Which place is cheaper, La Spezia or Rome?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Rome or La Spezia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and La Spezia 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.
Rome
Rome is a archeological, bustling, and fun-filled city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Rome is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping. See Rome travel costs.
La Spezia
La Spezia is a lively, convenient, and cultural town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See La Spezia travel costs.
Rome and La Spezia: Pros and Cons
Rome
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Good music scene
- Fun shopping
- Known for its beauty
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Good for students
- Good public transit
- Big city activities
- Impressive beauty
- Home to the Colosseum
La Spezia
Pros- Popular beach
- Scenic old town
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Less museums and historical sights
- Less popular for nightlife
- Less popular for shopping
- Public transit not as usable
Is there more to do in Rome or La Spezia?
Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than La Spezia, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Spezia is known for its beaches and historical sights. Rome is more touristy than La Spezia 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. La Spezia is popular for being the gateway to Cinque Terre.
The Colosseum
How is Rome different from La Spezia?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Spezia and Rome. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rome or La Spezia?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its museums and history. However, La Spezia is lacking in good options 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.
La Spezia offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The highlight of the area is the surrounding natural beauty, but in town you can visit the Maritime Museum, The castle of San Giorgio, and The Amedeo Lia Art Museum.
Is the Food Better in Rome or La Spezia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its restaurants. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
Eat your way through Rome, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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 La Spezia is an experience not to be missed. The town has many local flavors that incorporate seafood and other local ingredients. Focaccia is popular, as is Farinata, which is a chickpea flour pancake. Anchovies and mussels are also common ingredients.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Nightlife?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.
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.
La Spezia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find more bars and clubs around town than you do in the smaller nearby towns. Some people head into La Spezia for the evening to grab a drink and socialize.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Music?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its live music scene. However, La Spezia 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.
La Spezia is not a live music destination.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Beaches?
Rome
La Spezia
La Spezia 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 La Spezia. The beaches in the area tend to be rocky and pebbly. For the best beaches, head out of town to nearby areas.
Rome is not a beach destination.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for its Old Town?
Rome
La Spezia
La Spezia is a town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.
La Spezia offers a nice historic old town area. The old town runs between the streets of Corso Cavour and Via Prione and is best explored on foot.
Rome does not have a historic old town.
Is the Shopping Better in Rome or La Spezia?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, La Spezia 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.
Many visitors go to La Spezia to go shopping. There's a morning market at Piazza del Mercato as well as many clothing and souvenir shops around town.
Is Rome or La Spezia More Beautiful?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, La Spezia is not a destination known for its beauty.
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.
La Spezia is not a destination known for its beauty.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Families?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Rome is very family-friendly. 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.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in La Spezia. Visitors often use La Spezia as a base for visiting nearby Cinque Terre. The surrounding region has many kid-friendly activities like hiking, swimming, and beaches.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Couples?
Rome
La Spezia
Both Rome and La Spezia are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.
Couples visit Rome frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.
La Spezia is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It makes a nice base for visiting nearby sights if the more popular Cinque Terre area is too overwhelming.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, La Spezia 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).
La Spezia is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's more affordable than the nearby towns in Cinque Terre, but they're still easily accessible from town.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Students?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, La Spezia is not popular with students.
Rome is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.
La Spezia is not popular with students.
Is Rome or La Spezia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.
You'll find some public transit in La Spezia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses, trains, and ferry boats offer the main forms of transportation in the area.
Is Rome or La Spezia a more walkable city?
Rome
La Spezia
Rome is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, La Spezia 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.
La Spezia is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and you'll find a pedestrian-only area downhill from the train station.
For even more information, also check out Is Rome Worth Visiting? and Is La Spezia Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in La Spezia or Rome?
How long in Rome or La Spezia?
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rome and La Spezia. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in La Spezia. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Rome, and 2-3 days is enough time in La Spezia.
Families should spend more time in Rome than La Spezia. 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 La Spezia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rome that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome than La Spezia 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.
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How many days in Rome or La Spezia? Ideal Length of StayRome 3-7La Spezia 2-3
One day in Rome or La Spezia?
People visit Rome because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of La Spezia. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
A weekend in Rome or La Spezia?
People visit Rome because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
La Spezia 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.
Five days in Rome or La Spezia?
People visit Rome because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of La Spezia. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
A week in Rome or La Spezia?
Rome is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rome, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
The convenient town of La Spezia offers shopping and nightlife. 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
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Rome Prices
Italy PricesLa Spezia Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRome €207La Spezia €235
The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is €207, while the average daily cost in La Spezia is €235. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Rome and La Spezia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRome €90La Spezia €109
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRome €180La Spezia €218
Compare Hotels in Rome and La Spezia
Looking for a hotel in Rome or La Spezia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Rome Hotel Prices and La Spezia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rome €21La Spezia €41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
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Metro Ride (for Two)€2.00
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Train to the Airport€15
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Taxi to Airport€45
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Bicycle Rental (Full Day)€10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
- private transfer from Rome to Fiumicino airport: $72
- Welcome in airport Transfer with welcome box: $98
- Welcome Private Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Hotel in Rome: $120
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Rome APT-HTL (CIA): $138
- Transfers from Rome airports ONE WAY: $96
- Transfers from Fiumicino airport: $84
- Transfers From Fiumicino to Terracina: $169
- Transfers Fiumicino airport To Rome: $74
- Transfers Ciampino airport To Rome: $51
- Transfer to Rome from Fiumicino Airport: $58
- Transfer from Rome to Civitavecchia: $156
- Transfer from Rome center to Fiumicino airport with van: $144
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Spezia
Also for La Spezia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer La Spezia to Genoa by Business or Luxury Vehicle: $278
- La Spezia Cruise Port to La Spezia hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- La Spezia Cruise Port to La Spezia hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134
- Guided Tour of Florence & Pisa with Bus Transfer: $87
- Private Transfer La Spezia to Pisa by Business or Luxury Vehicle: $222
- Private Transfer from La Spezia Cruise Port to Pisa Airport (PSA): $210
- Private Transfer from La Spezia Port to La Spezia Hotels: $67
- Private Transfer from La Spezia hotels to La Spezia Port: $67
- Transfer from La Spezia to Cinque Terre and Return to the Ship: $299
Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or La Spezia?
