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How to Plan an 8-Day Itinerary in Italy: Find Out 5 Ideas

Spending 8 days in Italy is good for exploring the essence of Italy or one particular region in-depth.

Here are the top five itineraries for an 8-day trip in Italy.

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• 1. Rome, Florence, and Venice
• 2. Rome and Venice
• 4. Southern Italy

1. 8-Day Venice, Florence, and Rome Itinerary (Essence of Italy)

This itinerary is recommended for first-timers. By exploring these three essential cities, you could learn about Italy's top highlights during the 8 days.

• Days 1–2: Venice
• Days 3–5: Florence
• Days 6–7: Rome
• Day 8: Departure

Embark on your Italy trip from Venice. Explore the city's landmarks, such as the Piazza San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. Take a quintessential gondola ride to discover the charm of Venice's water.

In order to better understand the culture and characteristics of Venice in a more interesting and lively way, we could arrange an aperitif tour for you. Visit the Cannaregio district, one of the city's primary residential areas, with comparatively fewer tourists, thus offering a more authentic and traditional Venetian lifestyle experience. You could stroll along the canals and explore different aperitivo spots, indulging in delicious food and fine wines.

Next, go to Florence. There, visit museums and galleries to witness the great works of the Renaissance. Embark on a walking tour to explore the city's squares, old bridges, palaces, etc. to further feel the atmosphere of the city. Head to the nearby towns, such as Chianti and San Gimignano, to have a wine tour and explore some old towers.

At your last stop, Rome, start a tour to find the remains of the ancient Roman civilization by visiting the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Arch of Constantine. If you have time, go to the Vatican and immerse yourself in the artistic masterpieces of the Vatican Museums.

The itinerary could also start from Rome and end in Venice. All of our tours can be customized or adjusted based on your requirements. Feel free to contact us .

2. 8 Days in Rome and Venice (a Family Route)

This itinerary is recommended for families with children. Spend the 8 days focusing on two important cities for a more relaxing travel pace.

• Days 1–3: Rome
• Days 5–7: Venice

If you want your children to be immersed in Roman history and culture during your trip to Italy, Rome is highly recommended. In Rome, spend a day exploring its magnificent historical landmarks. The Vatican is also well worth a visit. With the company and guidance of a local guide, you and your children would gain a deeper understanding of historical stories.

Additionally, you could spend another day experiencing the everyday life scenes of Rome, taking a leisurely stroll in the squares, passing by the Trevi Fountain, and exploring the local markets and the Jewish Quarter.

In Venice, take a family boat ride along the Grand Canal and walk around the city to explore Venice's highlights and some hidden gems, including Piazza San Marco and Palazzo Fortuny. Go island-hopping to engage in some interesting experiences, such as watching the process of glassblowing.

3. Tuscany for 8 Days

If you want an in-depth exploration of Italy's towns and countryside with some wine tasting, you could consider this itinerary. This itinerary could also be a good option for couples.

• Days 1–3: Florence
• Day 4: Chianti and San Gimignano
• Days 5–6: Siena
• Day 7: Lucca and Pisa
• Day 8: Back to Florence

During this 8-day itinerary, you would not only have the opportunity to visit the art galleries, architecture, and squares in Florence and Siena but also to spend more time exploring the charming towns surrounding them.

These towns are filled with the unique charm of Tuscany. Take a stroll in San Gimignano and explore its medieval towers. Visit a family-run winery and enjoy good wine and food.

Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa to delve into the reasons behind its unique construction and capture some interesting and creative shots with this iconic landmark. In Lucca, walk or bike along the well-preserved Renaissance walls that encircle the city. Visit some old buildings, such as Lucca Cathedral and the medieval tower (Torre Guinigi).

If you want to travel between these towns, you would need to rent a car or arrange private transport. There is not much public transport running between them.

If you are interested in this itinerary, you could contact us . Our private tour would be a hassle-free way to travel. With a private driver and guide, you would have more flexibility and knowledgeable accompaniment.

4. 8-Day Southern Italy Itinerary

If you want to learn more about southern Italy's cities, towns, and islands, check out this itinerary.

• Days 1–2: Naples
• Day 3: Pompeii
• Days 4–6: Amalfi Coast
• Day 7: Capri

In this 8-day itinerary, start your trip in Naples. Wander through the narrow streets of the historied center (Centro Storico) and discover history-filled churches, vibrant markets, and local shops.

As the birthplace of pizza, you could try an authentic Neapolitan pizza at a local pizzeria or you could take a pizza cooking class.

Take a day trip to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, which was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Next, you would head to the Amalfi Coast to explore some stunning seaside towns, such as Sorrento, Positano, and Ravello. There, you could take a leisurely stroll and immerse yourself in breathtaking vistas, visit some majestic cathedrals and mansions, and taste some local street food.

Finally, you would go to Capri Island. Enjoy a boat ride, visit some of the island's iconic buildings, such as the clock tower, and wander along the streets and beaches.

5. Sicily in 8 Days

This itinerary would be a good option if you are looking for an island vacation in Italy or if you're intrigued by the portrayal of Sicily in The Godfather .

• Day 1: Rome
• Days 2–4: Palermo
• Days 5–7: Taormina

After a short break in Rome, head to the main destination of the trip — Sicily, Italy's largest island.

In Sicily, you would visit two of its popular towns. One is Palermo, which was where The Godfather was filmed. You could spend 2 days there to explore its historical gems, such as the Norman Palace and Monreale's UNESCO-listed Duomo. You could also go on a food tour to explore an open-air market and taste some street food.

The other town is Taormina — the heart of Sicily. There, you could discover its active volcano Mount Etna and explore volcanic caves. From the volcano, you could overlook the vast Mediterranean Sea and the rolling mountains, and have a panoramic view of Italy's mainland in the distance.

During the remaining time in Taormina, you could explore the town's boutiques, cafés, bookstores, parks, and more at your own pace.

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If you need any help in planning your Italy itinerary or if you are interested an above itinerary, we would modify it according to your requirements. Simply contact us . We are ready to customize the ideal itinerary for you.

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8 days in Italy: best Italy 1-week itinerary

Last updated on March 11th, 2024.

One question I frequently get asked by readers is ‘how many days should I visit Italy’? 

And to this, I typically have the same response: it depends on the M.O. of your Italy trip. 

For many first-time visitors to the country, I’d say that 8 days in Italy is a good timeframe.  

Eight days factors in sufficient time to deal with issues relating to jetlag and travel time to other destinations. Spending 8 days in Italy also means that you can comfortably see several places in Italy and really enjoy it. 

Based on this, I’ll be outlining a 1-week Italy itinerary presented in two ways. The first will detail an Italy 1-week itinerary starting from Rome, while the second Italy itinerary will start from Milan.

All the places included in this one week in Italy itinerary will be destinations that are within easy reach of each other. 

Customize this 8-day Italy itinerary to fit an Italy itinerary for 7 days if it better suits your travel plans. Both these itineraries can also be extended to fit a ‘10 days in Italy’ itinerary if preferred. 

My hope is that both day-by-day itineraries will help you plan your own trip to Italy . 

How to spend 8 days in Italy: starting point: Rome 

Suggested number of days: 3  

The Italian capital makes an excellent starting point for any southern Italy itinerary, more so for first-time visitors. It’s also one of the best places in Italy to visit.

The Eternal City is home to historical landmarks, striking architecture and is also the gateway to visiting Vatican City .  

Day 1 

Arrive at your Rome hotel (see where to stay in Rome ) from Rome Fiumicino ‘Leonardo Da Vinci’ international Airport (FCO).  

The journey by car from Rome’s international airport takes around 35 minutes (not including traffic). By train, the ride time from Fiumicino Airport to Roma Termini station is around 32 minutes. 

Should you arrive in Rome late at night, suffice it to say that major attractions will already be closed. If arriving in the morning, aim to visit 2 or 3 landmarks in Rome.  

With 8 days in Italy, you can easily allocate day 1 as a rest day if needed. 

Day 2 

Begin your 7-day Italy itinerary by visiting some of Rome’s best attractions. In a popular city like Rome, arrive as early as possible and be sure to book tickets in advance. 

Lines are typically long and by booking ahead, you get to skip the lines and jump to the attraction.  Some of my favorite things to do in Rome include: 

• Booking a skip-the-line tour of the Colosseum    
• Visiting the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel    
• Getting tickets to enter St. Peter’s Basilica ( Basilica di San Pietro )  
• Booking tickets to see the Pantheon   
• Visiting the Roman Forum    
• Touring the Catacombs of St. Callixtus   
• Taking a guided tour of the Borghese Gallery ( Galleria Borghese ) 
• Seeing the Trevi Fountain   
• Walking up the Spanish Steps  
• Booking a guided tour of the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo   
• Visiting the Capuchin Crypt    

It’s not expected that you’ll manage to see all these sites in 1 day. However, choose which activities you most want to do and save the rest for day 3.  

In the evening, explore the charming neighborhood of Trastevere. Stroll through its streets and stop at a local pizzeria to indulge in a traditional Roman pinsa. 

Day 3  

Visit the remaining sights in Rome that you didn’t see on day 2.  

Time permitting, consider booking a fun Rome street food tour or a Roman pizza cooking class . Both are fun, and educational, activities not only for adults but also if visiting Rome with kids. 

Map of Italy

Day 4 and 5 

There are several options for your remaining 8 days in Italy that make easy and realistic day trips from Rome.  

Rome to the Amalfi Coast 

Suggested number of days: 1-2 

Rome to the Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular trips to book from the capital. There’s a distance of 279km (173mi) between the two, which if you rent a car , translates to approximately 3hr 40mins.  

Traveling by train from Rome to the Amalfi Coast requires a bit more effort. This is because the route usually involves at least two modes of transport like train and bus/ferry. The overall journey time using public transport depends on which town on the Amalfi Coast you plan to visit. 

1-week Italy itinerary with the Amalfi Coast 

At this point, you may prefer to spend the remainder of your 8 days in Italy exploring the Amalfi Coast. 

While I added a suggested timeframe of 1-2 days, it’s a short amount of time to fully appreciate the region. We were lucky to spend 4 days visiting the Amalfi Coast and its pretty small coastal towns like Sorrento . 

But, in order to see the best of Italy in one week, a day trip will work out much better. 

The following are some top tour options for 1-day day trips from Rome to the Amalfi Coast to consider booking: 

• From Rome: Amalfi Coast group day trip  
• From Rome: Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano day trip  
• Rome to Amalfi Coast tour with limoncello tasting and cruise  
• Transfer from Rome to the Amalfi Coast with private tour in Herculaneum  
• 3-day tour from Rome to Naples, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast  

Day 6 

Rome to naples .

Suggested number of days: 1 

Around 1hr 13mins by high-speed train from Rome is the Goliath city of Naples.     A city known for being a little rough around the edges, we had the best time on our one day in Naples .

And with regular Frecciarossa (fast train) services between Rome and Naples, it makes an ideal Rome day trip. 

From Naples, there’s also the option to extend your stay to tour Pompeii or to see the Amalfi Coast.  

The journey time via car and public transport is much shorter from Naples to the Amalfi Coast than from Rome. 

Day 7 

Rome to florence .

A trip from Rome to Florence nicely rounds up the remainder of your 8 days in Italy itinerary.  

While it’s possible to see many top attractions in 1 day, aim for 2 days in Florence if possible. This allows enough time to comfortably visit the city’s must-see sights and to explore a few of Florence’s best museums .  

Some of the best things to do in Florence include: 

• Booking a guided tour of Florence’s Cathedral and heading to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome   
• Touring the cathedral’s museum (Museo dell’Opera del Duomo di Firenze)  
• Booking a timed tour of the Uffizi Gallery   
• Taking a guided tour of the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David   
• Touring Pitti Palace ( Palazzo Pitti )   
• Visiting Palazzo Vecchio  

Day 8 

Departure day. Make the journey back to Rome Fiumicino Airport. 

Depending on your flight time you may prefer to spend the last night at a hotel near Rome’s airport . 

Northern Italy 1-week itinerary: starting point: Milan 

Suggested number of days: 2 

The city of fashion, design, art and architecture, Milan is a good starting point for any northern Italy itinerary. 

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) caters for plenty of international flights and has good transport links heading to the center. 

The journey time by car from Milan Malpensa Airport to Milan city center is approximately 52 minutes. This doesn’t factor in traffic, of which Milan typically has a lot of. A train from Aeroporto di Milano Malpensa to Milano Cadorna station will take around 38 minutes.    I’ve suggested 2 days in Milan as I think it’s enough time to see the city’s main sights. Naturally, feel free to extend this to 3 days if you prefer to spend longer exploring the city. 

Arrive at your Milan hotel (see Milan hotels near the Duomo ) after arriving at Malpensa Airport

Like Rome, the itinerary for your first day in Milan will depend on several factors. What time your flight arrives and whether you’re too jetlagged/tired to do any activities will also play a role. 

Saying that, day 1 of your north Italy travel itinerary may be an allocated rest day.  

However, if none of the above applies to you, start exploring Milan and its top attractions listed under day 2. 

Like the other big Italian cities, I also advise booking ahead for major attractions in Milan.  

From personal experience, we didn’t find the lines in Milan as long compared to Rome and Florence. But booking skip-the-lines tickets are still super helpful especially if you’ve only 8 days in Italy to spend.

Some activities you might like to add to your Milan itinerary include: 

• A guided tour to see Milan’s Cathedral ( Duomo di Milano ) 
• Exploring the shops, eateries and architecture at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II  
• Visiting Sforzesco Castle ( Castello Sforzesco ) 
• Taking a guided tour of the Pinacoteca di Brera  
• Watching a performance at the Teatro alla Scala   
• Booking t ickets to see Da Vinci’s Last Supper painting (read the detailed guide ) 

Days 3 and 4 

Take a trip to lake como .

A trip from Milan to Lake Como is unmissable when visiting the city.  

There are several ways to get to Lake Como from Milan and the journey times are short too. By car, the journey is approximately 1hr 7mins (starting from Milan’s Cathedral). The Milan to Como train on the other hand is much quicker at around 38 minutes. 

I suggest spending 2 days in Lake Como, but a day trip is also doable given the short distance. Should you prefer to extend your time here, our 3 days in Lake Como itinerary provides a helpful detailed breakdown. 

Days 4 and 5 

Visit venice .

From the north to the north-east, no 8 days in Italy itinerary would be complete without a visit to Venice.

The high-speed Frecciarossa train from Milan to Venice takes around 2hrs 28mins. This may vary depending on the day you travel and the time of your train. By car, the journey time is slightly longer at approximately 2hrs 52mins.  

The capital of the Veneto region, Venice is like walking into a real-life fairytale. I’ve suggested 2 days for the purposes of this northern Italy itinerary, but you may prefer to extend it.  

What to see in Italy in a week 

Visiting Venice can easily take up more than 2 days given the many surrounding islands in the lagoon.

Explore the different neighborhoods in Venice , visit Murano, Burano and Torcello , and relax on the sandy beaches of  Lido di Venezia .

With a few days in which to explore Venice, these attractions and activities are a must for any Venice itinerary. 

• Taking a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace ( Palazzo Ducale )  
• Skipping the line to enter the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica ( Basilica di San Marco ) 
• Booking a gondola ride through the canals of Venice  
• Visiting the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello   
• Seeing the exhibits at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection   
• Taking a guided tour of the Academy Gallery ( Gallerie dell’Accademia ) 

Days 6 and 7 

Tour turin .

Explore the architecture, grand streets and salivating food scene of Italy’s first capital.   A high-speed train will get you from Milan to Turin in around 1hr 5mins. The journey time by car is approximately 2 hours, not including traffic. 

Turin has plenty to see and do and the attractions in the city will easily fill 2 days. Some of the Turin attractions I advise adding to your 8 days in Italy itinerary include: 

• Booking a guided tour of the Royal Palace of Turin ( Palazzo Reale )  
• Seeing the exhibits inside the Egyptian Museum ( Museo Egizio ) 
• Taking a guided tour of the Mole Antonelliana  
• Exploring the National Museum of Italian Unification ( Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano )  
• Admiring classic Italian cars at the National Car Museum ( Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile )   

Should you manage to see all the above, you may want to consider visiting the following places just outside Turin. 

• The Royal Palace of Venaria (Reggia di Venaria). A grand estate with baroque furnishings surrounded by 50 hectares of garden. 
• The Langhe wine region . Tour the land where they produce Barolo and Barbaresco wines. 

Alternative options for days 6 and 7 

There are alternative options to Turin should you prefer to visit other destinations from Milan. They include: 

• Parma (1hr 25mins by car, 47mins by train) 
• Lake Garda (2hrs by car) 
• Cinque Terre (3hr by car, 3hr by train) 

Which destination you choose to add to your 8 days in Italy itinerary is completely up to you. I’ve suggested Turin given its rich history and the short travel times to get to and from Milan. 

