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

Should you visit Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt and Rome can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a connected, energetic, and dynamic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Frankfurt and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Rome?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rome than Frankfurt. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rome is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Frankfurt attracts visitors for its historical sights. Rome is more touristy than Frankfurt 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. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.

The Colosseum

How is Frankfurt different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rome is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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 Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Rome is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Frankfurt or Rome Better for Nightlife?

Rome is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

The people in Frankfurt know how to have a good time. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Frankfurt or Rome Better for Music?

Rome is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Rome has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Is Frankfurt or Rome Better for its Old Town?

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

Frankfurt offers a nice historic old town area. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Rome does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Rome?

Rome is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Rome specifically to go shopping. 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.

Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Frankfurt or Rome Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Frankfurt. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt or Rome Better for Couples?

Rome is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Frankfurt or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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).

Backpackers come from all over to visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Is Frankfurt or Rome Better for Students?

Both Frankfurt and Rome are amazing destinations for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Frankfurt. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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

Visitors will find amazing public transit in both Frankfurt and Rome.

Visitors in Frankfurt can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Rome has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

Is Frankfurt or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Rome. 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.

Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Rome or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Rome?

Both Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Frankfurt, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

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

Frankfurt is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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 Frankfurt or Rome?

Frankfurt 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.

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 Frankfurt or Rome?

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

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 Frankfurt or Rome?

The modern city of Frankfurt 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Frankfurt and Rome, we can see that Rome is more expensive. And not only is Frankfurt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Frankfurt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

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

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Frankfurt. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Rome?

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 Frankfurt or Rome in the Summer?

Both Rome and Frankfurt during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Frankfurt is cooler than Rome in the summer. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Frankfurt. In the summer, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Rome. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets more rain in July than Rome. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Rome in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Rome. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. 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, Frankfurt is much colder than Rome. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Frankfurt in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Rome averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Rome during autumn. Frankfurt gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Rome. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Rome in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Rome. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Rome because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Frankfurt can be very cold during winter. In January, Frankfurt is generally much colder than Rome. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 1°C (34°F), and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Rome. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Rome in the Spring?

Both Rome and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

Frankfurt is cooler than Rome in the spring. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Rome. Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Rome during spring. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Frankfurt usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rome. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rome and Frankfurt