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Who doesn’t want to spend 10 days in Italy?
After living in Italy for over 5 years, the classic cities still take my breath away. And on your first time in Italy, you’ll want to cover them all. I say first time because once you experience the magic of Italy, it’s hard not to return. There are so many beautiful places to discover on this peninsula- but for now, we will take a look at the classics: Rome, Venice, Florence, Tuscany, and the Amalfi Coast.
This 10 day itinerary for Italy considers that you’ll be starting and ending in Rome.
Why is Milan not included in the classics itinerary?
While Milano is a great city, it is also a modern and international city. So it doesn’t really have the Italian charm that the other classics have. In my opinion, it’s not worth squeezing in on your 10 days in Italy tour. After all, you can save it for your next trip to Italy!
Rome, the capital of Italy, is like walking through and open-air museum.
Streets lined with historical marvels and cultural artifacts, all right next to modern buildings, with the contemporary Romans walking the streets, in style of course.
There’s truly never a dull moment in Rome. Over your two-day stay, you’ll immerse yourself in the grandeur of ancient landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon.
Wander through the busy streets of the Centro Storico, where you can toss a coin into the renowned Trevi Fountain, ensuring your return to this captivating city.
Dine in the picturesque winding streets of Trastevere, and stroll across the enchanting Piazza Navona, adorned with Baroque architecture and lively street performers.
Plus you’ll visit the Vatican City, home to St. Peter’s Basilica and the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, showcasing the masterpieces of Renaissance art.
The combination of Rome’s storied past and vibrant present will be the best gateway into your 10 days in Italy.
Morning:
Arrive at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO). Transfer to your hotel in Rome.
Afternoon:
You’re going to be hungry, so head to Rome’s best foodie neighborhood which just happens to be stunning, Trastevere, and indulge in all the Roman classics on a Guided Food Tour.
Evening:
After all that food you’ll need to do some wandering to work it off, take some time to relax, and wander the street of Centro Storico, stopping at the Trevi Fountain to throw a coin in.
*Tip: The Trevi is PACKED during the day, so it’s better to see it as the sun goes down, plus it’s beautiful all lit up. Seeing most of the sights is better by night when the city is cooler and the streets quieter.
Dinner:
If you’re still hungry after your food tour, head to one of the many restaurants that Rome has to offer for dinner, here are my favorites.
Day 2: Vatican City and More of Rome
Morning: Get up early to beat the crowds for a Tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Prepare to be amazed by the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Don’t miss the Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo’s stunning ceiling frescoes, and St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest and most magnificent churches in the world, featuring Michelangelo’s famous Pietà. This visit promises an unforgettable experience, and believe me when I say you’ll be happy you woke up early because the later it gets, the more crowded it becomes.
Afternoon: Next you’ll head to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill because no trip to Rome is complete without seeing these three iconic sights.
Evening: When in Rome, do as the Romans, right? Well to truly do it like a Roman, you’ll need to head to one of their houses to see how the Romans truly socialize. Now before you start asking randoms on the street, you can book an experience that lets you go to a local’s home to indulge in a real aperitivo.
Carbonara: A pasta dish made with eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, guanciale (cured pork cheek), and black pepper.
Cacio e Pepe: Simple yet flavorful pasta with Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper.
Amatriciana: Pasta with a tomato-based sauce, guanciale, Pecorino Romano cheese, and sometimes onions.
Saltimbocca alla Romana: Veal topped with prosciutto and sage, cooked in white wine and butter.
Carciofi alla Romana: Roman-style artichokes, typically stuffed with garlic, mint, and parsley, and then braised.
Supplì: Fried rice balls filled with mozzarella cheese, similar to arancini.
Abbacchio alla Scottadito: Grilled lamb chops seasoned with rosemary, garlic, and olive oil.
Porchetta: A savory, fatty, and moist boneless pork roast seasoned with garlic, rosemary, fennel, and other herbs.
Trapizzino: A modern street food, it’s a triangular pocket of pizza bianca filled with various traditional Roman stews and ingredients.