Departure day. Make the journey back to Milan Malpensa Airport. Consider checking into a hotel near Milan’s airport if you’ve an early morning flight. 

Is one week enough in Italy? 

One week is never long enough for any vacation. But, for first-time visitors, one week in Italy is a good amount of time providing it’s properly planned out. 

What should I pack for a week in Italy? 

What to pack for a week in Italy depends on several factors. This includes when you plan to visit Italy and the type of activities you want to do.  

Understanding when is the best time to visit Italy will help you pack right. Make sure to bring all the  travel essentials for Italy so you won’t need to buy anything on your trip.  

What are your thoughts on this 8 days in Italy itinerary? Which destinations would you most like to see? Let me know in the comments below. 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.

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Welcome to my site. I'm Lisa, an Italy-based travel and lifestyle blogger behind Following the Rivera. Find out more about me and my story.

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Great post. I traveled around Italy last year. It was a fantastic adventure. I want to go back.

Thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed your time here 🙂

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What to do with 8 days in Italy

When you think of Italy , three things probably come to mind: pizza, pasta, and photogenic ancient ruins. After spending eight days in Italy on Intrepid’s  Highlights of Italy tour – hitting up Venice, the Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome – I can categorically tell you there is a lot  more to it than that (but don’t worry, pizza and pasta still featured heavily.)

Here’s your guide to eight perfect days in Italy.

Days 1 and 2: Venice

Image c/o Laila Gebhard, Flickr

Our trip  kicked off in Venice, where I had an entire day to explore the ‘floating city of canals’ – or ‘sinking city of canals’ if you want to be glass-half-empty about it – before meeting the group in the evening.

To make the most of Venice, get up early in the morning and head out to Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark’s Square). This will give you time to find a morning cup of coffee and watch the sun sparkling over the water before the square fills with fellow tourists (seriously, you won’t be able to swing a selfie stick by 11am). Stick out the lines to get into Saint Mark’s Basilica and you’ll be rewarded with a view as impressive as the sun shining across the Grand Canal.

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And while you’re in the area, pop next door and climb the steps up Saint Mark’s Campanile – the bell tower – for a sweeping panorama of Venice. If your camera or smartphone allows you to take panorama photos, all the better. It only costs €8 to climb the bell tower. Bargain. Next, spend a few hours wandering around Venice getting purposefully lost. Venice isn’t just a couple of pretty bridges, and a nice view or two. Every single corner you turn around – and the city’s labyrinthine passageways and bridges mean there are a LOT of corners to turn around – you will get yet another postcard-worthy scene.

On the second day of the Intrepid tour, me and a few others in the group caught a ferry (approximately €20) out to some of the smaller islands that surround Venice: Murano and Burano. Murano is famous for it’s glass-making, so you’ll get to see lots of hand-crafted glass animals, vases and chandeliers and wonder ‘how the heck did they do that?!’. Burano is known for it’s adorable, colourful houses (Facebook likes on your photos guaranteed). Well worth the trip if you’ve got a spare day to kill.

In the evening, do the tourist thing: ride in a gondola, and watch as the sun sets over the canals. Gondola rides are expensive, so if you get a group of your fellow travellers together it will be cheaper for everyone. Score one for small group touring.

Days 3 and 4: The Cinque Terre

Image c/o Robyn Horn, Flickr

Ah, the Cinque Terre . The string of centuries-old seaside villages that launched a thousand Instagram posts. To say that the Cinque Terre is eye-catching is an understatement – and it also offers a slightly more laid-back and peaceful few days of sightseeing than some of the busier cities in Italy (peaceful by Italian standards, anyway).

While hiking may not be everyone’s idea of a ‘laid-back and peaceful’ cup of tea, you don’t actually have to hike the entirety of the Cinque Terre to experience its jaw-dropping good looks. In fact, you often can’t hike the entirety of the Cinque Terre due to path closures. Don’t worry, there’s a solution – both for path closures, and those who didn’t pack appropriate hiking footwear. The Cinque Terre ‘One Day Multi-Service Card’ – €12 for a one-day adult pass, and available from the information centres at any of the five villages – will allow you to walk or train between any of the towns in the Cinque Terre. Try to visit all five of the villages that make up the Cinque Terre if you can… You don’t want to go home and say you only did the Quatro Terre.

In summer, it’s also possible to take a dip in the sparkling blue ocean waters after a hard day’s hiking and/or train riding.

Days 5 and 6: Florence

Image c/o Joe DeSousa, Flickr

I don’t want to have my passport confiscated when I next try to visit Paris, London or Berlin… but it’s my firm belief that Florence has the best architecture in all of Europe. Sorry, other European cities. The moment when you turn a corner and enter the main square – the Piazza del Duomo, and see the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistry and Giotto’s Campanile for the first time – you will find yourself agreeing with me and thinking ‘What’s the big deal about Paris anyway?’.   Sacrilege I know.

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If you think the outside of the buildings are impressive – detailed, geometric patterns of forest-green, rose-gold and cream marble that create a visual extravaganza – then just wait until you see inside. You can purchase a combined ticket – called the OPA pass – to the Baptistery, Giotto’s Campanile, the Cathedral Museum, Brunelleschi’s Dome, and the underground archaeological site of Santa Reparata for €15, which is valid for 24-hours from the first use. Plenty of time to see them all.

If you’re not museum and art-galleried out after that, on your second day in Florence you should visit the Galleria Academia and the Uffizi Gallery – but you’ll have to make sure you book well in advance. Booking tickets online costs €16.50 each. This might seem like neurotic pre-planning, but the artworks in both the Galleria Academia (Michelangelo’s David) and the Uffuzi (works from Botticelli and da Vinci) make it worthwhile. You can stroll pas the queues of desperate ticket-seekers with your pre-paid pass in your pocket and smirk quietly to yourself if you like. I know I did.

Days 7 and 8: Rome

Image c/o Moyan Brenn, Flickr

It’s already the last two days of your tour (where did that go ?) At this point, you might feel like crying. But persevere, because there’s so much more to see – and so much more gelato to eat.

First up, make your way to the Colosseum. There’s likely to be Julius Caeser monologue-long lines, so to save time head to the Palatine Hill entrance at the Roman Forum. Here you can purchase a combined ticket for the Roman Forum and the Colosseum for €12.00 – which is valid for two days. I would recommend an audio guide for the Roman Forum – which costs around €6.00 – to help give you some context for all those bits of crumbling rock.

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Next, catch the subway to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Rome’s metro system is incredibly easy to navigate as there’s only two lines! Apparantly, any time they tried digging to expand upon their public transport system, they uncovered more ancient ruins. Champagne problems, right?

Book online for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, and you’ll be able to skip most of the queues to make your way inside. I went with the option of pre-booking an audio guide with my ticket, which cost €27 including the booking fee. There’s not a lot of information about the artworks on the set path in the museum, so a tour or audio guide is worth it. If you’ve got some time left in Rome, hit up Saint Peter’s Basilica. Entry into Saint Peter’s Basilica itself is free, and climbing the cupola – the dome – costs €7.00 if you take the lift. Trust me, take the lift. This will take you right up to get a view on the dome inside the Basilica. You then climb a few extra steps (okay, a couple hundred steps) and then you will be rewarded with a fantastic panorama of Rome and Saint Peter’s Square from outside.

Your time in Rome is probably almost up (unless you’ve booked a few extra days to explore, you clever thing) so there’s only thing left to do on your final night: ingest as much pizza and gelato as you humanly can. Good luck.

Want to do Italy right? Check out our Highlights of Italy small group adventure. We’ve got a pizza with your name on it.  Want more destination inspiration like this? Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter here .

Feature image c/o Bastien M, Flickr

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Melissa Welham

Melissa Wellham usually works as a writer, content creator and social media consultant; but at the moment she’s avoiding being an adult and travelling overseas for a bit. Unemployment suits her very well, thanks for asking. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @melissawellham.

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Immerse Yourself (and Your Family) in Italy’s Most Magical Cities

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Italy is at the top of many travelers’ wish lists, and with good reason. The country offers fascinating layers of history, from ancient Rome to medieval and Gothic wonders and the Renaissance’s explosion of creativity. Then there’s the cuisine: delectable antipasti, pizza, gelato, and more that adults will savor and kids will love. And everywhere you’ll find the Italian spirit, that ineffable attitude of dolce far niente —the joy of doing nothing. Here, there’s still a wonderful appreciation that on some days the most important thing to do is sip an aperitivo and catch up with a friend or simply observe life unfolding on a piazza.

This eight-day Italy itinerary with Adventures by Disney begins in Rome, includes several nights in Tuscany, and ends in one of the world’s most magical cities, Venice. Along the way you’ll experience what makes traveling with Adventures by Disney so memorable. There are hands-on cultural activities, like making your own Carnevale mask, which provide a deeper understanding of Italy’s culture. You’ll get exclusive access , as on an after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums . And you can’t miss Disney’s legendary commitment to quality and service. Every adventure will be led by two Adventure Guides —passionate professionals who are not only knowledgeable about the places they visit but also engaging storytellers.

After you read this itinerary, you may be ready to go. Italy awaits, and Adventures by Disney can show you the best of it.

Itinerary / 8 DAYS

TRIP HIGHLIGHT

A farm visit in tuscany.

TRIP DESIGNER

Adventures by disney.

DAY 1 Arrive in Rome

DAY 3 Travel to Umbria and Tuscany

DAY 4 A Farm and Winery Visit

DAY 5 Florence

DAY 6 Travel to Venice

DAY 7 Venice

DAY 8 Depart

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Travel Itineraries , Europe , Travel Destinations

Northern italy itinerary 8 days: an unforgettable trip.

FMTC Affiliate Disclosure: Blond Wayfarer contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This disclosure pertains to all affiliate links.

Travelers are powerfully drawn to Italy . And it’s easy to understand the country’s appeal. I mean, Italy is enticing . No doubt about it.

As for me, I’ve visited Italy twice and plan to visit again. I don’t think I’ll ever stop feeling excitement bubbling inside my stomach whenever I step off a plane that’s just landed in Milan or Rome. 

Why is Italy so popular? First of all, Italy has a wonderful tourism infrastructure in place. I’ve traveled to Italy alone and in a group. Both times I fell in love with this country.

However, Italy is rich and dynamic, meaning it’s best to plan trips by region. I personally don’t agree with rushing north to south in the span of a week. There’s simply too much to see and do. Italy demands attention. 

Not to mention, I’m a slow traveler. Hence why I decided to devote a travel itinerary strictly for Northern Italy. 

Table of Contents

Tips for Planning a Trip to Northern Italy

Firstly, spending 8 days in Northern Italy requires a lot of time and money.

Sure, Italy is more affordable than countries like Scotland or Sweden. However, a flight to Milan from the United States or Canada isn’t exactly an impulse purchase either. 

What I’m trying to say is that while travel is exciting, it’s equally exciting to do your research ahead of time to have the best possible trip. 

Let’s talk about some Northern Italy hacks! 

The Best Months to Visit Northern Italy

You’ll spend a great deal of time outside on a vacation to Northern Italy. 

This part of the country is home to mountains, lakes, and seas. Save the museums for Rome and Florence. Northern Italy, on the other hand, is all about the outdoors.

I visited Northern Italy in April.

Undoubtedly, I think spring is a lovely time to visit this region, because the summer heat and crowds haven’t swapped the smaller villages yet.

April, May, and June are all great months for exploring Northern Italy.

Yet, April does see some rain (ugh), so make sure to pack that travel umbrella or rain jacket.

How to Get Around Northern Italy

In northern Italy, the best place to start your journey is at Milan Malpensa Airport , which isn’t too far from the city’s core. You can take a quick train to the Central Train Station after making your way through border control.

Once you’re in Milan, I don’t recommend driving during in the city. In fact, I don’t think you should drive for your entire 8 days in Northern Italy. Italian roads are crowded and stressful. Personally, I don’t feel comfortable advising you to rent a car since I didn’t do it. 

Instead, you’ll want to rely on both trains and ferries in Italy. 

Trains in Northern Italy

Without a doubt, trains are best form of transportation to take around Italy. 

Trains are efficient, clean, and (usually) on time. I suggest buying tickets ahead of time at the official Trenitalia website , especially during peak periods.

If you buy tickets at the station, always validate the time at the machines. You’ll be fined without a validated ticket.

Ferries in Northern Italy

Northern Italy is well known for its alpine lakes and jaw-dropping coastal villages. Unsurprisingly, ferries will be another primary mode of transportation that you will use on your trip. 

Ferries will take you from town to town in Lake Como and Cinque Terre. Look at their schedules ahead of time, so you’re not stranded, haha. I’m not kidding. I almost got stranded.

What to Pack for Northern Italy

I could dedicate an entire post to packing essentials for Northern Italy. Instead I will keep it short and just mention the necessities that are required for year-round travel to the country. 

For your 8 days in Northern Italy, you’ll want to bring:

• Comfortable and Stylish Shoes:  Italian cities have cobblestone streets that can hurt. Bring a stylish shoes that are always comfortable such as these sleek black shoes by Clarks . Furthermore, don’t forget your hiking boots if you want to explore the hills of Cinque Terre and Como. 
• A Quality Guidebook:  I personally recommend Lonely Planet’s Italy Guide for planning your trip. On a tablet, you can save the chapters relevant for Northern Italy. 
• Travel Insurance:  Don’t ever travel without insurance. What if you twist your ankle in the Italian hills? Use World Nomads for an affordable and high-quality insurance policy. 
• A “Pickpocket Proof” Purse:  Although Northern Italy is safe, it’s always a good idea to protect your belongings against pickpockets and other unsavory characters. I would use a Pacsafe crossbody bag to keep your possessions secure. 
• A Mirrorless Camera:  I love a good compact mirrorless camera with my favorite being Sony’s A6400 . Well worth the cost. 
• A Shawl or Scarf:  Keep in mind that covered shoulders are required for entering some Italian churches. Always have a shawl or scarf handy. My favorite scarf is Speakeasy’s Infinity Scarf with a hidden pocket. 

With all that said and done, let’s get into the itinerary itself!

Northern Italy Itinerary 8 Days: The Perfect Trip

Day 1: Arrive in Milan

Milan is Northern Italy’s powerhouse city. Personally, I think Milan is worth visiting due to its cool neighborhoods and unique attractions. 

Highlights of Milan

In my opinion, Milan’s biggest highlight is seeing Leonardo di Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” You need to reserve tickets in advance to see famous piece of art. I recommend going with a tour guide and skipping the line. You’ll learn a lot.

Additionally, I loved exploring Milan’s Sforza Castle.  This majestic castle make you feel as if you’ve transported to another time and place. 

Last but not least, take a walk on the roof of the ornate and gothic Duomo. Reserve ahead of time. I felt like a mediaeval spy walking alongside the gargoyles, haha.

Accommodation for Milan

• Room Mate Giulia: A charming property located right next to the iconic Duomo (from $200 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com ).
• Lancaster Hotel: A beautiful 3 star hotel housed in a 19th century building (from $112 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com ).
• Ostello Bello Grande: Want to save money? Go to this clean and social hostel close to the train station (from $47 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com ).

Days 2-3: Explore Lake Como

Take a short train ride to Lake Como.

Honestly, even though you can do a day trip to Lake Como , I recommend staying longer to see everything this resort area has to offer travelers. 2 days in Lake Como is a great amount of time!

Highlights of Lake Como

Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo was my favorite place in Lake Como. Sitting in the botanical gardens was one of the most peaceful experiences of my entire life. I highly recommend staying an hour (or even two).

I loved strolling the streets of Bellagio and Varenna . These small towns are pretty far from the main city of Como, so plan your ferry rides ahead of time.

Last but not least, you’ll want to take the funicular to Brunate on a sunny day. The beautiful lake views are out of this world.

Accommodation in Lake Como

• Hotel Centrale Bellagio: Located in Bellagio, this classy boutique hotel is only steps away from the majestic lake. (from TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com ).
• Hotel La Darsenta: A waterfront location right on Lake Como in the town of Tremezzo (from $101 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com ).
• Ostello Bello Lake Como:  For those on a budget, this lovely warm hostel in Como will make your trip even better (from $72 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com ).

Days 4: Eat Your Way Through Parma

Your next stop takes you into the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region. This area is known for its exquisite balsamic and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. 

In Parma, you will enjoy a perpetually full stomach!

Highlights of Parma

Upon arriving in Parma, you’ll want to immediately head to Cattedrale di Parma.  And if you like art, go to the Baptistery of Parma to see the extraordinary ceiling.

If you want to devote time strictly to food, then go on a city bike tour of Parma that includes a cheese factory visit. These cheese factories are SO much fun, I promise.

Read my guide for the best things to do in Parma for more information about this delightful city. 

Last but not least, in Parma, you’ll want to experience the food.

Accommodation in Parma

• Hotel Button:  This adorable 3 star hotel is fairly priced and located in the center of Parma (from $85 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com ).
• Hotel Torino: A 3 star hotel that’s only a 3 minute walk from the Parma Cathedral (from $117 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com ).
• Palazzo Gozzi Bed & Beauty: A welcoming Bed and Breakfast right in the heart of Parma. Great for solo travelers! (from $93 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com ).

Days 5-6: Hike Between the Cinque Terre’s Villages

Cinque Terre is super popular for day trippers streaming in from Milan and Genoa. However, I recommend spending 2 days in Cinque Terre to see the villages without the tourist masses. 

Highlights of Cinque Terre

In Cinque Terre, the major highlight is hiking between the five towns: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Cinque Terre National Park is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explore the towns in the morning and evening.  Mid-afternoon day trips makes the trains and paths a bit of a headache. Go at off times. As a solo traveler in Cinque Terre , I truly had opportunities to be alone and it was great.

My favorite town of the bunch is Corniglia. I loved how small the town was (only 150 full time residents), and it was a peaceful place to lay my head at the end of the day.

Cinque Terre is well-known for their wines. If the weather allows, do a hillside wine tour that teaches you all about how wine is made in this region. 

Accommodation in Cinque Terre

• Alla Marina in Riomaggoire: A guesthouse located inside a mid-13th building. Centrally situated in Riomaggoire. (from $81 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com )
• Hotel Ca D’Andrean: A 3 star hotel with all of the comforts of home. Conveniently located near the hiking trails. (from $163 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com )
• Hotel Gianni Franzi in Vernazza: A small hotel that has terrace views of the Ligurian Sea. (from $72 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com )

Day 7: Unwind in Camogli 

Last but not least, I’m taking you off the beaten path to Camogli. This charming village is a wonderful and authentic addition to this 8 day Northern Italy itinerary. 

Bring an Italian phrasebook to Camogli. I found English was less widely spoken here. 

Highlights of Camogli

Like Parma, I’ve written a more extensive guide on the best things to do in Camogli to help you plan your visit.

On a sunny day, enjoy a hike in Portofino National Park or Parco naturale regionale di Portofino. The walking trails are accessible from Camogli’s marina. The hikes vary in difficulty, so know your strengths and weaknesses before going on your adventure.

The Camogli marina is a wonderful place to spend your time, too. I loved both Castle della Dragonara  and Santa Maria Assunta.  Take the time to chill on the stone beach.

Accommodation in Camogli 

• AUGUSTA Albergo B&B: A family-run B&B that is right on Camogli’s marina (from TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com ).
• Hotel Cenobio Dei Dogi: For a swanky stay, this hotel has a private beach and a sea view restaurant (from $123 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com ).
• La Camogliese Hotel B&B: Another family-run B&B that is five minutes from the train station (from $74 on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com ).

Day 8: Return to Milan 

Time to go back to Milan!

Camogli’s small train station will take you directly to Genoa. Then you will switch trains to return to Milan. 

In Milan, spend some time getting to know the more unique neighborhoods. Isola has received lots of investment in recent years, and is great for architecture lovers. Meanwhile, Brera is the artistic heart of Milan with several artisans shops and boutiques. 

Last but not least, I recommend visiting Milan’s famous opera house La Scala. If you don’t want to attend a show, the museum is very informative and gives you insight to the history of Opera in Milan. I loved it!

That’s all, folks! I hope you had a great time reading about how to spend 8 days in Northern Italy. You’ll have a great time. What other suggestions would you add to this itinerary? Thanks again for reading, and happy travels!

Rachel Elizabeth

At 22, I took my first overseas trip to Bermuda. Took a break to follow the "American Dream." Had my self-esteem broken. Embarked on my first solo trip to Scotland at 26. The travel bug dug its way under my skin. I now book multiple trips a year.

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Perfect 8-Day Italy Road Trip Itinerary

Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below, but these are all products or services I highly recommend. I won’t put anything on this page that I haven’t verified and/or personally used.

Now I want to preface this 8-Day Italy Road Trip Itinerary post with the fact that I’ve been to this country three times before this most recent trip. The first with EF Tours in 2008, the second studying abroad in 2011 and third a work trip in Milan in 2018. With a wedding in Tuscany, I knew I wanted to see more of the areas I had yet to visit. There were a lot of stops with packing and unpacking, but that also included medieval towns, daily pasta meals and wandering for hours. You really can’t go wrong anywhere you go, but I would recommend each and every place we came by.

As usual with any of my itinerary posts, let’s start with cost.

• While the flight says $750, it was actually paid with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card points so it didn’t cost a dime.
• The rest of the expenses were divided by 2 since I was traveling with my boyfriend. Therefore, the total cost per person was $840.
• The cost is a bit high, but we ate and drank quite a bit, which increases the total amount.

Best way to come up with an itinerary

I wanted to start this off with how I even plan our itineraries. However, here’s a more in depth post on how: Best Ways to Come Up With a Travel Itinerary .

It’s extremely difficult when we only have 8 days to fit in as much as possible, especially when the places we want to see are all over the country. So here’s what I did:

• Wrote down all the cities and sites we wanted to see.
• Boston to/from Florence
• Boston to/from Rome
• Boston to Rome, Florence to Boston (and vice versa)
• Boston to another European country, then to Rome/Florence
• Depending on which is the cheapest option (which was Boston to/from Rome), then I started planning from there.
• When it came to dates, google maps is a great tool because it shows you most of the airlines, and all the dates and pricing for each. We decided on a Wednesday to Thursday trip (8 days total).

So with all that research, I created our itinerary that I can’t wait to share with you.

Buckle up and get ready for the Italy road trip of a lifetime.

Don’t forget travel insurance.

This is one thing that slips many travelers minds. Travel insurance is extremely important when traveling somewhere new. If anything were to happen abroad, having travel insurance can save you tons of money, and keep you safe!

I used to be that person who would take the risk. However, my friend was traveling, and wanted to pet a cute dog. The cute dog bit her, so she was rushed to go get a rabies shot. Do you know how much that would have cost her out of pocket if she didn’t have travel insurance? A LOT. So, I prefer not to risk anymore.

My go to travel insurance is  World Nomads .  Not only are they extremely affordable, they offer comprehensive packages and are super easy to use. They cover things like your medical emergencies, lost credit cards, delayed luggage, or even stolen items. Trust me, it is worth the small cost! Click below link to get a quote!

Day 1: Rome

The Rome airport is one of the cheaper ones in the country to fly in and out from (at least from the States). It is about 30 minutes (without traffic) to Rome and around $48 one way by taxi. We had less than 24 hours in Rome, so we opted for a taxi instead of having a nightmare of a time driving in the city. We went back to the airport the next day to get a rental car. You can easily book a rental car through Auto Europe Car Rentals . I like booking through them to do comparisons for the different companies!

Your browser can’t load the needed module. Please click here for the best car rental rates.

We decided to make Vatican City our priority for the day. Whether you have a day or more, I would recommend doing the key tourist spots including The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon & The Roman Forum. While these prime locations will be busy, but they are incredible pieces of the world’s history that are worth seeing. Vatican City should be done first thing in the morning, or later in the afternoon. You won’t need a ticket beforehand, but be prepared to potentially wait in line. Make sure to check the timing of when and how long it is open as they fluctuate from day to day.

Where to stay:   Airbnb is a great option if you are on a budget. We found an incredible apartment near Vatican City with a view of the Vatican here .

If you haven’t used Airbnb before, use this code to get $40 off your first booking!

Where to eat:   Have lunch at Pizzarium Bonci near the Vatican, an app and martini at La Poccola Cuccagna  or take a cooking class for an authentic Italian cuisine.

Day 2: Capalbio

Once we go our rental car the next morning, we started our trip north. A small town just north of Rome on the coast, Capalbio is a perfect stop on your Italian road trip. It’s simple, quiet, a precious walk throughout castle walls and of course, amazing food. If you have some time, head to the beach, visit the Tarot Garden or splurge and watch sunset at one of the oceanside restaurants.

Where to stay:   Valle Del Buttero  was perfect location and a nice assorted free breakfast for a great price.

Day 3: Drive to Lucca

Heading up the coast towards Lucca will take about 4 hours. We stayed just 20 minutes outside in Borgo a Mozzano at an airbnb on a wine vineyard. While there isn’t much to do within the town, it is a central location to Lucca and other small medieval villages.

We took a drive to Barga , which is known to be the most Scottish town of Italy. We wandered through the streets, got some fruit at a market, and met the sweetest english couple who now lived there.

What I loved about this area is the little amount of tourists. Italy is filled with adorable small towns. I’d highly recommend fitting in some of them during your trip.

Day 4: Lucca

This may have been my favorite day of the trip. Lucca is so unbelievably charming. Just take a drive 20 minutes west to the underrated little town that most people pass by. Grab a sandwich and a cappuccino to start the day. Then rent a $3 bike to ride along the castle walls. Wander through the streets with gelato in hand. Lucca is magical and a day trip you won’t want to pass on.

Note : if you do drive, you will need to pay a parking fee. We had no idea what we were doing and ended up getting a ticket! You will need to pay to park when you arrive.

Day 5: Siena

To break up the long drives on our way to Abruzzo, I found cities that would be good options for day trips to explore. Siena was about halfway between Lucca and where we were staying in Abruzzo. The best part about Italy is pretty much every restaurant is going to be good. Wander the streets, eat food, pop in the shops and climb up the Torre Del Mangia for a 360° view of the city. There is so much to do in Siena, so a night or two is perfect.

Where to stay :  Airbnb about a 5 minute walk into the city center.

Day 6-8: Abruzzo

This was a difficult area for me to find information on as it is not a super touristy region like the rest of Italy. I didn’t have much to go off of, so it was a go with the flow experience with little planning.

Click here to find out why you need to visit Abruzzo Italy, NOW.

And if you need even more inspiration, check out these  20 Photos To Inspire You to Visit Abruzzo, Italy .

Where to stay: 

• We stayed at an Airbnb in Calascio , which was charming and romantic.
• Sextantio  hotel in Santo Stefano di Sessanio isn’t as budget friendly, but a great option if you are willing to splurge.
• Pescasseroli is a town in Parco Nazionale D’Abruzzo that is great location if you are looking to do lots of hiking.

What to do:

• Take a drive (or hike) through Strada Statale 17bis for gorgeous mountain views.
• Take a day trip to Parco Nazionale D’Abruzzo. There are over a hundred hikes, except it is very hard to find anyone to help you find them. I recommend heading into Pescasseroli to their tourist center to get a map.
• Visit Barrea, a picturesque town with hiking and the most beautiful landscape.
• Wander through the medieval towns of Calascio, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Ofena and Castel del Monte.
• Watch sunset at Rocca Calascio with a bottle of wine.

Where to eat:

• L’Elisir Del Poeta – Located in Santo Stefano di Sessanio and you need to make a reservation. This place is absolutely phenomenal.
• La Bettola di Geppetto – Located in Santo Stefano di Sessanio and a great location for lunch.

Italy Road Trip Helpful Tips

• Tipping : Tipping is not standard in Italy. While appreciated, don’t feel like it is something you need to do, especially if you are on a budget.
• Money : Get cash out/exchange your money (euros) beforehand or at the airport. A lot of places do not accept credit cards, so it’s good to have some money on hand.
• Transportation : The subway in Rome is a cheaper option for transportation, but you will need cash.
• You can use your credit card throughout all the Italy tolls. Don’t stress if you don’t have cash on you! Also, they can be very expensive.
• Learn how to do hello and thank you in Italian. They will appreciate the effort, as Italians are very proud – as they should be!

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Italy 8-Day Tours and Itineraries

See the top Italy 8-Day tours and itineraries. Select from 178 8-Day tours in Italy with a total of 845 genuine reviews. Each of Bookmundi's 8-Day Italy itineraries are carefully handpicked.

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176 Trips in Italy with 845 Reviews

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Highlights of Italy

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Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy

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7 to 8 Days In Italy On A Budget: Full Itinerary

Looking for an Italy itinerary for 8 days? This is my experience in Italy traveling on a budget.

Ahhh!! I’m actually going to Italy. On this 8-day vacation (10 with flight days) my husband and I will be going from Venice to Rome and stopping at a few cities in between. In total, this incredible Italy vacation cost us under $3,000 .

Take this journey with me as I go day by day, living life and traveling through Italy on a budget. My Italy itinerary for 8 days includes:

This post may contain affiliate links as a way to support the costs of this website (at no additional cost to you); however, I won’t recommend products I don’t believe in. View my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Table of Contents

The Preparation

Hold on, hold on. Before we go, 1st we have to buy tickets!

You can look back on my articles on finding cheaper flights and how to vacation for cheap to see how I get my airline tickets at a good price. We searched and searched for tickets for various dates and different airlines.

The cheapest ticket we found from our area in Virginia was $578. This will fly us from Virginia to Venice, then from Rome back to Virginia.

Home Security While You’re On Vacation

Leaving your house empty while on vacation can be nerve-racking. Especially for my family, security is a big concern after an incident that happened this year. However, with the time left at our current rental, it wasn’t feasible to hook up a company-monitored alarm system.

Instead, I did a lot of research and got a few of these outdoor, waterproof security cameras by Ezviz on Amazon. I lucked out and got them while a $20 coupon offer was there. I love that they can be plugged in instead of batteries dying all the time and they work on Wi-Fi or wired internet.

They were very easy to set up and you also don’t have to pay for monthly storage, I use a 16 GB micro SD for $5. We also got some cameras that rotate 360 degrees inside the home as well.

They do have a few bugs though. Such as the option to define the area doesn’t work for me. And it repeatedly goes off over just the trees moving. But what counts for me is that it works and the image quality is great.

Packing for Vacation

Airlines these days charge so much for everything. That means we only get to travel with a free carry-on. Having a checked bag would be upwards of $100 each, going and coming back. So that’s over $400 dollars extra! No thanks.

If you don’t already have one, I suggest getting one of these rolling duffel bag carry-ons for the trip. (There are probably better options, but I bought it for $20 and have been on 3 international trips with it now.)

With all the things I have to stuff into one little bag and the walking we’ll be doing, it’s easier to drag the bag along than carry it. (With my trip at a close, this turned out to be so true. I watched many people struggle with big luggage while I whizzed by.)

Day 1 & 2 – Flight Problem

So the first day of my travels was quite eventful. This is why this would be a great time to bring up getting travel insurance. Our flight connected through New York to go to Venice.

About 2 hours into the almost 8-hour flight, there was a smell of something burning (Not the greatest thing in the world while 39,000 feet in the air). Eventually, it went away, but the flight was still diverted, and went to the nearest place, St. John’s Canada, to check out the plane and we sat idly on the tarmac for about 3 hours.

The whole time I was in contact with my Airbnb host. We were supposed to reach at 11 am and the latest we could check in was 10:30 pm. I was praying that we’d get there before then. Alas, the pilots and crew were no longer able to take us by that time and we flew the 3 hours back to New York.

Our rescheduled flight would not be until that night, so we lost a whole 24 hours of our time in Venice and have an unused day on our Airbnb rental.

Thankfully, it wasn’t expensive and we didn’t schedule anything else yet, so the $100 check Delta offered will cover it. However, if they hadn’t, having good travel insurance would have gotten us the money back. Delta also gave us a voucher for a room at a hotel and a meal there.

Day 3: How to get to Venice Island from Marco Polo Airport

Take two! We boarded our flight and finally made it to Italy at about 9 am. Success! Who knew getting there would be the most challenging part of my vacation so far? After going through customs, we made our way towards the exit.

Note: Part of Venice is attached to the continent but it is also made up of over 100 islands. The airport is on the mainland and you have to get transportation over to the islands.

Looking up information, we found that the best way to enter Venice for the first time is by water taxi. However, this costs up to a whopping 120 euros! (It can be a better option if you are traveling with a larger party or find people to share the cost.)

Instead, we used an Alilaguna kiosk and bought 2 tickets for the waterbus for 15 euros each over to the main island. (Guglie on the orange line took us near our Airbnb and within a 10-minute walk of the train station. You can also travel by land on a bus for 8 euros.)

Where to Stay in Venice

In each city we visited, we tried to stay somewhere near the train station for less hassle. From hostels to hotels, there is plenty of places to choose from due to the massive amounts of tourists that visit here but they go fast so book early.

Since we didn’t, our cheapest and best option was an Airbnb (I always go for those with multiple positive recent reviews). Note: Italy requires a city tax that is charged per person, per night.

What to do in Venice

We were not able to do as much as we wanted to in Venice because of our shortened time and jet lag. However, we did get to see some amazing sights and even though it rained, plenty of people were out and about.

The island is very walkable (just from the train station to Saint Mark’s Basilica is about a 25-minute walk) and we put in about 30,000 steps viewing everything. We even got up early on the next day to venture around before our train to Bologna.

Here are some sights I recommend visiting:

• Saint Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) – Completed in 1092, and built in the Italo-Byzantine style, it is the most famous church in Venice. Admission is free but it’s worth it to pay 5 euros to visit the Basilica museum and view the sights from the 2nd floor. (No pictures allowed)
• Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) – Though we didn’t go inside, this Venetian Gothic palace cost 25 euros to enter. You also get access to go through the Bridge of Sighs.
• St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) – Across from the Basilica, this is the main public square of Venice.
• Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) – One of the many cool bridges in Venice and the oldest one that crosses the Grand Canal.
• Libreria Acqua Alta – A kooky and cute bookstore with cats and unique ways of displaying their books.

If you have more time, try catching a water taxi to see the less crowded islands nearby.

Where to eat in Venice

In our research, we found that eating at restaurants in Venice can be a bit expensive. However, there are plenty of ways to eat in Venice and throughout Italy on a budget.

It was cheaper to buy food and drinks at the grocery store. Grabbing a slice of pizza can also be as low as 1 euro and some change.

Be sure to get a gelato! The shop we went to cost 1,70 euros for a cone.

Day 4: Exploring Bologna, Italy

Bologna is not as popular as Venice but it certainly should be! It is definitely worth visiting and has great food as well!

To get to Bologna we took a train from Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia (Venezia S. Lucia) to Bologna Centrale for 12,75 euros each around noon.

NOTE: Use the Trenitalia website to look up possible times and costs of trains you’d like to take, and then buy your tickets at the kiosk once there. We also learned on this trip that you must validate your train ticket after getting a fine.

Where to stay in Bologna

Just minutes from the train station, we found a place to stay called, “4 Star Luxury Rooms and Spa”. It’s a little weird because it is an apartment in a commercial building along a line of shops, but it was awesome and cute.

Our room was one of two in the apartment and featured a chromotherapy (color light therapy) shower.

What to do in Bologna

Bologna is also an extremely walkable place with plenty to see. I saved everything I wanted to see on google maps and set up the routes in order from my hotel.

It would have taken 40 minutes without all the stopping to “ooh” and “ahh”. It was a walking tour I could take at my own pace, best of all… it was free!

If you want to make your own tour, take a look at these places:

• Rocca Galliera – Remains of an ancient castle. Not much information can be found on it, but one person wrote in Google reviews that it was a castle attempted to be built 5 times by different people, starting with Cardinal Bertrand du Pouget in 1330, but it was demolished by uprisings of the Bolognese every time.
• Scalinata Del Pincio – Beautiful 19th-century staircase with a fountain leading up to the park.
• Montagnola Park (Parco della Montagnola) – Small 19th-century park with a cool fountain and statues.
• Piazza Maggiore – The city’s main square where you’ll find the Biblioteca Salaborsa and Fontana Del Nettuno nearby. The day I went people were playing music, and students were celebrating their graduation.
• Biblioteca Salaborsa – Public library that you must see the inside of! Note: Google Maps will lead you to the wrong place. The entrance is across from the fountain of Neptune.
• Fountain of Neptune (Fontana Del Nettuno) – 16th-century fountain.
• Basilica di San Petronio – 1390 Gothic basilica.
• Archiginnasio of Bologna – Another majestic library built in the 16th century.
• Piazza Santo Stefano – A nice and quiet square in the center of town to relax that also has the Basilica di Santo Stefano.
• Two Towers (Le due Torri) – These two leaning towers (Asinelli & Garisenda) were built in the 11th century by two prominent families as a competition between which one was greater. The taller one, Asinelli, costs 5 euros to climb its 498 steps.

Where to eat in Bologna

The person we checked into our hotel with recommended these places to eat.

• Trattoria da Me (Via S. Felice, 50, 40100 Bologna BO, Italy) – The best pasta but you will most likely need a reservation to get in.
• Scalinatella ristorante pizzeria Bologna (Via Caduti di Cefalonia, 5/e, 40125 Bologna BO, Italy)
• La Montanara (Via Augusto Righi, 15/A, 40126 Bologna BO, Italy) – This is where we ended up grabbing dinner after leaving the towers. It was a bit pricey but so delicious, especially the meatballs, polpette e piselli (14 euros).

Day 5: Things to do in Florence, Italy

Florence is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region and is filled with many wondrous art and architecture.

The train here was 33 euros each from Bologna Centrale to Firenze S.M.N. It could have been much cheaper at 9,45 euros if we weren’t too afraid to change trains.

Where to stay in Florence

Our 2-night stay in Florence was found cheaply on Agoda.com. The Bellevue House was also a little weird as well but nice, and our host, Alex was very kind and informative.

When checking in, he gave many suggestions on what to see and where to eat.

The reason I found our room weird is because we booked a room with a private bathroom but it was separate and across the hallway. It also had another shower inside the room! However, this was my second favorite place we stayed in Italy.

What to do in Florence

This city is also very walkable, but some things might be a bit of a longer walk.

• Basilica of Santa Maria Novella – 15th-century Dominican church.
• Galleria dell’Accademia – This is the museum where you will find Michelangelo’s “David” but it costs 6.50 euros, 4.50 extra if there’s a special exhibition the days you go, and 4 euros extra to pre-book and enter a slightly shorter line.
• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore – Gothic style church is also known as the Duomo Cathedral of Florence.
• Piazza della Repubblica – City square.
• Strozzi Palace – A palace built for Filippo Strozzi the Elder to rival the Medici.
• Piazza della Signoria – Square in front of the 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio palace.
• Ponte Vecchio – A medieval stone bridge that is the only one that escaped bombing by the Germans in WW2.
• Piazzale Michelangelo – Make your way here for a picturesque sunrise or sunset view over the city.

Where to eat in Florence

• Trattoria da Giorgio (Via Palazzuolo, 100r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy) – They had a delicious fixed-price menu that included a first course, second course, side dish, and 1/4 liter of wine or a soft drink. Currently, it’s a total of 13 euros for lunch and 15 for dinner.
• Trattoria Il Contadino (Via Palazzuolo, 69/71r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy) – Trattoria da Giorgio had a long line for dinner, so we walked 2 minutes down and ended up going to this restaurant. It also has a fixed-price menu. Lunch is 10 euros for 1 course, and 12 euros for 2 (also including a side dish and wine or a soft drink). Dinner is 14 euros for 2 courses a side dish, and a bottle of water (1 euro extra for 1/4 liter of wine or a soft drink).

Day 6: What Pisa is Famous for and Lucca, Italy

If you’ve heard of Pisa, you know what it’s famous for, the leaning tower (Torre de Pisa)! Of course, this had to be a stop on our vacation.

We decided to only make it a day trip because there’s not much else to see in Pisa. From Firenze S.M.N. to Pisa Centrale was 8,70 euros and took an hour.

Getting around Pisa

From the station, it is only a 22-minute walk to the tower. Along the way, be sure to see the:

• Dolmenweb – Palace of the 1st Medici, Cosimo I.
• Cattedrale di Pisa – 11th-century cathedral known for its Romanesque bronze doors and right by the leaning tower of Pisa.
• Leaning Tower of Pisa – A freestanding bell tower made for the cathedral next to it that leans due to the unstable foundation it was built on. If you want to climb it, it’ll cost you 18 euros!

Visiting Lucca, Italy

Lucca was also a recommendation to visit and a 25-minute ride from Pisa costs 3,60 euros. It is known for its medieval walls which still surround the city center.

Though I was a bit disappointed because I imagined a city like in the anime, Attack on Titans, it was still well worth the visit.

What to do in Lucca

• Walls – Take a scenic walk around this 4km wall. There are also different places to rent a bike from 4 euros/ hour for a regular one to 18 euros/ hour for a 4-seater quadricycle. (Riding took us 50 minutes at a moderate pace.)
• Guinigi Tower (Torre Guinigi) – Though we arrived too late in the day, we would have loved to visit this medieval tower with trees growing on top (the cost is 4 euros).
• San Michele al Foro – Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Michael.

Getting back, the train from Lucca to Florence cost 7,90 euros each.

Day 7-8: What to see in Rome, Italy

The trip to Italy could not have been complete without a trip to its most famous city and the capital, Roma! With thousands of years of history and ancient architecture, it is a breathtaking sight to see.

Again, we hopped on a train from Firenze S.M.N to Roma Termini at the cost of 21,65 euros each.

Where to stay in Rome

Like Venice, Rome is packed with tourists. It was extremely hard to find a decent place for a reasonable price at the last minute but we ended up finding somewhere again on Airbnb near the train station.

While it was a very low price and even included breakfast, it did have its issues and I would definitely suggest you book ahead of time. The area near this train station was a bit sketchy, had many homeless people and I would not have wanted to stay there if I was traveling alone.

What to do in Rome

If you’ve heard of Rome, you probably already have a list of places there that you’d love to see. With the distance between its incredible monuments, we found that it was worth it for us to spend money on one of the 4 hop-on hop-off tours buses.

• The Colosseum (Colosseo) – This famous amphitheater is known for its gladiator games. We luckily ended up there on the first Sunday of the month, which is free, but it would have cost 12 euros each.
• Arch of Constantine (Arco di Costantino) – By the Colosseum, a triumphal arch built to commemorate Constantine I’s battle victories. (The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France was inspired by this.)
• Temple of Venus and Rome (Il Tempio di Venere e Roma) – Thought to be the largest temple in ancient Rome.
• Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) – A baroque fountain and one of the most famous fountains in the world. Be sure to throw in a coin and make a wish!
• Vatican City – An independent city-state and headquarters of the Roman Catholic church. Though entrance is not allowed, you can go to the churches and museums.
• St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) – Italian Renaissance church and burial site of the apostle, Saint Peter.
• Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina) – Famous for its paintings by Michelangelo.
• Circus Maximus – Ancient Roman site for chariot racing.
• Pantheon – Ancient Roman temple with the largest un-reinforced concrete dome in the world.
• Spanish Steps – Steps with an irregular butterfly design built to connect the church above with the square below.
• Altar of the Fatherland (Altare della Patria) – Enormous monument built in honor of Victor Emmanuel II, the 1st king of Italy.

And many, many more must-see landmarks!

Where to eat in Rome

Ristorante Colosseo “Luzzi” ( Via di S. Giovanni in Laterano, 88, 00184 Roma RM, Italy) – Small and crowded but the food is cheap and delicious. When in Rome, do as the Romans do and try the Roman-style chicken (7 euros)!

Day 9: Pompeii day trip from Rome

Although we could have used our 3rd day in Rome to see even more of all its monuments, I couldn’t resist being so close to Pompeii without getting the chance to visit it. Just south of Naples, it is known for the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. that buried the city and preserved it in ash.

I searched through a lot of options for how to get to Pompeii from Rome. The cheapest option found was to take 4-hour connecting trains from Roma Termini to Pompeii at 14,80 euros each, both ways.

To get that price and have enough time in Pompeii, we took the left at 7 am in the morning and got back close the midnight.

I was intimidated at first because the ticket only showed 5 minutes to get from Napoli Centrale to Napoli Piazza Garibaldi for the next train. But there are actually 50 minutes between trains and both places are different sections in the same station.

Is Pompeii worth visiting?

Though my expectations were set much higher than they should have been, I would say yes. At 11 euros, you’re able to venture through this ancient city.

Just note that the main thing you will be able to see is the empty buildings, everything else is set up in display cases.

Also, be sure to bring water and stay hydrated! The drinks at the café inside are about 3 euros.

While there, you can also walk over to the Villa of the Mysteries (Villa dei Misteri) – a well-preserved ancient villa possibly used in cult activities due to the depictions in its frescoes.

Day 10: Termini to Fiumicino Airport

With our vacation at an end, we had one more thing to figure out, how to get from Rome to Fiumicino airport .

We decided to take the train one last time from Roma Termini to Fiumicino Aeroporto. This cost 14 euros and could have been 6 less if we risked the connecting trains with 10 minutes in between.

The cost of an Italian vacation for two

What can you do in Italy for 7 days? Venice! Bologna! Florence! Pisa! Lucca! Rome! Pompeii!

This certainly was not a relaxing Italy itinerary. It was a whirlwind of a vacation and yes my feet still hurt, but it was an amazing and unforgettable trip.

Below is the breakdown of costs if you’d like to follow this itinerary. Be sure to also check out my post on Italy travel tips .

Vacation Expenses List

$1156 – Multi-city flights to Venice and returning from Rome ( Can be less for you, I’ve seen as low as $341 in New York ) $793 – 8 nights of accommodations plus city tax (Average place of $100 per night but can be less) $321 – Trains to each city plus the Alilaguna waterbus (Can be cheaper if you take connecting trains) $500 – Food (I averaged this at $30/ day per person but we spent way lower) Total: $2,770 dollars

2 thoughts on “7 to 8 Days In Italy On A Budget: Full Itinerary”

Thank you for sharing your itinerary & experience Martina 🙂 My family has just begun delving into planning our first trip to Italy for Late Spring 2023, and this post is a great point to get started.

You’re welcome. That’s awesome and I hope you enjoy it! Feel free to ask questions if you need to.

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8 Days In Italy Itinerary : Explore The Best of Italy

Table of content

Italy has long been at the top of my list of dream trips . And, Italy is the first Europe country that I visited. There are so many highlights in this lovely country that it is no surprise that Italy is one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations.

There are many different cities in Italy and each city has a different personality. This is why I adore this country. It is full of surprises from one city to the next. 

In this Italy itinerary , I will share from my experience in Italy and the top sights to see especially if you have 8 days in Italy. If you have more days in Italy, you could extend your stay in each city and explore some optional sights. You can adapt to suit your needs and interests.

Italy Itinerary Day 1 & 2 : Milan

Arrival in Milan

My 8 days of Italy trip started from the fashion capital – Milan . We bought the tickets to arrive in Milan as it was cheaper compared to arriving in Rome. I had looked into the variations in airfare prices arriving in both of these cities several times, and arriving in Milan had always been more affordable. However, because getting to both places is convenient, be sure to compare prices before choosing.

Visit Duomo di Milano

When we arrived, it was at noon and after checking in the hotel, we headed to the iconic Duomo di Milano . We took the train from our hotel to the nearest station to Duomo di Milano. When we emerged from the underground railway station, we were entranced by the cathedral’s enchanted appearance. 

Milan’s vast Gothic-style cathedral is the largest church in Italy and the third-largest in the world. Its white and pink marble structure makes the Cathedral special. It was the result of the architectural genius of numerous painters, sculptors, and architects, and it took five centuries to finish. Hence, it is the top 1 place to visit when in Milan. 

Simply admiring the outside of the cathedral is not enough. Get a ticket to go inside the cathedral and up to the rooftop terrace. You will get the best panoramic view of Milan from the top.

Visit Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Right beside the Duomo di Milan is where you can find Milan’s oldest shopping mall : Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. You’ll find a wide selection of luxurious stores, cafés, restaurants and more. If you’re a Prada fan, you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to shop at the world’s very first Prada store in this Galleria!

Aside from shopping, I was more mesmerized by the beauty of the architecture of this Galleria. The unique octagonal arched glass, wrought iron arcades, and an incredible domed glass ceiling had taken me away from the luxury stores. 

One fun fact about the mosaic floor tile design in the Galleria is that there are different icons on the tiles that symbolise different cities in Italy. For instance, the flag stands for Milan, the Bull symbolises Torino, the wolf is a representation of Rome and other symbols.

Italy Itinerary Day 3 & 4 : Venice

Venice is a place unlike any other. If you haven’t been, Venice should be at the top of your itinerary when you travel to Italy. 

If you want to experience Venice, a 1-2 day trip will be enough for you to see all the major sights. 

On my first trip to Venice, I visited the Doge’s Palace, chilled at Piazza San Marco, took a gondola ride, got lost in the alleyways and took a day trip to Burano island within  2 days . Despite seeing so many places in Venice, the vacation wasn’t hurried, and we still had time to enjoy cafe conversations and people-watching.

Visit Doge's Palace

Located on the Piazza San Marco , it is one of the most visited places in Venice so this is definitely not one to be missed. It is a palace with stunning staircases and lavishly decorated on the interior so it is worth a visit! Get a skip the line ticket in advance to avoid queuing in line.

Head to the top of St. Mark's Comapnile

In almost every city, there will be a high tower for panoramic viewing of the entire city and Venice is no exception. At the top of St. Mark’s Campanile, you will get a spectacular view of Venice.

Take a Gondola Ride

Taking a Gondola Ride on the Venice’s canals is a must in Venice. Although it is slightly pricey for a 40-minute ride, it is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience.

Stroll Along Rialto Bridge

Rialto Bridge is the canal’s oldest bridge. Take a walk over to the bridge and admire the Grand Canal from the middle of the bridge.

Take a day trip to Burano Island

There are many small islands not far away from Venice main island. Burano island and Murano island are two most famous. The colourful villages are picture-perfect and walking in the village is a magical experience.

Italy Itinerary Day 5 : Florence

After visiting Venice, head over to the birthplace of the Renaissance – Florence. When you are in Florence, everywhere you look, there is Gothic and Renaissance architecture, and you can marvel at how the city makes a concerted effort to preserve its buildings, even alongside newer or renovated structures.

Florence is a more laid back city compared to Rome. And what I love about Florence is that it is a walkable city, so we don’t have to rely on public transportation.

Take a stroll at Pento Vecchio

It is a wonderful bridge and postcard-perfect. During our visit, it became an ideal spot to watch the sunset while enjoying a gelato. 

Visit The Cathedral Of Florence

The Cathedral of Florence is the one you could not skip while visiting Florence. The Duomo is constructed of green, red, and white marble and features exquisitely crafted and designed details. Its ornate green, red, and white marble facade and the dome are the unique feature of this cathedral.

While visiting the Duomo, do remember to follow their dress code which is to cover both knees and shoulders. 

Visit Accademia Galleria

Probably the most famous sculpture in the world David, by Michelangelo is one of the reasons why this Galleria is so popular. Locals and tourists will flock to this Galleria in Florence to see Michelangelo’s sculptures and other Renaissance paintings while in the city of Renaissance. Due to its popularity, it is best to book the entrance ticket in advance.

Italy Itinerary Day 6 : Pisa

A Half Day Trip To Pisa

On the sixth day, we traveled to a small city – Pisa which is less than 100km  away from Florence.

Pisa is famous for its Leaning Tower and this is also why Pisa became a tourism hotspot in Italy. Hence, there are many options to go to Pisa from Florence including over 40 train rides scheduled from Florence to Pisa every day.

Visit the Leaning Tower and other than taking creative photos with it , try to climb the 251 steps to the top.

Besides the Leaning Tower, you will notice a white and rounded building. That is the Pisa Cathedral. The entrance is free and you can access it with your Leaning Tower ticket. Otherwise, you will need to get a timed free ticket from the ticket office behind the Leaning Tower. The free tickets are limited and only available on the site so I recommend getting the Leaning Tower ticket to have access to both Leaning Tower and the Cathedral.

A Half Day Trip To Cinque Terre

After spending the morning in Pisa, we headed to Cinque Terre which is about 1 and half an hour away from Pisa. The Cinque Terre, located along the Italian Riviera, is a stunning outdoor destination with plenty of breathtaking coastal scenery.

The literary meaning of the name “Cinque Terre” actually means “Five Lands” which indicates the Five Fish Villages that make up Cinque Terre.  Nestled amid the mountainous coastline environment, these villages were quite distant for most of their lives and they limit the car entry to the villages so only local cars are allowed to enter.

The famous colorful villages are the famous backdrop you will see on Instagram. But other than admiring the colorful villages, some of the tourists come for hiking. Due to the town’s five villages being some distance apart from one another, the only ways to get from one to the other are by train or by trekking a trail. If you want to experience both, you can take the train and trek the most popular trail.

The popular route is called the “Blue Route” or Sentierro Azzuro, is the one taking you along the coast. The trail spans a 11km distance from Riomaggiore to Monterosso which is from one end of a village to the end of the last village.

Consequently, you had two options: either walk the entire trail and spend some time in each village, or hike from one village to the next and catch the train to the remaining villages. 

Italy Itinerary Day 7 : Rome

Next, we headed to Rome from Florence. We took the high speed train and arrived at the Capital of Italy in a 1 and a half hour journey. Rome is the largest city in Italy and as the saying goes “ Rome wasn’t built in a day”.  If you visit Rome for the first time, I recommend spending at least  2 days in Rome  will be sufficient for you to see the famous sights. 

Visit Colosseum

One of my favorite memories from my trip to Rome is seeing the Colosseum. Although I have seen and heard about this amazing historical building countless times online, seeing it in person is something else entirely.

Roman Forum And Palatine Hill

Next to the popular Colosseum is the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Our tickets included the entrance to both of these sites so we could easily skip the line and save time visiting these three top sights. Strolling at Roman Forum ruins brings you back to the history of Roman Times and you could easily spend 2-3 hours here. 

Visit Vittorio Emanuele II

Not far away from the Roman Forum is where you will find the vast and white monument of Vittorio Emanuele II. This is also the popular location that appeared in several films, especially  Roman Holiday .

Throw Coins at Trevi Fountain

Make a wish and throw a coin to the Trevi Fountain! Because why not? Aside from admiring this elegant fountain, there is a myth about throwing coins to this fountain. It is undoubtedly something you’d be up to if you’d like to visit Rome again or try your luck with love.

Climb the Spanish Steps

Another famous landmark in Rome that you should not miss! With 135 steps on this popular attraction, it is an easy climb. And since no sitting is allowed at Spanish Steps, it would be easier to walk up the steps and stop for a photo or two.

See More of Rome :  2 Days Rome Itinerary

Italy Itinerary Day 8 : Vatican City

Vatican City

On the last day of the Italy Itinerary, we visited the smallest country in the world – the Vatican! Sit in the centre of the city of Rome, it is easy to access the Vatican. While in the Vatican, the first thing we headed to was the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. You could easily spend half a day in the museums because there is so much to see, from magnificent sculptures and paintings to an extensive collection of global maps.

Visit Piazza Navona

After half a day in the Vatican, we headed back to Rome and Piazza Navona is where we visited next. The Piazza is a relaxing and chill place. We visited there for photos and chill at the coffee shop.

Visit Pantheon

The best preserved monument in Rome – Pantheon is the last stop of our trip. Pantheon is at a walking distance from Piazza Navona. Entrance to the Pantheon is free of charge.

… And that’s the end of the 8 day trip in Italy from Milan to Rome! 

When Is The Best Time to Visit Italy?

The best time to travel to Italy is during the Spring and Autumn season! These time of the year ( March to May and September to November ) has the most chilly weather and I would say these are the best time to visit Italy. However, it is also the most busiest seasons so do expect the accommodation prices will be slightly pricy than low seasons.

How To get A SIM Card in Italy?

Nowadays, getting connected wherever you are is very significant not only for calling someone, but also for sharing travel photos and googling up the directions of the next destinations. 

Although our local cell phone provided international roaming services, the charges are super high and so we looked for other cheaper options. A local SIM card is normally where I would start from. And I love to use local SIM cards every time I travel because they are faster, easier and much more affordable! 

In Italy, the best local network provider is TIM. To get the SIM card, you could either get one from the airport as soon as you arrive or buy it online in advance. With only 20 euros, you could get access to 15GB data for 30 days of usage. When you buy the prepaid SIM card at the counter, you will have to provide a passport for the staff to photocopy. This is part of the registration process. The process was quick and took less than 15 minutes to settle.

If you do not have Dual SIM function on your phone and feel it is troublesome to swap the physical SIM card on your phone, then you might want to consider another option to get you connected : e-SIM card. With everything now going online, you can keep your number and all you need to do is order the e-SIM only and then enter the code to access. And Tadaaa! You are connected. It’s so simple and only took a few minutes to get connected.

Getting Around In Italy

If you follow this Italy itinerary and want to visit cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, the best way to travel around Italy is by train. One thing i find it very convenient is that Italy has a large network of high-speed intercity trains as well as regional services that connect smaller cities and towns.

The intercity train is fast and comfortable. the high speed train can even go up to 300km per hour which is hardly able to match up by any car! I pre-booked all the intercity trains before the trip through  Italo website  and it is a reserved seat. The seat was spacious and with WiFI onboard too.

Another popular option that traveler use is the  Eurail Pass  which also covers intercity train for Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice. With Eurail Pass for Italy, you can choose how long you want to use it from 3 days minimum to 8 days maximum. If you wish to see all the sights within the 8 days in Italy, then it is definitely worth to get a Eurail Pass. When using this pass, one thing to note is that if you prefer high speed train, you will have to pay an extra charge to get the reserved seat.

Book Eurail Pass for Italy here.

I hope this 8-day Italy  itinerary helps you in planning your trip to Italy! This itinerary sums up my first visit to Italy and I managed to see all the major sights in 8 days in Italy yet still have ample time to stroll around the city like a local. You can use this itinerary as a guide to planning your first trip to Italy. If you have any suggestions, feel free to leave your comments in the comments section below.

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Amalfi & Sicily

• Gaze upon the Sistine Chapel
• Visit a snorkeling heaven Palmarola
• Join Pompeii's historical excursion
• Wander through the grand Duomo

Aeolian Archipelago

• Discover Lipari and Salina
• Visit a local winery
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• Swim in Cala Junco nature reserve
• Take a walking tour in Stromboli
• Relax on the beaches of Salina

Classic Dolomites Premium Adventure

• Enjoy hiking in the Dolomites
• Hike the spectacular Tre Cime
• See the charming town of Villabassa
• Enjoy the culture of Bolzano
• Visit Monte Piana's open-air museum
• Climb up towards Strudelkopf

Highlights of the Amalfi Coast

• Admire the Amalfi Coastline
• Explore Positano on foot
• Visit Herculaneum and Pompeii
• Ride a boat to the island of Capri
• Walk the Path of the Gods
• Explore the village of Ravello

Rome, Assisi & Magical Umbria Premium Adventure

• Visit Roman ruins with a guide
• Visit the Umbrian countryside
• Visit the historic town of Assisi
• Visit local wineries in Montefalco
• Enjoy cooking local Italian dishes.
• Snorkel at Palmarola
• Visit historical Pompeii

Dreaming of Sicilian Sun

• Visit temples and Sicilian Baroque
• Visit pastel-hued island paradise
• Explore Naples old town and vistas

Hidden Gems of Piedmont

• Visit the wine region of Piedmont
• Explore the city of Turin
• Taste local wine and cheese
• Experience truffle hunting
• Admire the village of Neive

Dolomites Explorer

• Visit Bozen's main local attraction
• Hike the Parco del Respiro
• Visit the Abbey of Novacella
• Cable car ride to Castelrotto
• Visit a local dairy
• Discover Cortina's mountain scenery
• Tour Venice's Grand Canal by boat
• Visit the volcanic Aeolian Islands
• Wander through the town of Ponza

Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba – with Smithsonian Journeys

• Discover Mediterranean islands
• Experience ancient ruins
• Admire Byzantine-Arab mosaics
• Explore medieval towns
• Discover local cuisine

Coastal Gems of Italy & Croatia

• Enjoy beach at Giardini Naxos
• Explore the far east of Italy
• Discover Dubrovnik's Old Town
• Discover Crotone's mythical charm

Ancient Wonders and Culinary Delights: Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily - with Smithsonian Journey

• Discover Roman Empires of Italy
• Explore well-preserved Greek sites
• Visit vineyards
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Four Islands, Four Moods

• Admire Catania, a UNESCO site
• Discover Taormina's elegance
• Experience Cagliari's cultural city
• Explore Menorca

Ligurian Sea

• Experience a new age of sail
• Discover Portoferraio's heritage
• Visit Palombaggia beach
• Explore medieval Alghero

Pearls of Italy and Greece with the Corinth Canal

• Explore Gallipoli's Old Town
• Visit Itea's Delphi Sanctuary
• Experience Corinth Canal Passage

Historic Monaco Grand Prix Finals

• Explore Bonifacio
• Enjoy Portoferraio's vineyards
• View Monaco's emblematic spots
• Celebrate Cannes Film Festival
• Observe prehistoric engraved stones

Rome to Cannes

• Tour a vineyard in Portoferraio
• Explore Napoleon's birthplace
• Discover Alghero a medieval cities
• Observe the regatta at St. Tropez

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Uncover discoveries long held to legend as you venture to Italy for an experience unlike any other. From ancient monuments and tantalizing mythology to winding vineyards and a thriving culture, an 8-day Italy itinerary has so much to offer. Enjoy the luxury of expert guidance as you plan your trip of a lifetime with Zicasso’s travel specialists.

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8  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $6,235

A marble balcony overlooks the azure water of the Mediterranean Sea. Snow caps the conical summit of Mount Etna. Baroque churches create an elegant and lavish atmosphere along the streets of hillside towns. Gold-trimmed walls reflect endlessly into the collection of mirrors hanging in the dining hall of a lavish palace. Your luxury tour of Sicily highlights takes you through the majesty of the island’s past in the comforts of contemporary five-star hotels. Take in Greek ruins and stunning panoramas, ancient markets, and private tours, showing you how plush history can be.

Dynamic pricing from  $2,859

Let Italy enchant you with its long tradition of beautiful cities and elegant towns set in the dream-like landscape between the Adriatic and Mediterranean. Marble palaces offer insight into the former prestige of noble families as storybook castles protect the shores of a glassy alpine lake while mountain outcroppings preserve the beauty of medieval fishing villages that overlook the sea. Your custom tailored tour will immerse you in the traditions of Venice, Lake Garda, and Cinque Terre, as you indulge in the cuisine, marvel at the sites, and wander along the cobblestone streets and meandering trails. Embrace the grandeur of Italian heritage and bask in the luxury.

Medieval city walls and historic towers make each town in the Tuscan countryside feel like a fairytale, and you will feel like royalty. On your custom tailored Tuscany tour for lovers, each day takes you to the intimate villages and enchanting landscapes, from lush valleys to glistening seaside. Taste the traditions of elegant, regional cuisine and savor the treasured company of your partner. You will find the charms of history and the enchantment of sunsets over castle walls, sipping wine in a piazza, sharing gelato, and discovering all the different ways that Tuscany is for lovers.

Discover central Italy's hidden gems on this 8-day tour. Often overshadowed by Lazio and Tuscany, the regions of Abruzzo, Marche, and Umbria are stars in their own right. From the natural beauty of Gran Sasso National Park to small squares of towns like Ascoli Piceno, there is much to seek and enjoy on this journey. Book your memorable tour today.

Encounter a side of unseen Italy on this eight-day Gastronomic Traditions of Italy Tour in undisturbed Abruzzo. Medieval castles overlook valleys of lush vines. The Apennine Mountains form extraordinary backdrops to historic hillside towns. Fishermen use ancient techniques along the coastline. Farms produce an abundance of flavorful cheeses, and vineyards make inspiring wines. Your custom-tailored Italy tour immerses you in historical culture where the mountains meet the eastern shore.

The charm of the Italian Riviera emanates from contemporary luxuries hidden within the serene seaside villages. The enchantment of Umbria rises from the medieval streets, bucolic hills, and overlooked towns that burst out of iconic vineyards. Your custom tailored tour combines the majesty of land and sea to take you on a remarkable journey through ancient city walls and continued traditions, tranquil hiking trails and opulent marinas. A statue of Neptune adorns the cliff that overlooks the Mediterranean as a powerful waterfall erupts from an emerald forest. Unwrap the wonder of the Riviera and Umbrian regions to enjoy pebbled beaches and perfect panoramas.

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In Italy, you can stand in an ancient cave-turned-wine-cellar and taste wine with roots dating back to the Roman Empire. Your handcrafted Piedmont Italy tour of wine and truffles takes you around Piedmont, filling each day with the sumptuous flavors of the region, from food to history. The eclectic aromas of the Truffle Festival mix with the enthusiastic calls of the crowd, each person aching to taste the unique concoctions created simply for the event. A sea of vineyards traipses over the hillside and the pleasurable flavors of the countryside can be as rich or delicate as an award-winning restaurant in the city.

The marvels of the wine and food are at your fingertips during your custom-tailored 8-day Northern Italy food tour dedicated to the splendor of farm-to-table cooking and soil-to-bottle vineyards. Sip a glass of indulgent wine with a view of the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomite Mountains. Wander the cobblestone streets of a Renaissance city adorned with shining frescoes and olive-grove aromas. The cuisine of the region explains much of its heritage and landscape.

There are few greater moments than sitting on a hillside at a quiet café with a view overlooking the red-tiled roofs of a historic city. You can hear the bells of the cathedral chime at dusk. The aromas of freshly cooked pasta and rich locally grown wine add to the unforgettable ambiance. Images of Renaissance statues and oil paintings decorate the fantasy. Your custom-tailored Tuscany tour to Florence, Siena, and Arezzo turns dreams into realities, taking you through the treasured hills and medieval towns of, where every moment is luxurious, illuminating, and unforgettable.

This 8-day tour of Puglia is a great way to venture off the beaten path in one of Europe's most visited tourist destinations. This tour is an immersive exploration of the Italian region that time forgot, from the rural countryside to the scenic seaside. A blend of active and leisure time on this tour makes sure that you are able to fully enjoy this unforgettable journey in one of the most idyllic vacation destinations on the planet.

On this handcrafted 7-day tour, witness the Italian heritage that shines through iconic monuments and contemporary restaurants that preserve the country's culinary roots. Allow yourself to marvel at the country's phenomenal art and architecture and appreciate the mesmerizing landscapes of each iconic destination.

Dynamic pricing from  $2,907

The pristine side of Italy will be yours to explore on this 8-day tour of the Umbria, Marche, and Abruzzo regions. Despite the many attractions of Italy's interior, the countryside remains relatively untouched by the millions of tourists that visit each year. As you take in your environment through leisure and guided explorations, the imagination will come to life as you enjoy an introduction to rural Italy's heart and soul.

