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

Should you visit Salzburg or Rome?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Rome, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a historic, beautiful, and musical city. The famous beauty of Salzburg is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food. See Salzburg travel costs.

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 in Rome as well. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music. See Rome travel costs.

Salzburg and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Rome?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rome than Salzburg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rome is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Salzburg attracts visitors for its historical sights and quaint atmosphere. Salzburg is famous for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. Rome is famous 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.

The Colosseum

How is Salzburg different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rome is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Salzburg 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 Salzburg. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

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

Rome is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Salzburg 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 Salzburg. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Salzburg or Rome Better for Nightlife?

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

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Rome Better for Music?

Both Salzburg and Rome offer first-rate live music venues.

In Salzburg you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Rome is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Is Salzburg or Rome Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Salzburg offers plenty to see. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Rome does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Rome?

Both Salzburg and Rome are first-rate shopping destinations.

Salzburg is a world class destination for shoppers. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Rome. 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.

Is Salzburg or Rome More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of first-rate scenery and beauty in both Salzburg and Rome.

You'll find world class beauty in Salzburg as well. This stunning city is known for its beautiful churches and hillside views.

Rome is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. 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.

Is Salzburg or Rome Better for Families?

Salzburg and Rome are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Salzburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Rome is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Salzburg or Rome Better for Couples?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Salzburg is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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.

Is Salzburg or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is terrific for backpackers. Also, Salzburg 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).

Salzburg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Is Salzburg or Rome Better for Students?

Salzburg and Rome are both first-rate destinations for students and younger travelers.

Salzburg is a great destination for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

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.

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

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

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.

Visitors to Salzburg can move around easily with public transportation. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Salzburg or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is very walkable. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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

Should I spend more time in Rome or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Rome?

Both Salzburg and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Salzburg. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

Families should spend more time in Rome than Salzburg. 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.

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Salzburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Rome is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Rome?

Salzburg is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Rome is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Rome?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the musical destination of Salzburg. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Rome is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rome, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Rome?

The beautiful city of Salzburg offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Rome is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rome has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Salzburg and Rome, 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg and Rome, 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 Salzburg or Rome?

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 Salzburg or Rome in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Rome. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Salzburg is cooler than Rome in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In Salzburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Rome during summer. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Rome. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Salzburg or Rome in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Rome. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Rome in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Salzburg is much colder than Rome. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Rome averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Rome. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Salzburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Rome. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Rome during winter. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Rome. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Salzburg or Rome in the Spring?

Both Rome and Salzburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rome because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Rome. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in April than Rome. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rome and Salzburg