Barcelona
101 km²
Rome
1,285 km²
Spain
Italy
Area Comparison
Barcelona is 12.7x smaller than Rome
Population Comparison
Barcelona has 1.7x fewer people than Rome
Yes — Rome is 12.7x larger than Barcelona by area. Rome spans 1,285 km² (496 mi²) while Barcelona covers 101 km² (39 mi²) — a difference of 1,184 km². You could fit Barcelona inside Rome approximately 12 times.
To put Barcelona's size in perspective, its area of 101 km² is roughly the same size as Paris (city proper). Meanwhile, Rome at 1,285 km² is about 1.2x smaller than London.
Picture Barcelona another way: its area is large enough to fit about 14,000 American football fields, 50 times the area of Monaco, or 30 times the area of Central Park. Rome, by comparison, equals about 180,000 American football fields, 22 times the area of Manhattan, or 12 times the area of Paris.
Barcelona is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.7 million within city limits, its urban area extends to numerous neighbouring municipalities within the province of Barcelona and is home to around 5.7 million people, making it the fifth most populous urban area of the European Union after Paris, the Ruhr area, Madrid and Milan.
Known as "Ciutat Comtal", Barcelona covers 101 km² with a population of 1.7 million. The city was founded around 230 BC. Barcelona is known for Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, La Rambla, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Barcelona Metro (TMB).
Barcelona is the second-most populous municipality in Spain and the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia.
Rome is the capital city and most populated comune (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special comune named Roma Capitale with a population of 2.7 million in an area of 1,287.36 km2 (497.1 mi2), Rome is the third most populous city in the European Union by population within city limits. The Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, with a population of 4.2 million, is the most populous metropolitan city in Italy.
Often called "The Eternal City", Rome has an area of 1,285 km² and is home to 2.9 million people. It was founded around 753 BC. Visitors come for Colosseum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Rome Metro.
Rome's special comune Roma Capitale spans 1,287 km2, making it the third most populous city in the EU within city limits
Looking beyond city limits, the Rome metropolitan area covers 5,352 km², which is 6.7x larger than greater Barcelona at 803 km². The Barcelona metro area is also more populous, with 5.6 million people compared to 4.3 million.
Barcelona has a population density of 16,436 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. Rome, with 2,233 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Barcelona is dramatically more crowded, with 7.4x the population density.
Both cities are in Europe, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. Barcelona (Spain) and Rome (Italy) offer a fascinating regional contrast.
Both cities share a Mediterranean climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each.
Size Ratio
Barcelona fits inside Rome ~12 times
Density Gap
Barcelona is 7.4x more densely populated
History
Rome is ~523 years older
Barcelona covers 101 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Lisbon (100 km²), Paris (105 km²), Copenhagen (91 km²), Vancouver (115 km²), or Zurich (88 km²).
Rome covers 1,285 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Los Angeles (1,302 km²), Phoenix (1,341 km²), Rio de Janeiro (1,221 km²), San Antonio (1,209 km²), or Lagos (1,172 km²).
The straight-line distance from Barcelona to Rome is 860 km (534 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~1h 31m.
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