9  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $3,145

On this eight-day Italy trip in Giacomo Puccini's footsteps, you will be fully immersed in a captivating world of music, history, and culture. From Milan's opera house that launched his career to the Tuscan lakeside villa where he penned immortal melodies, you'll trace Puccini’s musical evolution, while discovering the beauty that inspired his artistic legacy. Lose yourself in stirring landscapes, savor fine local wines and cuisine, and experience spectacular performances. This once-in-a-lifetime musical pilgrimage takes you behind the passion of one of Italy's greatest composers for an experience that artfully brings a new perspective of Italy to life.

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More 8 Day Vacations Near Italy

More About 8 Day Italy Itineraries

From Roman ruins to the Tuscan countryside, there is something for every traveler in Italy.

Our Italy Travel Guide provides helpful tips and inspiration from must-see destinations and top activities to the best time to visit. Discover traditional food and wine, inspirational culture, and amazing cities on a personalized tour.

For more information on how to make your dream journey a reality, get connected with a top travel specialist by filling out a Trip Request.

The best time to visit Italy is in the spring and early summer months, from March through June. During this time, the weather is great for the beaches, sightseeing, wine tasting, food tours, and more. Fall, particularly September and October, are also lovely times, when Italy is quieter and the fall colors are on show.

Your ideal experiences also affect the best time of the year to visit Italy for your trip. Skiing in the Dolomites is exceptional in December, while enjoying the sun-washed beaches of Sicily is best in May. Rome is brilliant in April, while Florence is stunning in September.

As you plan your trip to Italy, consider our tips with the following answers to the most frequently asked questions.

From dreaming of the sunflower fields in Tuscany to searching the ruins of Rome for ancient treasures, you can book a trip in Italy using our ideas as inspiration. Enjoy the pleasures of La Dolce Vita or alpine panoramas, lounging on golden beaches, or embracing rolling vineyards. It is all about finding the information you need to plan the right trip for you.

Whether you are designing a first-time Italian tour as a couple or returning to the Mediterranean jewel with family, we share how to plan a stress-free trip.

From immersive tours of ancient Rome to the intricacies of artisanal crafts, Italian gastronomy to breathtaking national parks, the top 15 things to do in Italy let travelers unravel the country’s beauty and culture.

You can witness more Unesco World Heritage Sites than in any other country or sample the enticing flavors of celebrated Italian wines. Art, architecture, gastronomy, history, and heritage highlight the depth of Italy’s quintessential allure, with a range of experiences that stretch from the Dolomite Mountains in the north to the shores of Sicily’s Lido Mazzaro in the south.

Discover the top 15 things to do in Italy for a majestic and authentic experience that brings Italian culture and unique experiences to the forefront.

Travel Tips for Discerning Travelers

From ancient ruins in the capital city of Rome to glistening canals in Venice, you can explore the best places to visit in Italy for inspiring travel ideas.

Italy enchants with ancient cultural riches and unique style, as well as enchanting natural beauty, from the colorful seaside Amalfi Coast towns to the golden hills of Tuscany. With endless majesty stemming from the dramatic coastline, beautiful lakes, and rolling landscapes, you can immerse yourself in the storied beauty as you explore the top places to visit.

Discover essential experiences and savor the pleasures of Italian life on a trip to the best places to go in Italy.

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7 Days in Italy: 12 Amazing One Week Itineraries for Italy

Need some destination inspiration for a trip to Italy? Here’s my guide to spending one week in Italy, with 12 sample itineraries.

One week in Italy might not seem like much time. But, with some advance planning and ambition, you can definitely have a bucket list adventure.

There’s nowhere more romantic (or popular) than Italy. The word “Italy” conjures visions of crumbling Roman ruins, rolling cypress-studded landscapes, and secret canals.

Italy is rich in history, culture, and food. Italy’s beautiful towns boast some of the world’s best churches , palaces, museums, and historic landmarks .

I’ve been to Italy many times. Italy always blows my socks off (except maybe in the uber crowded high season). I love it and am already making a return trip next month.

There’s so many things to do and see in Italy and so little time, at least for most of us. How to choose between the myriad options?

To help you get started prioritizing and give you some destination inspiration, I’ve picked my top 11 itineraries for spending one perfect week in Italy.

Some of these itineraries include Italy’s most popular cities and sites. Others give you more off the beaten path options and hidden gems in Italy.

You can pick a sample itinerary to match your own interests — whether you want a glamorous city, historical and cultural options, outdoor scenery, or beaches.

You can also combine itineraries for a 2 week (or longer) stay in Italy. And I suggest possible combinations.

Of course, you can always adjust and tweak these itineraries to suit your needs. When you’ve settled on an itinerary (or two), be sure to read my must know tips for visiting Italy .

12 Ways To Spend 1 Week in Italy

I’m a rather obsessed itinerary planner and I can personally vouch for these particular one week in Italy itineraries.

For each 1 week in Italy itinerary, I also give you options for extending your trip, if you want to expand a 7 day itinerary into a 10 day itinerary for Italy or combine these sample open week itineraries.

There are essentially two ways to structure a 1 week in Italy trip.

You can move around 2-3 times for a fast paced trip that checks off Italy bucket list items. Or, you choose a single base or region for a week and take day trips from there.

These sample 7 day Italy itineraries offer both options. I’d be excited to take any of these trips again.

I’ve written more than 100 blog posts about Italy. I’ve linked some of them to the relevant Italy itinerary to help you along.

Here are my picks for the best ways to spend one week in Italy:

• 1 Week Italian Renaissance Tour
• 1 Week in Tuscany
• 1 Week in Italy’s Major Cities
• 1 Week in Rome + Day Trips
• 1 Week in Venice + Day Trips
• 1 Week in the Italian Lake District Itinerary
• 1 Week Dolomites Itinerary
• 1 Week in Rome + Amalfi Coast
• 1 Week in Northern Italy Venice to Milan
• 1 Week in Rome + Umbria
• 1 Week Milan to Rome
• 1 Week in Sicily

1. One Week Italian Renaissance Tour: Florence, Tuscany, and Venice

Tuscany has some of the world’s best cathedrals, art galleries, museums. It’s celebrated for its Medieval and Renaissance art.

Tuscany is even regarded as the birthplace of one of mankind’s greatest adventures, the Italian Renaissance.

Florence is an overwhelmingly beautiful city, the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” With the best Medieval and Renaissance art in Europe, Florence is a veritable art lovers paradise.

Florence has some of Europe’s best museums — the Uffizi Gallery , the Bargello Museum , and the Galleria dell’Accademia . And some of Italy’s most opulent palaces — the Pitti Palace and Palazzo Vecchio .

If you want to see these lovelies, you need to book them in advance. Here’s my guide to what attractions you need to pre-book in Florence .

READ : Florence Art Bucket List

Venice had its own Renaissance, distinct from Renaissance hotspots like Florence. Venice’s artists produced images that were less religious, more libertine, and more creative.

Venetian artists painted female nudes and erotic scenes, without the censure other artists like Michelangelo received.

READ : A Nutshell History of Venice

Siena is one of the best cities to visit in Tuscany for its rustic beauty, tasty food, and luscious chianti. Siena Cathedral is one of Europe’s most beautiful churches. Click here to book a ticket.

The greatest artists of the Renaissance contributed master works to the cathedral, including Donatello, Pinturicchio, Duccio, Ghiberti, Pisano, and Michelangelo .

Pisa and Lucca are also great for Renaissance art and architecture. You’ll want to discover the monuments on the magnificent UNESCO-listed Field of Miracles , which is so much more than just the famous Leaning Tower . Lucca is a town of a 100 churches.

READ : Tips for Visiting Pisa

In Arezzo, you can see Piero della Francesca’s greatest masterpiece . It’s the Legend of the Cross frescos in the Cappella Maggiore of the Church of San Francesco.

Padua is home to one of Italy’s must see wonders, the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. Wallpapered with exquisite frescos by Giotto, the chapel is one of the world’s greatest art works.

It’s currently a candidate for the UNESCO list of world heritage sites.

Here’s how to spend one week in Italy immersing yourself in the Italian Renaissance:

• Day 1 : Arrive in and explore Florence
• Day 2 : Explore Florence
• Day 3 : Day trip to Siena
• Day 4 : Day trip to Pisa and Lucca or to Arrezo
• Day 5 : Drive to and explore Venice
• Day 6 : Explore Venice
• Day 7 : Day trip to Padua

For this itinerary, you’ll only have two bases: Florence (4 nights) and Venice (3 nights).

If you have more time in Italy, itinerary # 9 has the perfect one week itinerary for taking a road trip from Venice to Milan . If you want a nature break, you could head to the Dolomites with itinerary #7.

Need more information about this one week Italian Renaissance road trip? Check out these Tuscany and Venice travel guides for specific details.

• Best Art in Tuscany
• 10 Day Itinerary for Tuscany
• 3 day itinerary for Florence
• Best museums in Florence
• Hidden gems in Florence
• Michelangelo Trail in Florence
• Piero della Francesco Trail in Italy
• Andrea del Verrocchio’s Art in Florence
• 1 Day Itinerary for Siena
• Must See Sites in Pisa
• 2 Day Itinerary for Venice
• Guide To Padua’s Scrovegni Chapel

2. One Week in Tuscany Idyll

There’s nowhere more romantic in Italy than the stunning region of Tuscany. Tuscany is like a painting.

With its cypress-lined roads, golden wheat fields, and medieval hilltop towns, Tuscany offers the quintessential Italian village experience, complete with fine wine and delectable food.

I’ve discussed Florence and Siena above.

But this Tuscany itinerary also takes you to some of Italy’s most beautiful small towns — Arezzo, Cortona, San Gimignano, Lucca, and Pisa.

In these quaint towns, you’ll find showstopper public squares, stunning churches, and cobbled lanes.

San Gimignano is the romantic glamor girl of Tuscany. Nicknamed the “Medieval Manhattan,” San Gimignano is famous for its “Bella Torres” or “Beautiful Towers.” 

Here’s how to spend one week in Tuscany:

• Day 1 : Arrive and explore Florence
• Day 3 : Day trip to Arrezo or Cortona
• Day 4 : Drive to and explore Siena
• Day 5 : Day trip to San Gimignano
• Day 6 : Drive to Lucca and explore
• Day 7 : Day trip To Pisa from Lucca

For this 1 week in Tuscany itinerary, your overnight bases will be Florence (3 nights), Siena (2 nights), and Lucca (2 nights). If you want more details on this itinerary, check out my comprehensive one week in Tuscany itinerary .

More time in Italy? If you want to extend your Tuscany road trip and move at a more leisurely pace, check out my 10 day itinerary for Tuscany .

It covers all the destinations on this shorter 1 week Tuscany itinerary, and more, with much more detail.

Or, head south to Umbria and follow itinerary #10. If you’re ready for a city break, head to Rome and follow itinerary #4.

Need more information on Tuscany? Check out these other articles:

• Must see sites in Florence
• Best day trips from Florence
• Guide to the Medici Palaces
• Guide to the Uffizi Gallery
• Best things to do in San Gimignano

3. One Week in Italy’s Major Cities | Greatest Hits

Are you a city person? If you want to explore Italy’s greatest hits, this fun one week itinerary takes you to the “big three” — Rome, Florence, and Venice.

Endlessly inspiring and ethereal, Rome is the magical mecca of carbs and ancient architecture. It’s a grand showcase of Western civilization, full of Imperial pomp and circumstance.

Rome has spent centuries accumulating layers of beauty, history, and romance — just waiting for its admirers to arrive.

READ : History of Ancient Rome

Begin with the Imperial tour of Rome, which includes the iconic Colosseum , Palatine Hill , and the Roman Forum . Be sure to book skip the line tickets in advance!

Then, take a stroll through the historic center of Rome . There, you’ll find the stunning Piazza Navona the Pantheon , beautiful churches, and the Trevi Fountain.

Next, move on to visiting the Vatican Museums , the unparalleled world class museums in Rome , and Rome’s opulent palaces .

To see the Vatican you MUST book a skip the line ticket or wait hours in line. You can check out my guide to Vatican tours to see which appeal.

I’ve already discussed Florence above. Your last major city stop, Venice, is the most unique city in the world. I’ve written a one day in Venice itinerary that you can follow.

It’s an almost physical and mystical experience when you see Venice for the first time. The glimmering watery streets are right is front of you.

Venice defies logic; it’s a city that almost shouldn’t exist. Venice is a mind boggling maze of canals, lacy palaces, and artistic treasures.

READ: Must see sites along Venice’s Grand Canal

Here’s how to spend one week in Italy’s major cities:

• Day 1 : Arrive and explore Rome
• Day 2 : Explore Rome
• Day 3 : Drive or high speed train to Florence
• Day 4 : Explore Florence
• Day 5 : Day trip to Siena or to Pisa & Lucca
• Day 6 : Drive or high speed train To Venice
• Day 7 : Explore Venice

More time in Italy?

From Venice you can follow itinerary #9 and road trip from Venice to Milan. Alternatively, you can head to the Italian Lake District (itinerary #6) or the Dolomites (itinerary #7).

Need more information about this one week city-based Italy itinerary?

Check out these city travel guides:

• 3 day itinerary for Rome
• Hidden gems in Rome
• Best museums in Rome
• Archaeological sites in Rome
• Guide to the Borghese Gallery
• Masterpieces of the Vatican
• Rome’s secret palace museums
• 2 day itinerary for Venice

4. One Week Rome City Break + Day Trips

One of my favorite vacations in Italy was just spending 8 days in Rome. I didn’t move my base from the beautiful Trastevere neighborhood.

I just explored Rome at slower pace and took plenty of easy day trips. You don’t need a car. You can book a day tour or just hop on the train.

I’ve discussed Rome above. But on this Rome itinerary , you’ll also visit some of beautiful towns near Rome.

Tivoli is a charming small town just a half hour from Rome. It’s home to two amazing UNESCO sites: Hadrian’s Villa (Roman ruins) and Ville d’Este (a Renaissance mansion with incredible gardens and fountains).

You should definitely book a day trip tour to see them.

Pompeii is Italy’s most famous archaeological site, a living museum. In 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the city in 60 feet of ash. The city was entombed and preserved for many centuries.

Beginning in 1748, archaeologists began painstakingly excavating the ruins. The ruins are a remarkable evocation of everyday Roman life, which you can see on a guided tour from Rome to get all the history.

Charming Orvieto, the capitol of Umbria, is an easy day trip from Rome. It’s set high above a volcanic outcropping and chock full of medieval buildings.

Nothing much has changed in this rustic fairytale town in 500 years. Orvieto’s piece de resistance is its magnificent cathedral.

Here’s how to spend 1 week in Rome:

• Day 1 : Explore Rome
• Day 3 : Explore Rome and Vatican City
• Day 4 : Day Trip To Tivoli
• Day 5 : Day Trip to Pompeii
• Day 6 : Day Trip to Orvieto
• Day 7 : Explore more of Rome and/or half day trip to Ostia Antica

Want more information about this trip? Here are some of my other articles:

• 3 Day Rome Itinerary
• Hidden Gems in Rome
• Guide to the Vatican Pinacoteca
• Guide to Rome’s Palace Museums
• Historic Landmarks in Italy

5. One Week in Venice + Day Trips

Another one week itinerary where you don’t have to move bases is just to stay in Venice. You can enjoy the city at your leisure and take day trips from there by car, train, or ferry.

You could also base yourself in Verona the entire time and day trip to Venice and other destinations. Verona is less crowded and less expensive than Venice.

Venice is one of the world’s most beautiful and captivating cities, a natural movie set. No other place looks quite like it. Venice is a medieval city built on water that shouldn’t exist in real life. It’s a mind boggling maze of architectural and artistic treasures.

There are so many thing to do and see in Venice. You can take a gondola rid e , ogle the opulent palaces , take in some world class museums, or stroll the stunning floating city .

From Venice, you have so many day trip options. You can tour the Venetian lagoon islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello .

You can day trip to Padua to admire Giotto’s groundbreaking frescos at the Scrovegni Chapel. If you want less crowded canals, head to nearby Treviso. Treviso is an elegant little canal town, only a 30 minute train ride from Venice.

Fair Verona is for romantics and medievalists. It’s a pretty Italian town full of red and peach colored medieval buildings and Roman ruins.

Verona was made famous by Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet . Once you’ve made the obligatory pilgrimmage to Juliet’s Balcony, you’ll also want to tour the doughty Roman Arena in the Piazza Bra.

Ravenna was once the epicenter of the Western World, when the Byzantine Empire made Ravenna its capitol.

The Byzantine rulers blanketed Ravenna’s churches with gorgeous mosaics. This artistic legacy rivals Venice or Istanbul, making Ravenna a UNESCO site worth visiting .

