10 Days in Italy: 5 Itineraries for Every Type of Traveler

With 10 days in Italy, you have enough time for an incredible trip, but not enough time to see everything. That’s the good news and the hard news at once. Italy is enormous, wildly varied, and deeply worth savoring. The biggest mistake most people make when planning a 10-day Italy itinerary is trying to fit in too much and ending up exhausted, spending more time on trains than actually in Italy.

We’ve visited Italy six times over the past decade, most recently in November 2024. We’ve done the classic trip through Rome, Florence, and Venice. We’ve driven slowly through Puglia and Tuscany. We’ve hiked the Dolomites and the Cinque Terre, spent lazy afternoons on the Amalfi Coast, and eaten our weight in pasta in just about every region. After all of that, we’ve come to one firm conclusion: there is no single perfect 10-day Italy itinerary. The right one depends entirely on who you are as a traveler.

That’s exactly why this guide exists. Rather than prescribing one route, we’ve built five different 10-day Italy itineraries — each designed for a different travel style, interest level, and set of priorities. Three of those itineraries have their own full, day-by-day planning guides linked below, covering where to stay, how to get tickets, and everything else you need to know.

Before you dive in, ask yourself:

• Is this your first trip to Italy, or have you been before?
• Do you prefer cities and culture, or do you want mountains, coastlines, and the outdoors?
• Are you traveling in summer, or shoulder season?
• Do you want a mostly train-based trip, or are you open to renting a car?

Your answers will point you to the right itinerary. Let’s get started.

Which Italy Itinerary Is Right for You?

The five itineraries in this guide cover very different parts of Italy and are designed for different types of travelers. Here’s how to find your match.

Choose Itinerary #1 (The Classic: Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice) if:

• This is your first trip to Italy
• You want to see Italy’s three most iconic cities
• You prefer traveling by train with no car required
• You want a detailed, fully planned guide to follow

Choose Itinerary #2 (Rome, Amalfi Coast & Florence) if:

• This is your first or second trip to Italy
• Dramatic coastal scenery is high on your list
• You’re okay with slightly more complex logistics around Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
• You’d rather skip Venice and spend more time in the south

Choose Itinerary #3 (Northern Italy: Venice, Dolomites & Lake Como) if:

• You’ve already done Rome, Florence, and Venice
• You love hiking, mountains, or skiing
• You’re visiting between June and September (or December through March for skiing)
• You’re comfortable renting a car for the Dolomites portion

Choose Itinerary #4 (Southern Italy: Amalfi Coast, Matera & Puglia) if:

• You want to get off the tourist trail without leaving Italy entirely
• You’re interested in a road trip format
• Ancient cave cities, trulli houses, and heel-of-the-boot landscapes appeal to you more than Rome and Venice
• You have some Italy experience and don’t need to hit the classic highlights

Choose Itinerary #5 (The Road Less Traveled: Venice, Bologna, San Marino & Tuscany) if:

• You’ve already visited Rome, Florence, and Venice and want something different
• Food and wine are central to how you travel
• You want to explore Tuscany slowly, by car, without a packed schedule
• You’re comfortable renting a car for the full trip
• You’d rather spend your time in places most tourists skip than tick off the same highlights again

Itinerary #1: The Classic — Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice

This is the itinerary we recommend for first-time visitors to Italy, and it’s the most popular route we cover for good reason. In 10 days, you visit Rome, Florence, and Venice — Italy’s three most iconic cities — plus two days in the spectacular coastal villages of the Cinque Terre. The entire trip is done by train, with no car required.

We have a full day-by-day guide for this itinerary, covering where to stay, how to book tickets, and everything else you need to plan this trip. See the complete Classic Italy itinerary here →

Italy Itinerary

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

Read a detailed version of this itinerary, complete with hotel and restaurant recommendations, links to book tickets in advance, and many helpful tips.

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

Days 1 & 2: Rome

Sunset in Rome

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.

Days 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.

Siena, Italy

On this itinerary, you have three days set aside for Florence and Tuscany.

If this is your first trip to Italy, 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.

2 Days in Florence Itinerary: Best Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Pinterest Facebook Flipboard If you are planning your first trip to Florence, this Florence itinerary is perfect for you. With 2 days in Florence, you have just enough time to visit the highlights of this beautiful city. Tour the Uffizi Gallery, climb the dome of the Duomo, see Michelangelo’s David, stroll across Ponte Vecchio, and […]

15 Amazing Day Trips from Florence | The Ultimate Guide

Florence is not only filled with some of Italy’s most awe-inspiring sights, but it also makes a fantastic home base for exploring Tuscany and nearby cities. There is a long list of day trips from Florence, from quick visits to Tuscan hill towns to full day excursions to the Cinque Terre, Siena, and Pisa. Whether […]

Days 6 & 7: Cinque Terre

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.

When traveling by train to the Cinque Terre, you will first arrive in La Spezia and then take the local train to one of 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.

LEARN MORE:  Hiking the Cinque Terre and The Cinque Terre for Budget Travelers

Days 8 & 9: Venice

On day 8, take the train from the Cinque Terre (La Spezia) to Venice. There are no direct trains and 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.

One Day in Venice is really all you need to see the main highlights. Spend the extra day by cruising to Murano and Burano or exploring Venice’s quieter neighborhoods.

Day 10

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

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

If the Amalfi Coast is on your Italy wish list, this is your itinerary. It trades Venice and the Cinque Terre for one of the most dramatic coastlines in the world — turquoise water, cliffside towns, and the island of Capri just a short boat ride offshore. You still get Rome and Florence, but with an extra day in Rome and a three-day stretch on the Amalfi Coast that gives you time to actually breathe it in rather than race through it.

This is a great itinerary for first or second-time visitors to Italy who want two classic cities paired with southern Italy’s coastline. The one honest trade-off: the Amalfi Coast region requires more logistical planning but it’s worth every bit of that effort, just go in prepared.

Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence & Tuscany (map adapted from Google)

Days 1, 2 & 3: Rome

Three days in Rome is a gift. Unlike the Classic itinerary, where you’re perpetually aware of the clock, here you have enough time to visit the major sites without feeling rushed and still have room for the experiences that make Rome memorable. This includes a long dinner in Trastevere, getting lost in a neighborhood you didn’t plan to explore, or revisiting a piazza you loved the day before.

The must-sees remain the same: the Colosseum, the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon, and the Borghese Gallery. With three days you can spread these out comfortably rather than cramming them into two exhausting days. Use the extra time to spend an afternoon in Trastevere, linger over an aperitivo, or go deeper into Rome’s long list of sights. Rome rewards that kind of time.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Book tickets for the Colosseum and Vatican well in advance because both require timed entry and sell out weeks ahead during peak season.

Rome

Plan Your Visit to Rome

Here are a few guides to help you plan your time in Rome, including the top things to do, a detailed 3-day itinerary, plus the best neighborhoods and hotels.

30 Things to Do in Rome | The Ultimate Rome Bucket List

Rome is the capital city of Italy and one of the largest cities in Europe. With its long, rich history, famous landmarks, museums and archaeological sites, the to-do list for visitors is enormous. 30 things to do in Rome sounds like a lot, and it is, but there are many more places we could have […]

3 Days in Rome: The Ultimate Rome Itinerary

Visit the Colosseum, stroll through the historic heart of Rome, tour the Vatican Museums, climb to the top of the dome on St. Peters’ Basilica, cycle the Appian Way, have an aperitif with a spectacular view of Rome, dine on gelato and pizza by the slice…these are all things you can with 3 days in […]

Where to Stay in Rome for the First Time (+ Where NOT to Stay)

If you are trying to decide where to stay in Rome for the first time, you have a lot of options. Do you want to stay in the heart of Rome and easily walk to the city’s top sights? How about a romantic apartment tucked away in a charming neighborhood? Or a hotel with a […]

Day 4: Pompeii and Sorrento

Today you leave Rome and make your way south, with a stop at Pompeii along the way. Take the high-speed train from Rome to Naples (about 70 minutes), then transfer to the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii Scavi station. Store your luggage at the station and spend two to three hours exploring the ruins. Pompeii one of the most remarkable historical sites in all of Italy.

After Pompeii, continue on the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. You’ll most likely arrive in the mid to late afternoon, which is the perfect pace. Check in, take a walk along the marina, have dinner, and try the limoncello. You’ve earned it.

