The Best 10 Day Italy Itinerary (What’s Actually Worth It)
Planning 10 days in Italy sounds simple… until you realize how much there is to see. I’ve been to Italy twice—once on a fast-paced tour and again on my own—and the difference completely changed how I’d plan a trip now. It’s not about trying to fit everything in, it’s about knowing what’s actually worth your time.
This itinerary focuses on the classic route—Rome, Florence, and Venice—but with a more realistic approach. I’ll walk you through what to prioritize, what you can skip, and a few things I’d do differently if I were planning it again, so you can make the most of your 10 days without feeling rushed.
If you’re looking for more Italy inspiration, you’ll love my post Italy bucket list: 15 dream destinations you need to see.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!
10 Day Italy Itinerary Overview
| Days | City / Area | Overnight In |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–4 | Rome | Rome (3 nights) |
| Days 4–6 | Florence | Florence (2 nights) |
| Days 6–8 | Cinque Terre (+ Pisa stop) | Cinque Terre (2 nights) |
| Days 8–10 | Venice | Venice (2 nights) |
If you prefer countryside views over coastal towns, you can swap Cinque Terre for a Tuscany day trip instead and if you’re still deciding which destinations to include, check out my full Italy Bucket List guide with the most beautiful places to visit across the country.
How to Get Around Italy
Getting around Italy is actually really easy and I’ve designed this itinerary to suit every traveler and budget so you won’t need a car at all, unless you prefer to travel by car.
The best way to travel between cities is by train. It’s fast, reliable, and takes you right into the center of each destination (which saves you a lot of time and money compared to flying).
Trains (your main option)
- High-speed trains connect Rome, Florence, and Venice
- Travel time is short (about 1.5–2.5 hours between major cities)
- Stations are central, so no long transfers
For this itinerary, you’ll take a train from:
- Rome → Florence
- Florence → Cinque Terre
- Cinque Terre → Venice
Booking tips
- Book tickets in advance to save money with Trenitalia (especially for long distance and high speed options like Frecciarossa)
- Use Trenitalia or Italo (both are good high speed train options)
- Try to avoid peak travel times if you can
If you’re using a paper train ticket, make sure to validate it at the machines on the platform before boarding, otherwise you can get fined (the fine isn’t cheap). If you book online or use a mobile ticket, you don’t need to worry about this.
Peak times in Italy are usually, early morning (around 7–9am), late afternoon (around 4–7pm) and Fridays and Sundays when many locals are traveling for the weekend. During these times trains are generally more crowded, can be more expensive and it’s harder to find good seat options.
If your schedule allows, aim for midday trains (10am–3pm). They’re usually quieter, more relaxed, and often cheaper (plus you won’t feel as rushed trying to get to the station early in the morning).
Getting around cities
Once you arrive, most places are very walkable:
- Rome & Florence → best explored on foot
- Venice → walking and vaporetto (water bus)
- Cinque Terre → trains and walking between villages
Italy is generally a very easy country to travel, both between cities and within towns and city, which make your trip much more relaxing.
Rome (Days 1–4)
Rome was one of those places that surprised me in a good way. The first time I went, it was on a fast-paced tour where we rushed from site to site trying to see everything. It was amazing, but also exhausting.
The second time felt completely different. I slowed down, got up early, wandered the streets, and actually had time to sit down and enjoy the food and honestly, I loved it even more. That’s how I’d recommend doing Rome if you can: mix the big sights with time to just walk around and take it in.
Pin this Italy itinerary for later ↓
How to Get from the Airport to Rome City Center
Rome has two airports:
- Fiumicino (FCO) → main international airport
- Ciampino (CIA) → smaller, budget airlines
Most people will arrive into Fiumicino.
Train (Best overall option)
The easiest and most reliable way is the Leonardo Express train:
- ~32 minutes to Rome Termini
- Runs every 15 minutes
- Costs about €14
You can book it on Trenitalia (official site), or just purchase tickets at the airport.
There’s also a cheaper regional train (~€8) but it makes more stops and doesn’t go directly to Termini, so it won’t be as convenient and will take longer.
Bus (Cheapest option)
Tickets usually cost €6 one-way if booked online in advance, or around €7 at the airport, depending on the company. The trip takes about 50–70 minutes depending on traffic. It’s a good option if you’re on a budget, but slower and less convenient after a long flight.
