Rome or Florence for a first trip to Italy?
Choose Rome for ancient sites and a larger city stay, or Florence for an art-focused visit with more of the main sights close together.
Rome asks you to choose from a large and spread-out set of sights. Florence lets you group many central visits more closely, although museums still need time and energy. For a short first trip, pick the city whose main attraction you would most regret missing.
Rome for ancient sites and a wider city visit
Give the Colosseum and Forum a substantial part of one day, then keep the rest nearby. The archaeological park's ticket information helps you choose between ordinary admission and products with additional areas. A Vatican Museums visit belongs on another day if you want time to look properly.
Rome's longer distances make the hotel location important. Check transport to your booked visits, not just the distance to a famous square. Cobblestones, traffic and stairs can make an apparently simple walk tiring.
Florence for a concentrated art trip
The Uffizi, cathedral area and river are close enough to combine across a few days without repeatedly crossing a large city. That does not mean you should book all the major interiors in one day. A long gallery visit is more enjoyable when it has room around it.
Use the Uffizi visitor information to prepare, and keep the rest of that day light. Cathedral-related attractions have separate access arrangements, so decide what you want to enter before buying a ticket package.
For an easier afternoon, walk beside the Arno and explore a small part of the Oltrarno. A hilltop viewpoint adds a climb, and central streets can be crowded even outside summer.
Should you visit both?
A direct train makes a combined trip possible, but changing cities still involves packing, getting to the station and checking in again. With only a few nights, one base often gives you a better visit. With a longer stay, divide the days by what you want to see rather than giving each city an automatic equal share.
The Italy seasonal guide can help you plan around heat and holidays once you have chosen your route.
Compare the Rome and Florence guides with the train journey between them.