Lisbon
100 km²
Rome
1,285 km²
Portugal
Italy
Area Comparison
Lisbon is 12.8x smaller than Rome
Population Comparison
Lisbon has 5.2x fewer people than Rome
Yes — Rome is 12.8x larger than Lisbon by area. Rome spans 1,285 km² (496 mi²) while Lisbon covers 100 km² (39 mi²) — a difference of 1,185 km². You could fit Lisbon inside Rome approximately 12 times.
To put Lisbon's size in perspective, its area of 100 km² is roughly the same size as Paris (city proper). Meanwhile, Rome at 1,285 km² is about 1.2x smaller than London.
In more relatable units, Lisbon's 100 km² is about 14,000 American football fields, 50 times the area of Monaco, or 29 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.
Lisbon is the capital and most populous city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 575,739 as of 2024, within its administrative limits and 3,028,000 within the metropolis, as of 2025. Lisbon is mainland Europe's westernmost capital city, and the only one along the Atlantic coast, the others being on islands. The city lies in the western portion of the Iberian Peninsula, on the northern shore of the River Tagus.
Known as "City of Seven Hills", Lisbon covers 100 km² with a population of 0.6 million. The city was founded around 1200 BC. Lisbon is known for Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Tram 28, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Lisbon Metro.
Lisbon is mainland Europe's westernmost capital city and the only European capital along the Atlantic coast.
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 1.8x larger than greater Lisbon at 3,015 km². The Rome metro area is also more populous, with 4.3 million people compared to 2.9 million.
Lisbon has a population density of 5,500 people per km² — a densely populated city. Rome, with 2,233 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Lisbon is noticeably denser, packing 2.5 times more people per square kilometer.
Both cities are in Europe, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. Lisbon (Portugal) and Rome (Italy) offer a fascinating regional contrast.
Both cities share a Mediterranean climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each.
Size Ratio
Lisbon fits inside Rome ~12 times
Density Gap
Lisbon is 2.5x more densely populated
History
Lisbon is ~447 years older
Lisbon covers 100 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Barcelona (101 km²), Paris (105 km²), Copenhagen (91 km²), Zurich (88 km²), or Vancouver (115 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 Lisbon to Rome is 1,863 km (1,158 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~2h 42m.
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