Here’s how to spend one week in Venice:

• Day 1 : Explore Venice
• Day 2 : Explore Venice
• Day 3 : Day trip to Venetian lagoon islands
• Day 4 : Day trip to Padua
• Day 5 : Day trip to Verona
• Day 6 : Day Trip to Ravenna
• Day 7 : Day Trip to Bologna or another day in Venice

More time in Italy? Head to the Dolomites with itinerary #6 or road trip to Milan with itinerary #9.

Need more information about this area of Italy?

Check out these Venice travel guides and resources:

• 1 day itinerary for Venice
• Top Attractions in Ve nice
• History of Venice in a nutshell
• Guide to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum
• Guide to the Galleria Accademia
• Guide to the Scrovegni Chapel
• 7 day itinerary Venice to Milan
• Guide to the mosaics of Ravenna

6. One Week Italian Lake District Itinerary

Northern Italy is home to the seductively beautiful Lake District, set in the shadow of the Alps. Though just an hour north of Milan, this area feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Italy’s second city.

In this romantic region, 19th century villas are covered in vines and set amid stunted palm trees. It’s a bliss-y area made for nature lovers.

You have several lakes to choose from and they all have their charms —Lake Como, Lake Garda, and Lake Maggiore.

Lake Como offering a heady mix of scenery, opulent palazzi, and relaxing vistas. Lake Maggiore doesn’t have quite the panache of Lake Como, but still has a faded elegance.

Lake Orta is smaller and less developed, a hidden gem of quietude without the crowds. It’s a favorite escape of the Milanese, who’ve nicknamed it Cinderella.

Here’s a breakdown of how to spend one week in the Italian Lake District:

• Day 1 : Arrive in and explore Milan
• Day 2 : Explore Lake Como, base in Varenna
• Day 3 : Explore Lake Como, ferry to Bellagio
• Day 4 : Explore Lake Maggiore, base in Stresa
• Day 5 : Explore Lake Maggiore
• Day 6 : Explore Lake Orta, stay in Villa Crespi
• Day 7. Explore Lake Orta

From the Lake District, head east to Venice. Here’s my two day itinerary for Venice .

Alternatively, head back to Milan and follow itinerary #11, which takes you on an amazing road trip from Milan to Rome.

Want more information about this itinerary? Check out these Milan travel guides:

• 1 day itinerary for Milan
• Top attractions in Milan
• Leonardo da Vinci trail in Milan
• Guide to the Brera Museum
• How to see Leonardo’s Last Supper Fresco
• Top art to see in Milan

7. One Week Dolomites Itinerary

Italy’s dramatic rocky rooftop is the Dolomites. This region of Italy offers some of the best mountain thrills in Europe.

The Dolomites feature flower speckled meadows, turquoise lakes, jagged gray cliffs, and spectacular driving routes.

Here, the region doesn’t even seem like Italy. It’s more Austrian and German in a felt-hat-with-feathers way. You can tour by car or go on a hiking tour .

The city of Bolzano is the gateway to the Dolomites. There’s yogurt and yodeling for breakfast. The Dolomites are especially beautiful in the fall.

And more hiking than you can imagine. Probably the most stunning hike is Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike.

• Day 1 : Arrive and explore Trento
• Day 2 : Day trip to Rovereto and Lago di Tenno
• Day 3 : Drive to Bressanone, stop at Lago di Carezzo en route
• Day 4 : Day trip to Secede
• Day 5 : Drive to Lago di Braies, overnight in Misurina
• Day 6 : Explore Lake Misurina
• Day 7 : Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike

This Dolomites itinerary has three bases: Trento (2 nights), Bressanone (2 nights), and Misurina (3 nights).

The nearest airport is Venice Treviso and Venice Marco Polo.

If you want to visit Venice before the Dolomites, here’s my two day itinerary for Venice . After leaving Venice, you’ll head to Trento, a very underrated city in Italy. Trento is frescoed and surrounded by mountains.

More time in Italy? Head to the Italian Lake District. Lake Garda is about 3 hours away. See itinerary #6.

8. One Week in Rome (or Naples) and the Amalfi Coast

This 1 week in Italy itinerary begins in Rome. From Rome, it’s over 3 hours to the drool-worthy Amalfi Coast. If you’ve been to Rome and would rather skip the drive or train ride, you can spend you first two days in Naples instead.

Like Rome, Naples is a big city that can be chaotic. But Naples’ historic center is rich and will give you a taste of the quintessentially Neapolitan lifestyle.

Naples’ finest attractions are its treasure chest Archaeological Museum and the Capodimonte Museum .

With its stunning scenery, hill towns, and historic ruins, the Amalfi Coast is one of the world’s most scenic rides.

From Sorrento to Salerno, the vistas will leave your mouth gaping and your camera’s memory card full. Villas cling to cliffs and sandy coves beckon below.

Over the centuries, the spectacular scenery has been a siren call for the rich and famous, luring Roman emperor Tiberius, Richard Wagner, Sophia Loren, Gore Vidal, and others to the Amalfi Coast’s special brand of la dolce vita .

Wedged on a ledge over the sea, the serene cliff top town of Sorrento makes a perfect springboard for visiting the Amalfi Coast.

From Sorrento, you can book day trips to Pompeii , Positano , Capri , and even Naples.

There’s a saying that Positano “bites deep,” it’s so dreamy. Positano is the star of the Amalfi Coast. Strolling the town comes complete with sherbet colored cliffside homes, stunning beaches, and tiny cobbled lanes.

Rugged mountainous Capri is one of the world’s most glamorous island. Capri was made famous as the vacation hideaway of Roman Emperors Augustus and Tiberius.

Today, it’s crowded. But even with the crowds, it’s drop dead gorgeous, set on a glittering blue sea and you should definitely book a guided boat tour to see it .

Pompeii is an ancient Roman town, which was stopped in its tracks by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Once buried under ash, the well preserved ruins of Pompeii offer you the best look anywhere at what life in Rome was like 2,000 years ago.

Here’s how to spend one week in Rome and the Amalfi Coast:

• Day 3 : Explore Rome
• Day 4 : Day Trip to Tivoli (Hadian’s Villa & Villa d’Este)
• Day 5 : Train or drive to Sorrento, explore Sorento
• Day 6 : Day Trip to Positano
• Day 7 : Day Trip to Pompeii or Capri

Need more information for this one week Italy itinerary?

Check out these guides:

• 5 day itinerary for Rome
• Guide to Palatine Hill
• Guide to the Roman Forum
• Guide to the Colosseum
• Guide to Hadrian’s Villa
• Guide to Villa d’Este
• Guide to the Amalfi Coast

9. One Week in Northern Italy: Venice to Milan

This one week road trip from Venice to Milan in northern Italy is a popular tourist route.

It’s only a 3 hour drive from Venice to Milan.

But this route is dense with amazing must see medieval villages, ornate palazzos, Roman ruins, and secret hidden gems of the Renaissance. There’s plenty of great destinations to explore along the way.

This northern Italy road trip begins in Venice, the starting point for your road trip.

It assumes you’ve explored the heady attractions of the world’s most romantic floating city, and are embarking to explore more of Italy.

From Venice, you can explore Verona , a town for romantics, and visit Mantua , a town for Renaissance lovers. You’ll also stop in Brescia and Bergamo before landing in Milan.

Here’s how to spend one week on a road trip from Venice to Milan:

• Day 1 : Leave Venice, stop in Padua and Vicenza, overnight in Verona
• Day 2 : Explore Verona, overnight in Verona
• Day 3 : From Verona, day trip to Mantua
• Day 4 : Drive to Brescia, stopping in Sirmione on the way, overnight in Brescia
• Day 5 : Explore Brescia, overnight in Brescia
• Day 6 : Drive to Bergamo, explore Bergamo, overnight in Milan
• Day 7 : Explore Milan

Need more information for this one week Italy itinerary? Check out these guides:

• Guide To the Must See Sites of Mantua
• Guide To Mantua’s Te Palace
• Most Beautiful Towns in Italy
• 1 Day itinerary for Milan
• Best Art in Milan

10. One Week in Rome + Umbria

I’ve covered Rome above and you’ll be there two days on this particular one week Italy itinerary.

Beautiful Umbria is quite similar To Tuscany. It’s just as sublimely picturesque, but less crowded. You can enjoy Italy’s scenic medieval hill towns and countryside.

Charming Orvieto is one of Italy’s most striking hill towns. Less than 90 minutes from Rome, Orvieto sits majestically atop a big chunk of volcanic stone amid cypress-dotted plains.

As I mentioned above, Orvieto’s walking highlights are its colorful-inside-and-out cathedral and pretty cobbled old town.

The stunning hill town of Assisi is a destination for art lovers. Because Assisi was the home and final resting place of St. Francis, it’s also a pilgrimage destination that you’ll want to tour . In fact, the 13th century Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is one of Italy’s best known churches.

The tiny towns of Umbria — Spello, Spoleto, Perugia, and Gubbio — are utterly charming. This is where you’ll really get a taste of real Umbrian culture.

Here’s how to spend one week exploring Rome and Umbria:

• Day 3 : Drive to Orvieto, stop en route in Civita di Bagnoregio
• Day 4 : Explore Orvieto
• Day 5 : Drive to Assisi and explore, overnight in Assisi
• Day 6 : Day trip to Spello and Spoleto
• Day 7 : Day trip to Perugia and/or Gubbio

In this one week Italy route, you’ll start in Rome. For a base, you’ll be in Rome (2 nights) Orvieto (2 nights), and Assisi (3 nights). For more details, check out my comprehensive one week in Umbria itinerary .

More time? Head north to Tuscany with itinerary #2.

11. One Week Milan to Rome Itinerary

The journey from Milan to Rome is a popular tourist route. It’s only a 6 hour drive from Milan to Rome.

But this well-traveled road trip route is dense with amazing must see medieval villages, ornate palazzos, Roman ruins, and sublime treasures of the Renaissance.

You start with Italy’s exciting northern capital of Milan and end in Rome, Italy’s ancient southern capital of Rome. Along the way, you’ll visit some of Italy’s most beautiful towns in northern Italy. You’ll experience a near overdose of art, from Ancient Rome to treasures of the Renaissance in Florence.

With this itinerary, you’ll get to visit Bologna. Nicknamed La Grassa , or the Big Fat, for its delicious food, Bologna just oozes medieval charm. And you should definitely take a food tour in Bologna .

Bologna is a bit of a hidden gem in Italy. But it shouldn’t be. Bologna is a historic city filled with striking architecture, beautiful piazzas, a swathe of palaces and towers, and gourmet restaurants. Eat, eat, and eat more!

Situated atop three hills, Siena is Italy’s ultimate rustic hill town.

Its thriving historic center , with movie set lanes cascading every which way, offers Italy’s best medieval city experience.

Here’s how you can spend one week on a road trip from Milan to Rome .

• Day 1 : Explore Milan
• Day 2 : Pick up car drive to Bologna and explore
• Day 3 : Drive to Florence and explore
• Day 4 : Explore Florence and optional half day trip to Pisa
• Day 5 : Stop in Siena en route Rome
• Day 6 : Explore Rome
• Day 7 : Explore Rome

In this busy 7 day Milan to Rome travel itinerary, you’ll have three bases: Milan (1 night), Bologna (1 night), Florence (2 nights), and Rome (3 nights).

More time in Italy? Spend more time in Bologna, one of Italy’s most underrated cities.

Or, head to the Amalfi Coast with itinerary #8.

Need more information for this Milan to Rome road trip? Check out these travel guides and resources:

• 1 day in Siena itinerary

12. One Week In Sicily Itinerary

Want to head to the beautiful island of Sicily? I was just there for 2 weeks and it’s divine.

Sicily is rich in history, culture, and food. It’s one of Italy’s most exotic regions, pure passion set amid wild beauty. You can enjoy diverse landscapes — rocky volcanic coastlines, pristine beaches, and clifftop villages.

Sicily will also dazzle you with ancient ruins, UNESCO sites, artistic treasures, Baroque architecture, and Italy’s most exotic street markets. 

One week in Sicily isn’t enough time to experience the island fully. Given the distances to be traveled, imperfect roads, and plethora of attractions, you should probably stick to one part of the island.

I’ve written 5 sample itineraries for spending 1 week in Sicily by geography or theme:

• Eastern Sicily Itinerary
• Western Sicily Itinerary
• Northern Sicily Itinerary
• Sampler Sicily Itinerary
• Archaeological Sicily Itinerary

These one week Italy itineraries take you to Sicily’s premiere destinations — the exciting capital of Palermo, the mosaicked churches of Monreale and Cefalu, the clifftop town of Taormina, the sensation old world town of Syracuse, and the late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto.

For details and destination inspiration, check out my 1 week in Sicily itineraries . Or, check out some of my detailed travel guides covering the must visit sites and towns in Sicily:

• 2 days in Palermo itinerary
• 2 days in Syracuse itinerary
• 2 days in Trapani itinerary
• 1 day in Catania itinerary
• 1 day in Taormina itinerary
• Guide to the Valley of the Temples
• Guide to Villa Romana del Casale
• Guide to Monreale Cathedral
• Guide to the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel

I hope you’ve enjoyed my one week Italy itineraries. If so, pin it for later.

12 thoughts on “7 Days in Italy: 12 Amazing One Week Itineraries for Italy”

I loved the itineraries…now I’m even more overwhelmed! My daughter and I want to spend 30 days in Italy (including Sicily). Any info on where to stay (location/safety)?

I feel like Italy is pretty safe, if you take the usual precautions of staying in good neighborhoods and not being out late at night. 30 days in Italy? That’s amazing. Sicily is definitely on my bucket list.

Thank you so much these are great ideas for first time travellers!

We fly into rome and leave rome after a week what would you suggest for one week, would love to see venace Florence or Milan!

I really wanted to see the different towns through Italy without having it to rushed happy to use the trains but accomodation wise I would have no idea where to book each night!

Thank you so much these ar very helpful!!

You’re welcome! You could actually use Rome as your home base for the entire week and day trip to other places either by high speed train or guided tour. Here’s my guide to the best day trips from Rome: https://www.thegeographicalcure.com/post/day-trips-from-rome . Or you could split your time between Rome and Florence. Florence is much closer than Milan or Venice. I have lots of articles on all those cities.

Great info thank you! Looking for a Rome – Venice – Amalfi itinerary…. Any suggestions or is it possible in a week? Thanks CD

You can do it, but you’ll be rushed. I’d probably start in Venice and only spend one day there if you only have 7 days in Italy. I do have a 1 day and 2 day itinerary for Venice and a 3 days in Rome itinerary.

ITALY It’s Beautiful city in Europe

Ha! Yes it is.

By far these iterinaries were great. Were heading to Europe for 3 weeks. Were going back to Rome for 2 or 3 days then explore northern part of Italy. We would like to spend 6 days or so then would like to see Switzerland then France. Any suggestions on these places. We are traveling with our 13 year old daughter. Thank you in advance Dennis

Thank you Dennis! I hope you have a fantastic time in Europe. If you use the search function on my blog page, you will find loads of itineraries for Rome and must see sites, museums, and ruins. I also have many articles on France. I haven’t been to Switzerland in a couple decades, so nothing on that country unfortunately.

Hi We are flying into Naples in September and headed to the Amalfi Coast. We have 7 nights and need to be in Venice on the 8th day. I know this will be a rushed tripped. I would love to include Bologna.Any suggestions on an itinerary?

Here are my sample itineraries for spending 5 days on the Amalfi Coast. https://www.thegeographicalcure.com/post/5-days-in-the-amalfi-coast-itineraries . You could take the high speed train from Naples to Bologna, spend a day there, and then head to Venice.

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Last Updated on April 14, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

• The Best 10-Day Italy Travel Itinerary

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Wonderful Time in Italy We were covered from the moment we landed in Rome. The drivers were great, the connections were flawless, and it was well-planned a...

Frequently topping polls of the most beautiful countries in the world, Italy is a diverse destination that deserves repeat visits. That said, it’s perfectly possible to pack plenty of unforgettable experiences into a 10-day trip. The question is, how to choose where to go? Read on to discover eight unique 10-day Italy itineraries for how to spend 10 days in Italy.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Italy, created by local experts

8 days  / from 2597 USD

Experience the hit TV show 'The White Lotus' in Sicily

Stay in beautiful Taormina with gorgeous views of Mount Etna and discover Sicily, including famous filming locations. Go on exclusive wine tastings, discover the Greek theater in Taormina with a private guide, visit other Sicilian towns and enjoy the crystal clear water on this week-long trip.

8 days  / from 3228 USD

Enchanting Italian Lakes

Experience the picturesque lakes of Northern Italy, including Lake Garda, Como, Lugano and Maggiore; explore the charming Borromean Islands – former favourites of Ernest Hemingway – and stroll the romantic streets of Verona and Milan. All of this, and much more, with this self-drive trip!

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From Venice to Florence: A Grand Tour of Northern Italy

From the atmospheric canals of Venice and the picturesque coastline of Cinque Terre, to the trendy designer boutiques of Milan and the Renaissance-infused streets of Florence, Northern Italy has plenty to offer. Experience it all with this comprehensive trip.