Taxi (Easiest, especially with luggage)
The official fixed taxi fare from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to central Rome is €55 (not €48–€50 anymore — it increased). This includes luggage and covers destinations within the Aurelian Walls (historic center). The trip takes around 40-60 minutes depending on traffic. I would confirm that the trip costs €55 before getting in, as they may try to charge you more if they think you’re a clueless tourist😅.
It’s a great option if you’re traveling in a group and splitting the cost.
If it’s your first time, I’d take the train. It’s simple, fast, and drops you right in the center.
Day 1: Arrive in Rome
After arriving, keep this day light. Rome can feel overwhelming at first, so this is more about walking, getting your bearings, and taking it in. If you follow this route, it’s about 30–40 minutes walking (2 km / 1.2 miles), but you’ll stop a lot along the way. Start wherever is closest to you.
Spanish Steps: One of Rome’s most famous spots. It gets busy quickly, especially in the evening. You’re not allowed to sit on the steps anymore, so it’s more of a quick stop.
Trevi Fountain: Probably the most crowded place you’ll visit, but still worth it. Expect crowds and a bit of chaos. Go early morning if you want it quieter. As of 2026, tourists now have to pay a €2 fee to access the lower area closest to the fountain during peak hours, although you can still view it from the square above for free.
Pantheon: It was built in 120 AD and is still standing. It’s impressive and worth visiting even if you’re not into history. Entry is €5 for adults (with discounts and free entry for some visitors), and you can book online in advance to skip the line.
Piazza Navona: A lively square with fountains, cafés, and street performers. Touristy, but great for a quick stop or drink.
Largo di Torre Argentina: Where Julius Caesar was assassinated. Entry is €6 for adults, or you can just view it from above for free. Easy add-on if you’re nearby.
End your day with dinner, gelato, and wandering with no plan. This ended up being one of my favorite parts of Rome.
Day 2: Colosseum & Ancient Rome
You’ll want to start your day, as this is your main sightseeing day.
Colosseum: Rome’s most iconic landmark. A standard ticket costs €18 per adult and includes entry to the Colosseum (levels 1–2), the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, valid for 24 hours. Book in advance on the official site (Parco Archeologico del Colosseo ticketing site) as tickets are released in limited time slots and sell out quickly, especially in peak season. If official tickets are gone, third-party tours are more expensive but often include skip-the-line access.
Optional upgrade: the Full Experience ticket is €24 and includes access to restricted areas like the arena and/or underground levels. Tickets are name-specific, so bring ID that matches your booking.
Roman Forum: Huge archaeological area right next to the Colosseum. Give yourself time, it’s bigger than it looks, so ideally plan for at least an hour to explore.
Palatine Hill: Included in your ticket and one of the best views in Rome. Most people rush this, but it’s worth slowing down.
In the evening head to Trastevere for dinner. It feels more local and less chaotic.
Day 3: Vatican & Slow Day
Start early again to beat the crowds.
St. Peter’s Basilica: Free to enter, but lines can be long. Go right when it opens if you can. It’s one of the largest churches in the world and way more impressive in person than you expect, even if you’re not super into churches. You can also climb the dome for amazing views over Rome (€8 using the stairs or €10 with elevator access and remaining stairs). Dome tickets can be purchased on the St. Peter’s Basilica Official Tickets website.
Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel): Entry is €20 for adults online (€15 ticket + €5 reservation fee) and includes the Sistine Chapel. Definitely book ahead as it gets extremely crowded and tickets sell out. The museums are huge, so expect a lot of walking, but the Sistine Chapel at the end is the highlight. You can purchase your Vatican Museums Official Tickets here.
Castel Sant’Angelo: Optional stop with nice views if you still have energy. Originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, it later became a fortress and papal residence. Standard entry costs €16 for adults. You can buy your Castel Sant’Angelo Official Tickets here.
Have a slow afternoon. Take a long lunch, walk along the river, stop for coffee or gelato, and wander without a plan. This is what made Rome feel completely different (and much more enjoyable) the second time for me.
Rome is very walkable, so wear good shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Don’t try to see everything, it’s way better when you slow down. If something I suggested doesn’t interest you skip it, without any guilt. You won’t enjoy Rome is you just treat it like a checklist.
Florence (Days 4–6)
Florence feels completely different from Rome. It’s smaller, more walkable, and a bit slower paced, which honestly was a nice break after how busy Rome can feel.
This was one of those places where I didn’t feel the need to rush around checking things off. Some of my favorite moments were just wandering the streets, grabbing coffee, and taking it all in.
