How many days do you need in Italy?

This itinerary covers 7 days in Italy, which is a great amount of time to explore the main highlights. Depending on your pace and interests, you could extend or shorten the trip.

What is the best itinerary for Italy?

Plan your perfect 7 days trip to Italy. This detailed travel itinerary includes daily activities, local recommendations, and insider tips to make your journey unforgettable.

7-Day Cultural and Culinary Journey Through Italy

Day 1: Historic Rome

Rome, Italy on May 20, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Roscioli Caffè

Start your day with a classic Italian espresso and a cornetto at Roscioli Caffè, a well-loved spot near Campo de’ Fiori, open from 7am to 7pm, perfect for an authentic Roman breakfast.

EUR5, 0h30m

9:30am

Visit the Colosseum

Explore the iconic Colosseum, Rome’s ancient amphitheatre, to appreciate its rich history and impressive architecture. It opens at 8:30am and entry tickets cost about 16 EUR.

EUR16, 2h0m

11:30am

Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Next, visit the nearby Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to walk through the ruins of ancient government buildings and enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Included with Colosseum ticket, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at Trattoria da Enzo al 29

Enjoy traditional Roman dishes like cacio e pepe at Trattoria da Enzo al 29, open 12pm-3pm, known for its warm atmosphere and authentic flavours.

EUR25, 1h0m

3:00pm

Visit Pantheon and Piazza Navona

Stroll to the Pantheon, an architectural marvel with a magnificent dome, and then relax by the fountains at Piazza Navona, both open all day with free entry to the piazza.

Free, 1h30m

5:00pm

Gelato at Giolitti

Treat yourself to some of Rome’s best gelato at Giolitti, open until 12am, perfect for a mid-afternoon refreshment.

EUR5, 0h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Osteria Dell’Ingegno

Dine in style at Osteria Dell’Ingegno, offering a creative take on classics with a cosy setting; reservations recommended, open 7pm-11pm.

EUR40, 1h30m

Find Hotels in Rome

Day 2: Vatican & Rome

Vatican City / Rome, Italy on May 21, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Panella

Begin with pastries and coffee at Panella, a historic bakery near the Vatican, open from 7am.

EUR7, 0h30m

9:00am

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Book a skip-the-line ticket to explore the Vatican Museums and marvel at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling; open 9am-6pm, last entry at 4pm.

EUR25, 3h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at Borgo Pio 91

Enjoy a light Italian lunch in the charming Borgo Pio area with delicious pasta and fresh salads, open noon to 3pm.

EUR20, 1h0m

2:00pm

St. Peter’s Basilica

Visit the awe-inspiring St. Peter’s Basilica, open 7am-7pm, free to enter; climb the dome for breathtaking views (extra cost).

EUR10 for dome climb, 1h30m

4:00pm

Castel Sant’Angelo

Walk to Castel Sant’Angelo, museum and fortress with panoramic views of Rome, open until 7pm; tickets cost 15 EUR.

EUR15, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Ristorante Aroma

Treat yourself to a fine dining experience at Ristorante Aroma overlooking the Colosseum, open 7pm-11pm. Reservations essential.

Approx EUR70, 2h0m

Find Hotels in Vatican City / Rome

Day 3: Renaissance Florence

Florence, Italy on May 22, 2025

7:00am

Travel to Florence

Take an early high-speed train from Rome to Florence (~1.5 hours), to maximise your day in Tuscany’s capital.

EUR50, 1h30m

9:00am

Breakfast at Caffè Gilli

Begin with coffee and pastries at historic Caffè Gilli in Piazza della Repubblica, open from 7am.

EUR8, 0h30m

10:00am

Uffizi Gallery

Explore masterpieces of Renaissance art by Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci; Uffizi is open 8:15am-6:30pm. Pre-book tickets to avoid queues.

EUR20, 2h30m

12:30pm

Lunch at Trattoria Mario

Famous for Tuscan home cooking, Trattoria Mario serves hearty dishes like ribollita in a lively atmosphere, open 12pm-3pm daily.

EUR25, 1h0m

2:00pm

Florence Cathedral & Duomo Climb

Visit the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and climb to the top of the dome for impressive city views; open 10am-5pm.

EUR18, 1h30m

4:00pm

Ponte Vecchio Stroll

Walk across the historic Ponte Vecchio bridge, famous for its jewellery shops and scenic views of the Arno River.

Free, 0h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at La Giostra

End the day with exquisite Tuscan cuisine at La Giostra, known for its romantic ambiance and delicious local wines; open 7pm-11pm.

EUR40, 1h30m

Find Hotels in Florence

Day 4: Tuscan Day Trip

Florence & Pisa, Italy on May 23, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Hotel or Local Café

Enjoy a light breakfast at your hotel or a nearby café to prepare for the day.

EUR5, 0h30m

9:00am

Travel to Pisa

Take a regional train to Pisa (approx 1 hour), to visit the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and surrounding monuments.

EUR10, 1h0m

10:00am

Visit Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli

Tour the Leaning Tower, explore the cathedral and baptistery in the stunning Piazza dei Miracoli; tower climb pre-booking recommended, open 9am-8pm.

EUR20, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at Osteria dei Cavalieri

Dine on traditional Tuscan fare in this cozy eatery situated near Pisa’s historical sites, open 12pm-3pm.

EUR25, 1h0m

2:00pm

Return to Florence

Travel back to Florence by train, to spend a leisurely evening in the city.

EUR10, 1h0m

3:30pm

Visit Boboli Gardens

Relax in the beautiful Boboli Gardens near Pitti Palace, enjoying artful landscaping and views over Florence; open 8:15am-6:30pm.

EUR10, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Il Latini

Experience a lively dining atmosphere with classic Tuscan dishes at Il Latini in Florence, open till late.

EUR35, 1h30m

Find Hotels in Florence & Pisa

Day 5: Venetian Canals

Venice, Italy on May 24, 2025

7:00am

Train to Venice

Travel from Florence to Venice by high-speed train, journey time approx 2 hours.

EUR45, 2h0m

9:30am

Breakfast at Pasticceria Tonolo

Enjoy Venetian pastries and coffee at Pasticceria Tonolo, open from 7am.

EUR6, 0h30m

10:00am

St. Mark’s Basilica

Visit the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica with its golden mosaics and stunning architecture; opens at 9:30am, entry is free but some areas charge a small fee.

EUR3 for museum entry, 1h30m

11:30am

Doge’s Palace

Explore the Doge’s Palace, an ornate Gothic building with opulent rooms and the Bridge of Sighs; open 9am-7pm; tickets approx 25 EUR.

EUR25, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at Trattoria Al Gatto Nero

Take a short boat to Burano island to enjoy fresh seafood at Trattoria Al Gatto Nero, open 12pm-3pm.

EUR30, 1h30m

3:30pm

Explore Burano and return to Venice

Wander through colourful houses and lace shops on Burano before returning to Venice by waterbus.

EUR7 waterbus ticket, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Osteria alle Testiere

Dine at Osteria alle Testiere, known for its exquisite Venetian seafood dishes and intimate setting; reservation recommended.

EUR50, 1h30m

Find Hotels in Venice

Day 6: Venice & Murano

Venice, Italy on May 25, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Rosa Salva

Indulge in Venetian pastry specialities at Rosa Salva, open early from 7am.

EUR6, 0h30m

9:00am

Murano Glass Museum

Take a vaporetto to Murano Island and visit the Glass Museum to learn about the famous glassmaking tradition; open 10am-6pm, entrance EUR8.

EUR8, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Trattoria Busa alla Torre

Enjoy delicious local dishes on Murano at Trattoria Busa alla Torre, open noon to 3pm.

EUR25, 1h0m

1:30pm

Return to Venice and Gondola Ride

Return to Venice and take a classic 30-minute gondola ride to admire the canals and architecture; rides typically cost €80-100.

EUR90, 0h45m

3:00pm

Explore Rialto Market and Bridge

Visit the bustling Rialto Market and walk across the famous Rialto Bridge; market open till early afternoon, ideal for sightseeing.

Free, 1h0m

5:00pm

Coffee at Caffè Florian

Relax at historic Caffè Florian in St. Mark's Square, open till midnight, and take in the lively Venetian atmosphere.

EUR10, 0h45m

7:00pm

Dinner at Antiche Carampane

Conclude your Venice stay with dinner at Antiche Carampane, offering traditional Venetian seafood dishes in a welcoming setting; open for dinner 7pm onwards.

EUR50, 1h30m

Find Hotels in Venice

Day 7: Modern Milan

Milan, Italy on May 26, 2025

7:30am

Train to Milan

Travel from Venice to Milan by high-speed train, approx 2.5 hours journey to explore Italy’s fashion capital.

EUR50, 2h30m

10:30am

Breakfast at Pavé

Start your Milan day with a coffee and freshly baked croissant at Pavé, one of Milan’s popular bakeries, open from 7:30am.

EUR7, 0h30m

11:30am

Visit Milan Cathedral (Duomo)

Tour the spectacular Milan Cathedral, including access to rooftop terraces that offer panoramic city views; open 9am-7pm, ticket approx EUR15.

EUR15, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch at Luini

Grab a quick lunch at Luini, famous for its delicious panzerotti, a Milanese street food favourite.

EUR10, 0h45m

2:00pm

Visit Sforza Castle and Parco Sempione

Explore the historic Sforza Castle museums and relax in the adjacent Parco Sempione, open throughout the day, free entry to park.

EUR10 for museums, 2h0m

5:00pm

Shopping in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Walk through the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade, perfect for window shopping and enjoying beautiful architecture.

Free, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Ristorante Cracco

End your Italian adventure with haute cuisine at Ristorante Cracco, known for its refined dishes and stylish ambiance; reservation essential.

EUR80, 2h0m

Find Hotels in Milan

Step 1 Outline Preview:

7-Day Cultural and Culinary Journey Through Italy

Day 1: Historic Rome

8:30am

9:30am

11:30am

1:30pm

3:00pm

5:00pm

7:00pm

Day 2: Vatican & Rome

8:00am

9:00am

12:30pm

2:00pm

4:00pm

7:00pm

Day 3: Renaissance Florence

7:00am

9:00am

10:00am

12:30pm

2:00pm

4:00pm

7:00pm

Day 4: Tuscan Day Trip

8:00am

9:00am

10:00am

12:30pm

2:00pm

3:30pm

7:00pm

Day 5: Venetian Canals

7:00am

9:30am

10:00am

11:30am

1:30pm

3:30pm

7:00pm

Day 6: Venice & Murano

8:00am

9:00am

12:00pm

1:30pm

3:00pm

5:00pm

7:00pm

Day 7: Modern Milan

7:30am

10:30am

11:30am

1:00pm

2:00pm

5:00pm

7:30pm

More About Italy

Plan Your Italy Trip