Which Italian City Should You Visit First: Rome, Florence, Or Venice?

Whether children or elderly people, everyone eagerly awaits a vacation. It is when everyone puts their minds at ease and has a lot of fun with their loved ones. However, deciding which country or place to visit is the most time-consuming and challenging activity. Though there is no dearth of options for you to explore around the globe, you can consider Italy your next vacation spot. The nation is situated in Southern Europe and is mainly bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. Whether you want to have a delightful summer or winter vacation, Italy has many options. Moreover, the country has many historical charms and reflects many cultural values in various festivals and places. Thus, it confuses you about which specific destination to explore while visiting Italy, especially if you see it for the first time. Therefore, the provided article helps you explore the best vacation destination in Italy by comparing different aspects of its three most popular cities: Rome, Florence, and Venice. 

Understand Different Aspects of All Three Cities of Italy: Rome, Florence, and Venice

Know Your City

• Rome:
  • It is counted among the most visited places around the globe.
  • Capital of Italy and home to the Pope of the Vatican, a universal pilgrimage site of St Peter's Square, making Rome the home of two capitals. 
  • Some of the places in Rome are among the world's oldest. 
  • Due to its location, Rome is often referred to as the City of Seven Hills.
  • Once a mighty Roman Empire, Rome maintains a legacy left behind by the law, engineering, language, and political system, which have influenced the world. 
• Florence:
  • Renowned as an icon of beauty throughout the world. 
  • The landscape of the city is unique and eye-catching. 
  • The city is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance. 
  • Some of the world's historic places and sites are home to the town. 
  • The city's streets combine architecture, museums, churches, impromptu artist performances, and small art workshops.
• Venice:
  • One of the world's most breathtaking places. 
  • The city is considered one of the world's capitals of contemporary art. 
  • Venice consists of 118 islands connected by over 400 bridges, forming a distinctive and stunning landscape. 
  • Venice's main inland transportation channel is its array of waterways and canals.
  • The kind of romantic charm and historical landmarks you find in the city is indescribable. 

Best Time To Visit 

• Rome:
  • The summer of Rome is the best time to visit the city and explore its brimming festivals and activities, from June to August.
  • The decline of Rome, occurring from late September to mid-October, is the ideal time to visit the city to enjoy the mild weather and less crowded attractions. 
  • Spring, which lasts from mid-March to May, marks the shoulder season in Rome. It is best to visit during this time for the cheap travel options, fewer crowds, shorter waiting times, and picturesque weather.
• Florence:
  • Summer is the best time to visit the city and enjoy a mesmerising beach vacation and good weather with your loved ones between June and August. It is the busiest month, and tourists visit the city in large numbers. 
  • The fall offers pleasant weather and fresh fruits and vegetables between September and November. 
  • With mild temperatures and favourable weather, you can explore various outdoor places and activities in Florence in the spring, between April and May.
  • With some cold weather, winter is the best time for you to visit to get the best deals on your travel and accommodations between late November and February.
• Venice:
  • The peak tourist season occurs from June to August, and it features warm temperatures. The crowds are large, and prices are slightly higher.
  • April to May and September to October are the shoulder seasons, with pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and the opportunity to explore large places. 
  • The period from November to March is considered the low season, making it ideal for budget-conscious travellers. There are only a limited number of crowds during this time, making it easier to explore different spaces. 

Places To Discover

• Rome:
  • Colosseum: It is the biggest theatre that was ever constructed in Rome. The ancient Flavian Amphitheatre was designed to accommodate over 50,000 people at a time and could host plays, gladiator games, and public executions. 
  • Vatican Museum: It is considered one of the classic masterpieces, with over five miles of corridors and a vast museum complex. This museum complex narrates the history of mankind over 2000 years, along with its accomplishments. 
  • Fontana di Trevi: One of Rome's most mesmerising fountains, Fontana di Trevi is also the city's largest fountain, with a height of 26 metres and a width of 20 metres. There is a beautiful myth regarding the fountain which goes like this: if you throw one coin in the fountain, you will return to Rome; with two coins, with an attractive Italian, you are going to fall in love, and while throwing three coins, you are going ot marry the person that you met. 
  • Coppede Quarter: It is a complex of palaces and small villas and has been renowned for being magnificent. Many noteworthy-looking monuments peek over the square, including Villino delle Fate and Palazzina del Rango. 
  • Jewish Ghetto: This hidden gem is located in the heart of Rome. Europe's oldest Jewish community is also central to the Jewish faith. You can discover various cultural landmarks, ancient ruins, and scrumptious Roman-Jewish food during your tour. 
• Florence:
  • Uffizi Gallery: This world-famous gallery has an astonishing collection of ancient paintings and sculptures, and medieval and modern art collections. On the first Sunday of every month, the gallery is open to all without any charges, making it one of the busiest times of the month with a huge crowd. 
  • Ponte Vecchio: Considered the oldest bridge in the city, Ponte Vecchio shines with the exquisite offerings of jewellers that have been passed down through the generations for hundreds of years. It is the most famous destination for tourists. Moreover, it is the only bridge that has survived the bomb blast of World War II, making it worth visiting. 
  • Baboli Gardens: It is one of the world's most crucial and significant Italian-style gardens. It is beautifully made with a unique blend of caves, fountains, buildings, statues, streets, ponds, and small woods, making it a breathtaking picnic spot. 
  • Piazza della Signoria: This prominent public square has been the centre of Florentine political life since the Middle Ages. It houses numerous famous buildings and statues. It also has the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air gallery of sculptures that has attracted tourists from different places. 
  • Ponte Santa Trinita: Counted among the world's most elegant bridges, Ponte Santa Trinita has been built and rebuilt many times, as it has been destroyed by floods several times. The current version of the bridge has been influenced by Michelangelo's architectural style, which is renowned for its intricate details, graceful designs, and breathtaking views. 
• Venice:
  • The Grand Canal: While Venice is home to many canals, the Grand Canal stands out as it is the longest, measuring 3.5 km in length and 350 feet in width. You can take a water ride through the canal and explore the city's Renaissance.
  • Gothic Churches: The city has several notable Gothic churches, including the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo. The Frari is among the largest churches in the city and contains important works of art. You can explore different experiences at various Gothic churches present in the town. 
  • St. Mark's Campanile: After a previous structure collapsed in 1902, St. Mark's Campanile was reconstructed in 1912. It is the tallest structure in the city, at 98.6 metres, and is marked as one of the city's most recognisable symbols. The purpose of the construction of the campanile was to serve as a watchtower, which was built near the mouth of the Grand Canal.
  • Gallerie dell'Accademia museum: This museum contains some of the most important sculptures and paintings worldwide, featuring sculptures by Michelangelo. It also has an array of collections of other notable structures, which have attracted tourists from all over the world. 
  • Burano: It is a small island located near Venice. You can visit it by ferry. It is renowned for the hand-made lace beautifully crafted by the ladies while sitting at the door of their vibrant houses. The island's nature is charming, and it would only take you 39 minutes to reach it from the ferry. 

