A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Gran Canaria vs. Rome for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Gran Canaria or Rome?

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

Should I visit Gran Canaria or Rome? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Gran Canaria or Rome?

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is the third largest of the islands, and is known for its variety of volcanic beaches. This island is sometimes called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, which allow for a range of activities like hiking, biking, surfing, and scuba diving.

Rome

Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. It is also a common entry point for most visitors flying into the country. Rome has been a center of power, culture, and religion for the last millenium, making it one of the most famous and popular destinations in not only Europe, but the world. The influence of the Roman Empire can be seen across continents.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Rome or Gran Canaria?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Gran Canaria is €125, while the average daily cost in Rome is €170. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Gran Canaria and Rome in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gran Canaria 63
    Rome 89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gran Canaria 126
    Rome 178
Compare Hotels in Gran Canaria and Rome

Looking for a hotel in Gran Canaria or Rome? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Gran Canaria


Hotels in Rome


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Rome Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gran Canaria 46
    Rome 21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gran Canaria

Also for Gran Canaria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Buggy Tour of 2 hours in the afternoon with Transfers only South Zone: $71
  • El Salobre: Horse Riding Adventure with Transfer Options: $32
  • From Playa del Inglés: Guided Jet Ski Tour & Hotel Transfers: $160
  • Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) to Playa del Ingles - Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from El Salobre to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $47
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Fataga to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $79
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Gáldar to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $64
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Ingenio to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $31
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from La Milagrosa to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $43
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Agüimes: $31
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Amadores: $61
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Anfí del Mar: $61

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:


  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    2.00
  • Train to the Airport
    15
  • Taxi to Airport
    45
  • Bicycle Rental (Full Day)
    10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:

  • Trieste Port: One-Way Private Transfer to/from Rome Hotels: $2,535
  • Fiumucino Rome Airport (FCO): 1-Way Transfer To Trieste Port: $2,535
  • Rome Airport (FCO): Transfer to/from Venice Port: $2,007
  • Luxury Private Transfer Siena to Rome Fiumicino Airport: $973
  • Private luxury transfer Siena to Rome city center: $936
  • Luxury private transfer Siena to Rome Ciampino airport: $936
  • Private Transfer from Amalfi to Rome or viceversa: $839
  • From Sorrento: Private Transfer to Rome or Vice Versa: $813
  • Verona Airport (VRN) : One-Way Private Transfer to Ravenna: $706
  • Sorrento to Rome 1-Way Private Transfer: $663
  • Private Transfer from Naples to Rome or viceversa: $620
  • From Private Transfer to Naples or Vice Versa: $588

Is it cheaper to fly into Gran Canaria or Rome?

Prices for flights to both Rome and Gran Canaria change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Gran Canaria 34
    Rome 47

Typical Food Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    14
  • 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
    2.99
  • Cafe e doce
    4.00
  • Pizza (Fast Food)
    2.65
  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    32
  • Cheese and bread
    10
  • Espresso
    2.00
  • Dinner
    58

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.

  • Award-Winning Roman Food Tours: $16
  • Tipsy Food Crawl Walking Tour with Dinner: $31
  • Vatican and Trionfale Farmers Market Food tour and Wine tasting : $32
  • Food Tour of the Vatican with Farmers Market and Wine Tasting: $32
  • Rome Food Tour with Wine Tasting and Farmers Market in Prati Area: $32
  • Guided Food Tour with Food and Drink Tastings: $33
  • Roman Master Chef Cooking Class with Wine: $36
  • Roman Dinner & History Tour: An Epic Journey Through Time: $37
  • Painting & Pizza Party with Unlimited Wine: $40
  • Campo dei Fiori & Jewish Ghetto area Street Food Tour: $42
  • Rome Food Tour : Street Food Testings with Local Guide: $43
  • Wine Tasting and Food Tour at Vatican and Trionfale Farmers: $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gran Canaria 20
    Rome 36

Tours and Activities in Gran Canaria

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gran Canaria.

