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

Should you visit Rome or Seattle?

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 Seattle 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Seattle

Seattle is a bustling, progressive, and cultural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, theater, and nightlife.

Rome and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rome or Seattle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rome than Seattle. 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 Seattle attracts visitors for its theatre productions, beaches, and hiking. Rome is more touristy than Seattle 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. Seattle is famous for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies.

The Colosseum

How is Rome different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rome is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Seattle 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Rome or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a city with good options for its shows and theatre. However, Rome is not a theatre destination.

With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Rome is not a theatre destination.

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

Rome is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Rome or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Rome is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Rome is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Rome or Seattle Better for Music?

Rome is renowned for its music scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for live music.

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.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Is Rome or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a city with good options for the beach. However, Rome is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Rome is not a beach destination.

Is Rome or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Rome is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Rome is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rome or Seattle?

Rome is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Rome or Seattle Better for Families?

Rome is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Rome or Seattle Better for Couples?

Rome is notable for couples. Also, Seattle 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Rome or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is renowned for backpackers. Also, Seattle 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).

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Rome or Seattle Better for Students?

Rome is renowned for students. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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 Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

Rome is renowned for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Rome has a great public transit system. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Rome or Seattle a more walkable city?

Rome is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Seattle 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.

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Rome?

How long in Rome or Seattle?

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

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

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 theater and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Seattle. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Seattle?

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 live music and food around the laid-back big city of Seattle. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rome or Seattle?

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 outdoorsy city of Seattle offers food and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

When comparing the travel costs between Rome and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rome or Seattle?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Rome and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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.

Should I visit Rome or Seattle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Seattle. Most visitors come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Seattle because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Rome is a little warmer than Seattle in the summer. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rome usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during summer. Rome gets 338 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rome usually receives less rain than Seattle. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rome or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rome as well as Seattle. 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. Additionally, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In the autumn, Rome is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rome in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Seattle averages at about 54°F (12°C).

In the autumn, Rome often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Rome gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.

Rome usually gets more rain in October than Seattle. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rome this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In January, Rome is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 8°C (47°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

Rome usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during winter. Rome gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Seattle. In January, Rome usually receives less rain than Seattle. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rome or Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and Rome during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Rome is a little warmer than Seattle in the spring. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rome. In the spring, Rome often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle. Rome gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.

Rome usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Rome