Prices for flights to both La Spezia and Rome change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayRome €84La Spezia €96
Typical Food Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)€14
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4 Ice Cream Sandwiches€2.99
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Cafe e doce€4.00
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Pizza (Fast Food)€2.65
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Sitdown Lunch (for Two)€32
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Cheese and bread€10
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Espresso€2.00
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Dinner€58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
- Pizzas and Piazzas: A Self-Guided Walk of Rome’s Culinary Culture: $20
- Hard Rock Cafe Rome with Set Lunch or Dinner: $34
- Rome City Center Largest Farmers Market and Street Food Tour : $35
- Pizza and Tiramisu Cooking Class near the Colosseum: $35
- Pizza Making Class with Spritz & Mixology: $35
- Tasty Trionfale Farmers Market Food Tour and Local Wines Tasting: $42
- Pasta Making & Wine Tasting with Dinner in Frascati from Rome: $46
- Gnocchi Cooking Class in Rome - Piazza Navona: $46
- Vatican Street Food Tour and Wine Experience with Local Guide: $47
- Rome Food Tour : Street Food Testings with Local Guide: $47
- Rome Food Tour by the Vatican : $52
- Pizza Cooking Class in Rome City Center - Piazza Navona: $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Spezia
For La Spezia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste Cinque Terre on a Full Meal Food Tour: $99
- Small-Group Street Food Tour: $104
- Sunset Cruise with Aperitif and Dinner: $105
- Taste Cinque Terre on a Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $106
- La Spezia. Sunset Aperitif and Dinner on the Boat: $115
- Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in La Spezia: $118
- La Spezia Cinque Terre Food Tour: $136
- Private Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $169
- Sunset dinner boat tour in the Gulf of Poets: $169
- Cesarine: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in La Spezia: $173
- La Spezia:Portovenere & Islands sunset boat trip with dinner: $175
- Cooking Class and Home Restaurant Experience: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rome €36La Spezia €39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)€69
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Coliseum Tickets (for Two)€33
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Roma Pass€30
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Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)€20
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Segway Tour€75
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Guided Walking Tour in St. Peter's and Dome Exploration: $114
- Appian Way and Aqueducts Electric Bike Tour: $90
- Audio Guide Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel Skip the Line : $95
- Baths of Caracalla Guided Tour -Private or Shared: $131
- Best of Rome by Night Private Sightseeing Chauffeured Tour: $228
- Castel Sant Angelo Skip the Line Tickets: $43
- Discover The Churches of Rome guided tour: $180
- Evening Tour of the City’s Most Iconic Sights - Up To 6 People: $191
- Golf Cart Small-Group Guided Tour: Rome City Highlights: $104
- Golf Cart Tour of 3h with local guide and gelato: $216
- Golfcart adventure in Rome: $156
- Guided Tour of Rome's Churches and Art: $210
Tours and Activities in La Spezia
For La Spezia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Interactive tour of Portovenere: $11
- tour HOP ON HOP OFF con trenino e guida turistica: $12
- La Spezia Walking Tour: History, Panoramic Views, & Museum: $49
- Guided Walking Tour with Italian-Inspired Music: $50
- From Round-Trip to Pisa Cruise Shore Excursion: $50
- From La Spezia to Pisa with optional Leaning Tower Ticket: $51
- Pisa Tour by bus: $60
- Home Restaurant Experience with Pool Access: $70
- From Portovenere Islands Golden Hour Boat Tour: $70
- Cinque Terre Tour by Boat: $78
- Ferry boat tour to the Cinque Terre with stop in Portovenere and Vernazza: $80
- Sunset Tour into the Gulf of Poets: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRome €18La Spezia €35
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
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Bottle of Wine€6.50
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Pint of Beer€6.34
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Beer€10
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
- Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Small Group Experience: $19
- Rome Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $19
- Trionfale Farmers Market and Vatican Quarter Food and Wine Tour: $35
- Vatican Food and Wine Tasting Tour next to the Sistine Chapel: $35
- Rome’s Exclusive Wine Tasting: Sip Near the Colosseum!: $39
- Experience Rome Exclusive Wine Tasting in City Center: $47
- Tour of Rome with wine tasting: $54
- Guided Wine Tasting Experience in a Roman Vineyard: $59
- Wine Tour in Historic Center of Rome: $60
- Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $66
- Wine Tasting Cold cuts and Rare Cheeses in Grotta a Testaccio: $72
- Trastevere Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $77
Sample the Local Flavors in La Spezia
Also in La Spezia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Hiking in the Cinque Terre with wine tasting and light lunch: $140
When comparing the travel costs between Rome and La Spezia, we can see that La Spezia 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 Rome Expensive? and Is La Spezia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rome or La Spezia?
Rome has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of La Spezia. When comparing the sizes of Rome and La Spezia, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.