10 Day Italy Itinerary: Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice

For first timers to Italy, Rome, Florence and Venice typically top the “must-see” list. On this 10 day Italy itinerary, you have enough time to visit these three cities and add in another spectacular destination, the coastal towns of the Cinque Terre.

In this guide, we lay out a detailed Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre and Venice itinerary. We cover the best things to do, how to get around, where to stay and more, to help make your travel planning easier.

This is the guide, and the itinerary, that I wish we had when planning our first trip to Italy.

Let’s get started.

10 day Italy itinerary map: Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice

10 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 1

Arrive in Rome

Ideally, plan to arrive in Rome early in the morning, or even the night before, to make the most of this day. If you arrive in the morning on a red eye flight, this first day can be challenging. Drop your luggage off at your hotel and spend the afternoon sightseeing in Rome. I do not recommend making big plans today (no Vatican or Colosseum visits) because you might be exhausted.

Today is a low-key day. Spend the afternoon strolling through the historic heart of Rome with the option to add on a visit to the Borghese Gallery.

If you have a full day today (which gives you two full days in Rome), I recommend following our 2 day Rome itinerary, since that covers more places than what is listed in this itinerary. 

Getting from Fiumicino Airport to Rome

If you arrive in Fiumicino Airport, you can get to the city center of Rome by bus, taxi, Uber, private transfer, and train. We use the Leonardo Express, a train that runs from the airport to the Termini station in Rome. Leonardo Express trains leave every 15 to 30 minutes and the journey takes 30 minutes. Purchase your ticket at the station and validate it before getting on the train.

You can also hire a private transfer here.

Explore the Heart of Rome

Spend the afternoon walking through the heart of Rome. This short, easy walk is a great introduction to Rome. On this walk, you will see some of Rome’s most famous sites, such as the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

This walk is 1.6 km/1 mile long and takes about two hours. You will start at the Spanish Steps and end at Piazza Navona. Below is a map of the walking route.

Piazza Navona; shutterstock.com/Nicola Forenza

For dinner, you can eat at one of the restaurants near Piazza Navona. Or, if you are still doing great on time and energy, consider crossing the Tiber River to Trastevere, a neighborhood that is filled with great restaurants. 

Borghese Gallery (Optional)

The Borghese contains one of the best collections of art in the world. Art by Bernini, Raphael, Caravaggio, and Titian are all on display. This is a must-see for art aficionados. You can visit the Borghese Gallery before or after the walk through the heart of Rome. Your timing will be influenced by your arrival time in Rome. It works better to visit the Borghese Gallery first and then spend the remainder of the day on the scenic walk through Rome.

Borghese Gallery

PRO TRAVEL TIP: You can only visit the Borghese Art Gallery with a reservation. Reservations can be made up to 3 months in advance. Reservations are made for two-hour time slots, starting at 9 am, and the last time slot is at 5 pm. If you are unable to purchase tickets on the official website, you can also check GetYourGuide.

Hours: 9 am – 7 pm
Closed Mondays
Cost: €13, +€2 reservation fee, prices can increase during special exhibits
Website: www.galleriaborghese.it
Getting Here: The closest metro station is Barberini on the A line (1.4 km, 17 minutes walking time). You can also get here by bus, taxi, and Uber.

After your visit to the Borghese, stroll through the gardens that surround the museum. They are beautiful!

Where to Stay in Rome

Tonight, stay in Rome. You will spend two nights in Rome on this 10 day Italy itinerary. For recommendations on where to stay, read our guide to Where to Stay in Rome.

10 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 2

The Vatican & the Colosseum

On this busy day, you will visit two of Rome’s most popular sights, the Colosseum and the Vatican. These can be visited in either order. My recommendation is to start at Vatican City and end the Colosseum. The Colosseum can only be visited on a time slot that is reserved in advance, so there is no rush to get here first thing in the morning.

However, the best way to skip the line into St. Peter’s Basilica is to go here first thing in the morning, or take a tour of Vatican City that skips the line into the basilica.

So, we recommend visiting the Vatican first and then the Colosseum, since this makes the best use of your time.

Morning: Vatican City

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. In Vatican City, there are three big sites to visit: the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.

There are several ways to visit Vatican City. You can take a guided tour or visit it independently. We have visited Vatican City independently and on a tour. Taking a tour is more expensive but has several advantages.

