Which place is cheaper, La Spezia or Rome?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rome or La Spezia?
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 La Spezia 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 archeological, bustling, and fun-filled city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.
La Spezia
La Spezia is a lively, convenient, and cultural town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.
Rome and La Spezia: Pros and Cons
Rome
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Good music scene
- Fun shopping
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Good for students
- Good public transit
- Big city activities
- Impressive beauty
- Home to the Colosseum
La Spezia
Pros- Popular beach
- Scenic old town
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Less museums and historical sights
- Less popular for nightlife
- Less popular for shopping
- Public transit not as usable
Is there more to do in Rome or La Spezia?
Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than La Spezia, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Spezia is known for its beaches and historical sights. Rome is more touristy than La Spezia 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 home to The Colosseum. La Spezia is popular for being the gateway to Cinque Terre.
The Colosseum
How is Rome different from La Spezia?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Spezia 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 La Spezia?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its museums and history. However, La Spezia is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.
The museums and tourist attractions in Rome are world-renowned. 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.
La Spezia offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The highlight of the area is the surrounding natural beauty, but in town you can visit the Maritime Museum, The castle of San Giorgio, and The Amedeo Lia Art Museum.
Is the Food Better in Rome or La Spezia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its restaurants. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
Eat your way through Rome, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.
Dining out in La Spezia is an experience not to be missed. The town has many local flavors that incorporate seafood and other local ingredients. Focaccia is popular, as is Farinata, which is a chickpea flour pancake. Anchovies and mussels are also common ingredients.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Nightlife?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.
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.
La Spezia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find more bars and clubs around town than you do in the smaller nearby towns. Some people head into La Spezia for the evening to grab a drink and socialize.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Music?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its live music scene. However, La Spezia is not a live music destination.
With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Rome. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.
La Spezia is not a live music destination.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Beaches?
Rome
La Spezia
La Spezia is a town with good options for the beach. However, Rome is not a beach destination.
Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in La Spezia. The beaches in the area tend to be rocky and pebbly. For the best beaches, head out of town to nearby areas.
Rome is not a beach destination.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for its Old Town?
Rome
La Spezia
La Spezia is a town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.
La Spezia offers a nice historic old town area. The old town runs between the streets of Corso Cavour and Via Prione and is best explored on foot.
Rome does not have a historic old town.
Is the Shopping Better in Rome or La Spezia?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.
Known for shopping, Rome draws large crowds to its 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.
Many visitors go to La Spezia to go shopping. There's a morning market at Piazza del Mercato as well as many clothing and souvenir shops around town.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Families?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Rome is very family-friendly. 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.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in La Spezia. Visitors often use La Spezia as a base for visiting nearby Cinque Terre. The surrounding region has many kid-friendly activities like hiking, swimming, and beaches.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Couples?
Rome
La Spezia
Both Rome and La Spezia are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.
Couples visit Rome frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.
La Spezia is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It makes a nice base for visiting nearby sights if the more popular Cinque Terre area is too overwhelming.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.
With so many budget-friendly offerings, Rome is extremely popular 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).
La Spezia is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's more affordable than the nearby towns in Cinque Terre, but they're still easily accessible from town.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Students?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, La Spezia is not popular with students.
Rome is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.
La Spezia is not popular with students.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.
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.
You'll find some public transit in La Spezia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses, trains, and ferry boats offer the main forms of transportation in the area.
Is Rome or La Spezia a more walkable city?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.
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.
La Spezia is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and you'll find a pedestrian-only area downhill from the train station.
For even more information, also check out Is Rome Worth Visiting? and Is La Spezia Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in La Spezia or Rome?
How long in Rome or La Spezia?
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rome and La Spezia. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in La Spezia. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Rome, and 2-3 days is enough time in La Spezia.
Families should spend more time in Rome than La Spezia. 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 La Spezia. 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 La Spezia 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.
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How many days in Rome or La Spezia? Ideal Length of StayRome 3-7La Spezia 2-3
One day in Rome or La Spezia?
People visit Rome because there is so much to do. 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.
Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of La Spezia. 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 La Spezia?
People visit Rome because there is so much to do. 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.
La Spezia 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 La Spezia?
People visit Rome because there is so much to do. 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.
You'll find food and shopping around the convenient destination of La Spezia. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
A week in Rome or La Spezia?
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.
The lively town of La Spezia offers shopping 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.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRome €170La Spezia €198
The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is €170, while the average daily cost in La Spezia is €198. 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 Rome and La Spezia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRome €89La Spezia €113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRome €178La Spezia €226
Compare Hotels in Rome and La Spezia
Looking for a hotel in Rome or La Spezia? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Rome Hotel Prices and La Spezia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rome €21La Spezia €41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
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Metro Ride (for Two)€2.00
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Train to the Airport€15
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Taxi to Airport€45
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Bicycle Rental (Full Day)€10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
- private transfer from Rome to Fiumicino airport: $54
- Welcome in airport Transfer with welcome box: $88
- Verona Airport (VRN) : One-Way Private Transfer to Ravenna: $703
- VIP Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Rome or Vice Versa: $51
- VIP Transfer from Civitavecchia Port to Rome or Vice Versa: $109
- VIP Experience Private Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Rome: $76
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Rome HTL-APT (FCO): $160
- Trieste Port: One-Way Private Transfer to/from Rome Hotels: $2,525
- Transfers from Fiumicino airport: $76
- Transfers from Airports to Rome city or Rome city to Airports: $63
- Transfers From Fiumicino to Terracina: $153
- Transfers Ciampino airport To Rome: $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Spezia
Also for La Spezia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer from La Spezia to Porto Venere or Lerici: $91
- La Spezia Cruise Port to Florence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $259
- Private Transfer La Spezia to Pisa by Business or Luxury Vehicle: $202
- Private Transfer Porto Venere or Lerici to La Spezia by car / van: $91
- Private Transfer from La Spezia Hotels to La Spezia Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from La Spezia to Cinque Terre by car or van: $141
Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or La Spezia?
