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

Should you visit Rome or Sao Paulo?

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 Sao Paulo 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 to Rome because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Rome travel costs.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a vibrant, colorful, and cultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Rome and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rome or Sao Paulo?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Rome than Sao Paulo. While Sao Paulo is larger than Rome, Rome has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rome is more touristy than Sao Paulo 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. Sao Paulo is famous for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene.

The Colosseum

How is Rome different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Sao Paulo from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. While many visitors overlook Sao Paulo for other destinations in Brazil, those that do visit will be rewarded with a large number of museums and sights. It's the largest city in South America, and there's plenty to do. Highlights include Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, and the cathedral

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

Rome is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sao Paulo 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, Sao Paulo makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers a huge mix of fine dining restaurants, street food vendors, family-friendly restaurants, and large local markets. The cuisine has many influences such as the Portuguese, West Africa, and even the Middle East. Popular dishes include the street food coxinha, feijoada (black bean and beef stew), and cachooro-quente (local hot dogs).

Is Rome or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Rome or Sao Paulo has a better nightlife scene.

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.

Sao Paulo is a world class party destination. As the economic hub for Brazil, you'll find tons of bars, clubs, and venues throughout the city. The best neighborhood for a party is Vila Madalena, which is filled with restaurants and bars. For live music and food trucks, check out Rua Augusta. There are also many different neighborhoods in this megacity, and many have a lively energy and plenty to do at night. Every night you should be able to find something different to do.

Is Rome or Sao Paulo Better for Music?

Rome is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rome or Sao Paulo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo. The shopping opportunities are diverse, from megamalls to local markets, and international boutiques. There are many great neighborhoods for shopping, like Jardins, where you'll find high end stores. The main shopping street is Rua Oscar Freire. Downtown Sao Paulo has a mix of retail stores and market stalls that sell everything from cheap fashion to inexpensive odds and ins.

Is Rome or Sao Paulo More Beautiful?

Rome is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Rome because of it's amazing beauty. With its many beautiful landmarks and impressive architecture, this city has a lot of attractive places to visit. Don't miss Villa Borghese Park, Trastevere, Palazzo Madama, the Appian Way, and Piazza Navona.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Rome or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Rome is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to the zoo or one of the kid-friendly museums around town. There are also a number of parks, some kid-friendly restaurants, and even an amusement park.

Is Rome or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Rome is a great city for couples. Also, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many great activities that will make for an exciting couples trip. There are parks and museums, bars and restaurants, and theaters where you can see a show. Many couples enjoy a visit to the Botanical Garden of Sao Paulo or a stroll through Ibirapuera Park. You can watch the sunset with a view of the city from one of the many rooftop bars and then enjoy some samba dancing on the town.

Is Rome or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sao Paulo 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).

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's overlooked by many travelers, backpackers who linger for awhile will enjoy the city's authenticity and cultural scene. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Is Rome or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Rome is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for students. The city is large with a diverse population and plenty to offer students. There are good educational institutions and a great international vibe as well.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Rome and Sao Paulo.

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.

Sao Paulo has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. It's a huge city, so you'll likely make use of the metro during your trip. There are six lines to the metro system and they provide convenient access to many of the city's top attractions. The city also has many bus routes as well.

Is Rome or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Rome is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is very walkable. It's a megacity that has a wide range of neighborhoods. The city center is generally very walkable, but because of its size, you'll want to have an itinerary planned out for each day.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Rome?

How long in Rome or Sao Paulo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rome and Sao Paulo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Sao Paulo. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Rome, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sao Paulo.

Families should spend more time in Rome than Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?

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 food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo?

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.

Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?

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 museums and nightlife around the vibrant big city of Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo?

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 dynamic city of Sao Paulo 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 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rome or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Rome. When comparing the sizes of Rome and Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Rome has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Rome or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

Both Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Rome is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rome usually gets less rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Rome or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo this time of year.

In the autumn, Rome is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rome in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

In October, Rome usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Rome or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

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

In January, Rome is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin July. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 8°C (47°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Rome usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Rome or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

Both Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo in the spring for the activities around the city.

Rome is much colder than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.

In April, Rome usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin October. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Rome