourist spots.

Venice

Venice is an unbelievable city with canals, ancient architecture, and so much beauty everywhere you turn. In fact one of our favourite things to do in Venice is to just wander the streets and get lost.

Rome or Venice?

It’s a tough call but we think Venice is more picturesque. For us it’s the grand architecture located on the atmospheric canals that makes it the clear winner.

Rome or Venice: which one is easier to get to

Getting to a city is an important consideration when planning your vacation. But is Rome or Venice easier to get to.

Rome

As the capital of Italy Rome is a very easy place to get to. There are two main airports, Leonardo da Vinci / Fiumicino and Ciampino. Leonardo da Vinci / Fiumicino is the largest airport in Rome and this is where the bulk of international flights will arrive.

From here you can get a taxi, bus or train into the centre of Rome.

You also have Ciampino which used to be a military airport, but is now frequented by Ryanair flights from around Europe. It’s a much smaller airport, although it is slightly closer to town than Fiumicino. Again you have options to get a bus or a taxi into town. There is also the Airlink which involves a bus and a train.

Venice

A lot of European airlines and low cost carriers fly to Venice. Some US airlines also fly directly to Venice. If you cannot get a direct flight you may need to change in another major European city.

The airport itself isn’t technically in Venice, but is on the mainland. From the airport you can either get a bus over the Ponte della Liberta, a road that connects Venice to the mainland. Or if you have the money and want to arrive in style you can also travel by water taxi.

Rome or Venice?

As Rome is the capital of Italy it is the easier city to get to as there are a lot more flight options. That being said once you get to either airport it is relatively easy to get to your hotel.

Rome or Venice: which one is easier to get around

Getting around on holiday is another important factor when deciding where to go. Here is our breakdown of Rome and Venice and which one is easier to navigate.

Rome

Public transport in Rome is easy to negotiate, and will get you around pretty quickly. You can purchase a pass that will allow you access to buses and the subway for a little over €10 for 3 days. You need to validate your ticket before you ride, but after that you are free to use public transport at your leisure. Also it is handy to know that buses tend to run 24 hours a day.

Venice

Venice has no roads so your public transport options are going to involve boats of course. But before we get into that we should say Venice is a very walkable island. If you are wanting to cruise the Grand Canal, or head to some of the other islands like Burano, then you will need to rely on public transport.

The easiest way to do this is to purchase a Vaporetto or ferry ticket and you are set. There are different options, but we just ended up purchasing a daily ticket each day we wanted to use public transport.

Rome or Venice?

Both are easy to get around. Rome is great because of the 24 hour buses, but Venice is our winner. That is mostly because public transport in Venice is incredible. I mean you get to float down the Grand Canal, and honestly it is one of the most beautiful public transport routes we have ever taken.

Rome or Venice: which one is better for food

If you are anything like us you will be keen to discover if Rome or Venice is the better destination when it comes to food.

Rome

If you love pizza and pasta, Rome is the place for you. The amount of great restaurants serving classic Italian dishes is unreal. And a lot of it is really good quality, and cheap too. You just need to make sure you avoid the tourist traps.

Try and discover where the locals go. Checkout the neighbourhoods, and stay away from restaurants near places like the Spanish Steps, or the Trevi Fountain. Trastevere for example is a great neighbourhood for foodie treats. And for tips on the 25 best restaurants in Trastevere, you might find this guide useful.

Pizza and pasta isn’t the only food you should try in Rome. Other foods we recommend are your simmered beef dishes, fresh artichokes, and your creamy gelatos. You really won’t be disappointed when it comes to food in Rome.

Venice

Food in Venice is an interesting one. Venice has some really good food, and quality seafood dishes is the go to thing here. Risotto with squid ink is a must, but you need to make sure it’s from a good restaurant not a tourist trap.

Tourist traps are usually restaurants on main streets with servers at the front trying to gain your custom. They also have the menu in a lot of different languages or with lots of pictures. These restaurants usually serve average food and charge a lot for the privilege. For example don’t eat around the Rialto or St Mark’s Square.

If you do your research you will be rewarded with great food. Something common in Venice is Cichetti, which is finger food that is great with a glass of wine. The idea is that you should visit different bars, have some snacks and wine and move on to the next place.

Rome or Venice?

Because there are more low quality tourist trap style restaurants in Venice, Rome is our winner when it comes to food.

Rome or Venice: which one is better for nightlife

If you love a good night out, you might be wondering if Rome or Venice is the better choice.

Rome

Rome is a big city and is perfect if you are wanting to experience the nightlife. There is something here for everyone, from nightclubs, to cocktail lounges. We found that eating and drinking go hand in hand in Rome. It’s a great place to go to sip wine, nibble on food, and just enjoy your evening.