Prices for flights to both La Spezia and Rome 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
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Food Meals for one dayRome €47La Spezia €56
Typical Food Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)€14
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4 Ice Cream Sandwiches€2.99
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Cafe e doce€4.00
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Pizza (Fast Food)€2.65
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Sitdown Lunch (for Two)€32
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Cheese and bread€10
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Espresso€2.00
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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: $15
- Eat Pasta in Rome, Testaccio - Self-Guided Walking Food Tour: $16
- Rome Food Tour with Wine Tasting and Farmers Market in Prati Area: $32
- Food Tour of the Vatican with Farmers Market and Wine Tasting: $32
- Vatican and Trionfale Farmers Market Food tour and Wine tasting : $32
- Guided Food Tour with Food and Drink Tastings: $32
- Cooking Class with Wine - Become a Roman Master Chef: $36
- Painting & Pizza Party with Unlimited Wine: $40
- Pasta Making & Wine Tasting with Dinner in Frascati from Rome: $41
- Campo dei Fiori & Jewish Ghetto area Street Food Tour: $42
- Leonardo Da Vini, Wine and Pizza Painting Class: $42
- Vatican Street Food Tour and Wine Experience with Local Guide: $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Spezia
For La Spezia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- La Spezia Cinque Terre Food Tour: $91
- Small-Group Street Food Tour: $95
- Portovenere: Sunset Cruise with Aperitif and Dinner: $96
- La Spezia Cinque Terre Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $97
- Small-group Street food tour in La Spezia: $97
- Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in La Spezia: $114
- Porto Venere & Islands Sunset Boat Tour w/ Dinner: $137
- Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $148
- Private Cooking Class in an Italian Home: $155
- Market Visit and Seafood Cooking Class with Lunch: $156
- Cesarine: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in La Spezia: $158
- Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in La Spezia: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rome €36La Spezia €37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)€69
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Coliseum Tickets (for Two)€33
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Roma Pass€30
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Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)€20
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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
- Borghese Gallery Skip-the-Line Ticket & Golf Cart Ride: $56
- Castel Sant Angelo Skip the Line Tickets: $39
- Colosseum Arena Floor Guided Tour with Ancient Rome Access : $195
- Colosseum Arena Floor with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Tour: $74
- Colosseum Gladiator Arena Floor Complete Guided Tour : $206
- Colosseum Tour With Kids: $195
- Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill Professional Guided Tour: $161
- Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Tour: $184
- Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Tour Professional Guided Tour : $151
- Cruise into Rome?! Full-Day Rome Discovery from Civitavecchia : $96
- Electric Bike Tour of City Centre with Gelato Highlights of Rome: $75
Tours and Activities in La Spezia
For La Spezia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus City Tour Ticket: $18
- From Round-Trip to Pisa Cruise Shore Excursion: $42
- A Sightseeing Tour with Italian-Inspired Music: $43
- From La Spezia to Pisa with optional Leaning Tower Ticket: $49
- The Sunset Tour: $54
- Portovenere & the 3 Islands: Sunset Boat Tour from La Spezia: $58
- From Florence & Pisa Cruise Shore Excursion: $58
- Boat Tour of the 3 Islands & Portovenere: $65
- Cinque Terre Tour by Boat: $68
- Levanto Paddleboard Tour and snorkeling along the coast: $74
- Sunset Boat Tour with drinks and Snacks: $75
- Sunset Boat Tour with Aperitivo and Snacks: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRome €18La Spezia €35
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
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Bottle of Wine€6.50
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Pint of Beer€6.34
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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
- Cabaret & Burlesque Show: $32
- Vatican Street Food and Wine Tour with Farmers Market: $37
- Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $52
- Rome's Ultimate Party aka the Spanish Steps Pub Crawl: $52
- Tipsy Tour: Fun Bar Crawl In Rome With Local Guide : $53
- Roman Night Life and Burlesque Show Tour: $53
- Guided Wine Tasting Experience in a Roman Vineyard: $53
- Wine Tour in Historic Center of Rome: $54
- Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $60
- Pasta Making Class & Wine Tasting in a Trasteve Villa: $67
- E-Bike Night Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $68
Sample the Local Flavors in La Spezia
Also in La Spezia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- boat tour with seafood and wine tasting: $213
- Lucca city tour and Pisa tower + wine tasting from La Spezia Port: $216
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rome and La Spezia, we can see that La Spezia is more expensive. And not only is Rome much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rome would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rome 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 La Spezia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Spezia than you might in Rome.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rome Expensive? and Is La Spezia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rome or La Spezia?
Rome has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of La Spezia. When comparing the sizes of Rome and La Spezia, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.