Have you ever found yourself having to make an impossible choice? When you compare two cities like Rome and Milan, that is essentially what you’re doing. A city like Rome is undeniable in its historical and religious importance. There is no other city on the planet that features the same kind of profundity that a monumental municipality like Rome has.
On the other hand, you have a city like Milan. Milan is a place of glamor, it is a place one goes to check out all of the newest and grandest designs from great Italian fashion houses. In this way, Milan features a cultural capital that is unique to itself. It’s a place where one lives and dies for beauty, and they do so fabulously.
Rome vs Milan: How to Choose Between the Two Cities
So when you’re planning your trip to Italy, you need to choose which city you want to visit. It’s easy to see why one would be a little overwhelmed by the decision. How can you decide which city is the right place to visit for your trip? Well, don’t worry, because we’ve created this article, that will illustrate some pros and con’s between the two cities. That will hopefully help you come to a decision, on which one fits into your dream Italian vacation best. So without further adieu let’s get started!
Roman the Countryside
Rome is one of the most important cities to ever exist. This is not hyperbole, this is not an exaggeration. It is an undeniable fact that in the history of humanity, few other cities have left as big of a mark. When William Shakespeare wrote, “Et Tu, Brute” he was not only chronicling a time that was already ancient for him, but he was creating a snapshot of a city that is accessible to us in the modern day. This alone is a magnificent feat, but when you consider that you can gamble across the Rubicon to meet your destiny in the city of Rome. That is simply a privilege whose enormity is entirely too difficult to fully grasp.
If you are a student of history, then you owe yourself a visit to Rome. The historical relevance of the Coliseum alone is worth the trip. Couple that, with the many rich artifacts and ruins that are accessible to the public, and you could have a seven-day sightseeing tour that would satisfy any armchair archaeologist! One of the benefits of a city like Rome is infrastructure. For instance, if you find yourself between hotels or arriving before a checkout time you can store your items in one of the many Roma Termini luggage storage options available!
Making It in Milan
Milan is a city with a cultural cache that is second to none. While it is not home to many ancient artifacts or ruins, it more than makes up for it in terms of what it does have. And what does it have? Shopping of course! You see, Milan is the city of fashion. It is the home of many of the great Italian fashion houses, such as Versace, Prada, and Bottega Veneta. So as you may expect, it’s a place where one wants to see and be seen.
Milan is a place of luxury, it is a city firmly focused on the future. However, that’s not to say it doesn’t have reverence for its past. The gothic Duomo in central Milan is one of the most stunning pieces of architecture in Italy. Overall Milan is a fabulous city for fun and fabulous people who understand the value of a name like Versace.
No Place Is Perfect
Though both of these cities would be amazing destinations on anyone’s Italian vacation, it would be insincere to not acknowledge that both Milan and Rome do have some slight drawbacks. For one, although both cities feature a bustling nightlife. If you’re in Rome you’ll have a hard time getting from place to place. Rome is a very lateral city, as a result, many people tend to hunker down in one neighborhood. And while this works for a Roman citizen, when you’re a Roman tourist just trying to navigate all these boroughs is enough of an issue.
Combine that with the difficulty of actually finding a cab that will take you there, and it becomes a genuine hassle. Now, Milan on the other hand is a lot more centralized, however, the city has its problems. Namely, it does not have the same amount of historical landmarks and artifacts that Rome does. Milan is great for shopping and nightlife, but if you’re looking to learn about the more ancient parts of Italian culture, Milan might not be the best place to visit.
Conclusion
Though both of these cities would be amazing destinations in their own right. If you’re visiting Italy for the first time, and you only have enough bandwidth to fit one of these amazing cities into your trip. You should choose Rome. Rome is a place with a veritable treasure trove of historical relevance.
There’s so much to do and so much to see that you could spend weeks in the city, and still miss something. With a city as multifaceted and exciting as Rome, you’re sure to have an amazing time! And if you do decide to go to Milan later on, rest assured that it’s an incredible experience as well. Because truthfully both cities are amazing, and if you have the time for it, then you should see both!
