Which place is cheaper, Rome or Palermo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Palermo and Rome can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Palermo is a dynamic, fun, and colorful city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.
Rome is a ancient, archeological, and bustling city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Rome than Palermo. 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 Palermo attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Rome is more touristy than Palermo 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 well known for The Colosseum. Palermo is famous for its mild climate, beautiful architecture, fun atmosphere, and fascinating culture.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rome and Palermo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Rome is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.
You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Rome on the map. 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.
Palermo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of grand buildings and impressive architectural buildings that you should visit. The cathedral, the Norman Palace, and Cappella Palatina are among the best.
Rome is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.
Many restaurants in Rome have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.
The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Palermo. The islands long history and occupation by a range of different groups means that the cuisine is heavily influenced by many different cultures. You'll see influences from Phonecians, Greeks, Arabs and Normans. Local dishes include Pasta alla Norma (pasta and vegetables), Arancine (rice balls), and Cannoli.
Rome is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.
Rome is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.
Palermo has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is surprisingly varied with everything from wine bars by the ocean to dance parties that flood into the street. Some of the most popular areas for nightlife include the old town, Politeama, and Mondello.
Rome is very popular for its music scene. However, Palermo is not a live music destination.
In Rome you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.
Palermo is not a live music destination.
Palermo 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 Palermo. The dive season lasts most of the year and there are many beautiful dive spots that are accessible from the city. The water is clear and there is a variety of flora and fauna to see.
Rome is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Palermo is a great destination for the beach. However, Rome is not a beach destination.
The beaches at Palermo attract visitors from all over. The city has a number of beautiful beaches, some of which are accessible by public transit. Mondello is a popular option with beautiful views. Capo Gallo is a relaxing option on a nature reserve that is good for divers and nature lovers. Addaura is a lively beach with a number of clubs.
Rome is not a beach destination.
Rome is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.
Rome is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Palermo. The city offers a mix of high end shopping streets as well as colorful markets that have the feel of a traditional bazaar. Whether you're looking for European brands or local merchandise, this city has an eclectic mix with something for everyone.
Both Palermo and Rome are great to visit with kids.
Palermo is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has beaches where everyone can cool off and play in the relaxing waves. There's also a botanical garden and the fascinating Catacombs of the Capuchins. Kids will also enjoy exploring the many diverse markets throughout the city.
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.
Rome is a well-known place for couples. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.
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.
Palermo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with fun adventures, unique markets, and relaxing beaches. It makes a great city escape for couples who enjoy spending time outdoors but also having access to an urban setting.
Rome is very popular for backpackers. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Rome is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. 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 backpackers visit Palermo. There are a decent number of affordable hostels around town as well as plenty of backpackers that keep the scene fun and social.
Rome is very popular for students. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.
Rome is a very popular city for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.
Plenty of students visit Palermo. It's an affordable student destination with a relaxing and laid back vibe. There's enough activity to keep it interesting without a high pressure setting.
Rome is very popular for its public transit. However, Palermo is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.
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.
Public transit is mostly limited in Palermo. If you stick to the main city center then you can get around by city bus, but if you're headed anywhere else, you'll likely want to take a taxi or Uber.
Rome is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.
Palermo is very walkable. The city is walkable with a number of streets closed to cars and pedestrian only.
For even more information, also check out Is Palermo Worth Visiting? and Is Rome Worth Visiting?.
Both Palermo 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 Palermo. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Palermo, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.
Families should spend more time in Rome than Palermo. 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 Palermo. 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 Palermo 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.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Palermo. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Because Rome is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Palermo is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.
Because Rome is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the fun destination of Palermo. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Rome is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rome has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
The colorful city of Palermo offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rome. Because Rome is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Palermo is €92, 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 Palermo and Rome in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Palermo 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.
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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
Prices for flights to both Rome and Palermo 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palermo and Rome, we can see that Rome is more expensive. And not only is Palermo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palermo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palermo 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 Palermo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Palermo Expensive? and Is Rome Expensive?.
Rome has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Palermo. When comparing the sizes of Palermo 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palermo and Rome. The summer months attract visitors to Palermo because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rome this time of year.
Palermo is around the same temperature as Rome in the summer. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palermo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rome during summer. Palermo gets 347 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Palermo usually receives less rain than Rome. Palermo gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Palermo as well as Rome. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Palermo this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Palermo is a little warmer than Rome. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palermo in October average around 20°C (67°F), and Rome averages at about 17°C (63°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palermo this time of the year. In the autumn, Palermo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rome. Palermo gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.
Palermo usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Palermo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Rome and Palermo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Palermo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Palermo is generally a little warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Palermo average around 12°C (53°F), and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Palermo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rome during winter. Palermo gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Palermo usually receives less rain than Rome. Palermo gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Rome and Palermo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Palermo in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Palermo is around the same temperature as Rome in the spring. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Palermo. In the spring, Palermo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rome. Palermo gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.
Palermo usually gets less rain in April than Rome. Palermo gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Palermo | Rome | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Mar | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
May | 18°C (65°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
Jul | 25°C (76°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Oct | 20°C (67°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |