10 days in Italy itinerary – 2 comprehensive options and maps
Italy is such an epic destination that who wouldn’t want to see it? With breathtaking nature, history-packed cities, and delicious food from North to South, it really gets complicated when you only have 10 days in Italy.
I’ve seen so many people trying to fit it all into their Italy 10-day itinerary. Making a marathon and trying to take down most of the Italy bucket list destinations in only 10 days in Italy.
However, let me tell you a secret: I’ve been traveling to Italy for the past many years, studying and working there, and I still haven’t seen everything!
It’s no wonder Italy is one of the top-rated travel destinations in the world—there’s so much to see and do!
But when you really want to feel the authentic vibes, plan for an Italy vacation that will allow you to see less but understand more.
I’ve seen the North, the Center, and the South, and I’m here to help you choose your perfect Italy itinerary.
Read all the things to know when traveling to Italy for the first time
This post contains affiliate links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you. Read more about this on our disclosure page here.
Table of Contents
Italy 10 days itinerary
Option 1 – Rome – Florence ( Tuscany – Cinque Terre) – Milan (and Lake Como)
I would choose this option, especially when visiting Italy for the first time. Here, you’ll experience true Italy and see some of its most popular destinations.
I will go through the list with activities, the best area to stay, how to get from one place to the other, and much more. However, I encourage you to check out this Ultimate Italy Tour organized by GAdventures or the Best of Italy by Intrepid Travel.
I personally always go for such a tour that would help me win time and money in most cases since they have already established partnerships, use economies of scale, and create some economy of stress.
Days 1 – 3 Rome
Three days in Rome is such a short time, given everything the city has to offer. I’ve been in Rome for two months, and I still have things I haven’t seen or done. Oh, and I’ve gone back three times ever since.
Besides, Rome is packed with historic sites and has a lot of potential for day trips.
But when you have only 10 days in Italy and want to see as much as possible, 3 days in Rome might be a great option.
Things to do and see in 3 days in Rome
- The Colosseum and Fori Imperiali. Experience walking in the footsteps of iconic historical figures. I remember seeing the Colosseum while I was working in Rome and having to wait in line for ages because I didn’t have a skip-the-line ticket. My friends who were visiting for a weekend had it and were more inspired than me. However you choose to see them, these 2 neighboring attractions are a must in Rome.
- Vatican City and Museum. I’ve been to the Vatican so many times, and every visit has been breathtaking. I remember we waited in line to climb St. Peter’s Tower and how narrow the last part was—certainly not for those suffering from claustrophobia. And you cannot leave without seeing the famous Sistine Chapel. Book your skip-the-line ticket here!
- Castel Sant Angelo is only a few steps away from the Vatican and across the river from the famous Trastevere neighborhood.
- Walk along in Rome’s Old Town and take some pictures with the Trevi Fountain, listen to a local singer in Piazza Navona, and be wow-ed by the impressive Pantheon.
- Don’t miss Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo, which are next to each other. And since you’re there, do some shopping via del Corso
- Take a food tour in Rome and taste some of the most delicious delicacies in the world.
Read also: 30+ Italian gifts for Italy lovers
Other Rome attractions & activities
No matter if you choose to spend more time in Rome or want to change some of my previous suggestions, there are, of course, plenty of other things to do and see in Rome.
- Stroll through Villa Borghese Park and visit the stunning Villa I’ve fallen for while admiring famous artwork by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, and Rubens – book your skip-the-line tour here!
- Head to the Palatine Hill and learn about Rome’s earliest settlement. See the house of Livia, and the Baths of Septimius Severus, and get transported back in time.
- When night falls, head to the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, look through the door’s keyhole and prepare to be stunned. That’s maybe one of the most romantic places in one of the most romantic towns in the world.
- Take a walk in the Giardino degli Aranci (Savello Park), which is especially beautiful during spring and offers a stunning panoramic view over Rome.
- Go on a bike tour to the Catacombes and Via Appia Antica
- Don’t forget about the Baths of Caracalla or the Terme di Diocletian – two perfect attractions for those passionate about Ancient Rome.
Read next: Steal this Huge Italy Bucket List!
With all this, you can easily spend one full week in Rome.
These are two of the greatest skip-the-line options I see as necessary to book ahead of time:
The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill Priority Ticket
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip-The-Line-Ticket Entry
Where to stay in Rome
The best area to stay in while in Rome, especially when you only have a few days in the city, is in the central part of town.
However, I would always choose the Termini Station area to be close to the train or the part closest to the Vatican.
The two are always the more affordable options and are still within walking distance to most of the popular attractions or the underground.
Check out the best hotel rates in Rome here!
