Paris vs. Rome: Which European City Should You Visit in 2026?

Paris and Rome are both worth visiting — but they're different trips. Paris is the better city for art museums (Louvre, Musée d'Orsay), fashion, and café culture. Rome is the better city for ancient history (Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican), food, and a more relaxed pace. For first-time European visitors, Rome offers more historical density per square mile. For return visitors with a Paris-sized budget, Paris offers more world-class dining and cultural experiences. Budget-wise, Rome is 15–20% cheaper on average than Paris for accommodation and meals.