Pompeii

LEARN MORE: How to Visit Pompeii when Traveling Between Rome and Sorrento | How to Travel from Rome to Sorrento, Capri & the Amalfi Coast

Where to Base Yourself

For the three nights covering Capri and the Amalfi Coast, you have two main options and they suit different travel styles.

Sorrento is the most practical choice. It has excellent transport links — ferries to Capri, buses and ferries along the Amalfi Coast, and easy train access back to Naples when it’s time to head to Florence. It’s a genuinely lovely town in its own right, not just a logistics hub, and it tends to be more affordable than staying on the Amalfi Coast itself.

Positano is the more romantic option. Waking up to those cliffside views every morning is something you won’t forget. The trade-off is that it’s more expensive, getting in and out is more complicated, and you’ll feel the logistical friction more on day trip days. If budget isn’t a concern and the Amalfi Coast aesthetic is a big part of why you’re doing this itinerary, it may well be worth it.

We’ve stayed in both. Sorrento is our #1 recommendation, since it is easier to get to, easier to get around from here, and cheaper than Positano. With that being said, there is something special about staying in Positano. You’ll spend more time getting here and then onwards to Florence, but it’s the best option for couples and those not traveling on a strict budget.

LEARN MORE: Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast

Sorrento

Day 5: Capri

Ferries from Sorrento to Capri run frequently and take about 20 minutes. Plan on arriving early because the island gets busy by mid-morning, especially in summer. Once there, take a boat tour around the island, ride the chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro for panoramic views, and wander through the towns of Capri and Anacapri. If the Blue Grotto is on your list, go first thing in the morning before the lines build. 

LEARN MORE: One Day in Capri: How to Plan the Perfect Capri Day Trip | 10 Epic Things to Do in Capri

Via Krupp, Capri 

Day 6: Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most scenic drives in Europe, but that doesn’t mean you have to drive it yourself. In fact, during peak season, self-driving the coast is genuinely stressful: the road is narrow, parking is scarce, and the traffic can be punishing. The bus is an option, though it runs on its own schedule and can be crowded and unpredictable (been there, done that, and we had a miserable experience).

The best way to get around the Amalfi Coast is by private driver, by ferry between towns, or on a small group boat tour. These options let you focus on the views rather than the road, and a boat perspective of the coastline is something the drive simply can’t match. Whichever way you go, make sure to spend time in Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello — three very different towns that together give you the full picture of what makes this coastline so special.

Amalfi Coast

Positano

LEARN MORE: 17 Beautiful Towns to Visit on the Amalfi Coast

Days 7, 8 & 9: Florence and Tuscany

From Sorrento, take the Circumvesuviana to Naples and then the high-speed train to Florence (about 3 hours in total). Leave in the morning and you’ll have the afternoon in Florence to start getting your bearings.

Spend two full days in Florence and one day on a Tuscan day trip. Florence has enough world-class art, architecture, and food to fill several days, but with one and a half days you can cover the highlights comfortably: the Duomo and Brunelleschi’s dome, the Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, and Ponte Vecchio.

On your Tuscany day, head into the hill towns. Siena, San Gimignano, and Pienza are all excellent options and within easy reach of Florence.

San Gimignano, Tuscany

One note on timing: avoid putting Florence on a Monday if at all possible. The Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia are both closed, which takes two of the city’s most important sites off the table for the day.

Where to Stay: The best location is Florence. It’s easy to get here from the Amalfi Coast by train and it has a handy public transportation network, and lots of tours, to day trip into Tuscany. We cover the best locations, hotels, and apartments in our guide, Where to Stay in Florence.

Day 10

Fly home from Florence, or return to Rome if your flight options are better from there.

Itinerary #3: Northern Italy — Venice, Dolomites & Lake Como

This is the itinerary we recommend for hikers, outdoor lovers, and anyone returning to Italy who has already done the classic highlights. It trades Rome and Florence for four days in the Dolomites, which is one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in Europe, bookended by two days in Venice at the start and a memorable finish in Verona, Milan, and Lake Como.

