Milan vs Rome: Fashion capital or ancient city?
Milan is fashion + design: Duomo + Galleria Vittorio Emanuele + Quadrilatero della Moda. Rome is 2000 years of ancient history: Colosseum, the Vatican, Trastevere trattorias.
Updated: 22 July 2026 · compiled by the CheapTrips editors
Choose Milan for fashion, design and the Duomo. Choose Rome for the Colosseum and 2000 years of history. Flights from the Netherlands take about 1 hour 45 to Milan and about 2 hours 30 to Rome. On price, are similarly priced. For a first visit most travellers pick Rome.
Milan
Milan is Italy's fashion and design capital: Da Vinci's Last Supper, the giant Duomo, Quadrilatero della Moda for luxury shopping and the best aperitivo culture.
Flight from NL: €70 return
View Milan →Rome
Rome is an open-air museum: 2000 years of history in every street, with Roman ruins, baroque squares and the best pasta carbonara in the world.
Flight from NL: €80 return
View Rome →Milan vs Rome at a glance
| Milan | Rome | |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight from NL | €70 return | €80 return |
| Flight time from Schiphol | about 1 hour 45 | about 2 hours 30 |
| Coast / beach | No | No |
| Museums | Good | World-class |
| Nightlife | Decent | Decent |
| Winter weather | Cold | Mild |
| Best months | April, May, June, September, October | April, May, June, September, October |
| Ideal length | 2 days | 4 days |
| Price level | €€€ | €€€ |
Milan and Rome are both popular for a trip from the Netherlands, but they feel quite different. Milan is known for fashion, design and the Duomo, while Rome is about the Colosseum and 2000 years of history. On price, are similarly priced. Milan ideally needs 2 days, while you can see Rome well in 4 days. The best months are April, May, June, September, October for Milan and April, May, June, September, October for Rome. Want to combine them: The high-speed train takes about 3 hours, faster and easier than flying. All prices below are indicative and based on return flights from Schiphol or Eindhoven outside the school holidays.
Best time to visit compared
Milan
April to June and September to October: 18-25 degrees. Avoid July/August (oppressively hot, many places closed). Fashion Week (February, September) is more expensive.
Rome
April, May and September-October are ideal, 20-25°C, manageable crowds. July and August are stiflingly hot (35°C+) and restaurants/museums are full of tourists. November and January are cheap but changeable.
Flights + transfer from the Netherlands
Milan
Directly from Schiphol to Milan Malpensa (MXP) in 1 hour 45 minutes. KLM, easyJet, Ryanair. Malpensa Express to center €13 in 50 minutes.
Rome
From Schiphol to Rome-Fiumicino (FCO) in 2 hours 30 minutes. KLM, ITA Airways, Vueling. To the centre: Leonardo Express €14 or bus €6.90. Locally: metro/bus €1.50 per ride, day ticket €7.
Costs compared
Milan
Hostels from €25, mid-range hotels €100 to 160, vacation rentals €110 per night. Food: panzerotto €4, aperitivo €10, dinner €25 to 40.
Rome
Hostels from €25, mid-range hotels €100-160, vacation rentals via Vrbo around €110 per night. Food: pizza already taglio €4, pasta-lunch €12-15, traditional dinner €25-35.
Who is it for?
Choose Milan if you are...
Fashionistas, design junkies, a base for the Italian lakes.
Choose Rome if you are...
First-time Italy visitors, history fans, pasta traditionalists.
Our verdict
Rome has far more iconic sights, Milan is better suited as a business city. Train 3h, €40.
Plan your trip
Frequently asked: Milan or Rome
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Discover these destinations
See the individual travel guides with live prices from the Netherlands.