Which is a better city to travel to Rome or Milan?

I have 7 days in Italy in March, but I'm reading that Rome is overrun with pick pockets and gangs and it's extremely crowded and hot? And I've heard that Milan is more pretty? I've never been. Does anyone have any good suggestions?

In March Rome will not be hot. Rome cannot be beat for all the ancient and historical sites. It is crowded and there is quite a lot of traffic I will admit, but if you're looking at the Sistine Chapel you tend to forget all that. The Trastevere area of Rome is a little less crowded and trafficked, you might want to stay in that area.

Florence is smaller and not as overwhelming as Rome. Venice is beautiful, no cars only boats.

As far as pickpockets go. Basic security measures, such as a money belt are always a good idea. Keep your belongings close to you in crowded situations. Dressing to blend in with Italians will also keep you from being a target.

Rome is hot and crowded, but if you want to see the Colosseum and all the other really old stuff, then Rome is not to be missed. I agree that Milan is more friendly and beautiful. My favorite though, is Vennis

Rome!!!!

Go to Firenze, Verona, Venice, and Cinque Terra for real Italy. Rome and Milano are like NY or Paris.

u'll get just as much pick pocketers in milan as u will in rome...b/c they're both big tourist cities....if it was me, i would pick rome....there is so much more to do and see in rome....in milan, there isn't really and well known monuments or anything like that....it would be like going to down town new york city....just a bunch of shops everywhere....rome is so different...the colloseum, trevi fountain, and so much more.

You'll find pickpockets near places like railway stations in both Rome and Milan; simply, tourists are the easier target...
n arch Rome is far from being hot! That will happen in July-August. March will more likable be quite warm with some rain. And more and more the average temperature in Italy is similar between North and South, with North getting warmer and south more rainy.

Milan is a sort of "industrial and shopping city", but its historical and artistic value can seems low just compared to Rome or Florence, but Mediolanum was a very important city even during Roman Republic times, and second only to Florence during Renaissance; where's Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper"? In Milan, where you can also find Castello Sforzesco, the Duomo, Teatro alla Scala, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and lot of other artistic and historical sites.
It's FAR to be compared to New York!
So, don't worry about alleged troubles you fear you'll find in Rome but also you're right in not underestimate Milan.
And don't forget Turin, perhaps the most underrated city in Italy, by touristic and cultural value.
Anyway in March Rome is not overcrowded and even when it is (during Summer), remember it's a big city in extent, you're not going to get jammed in the crowd.

I am from Milano, but I'd choose Roma. First, there's no comparison between Roma and Milano on what the two cities offer about Arts and Monuments, Roma exists from long time more than Milano. Second, there's no hot weather and not so much crowd in March. Hot and crowd begin near June

assolutamente roma! absolutely Rom!