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

Should you visit Rome or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua 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 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. Rome is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food. See Rome travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a natural, world-renowned, and diverse town. With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Rotorua travel costs.

Rome and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rome or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rome than Rotorua. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rome is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Rotorua attracts visitors for its hiking. Rome is more touristy than Rotorua 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. Rotorua is famous for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

The Colosseum

How is Rome different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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, Rotorua makes for a great culinary experience. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Rome or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Rome has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Rome or Rotorua Better for Music?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is not a live music destination.

Is Rome or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Rome is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Rotorua. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Rome is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rome or Rotorua?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Rome or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and 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.

Rotorua is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Is Rome or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

Rome is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Rome or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Rotorua is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

Rome is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Is Rome or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome and Rotorua are world-class places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Rome is a very popular city to visit 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).

Many backpackers frequent Rotorua. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Rome or Rotorua Better for Students?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

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

Rome is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Rome is top-notch. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

You'll find some public transit in Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Rome or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Rome?

How long in Rome or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rome and Rotorua. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Rotorua. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Rome, and 2-3 days is enough time in Rotorua.

Families should spend more time in Rotorua than Rome. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rotorua, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Rome than Rotorua. 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 Rotorua 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 Rome or Rotorua?

Because Rome is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Rotorua. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Rotorua?

Because Rome is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Rotorua is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Rotorua?

Rome is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rome has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Rotorua. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rome or Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rome. Because Rome is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

The cultural town of Rotorua offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rome or Rotorua?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Rome and Rotorua, 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 Rome or Rotorua?

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

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

Rome is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.

Rome usually gets less rain in July than Rotoruain January. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or Rotorua in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Rome is around the same temperature as Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rome in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

In October, Rome usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rome or Rotorua in the Winter?

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

In January, Rome is generally much colder than Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 8°C (47°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Rome usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or Rotorua in the Spring?

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

Rome is cooler than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

In April, Rome usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Rome