Venice

The nightlife in Venice is a little more subdued. It’s not really somewhere you would go for nightclubs, but rather cocktails and win by the canal. If you want to chill and enjoy your surroundings then Venice is for you.

Rome or Venice?

Rome is the winner just because there is way more choice when it comes to nightlife.

Rome or Venice: which one is better for culture

If your idea of a perfect holiday is to take in the culture then you might be wondering if Rome or Venice is the best place to experience this.

Rome

Rome really is a cultural melting pot full of exquisite art, architecture, food, and so much more. If you are a lover of all things cultural then Rome is a great place to visit. From learning about history, to admiring art you will find a lot here to satisfy your cultural needs.

Venice

Venice is also an interesting place when it comes to culture, and despite being in the same country as Rome is a completely different cultural experience. It’s a mix of Renaissance art, and Byzantine architecture, which is reflective of the cities past. Music and dance, and of course masked balls all play a bit part in Venice, and shaping the culture of the island.

Rome or Venice?

Honestly Rome and Venice are both great for culture so we couldn’t possibly choose. They are so different and we recommend experiencing them both.

Rome or Venice: which one is better for safety

Safety is a huge consideration when visiting a new place. So is Rome or Venice safer?

Rome

Rome does have a bit of a reputation for being rough around the edges. There are definitely some neighbourhoods you should avoid especially at night. This is pretty standard though wherever you are in Europe.

If you are sticking to the tourist spots they are pretty safe. You do need to have your wits about you though because pickpocketing and petty theft is rife. There are also a lot of scams that target tourists. For instance people may come up to you selling flowers, which is fine. But often they will shove the flowers into your hands and then demand payment. It can be a bit awkward for first time visitors.

Venice

Venice is a very safe place to visit. It’s an island, and the majority of people that live or work here are in some way related to the tourist industry. For that reason it’s generally safe, even walking around at night.

Of course anywhere where there are tourists are pickpockets and petty thieves. So so be mindful of this especially in crowded tourist spots.

Rome or Venice?

Venice is the clear winner when it comes to safety. It’s a lot smaller, and kind of exists in a sort of bubble compared to Rome.

Rome or Venice: which one is better for couples

If you are travelling as a couple this next section is for you. Here we decide if Rome or Venice is the better choice for a romantic break.

Rome

Rome is a great place for a couples holiday. It’s got great restaurants and with its ancient surroundings and cobbled streets you really can’t go wrong.

Some of the most beautiful places are found when you are just wandering around. Although we do recommend a visit to the Trevi Fountain so that you can toss a coin over your shoulder and make a wish. The nearby Spanish Steps are a brilliant place to watch the sunset too.

Venice

Venice is so romantic and is the perfect backdrop for a couples holiday. There is so much to do from sipping wine by the canals, to being serenaded on a gondola. The city is practically built for romance.

Rome or Venice?

Venice is the winner, because well it’s Venice.

Rome or Venice: which one is better for families

If you are visiting Italy with kids you might be wondering if Rome or Venice is the better option.

Rome

Rome is definitely a great place to visit with kids. There is a lot of cool stuff for them to explore and learn about from the ancient ruins and Colosseum. There are also tons of museums, and parks to explore as a family.

Venice

Like Rome, Venice has a lot of history and cool things to explore. And what kid isn’t fascinated by a floating city?

Rome or Venice?

They are both great places to go with kids, and are very child friendly. Rome probably has just that little bit more to do though so we would go with it over Venice for a family trip.

Rome or Venice: which one is better for solo travel

If you are travelling alone you might be wondering which city has more to see and do. Here are our thoughts.

Rome

Rome is a great place to visit if you are travelling solo. For starters it is a relatively safe city particularly in tourist areas. There is also so much to see and do that you certainly will not be bored.

There are also several guided tours you can join including neighbourhood exploration tours, and pub crawls.

Venice

Venice is also good for solo travel in that it is safe and easy to get around. It is expensive though, so if you are travelling solo be prepared to fork out quite a bit for accommodation and other things.

Rome or Venice?

Rome is the better choice for solo travel just because it is cheaper and there is a bit more to see and do.

Rome or Venice: which one is cheaper

Costs are another big consideration when planning your next vacation. Here we decide if Rome or Venice is the cheaper option.

Rome

Rome was a lot cheaper than we thought. But that’s not too say it is super cheap. It’s pretty average in terms of costs for a large European capital.

We would recommend budgeting about €100 per person per day for a mid range trip to Rome. This will include things like transport, meals out, drinks including cocktails, and attractions. You can obviously spend a lot more or a lot less depending on your travel style.

If you want to save some money in Rome, make sure you avoid the tourist trap style restaurants. That’s essentially any restaurant close to a main attraction, and any place with people standing at the front trying to lure you in.