Taking a tour is much more educational, as a knowledgeable guide will teach you about important sights within the museums and concentrate on the most important things to see. Some tours take you right from the Sistine Chapel into St. Peter’s Basilica, which can save you an hour or longer. Yes, a tour is more expensive, but skipping that line is well worth the extra money.

Room of the Immaculate Conception in the Vatican Museums

The modern Bramante Staircase in the Vatican Museums

St. Peter’s Basilica

The view of Rome from the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

GUIDE TO VATICAN CITY: In our Guide to Vatican City, we cover hours, pricing, and helpful tips for your visit. You also have the option to add on the “secret rooms” of the Vatican, such as the Cabinet of Masks, and we cover these as well.

12:00 pm: Lunch

For lunch, we have three recommendations that are all within walking distance of St. Peter’s Square. You can either have a quick lunch or a longer, leisurely lunch.

We had a quick lunch at Alice Pizza, dining on pizza by the slice. It’s great if you are on a budget or are saving your money for dinner. Two restaurants we have not tried but sound amazing are Borghiciana Pastificio Artiginale and Scialla the Original Streetfood.

1:00 pm: Travel to the Colosseum

After lunch, travel to the Colosseum. You can either take a taxi or use the metro.

1:30 pm: The Colosseum

You can tour the Colosseum on your own or with a guide. Purchasing tickets in advance and touring it on your own is the cheapest option, and something to consider since you just took a pricey early morning tour of the Vatican.

However, if you want to get the most out of your visit, consider joining a tour. We have visited the Colosseum twice, on our own and with a guide, and got a lot more out of our visit with a guide.

For more information about the Arena Floor, the Underground, and what there is to do at the Colosseum, read our article How to Visit the Colosseum. It also has lots of helpful tips for your visit.

The Colosseum

Inside the Colosseum

For more information, including ticket types, how to book your tickets, things to do at the Colosseum, plus many more photos, check out our guide on How to Visit the Colosseum.

3:00 pm: Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are a short walk from the Colosseum. They are both included on your entrance ticket into the Colosseum.

The Roman Forum is ancient Rome, a complex of government buildings, temples, and marketplaces from 2000 years ago. Notable things to see in the Roman Forum include the Via Sacra, the Temple of Venus, the Temple of Romulus (the bronze doors date back to 309 AD), the Temple of Antonius and Faustina and its “hanging door,” the Temple of Vesta, the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Septimius Severus, and the Temple of Julius Caesar.

Palatine Hill sits next to the Roman Forum. It is a complex of archaeological excavations, the remains of temples and palaces, and a museum. During the time of the Roman Republic, many imperial palaces were built here, including palaces for Augustus, Tiberius, and Domitian.

While on Palatine Hill, make sure you visit Terrazza Belvedere del Palatino for a bird’s eye view of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. It’s one of the best views in Rome. Here is the view:

The view from Palatine Hill

5:00 pm: Altar of the Fatherland

The Altar of the Fatherland, also called Altare della Patria, the Victor Emmanuel II Monument, or simply the “wedding cake,” is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Rome.

For free, you can climb the series of staircases to the upper terrace and café. For the best view, ride the elevator (€12 in 2022) to the top of the monument for panoramic views of Rome. From here, you can see all of Rome’s major landmarks, including the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum.

On top of the Altar of the Fatherland

The view from the Altar of the Fatherland

6:00 pm: Aperitif at Oro Bistrot

Oro Bistrot is a rooftop terrace that has a spectacular view of the Altar of the Fatherland and the Trajan Forum. They open mid-afternoon and you can have a drink here and then move on or stay for dinner (dinner does not start until 7 pm). Make a reservation in advance for drinks and dinner.

The view from Oro Bistrot at sunset

10 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 3

Florence

Travel to Florence

In the morning, check out of your hotel and make your way to the Rome Termini Station.

There are several trains per hour that connect Rome to Florence. These range from cheaper, slower, regional trains that might require a connection, to direct, faster trains. Travel times range from one and a half hours up to almost 4 hours.

In my opinion, the cost savings aren’t worth the longer travel times for the regional trains. Depending on the time of year you will be traveling, it might just be €15 more to take the high-speed Frecciarossa train to Florence.

I recommend booking your tickets in advance and choosing a time that gets you into Florence no later than mid-morning.

Trains arrive in Florence at the Florence Santa Maria Novella Station. To get to your hotel, you can walk, take the bus, or hire a taxi.

Afternoon in Florence

Florence is packed with world class art museums, shopping, and numerous domes and towers to climb for breathtaking views of the city. On this 10 day Italy itinerary, you have this afternoon and tomorrow to visit Florence. Like Rome, it will be a bit of a whirlwind.

If you have an extra day or two to add to this itinerary, Florence would be a great place to add it. Doing so gives you the time to either slow down and savor Florence, or spend more time day tripping to the hill towns in Tuscany.

Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore

Visit the Duomo and Climb the Dome

The Duomo, also called Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, is the centerpiece of Florence. The entire cathedral complex has multiple parts to it: the nave, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, a museum, and Santa Reparata. It’s a great place to start your tour of Florence.

In our Guide to the Florence Cathedral, we cover all of the sites of the Duomo complex, ticket types, how to reserve your dome climb, and how to plan your time. 

Climbing the 463 steps to the top of dome is one of Florence’s best experiences. Along the way you will have marvelous views of the interior of the Duomo. These paintings are the “Last Judgement” frescoes showing heaven and hell. They are very graphic and Tyler and Kara were mesmerized by these, in particular the creepy portrayal of hell.

The Last Judgement frescoes on the dome

From the top of the Dome, enjoy one of the best views of Florence.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Reservations are mandatory to climb the dome. Without a time slot you will be unable to climb the dome. These time slots tend to sell out days in advance. As soon as you know your dates of travel, I recommend booking your time slot to climb the dome. If time slots are sold out for your dates of travel, you can also purchase an entry ticket here. 

Cost: €30; this includes the entire Duomo complex, including the Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower (mentioned next)
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:15 am to 7:45 pm; Saturday 8:15 am to 5:30 pm; Sunday 12:45 pm to 5:30 pm
Website: Get updated hours here.

Visit the Baptistery

The Baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. It stands in Piazza del Duomo across from the Duomo. The giant bronze doors with relief sculptures are the main attraction but go inside to see the beautiful mosaics on the inside of the cupola.

Mosaic ceiling of the Baptistery

Replica of the Gates of Paradise doors of the Baptistery

Enjoy the View from Giotto’s Bell Tower

Giotto’s Bell Tower, also called the Campanile, is the tall tower attached to the Duomo. For an awesome view of Florence, and a chance to look down on the dome, climb the 414 steps to the top.

The Duomo

Ponte Vecchio & Piazzale Michelangelo

In the late afternoon, stroll across Ponte Vecchio. This medieval stone bridge spans the Arno River. For centuries, shops have lined the sides of the bridge.

In the evening, go to Piazzale Michelangelo, the best place to watch the sunset in Florence. You can also have an apertif or glass of wine at one of the rooftop bars in Florence.

Piazzale Michelangelo

Where to Stay in Florence

On this 10 day Italy itinerary, you will spend three nights in Florence. For recommendations on where to stay, take a look at our our Florence Hotel Guide. Take your pick from hotels with a view of the Duomo, budget hotels that get rave reviews, and the top hotels in the historic city center.

For more information on Florence, read our article 10 Things to Do on Your First Visit to Florence.

10 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 4

Florence

Accademia Gallery

Start your day at the Accademia Gallery. At this gallery you get to see the statue of David, one of the most famous works of art in the world. This is another place where lines can be legendary so we recommend reserving your ticket in advance or joining a skip-the-line tour.

Accademia Gallery

Cost: €16 + €4 online reservation fee; included on the Firenze Card
Hours: 9:00 am – 6:45 pm; closed Mondays
Website: Get more information and the link to purchase your tickets in advance on the official website. 

San Lorenzo Market & Mercato Centrale

From Accademia Gallery, walk to San Lorenzo Market (8 minute walk). This outdoor market is a great place to shop for pottery, leather goods, and souvenirs. Then go inside of Mercato Centrale. This is a great place to gather food for a picnic lunch.

Mercato Centrale

Palazzo Vecchio

Stroll through the historic heart of Florence to Palazzo Vecchio (1 km, about 15 minutes).

The Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence. Go inside to tour the museum, take a tour of the Roman Ruins, or, you can do our favorite activity, climb the Arnolfo Tower.

This is one of my favorite views of Florence. From the top of the tower, enjoy panoramic views over the city. This is one of the best spots to get a great photo of the Duomo.

The view from Palazzo Vecchio

Bonus: Palazzo Vecchio is located in Piazza della Signoria. In this square you can visit the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air sculpture gallery of Renaissance art.

Cost: Museum €12.50, Tower €12.50; included on the Firenze Card
Hours for the Tower: April 1 to September 30: 9 am –7 pm; October 1 to March 31: 9 am – 7 pm; on Thursdays closing time is 2 pm; last admission is one hour before closing
More Information: Visit the official website for updated hours, tours, and to purchase your tickets 

The Uffizi Museum

This world famous art museum contains works of art by Renaissance artists Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, and many more.

Uffizi Gallery

View of Ponte Vecchio from the Uffizi Museum

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Lines can be long to enter the Uffizi. Skip the line by reserving your ticket in advance or using the Firenze Card to skip the ticket line. If time slots are sold out for your travel dates, you can purchase an entry ticket here or join a skip the line tour.

Cost: €20 March 1 to October 31; €12 November 1 to February 28; included on the Firenze Card (an advance reservation is necessary with the Firenze Card)
Hours: 8:15 am – 6:30 pm; closed Monday

Boboli Gardens (Optional)

If you are still doing well on time, stroll across Ponte Vecchio to Boboli Gardens. Once here, you can tour Pitti Palace, see more sculptures, and get another wonderful view of Florence.

Website: Visit the official website for updated hours and pricing for Boboli Gardens and the Pitti Palace. Reservations are required on Saturdays and public holidays.

Evening

End your day drinks at a rooftop bar and dinner in Florence.

10 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 5

Tuscany Day Trip

Today, day trip into Tuscany. There are several ways to do this. You can book a tour, hire a driver, rent a car and set out on your own, or visit one or two towns by bus.

For ideas on where to go and how to get around Tuscany, take a look at our article Best Day Trips from Florence.

Montalcino, Italy

San Gimignano

Arezzo

We toured Tuscany by bus and by rental car. The bus was a nightmare, at least when we did it in 2014. At several locations, the buses failed to show up, leaving us (and many other travelers) stranded at the bus stations for hours. Renting a car for the day is more expensive, but we had a lot more freedom and we could visit towns that buses do not travel to.

Traveling by a small group tour is a nice way to go. For a little more money, hiring a driver is a great way to tour Tuscany.

Optional: Pisa

If you want to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it is easy to add on to today’s itinerary. Take the train from Florence to Pisa, store your luggage in the luggage storage center in the Pisa train station, and spend a few hours visiting Pisa. Retrieve your luggage and then take a second train to the Cinque Terre.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Get all of the details on how to do this in our article Day Trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy’s most photogenic destinations. Five colorful towns are perched on the dramatic coastline of Italy. Each town offers something a little bit different than the others, and part of the fun of visiting the Cinque Terre is picking your favorite one.

Once in the Cinque Terre, check into your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring the town where you are staying. For a great sunset spot, visit Riomaggiore and walk down to the waterfront.

Riomaggiore

Where to Stay in the Cinque Terre

For two nights, stay in one of the five towns of the Cinque Terre or in La Spezia.

La Spezia sits just to the south of the Cinque Terre. It lacks the charm that you get by staying in the Cinque Terre, but hotels tend to be cheaper. To get to Riomaggiore, the southernmost town in the Cinque Terre, it is just a 9 minute train ride. Another advantage of staying in La Spezia is less time on the train on day 8, when you travel to Venice, since most trains from the Cinque Terre go through La Spezia.

10 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 7

Cinque Terre

Today, tour the Cinque Terre. You can tour the Cinque Terre by train, bus, boat, or by foot.

Hiking from town to town is one of the best ways to experience the Cinque Terre. Exploring each of the towns is wonderful, but some of the best views of the Cinque Terre come from the hiking trails. And since the train also connects all five towns, you don’t need to hike the entire distance. You can mix it up, alternating between using the trains and the hiking trails to get between the towns.

If you choose to hike the entire distance, it is 11 km one way and takes about 5 hours, not including time to explore each town.

In order to hike the trail, you have to purchase a ticket. There are various options for this, but the ticket is absolutely necessary. At every town we had to pass a checkpoint and show our tickets. We purchased the Treno Cinque Terre Card, which gave us unlimited trips on the trains for the day and access to the hiking trails. 

If the idea of hiking from town to town does not sound like your idea of fun, you can purchase a train ticket and use the train to hop from town to town. You can also take a guided tour from La Spezia where you visit several of the towns with an experienced guide.  

Vernazza

Monterosso al Mar

Manarola

For more information about visiting the Cinque Terre, read Hiking the Cinque Terre: What You Need to Know and The Cinque Terre for Budget Travelers.

IMPORTANT! Beginning in April 2024, there will be a fee for visitors to enter Venice. This fee will cost €5. If you have plans to spend the night in Venice, you will be exempt from the fee. All visitors, even those with an overnight stay in Venice, will have to register their visit on an online website. Learn more here.

Milan (Optional)

On this 10 day Italy itinerary, you have this afternoon and tomorrow in Venice, unless you can add more time. If you don’t mind giving up this afternoon in Venice, you can spend a few hours in Milan, as you travel from the Cinque Terre to Venice.

We did this and it worked very well. We took an early morning train to Milan, spent several hours in Milan, and then took an afternoon train to Venice.

There are two main places to visit in Milan if you just have a few hours. Visit the Duomo and see Da Vinci’s The Last Supper at the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. For full details on how to do this, read our guide on how to plan a day trip to Milan.

Afternoon and Evening in Venice

If you skipped Milan, you will arrive in Venice midday. Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon and evening exploring the city.

Stroll through the canals, visit St. Mark’s Square, and climb the Campanile di San Marco (the bell tower) for fantastic 360° views of Venice. For hours and pricing of the bell tower, visit the official website. 

View from the Campanile

LEARN MORE ABOUT VENICE: Best Things to Do in Venice

Where to Stay in Venice

On this 10 day Italy itinerary, you will spend two nights in Venice. For recommendations on where to stay, read our article Where to Stay in Venice: Best Neighborhoods and Hotels for Your Budget

10 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 9

Venice

Our favorite thing to do in Venice is to wander the canals, eat the food, and drink the coffee. But there are several wonderful sights to visit while you are here.

St. Mark’s Basilica

This cathedral dates back to the 9th century AD. Over the course of eight centuries, mosaics were added to the interior of the cathedral, as well as treasures from the Crusades. The Pala d’Oro is a Byzantine alter piece that is covered in gold and studded with almost 2,000 gems.

Lines can be very long to enter St. Mark’s Basilica. Early morning is the best time to visit, when crowds are lower, but you can also skip the lines by taking a tour. This highly rated tour includes a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica as well as Doge’s Palace.

Learn more about St. Mark’s Basilica, including how to skip the line and how to take a nighttime tour in our Guide to St. Mark’s Basilica.

St Mark’s Basilica

Doge’s Palace

The Doges’ Palace is a palace built in Venetian Gothic styles. For centuries, this building served as the residence for the Doge, the seat of the government, and a palace of justice. Now, it is a museum.

Again, expect large crowds of people and long ticket lines. You can tour the Palace on your own or book a guided tour.

As you tour Doge’s Palace, you will cross the Bridge of Sighs. From this window, prisoners on their way to execution would have one final view of the city.

Bridge of Sighs

Hours: 10 am to 6 pm, last admission at 5 pm
Cost: €25, audio guide €5
Website: Get updated pricing, learn about the Secret Itineraries tour, and book your tickets in advance on the official website. 
Tour of the Doge’s Palace: On this 3-hour walking tour, visit St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, and Doge’s Palace with skip-the-line access and a knowledgeable guide.

For more information on how to plan your time, read our 1 Day in Venice Itinerary.

Afternoon: Cruise the Canals

In the afternoon, cruise the canals of Venice. There are several ways to do this.

By Gondola

Drifting through the canals of Venice in a gondola might seem very touristy, but we do it every time we are here and always have a great experience. Gondola rides typically last 30 to 60 minutes.

The city of Venice sets the rate at €80 per 40 minutes (€100 after 7 pm) but that doesn’t mean that’s the rate you will get. You will have to negotiate with your gondolier before you ride. Make sure you agree on the price and the length of time you will ride before you get in the gondola.

As you walk through Venice, you will see gondolas for hire at various points throughout the city.

By Vaporetto

Traveling by Vaporetto is a cheaper way to get great views of Venice. It is a water bus that is used to travel from point to point but it also is a great way to cruise the Grand Canal without spending a fortune.

Take the No. 1 vaporetto (ACTV) Linea 1 from San Marco – San Zaccharia (St. Mark’s Square) to Piazzale Roma. During the ride, you will see Ponte dell’Accademia, the Rialto Bridge, and the beautiful buildings that line the Grand Canal. Since it is a water bus, you can get off whenever you see something of interest. And since it runs in both directions, so you can also ride it back to St. Mark’s Square.

View of the Grand Canal from Ponte dell’Accademia

By Tour

There are also several tours that combine a cruise the Lagoon with dinner or wine. This sunset cruise of the Lagoon includes a glass of Prosecco and takes 2 hours. This 3-hour cruise of the Lagoon includes dinner and wine and magical views of the city.

How to Modify this Itinerary

Doing this Itinerary in the Opposite Direction

This itinerary works just as well in the opposite direction. Here’s how to do it:

Day 1: Arrive in Venice, afternoon in Venice
Day 2: Venice
Day 3: Train to Cinque Terre with the option to spend a few hours in Milan
Day 4: Cinque Terre
Day 5: Morning train to Florence, afternoon in Florence
Day 6: Florence
Day 7: Tuscany day trip from Florence
Day 8: Morning train to Rome, afternoon in Rome
Day 9: Rome
Day 10: Fly home

With Less Time

If you have less than ten days, I recommend skipping the Cinque Terre. If you only have 7 days in Italy, here is a sample itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive in Rome
Day 2: Rome
Day 3: Travel to Florence
Day 4: Florence
Day 5: Morning in Florence, afternoon train to Venice
Day 6: Venice
Day 7: Fly home

With More Time

With more time, you can either add on days to Rome, Florence, the Cinque Terre, Venice, or Tuscany, or add on another destination.

My advice is to add more time to these cities, since this itinerary already moves very fast and there is a lot more to do in each of them, than what we cover in this 10 day Italy itinerary. Adding one more day to Rome is highly recommended if you can do it. Tuscany would also be a great spot to add more time.

If you want to go hiking in the Dolomites, add on a minimum of two days but you can stay as long as 10 days without running out of things to do (so far we have spent 12 days in the Dolomites and still have things we want to do). 

If you have two weeks for Italy, we have a detailed 14-day itinerary that is similar to this one, with the addition of Sorrento, Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii.

Venice | 10 Day Italy Itinerary

How to Get Around Italy

To get from city to city, we recommend taking the train. Trains in Italy are fast, cheap, and very convenient. The train stations are located right in the city centers, so you can quickly and conveniently travel from city center to city center. Trains are faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than cars.

To check train schedules and to book your trains online, Italiarail.com is the easiest website to use. Just be aware that they charge a €5 booking fee to use their website. You can avoid the €5 fee by using Trenitalia.com, but this website is more difficult to use.

In our experience, we have found it to be cheaper to book our tickets individually rather than purchasing a Eurail Pass.

Designing Your Own Italy Itinerary?

This Italy itinerary is a great starting point for designing your own custom itinerary. For more tips and tricks to help you plan the perfect trip, consider reading this article:

7 Things to Know When Planning Your First Trip to Europe

More Italy Itineraries:

• 10 Days in Italy: 5 Amazing Itinerary Ideas
• 14 Days in Italy: Best Way to Spend Two Weeks in Italy
• Northern Italy Itinerary: Venice, Dolomites, Verona & Lake Como
• Southern Italy Itinerary: Amalfi Coast, Matera, Alberobello & Puglia

We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, Basilicata, and Puglia.

If you have any questions about this 10 day Italy itinerary to Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, and Venice, let us know in the comment section below.

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One Perfect Day in Siena, Italy | A Detailed Itinerary

Siena is easy to visit if you only have one day since it is a compact city with just a few big sites. With one day in Siena, visit the Duomo, get one of the best views in Italy from the Torre del Mangia, wander the historic old town, and dine at one of many […]

Where to Stay in Florence 2024: Best Hotels & Neighborhoods

Trying to decide where to stay in Florence? You have lots of great options to choose from, from cozy boutique-style hotels, highly rated budget properties, luxurious 5-star hotels, family friendly apartments, and hotels with a view of Ponte Vecchio or the Duomo. An important factor to consider is the location of your hotel. There are […]

How to Visit the Florence Cathedral (Duomo di Firenze) in 2024

The Florence Cathedral, also called the Duomo di Firenze and Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, is one of the most recognizable cathedrals in the world. A visit to this cathedral is more than just walking through the cathedral and seeing the dome. You can also climb Giotto’s bell tower, walk the stairs to the […]

14 Day Italy Itinerary: Best Way to Spend Two Weeks in Italy

If you are planning your first trip to Italy, this 14 day Italy itinerary is a great place to start. With two weeks in Italy, you can visit the highlights…Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, and the Cinque Terre. Visit ancient historical sites, cruise the canals in Venice, dine on Italian food, go wine […]