A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bucharest or Pompeii?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Pompeii. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a charming, historical, and less touristy city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a iconic, one-of-a-kind, and ancient archeological site. And you can't forget about the museums.

Bucharest and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Pompeii?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bucharest. Although Bucharest and Pompeii are both popular with visitors, Bucharest has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bucharest is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Pompeii is known for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Bucharest and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Bucharest is popular for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. It is also home to The Palace of Parliament.

How is Bucharest different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bucharest or Pompeii?

Pompeii is renowned for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Pompeii are among the most recognizable in the world. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bucharest is very good for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Bucharest is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Bucharest or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Bucharest is very good for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bucharest. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Bucharest or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Bucharest has an old town worth visiting. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Pompeii?

Bucharest is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Bucharest has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Bucharest or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Pompeii is a very kid-friendly archeological site. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Pompeii is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Pompeii makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bucharest and Pompeii are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Bucharest or Pompeii Better for Students?

Pompeii is a good destination for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

Is Bucharest or Pompeii Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bucharest is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Bucharest offers a very effecient public transportation network. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Bucharest or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Pompeii on foot is easy. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

For even more information, also check out Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bucharest or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bucharest than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bucharest than Pompeii 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 Bucharest.

One day in Bucharest or Pompeii?

In Bucharest, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums around the archeological site of Pompeii. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pompeii has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Pompeii?

In Bucharest, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bucharest has to offer.

You'll find museums around the iconic destination of Pompeii. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this archeological site has to offer. This archeological site offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Pompeii?

Bucharest is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the one-of-a-kind archeological site of Pompeii. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bucharest or Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bucharest. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bucharest. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Pompeii is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii is more expensive. And not only is Bucharest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bucharest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bucharest and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Pompeii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pompeii than you might in Bucharest.

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

When is the best time to visit Bucharest or Pompeii?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bucharest or Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Pompeii. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Pompeii in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bucharest this time of the year. In the summer, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets more rain in July than Pompeii. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Bucharest is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bucharest or Pompeii in the Winter?

Both Pompeii and Bucharest during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the museums.

Bucharest can be very cold during winter. Bucharest is much colder than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Pompeii. The spring months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Pompeii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Pompeii averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Bucharest