Some tourist attractions can be costly, but there are also tons of free things to do in Rome as well.

Venice

There is no way to sugarcoat this, Venice is an expensive city. Maybe not in the same realms of Copenhagen or Oslo, but it’s still pretty pricey.

You need to remember that Venice is an island so it costs quite a bit to ship goods in and out of the city, which means things are expensive. That also includes food! It’s easy to fall for tourist trap style restaurants as well, because Venice is really catered towards tourists.

Rome or Venice?

Rome is by far the cheaper option when it comes to most things like food and accommodation.

Rome or Venice: which one is better for day trips

If you are planning some day trips you might be wondering if Rome or Venice offers a better day trip experience.

Rome

If you are looking for day trips Rome has some excellent options. For example you can visit Pompeii, and there are many tour operators that will drive you there and back within a day.

Naples and the Amalfi Coast are also good options if you want to see a little bit more of Italy. And Florence is only 1.5 hours away on a train.

Venice

Venice too has some excellent options when it comes to day trips. For starters you can explore some of the other islands of the Veneto including Burano and the Lido.

Verona, which you may know from Romeo and Juliet is also pretty close and is about a 1.5 hour drive from Venice. And you can even venture out to the Dolomite Mountains which is about 2.5 hours drive from Venice.

Rome or Venice?

Whilst Rome and Venice both have excellent day trip options Rome is our favourite especially because you get a real taste of Italy which is only a day trip away. Also it’s really close to Pompeii which is a must!

Rome or Venice: which one is better in summer

If you are wanting to travel over the summer months this section compares Rome and Venice to determine which is the better option in the sunshine.

Rome

Summers in Rome can be pretty hot and humid. Temperatures range from 17-31 degrees Celsius. Although in our experience Rome isn’t hugely enjoyable in the humidity.

It’s also peak tourist season. Hotels increase their prices, and you will find yourself queuing for a lot of the main attractions in the city.

Venice

Similar to Rome Venice gets pretty hot and humid in the summer months. It also becomes crowded with tourists, particularly those on day trips.

Summer is also known for its mosquitos so it is also worth brining some repellant with you. Another downside of visiting in the summer is that you can get some interesting smells from the canals.

Rome or Venice?

Both are incredibly hot and humid, and overcrowded with tourists in the summer months. It’s a close call but we would probably choose Rome just because there is more space so you can get away from the hectic touristy parts.

Rome or Venice: which one is better in winter

If you are planning to travel to Italy in the winter months you might be wondering if Rome or Venice is the better choice.

Rome

Rome has some pretty mild winters, so it’s a pretty good time to visit. Temperatures range between 4 – 14 degrees Celsius. So obviously you need to dress appropriately, but it rarely goes below freezing.

It’s also the off season so lines are shorter, hotels are cheaper, and you are likely to have a more pleasant experience than say the summer months.

One thing to keep in mind though is that December especially around the religious holidays gets busy. Christmas and Boxing Day (St Stephen’s Day) are particularly busy, so you probably want to avoid Vatican City on these days.

Venice

Venice in winter is a completely different experience than in the summer. It is obviously a lot colder with temperatures averaging at around 10 degrees Celsius. It does also snow in the winter months which is something to keep in mind particularly in regards to your packing list.

Something else to keep in mind in the winter months is that the city can be prone to flooding. This is particularly an issue between October and January.

Winter is a lot quieter in Venice, so if you want to avoid the mass crowds and over-tourism the winter months might be ideal.

Rome or Venice?

Rome is the better option in winter just because of the risk of flooding in Venice.

Rome or Venice: which one is for me

So you have made it through this article and hopefully you have an idea of whether Rome or Venice is the better destination for your next Italian trip. Both cities are Italian bucket list destinations but here is a recap on both.

Rome

Rome is the place to go for history buffs, and those looking to visit the famous sights of the city. It’s a popular tourist destination but for good reason.

Venice

Venice is ideal if you are after more of a relaxed and picturesque break. It’s ideal for couples, and those wanting to get lost wandering around the gorgeous canals and alleyways.

Rome or Venice?

It’s a really tough call when deciding on Rome or Venice because quite frankly they are two incredibly different Italian cities.

We preferred Venice because it is unbelievably beautiful, and one of those places you have to see to believe. We also visited as a couple and there is nothing better than sitting by the canal, sipping Prosecco and watching the gondolas float on by. I know it is expensive, and I know that it is really touristy, but Venice captured our heart the moment we set foot in it.

That being said if you want a city break, where you can explore ancient ruins, munch on pizza, and get to grips with trendy neighbourhoods, Rome is the place for you.

If you want to relax, take in the scenery, and feel like you have been transported to a completely different decade Venice is for you.

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Happy travels!