Italy is a country you could spend a lifetime exploring, but most of us get a week, and a week is enough for a fantastic first trip. This 7 day Italy itinerary hits the classic trio of Rome, Florence and Venice, three cities that show off very different sides of the country and connect easily by train.
I have kept the pace realistic. You will see a lot, but you will also have time to sit with a coffee and just enjoy being there, which is the whole point of Italy.
Quick Summary
- This route covers Rome, Florence and Venice, connected by fast trains.
- Fly into Rome and out of Venice so you never backtrack.
- Give Rome three nights, Florence two, and Venice two.
- Book major sights and train tickets in advance to save time and money.
- Pack light, since you move between three cities and Venice is full of bridges.
| Trip length | 7 days |
|---|---|
| Cities | Rome, Florence, Venice |
| Getting between them | High speed trains (Rome to Florence about 90 minutes) |
| Book ahead | Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Uffizi, train tickets |
How to travel between the cities
The high speed trains make this route easy. Rome to Florence takes about ninety minutes, and Florence to Venice takes around two hours. Book these train tickets in advance for the best prices, and choose the fast services rather than the slow regional ones for the long hops.
Fly into Rome and out of Venice, or the reverse, so you do not have to backtrack. This is called an open jaw flight and it saves you a wasted travel day.
| Days | City | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Rome | Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon, Trastevere |
| 4 to 5 | Florence | Duomo, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo |
| 6 to 7 | Venice | Grand Canal, St Mark's, Burano and Murano |
Days one to three, Rome
Give Rome three nights, since there is a lot to take in.
- Day one: Start with ancient Rome. Tour the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, ideally with a timed ticket booked ahead. In the afternoon, walk to the Pantheon, which is free and stunning inside, then throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain.
- Day two: Head to Vatican City. See St Peter's Basilica, which is free, and the Vatican Museums, ending with the Sistine Chapel. Book the museums online to skip the huge queue. Spend the afternoon wandering the charming Trastevere district across the river.
- Day three: Slow down. Explore Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps and the little streets in between. Do some shopping, eat a long lunch, and enjoy gelato. This buffer day stops the city from feeling like a checklist.
Eat the Roman pasta classics while you are here, and always walk a few streets away from the big sights to find better, cheaper food.
Days four and five, Florence
Take a morning train to Florence and settle in for two nights.
- Day four: Dive into Renaissance art and architecture. See the Duomo, the enormous cathedral with its famous dome, and climb it if you have the legs for the view. Wander to the Ponte Vecchio, the old bridge lined with jewellers, and cross to the other side for a different feel.
- Day five: Book ahead for the Uffizi Gallery, home to some of the most famous paintings in the world, or the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David. In the afternoon, climb or take a bus up to Piazzale Michelangelo for the best view over the terracotta rooftops, especially at sunset.
Florence is compact and walkable, so you can see a lot without rushing. It also makes a great base if you want to add a day trip.
Optional day trip from Florence
If you would rather swap a city day for countryside, Florence is the gateway to Tuscany. A day tour into the rolling hills and vineyards, or a train to nearby towns like Siena or Pisa, gives you a change of pace. Only do this if you feel you have seen enough of Florence itself, since two days there is already fairly tight.
Days six and seven, Venice
Take the train north to Venice for your final two nights.
- Day six: There is only one way to arrive in Venice, and that is by stepping out of the station to the Grand Canal. Spend the day getting lost on purpose in the maze of canals and bridges. See St Mark's Square, the Basilica and the Doge's Palace. Ride a vaporetto, the water bus, down the Grand Canal for a cheap alternative to a gondola.
- Day seven: Escape the crowds by taking a boat to the outer islands. Burano, with its rainbow coloured houses, and Murano, famous for glassmaking, are both lovely. Come back for a final Venetian dinner and a last wander through the quiet evening streets.
Venice empties out in the evenings once the day trippers leave, so the nights are the best time to enjoy it.
Practical tips for the week
- Pack light, since you will be moving between three cities and dragging heavy bags over Venice's bridges is no fun.
- Book your major sights and train tickets in advance to save both time and money.
- Validate regional train tickets before boarding where required, and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded tourist spots.
- Carry a refillable bottle, since all three cities have public fountains with safe drinking water.
- Eat where the locals eat, avoid the photo menu restaurants beside the landmarks, and try each city's regional specialities.
Save time and money
Book timed tickets and train seats in advance, validate regional train tickets before boarding, and carry a refillable bottle for the public fountains in all three cities.
Is a week enough
Seven days will not let you see all of Italy, and it is not meant to. What it does is give you three unforgettable cities, each with its own character, connected by easy train rides. You get ancient history in Rome, Renaissance beauty in Florence and dreamlike canals in Venice.
If you have more time, you could add the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre or the lakes in the north. But as a first taste of Italy, this route is hard to beat. Follow it at a relaxed pace, leave room for long lunches, and you will come home already planning the next trip.