Days 4 – 7 Florence
Take the train from Rome to Florence and enjoy the ride through the Italian countryside. Of course, the faster train is always more expensive, but I always book in advance online to take advantage of the great prices and better offers.
What to do in Florence
Florence is one of the most beautiful towns in the world, and it should be on your bucket list.
Moreover, it is perfectly located so that you can enjoy the Tuscan countryside and even take a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre.
On your first and last days in Florence, you’ll have plenty of time to visit the Florence Duomo and climb up to the top of the cupola from where you will have a perfect view over Florence, Palazzo Vecchio, Ufizzi Art Gallery, Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia Gallery, eat a bistecca alla Fiorentina.
As I’ve said for Rome, Florence is a popular city. When you want to make the most of your 10-day Italy itinerary, make sure to book your skip-the-line tickets ahead of time. You can save hours of waiting in queues and always take advantage of mobile-friendly payment and easy cancellation if your itinerary changes.
Here are some great options:
Florence Duomo Priority Entrance Tour
Florence Palazzo Vecchio’s skip-the-line and secret passage guide
Ufizzi Art Gallery Priority Entrance
See Michelangelo’s David guided tour
On the days in between, plan for:
- A day trip to the Cinque Terre from Florence
- Feel the real Tuscany and plan some wine tasting with a day trip to San Gimignano, Siena, and Chianti.
Where to stay in Florence
No matter where you stay in Florence, as long as you choose a location close to the city center, you cannot go wrong. Florence is not a huge city, so finding such a place shouldn’t be hard.
Of course, staying close to the Ponte Vecchio might be expensive, but if you look a bit further, you’ll find great options.
Two options we really like, both reasonably priced for Florence and perfectly located in the Old Town area, are the Strozzi Palace Hotel and the Hotel Hermitage.
Check out the best hotel rates in Florence here!
Days 8 – 10 Milan and Lake Como
Getting from Florence to Milan by train could take anywhere from 1h15 min to 6 hours.
Again, make sure to book your ticket ahead of time in order to get the best price for the quickest ride.
What to do in Milan
To be honest, Milan has never been among my favorite destinations. However, visiting a few attractions within the city and planning a day trip to Lake Como is worth including in your Italy 10-day itinerary.
Here are some of the most important Milan attractions to see on your first day in Milan:
- Milan Cathedral. It is the most iconic landmark in Milan, with truly impressive architecture and a rooftop located in the Piazza del Duomo. Book your Duomo with a terrace ticket!
- Grand Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II boasts impressive architecture and opulence at its best! Come here for shopping or at least window shopping.
- Castello Sforzesco is a 15th-century castle located in luscious gardens. It is a must-see if you want to admire Michelangelo’s last masterpiece, La Pieta. Book your tour here!
- La Scala Opera. Apart from the impressive architecture, fewer Opera houses have hosted as many famous singers.
- Go on a guided tour and admire Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic Last Supper, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980, located inside the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Book your tour here!
- Take a walk in Naviglio Grande.
On your second day in Milan, take a day trip to Lake Como, Belaggio, and Varenna. You won’t regret it!
This is one of the most fairy tale destinations in Italy, especially when you visit during spring and catch the wisteria in bloom. The Lombardy region is packed with stunning views worth visiting!
Where to stay in Milan
Choose between San Lorenzo, the most romantic neighborhood; Brera, the best for sightseeing in Milan; Navigli, the best for nightlife.
Two of our favorite options to look into are the Hotel Morfeo and Hotel Tiziano – Gruppo Mini Hotel.
Check out the best hotel rates in Milan here!
Option 2 – Venice – Milan – Genoa (Portofino) – Cinque Terre – Pisa
This one is an itinerary that mixes both popular destinations with one less explored one: Genoa.
It is easily done by train, and you will travel from the mountains to the sea, to colorful hillside villages, and more.
Days 1 – 3 Venice
Venice is by far one of the most popular destinations in Italy. Preferred by couples but not only, the city on the canals is unique and attracts millions of visitors every year.
Spend the time getting lost on the many canals (allow yourself to step away from the tourist paths and step into the real Venice).
Wake up early and visit the Dodge’s Palace, take a picture of the Ponte dei Sospini.
Enter San Marco Basilica, go to Libreria Acqua Alta, and spend a fortune on a gondola ride,
Take home a painted carnival mask as a souvenir, and do not miss the most colorful village with its Instagram-perfect houses – Burano.
For more details, read my 2 days in Venice post.
