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

Should you visit Rome or Atlanta?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and Atlanta 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.

Rome

Rome is a popular, ancient, and archeological 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 because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a cultural, diverse, and sprawling city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Rome and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rome or Atlanta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rome than Atlanta. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rome is more touristy than Atlanta 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. Atlanta is famous for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement.

The Colosseum

How is Rome different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Rome or Atlanta.

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.

Travelers visit Atlanta from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

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

Rome is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Atlanta makes for a great culinary experience. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

Is Rome or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

Rome is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Rome is a must-see party destination. 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.

Atlanta offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

Is Rome or Atlanta Better for Music?

Rome is terrific for its music scene. However, Atlanta 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.

Atlanta is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rome or Atlanta?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Atlanta and Rome.

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.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Atlanta. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Is Rome or Atlanta Better for Families?

Both Rome and Atlanta are high quality to visit with kids.

Rome is known to be 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.

Atlanta is a very family-friendly destination. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

Is Rome or Atlanta Better for Couples?

Rome is a great city for couples. Also, Atlanta 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.

Atlanta is a nice destination for couples. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Is Rome or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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).

Atlanta is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

Is Rome or Atlanta Better for Students?

Rome is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Atlanta. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

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

Rome is terrific for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Rome can take you anywhere. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Rome or Atlanta a more walkable city?

Rome is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Atlanta is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Rome?

How long in Rome or Atlanta?

It's fun to spend time in either Rome or Atlanta. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Rome due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Rome, and 2-4 days is enough time in Atlanta.

Families should spend more time in Rome than Atlanta. 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 Atlanta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rome that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome than Atlanta 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 Rome or Atlanta?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Atlanta. 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 Rome or Atlanta?

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.

Atlanta 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.

Five days in Rome or Atlanta?

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.

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

A week in Rome or Atlanta?

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.

The diverse city of Atlanta 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Rome and Atlanta, we can see that Rome is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Rome is in Europe and Atlanta is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Rome or Atlanta?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Atlanta. When comparing the sizes of Rome and Atlanta, 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 Rome or Atlanta?

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 Rome or Atlanta in the Summer?

Both Atlanta and Rome during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Rome is cooler than Atlanta in the summer. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Atlanta fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Atlanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rome. In the summer, Rome often gets more sunshine than Atlanta. Rome gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 271 hours of full sun.

Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rome usually gets less rain in July than Atlanta. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or Atlanta in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Atlanta. 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. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year.

In the autumn, Rome is around the same temperature as Atlanta. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rome in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Atlanta averages at about 66°F (19°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. Rome usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during autumn. Rome gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rome usually receives more rain than Atlanta. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rome or Atlanta in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rome as well as Atlanta. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rome this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Atlanta for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Rome is generally a little warmer than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 8°C (47°F), and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Rome often gets less sunshine than Atlanta. Rome gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 164 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atlanta. Rome usually gets less rain in January than Atlanta. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or Atlanta in the Spring?

Both Atlanta and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Atlanta in the spring for the activities around the city.

Rome is cooler than Atlanta in the spring. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Atlanta fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Atlanta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. Rome usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during spring. Rome gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. In April, Rome usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Atlanta and Rome