The Dolomites are the centerpiece here and they deserve to be. Jagged limestone peaks, high alpine trails, cable cars, and mountain huts make this one of the best hiking destinations in Europe. You don’t have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy it because there’s plenty to do for all ability levels. But if hiking is your thing, this itinerary will deliver.

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.

We have a full day-by-day guide for this itinerary, with hiking recommendations for all ability levels, where to stay in the Dolomites, and everything you need to plan the trip. See the complete Northern Italy itinerary →

Northern Italy Itinerary

10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary (Dolomites, Venice & Lake Como)

See the full, detailed version of this itinerary.

Northern Italy itinerary map (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.

Venice

LEARN MORE: The Perfect 2 Day Venice Itinerary

Days 3, 4, 5 & 6: The Dolomites

The Dolomites are one of the best places to visit in Italy if you like hiking.

Four days in the Dolomites gives you enough time to explore multiple areas of this vast mountain region without feeling rushed. Hike iconic trails, ride cable cars to high alpine viewpoints, and base yourself in one of the charming mountain villages in Val Gardena or Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Seceda, Dolomites

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Val di Funes

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. There is still an enormous amount to see and do here, from cable car rides to scenic drives to village exploring. Our article on the best things to do in the Dolomites with little to no hiking covers all of it.

For a full breakdown of hikes, day-by-day planning, and everything else you need to know, visit our Dolomites Travel Guide.

You’ll need a rental car for this portion of the trip. Pick it up in Venice before heading north — having your own wheels is essential for getting the most out of the Dolomites.

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

Verona

Spend the afternoon strolling through the streets of Verona. For a full list of things to do, check out our guide Things to Do in 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

An hour by train from Verona, Milan rewards a full day. Visit the Duomo, see Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper (book well in advance because tickets sell out weeks ahead), and spend an afternoon exploring the Brera neighborhood.

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.

Milan

Tonight, sleep in Milan.

Day 9: Lake Como

From Milan, take the train north to Lake Como for your final full day. The village of Bellagio, perched on the tip of the lake’s central peninsula, is one of the most picturesque spots in all of Italy. Take a ferry across the lake, have a long lunch, and soak in the views before returning to Milan for the night.

Bellagio

Tonight, sleep in Milan, Bellagio, or Varenna.

Day 10: Fly Home

Fly home from Milan, which has excellent international connections from both Malpensa and Linate airports.

Itinerary #4: Southern Italy — Amalfi Coast, Matera & Puglia

If you’ve done Rome, Florence, and Venice and want something completely different on your next trip to Italy, this is your itinerary. Southern Italy feels like a different country entirely, with ancient cave cities carved into cliffsides, trulli houses that look like something from a fairy tale, a slower pace of life, and food and wine that rivals anywhere in the country.

This is a road trip itinerary done entirely by rental car, which gives you the freedom to move between destinations that don’t connect well by train. It’s also one of the most rewarding ways to experience Italy, precisely because so few international tourists make it this far south. You’ll have places largely to yourself that would be overrun with crowds if they were anywhere near Rome or Florence.

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.

We have a full day-by-day guide for this itinerary, covering the logistics of the road trip, where to stay, and everything you need to know about each destination. See it here →

Southern Italy Itinerary

Southern Italy Itinerary: Amalfi Coast, Matera, Alberobello & Puglia

See the full, detailed version of this itinerary.

Southern Italy Itinerary Map (map adapted from Google)

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

The itinerary opens in familiar southern Italy territory: Sorrento as your base, Pompeii on the way in, a day on Capri, and a day exploring the Amalfi Coast towns of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.

If you’ve done this region before, you can trim a day here to spend more time further south. If this is your first time on the Amalfi Coast, four days are well spent.

Capri, Italy

Positano

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:

How to Plan an Epic Amalfi Coast Itinerary | From 2 Days to One Week

Visits to beautiful coastal towns, wine tastings, dinner and drinks with a view, shopping, boat tours, relaxing on the beach…these are all the wonderful experiences that you can have on the Amalfi Coast. If you are planning your Amalfi Coast itinerary, there are multiple ways to do it. For those on a whirlwind tour through […]

15 Best Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast of Italy

What do you look for when picking the perfect vacation spot? Beautiful beaches? Charming towns to explore? Shopping? Restaurants with a view? Colorful sunsets? Romance? What if I told you that you could get all of these in one place…the Amalfi Coast. In this article, learn about the best things to do on the Amalfi […]

Driving the Amalfi Coast: What’s It Like & Is It a Good Idea?