Where to stay in Venice
If you are traveling on a budget, you will want to stay in Venezia Mestre, a different city 10 minutes away from Venice. Otherwise, go for Cannareggio, San Marco, and San Polo
Days 4 – 6 Milan and Lake Como
How to get from Venice to Milan
Getting from Venice to Milan couldn’t be easier, with plenty of train connections available throughout the day.
Choose a direct high-speed train, and you will be in Milan in a little over 2 hours.
Book your ticket in advance to save on the price.
Follow the guide presented in the first itinerary for things to do in Milan and Lake Como and where to stay in Milan.
Days 7 – 10 Genoa, Portofino, Cinque Terre, Pisa (optional)
How to get from Milan to Genoa
Once again, trains are your go-to solution. There are plenty of options throughout the day, and depending on the train type, you can get from Milan to Genoa in 1.5 hours or less than 3 hours. Check out timetables and prices here!
My suggestion is to choose Genoa as your base camp, mainly because you will have great train connections to Portofino, Cinque Terre, and Pisa.
You can easily fill up one day in Genoa: see two of the beautiful palaces – Palazzo del Principe and Palazzo Reale, walk to the old port and maybe go to the Genoa Aquarium, climb the hill and take the whole city in from Spianata Castelletto, and maybe take a taxi up to Boccadasse – a colorful beach that will make you think of Cinque Terre.
Thanks to its location, from Genoa, you will have plenty of day trip opportunities.
Save a day to visit Portofino
Search for “S. Margherita Ligure-Portofino” and get your train ticket—the ride is less than one hour long.
Or take the open-top bus from Genoa to Portofino and back.
Take a day trip to Cinque Terre
On your next day, visit the charming Cinque Terre. Wake up early in the morning, take the fast train to Levanto, and from there, hop on the Cinque Terre Express train.
I suggest you skip Monterosso al Mare and head directly to Vernazza. By train, the villages are only a few minutes apart, and most of the train stations are minutes away from the city center—Corniglia is the exception.
Thus, explore Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. These are not only the prettiest villages, but they are also quite small.
On your last day, you can either choose to stay around Genoa (Camogli is one of my favorite small villages on the Italian Riviera, close to Genoa, and so underrated), or take the train and head over to Pisa.
The train from Genoa to Pisa takes less than 2 hours.
Where to stay in Genoa
Here are only a few of the hotels in Genoa:
- Hotel Le Nuvole Residenza d’Epoca. Stepping into the lobby of this hotel, you won’t feel like you’ve left Venice; even so, the rooms have an airy, minimalist design. The hotel is perfectly located for sightseeing and shopping in Genoa.
Find out when they’re free here!
- La Piazzetta Rooms. It may not be a perfect choice if you are looking for a hotel, but this small 3-room place is perfectly located in the heart of Genoa.
Book your stay with them here!
- Melia Genova. If you don’t want to step outside of your comfort zone and prefer an international chain hotel with an indoor pool, a sauna, and a Turkish steam bath, Melia is the place for you.
Take a look at their prices here!
Other FAQ
When is the best time to plan for your 10 days in Italy itinerary
I’ve been to Italy almost during all seasons, and I would always choose to go back during the shoulder season. That is, during the transitioning seasons: from March to June and from September to November.
Of course, you can visit Italy anytime, but my tip is to avoid getting there during summer if you can. Summer gets hot, crowded, and expensive, and who wants to see Italy like that?
Getting around Italy for your 10 days
Unfortunately, there is no straight answer to this question. Depending on the itinerary you choose, you might be able to travel a lot by train, rent a car, go by boat, or have a mix of these options.
North and central Italy have a great railway system, and you will be able to go the whole way by train without renting a car. That will sometimes save you money and time, and you won’t have to worry about finding a parking space, paying for the highway tolls, and so on.
Southern Italy, on the other hand, is not well connected, and it can be challenging to travel around by public transportation.
Another time when it will be worth renting a car is when you want to drive around the beautiful countryside in Tuscany or go hiking in the Dolomites.
If you feel confused and overwhelmed, don’t worry; each itinerary can be covered by train and bus, as well.
Driving in Italy
You might have read horror stories about driving in Italy, especially on the Amalfi coast or in Sicily. Southern Italy is well known for its inpatient drivers and for people who do not usually follow traffic rules.
However, I would tell you not to worry too much, especially when you really want to see a place.
Are 10 days in Italy enough?
To be fair, I would never have had enough of this country, and no matter how long I spent there, I always wished I could stay longer.
That being said, 10 days in Italy should be enough for an unforgettable vacation. With this amount of time, you can still get to see some of the most important attractions and maybe add a few hidden gems along the way because there is nothing better than seeing how Italians live and having a taste of the true Dolce Vita.
PIN FOR LATER!