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

Should you visit Oslo or Rome?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oslo or Rome, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Rome

Rome is a popular, ancient, and archeological city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and live music.

Oslo and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or Rome?

You'll generally find more things to do in Rome than Oslo. Rome is bigger than Oslo, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Rome is more touristy than Oslo 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. Also, Rome is famous for The Colosseum. Oslo is well known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

The Colosseum

How is Oslo different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Rome that are not to be missed. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Oslo. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

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

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Rome is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Oslo or Rome Better for Nightlife?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Rome has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Oslo or Rome Better for Music?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for live music. However, Oslo is not a live music destination.

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

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oslo or Rome?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Oslo or Rome Better for Families?

Oslo is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Oslo is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

Rome is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Oslo or Rome Better for Couples?

Rome is notable for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Oslo or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Rome is a mecca for backpackers and 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).

Oslo is a good city to visit for backpackers. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Oslo or Rome Better for Students?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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

Students come from all over to stay in Oslo. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

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

Both Oslo and Rome offer first-rate public transit options.

Public transit in Oslo is top-notch. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Rome has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

Is Oslo or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Rome 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.

Oslo is a very walkable city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Rome or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or Rome?

Both Oslo 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 Oslo. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Oslo, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

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

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

Oslo 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the big city destination of Rome. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Oslo or Rome?

Oslo 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.

Rome is a fun place to experience. 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.

Five days in Oslo or Rome?

Oslo is a progressive big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the ancient big city of Rome. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Oslo or Rome?

The progressive city of Oslo offers museums and nightlife. 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the archeological city of Rome. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Oslo or Rome?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oslo and Rome. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oslo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Oslo is generally cooler than Rome. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 18°C (64°F), and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In Oslo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Rome during summer. Oslo gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oslo usually receives more rain than Rome. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oslo or Rome in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oslo as well as Rome. Many travelers come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Oslo is much colder than Rome in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Rome. Oslo gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Oslo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Oslo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Oslo can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Oslo is much colder than Rome. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oslo in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Rome averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Rome during winter. Oslo gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oslo usually receives less rain than Rome. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oslo or Rome in the Spring?

Both Rome and Oslo during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Oslo for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Rome because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Oslo is generally much colder than Rome. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 6°C (42°F), and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Rome. Oslo gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets less rain in April than Rome. Oslo gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rome and Oslo