Driving the Amalfi Coast is popular bucket list experience. To drive this winding road, past dramatic coastal cliffs, some of the most beautiful towns in Italy, and famous beaches, it sounds like a wonderful thing to do. But does driving the Amalfi Coast live up to the hype? We drove the entire length of Amalfi […]

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

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

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

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

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.

Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare
 

Ostuni

Day 10: Fly Home

Fly home from Bari or Brindisi, both of which have good connections to major European hubs. From there you can connect onward to North America or wherever home is.

Itinerary #5: The Road Less Traveled — Venice, Bologna, San Marino & Tuscany

This is the itinerary for travelers who have already done Rome, Florence, and Venice and are ready to go deeper. It trades the classic highlights for some of Italy’s most underrated experiences: the food city that Italians themselves rave about, a tiny medieval republic that most tourists fly right over, and the rolling hills of Tuscany explored at a genuinely slow pace — by car, with no train schedule to chase.

This is also the itinerary for food lovers and wine lovers. Bologna is widely considered the culinary capital of Italy, and Tuscany needs no introduction on that front. If eating and drinking well is central to how you travel, this route was built for you.

This itinerary requires a rental car for the entire trip. Pick it up in Venice at the start and return it in Venice at the end, which eliminates the drop fee that can add significant cost when returning a car to a different city.

Map of the 10 day route from Venice to Bologna to San Marino to Tuscany | map adapted from Google

Days 1 & 2: Venice

You’re starting in Venice for several reasons. Venice has a large international airport, making it a great entry point into Italy for international travelers. Plus, it’s your pick-up point for the rental car.

Two days gives you enough time to visit the main highlights: St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge, and the quieter canals that most day-trippers never find. Consider spending one of your afternoons on the islands of Murano or Burano.

One important note: you won’t need the car in Venice itself. You have two options — pick it up at the airport on Day 1 and park it at Tronchetto Parking while you explore the city, or wait and pick it up on the morning of Day 3 when you’re ready to leave. Picking it up on arrival costs a little more (two extra days of parking) but saves time and a transfer back to the airport on Day 3. We’ve done it both ways and prefer picking it up on arrival — the convenience on departure day is worth it.

LEARN MORE: 2 Days in Venice Itinerary

Days 3 & 4: Bologna

The drive from Venice to Bologna takes about 2.5 hours and is straightforward on the A13 motorway. Plan to arrive by late morning and give yourself the rest of day 3 to start exploring.

Bologna is one of the most rewarding cities in Italy and one of the least visited by international tourists, which is a large part of its charm.

We didn’t visit Bologna until our 6^th trip to Italy, when we finally spent several days here, and loved every minute of it. The food, the cooking classes, wandering the Quadrilatero, and exploring quiet corners of the city were some of our favorite things to do in Bologna.

Bologna has beautiful medieval porticoes, two iconic leaning towers of its own, and a historic university that has been running since 1088. But what Bologna is truly famous for is its food. This is the home of ragù bolognese, mortadella, tortellini, and tagliatelle. Eating your way through Bologna is not a side activity here — it is the activity.

Spend your two days in Bologna wandering the arcaded streets, visiting the Piazza Maggiore, climbing the Asinelli Tower for views over the city, and eating as much as humanly possible. Consider a food tour or a cooking class if that appeals to you because Bologna is one of the best places in Italy for both.

Day 5: San Marino

San Marino is one of the great overlooked stops in Italy. Technically its own country, a tiny landlocked republic perched on top of Monte Titano, with a medieval old town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most travelers have never been, and most who have wish they’d stayed longer. We are no different.

San Marino is small and compact enough to visit on a day trip from Bologna. We visited San Marino on a day trip to Cervia. I had just raced Ironman Italy the day before, so I walked the hilly streets on very sore legs. It was a memorable day and Tim and I loved the short amount of time we spent here.

San Marino

The drive from Bologna to San Marino takes about 1.5 hours. Plan to arrive mid-morning and spend three to four hours exploring. Walk the walls, visit the three towers, take in the views over the surrounding countryside, and have lunch before continuing on.