Gricia: Often considered the predecessor to carbonara and amatriciana, this pasta dish features guanciale, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper.
Off to your second city that you’ll be tackling during your 10 days in Italy, Venice. The city is often called “La Serenissima,” meaning “the most serene.” It is a magical city that’s built on 118 small islands connected by canals and over 400 bridges.
You probably already know this, but just in case, this iconic Italian city is famous for its unique architecture, narrow canals, and rich cultural history. Oh and because it’s sinking, so see it while we still have it.
No trip to Venice is complete without a ride on a traditional gondola. It gives you a unique view of the city’s waterways, while visiting St. Mark’s Square lets you soak in the grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Gothic beauty of the Doge’s Palace.
The Rialto Bridge, one of the oldest bridges over the Grand Canal, is a must-see spot, offering great views and access to lively markets.
Whether you’re exploring the winding streets, admiring the intricate glassworks of Murano, or enjoying Venetian food in a cozy osteria, Venice’s timeless charm guarantees an unforgettable experience.
Morning:
On day three of your 10 days in Italy, get up early to take a high-speed train to Venice. Make sure you catch a morning high-speed train so you can be in Venice by the afternoon and make the most of the day. (approx. 3.5 hours).
Afternoon:
Check into your hotel, get settled, and then head out a gondola ride through the canals with aperitivo. This is the perfect introduction to the city and will fill your belly with something small, so you can scope out the restaurants that you’d like to try as you glide by them on the canal.
Evening:
The evenings are arguably the best time in Venice, all the tour boats that bring people in for the day are gone, and the feel of the city changes dramatically.
The streets are free and the locals come out to play. It makes for the perfect time to see the city on foot, plus after 3.5 hours in a train and being rowed around the canals, you’ll probably need to get a few steps in.
Morning:
Get an early start to beat the day tours. Head to St. Mark’s Square to visit the Basilica and Doge’s Palace. You’ll likely have seen these during your evening stroll the night before, but you won’t want to miss visiting the inside of both destinations. They are truly breathtaking.
While you can do a tour, I’d say unless you’re a big history buff, just go wander around and see everything that your tour guide from the day before was mentioning.
Afternoon: Take a half day tour of Murano & Burano. While the main island of Venice is stunning, some of the smaller islands surrounding it are equally as beautiful and definitely worth checking out.
Take a trip to Murano, famous for its intricate glasswork, where you can watch artists create stunning pieces right in front of you. Then head over to Burano, known for its brightly colored houses and lace making tradition.
Evening: After enjoying a Venetian dinner, head to a 15th-century palace for an intimate opera experience. Immerse yourself in the palace’s grandeur as you move from room to room with the opera performers. It’s an unforgettable night you won’t want to miss.
Sarde in Saor: Marinated sardines with onions, vinegar, raisins, and pine nuts.
Risi e Bisi: A creamy risotto with peas and pancetta.
Bigoli in Salsa: Thick spaghetti-like pasta served with an anchovy and onion sauce.
Fegato alla Veneziana: Calf’s liver cooked with onions, often served with polenta.
Baccalà Mantecato: Creamed cod spread, typically served on crostini.
Moeche Fritte: Soft-shell crabs fried to a crispy perfection.
Risotto al Nero di Seppia: Risotto cooked with cuttlefish ink, giving it a distinct black color.
Polenta e Schie: Small shrimp served on a bed of creamy polenta.
Tiramisu: Although popular throughout Italy, this famous dessert originated in the Veneto region.
Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and the capital of Tuscany, is a city filled with artistic treasures, historic architecture, and a vibrant artisanal cultural scene that is still thriving today. It’s also where I called home while living in Italy, so I may be a little biased, but I think it’s the best city in Italy.
Over the next few days you’ll visit to the breathtaking Florence Duomo, whose iconic dome designed by Brunelleschi dominates the skyline. You’ll walk the halls of the Uffizi Gallery seeing masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo. Wander through the cobblestone streets to the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval stone bridge adorned with jewelers’ shops, and sip wine overlooking the city at sunset.
Beyond Florence, the rolling hills of Tuscany call with their rolling hills dotted with vineyards, olive groves, and charming medieval towns. You’ll choose your Tuscan day trip, either a visit to the picturesque town of Siena or indulge in world-famous Tuscan cuisine and wines in the Chianti region, where tasting tours at local wineries are a must. There’s always time for a stop at the hilltop town of San Gimignano, known for its tower-dotted skyline.
Day 6: Venice to Florence
Morning:
Grab an early morning train out of Venice to Florence (approx. 2 hours). Taking a morning train will get you into the tuscan capital nice and early to enjoy the day.
Afternoon:
Once you’re all checked in and settled at your hotel in Florence, it’s time to walk the winding cobblestone streets of Firenze (Italian for Florence). You’ll get the lay of the land by taking a walking tour. This 3 hour tour not only covers a vast majority of this beautiful city, but the guides are exceptional, you’ll be blow away by the truly mesmerizing history of the city you’re walking.
Evening:
Head to one of the many incredible restaurants in Florence to try some Tuscan delights. Then take a stroll along the Arno, it’s simply magic at night with the street lights reflecting off the water and the Tuscan yellows and orange houses glowing in the moonlight. If you’re in the mood for live music, head to The Jazz Club to brush shoulders with the locals and enjoy some pretty great jam sessions.
Morning: Visit the Uffizi Gallery bright and early to beat the crowds. Be sure to book ahead if you don’t want to stand in line for hours. Inside the worlds most famous Renaissance museum, you’ll admire masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo and Caravaggio.
Afternoon:
While you could just go out to eat again for lunch, there’s surly no shortage of great places to eat, at this point in your trip you might be craving something a little different. Instead of just eating pasta, why not learn to make it? Florence has some pretty incredible cooking classes, including some right inside Mercato Centrale- Florence’s Central Market.
Evening:
After your cooking class, head to one of Florence’s many wine shops or bars, once your there resist the urge to stay, rather ask them to cork your bottle and grab two to-go cups and make your way to Piazzale Michelangelo, for sunset from the best view in the city. This is no hidden gem, it’s widely known that sunsets here are the best, so get there early to claim a seat on the steps. There’s usually street performers putting on a show, it’s a sight to see.
While I love Florence and think you could easily spend another day there, you shouldn’t miss the magic that’s awaiting right outside the cities walls.
The Tuscan countryside is a place everyone should visit at least once in their lives. From the rolling hills of Chianti, to the medieval towns like San Gimignano, or Siena, Florence’s rival city (back in the day, today they like each other).
You can rent a car or join one of the many tours leaving from Florence each day.
**If you plan on drinking wine while in Tuscany, which is normally the plan, I’d advise joining a tour. Drinking and driving laws are strict in Italy and the last thing you’ll want is to wind up in Italian jail.
Ribollita: Hearty vegetable and bread soup.
Pappa al Pomodoro: Thick bread and tomato soup.
Bistecca alla Fiorentina: Florentine T-bone steak.
Crostini Toscani: Toasted bread with chicken liver pâté.
Panzanella: Bread salad with tomatoes and onions.
Castagnaccio: Chestnut flour cake with pine nuts.
Trippa alla Fiorentina: Tripe with tomatoes and herbs.
Lampredotto: Cow stomach sandwich with sauces.
Cacciucco: Fish stew with tomatoes and wine.
Schiacciata alla Fiorentina: Sweet flatbread cake.
Fagioli all’Uccelletto: White beans in tomato sauce.
Cantucci: Almond biscotti.
Nestled along the southern edge of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast is a the iconic stretch known for its sheer cliffs, rugged shoreline dotted with quaint beaches, and pastel-colored fishing villages that cling precariously to the cliffside.
The best way to reach this scenic paradise is via Naples, where you can indulge in an authentic Neapolitan pizza before embarking on your coastal journey.