Major Festivals

• Rome:
  • Romaeuropa Festival: This is an annual event organised in Rome. The main theme of the festival is to highlight contemporary art, dance, music, and theatre. The event lasts two to three months in the fall, during which time around 20 spaces in the city experience different events. 
  • Natale di Roma: Rome celebrates its anniversary annually on April 21st, known as the Natale di Roma. This day in the city is marked with excellent exhibitions, reenactments, and educational events, and every street of the town is filled with narratives. 
  • Rome Film Festival: It is a major international film festival held in Rome. Though the time the event is celebrated throughout the year changes, it generally falls in the month of fall. 
• Florence:
  • Maggio Musicale Fiorentino: Mostly taking place in May and June, it is considered the oldest and most prestigious music festival in the country. The festival's remarkable aspect consists of opera performances, concerts, and ballet. 
  • Rificolona Festival: This festival is held every year on the eve of the Nativity of the Madonna. It is deeply rooted in Florence's folklore and features a procession of children carrying paper lanterns, known as rificolone. 
  • Estate Fiorentina is a four-month-long festival celebrated in Florence, Italy. It organises an array of cultural events and activities throughout the city and features music, art, theatre, and other performances.
• Venice:
  • ​​​​​​​Venice Carnival: This is one of the world's most renowned festivals. Though the festival has been celebrated in the town for many centuries, it has recently changed the connotations that have been celebrated for so long. Currently, the festival is closely tied with the production of Venetian masks, a typical handicraft output on the lagoon, and parties and masked balls.
  • Feast of San Marco: It is one of the most crucial events celebrated in the city and has marked its link with the ancient tradition of the historical transport of the remains of St. Mark. At present, the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and features parades, events, and concerts. Rewards are also provided to those who value the traditions and values of Venice in Italy, or in fact, in any part of the world. 
  • International Film Festival—La Biennale di Venezia: This festival is celebrated every year at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido. For two weeks, since the end of August, films and documentaries will be shown to mark the start of the film season and about the movie coming up on the night of the Oscars. 

Savouring Gastronomical Dishes

• Rome:
  • ​​​​​​​Cacio e pepe
  • Carbonara
  • Carciofi alla giudia (vegetarian food)
  • Carciofi alla romana (vegetarian food)
  • Suppli
  • Trippa alla romana
  • Porchetta
• Florence:
  • ​​​​​​​Bistecca alla Fiorentina
  • Lampredotto
  • Trippa alla Fiorentina
  • Fagiolo all'Uccelletto
  • Pappardelle al Ragu di Cinghiale
  • Panzanella
  • Tagliatelle al tartufo
• Venice:
  • ​​​​​​​Cicchetti
  • Sarde in Saor
  • Bigoli in Salsa
  • Risi e Bisi
  • Fegato alla Veneziana
  • Polente e Schie
  • Tiramisu

Conclusion

All three Italian destinations—Rome, Florence, and Venice—have their specialities and uniqueness. There is no specific place that can be said to be the best among the other. Each city has its special feature, which is filled with its distinctive festivals, cuisines, and places. Thus, you should decide which city to visit first based on your specific preferences and what kind of environment you like the most. Moreover, you can even consider the kind of festival you want to explore and visit that particular city when the event is being organised. Afterwards, you can plan your trip according to the city you are visiting and can buy a souvenir and take hundreds of thousands of photos to make it more and more memorable.