You can choose to spend the night in San Marino and then drive to Assisi or Tuscany tomorrow. This is a good option for those who want to linger longer in this hilltop town, but staying overnight there will limit your time in Tuscany or Assisi.

From San Marino, it’s about a 2-hour drive into Tuscany. You’ll be arriving in the late afternoon, which is a perfectly pleasant way to ease into the region. Base yourself somewhere central. Siena, Pienza, or the area around Montalcino all make excellent home bases for the days ahead.

Days 6, 7 & 8: Tuscany

Three days in Tuscany by car is a luxury that most Italy itineraries don’t allow, and this is where the itinerary really rewards you. With your own wheels and no agenda to rush through, you can explore at the pace the region deserves.

The emphasis here is on the hill towns rather than Florence. Siena, San Gimignano, Pienza, Montepulciano, and Montalcino are all within easy reach of each other and could each fill a half day to a full day. Add in a winery visit or two — this is Brunello and Chianti country — and some long lunches, and three days will go quickly.

Wine tasting in Montalcino

Montepulciano

Florence is an optional addition rather than a requirement on this itinerary. If you’ve already been, you may find the hill towns more rewarding. If you haven’t spent much time in Florence, or if the Uffizi or the Duomo are still on your list, it’s easy to build in a day. It’s best done as a day trip from your Tuscany base, since parking in Florence is a headache and staying in the city means giving up your countryside home base.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Tuscany

Day 9: Transfer to Your Departure City

This morning, squeeze in one last Tuscan breakfast or a final visit to whatever you didn’t get to earlier in the week. Then it’s time to start making your way toward your departure airport.

Venice is our #1 recommendation, since that’s where you picked up the rental car. Returning it there eliminates the drop fee, which can be substantial. The drive from central Tuscany to Venice takes around 3 to 3.5 hours depending on where you’re based, so leaving by early afternoon gives you a comfortable arrival time and an easy Day 10 morning.

If Venice feels like too long a drive, Rome or Milan are both viable alternatives. Rome is closer from southern Tuscany and has more international flight options. Milan works better if you’ve been based in northern Tuscany. Both will incur a drop fee for the rental car, so factor that into your budget when deciding because it may still be worth it depending on your flight options and what the fee actually comes to.

Day 10

Fly home or continue your travels.

With More Time

Each of the five 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 two weeks, we have a 14-day Italy itinerary that adds the Amalfi Coast to the Classic route, so you’ll visit Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, and the Cinque Terre. See the full itinerary here →

Two Weeks in Italy

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

How to spend two weeks in Italy: Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Florence, the Cinque Terre, and Venice.

How to Get Around Italy

For these itineraries, you’ll travel around Italy by train or rental car, depending on the route.

Two of the itineraries are designed to be done entirely by train, which is the easiest way to travel between Italy’s major cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan. Italy’s high-speed trains are fast, comfortable, and connect most major destinations in just a few hours.

The other three itineraries include destinations that are easier to visit by rental car, such as the countryside of Tuscany, the Dolomites, and smaller towns that are not well connected by train.

If you plan to rent a car, read our guide to Important Things to Know Before Renting a Car in Europe, where we cover rental fees, drop-off charges, and important driving tips.

For train travel, we recommend using Italiarail.com to search schedules and book tickets. The website is very easy to use, although it charges a €5 booking fee. To avoid this fee, you can book directly on Trenitalia.com, Italy’s official railway website, although it can be a bit more difficult to navigate.

Average Trip Costs for Italy

The cost of a trip to Italy varies widely depending on where you go, when you travel, and your travel style. Major destinations such as Rome, Florence, Venice, the Dolomites, and the Amalfi Coast tend to be more expensive, especially in summer. Smaller towns and regions such as Tuscany, Umbria, and Puglia are often more affordable.

Below are rough average daily travel costs per person to help you estimate your budget. Prices are in USD and are based on our experiences traveling around Italy.

• 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 $75, 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: Expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $75 per day, depending on how many museums and landmarks you visit. In a place like the Dolomites, you’ll be paying for cable car rides rather than museums. And to visit the Cinque Terre, you’ll be paying for train rides and possibly a ticket to hike a portion of the Cinque Terre trail.