Day 4: Travel to Florence
Take the train from Rome to Florence. It takes about 1.5 hours on a high-speed train and is super easy. If you can try to book a late morning train so you’re not rushing out too early.
Once you arrive, just start walking. Florence is very compact, so you’ll naturally come across most of the main spots.
Florence Cathedral (Duomo): The main landmark in the city and hard to miss. Entry to the cathedral itself is free, but lines can be long.
If you want to visit the dome, bell tower, museum, baptistery, or other areas, there are 3 official pass options: the Brunelleschi Pass (€30) includes everything (and is the only pass with dome access), the Giotto Pass (€20) includes the bell tower and museum areas, and the Ghiberti Pass (€15) covers the museum, baptistery, and Santa Reparata. Dome climbs require a timed reservation in advance.
Tickets are sold through the official site.
The dome climb is the highlight (but it’s a lot of stairs), so may not be for everyone.
Piazza della Signoria: A lively square filled with statues and surrounded by historic buildings.
Ponte Vecchio: One of the most famous bridges in Italy, lined with shops.
Head up to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset. This ended up being one of my favorite moments, the view over Florence at sunset is unreal (full disclosure, I was there 13 years ago and it wasn’t too busy in July but I’ve seen videos recently where it is pretty packed in the summer).
Day 5: Florence
Start your morning slow. Florence is a city you don’t need to rush.
Accademia Gallery (David): If you want to see Michelangelo’s David, this is where it is. Entry is €16 for adults, or about €20 total if you book online in advance (includes a €4 reservation fee). Book a timed entry ticket online ahead of time as this is one of the most popular attractions in Florence and same day tickets often sell out early or have long lines.
Uffizi Gallery: One of the most famous art museums in the world. Entry is €25 for adults (March–October) or €12 (November–February), plus a €4 online reservation fee. Book your tickets ahead here.
Explore the streets: This is really the best part of Florence. Just walking around, stopping for coffee, and wandering without a plan ended up being my favorite way to experience it. (I feel like I keep repeating this, but this is really how to experience Italy like a local)
We also did a boat ride along the river, which reminded me a bit of Venice and was a really nice way to see the city from a different perspective.
Day 6: Travel to Cinque Terre with Pisa Stop
This part of the trip feels completely different from Florence as it’s more relaxed, more scenic, and honestly one of the highlights if you like coastal views.
How to Get There
The easiest way to do this is by train. If you want to stop in Pisa, book two separate regional tickets: Florence → Pisa and Pisa → Cinque Terre (or La Spezia).
- Florence → Pisa: 1 hour travel time
- Pisa → Cinque Terre: 1–1.5 hours travel time
Plan to spend about 2–3 hours in Pisa, so keep that in mind when choosing your train ticket times.
Pisa stop
From the train station, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the Leaning Tower.
Leaning Tower of Pisa: Quick, iconic stop. Very touristy, but still fun to see in person. You really only need 1–2 hours tops for photos and a short walk around.
If you want to climb the tower, tickets cost €20 for adults and usually sell out in advance during peak season, so it’s worth booking ahead online.
You can book:
- Leaning Tower climb tickets
- Cathedral access
- Combination tickets
Timed entry is required for climbing the tower (about 250 stairs), and tickets often sell out in advance during peak season.
Even if you don’t go up the tower, the whole square is still worth seeing for a quick stop.
After Pisa, continue on to Cinque Terre (you’ll likely transfer in La Spezia before reaching your village).
Once you arrive you can check-in, take a walk around your village and have some dinner by the water.
Day 7: Explore Cinque Terre
This is one of those days where you don’t need a strict plan. Cinque Terre is all about slowing down, moving between villages, and just taking it all in.
Getting around
The easiest way to explore is by train (each village is only a few minutes apart).
You can also hike between them, which is more scenic but takes more time. If you plan to hike, you’ll need the Cinque Terre Card (covers trail access and trains). It covers train travel between villages & hiking trails and costs about €22–€35 for a 1-day train card depending on season. You can also buy the card at stations but this allows you to avoid long lines, especially during the summer.
What to see
Vernazza: This ended up being my favorite village. It has a small harbor, colorful buildings, and some of the best views in Cinque Terre.
Manarola: One of the most photographed villages, especially at sunset. The views here are probably the most iconic.
Monterosso: The largest village and the only one with a proper beach if you want to relax or swim.
Riomaggiore: Known for its colorful buildings stacked along the cliffs and a lively atmosphere near the marina.
Corniglia: The quietest village and the only one not directly on the water. It feels less touristy but requires climbing a lot of stairs from the train station.
