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

Should you visit Dubai or Rome?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Rome can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a opulent, modern, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Dubai attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Dubai travel costs.

Rome

Rome is a fun-filled, popular, and ancient city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come to Rome because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Rome travel costs.

Dubai and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Rome?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rome than Dubai. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rome is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, and impressive beauty, while Dubai attracts visitors for its skiing, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Rome is more touristy than Dubai and is popular 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 well known for The Colosseum. Dubai is famous for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style.

The Colosseum

How is Dubai different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Rome Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a city with a few options for winter skiing. However, Rome is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Dubai for snow skiing. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Rome is not a skiing destination.

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

Rome is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Rome has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dubai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

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

Rome is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Rome has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Dubai makes for a great culinary experience. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

Is Dubai or Rome Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find amazing options in both Dubai and Rome.

People head to Dubai just to party. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

The nightlife in Rome is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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 Dubai or Rome Better for Music?

Dubai and Rome are both destinations where visitors can find amazing live music.

Dubai has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Rome is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Is Dubai or Rome Better for Resorts?

Dubai is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Rome is not a resort destination.

Dubai is a world class resort vacation destination. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Rome is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Rome Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rome is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Dubai. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Rome is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Rome Better for Beaches?

Dubai 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 Dubai. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Rome is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Rome?

If you're looking to go shopping, Dubai and Rome both offer plenty of amazing spots.

Many people travel to Dubai specifically to go shopping. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Rome is a famous shopping destination with plenty of 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 Dubai or Rome More Beautiful?

Rome is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Rome because of it's amazing beauty. With its many beautiful landmarks and impressive architecture, this city has a lot of attractive places to visit. Don't miss Villa Borghese Park, Trastevere, Palazzo Madama, the Appian Way, and Piazza Navona.

Dubai is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. With its many skyscrapers and high end resorts, this is a beautiful city to visit.

Is Dubai or Rome Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Dubai or Rome.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

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.

Is Dubai or Rome Better for Couples?

Rome is a great city for couples. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Rome is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Dubai is a nice destination for couples. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Is Dubai or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Rome, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. 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).

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Rome Better for Students?

For students, both Dubai and Rome are amazing places to visit.

Students come from all over the world to visit Dubai. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

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

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

Rome is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Rome can get you around easily. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

Dubai has a few public transit options. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Is Dubai or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Rome is a very easy city to get around 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.

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

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

Should I spend more time in Rome or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Rome?

Both Dubai 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 Dubai. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Rome than Dubai. 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 Dubai 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 Dubai or Rome?

Dubai is a big city destination where you can fill many days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Rome, many people enjoy the live music and food that this bustling big city offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Dubai or Rome?

Dubai is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rome. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Rome?

Dubai is a opulent big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Rome is a fun place to experience. In Rome, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this big city destination offers. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Dubai or Rome?

Dubai is a glamorous city where you can fill many days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

In Rome, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this popular big city offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Arab Emirates, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Rome, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Rome much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Rome is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rome would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rome 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Rome.

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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 Dubai or Rome?

Rome has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Rome in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Rome. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Rome in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is a little warmer than Rome in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Rome. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Should I visit Dubai or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Dubai is much warmer than Rome. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Rome averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Rome. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dubai or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Dubai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Rome because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Dubai is generally much warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year. January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.

Should I visit Dubai or Rome in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Rome. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

Dubai is much warmer than Rome in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Rome. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Rome and Dubai