Rome and Florence are arguably the two most influential cities in Italy. People come from all over the world to get a taster of their rich history. Rome, once considered the “Capital of the World“, is home to the Colosseum and Vatican City. Florence is home to the Cathedral of Florence and is known for being the birthplace of the Renaissance, home to some of the most famous figures of the time such as Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo. If you are trying to decide between Rome or Florence, here is the ultimate guide to which city you should visit.
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Rome or Florence Overview
Rome
Rome is one of the most historic cities in the world. It is the capital and largest city in Italy with 2.88 million residents. For more than 1000 years, Rome was the most powerful and influential city in Europe. Vatican City, the world’s smallest country, is within the city of Rome. Vatican City is home to the Pope and is where St. Peter’s Basilica is located which is the largest church in the world.
Rome is the 3rd most visited city in the European Union and one of the most visited cities in the world. The city is known for its beautiful architecture and its many world-famous landmarks. Some of the most famous landmarks in the city are The Colosseum, the Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain.
Florence
Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region of Italy. During medieval times, it was the center of trade and finance for all of Europe. The city is known for its spectacular architecture found throughout the city. Florence is referred to as the “Heart of the Renaissance” with Leonardo de Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Botticelli all calling it home for an amount of time. History in this city runs very deep. Today, Florence is known for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, its art, and also for being one of the fashion capitals of the world.
Things to See
Rome
The Colosseum was completed in 80 AD. It is known for being the largest amphitheater of its time and for the hosting gladiator fights and hunts.
The Pantheon was completed in 125 AD and is one of the best-preserved Ancient Roman buildings. It is one of the oldest continuously used buildings in the world.
St. Peter’s Basilica is at the center of Vatican City and is the largest church in the world.
Sistine Chapel is in the Apostolic Palace which is the official residence of the Pope. It is known for its paintings by Michaelangelo.
Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world. It was completed in 1762.
Florence
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. The exterior is made of white marble and it has the largest brick dome ever constructed.
Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence.
The Statue of David is held in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. It was one of Michelangelo’s greatest works. The museum draws over 2 million visitors a year.
Piazzale Michelangiolo is a city square that offers one of the best panoramic views of Florence. image
Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge with shops built into it. It is one of the most iconic bridges in Europe.
Food
Rome
Being the center of one of the most famous empires in history, you can expect to find some incredible traditional cuisines in Rome. Pasta rules the food scene in Rome. Many of the main dishes served here revolve around various forms of pasta. Rigatoni Carbonara and Bucatini Amatriciana are two of the most popular dishes here. Of course, you should also try one of the many authentic Italian pizza joints. Going to a gelato shop after each meal is also something that tends to occur when you’re in Rome.
Florence
Bruschetta, also known as the original garlic bread, originated in Tuscany. It often topped with tomatoes, meats, and cheeses. Bistecca alla Fiorentina is the T-bone of Tuscany. It is typically a thick cut of meat from a young steer. It is believed that world-famous gelato originated in Florence. You need to find yourself some gelato when you are here.
Getting Around
Rome is another city that is just fun to walk around and explore. The easiest and, in most cases, the fastest form of public transportation is the system of buses. The buses run on the honor system here, meaning you are supposed to validate your ticket every time you get on the bus but is not enforced. It will look like no one is validating their tickets when you get on the bus but you run the risk of a random bus check and getting fined. There is a metro system in Rome but it only has three lines, making it the smallest metro system in Europe.
The public transportation network in Florence is primarily dominated by a large network of buses. There are also trams you can take. Most of the historic city center can easily be explored by walking. Walking is your best bet for getting a feel for the city because much of the city can be seen on foot. If you want to go to sights such as Piazzale Michelangiolo and Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte, you might want to hop on a bus to save yourself some time.
Nightlife
Rome
Rome is a city known for having late dinners so the nightlife typically doesn’t get going until 11-midnight. You can find something of any sort of nightlife on any day of the week here. One of the wildest nights of the week is actually on Monday. You can find small bars and pubs scattered throughout the city so you can find somewhere to go no matter where you choose to stay. One of the best areas to find bars and nightclubs is in the area around Monte Testaccio (Broken Pot Mountain). Qube or the Circolo Degli Illuminati are two of the best clubs in the city, although both of them are on the outskirts of the city.
Florence
Florence has quite a few universities and it is a major hub for students from all over the world which is part of the reason why the nightlife is so lively. Italians have late dinners so the absolute earliest you can expect the nightlife to start. There are many bars scattered throughout the city. If you want to dance or go clubbing, Space and Tenax are two of the most popular clubs in the city. YAB is another popular club here but make sure you dress up before going to certain nightclubs or they won’t let you in.
Day Trips
Rome
Orvieto is a small city on a hill to the north of Rome.
Bracciano sits next to a lake to the north of Rome. It is known for its medieval castle overlooking the lake.
Ostia is a small coastal city to the west of Rome. It would be a great day trip for a day on the beach.
Florence
Siena is just an hour south of Florence. The famous horse race, Palio di Siena, is held in the city square twice a year.
Pisa is just a little over an hour away from Florence. It is home to the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Volterra is a small town to the southwest of Florence. It is known for its beautiful setting and medieval architecture.
To the north of Florence is the beautiful city of Milan, which would make for an excellent excursion if you have the time to do so. Bologna is another city north of Florence definitely worth considering.
Overall
Rome and Florence have been two of the most influential cities in Europe over the centuries. People from all over the world come to see the history and cultures in these two cities. Both cities should be seen by everyone at some point or another. You can see Florence in 3 or 4 days and you can see most of the main sites in Rome in 4 or 5 days. If you want to see ancient landmarks then Rome is the obvious choice. If you are more into the Renaissance era then Florence would be the choice for you.