The towns of The Amalfi coast, each offer their own unique charm, with Positano’s post card worthy “skyline”, Amalfi’s historic cathedrals and bustling piazzas, and Ravello’s stunning villas and gardens. Plus, you shouldn’t miss a trip to Capri, the island that’s a loved holiday destination for the Italian elite.
Morning:
Take a morning train to Napoli, make sure to get the high-speed train which will take approximately 3 hours, rather than the 6 hours that the slow train takes.
Afternoon:
Once you arrive at Napoli Centrale, take a brief stop for lunch to indulge in the world-famous Napeloton-style pizza, you won’t regret it. Then grab the regional train or arrange a transfer to the Almafi Coast (takes about 30-45 minutes)
Late Afternoon:
Continue your journey to the Amalfi Coast, checking into your hotel. Then head out to explore the coast in style, by Vespa. Ride up and down the winding coast, stop for photo ops, buy fruit from the little street vendors, or explore the little villages dotting the coast.
Evening:
Enjoy dinner with a view of the Mediterranean Sea and the coastline of Positano. People often want to go to Positano, but I like to tell people to go next to Positano because the beauty of the city is so magical from a distance, being able to see all the pastel-colored houses built into the cliffs is something you don’t get if you’re in the actual city.
Morning:
Head to Capri for a half-day tour, Make sure it’s including the Blue Grotto, which is a stunning cave that you can only enter if the sea is calm. The way the light hits the cave turns the water a stunning shade of blue.
Afternoon:
Spend the afternoon exploring the charming streets of Positano or the enchanting gardens of Ravello. Alternatively, unwind on the beach and savor your final full day in Italy.
Evening:
Enjoy your last dinner in Italy at a beach-side restaurant, with a nice stroll along the beach afterward, even better with gelato in hand. Then head back to your hotel to figure out how to fit everything back into your suitcase, because you’ll certainly have gained a couple extra items along the way.
For more information on the Amalfi Coast and its many towns: check out our Guide to the South Of Italy.
Scialatielli ai Frutti di Mare: Fresh pasta with a variety of seafood, such as clams, mussels, shrimp, and squid, in a light tomato sauce.
Spaghetti alle Vongole: Spaghetti with clams, garlic, olive oil, and parsley.
Risotto al Limone: Creamy lemon-flavored risotto.
Totani e Patate: Squid and potato stew.
Alici Marinate: Marinated anchovies served as an appetizer.
Frittura di Paranza: Mixed fried fish, typically including small fish like anchovies and sardines.
Mozzarella di Bufala: Fresh buffalo mozzarella, often served with tomatoes and basil (Caprese salad).
Zuppa di Pesce: Hearty fish soup with various types of seafood and tomatoes.
Delizia al Limone: Lemon sponge cake filled with lemon cream and covered in lemon glaze.
Sfogliatella: Shell-shaped pastry filled with ricotta cheese and candied fruit.
Limoncello: Famous lemon liqueur made from the region’s lemons.
Granita al Limone: Refreshing lemon ice, often enjoyed as a dessert or a palate cleanser.
On your last day of your 10 days in Italy, you’ll head back to Rome, but this time it’s not to see the sights, but rather to grab your flight. Don’t worry, like I said at the beginning, if you go to Italy once, you’ll most likely be back sooner than you know it. The country just has that kind of power over people.
Either grab the regional train back to Napoli, or arrange a transfer to the train station, then take your train back to Rome.
Once in Rome, grab a final gelato before switching to the Airport Train.
My hope is that after 10 days in Italy exploring the sights of the classic cities, that you’ve been able to take something more than just your souvenirs home with you, but also the profound lessons that we can gain from the Italian way of life, Il Dolce Far Niente, their culture is so beautifully slow, which is why they’re one of the countries with the highest longevity rates.
So as you make your way through your 10 days in Italy, notice how they live, and ask yourself how you can add a little bit of the Italian way back in your normal life.
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