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

Should you visit Bucharest or Rome?

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 Rome. 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 less touristy, undiscovered, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Rome

Rome is a archeological, bustling, and fun-filled city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Bucharest and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Rome?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than Bucharest, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bucharest is known for its historical sights. Rome is more touristy than Bucharest and is 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. It is also home to The Colosseum. Bucharest is popular for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

The Colosseum

How is Bucharest different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rome 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 Rome?

Rome 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 Rome are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

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 Rome? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rome is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Rome, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

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).

Is Bucharest or Rome Better for Nightlife?

Rome is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Rome is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Bucharest has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Bucharest or Rome Better for Music?

Rome is renowned for its live music scene. However, Bucharest is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Rome Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Bucharest is not a live music destination.

Is Bucharest or Rome Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.

Bucharest offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Rome does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Rome?

Rome is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Rome make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

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.

Is Bucharest or Rome Better for Families?

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

Rome is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

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 Rome Better for Couples?

Rome is well known for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Couples visit Rome frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

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 Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is renowned for backpackers. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Rome. 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).

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Is Bucharest or Rome Better for Students?

Rome is renowned for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

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.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

Rome is renowned for its public transit. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

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

Is Bucharest or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome 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 Rome on foot is easy. 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.

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 Rome Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rome or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Rome?

Both Bucharest and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Bucharest. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

Families should spend more time in Rome than Bucharest. 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 Bucharest. 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Rome?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bucharest. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

People visit Rome because there is so much to do. 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 Bucharest or Rome?

Bucharest is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

People visit Rome because there is so much to do. 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 Bucharest or Rome?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Bucharest. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

People visit Rome because there is so much to do. 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 Bucharest or Rome?

The undiscovered city of Bucharest offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Rome in the Summer?

Both Rome and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rome because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Rome. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Rome averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Rome. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bucharest. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Rome during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Rome. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bucharest or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome and Bucharest during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

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

In the autumn, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Rome. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Rome in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Rome. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Bucharest in the winter. Bucharest is much colder than Rome in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Rome during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Rome. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bucharest or Rome in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Rome. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the activities around the city. Additionally, many visitors come to Rome in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Rome. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Rome averages at about 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. In the spring, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Rome. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Rome. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rome and Bucharest