comparisons
Rome vs Florence
The two great art capitals of central Italy. One is an empire's ruins and Baroque grandeur; the other is the Renaissance concentrated into a walkable core. First-time visitors agonize over which to prioritize.
Curatorial note
Choose Florence if it's your first Italy trip and you want depth you can absorb on foot in 2–3 days — the Uffizi, the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, all close together. Choose Rome if you have more time (4+ days) and want scale, ruins, and the weight of a capital. If you can only do one and you've never been, Florence is the easier, more cohesive first taste; Rome rewards a longer, fuller visit.
Town · Toscana
Florence
Florence is worth two full days minimum and handles three well. It is small enough to walk end to end, which means it is also small enough to feel crowded — book the Uffizi and the Accademia ahead or you will waste half a day in line.
Town · Lazio
Rome
Rome deserves at least three full days and rewards a fourth. It is the one Italian city where trying to see everything is the mistake — pick two major sites a day and leave time for wandering.
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