Who hasn’t dreamed about a getaway to Rome or Venice? A trip to Italy can be the ultimate romantic vacation.
There are historical landmarks thousands of years old, beautiful countrysides, cities filled with culture…and of course, tons of delicious food!
Planning a trip to Italy can be overwhelming, though, because there’s so much to do. How do you narrow down where to go and what to do?
We’ve got your back. Whether you want to eat your way across the boot or appreciate one of the world’s fashion capitals, take a look at our ten day Italy itinerary to help plan your trip.
This allows two days for travel in and out of the country, so really you’ve got eight days in the country on this schedule. If you can’t spend that much time on vacation, pick your favorite city on the list and head there!
Days 1 and 2: Rome
We’re starting off this trip in one of Italy’s most famous cities — Rome. This is a great place to kick off your trip not just because of all the history here, but also because this is one of Italy’s biggest airports. It’ll be easy for you to find flights here!
On your first day, walk around a lot to see the sights. Not only will you be able to see a lot of the historical landmarks in the city, but it will also help you shake the jet lag.
There are a few places you should make sure to go while you’re in Rome:
Colosseum
You can’t come to Rome without seeing the famous Colosseum. The building is thousands of years old, first commissioned in A.D. 72 (yes, you read that right) by Emperor Vespasian. It was the site of many gladiator fights and major events over the years.
Take a guided tour so that you can learn about all of the architectural marvels in the amphitheater.
Trevi Fountain
They say that if you make a wish and throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you’ll find your way back to Rome. If you fall in love with the city early, make your way over to this fountain to make sure you can come back.
Piazza Navona
Piazza is Italian for “square,” and the Piazza Navona is one of the biggest and most famous squares in Rome. There are gorgeous fountains, a church, and plenty of cafes and shops here as well. This is a perfect place to do some people-watching, shopping, or to grab something to eat.
Day 3: Vatican City
Vatican City is just minutes away from Rome. Whether you’re Catholic or not, you have to make a stop in Vatican City to see the sights. (Plus, Vatican City is technically its own independent country, so you can add another one to your list!)
You really only need a day here to see all there is to see, so make your way over to the Vatican after you’ve finished your Rome sightseeing. Take a tour of the enormous St. Peter’s Basilica and don’t miss your chance to see the beautiful Sistine Chapel.
You’ll spend a lot of time looking up in Vatican City, but all of the sights are worth it!
Days 4 and 5: Florence
After seeing the Vatican, hop a train to head north to Florence and Tuscany. This is one of the most beautiful regions in the country and is one of the best places to go if you love your wine.
There’s less hustle and bustle here than there is in Rome, so you can take some time to relax and walk around. Florence is also home to some of the best shopping in Italy, especially if you want authentic leather.
We’d recommend spending one day in the city itself and one day exploring the Tuscan countryside. Hit up a winery while you’re here!
While you’re in the city, don’t miss these sights:
Boboli Gardens
Make sure you bring good shoes for this one — you’ve got to climb up a pretty steep hill to get to these gardens. It’s well worth the climb, though. Once you reach the top, you can explore these sixteenth-century gardens that overlook the entire city.
Galleria dell’Accademia
Have you ever dreamed of seeing Michelangelo’s David in person? After seeing his beautiful fresco in the Sistine Chapel, head to the Galleria dell’Accademia to see this world-famous sculpture for yourself. Buy tickets ahead of time — they go fast!
Day 6 and 7: Pisa/Cinque Terre
After Florence, take a trip to the coast. Make a stop in Pisa on your way to Cinque Terre, a collection of fishing villages right on the coast of Italy.
You don’t have to stay in Pisa long. Swing by to get your picture holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa and then continue on your way to the coast.
Cinque Terre is the real attraction here, especially if you’re looking for something more authentic than big tourist cities. We’ve included a full day at Cinque Terre so that you can see all five towns if you want to.
If you’re feeling energetic, explore by hiking the Monterosso Footpath. If you want to relax, see all the towns by boat instead.
Day 8: Venice
Finally, we’ll end our trip in Venice, one of the most powerful cities in history.
Most people know Venice for its famous canals, so you should definitely take a gondola ride if that floats your boat. While you’re here, make sure to also see St. Mark’s Basilica, the most famous church in Venice, and Doge’s Palace.
You can see most of the amazing attractions in Venice over the course of a day. After that, it’s time to pack up and fly back home!
Create Your Perfect Italy Itinerary
If a trip to Italy is on your horizon, use this ten-day plan to create your own Italy itinerary. There is no shortage of things to do in any Italian city — you’re bound to have an incredible time no matter what you choose!
Want to extend your trip to other places in Europe? Check out the cheapest European countries for foodies.
