A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Taormina vs. Rome for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Taormina or Rome?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Taormina and Rome 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.

Taormina

Taormina is a historic, beautiful, and exclusive town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

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.

Taormina and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Rome?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome. Although Taormina and Rome are popular destinations, Rome has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rome is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Taormina attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Rome is more touristy than Taormina 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. Taormina is famous for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views.

The Colosseum

How is Taormina different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rome is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Taormina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

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

Rome is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Taormina makes for a great culinary experience. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

Is Taormina or Rome Better for Nightlife?

Rome is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

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.

Taormina offers plenty to do in the evening. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

Is Taormina or Rome Better for Music?

Rome is very popular for its music scene. However, Taormina 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.

Taormina is not a live music destination.

Is Taormina or Rome Better for Resorts?

Taormina is a great destination for its resorts. However, Rome is not a resort destination.

In Taormina, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Rome is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Rome Better for Beaches?

Taormina 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 Taormina. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

Rome is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Rome?

Rome is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Taormina is a great destination for shopping. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Is Taormina or Rome Better for Families?

Rome is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known 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.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Taormina or Rome Better for Couples?

Both Taormina and Rome are great destinations for a couple's getaway.

Taormina is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

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.

Is Taormina or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina 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).

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

Is Taormina or Rome Better for Students?

Rome is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Taormina 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.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

Rome is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Taormina has a few public transit options. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Is Taormina or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Taormina is very walkable. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

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

Should I spend more time in Rome or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Rome?

Both Taormina 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 Taormina. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Taormina, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

Families should spend more time in Rome than Taormina. 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 Taormina. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rome that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

Taormina is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Taormina or Rome?

Taormina is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

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 Taormina or Rome?

Taormina is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Taormina or Rome?

Because Taormina is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina 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 Taormina or Rome?

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 Taormina or Rome in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Rome. The summer months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

Taormina is around the same temperature as Rome in the summer. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Taormina this time of the year. In the summer, Taormina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rome. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets less rain in July than Rome. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Taormina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Taormina is a little warmer than Rome. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Taormina in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Rome averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Taormina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rome during autumn. Taormina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Taormina. In October, Taormina usually receives more rain than Rome. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Taormina or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Taormina during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Taormina is generally much warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 13°C (55°F), and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Taormina often gets less sunshine than Rome. Taormina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Rome in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Rome. Many visitors come to Taormina in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Taormina is a little warmer than Rome in the spring. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In Taormina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Taormina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rome during spring. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Taormina usually receives less rain than Rome. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rome and Taormina