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

Should you visit Rome or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix 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 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. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Rome and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rome or Phoenix?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rome than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix attracts visitors for its hiking. Rome is more touristy than Phoenix 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. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

The Colosseum

How is Rome different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

Rome is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Rome has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Rome is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Rome or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Rome is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Rome is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Rome or Phoenix Better for Music?

Rome is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is Rome or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Rome is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Rome is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rome or Phoenix?

Rome is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Rome specifically to go shopping. 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Rome or Phoenix Better for Families?

Rome is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Rome. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Rome or Phoenix Better for Couples?

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

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Rome or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known 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).

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Rome or Phoenix Better for Students?

Rome is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Rome is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Visitors in Rome can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Rome or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Rome is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known 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.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Rome?

How long in Rome or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rome and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Phoenix. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Rome, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

Families should spend more time in Rome than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

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 destination of Phoenix. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Rome or Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

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 laid back destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

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 laid back city of Phoenix 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rome and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Rome much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rome is in Europe and Phoenix is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rome or Phoenix?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Phoenix. When comparing the sizes of Rome and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Rome during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Rome because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Rome is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rome. In the summer, Rome often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Rome gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

Rome usually gets less rain in July than Phoenix. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Phoenix. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rome this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Rome is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rome in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Rome usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Rome gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rome usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rome or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rome as well as Phoenix. Many travelers come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Rome is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 8°C (47°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the winter, Rome often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Rome gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Rome usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or Phoenix in the Spring?

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

Rome is much colder than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. Rome usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Rome gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Rome