Since you only have one day, I’d personally prioritize:
- Vernazza
- Manarola
- Monterosso
They felt the most different from each other and give you a good mix of views, atmosphere, and beach/coastal scenery.
What to do
You’ll spend most of your day walking through a couple of villages (2–3 is enough), taking in the incredible views and architecture. Pick a spot to eat with a view and take your time. If you have time sit by the water or even go for a swim if the weather is nice enough.
If you like coastal travel, you’ll love these coastal destination guides:
- Parga, Greece: Coastal Mainland Gem
- Best Affordable Beach Destinations in Europe
- Things to Do in Naxos, Greece
- 5 Best Greek Islands for Every Traveler
- Cheapest Greek Islands (Affordable & Beautiful Options)
Day 8: Travel to Venice
Today is your longest travel day, so I’d plan to take a morning train from Cinque Terre to Venice.
The journey takes about 4–5 hours, usually with a transfer in Florence or Pisa, but it’s pretty straightforward.
Getting there
- Cinque Terre → La Spezia (short local train)
- Then high-speed train toward Venice
Book this one in advance if you can, since it’s a longer route and prices can go up. You can check schedules and book your ticket on the Trenitalia site.
Arrival in Venice
Arriving in Venice is one of those moments that feels a bit surreal. You step out of the station and instead of roads, there are canals right in front of you.
Take your time getting to your accommodation, whether that’s walking or taking a water bus (vaporetto).
What to do
Keep this day very light after travel. Walk through the streets, take in the views over the bridges and stop for food and drinks. You just want to get a feel for the city today.
Day 9: Explore Venice
Venice is one of those places that honestly feels unreal the first time you see it. There’s no real “perfect” way to explore it. Part of the fun is just wandering around and getting lost in the small streets and canals.
Start your morning early before the crowds build up.
St. Mark’s Square: The main square in Venice and one of the busiest spots in the city. It’s much quieter in the early morning and way more enjoyable before tour groups arrive.
St. Mark’s Basilica: One of the most famous churches in Italy, known for its gold mosaics and detailed interior. Standard entry to the basilica costs €6 for adults. Optional add-ons include the Pala d’Oro (€7), St. Mark’s Museum + Loggia dei Cavalli (€7), and the Bell Tower (€10). Book ahead during peak season on the official website.
Doge’s Palace: Worth visiting if you enjoy history and architecture. Standard tickets cost €30 for adults and include access to several museums in St. Mark’s Square. Book tickets here on the official website.
Gondola or Vaporetto Ride
Yes, gondolas are touristy and expensive, but honestly… I still think it’s worth doing once if it’s your first time in Venice.
- Gondola rides are around €90 for 30 minutes during the day (yes you read that right lol)
- Vaporetto (water bus) is the cheaper alternative to a gondola and honestly still one of the best ways to see Venice from the water. A standard ACTV vaporetto ticket costs €9.50 and is valid for 75 minutes. If you plan to use it multiple times or visit islands like Burano or Murano, the 24-hour pass (€25) is usually worth it. You can buy tickets online through the official ACTV website or at stations around Venice.
We did both when I was in Venice and although a Gondola ride is what Venice is famous for, if it’s not in your budget don’t stress, you’ll enjoy the vaporetto as well.
Day 10: Burano or Final Venice Morning
If you have a later flight or train, you still have time to explore a bit more.
Burano: A small island known for its colorful houses and quieter atmosphere. It’s one of the prettiest spots near Venice and easy to reach by vaporetto.
If you’d rather stay in Venice itself, use this morning to revisit your favorite areas and grab one last Italian breakfast, or espresso (just don’t ask for ice for your espresso unless you want to hear a bunch of Italians yelling behind the bar like you just committed a capital offense😅. Don’t ask me how I know).
After seeing the main sites, slow things down and spend the afternoon exploring quieter streets, and stop for some gelato or a drink.
Final Thoughts
This 10-day Italy itinerary starts in Rome and ends in Venice but you start in Venice follow the itinerary backwards, ending in Rome. I would check flights and decide where to start based on what cheapest flight options are.
This itinerary is definitely a bit fast-paced, but it gives you a really good mix of Italy’s cities, coastline, countryside, and iconic landmarks, especially if it’s your first trip. If you’d like a slower paced trip you can remove the destination that appeals to you the least and spend an extra couple days somewhere else.
Wherever you start and end, one thing is for sure, this will be a trip you won’t forget!
More epic travel itineraries:
