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

Should you visit Wellington or Rome?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Rome? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Rome

Rome is a bustling, fun-filled, and popular city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Wellington and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Rome?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than Wellington, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Wellington is known for its beaches and hiking. Rome is more touristy than Wellington 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 home to The Colosseum. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

The Colosseum

How is Wellington different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rome is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Rome are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Rome is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Rome is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

Dining out in Wellington is an experience not to be missed. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Wellington or Rome Better for Nightlife?

Rome is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Rome is a world class 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.

Wellington is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Is Wellington or Rome Better for Music?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Wellington is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Rome. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Wellington is not a live music destination.

Is Wellington or Rome Better for Beaches?

Wellington is a great destination for the beach. However, Rome is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Wellington attract visitors from all over. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Rome is not a beach destination.

Is Wellington or Rome Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Rome is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Rome is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Rome?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Rome draws large crowds to its 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Wellington or Rome Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Wellington or Rome.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wellington is very family-friendly. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

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.

Is Wellington or Rome Better for Couples?

Rome is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Rome makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Wellington is a good city for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Wellington or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Rome is extremely popular 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).

Wellington is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Is Wellington or Rome Better for Students?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Rome. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

Rome is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Rome has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

The public transit in Wellington can get you to most places easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Is Wellington or Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Rome. 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.

Wellington is a very walkable destination. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Rome or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Rome?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

When visiting Rome, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wellington or Rome?

Wellington is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

When visiting Rome, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Wellington or Rome?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid-back destination of Wellington. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Rome, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wellington or Rome?

The compact city of Wellington offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Rome?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington 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 Wellington or Rome in the Summer?

Both Rome and Wellington during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Wellington is cooler than Rome. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wellington in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Rome averages at about 25°C (77°F)in July.

In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wellington. In the summer, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Romein July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in January than Romein July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Rome in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Rome. Most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, 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.

In April, Wellington is generally cooler than Romein October. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Rome during autumn. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Wellington usually receives less rain than Romein October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wellington or Rome in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Rome. The winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

Wellington is a little warmer than Rome in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F)in January.

In the winter, Wellington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Romein January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Romein January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Rome in the Spring?

Both Rome and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Wellington is around the same temperature as Rome. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wellington in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Rome averages at about 14°C (57°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Rome. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Rome during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Romein April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rome and Wellington