A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Barcelona vs. Rome for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Music

Should you visit Barcelona or Rome?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Barcelona and Rome can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a historic, cultural, and friendly city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Rome

Rome is a ancient, archeological, and bustling city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Barcelona and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Barcelona or Rome?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Barcelona than Rome. While Rome is larger than Barcelona, Barcelona has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Barcelona is better known for its beaches and historical sights, while Rome is more popular for its museums, food, and impressive beauty. Barcelona is well known for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. Also, Barcelona is famous for Basilica Sagrada Familia. Rome is well known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots.

How is Barcelona different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rome and Barcelona. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Barcelona or Rome?

Rome is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Rome that are not to be missed. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Barcelona. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.

Is the Food Better in Barcelona or Rome? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rome is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Rome have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

Barcelona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.

Is Barcelona or Rome Better for Nightlife?

Both Barcelona and Rome are world-class when it comes to partying.

Barcelona is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.

Rome has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

Is Barcelona or Rome Better for Music?

Both Barcelona and Rome offer world-class live music venues.

Barcelona is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Rome. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Is Barcelona or Rome Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is a city with good options for the beach. However, Rome is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Barcelona. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.

Rome is not a beach destination.

Is Barcelona or Rome Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.

Barcelona is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.

Rome does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Barcelona or Rome?

Both Barcelona and Rome are world-class shopping destinations.

Barcelona is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Known for shopping, Rome draws large crowds to its stores. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

Is Barcelona or Rome Better for Families?

Rome is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Rome is a very family-friendly place to visit. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Barcelona is a family-friendly city. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.

Is Barcelona or Rome Better for Couples?

Rome is a well-known place for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Rome is a very popular place to visit for couples. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Barcelona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.

Is Barcelona or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Barcelona and Rome are world-class destinations for backpackers.

Barcelona is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Rome is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

Is Barcelona or Rome Better for Students?

Barcelona and Rome are both world-class destinations for students and younger travelers.

Barcelona is a very popular city for students. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.

Rome is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

Is Barcelona or Rome Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rome is renowned for its public transit. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Rome has a great public transit system. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

The public transit in Barcelona can get you around easily. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.

Is Barcelona or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is renowned for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Rome on foot. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.

For even more information, also check out Is Barcelona Worth Visiting? and Is Rome Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rome or Barcelona?

How long in Barcelona or Rome?

Both Barcelona and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Rome has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rome than Barcelona. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Rome than Barcelona. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rome, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Rome than Barcelona. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rome that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome than Barcelona if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Rome.

One day in Barcelona or Rome?

Barcelona is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Rome. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Barcelona or Rome?

Barcelona is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find live music and food around the archeological big city of Rome. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Barcelona or Rome?

Barcelona is a youthful big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find food and shopping around the popular city of Rome. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Barcelona or Rome?

Barcelona is a historic city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Rome is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rome, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Barcelona and Rome, we can see that Rome is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Barcelona Expensive? and Is Rome Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Barcelona or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Barcelona. When comparing the sizes of Barcelona and Rome, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Barcelona or Rome?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Barcelona or Rome in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Barcelona and Rome. The summer months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

In July, Barcelona is generally around the same temperature as Rome. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 23°C (73°F), and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. Barcelona usually receives less sunshine than Rome during summer. Barcelona gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Barcelona usually receives more rain than Rome. Barcelona gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Barcelona or Rome in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Barcelona as well as Rome. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Barcelona is around the same temperature as Rome in the autumn. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Barcelona often gets less sunshine than Rome. Barcelona gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Rome. Barcelona gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Barcelona are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Barcelona is around the same temperature as Rome. Typically, the winter temperatures in Barcelona in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Rome averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Barcelona usually receives more sunshine than Rome during winter. Barcelona gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Rome. Barcelona gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Barcelona or Rome in the Spring?

Both Rome and Barcelona during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Barcelona in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Barcelona is generally around the same temperature as Rome. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 13°C (55°F), and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Barcelona. In the spring, Barcelona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rome. Barcelona gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Rome. Barcelona gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rome and Barcelona