  • Walking tour Vegueta (old town Las Palmas): $7.49
  • Walking tour old town Las Palmas Vegueta: $7.64
  • Las Palmas: Old Town Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.45
  • Agüimes: Cocodrilo Park Zoo Entry Ticket: $11
  • Banana Plantation Guided Tour & Tasting: $13
  • Angry Birds Activity Park Entry Ticket: $14
  • Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $14
  • Skip the Line: Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $14
  • Maspalomas: Bowling Session Entry Ticket at Holiday World: $15
  • Taurito: Lago Taurito Water Park Entrance Ticket: $17
  • Puerto de Mogan: Friday Market Experience: $24
  • Winery Tour, Wine Museum, and Tasting: $24

Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome

Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
    69
  • Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
    33
  • Roma Pass
    30
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
    20
  • Segway Tour
    75

Tours and Activities in Rome

Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Appian Way and Aqueducts Electric Bike Tour: $82
  • Castel Sant Angelo Skip the Line Tickets: $39
  • Colosseum Arena Floor Guided Tour with Ancient Rome Access : $195
  • Colosseum Gladiator Arena Floor Complete Guided Tour : $206
  • Colosseum Tour With Kids: $195
  • Colosseum and Ancient Rome Tour with Circus Maximus and Forums: $16
  • Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill Professional Guided Tour: $161
  • Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Tour: $184
  • Complete St Peters Basilica Tour with Dome Climb and Crypt: $43
  • Cruise into Rome?! Full-Day Rome Discovery from Civitavecchia : $96
  • Fast Track Colosseum with Arena and afternoon Vatican Museums Tour: $191
  • Golf Cart Driving Tour: Rome City Highlights in 2.5 hrs: $104

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gran Canaria 7.14
    Rome 18

Sample the Local Flavors in Gran Canaria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gran Canaria:

  • Spanish Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $52
  • Spanish Cured Meats & Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $60
  • Gran Canaria Picnic Experience & Wine Tasting: $102

Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:


  • Bottle of Wine
    6.50
  • Pint of Beer
    6.34
  • Beer
    10

Sample the Local Flavors in Rome

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:

  • Trionfale and Prati Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $31
  • Trionfale Farmers Market and Vatican Quarter Food and Wine Tour: $32
  • Vatican Food and Wine Tasting Tour next to the Sistine Chapel: $32
  • Cabaret & Burlesque Show: $32
  • Vatican Quarter and Trionfale Farmers Market Food and Wine Tour: $43
  • Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $52
  • Tipsy Tour: Fun Bar Crawl In Rome With Local Guide : $53
  • Wine Tour in Historic Center of Rome: $55
  • Frascati Wine Tasting Experience & Vineyards Tour : $61
  • Pasta Making Class & Wine Tasting in a Trasteve Villa: $68
  • E-Bike Night Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $68
  • Private Wine Tasting in Trastevere: $71


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

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


Which is Bigger, Gran Canaria or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Gran Canaria. When comparing the sizes of Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria or Rome in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gran Canaria as well as Rome. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Gran Canaria is around the same temperature as Rome in the summer. The daily temperature in Gran Canaria averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gran Canaria this time of the year. In the summer, Gran Canaria often gets less sunshine than Rome. Gran Canaria gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.

Gran Canaria usually gets less rain in July than Rome. Gran Canaria gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gran Canaria 23°C (73°F) 
    Rome 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Gran Canaria or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome and Gran Canaria are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rome because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Gran Canaria is a little warmer than Rome. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gran Canaria in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Rome averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rome during autumn. Gran Canaria gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Gran Canaria usually receives less rain than Rome. Gran Canaria gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gran Canaria 23°C (73°F) 
    Rome 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Gran Canaria or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Gran Canaria during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

In January, Gran Canaria is generally much warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Gran Canaria average around 18°C (64°F), and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Gran Canaria often gets more sunshine than Rome. Gran Canaria gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.

Gran Canaria usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Gran Canaria gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gran Canaria 18°C (64°F) 
    Rome 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Gran Canaria or Rome in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gran Canaria and Rome. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Gran Canaria is a little warmer than Rome in the spring. The daily temperature in Gran Canaria averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In Gran Canaria, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gran Canaria usually receives more sunshine than Rome during spring. Gran Canaria gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Gran Canaria usually receives less rain than Rome. Gran Canaria gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gran Canaria 19°C (66°F) 
    Rome 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Rome and Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria Rome
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 25 mm (1 in) 8°C (47°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Feb 18°C (64°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 19°C (66°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 1 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 19°C (66°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)