Paris vs Rome: The Honest Comparison You Need [2023]

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Last updated on December 26, 2022 by Wandering our World

Paris and Rome are two of the most famous European cities on the entire continent, and dream destinations due to their culture, architecture, cuisine and beauty.

People all around the world have seen Paris and Rome portrayed in movies and television shows. But few actually get a chance to experience the beauty and history of these two cities for themselves.

If you could choose one of these cities to visit, which one would you choose? That’s difficult for many people to answer because both cities offer fantastic wine, food, history, and tourist attractions. However we know both Paris and Rome well, and there are some significant differences between these iconic cities.

For example, Paris may be the better choice if you’re going to Europe with your partner, looking for nighttime activities, and want to dine outside and enjoy French cafe culture. But if you want to do a lot of sightseeing of famous landmarks, Roman buildings, museums and other monuments, then Rome may be the better choice.

If you’re lucky enough to be thinking about a trip to either city, but can’t decide whichone then you’re in the right place!

Below we use our knowledge of both to compare Paris and Rome, looking at which is better for foodies, which has better sightseeing, nightlife, weather and more.

CONTENTS:

  1. Which Is Better For Sightseeing
  2. Which Has Better & More Diverse Food Choices
  3. Which Has Better Nightlife Activities
  4. Which Is Cheaper
  5. Which Has Better Weather
  6. Which Is The Better Choice
Paris vs Rome infographic

Which Is Better For Sightseeing?

Paris and Rome have lovely sights to see. Most people are familiar with the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It is an iconic landmark and one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of France. If you travel up this 81-story structure, you have breathtaking views of the city from afar, and some of the best photo ops in Europe.

Paris itself has a laidback atmosphere. When in the city we love to visit the local neighborhood cafes, take walks down the different neighborhoods and church courtyards, and view someof the most valuable art collections in the world at the city’s museums.

The best museums are the Museum of Modern Art, Musee d’Orsey, Louvre Museum, and Centre Pompidou.

It’s a city which is perfect for exploring and enjoying at a relaxed pace, and a city which truly does have a romantic feel to it – arguably more so than Rome.

Eiffel Tower or Tour Eiffel aerial view, is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France
iStock.com/saiko3p

Rome is another city with some of the rarest and most valuable art in the world. But you don’t necessarily have to visit museums to see it.

Instead, you can visit Vatican City to find ancient and historical artwork from famous artists like Michelangelo. Check out St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica to see the best work of Michelangelo. And if you want to see famous Roman artefacts, we recommend the Etruscan Museum and the Museum of Secular Art.

Besides Vatican City and the Catholic Church origins of Rome, you can also enjoy the many wonderful historical Roman landmarks in the city. These 2000-year-old structures include the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, and the Roman Forum.

It is a surreal experience to step foot into these ancient structures because they are kept so well preserved in the middle of a busy city. They almost make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time when you’re there. It’s a city where everywhere you turn there feels like something to see and look at.

When it comes to sightseeing, the winner would have to be Rome. Although Paris has the Eiffel Tower and Louve, you can see many more impressive sights in Rome. Whilst Paris is less impressive for sightseeing it is more impressive for spending quality time with your loved one.

Winner: Rome

View of Colosseum in Rome and morning sun, Italy, Europe.
iStock.com/vwalakte

Which Has Better & More Diverse Food Choices?

Every tourist wants to eat tasty food when visiting a European city. You certainly don’t want to go grocery shopping during your visit to a historic capital!

When people think of Rome, many assume it has the best food choices because it is in Italy. Now, there’s no doubt you could probably find some of the best pizza and pasta you’ve ever had in your life at restaurants in Rome. Some of the Rome-based restaurants we recommend for delicious pizza and homestyle Italian cuisine are La Pratolina, Seu Pizza Illuminati, Pizzarium, Piccolo Buco and Trapizzino.

However unfortunately, Rome does not have a lot of cultural or ethnic diversity in its food choices. The primary ethnic food in Rome is, of course, Italian cuisine. So if you love all food that is Italian, then you will find the food in Rome to be to your liking.

A summer  dinner .Pasta , pizza  and homemade food arrangement  in a restaurant  Rome   .Tasty and authentic Italian food.
iStock.com/maroznc

In addition, Paris has a café culture where people are encouraged to eat and drink outside. It makes the whole dining experience more pleasant and stylish. So, not only do you get to enjoy delicious and diverse food in Paris, but you also get more opportunities to dine outside too – just as the locals do.

