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

Should you visit Toulon or Rome?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Toulon and Rome can help you decide which place is right for you.

Toulon

Toulon is a real world, industrial, and authentic port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Rome

Rome is a fun-filled, popular, and ancient city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Toulon and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Rome?

You'll generally find more things to do in Rome than Toulon. Rome is bigger than Toulon, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Rome is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Toulon is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights. Rome is more touristy than Toulon 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. Also, Rome is famous for The Colosseum. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

The Colosseum

How is Toulon different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rome is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Rome that are not to be missed. 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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Rome is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

Rome has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Toulon or Rome Better for Nightlife?

Rome is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Toulon or Rome Better for Music?

Rome is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Toulon is not a live music destination.

Rome is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Toulon is not a live music destination.

Is Toulon or Rome Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a port city with a few options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rome is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Toulon has a few snorkeling spots. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Rome is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Rome Better for Beaches?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Toulon. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Rome is not a beach destination.

Is Toulon or Rome Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is a port city with a few options for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Toulon is worth visiting. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Rome does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Rome?

Rome is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Rome is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Toulon is well-known for its shopping. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Is Toulon or Rome Better for Families?

Rome is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Rome is 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly port city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Toulon or Rome Better for Couples?

Rome is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Toulon or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Rome is a mecca for backpackers and 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).

It's common for backpackers to visit Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Toulon or Rome Better for Students?

Rome is an unbeatable place for students. However, Toulon is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Rome. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

Rome is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Toulon has some public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Toulon or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its high level of 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.

Toulon is a very walkable port city. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Rome or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Rome?

Both Toulon 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 Toulon. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Toulon, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

Families should spend more time in Rome than Toulon. 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 Toulon. 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 Toulon 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 Toulon or Rome?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Toulon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Toulon or Rome?

Toulon 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.

Rome is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Toulon or Rome?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Toulon. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rome. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Toulon or Rome?

The authentic port city of Toulon 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.

Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to France, The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Toulon. When comparing the sizes of Toulon 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 Toulon 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 Toulon or Rome in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulon and Rome. Many travelers come to Toulon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rome in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Toulon is generally around the same temperature as Rome. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 24°C (75°F), and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Rome during summer. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Toulon usually receives less rain than Rome. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Toulon or Rome in the Autumn?

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

Toulon is around the same temperature as Rome in the autumn. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In the autumn, Toulon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rome. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Rome. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Rome in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Toulon is cooler than Rome. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulon in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Rome averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Rome during winter. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Toulon usually receives less rain than Rome. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Toulon or Rome in the Spring?

Both Rome and Toulon during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

In April, Toulon is generally around the same temperature as Rome. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 13°C (56°F), and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Toulon. In the spring, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Rome. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Rome. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rome and Toulon