Julie Italy, Itinerary, San Marino 465 Comments

Italy is a country that is on many travelers’ wish list. And why not? Italy has it all: fabulous cuisine, gorgeous cities, towering mountains and beautiful beaches, and ancient historical sites. Throw in some gelato and wine and you have the perfect ingredients for a memorable 10-day holiday in Europe. If you have 10 days in Italy, we have five great ideas for how you can spend your time.

For first timers to Italy, Rome, Florence, and Venice usually make the “must-see” list. With 10 days in Italy, you have just enough time to visit these three cities and add in a quick visit to a nearby destination. How to do this is spelled out in our “Classic” Italy itinerary.

But for those who want different ideas of how to spend your time in Italy, we have four more recommendations for you.

With 10 days in Italy, you have just enough time to get a taste of this country. Don’t try to see it all at once. Italy is better visited at a slower pace, so you can sample the food, wander the streets, and get the full experience.

With these itineraries, we tried to strike a balance between visiting a handful of cities and moving slowly enough to have the best experience.

10 Days in Italy: 5 Itineraries

Italy Itinerary #1: The Classic

Our classic Italy itinerary includes Rome, Florence, and Venice, and the Cinque Terre. It’s a great option if this is your first visit to Italy, since you get to visit three of Italy’s most popular cities along with a visit to a spectacular coastal destination.

Below is an overview of this itinerary.

10 Days in Italy: Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice

  • Day 1: Arrive in Rome
  • Day 2: Rome
  • Day 3: Florence
  • Day 4: Florence
  • Day 5: Tuscany Day Trip
  • Day 6: Cinque Terre
  • Day 7: Cinque Terre
  • Day 8: Venice
  • Day 9: Venice
  • Day 10: Fly home

Italy Itinerary Map Rome Florence Venice | 10 days in Italy Itinerary

Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary (map adapted from Google)


IMPORTANT!! We get a lot of comments and emails about how to add one or two more destinations to this itinerary. We know that it is tempting to squeeze as much in as possible, but we do not recommend adding more to this itinerary. This is already a very busy schedule. If you add on another city, you will get to “see” a lot, but you will end up spending most of your time in Italy on the train. If anything, consider adding more time to Rome before adding on another destination.


Day 1 & 2: Rome

Rome Sunset | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Sunset in Rome | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

The first day in Rome can be challenging if you arrive on a red-eye flight. Do your best to get adjusted to the time change, visit a few sites in the afternoon, and consider going to bed a little early.

With less than two full days in Rome, you will not be able to see everything, but some of the must-see sites include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Borghese art gallery, and a tour of the Vatican. Stroll through Piazza Navona and consider having dinner in the Trastevere neighborhood.

Day 3, 4 & 5: Florence and Tuscany

Travel by train to Florence. This journey takes just 1.5 hours, so if you leave early in the morning you will have most of the day in Florence.

Florence 10 days in Italy | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Siena Italy | 10 days in Italy Itinerary

Siena, Italy | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

On this itinerary, you have three days in Florence and Tuscany. Florence needs at least one full day to see the main sites. You should also spend one full day in Tuscany. There are numerous hill towns to visit as well as Siena, one of our favorite spots in Italy. You have to decide how to spend the third day: more time in gorgeous Florence or another day in Tuscany, visiting the small towns and vineyards.

We recommend spending two days in Florence with one day for day tripping into Tuscany. Learn how to plan your time in Florence with our 2 Day Florence Itinerary and get ideas on places to visit in Tuscany in our article Best Day Trips from Florence.

One of the best ways to get around Tuscany is to hire a driver. This allows you to sit back and enjoy the views and the wine without the hassles of parking and navigating between the towns. If you are more independent, you can rent a car (this is what we did after our terrible experience with the public bus system in Italy). We do not recommend the bus. On more than one occasion, the bus failed to show up, leaving us stranded on the side of the road. This not only happened in Tuscany but also Sorrento and Amalfi.

You can also join one of these tours to Tuscany from Florence.

 

 

Day 6 & 7: Cinque Terre

Manarola 10 days in Italy | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

On the morning of day 6, take the train from Florence to the Cinque Terre. It takes between 1.5 to 3 hours to get to the Cinque Terre. Direct trains take less time but there are many more options that have a transfer in Pisa. You can take a few hours to visit Pisa on the way to the Cinque Terre, but you would be missing out on some valuable time in the Cinque Terre.

If you are booking a train to the Cinque Terre, you will arrive in La Spezia and then take the local train to one the five towns of the Cinque Terre. It takes just 9 minutes to travel from La Spezia to the first town, Riomaggiore, and trains run very frequently.

The Cinque Terre is magical. Five picture perfect towns perched along the Mediterranean coastline just waiting to be explored. You can spend a full day hiking between them or use the train to hop between towns.

Day 8 & 9: Venice

Take the train from the Cinque Terre (La Spezia) to Venice. There are no direct trains. Most trains transfer in either Milan or Florence. The quickest journey takes 4 hours but some can take over 6 hours. For your day of travel, book the shortest, most convenient train in the morning, so you have the afternoon to spend in Venice.

Venice 10 days in Italy | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

One day in Venice is really all you need to see the main highlights. Spend the extra time by cruising out to Murano and Burano or simply wandering the canals some more.

Day 10

Begin your travels home. Or, for those with more time, continue onto your next destination.

See the full itinerary, with recommendations on how to spend your time in each place, where to stay, and how to get around: 10 Day Itinerary: Rome, Florence, the Cinque Terre, & Venice


Italy Itinerary#2: Rome, the Amalfi Coast & Florence

Venice and the Cinque Terre did not make this itinerary, but what you are getting is a visit to the stunning Amalfi Coast, a day trip out the beautiful island of Capri, Pompeii, and an extra day in Rome.

10 Days in Italy: Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence & Tuscany

  • Day 1: Arrive in Rome
  • Day 2: Rome
  • Day 3: Rome
  • Day 4: Sorrento and Pompeii
  • Day 5: Capri
  • Day 6: Amalfi Coast
  • Day 7: Florence
  • Day 8: Florence
  • Day 9: Tuscany
  • Day 10: Fly home

Italy Itinerary Map Rome Sorrento Florence | 10 days in Italy Itinerary

Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence & Tuscany | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary (map adapted from Google)

Day 1, 2 & 3: Rome

On this itinerary you have one extra day in Rome. This gives you plenty of time to explore this city. Even so, it will be a very busy three days.

Rome Italy | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Rome | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Day 4: Pompeii and Sorrento

Today, you will visit Pompeii in transit between Rome and Sorrento. This is relatively easy to do. From Rome, take the train to Naples (70 minutes). Once in Naples you will transfer to the Campania Express train and take this to Pompeii (get off at the Pompeii Scavi station).

While touring Pompeii, you can store your luggage in the luggage storage facility in the Pompeii Scavi station.

Pompeii Italy | 10 days in Italy Itinerary

Pompeii | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

After touring Pompeii, pick up your luggage and then take the Campania Express train to Sorrento. Most likely you are arriving in the mid to late afternoon. After checking into your hotel (your home base for 3 nights), stroll along the marina, have dinner, and try the limoncello…it’s delicious! For hotel recommendations in Sorrento and along the Amalfi Coast, check out our Amalfi Coast Hotel Guide.

For more information on how to visit Pompeii and travel to Sorrento, Capri and the Amalfi Coast, read these posts:

How to Visit Pompeii when Traveling from Rome to Sorrento

How to Travel from Rome to Sorrento, Capri & the Amalfi Coast

Sorrento Italy | 10 days in Italy Itinerary

Sorrento | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Day 5: Capri

Capri is just 20 minutes away from Sorrento by boat. Once in Capri, take a boat tour around the island, enjoy the breathtaking view from Mount Solaro, and explore the towns of Capri and Anacapri. You can even go hiking if you like. For more information, read our article Best Things to Do in Capri. 

Capri Italy | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Via Krupp, Capri 

Day 6: Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast Italy | 10 days in Italy Itinerary

Amalfi Coast

From Sorrento, take a day trip to the Amalfi Coast. This is described as one of the most scenic drives in the world. Along the way, visit the towns of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.

Positano Sunset | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Positano

The best way to get around is by private driver, ferry, or by boat, whether it is a small group tour or private boat. Parking can be a huge hassle (avoid self-driving the Amalfi Coast during peak season) and using the public bus system can be a nightmare (been there, done that, and we had a miserable experience).

Day 7, 8 & 9: Florence and Tuscany

The morning of day 7 is spent traveling from Sorrento to Florence. You can take the Campania Express train or hire a private driver to the Naples train station (Napoli Centrale). From Naples it is a 3-hour train ride to Florence. It is a gorgeous journey, especially the final hour, as you travel through Tuscany.

Divide your time between Florence and the hill towns in Tuscany. Spend two days in Florence and one day for a day trip into Tuscany.

San Gimigano Tuscany | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

San Gimignano, Tuscany | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Day 10

Begin your travels home. Ideally, fly home from the Florence airport. While researching flights, if you find that you don’t have great options from this airport, you might have to return to Rome and fly home from here.

Optional Variation of this Italy Itinerary

For this itinerary, you can fly into Naples, visit Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, and then continue north to Rome and Florence. This saves you some time traveling back and forth from Rome to the Amalfi Coast. However, for many people, it might be easier and cheaper to fly into Rome, which is why I have the itinerary written the way it is.  

Italy Travel Guide Florence


Italy Itinerary #3: Northern Italy

This northern Italy itinerary is perfect for those planning their second or third visit to Italy, those who love hiking or skiing, and those who want to do more than just visit a few cities.

On this itinerary, you will visit a few of Italy’s most popular cities, including Venice, Milan, and Verona.

But the best part, in our opinion, is the time you get to spend in the Dolomites. This is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Europe and you don’t have to be a big hiker to enjoy a visit here. There is plenty to do with little to no hiking.

The itinerary ends with a quick visit to Bellagio and Lake Como, another gorgeous spot in Italy.

This itinerary works best from June through September, when the hiking trails are open. If you prefer to go skiing, plan your visit from December through March. The worst time to do this itinerary is April, May, and November, when this area transitions between a hiking and skiing destination and many trails will be closed to both hiking and skiing. In May and November, many cable cars close for maintenance.

Here’s the 10-day itinerary. For more information, take a look at our Northern Italy Itinerary.

10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrive in Venice
  • Day 2: Venice
  • Day 3: Dolomites
  • Day 4: Dolomites
  • Day 5: Dolomites
  • Day 6: Dolomites
  • Day 7: Verona
  • Day 8: Milan
  • Day 9: Lake Como & Bellagio
  • Day 10: Fly Home

Italy Itinerary Map Venice Dolomites Lake Como | 10 days in Italy Itinerary

Northern Italy itinerary map | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary (map adapted from Google)

Day 1 & 2: Venice

Spend two days visiting the highlights of Venice. This gives you just enough time to visit St. Mark’s Basilica, tour the Doge’s Palace, take some photos of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge, and wander the canals.

Best Things to Do in Venice | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Venice | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Days 3, 4, 5 & 6: The Dolomites

With four days in the Dolomites, you have plenty of time to hike the best trails, visit the lovely lakes, ride the cable cars high into the mountains for extraordinary food, and go on scenic drives over the mountain passes.

The best way to get around the Dolomites is by car. In our Northern Italy Itinerary, we let you know how to do this. You can also learn more in our article Things to Know Before Traveling to the Dolomites.

Seceda Dolomites

Seceda, Dolomites | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

 

Best Dolomites Hikes | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Tre Cime di Lavaredo | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

 

Val di Funes Photo

Val di Funes | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Some of our favorite experiences in the Dolomites are hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop, having lunch with a view from Rifugio Nuvolau, hiking the Puez-Odle Altopiano, and hiking the Croda da Lago Circuit. But if hiking isn’t your thing, not to worry. You can still see and do a lot in the Dolomites, and you can learn more in our article Best Things to Do in the Dolomites with little to no hiking.

In our Dolomites Travel Guide, we have links to all of our articles about the Dolomites, including the best hikes and how to plan your time.

Day 7: Verona

On this itinerary, spend one day and one night in lovely Verona. On the drive from the Dolomites to Verona, you also have the option to add on a visit to Santuario Madonna della Corona, a beautiful church that literally clings to a rocky cliff.

Santuario Madonna della Corona | 10 days in Italy Itinerary

Santuario Madonna della Corona

 

Verona 10 days in Europe | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Verona | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Spend the afternoon strolling through the streets of Verona. For a full list of things to do, check out our Guide to Verona, but the top sights include Piazza Bra, the Verona Arena, Ponte Pietra, Torre dei Lamberti, and Juliette’s House. An afternoon is plenty of time to see these sights.

Tonight, sleep in Verona.

Day 8: Milan

On a quick visit to Milan, visit to the Duomo (walking on the rooftop is an awesome experience), seeing DaVinci’s “Last Supper,” and visiting the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

For full details of how to plan your day, plus suggestions on how to visit the Duomo and see the “Last Supper,” refer to our One Day in Milan Itinerary.

10 Day Italy Itinerary with Milan | 10 days in Italy Itinerary

Milan | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Tonight, sleep in Milan.

Day 9: Lake Como

Lake Como is a popular day trip destination from Milan. You can either day trip to Lake Como, spending a second night in Milan, or you can travel to Lake Como and spend the night in Bellagio or Varenna.

Bellagio Lake Como

Bellagio

From Milan, travel to Lake Como by train or rental car, if you did not drop it off in Verona. Once in the area of Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio, you will get around by ferry, which runs frequently and it doesn’t take long to get from town to town.

Spend several hours in both Bellagio and Varenna and consider taking a short cruise to see the villas that dot the shoreline of Lake Como.

Tonight, sleep in Milan, Bellagio, or Varenna.

Day 10: Fly Home

Fly home from Milan or Venice.

See the full itinerary, with recommendations on how to spend your time in each place and how to get around: 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary.


Italy Itinerary #4: Southern Italy

This southern Italy itinerary includes some of Italy’s most popular places to visit as well as some hidden gems.

Spend your first few days on the Amalfi Coast of Italy, visiting Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, and several Amalfi Coast towns.

From here, visit Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. You may not have heard of these towns before, but they could be one of the most memorable places you visit on this itinerary. Thrill seekers will love ziplining from one town to the other.

From Castelmezzano, travel to photogenic Matera and then Alberobello, a town that looks like it belongs in the pages of a fairy tale. End your trip by visiting a few more towns in Puglia before heading home.

This itinerary works best from mid-April through October, when the hotels and restaurants in the coastal towns of the Amalfi Coast and Puglia are open, the ferries are running, and boat tours are being offered.

For this itinerary, you will need to rent a car. It is challenging to get around Basilicata and Puglia without a car since public transportation is limited in this part of Italy.

Here is the 10-day itinerary. To see the full itinerary, take a look at our Southern Italy Itinerary.

10 Day Southern Italy Itinerary

  • Day 1: Getting to Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast
  • Day 2: Pompeii and Sorrento
  • Day 3: Amalfi Coast day trip
  • Day 4: Capri
  • Day 5: Paestum & Castelmezzano
  • Day 6: Castelmezzano & Matera
  • Day 7: Matera
  • Day 8: Alberobello
  • Day 9:Puglia day trip from Alberobello
  • Day 10: Fly home

Southern Italy Itinerary Map | 10 days in Italy Itinerary

Southern Italy Itinerary Map | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Days 1, 2, 3 & 4: Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, & Capri

On day one, fly into Rome or Naples and then get settled into your hotel in Sorrento or one of the Amalfi Coast towns.

Spend the next three days on the Amalfi Coast. During this time, day trip to Capri, spend a day visiting several of the Amalfi Coast towns, and visit Pompeii.

Monte Solaro Capri | 10 days in Italy Itinerary

Capri, Italy

 

Positano in October

Positano

 Marina Grande Sorrento

Marina Grande in Sorrento

We have lots of information about how to plan a trip to the Amalfi Coast. We cover this in much more detail in the Southern Italy Itinerary but here are a few articles to learn more about traveling to this region:

Day 5: Paestum and Castelmezzano

Today, visit Paestum, which sits to the south of the Amalfi Coast. Home to three ancient Greek temples dating back to 450 BC, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is often an overlooked destination in Italy.

Paestum Italy | 10 days in Italy Itinerary

Paestum | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

After your visit, drive east to Castelmezzano (about a 2-hour drive) and get settled in your hotel.

Day 6: Castelmezzano & Pietrapertosa

Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa are two small villages that sit side by side in Basilicata, Italy. Both of them are beautiful to visit and fun to explore. But what makes them even more exciting is the fact that you can get from one to the other on a zipline.

We have been ziplining numerous times around the world and this is a good one! This zipline, also called Volo dell’Angelo (the Angel’s Flight), is one of southern Italy’s most thrilling experiences.

Spend the day in Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa and in the afternoon, drive to Matera. Check into your hotel (you will spend 2 nights in Matera) and have dinner.

Castelmezzano Italy

Castelmezzano | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Day 7: Matera

On this itinerary, you have one full day in Matera. Visit the Rock Church, explore Murgia Materana Park, get a history lesson in a cave house, stroll the picturesque streets, and have lunch and dinner at one of many fabulous restaurants in Matera.

Get the full list in our article Best Things to Do in Matera.

Matera Sunset Spot

Matera

Day 8: Alberobello

In the morning, drive to Alberobello, a town that is famous for its trulli (small round buildings with conical roofs made of stone). Spend your time visiting the two sections of Alberobello, Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccola, do a little shopping, visit several rooftop terraces for views of the town, and have a bite to eat.

Alberobello

Alberobello | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Sleep in Alberobello.

Day 9: Puglia Day Trip

Today you will day trip to towns near Alberobello. Take your pick from Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, Locorotondo, and Cisternino. End the day with dinner in Alberolbello.

Polignano a Mare

Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare
 

Ostuni Italy

Ostuni | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Day 10: Fly Home

Fly home from Bari (the most convenient airport) or return to Naples and fly home from here.

See the full itinerary, with recommendations on how to spend your time in each place: 10 Day Southern Italy Itinerary


Italy Itinerary #5: Off-the-Beaten-Path

For those who don’t mind skipping some of the more popular cities, this Italy itinerary includes several wonderful, off-the-beaten-path destinations. We love this itinerary because it includes some of our favorite spots in Italy. You even get to explore a hidden gem of Europe, San Marino.

For this Italy itinerary you will need to rent a car. You can pick it up on day 1 at the Venice airport or on the morning of day 3 before leaving Venice.

This itinerary works best from June through early October (for hiking in the Dolomites) or from December through March (when the Dolomites becomes a skiing destination). It’s good to know that between mid-April and late May and mid-September through mid-December many cable cars and chair lifts close in the Dolomites for maintenance.

10 Days in Italy: Venice, Dolomites, Verona, San Marino & Tuscany

  • Day 1: Arrive in Venice
  • Day 2: Venice
  • Day 3: Dolomites
  • Day 4: Dolomites
  • Day 5: Verona
  • Day 6: San Marino
  • Day 7: Florence
  • Day 8: Tuscany
  • Day 9: Tuscany
  • Day 10: Fly home

Italy Itinerary Map Venice San Marino Florence

Florence, San Marino, Verona, Dolomites, Venice | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary (map adapted from Google)

Day 1 & 2: Venice

With one and a half to two days in Venice (depending on what time you arrive on day 1), you have just enough time to explore the best of Venice. To help you plan your time read our 1 Day in Venice Itinerary and 2 Days in Venice Itinerary.

Venice Photography

Day 3 & 4: Dolomites

The Dolomites are one of the most gorgeous spots in Italy that we have seen. This is hiking paradise. There are numerous trails, from short easy hikes to all day affairs. The views are spectacular, and you don’t have to be a hiker to enjoy a trip here.

Best Dolomites Hikes

The Dolomites | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

In the Dolomites, the two most popular towns to base yourself are Selva di Val Gardena and Cortina d’Ampezzo. It takes about 2.5 hours to get to either town from Venice. Later, when you transfer to Verona, it is a 2.5-hour drive from Selva di Val Gardena and a 3.5-hour drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo. The drive from both locations is gorgeous. 

Day 5: Verona

Verona Italy

Verona | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Verona is gorgeous, similar to Venice except without the canals, the decay, and the huge numbers of tourists. This is another one of those cities that is perfect for getting lost in (and eating a lot of gelato). Enjoy this low-key day exploring this beautiful city.

Day 6: San Marino

San Marino

San Marino

In the morning drive to San Marino (3 hours, mostly on the highway). You will have the rest of the day to explore this gorgeous, underrated destination in Europe.

Day 7, 8 & 9: Florence and Tuscany

Montalcino Wine Tasting Photo

Wine tasting in Montalcino | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

 

Montepulciano Italy

Montepulciano | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

 

Rooftop Bars in Florence

Rooftop bar in Florence | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Since you have a car, take your pick of where you want to stay in Tuscany. You can choose Florence, Siena, or any of the Tuscan hill towns, such as Montepulciano, Pienza, or San Gimignano, just to name a few. Or even stay in a villa for three nights. It just depends on what kind of experience you want to have.

Day 10

Begin your travels home. Ideally, fly home from the Florence airport. While researching flights, if you find that you don’t have great options from this airport, you might have to return to Venice and fly home from here.


With More Time

Each of the four itineraries listed above are 10-day itineraries. With only 10 days in Italy, it’s tempting to squeeze in as many destinations as possible. But sometimes the best experience is going slower and visiting fewer cities.

If you are lucky enough to have more than ten days, consider adding more time to any of the destinations listed in this itinerary, rather than adding a quick visit to another city. I know that it is tempting to try to see as much as possible, but your holiday may be more enjoyable if you slow down a little bit.

If you have 14 days, you can visit Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, and the Cinque Terre. Learn how to do it in our 14 Day Italy Itinerary.

How to Get Around Italy

For these itineraries, you will get around by rental car and/or train.

For information on renting a car, including rental car fees, drop fees, and things to know ahead of time, take a look at our article Important Things to Know Before Renting a Car in Europe.

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.

Average Trip Costs for Italy

Here are some estimated costs per person for most destinations in Italy (southern Italy, such as Puglia, tends to be cheaper). All prices are in USD. These are averages, so you might see higher prices in the city center of Rome or on the Amalfi Coast at peak season or cheaper prices in Tuscany during the off season.

  • Budget Hotel, double room with two people: $50 – $150
  • Mid-Range Hotel, double room with two people: $150 – $350
  • Luxury Hotel, double room with two people: $350+

Train Travel: To travel from city to city, train fares range from $15 to $60, depending on the distance traveled and the speed of the train. Regional trains can take twice the length of time to cover the same distance as a high-speed train, and cost half as much, but you will be sacrificing sightseeing time. I think it is best to cut costs by staying in a cheaper hotel or eating out less often, so you can take the faster train and have more time exploring the city.

Meals: Meals cost $10 to $30 per dish, depending on the restaurant. To save money, stay in a hotel that offers breakfast, put together picnic lunches, and skip the drinks at dinner.

Entrance Fees: This varies quite a bit, depending on the city and how much you plan to do. Entrance fees can range from zero to very little, for a place like the Dolomites, up to $50 to $100, for a very busy day in Rome or Florence.

Miscellaneous: Factor in approximately $50 USD per day for miscellaneous fees, such as short taxi or Uber rides, souvenirs, etc.

Ravello

Ravello, Amalfi Coast | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Best Time to Go to Italy

Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Italy. The weather is generally pleasant during this time.

Summer is peak season so expect huge crowds of people and more expensive accommodations. Italy can also be very busy during Easter week and around Christmas.

Designing Your Own Italy Itinerary?

These Italy itineraries are 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

To see all of our articles about Italy, take a look at our Italy Travel Guide. For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, visit our Travel Itineraries page.


If you have any questions about how to plan your 10 days in Italy itinerary, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Italy & Europe

EUROPE ITINERARIES: Check out our article 10 Days in Europe: 10 Amazing Itineraries for 10 different ways to visit the best places in Europe. And if you have less time, check out our guide to 25 Ways to Spend One Week in Europe.

EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For more great ideas on where to go in Europe, check out our article 30 Beautiful Places to Visit in Europe.

TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For more travel ideas, here are 10 unique destinations to put on your travel wish list and 10 bucket list destinations from around the world.

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: For more information about the camera gear we carry, check out our Travel Photography Gear Guide.

 

More 10 Day European Itineraries

If you are looking for more ideas on how to spend 10 days in Europe, these itineraries may interest you:

For more great itineraries from Europe and around the world, take a look at our Travel Itineraries page.

 

Best Italy Itinerary 10 Days

 

Italy Itinerary 10 Days

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Comments 465

  1. Avatar for Alex
    Alex

    Hi! Is there a specific itinerary from these 5 you’d recommend for early November? Is it possible to see and navigate dolomites in early November? Debating between creating a 10 day itinerary with Rome and Venice (dolomites) or Rome and Sorrento for early November. Thanks!

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Hello Alex. The best itineraries in November are #1 and #2. The Dolomites are not a good place to visit in November. During this month, many cable cars close for maintenance, the trails can be snow covered, and this region transitions into a skiing destination. In southern Italy, in towns in Puglia and along the Amalfi Coast, hotels and restaurants start closing for the season. You might be OK here early in November, but even in early October in Puglia restaurants were starting to close (during our visit in 2022). Cities like Rome, Florence, Venice are great all year. In November crowds should be relatively low, which is a big advantage of traveling this month. You could have some cloudy days and rain, so keep that in mind. But again, I’d recommend doing itineraries 1 or 2. Cheers, Julie

  2. Avatar for Kurt
    Kurt

    Hi Julie!

    This article has been so helpful in planning my trip to Italy. I am looking to follow your first itinerary for the classic Italian trip. This one suggests training from Rome to Florence early in the morning and spending the day in Florence. I would like to follow this suggestion but what do you do with your luggage if you arrive early in the morning at a new city before you are able to check into your hotel?

    Thanks!
    Kurt

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
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      Julie

      Hello Kurt. In our experience, hotels can generally hold your luggage for you if you room is not ready for check in (we do this a lot and it always works). You just need to make sure you book a property with a front desk, such as a hotel. You may not get this service if you choose something like an apartment or AirBnB. Cheers, Julie

  3. Avatar for Viv
    Viv

    What a wealth of information, thank you! Which of these itineraries work best for a mid-March visit? We like museum/cathedral/monastery visits with a small amount of hikes (and love good food). We have been to the major cities before but that was decades ago and would love to revisit with our daughter at uni who has only been to Pompeii.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
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      Julie

      In March, itineraries #1 and #2 work the best. March is not a great time to visit the Dolomites, unless you want to go skiing, and even then ski season could be winding down. Southern Italy is also very quiet in March and Puglia in particular doesn’t start “waking up” until April. Even the Amalfi Coast will be quiet, with a lot of hotels reopening the end of March into early April, from what I know. So, #1 would be the best one and it covers a lot of Italy’s must see cities. Cheers, Julie

      1. Avatar for Viv
        Viv

        Thank you so much for your reply. We will probably go for itinerary 1. Presumably it works just as well in reverse, as in Venice first and Rome last?

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  4. Avatar for Julie Klein
    Julie Klein

    Hi Julie! We used your advice for our trip to the Big 5 National Parks in Utah, and loved it! Now, planning a trip to Italy and could use a little more advice… We want to focus on the Dolomites, Sienna, and Val d’Orcia, and Florence. Your 10- day itinerary from Vienna to Tuscany sounds a little too packed for our liking and I was wondering if you would recommend the following changes: Fly into Venice or Milan but basically heading straight to Dolomites, skipping Verona and using an agriturismo as our home base in Pienza for day trips to Siena and the surrounding Tuscany cities, then leaving from Florence. Thoughts? Thank you!

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
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      Julie

      Sure, I can do that. Do you have a length of time of travel in mind? And a time of year? The Dolomites need 3 days or more, in my opinion, and is best to visit from mid-June through early October. Rent a car, picking it up at the airport, and drive directly to the Dolomites. I’d keep the car until you get to Florence because it will also be useful for Tuscany. From the Dolomites, drive to Tuscany. I don’t have specific recommendations for agriturismos in that area so you will have to do some research, but staying in that general Val d’Orcia region is a great area for visiting the hill towns (we stayed just outside of Montalcino). 3 to 5 days is a nice amount of time in Tuscany. End in Florence, dropping the car as soon as you get there, because having a car in Florence is a nightmare (the hardest city we have driven in yet, which is saying a lot). After a day or 2 in Florence, fly home. As for planning your time, take a look at our Dolomites Itinerary and Tuscany Itinerary, which have lots of suggestion on how to plan your days. And if you have more questions, feel free to write in again. Cheers, Julie

  5. Avatar for Elias
    Elias

    Hi Julie,

    Great insights, I am planning to visit Italy but already been to Lake Como, Venice, Rome, Milan. The places I am planning to visit beginning of May are Tuscany, Sicily, Puglia, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Florence, Napoli, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii, Alborebello.

    Which ones makes more sense in terms of logistics & itinerary for a 10-12 days trip?

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Hello Elias. If you follow our Southern Italy Itinerary, you will see Napoli, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Puglia and Alberobello. We haven’t been to Sicily yet but from what I know, that in itself could be a 10 to 12 day trip. With one week, you could visit Florence and Tuscany, the Cinque Terre takes 2 to 3 days, so that gets you to 10 days. All of these would be great in May so it would just come down to the one that interests you the most. Cheers, Julie

  6. Avatar for Abhijot singh
    Abhijot singh

    Hello there, we are looking for a motor coach tour for my family members as we are 12-15 people including children and parents for 10 days, we wanted to cover the main cities like Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Venice, Including day trips as it is our first visit, any ideas for that or is there any way we can do it or contact you for the booking and all procedure because we wanted to travel this summer and i want to book it asap. I am expecting a detailed itinerary for day to day, activities offered, tip or tricks so that we can plan out everything according to that way, i am glad that I found amazing content here, well waiting for you reply.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
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      Julie

      Hello Abhhijot. We don’t work as travel agents or plan trips but you can share your preferred itinerary with a travel agent and have them make arrangements for you. You could also take a look at our 10 day Italy itinerary that includes Rome, Florence, and Venice, and use our suggestions to make your own bookings. Cheers, Julie

  7. Avatar for Elizabeth
    Elizabeth

    Hi Julie

    Thank you for all the great information on Italy. Kudos to you for becoming world travelers and sharing your experiences with us.
    I am interested in going to Italy with family (hubs + 2 teen girls) for 10 days at the end of June and through July 4th week. The itinerary that most interest me is #2 and wondering if it makes sense to land in Rome then do Florence and then end the trip south in Naples, Amalfi Coast and surrounding areas. I would try to fly out of Naples (back home to NY). Given this, what do you think is best itinerary. Love all the places you suggested in #2.

    Thanks so much!!

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
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      Julie

      Hello Elizabeth. I agree, all of those places are great! Yes, you can do it in that order as well. You will just have to check flight options because we have found it a lot easier to fly into Rome versus Naples. We live in Maryland and sometimes drive to Newark or JFK to take a direct flight, rather than a layover somewhere, so we use the New York airports as well.
       
      Here is a sample itinerary: (1) arrive in Rome (2) Rome (3) Rome (4) morning train to Florence, day in Florence (5) Florence (6) Tuscany day trip from Florence (7) travel to Sorrento by train, afternoon in Sorrento (8) Amalfi Coast (9) Capri (10) fly home from Naples. If you have an additional day, you can use it in the Amalfi Coast. The downside of doing the itinerary in this direction is the longer travel time on day 7, so you’ll lose a little time on the coast and/or the option to visit Pompeii on the way to Sorrento. But you will gain a few extra hours in Florence, since it’s quick to travel from Rome to Florence on day 4 (versus Sorrento to Florence in our original itinerary).
       
      I hope this helps and let me know if you have more questions! Cheers, Julie

      1. Avatar for Elizabeth
        Elizabeth

        Thank you so much! I have been checking flights and I think you are right about flights direct to Rome and back. I may have to do it this way and follow your itinerary after all. 🙂
        How far is it to get to Rome from Florence?

        1. Avatar for Julie Post
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          Julie

          You can take a high speed direct train between Florence in Rome in about an hour 40 minutes. By car, it is a 3 hour drive. Cheers, Julie

          1. Avatar for Elizabeth
            Elizabeth

            HI it’s me again…

            Do the trains run 24 hours – we managed to book a flight back to NY from Rome but it’s at 10:30 am which means we have to get to the airport around 7:30 am – do you recommend going back to Rome the night before from Florence or can we take a train around 6 am or even 5:30 am to the airport in Rome?

            Do you also have hotel recommendations with good air conditioning since it will be in July?

            Thanks so much for all your help!

          2. Avatar for Julie Post
            Author
            Julie

            Hello Elizabeth. I recommend checking the train timetables so you know how early they start running but I am fairly certain that run at 6 am. However, if it were me, I’d get to the Rome airport the night before, since you have to be at the airport so early and won’t have much contigency time traveling from Florence. It’s a very small chance anything would mess up your schedule but it is our personal preference to stay near the airport (within 30 minutes) the night before an early international flight. As for hotels, we have hotel guides for Rome, Florence, and other cities. If you don’t see a designated hotel guide for a city in our Italy Travel Guide, then we sometimes have recommended hotels listed at the end of other city guides (this is usually for smaller cities). You will still have to check the details for each hotel to confirm they offer air conditioning. In 2022, Tim and I stayed at the Porto Romano Marina Resort the night before our international flight home from Rome. Cheers, Julie

          3. Avatar for Elizabeth
  8. Avatar for Neha
    Neha

    Hi Julie,
    Your website is awesome!! I am following it for sometime but never got a chance to read about how it was started.. I read it recently and I was so happy to read your story..

    I am planning to be in Italy (Rome, Florence and Venice) from November 22 – December 2nd
    would like to know hotel or AirBnB options in these cities.
    What would you recommend. I found Marriott in Rome but looks like it is far from the City Center.

    Thanks in advance.

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