Of course, the fun of traveling is to enjoy a diverse set of cultures. Paris has a lot more cultural and ethnic diversity in terms of its people and restaurants. You’ll see several restaurants with French, Vietnamese, Caribbean, Tibetan, Moroccan, and West Indies cuisine selections.

For us, the cuisine champion would have to be Paris. You’ll get to experience a broader range of food in Paris while enjoying an ideal setting for dining too.

Winner: Paris

Two Parisian women drinking coffee together in an outdoor cafe with wisteria in full bloom
iStock.com/encrier

Which Has Better Nightlife Activities?

We think Paris wins when it comes to nightlife activities, and that’s another reason why Paris is ideal for couples.

Jazz clubs are a great hangout spot. You get to eat, drink, dance, and listen to talented musicians and singers. You can also stay out drinking and partying throughout all hours of the night. Most bars and restaurants are open all night, so you don’t have to worry about closing times until the sun comes up the next day!

The nightlife activities of Paris don’t end there. You can take a Seine river cruise at night and admire the vibrant city lights all around you. And if you happen to be near the Eiffel Tower, you can watch the extraordinary light show where the entire tower lights up with different colored lights.

But if you’re more of an adventurer, take a trip down to the Paris Catacombs and prepare to be thrilled and horrified at the same time. Or go see a cabaret show at the famous Moulin Rouge.

The Place du Tertre with tables of cafe and the Sacre-Coeur in the morning, quarter Montmartre in Paris, France
iStock.com/KavalenkavaVolha

As for Rome, you can do the same things at night that you can do during the day. For example, you could take a night tour of famous landmarks like the Colosseum or the Piazza Navona.

These sites have plenty of lights set up to make the viewing experience easier at night.  But why not just see them during the day when there is more light?

Sure, you can walk around and eat at restaurants in Rome at night, but the city tends to not have the same party atmosphere as Paris. So if you’d rather have nighttime excitement, then choose Paris over Rome.

Winner: Paris

Beautiful sunset on the city of Rome in evening
iStock.com/StockbyM

Which Is Cheaper?

Everyone wants to be frugal about travel expenses because a trip to any major European capital city will not be cheap.

The airfare costs to fly from the United States to Paris or Rome will be roughly the same price because they’re both major European cities overseas. However, the difference in travel expenses comes when choosing hostel or hotel room accommodation. 

You’ll find that Rome has slightly cheaper hostel and hotel room rates. In Rome, the average cost of a hostel or hotel to accommodate one person is €67. The same accommodations in Paris cost €121.

And if you want a double room to accommodate two people, the average cost is €134 in Rome and €242 in Paris. So, you can expect to pay double the money for lodging in Paris versus Rome.

Since Paris is a better city for couples to visit, travelers may end up paying more there. On the other hand, Rome is an ideal city to visit for both couples and solo travelers if on a budget.

Arc de Triomphe from the sky, Paris
iStock.com/GlobalP

Which Has Better Weather?

Rome gets some pretty hot and humid summer months. It also doesn’t help that summer is when most people travel to Rome. So, you can expect larger crowds of people during this season.

You could attempt to visit Rome during the winter, but you’ll have to contend with the cold, rain, and crowds. Therefore, the best time to visit Rome is during the spring or autumn months. The temperatures are cooler, and there are fewer crowds.

Paris has a lot of outdoor activities and accommodations for tourists because of its café culture. So it’s preferable to have suitable weather conditions when visiting Paris or else you will be uncomfortable the entire time as this is a city where you really want to be outside.

You will only really find decent weather in the summer months between June and September though. The rest of the year can be rainy and chilly.

One city doesn’t really have better weather than the other city. It all depends on which time of the year you visit. Would you rather visit Rome in the autumn or Paris in the summer? That is the choice we think you’d have to make if you want to have the best weather conditions possible during your trip.

Winner: Draw

St. Peter's cathedral over bridge and river with flowers in Rome, Italy
iStock.com/neirfy

Paris Or Rome: Which Is The Better Choice?

Paris is the City of Lights and the City of Romance. Its food, culture, fashion, and entertainment make it attractive to international tourists who appreciate these things.

There are also many diverse neighborhoods in Paris, which could give you an incentive to walk around and explore them for fun.

Paris is definitely the better choice if you’re going to Europe with your partner or spouse, looking for nighttime activities, and want to dine outside and enjoy French cafe culture.

Rome is the biggest city in Italy. It is best known for its historical landmarks associated with the Roman Empire, such as the Colosseum. It is the central location in Europe for religion and historic power.

If you want to do a lot of sightseeing of famous Roman landmarks, buildings and other monuments, you might enjoy yourself better in Rome. Of course, the food and wine are good in Rome too.

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Author

  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.