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

Estimated Daily Budget

For most travelers, expect to spend approximately:

• Budget travelers: $100–$150 per person per day
• Mid-range travelers: $200–$350 per person per day
• Luxury travelers: $400+ per person per day

Ravello, Amalfi Coast

Best Time to Go to Italy

The best time to visit Italy really depends on where you plan to go.

In general, spring and fall are best for city sightseeing (Rome, Florence, Venice), for touring the Amalfi Coast, and exploring Tuscany. During this time, the weather is pleasant and crowds are not at peak levels.

If hiking in the Dolomites is high on your list, the best time to visit Italy is from June through September, when the roads are open and the cable cars and chairlifts are running.

If southern Italy is your preferred trip, go in spring or early fall. Summers are sweltering and winters are cool, cloudy, and wet.

On the weather graphs below, you can see high and low temperatures and average precipitation for Rome, Florence, Venice, the Dolomites, Puglia, and Sicily.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spending 10 Days in Italy

Is 10 days enough time for Italy?

Ten days is a great amount of time for Italy — enough to have a genuinely rich experience without feeling like you’re racing through the country. That said, Italy is enormous and endlessly varied, and 10 days is really just an introduction. The key is to resist the temptation to cram in too many destinations. Pick one of the itineraries above, commit to it, and give yourself enough time in each place to actually experience it rather than just tick it off a list. Most people who visit Italy on a 10-day trip leave already planning their return.

What is the best 10-day Italy itinerary for first-timers?

For most first-time visitors, Itinerary #1 — the Classic route through Rome, Florence, the Cinque Terre, and Venice — is the right choice. It covers Italy’s three most iconic cities, travels entirely by train, and has a logical flow that minimizes transit time. If the Amalfi Coast is a must for you, Itinerary #2 is a strong alternative that still hits Rome and Florence while swapping Venice and the Cinque Terre for the southern coastline.

Do I need a rental car for Italy?

It depends entirely on which itinerary you choose. Itineraries #1 and #2 are done entirely by train so no car needed or recommended. Italy’s high-speed rail network is excellent and trains are the most practical way to move between Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, and the Cinque Terre. Itineraries #3, #4, and #5 all require a rental car for at least part of the trip, and in the case of #4 and #5, for the entire trip. If you’re nervous about driving in Italy, stick to the train-based itineraries. You won’t miss out on anything essential, and you’ll save yourself a significant amount of logistical stress.

Can I add more cities to the Classic itinerary?

We get this question constantly, and our honest answer is: we don’t recommend it. The Classic itinerary is already a full schedule. Adding another destination means more time on trains and less time actually in Italy, and the train rides between cities, while scenic, add up quickly. If you find yourself wanting to add a city, our suggestion is to add more time to Rome instead. Of all the cities on the Classic itinerary, Rome is the one where an extra day or two pays off the most. If you genuinely need more destinations, consider our 14-day Italy itinerary, which adds the Amalfi Coast and more time in the Cinque Terre to the Classic route.

Ready to Start Planning Your Italy Trip?

If one of the five itineraries above feels like the right fit, the next step is diving into the details — and our Italy Travel Guide is the best place to do that. It’s our central hub for everything Italy, with links to all of our city guides, regional guides, and planning resources organized in one place.

A few of the most useful places to go from here:

For the Classic itinerary (#1): The full day-by-day guide covers Rome, Florence, the Cinque Terre, and Venice in detail — where to stay, how to book tickets, and how to navigate each city without wasting time.

For Northern Italy (#3): Our Northern Italy itinerary post has everything you need for the Dolomites, Venice, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como, including hiking recommendations for all ability levels.

For Southern Italy (#4): The Southern Italy itinerary covers the Amalfi Coast, Matera, and Puglia as a fully planned road trip, with driving logistics, where to base yourself, and what not to miss.

For everything else — when to visit, how to get around, where to stay, what to budget, and which cities deserve more of your time — start with the Italy Travel Guide. We’ve been building it for over a decade and it covers the country more thoroughly than anything else on our site.

Italy Travel Guide

See all of our articles

And if you have questions about any of these itineraries that aren’t answered above, leave them in the comments below. We read and answer every one.

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