10-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Italy

  • Day 1: Rome
    Estimated Time from previous location: 0 (0 miles)

    Explore the Colosseum, a symbol of Ancient Rome, and the largest amphitheatre in the world. You'll also get a chance to marvel at the architectural feats of the Pantheon, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Trevi Fountain, one of the most beautiful fountains you will ever see.

  • Day 2: Vatican City
    Estimated Time from previous location: 0 (0 miles)

    Spend a good part of the day exploring Vatican City, make sure to get there early. Visit the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Make sure to arrange the guided tours by professional guides that include skip-the-line access. Your family will be in awe and have no regrets!

  • Day 3: Florence
    Estimated Time from previous location: 3 hr (175 miles)

    Florence is known for Renaissance art and architecture with great museums and historical sites. Visit The Uffizi Gallery, The Palatine Gallery, The Accademia Gallery, and Piazza della Signoria.

  • Day 4: Pisa
    Estimated Time from previous Location: 1 hr (50 miles)

    Get lost in Pisa and walk on the red-roofed buildings and wander the colorful streets. Visit the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and other magnificent buildings like the Pisa Baptistery, Campo Santo, Piazza dei Miracoli, and the National Museum of San Matteo.

  • Day 5: Venice
    Estimated Time from previous location: 4.5 hr (189 miles)

    Ride on the famous Vaporetto water taxi on Grand Canal, and visit St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, and The Rialto Bridge. The architecture and canal system, surely will take your breath away. It's a great place for your family to make some memories.

  • Day 6: Verona
    Estimated Time from previous location: 1.5 hr (75 miles)

    Take a stroll through this city that takes pride in its ancient architecture with many buildings and monuments preserved for centuries. Visit the Piazza delle Erbe, the Verona Arena, and Juliet's House.

  • Day 7: Milan
    Estimated Time from previous location: 1.5 hr (87 miles)

    Visit the Milan Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in the world. You can also check out the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the fashion capital of Italy, with numerous high-end fashion stores such as Prada, Gucci, Versace, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, etc.

  • Day 8: Cinque Terre
    Estimated Time from previous location: 2.5 hr (114 miles)

    Take a boat ride and see the crystal clear waters, colorful buildings, and picturesque scenery of the five medieval fishing towns that make up Cinque Terre. Explore the national park, hike the trails, eat some of the best seafood, and enjoy the sunset on this coast.

  • Day 9: Tuscany
    Estimated Time from previous location: 5 hr (246 miles)

    Drive through the countryside of Tuscany and marvel at the scenic beauty of the hills, vineyards, and sunflower fields. Visit the charming cities of Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano, famous for their wines, cheese, and food.

  • Day 10: Naples
    Estimated Time from previous location: 4 hr (237 miles)

    End your trip with an adventurous day on Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, and The Naples National Archaeological Museum. Experience the cultural significance of Pompeii, which was destroyed in a volcanic eruption in 79 AD. Hike to the top of Mount Vesuvius and enjoy breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples, and then explore Naples and its food and culture at the National Archaeological Museum!

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Colosseum (2-3 hr, €12-$14)
  • Trevi fountain (30 min, free)
  • Vatican City (4-5 hr, €25-$29)
  • Uffizi Gallery (1-2 hr, €20-$23)
  • Pisa Baptistry (30 min, €5-$6)
  • St. Mark's Basilica (1-2 hr, €6-$7)
  • Juliet's House (30 min, €7-$8)
  • Milan Cathedral (1-2 hr, free)
  • Cinque Terre boat ride (5-6 hr, €30-$34)
  • Tuscany (4-5 hr, €50-$57)
  • Pompeii (2-3 hr, €15-$17)
  • Naples National Archaeological Museum (1-2 hr, €15-$17)
  • Total Estimated Costs (not including transportation): €175-$200 per person

Transportation

For traveling around the country, flights, trains, and buses are available throughout all the cities. The Eurail Pass is a good investment if you want to travel extensively throughout the country. It might take more time than driving or flights, but it is a great way to see the country's beauty. Taxis are not very common throughout Italy, but Ubers are a great option in most major cities. Estimated time traveling between destinations (by car) is listed in each day's itinerary.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can spend another day or two in Florence, Italy's art capital, where you can see more architecture, cathedrals, and galleries. If you have less time, skip Naples and Pompeii, and instead visit the Amalfi Coast, the southern shores of Italy known for its beautiful beaches, towns, and unparalleled natural beauty.

Airports

The primary international airports in Italy are Rome-Fiumicino (FCO), Milan-Malpensa (MXP), and Venice Marco Polo (VCE). Rome-Fiumicino airport is well connected to the city with buses and trains, while Milan-Malpensa and Venice Marco Polo airports have good connections to most Italian cities.

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