Tailor-made trips for   Italy

See our 10 days in Italy itineraries below, or get inspired by duration: 5 days - 7-days - 14 days - North Italy - South Italy

Itinerary #1: Cuisine, culture and captivating countryside in Piedmont

Located in northwest Italy, surrounded by the French and Swiss Alps, Piedmont is a wealthy region known for its culinary delights. This 10-day itinerary combines cuisine, culture, and nature, encompassing the regional capital, Turin, and the countryside around Alba.

Fly to Milan and transfer to Turin, your base for the first five days . Explore the elegant city known for its Baroque avenues, palaces, and art. Day three offers a guided e-bike tour, while day four is dedicated to the Egyptian Museum and Royal Palace, showcasing remarkable artefacts and opulent royal history.

On day five , transfer to Alba in the Langhe area. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the charming town with its medieval towers, palaces, and cobblestone streets. Day six brings a hands-on cooking class and wine tasting at Azienda Agricola Wine Estate, where you'll participate in a four-course cooking experience and sample sensational wines.

Day seven offers a relaxing hike in Langa, strolling through the scenic Barolo hills and rewarding yourself with coffee and Moscato wine at the end. Day eight features a wine tour of Barbaresco, known for its outstanding red wines, and the medieval villages of Nieve and Barbaresco.

On your last day , explore Alba further, including the late-Gothic Duomo and the bustling Via Vittorio Emanuele, where you can indulge in the region's finest local produce, including wines, truffles, cheeses, mushrooms, and the delightful nocciola cake.

Interest piqued? Browse our customisable  Piedmont Discovery trip. 

Itinerary overview

Check out this overview of the 10 days Italy itinerary.

Ready to embark on an adventure? Book your trip now .

Turin, Piedmont © Shutterstock

Langhe vineyards in Piedmont, Italy © Giorgio1978/Shutterstock

Itinerary #2: Fascinating Southern Italy - Naples, Sorrento and Capri

Discover the wonders of southern Italy on this 10-day itinerary , where you'll embark on a journey through charming towns along the Amalfi Coast, explore the island of Capri, savour the culinary delights of Naples, and immerse yourself in the rich history of Pompeii.

Start your adventure in Naples, a vibrant city nestled by the Bay of Naples. Spend two days exploring its historic streets, visiting iconic sites, strolling along the seafront, and indulging in Neapolitan street food.

On the third day , venture to Pompeii and witness its well-preserved ruins. Continue your journey to Sorrento on the fourth day , where you'll enjoy a private walking tour. Indulge in the town's charming streets and delectable dining options.

Days five and six are dedicated to exploring the picturesque town of Positano. Wander its winding streets, relax on the beach, or embark on a sailing excursion along the coast to discover hidden coves and the historic town of Amalfi.

Experience the luxurious atmosphere of Capri on days seven to nine . Delight in your free time to explore the island, visit its charming towns, and revel in panoramic views.

Conclude your journey with a private transfer and hydrofoil ride from Capri to Naples' Capodichino Airport on the final day. Depart with cherished memories of your unforgettable southern Italy adventure. Read more .

Check this overview of the 10 days Italy itinerary.

Feeling curious? Take a step forward and book this trip now .

Sorrento, Italy © Shutterstock

Ischia Island, Naples © Shutterstock

Giardini di Augusto in Capri, Italy ©Shutterstoc k

Itinerary #3: A gastronomic journey in Tuscany and Amalfi Coast

Experience the best of Italy in just 10 days , from Florence to the Amalfi Coast, where your senses will be tantalized at every turn. Start with a private transfer to your Florence accommodation and explore the city.

On day two, venture to the Chianti Wine Region for a scenic hike through vineyards and olive groves. Immerse yourself in Tuscan cuisine on day three with a hands-on cooking experience in Florence.

Discover the renowned Montalcino area on day four , indulging in a full-day tour of medieval villages and wine cellars, with a multi-course Tuscan lunch. Travel to Naples on day five and embark on a guided tour, immersing yourself in the city's authentic atmosphere and culinary traditions.

Explore the ancient city of Pompeii on day six , learning about its fascinating history and enjoying a 3-course lunch. Hike to the crater of Mount Vesuvius for breathtaking views on the same day.

Transfer to Positano on day seven and enjoy leisure time exploring this stunning coastal town.

Discover the enchanting Amalfi Coast on days eight and nine, with a coach tour offering picturesque views, visits to charming towns, and optional hikes along the famous Path of the Gods trail.

On the final day, bid farewell to Italy with a private transfer to Naples Airport, carrying unforgettable memories of the landscapes, culture, and cuisine that defined your journey. Read more .

Excited to discover? Waste no time and book this trip now .

Amalfi, Italy © proslgn/Shutterstock

Positano, italy. Amalfi Coast ©Shutterstock

Asciano with Val d'Orcia © Shutterstock

Itinerary #4: Treasures of Italy: Venice, Florence and Rome

From the charming waterways of Venice to the Renaissance-imbued streets of Florence, to the historic city of Rome, Italy's top three cities are as unique as they are unmissable. Experience them all on this fascinating 10-day trip .

The itinerary begins in Venice, where you are greeted by a private driver at the airport and taken to a hotel. The first day is free for leisure activities.

On the second day , you will enjoy a delicious breakfast before embarking on a comprehensive city tour with a private guide.

Day three starts with a motor launch trip to the enchanting islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello. After the island excursion, check out and take a scenic train journey to Florence.

On day four , a private guided tour takes visitors to Florence's iconic sights, including the Duomo, Piazza della Repubblica, and Pitti Palace, among others.

Day five offers an excursion to Pisa to marvel at the Leaning Tower and a visit to the charming town of Lucca. Afterwards, return to Florence to enjoy the rest of the evening at their leisure.

On day six , board a train to Rome. A guided tour of Rome's famous landmarks awaits on days seven and eight .

Day nine is a free day for you to explore Rome independently or engage in optional activities. On day ten , after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure. Read more.

Excited by the possibilities? Book this trip now .

Santa Maria del Diore Duomo in Florence © Shutterstock

Gondolas in Venice © Shutterstock

The Forum Romanum ruins in Rome, Italy © Shutterstock

Itinerary #5: Best of south: Rome, Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

Embark on this 10-day journey through the enchanting landscapes of South Italy. Arrive at Rome International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Rome. For the first two day s, explore the captivating beauty and history of the city at your own pace.

After breakfast on day three , board a high-speed train to Naples. Discover the city's magnificent palaces, winding streets, ancient churches, and underground passages on a guided tour. Enjoy a leisurely day four in Naples, immersing yourself in its vibrant atmosphere.

Day five takes you to Pompeii, where you'll witness the remarkably preserved ruins of this ancient city. Continue to Herculaneum for another archaeological marvel. Day six begins with a visit to Mount Vesuvius, followed by a tour of the picturesque town of Sorrento.

On day seven , explore the captivating island of Capri, marveling at its dramatic rock formations and mesmerizing caves. Day eight is dedicated to the scenic Amalfi Coast, where you'll visit picturesque towns and admire breathtaking coastal views.

Enjoy a relaxing morning in Sorrento on day nine before taking a train back to Rome. Transfer to your hotel and reflect on your journey. On day ten, have a final breakfast before being transferred to Rome International Airport for your onward flight.

Immerse yourself in the charm of South Italy with this unforgettable 10-day trip, filled with culture, history, and breathtaking sights. Read more.

Striving for unforgettable memories? Book this trip now to create unforgettable moments.

St. Peter Cathedral in the Vatican, Rome © Shutterstock

Amalfi, Italy © Shutterstock

View on Naples © Shutterstock

Itinerary #6: Legend and Legacy - A Tour of Sicily

Explore the picturesque island of Sicily on this 10-day trip. Begin at Catania Airport, where you'll pick up your rental car. Check-in at the hotel and enjoy free time to explore Taormina.

On day two , relax and bask in the crystal-clear waters of Taormina's diverse beaches. Day three takes you on a guided trip to the Aeolian Islands, where you'll visit Panarea and Stromboli for a sunset tour.

Drive to Palermo, the capital city of Sicily, on day four . Take the afternoon to explore at your own pace. On day five, visit the medieval town of Erice, witness salt harvesting at the Sea Saltpans of Trapani, and explore the ancient city of Segesta.

Day six includes a visit to the Roman Villa of Casale and a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. On day seven , venture to the small island of Ustica for a panoramic tour and boat trip.

Drive to Catania on day eight and check in at a hotel. Enjoy leisure time in Catania, known for its proximity to Mount Etna. Day nine takes you to the Sapienza Refuge, where you'll witness recent eruptions and explore the Wild Craters of Mount Etna. Indulge in delicious tastings at an organic farm.

On the final day , drive to Catania Airport to drop off your rental car. Bid farewell to the stunning island of Sicily, filled with unforgettable memories.

Tonnara Scopello © Shutterstock

The stage of Taormina's Greek Theater, Taormina, Sicily ©Shutterstock

Famous fountain of shame on baroque Piazza Pretoria, Palermo © Shutterstock

Itinerary #7: An Italian dream trip: Rome, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast

Experience the essence of Italy on a fantastic 10-day trip . Begin in Rome, where you'll delve into ancient history and take a cookery class. Then, venture to Sicily, marvel at Baroque architecture, and explore the iconic Mount Etna. Conclude your adventure with the enchanting Amalfi Coast and Capri.

Arrive at Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport. Embark on a treasure hunt with a private guide on day two , discovering Rome's ancient history.

Day three allows leisure time to explore Rome's art, culture, and architecture. In the afternoon, join a cooking class in Campo de' Fiori.

Fly to Catania, Sicily, on day four . Explore the city with a guided tour, visiting the Neapolis Archaeological Park and Ortygia Island. Enjoy a delightful dinner in Syracuse.

Discover Noto's Baroque buildings on day five , visiting the cathedral and Palazzo Ducezio. Day six starts with a chocolate-making workshop in Modica, followed by a guided walking tour of Ragusa's Baroque architecture.

Explore Mount Etna's volcanic craters and visit a prestigious wine cellar on day seven . Then, learn about pistachio farming and indulge in tastings in Bronte.

Fly to Naples on day eight . On day nine , enjoy a full-day tour of the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, visiting Ravello's gardens, walking to Amalfi along the Iron Valley, and exploring the town.

On day ten , transfer to Rome's airport after breakfast, bidding farewell to a remarkable 10-day journey through Italy. Read more .

Thirsty for adventure? Don't miss the opportunity to book this trip now .

Etna in the background, Taormina, Sicily ©Shutterstock

Naples Old Town ©Shutterstock

Itinerary #8: Dive into Apulia - cuisine & culture

Explore the beautiful region of Puglia in Italy on this 10-day itinerary . Begin your first day in Bari, where you'll have free time to explore the elegant Murat district and the historic centre of Bari Vecchia.

Drive to Castel del Monte on day two to admire the fascinating fortress. Return to Bari for a guided street food tour, indulging in local culinary delights.

Day three takes you to the picturesque towns of Ostuni and Alberobello. Spend day four enjoying the beaches between Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, experiencing stunning coastlines and rich cultural heritage.

Immerse yourself in nature on day five with a walk through the Reserve of Torre Guaceto. Day six brings you to Taranto, a city steeped in history, with its ancient centre and strategic location.

On day seven , embark on a boat tour in Taranto marina, exploring the Ionian Sea and the chance to spot dolphins and whales. Day eight takes you to Lecce, known for its art and historic charm.

Learn the art of making orecchiette pasta on day nine during a cooking class led by a professional chef. Taste local products and drinks as you delve into the culinary traditions.

On day ten , return to Bari Airport, reflecting on the wonderful experiences gained during this unforgettable journey through Puglia. Read more .

Fascinated by the itinerary? Don't wait, book this trip now .

You might also want to browse our customisable Italy itineraries or talk to our local Italy experts .

View on Bari ©Shutterstock

Ostuni, or "The White City" ©Shutterstock

Related articles from the blog

The Rough Guides to Italy and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Travel advice for Italy

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Italy

• Eating and drinking in Italy
• How to get to Italy
• Getting around Italy: Transportation Tips
• Shopping tips for Italy
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Italy
• Travel Tips Italy for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Italy
• How to spend 7 days In Italy - 8 unique itineraries
• How To Spend 14 Days In Italy - 5 Unique Itineraries
• How to get from Rome to Florence

Find even more inspiration here

• Coasts & Islands
• Where to Stay
• History Culture Heritage
• Architecture
• Inspiration
• See & Do
• Travel Tips
• Where to stay

written by Joanne Owen

updated 16.04.2024

Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.

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• Travel advice

Dreamy 8-day Italy and Switzerland Itinerary

It’s said that there is not such a thing as falling gracefully in love. Not with Europe at least. Just how we tend to keep dreaming about love as we fear reality may not best reflect as we dreamt it, an Europe vacation is always but a beautiful canvas for our fantasies. But with Europe, it’s a sin to just sit and wonder. Fret not — here’s an exhaustive 8-day Italy and Switzerland itinerary to come close to perfecting a multi-city Europe vacation covering Italy and Switzerland.

4 Days in Italy

2 days in rome.

How to spend 48 hours in Rome

Morning: Fly into Rome and check in to your hotel.

Afternoon to Evening: Tango down the Spanish Steps : Because you can afford to miss nothing when it comes to Rome. Follow the footsteps of Romans in this widest butterfly-structured stairways dating back to the 1720s. Find Fontana della Barcaccia, a truly baroque fountain welcoming you at the end of the steps.

Morning: Diocletian Bath and the Octagonal Hall tour: Nearly four centuries of artworks etched on sepulchres and stanchions greet you on the outside whilst intricate marble sculptures await you on the inside.

Afternoon to Evening: Castelli Romani Tour from Rome: Frascati and Castel Gandolfo: Rome prepares to sleep as its quaint little castles tuck into the top of the Alban hills. Devour the most picturesque setting whose striking tranquility contrasts the otherwise zestful Rome.

2 Days in Florence

How to spend 48 hours in Florence

Morning to Afternoon: Take your train from Rome to Florence. The average travel time is 1:30 hours.

Evening: Medici Dynasty Show: Sit back and feel Florence unfolding right in front of your eyes as this famous multimedia theatre plays Florence’s 300 years of history through the fascinating biopic of the most influential family ever to rule Florence.

Morning: Leonardo Da Vinci Museum Entrance Ticket: The exhibition that pays ode to Leonardo Da Vinci is as genius as the artist himself. This tour is sure to please your aesthetic as well as cognitive senses.

Afternoon: Piazza Della Signoria: Explore Florence’s political history in the streets garnished with many architectural paradigms of the Renaissance era including the Uffizi gallery, Loggia dei Lanzi and Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali amongst others.

Evening: Palazzo Vecchio. Now after munching on some Fettunta paired with coffee at Caffe Rivoire, tread the Vasari corridor leading to Palazzo Vecchio, situated in close proximity with the Piazza Della Signoria square. Marvel in this medieval world the masterpieces of geniuses such as Michelangelo, Donatello, and Giorgio Vasari.

Quick read: Following the Coffee trail of Croatia

4 Days in Switzerland

2 days in interlaken.

How to spend 48 hours in Interlaken

Morning to Afternoon: Take a scenic train route from Florence to Interlaken. Travel time would be 5:30 hours.

Evening: Visit Harder Kulm: Explore this pretty village set amidst snowcapped mountains and landscapes.

Schilthorn Explorations (from Murren) – Best combined with Swiss Pass: Stand in awe of the snowcapped bernese alps piercing the dramatic skylines of Swiss. Piz Gloria, the revolving restaurant offering amazing panoramic vistas is a must-visit.

2 Days in Lucerne

How to spend 48 hours in Lucerne

Morning to Afternoon: Take the golden pass line from Interlaken to Lucerne — this scenic train route is downright scintillating!

Evening: Visit St. Leodegar church , Lucerne’s most iconic attraction flaunting a subtle tint of renaissance in its architectural style.

Switzerland Tour Package Starting @ ₹89,412

Snow capped mountains. Cozy stays. Adventure rides. Fun itineraries

Pilatus ride: Best combined with Swiss Pass. Descend down the world’s steepest cog line as your adrenaline feels the most intense of rushes — Try for once how it feels to ride a real-life roller coaster.

Planning right is all it takes to perfect your combined vacation to Italy and Switzerland. It can be exacting, but not when Pickyourtrail is here to pamper you with an end-to-end itinerary to cater to any of your Euro-fantasies. Consider checking out Italy trip packages for more unforgettable experiences!

Trending Europe itineraries

A detailed itinerary to spend 8 days in Italy and Switzerland Around Spain and Portugal—A Complete 8-day Itinerary

Akshaya Devi

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Scared of driving in Chennai traffic but also planning a solo bike trip to Ladakh. Don't be surprised if you find me all hyper, someone somewhere in the world must've misquoted Martin Scorcese or justified a bad coffee saying "C'mon, coffee is coffee".

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