Complete 10-day Italy itinerary (day-by-day plan)
Full written version of this 10-day Italy itinerary, including the main stops, transfers, and highlights for each day.
Travelers with more time can expand to the Italy 12-day itinerary or Italy 14-day itinerary.
Day 1: Rome (arrival and historic center)
Arrival in Rome with a relaxed check-in and an easy first evening discovering one of the city’s most elegant baroque squares.
- 16:00 — Check-in in Centro Storico
- 17:30 — Stroll at Piazza Navona
- 19:30 — Dinner at Trattoria Da Enzo al 29
Transport: Arrival transfer to the hotel by taxi or shuttle, plus local walking in the historic center.
Day 2: Rome (ancient highlights and central landmarks)
Full day exploring Rome’s best-known ancient monuments and famous central sights, with time for classic Roman food along the way.
- 09:00 — Colosseum guided tour
- 11:30 — Roman Forum and Palatine Hill visit
- 13:30 — Lunch at Pasqualino Al Colosseo
- 15:00 — Trevi Fountain visit
- 17:00 — Spanish Steps visit and shopping in Via Condotti
- 20:00 — Dinner at Ristorante Hostaria Romana
Transport: Public transport and walking within Rome, with no intercity travel.
Note: For a more immersive experience in Roma, see the Rome 4-day itinerary or Rome 5-day itinerary which includes more attractions and activities.
Day 3: Vatican City day trip from Rome
Day focused on Vatican masterpieces, major religious landmarks, and an easy return to Rome for dinner in the evening.
- 08:30 — Rome → Vatican City (metro + walk)
- 09:00 — Vatican Museums guided tour
- 12:30 — Lunch at Ristorante dei Musei Vaticani
- 14:00 — St. Peter’s Basilica visit
- 17:00 — Vatican City → Rome (metro)
- 19:30 — Dinner at Osteria delle Coppelle
Transport: Metro travel between Rome and Vatican City, plus walking around the museums and basilica.
Day 4: Florence (arrival and first Renaissance sights)
Travel to Florence and start exploring with riverside walks, Tuscan food, and the city’s iconic cathedral complex.
- 08:30 — Rome → Florence (train)
- 10:15 — Check-in in Santa Maria Novella district
- 11:30 — Walk along Ponte Vecchio and explore Oltrarno
- 13:00 — Lunch at Trattoria La Casalinga
- 15:00 — Florence Cathedral and Baptistery visit
- 18:00 — Coffee break at Caffè Gilli
- 20:00 — Dinner at Ristorante Buca Lapi
Transport: High-speed train Rome → Florence, then walking locally in Florence.
Note: For a more immersive experience in Florence, see the Florence 3-day itinerary or Florence 4-day itinerary which includes more attractions and activities.
Day 5: Florence (major museums and sunset views)
Art-filled day in Florence with two of the city’s most important museums and a panoramic evening viewpoint.
- 09:00 — Uffizi Gallery visit
- 12:30 — Lunch at Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori
- 14:30 — Accademia Gallery visit
- 17:00 — Walk and relax at Piazzale Michelangelo
- 20:00 — Dinner at Trattoria Mario
Transport: Primarily walking within Florence city center.
Day 6: Siena day trip from Florence
Excursion into Tuscany for medieval squares, cathedral art, and a slower-paced historic atmosphere before returning to Florence.
- 08:30 — Florence → Siena (bus)
- 10:15 — Piazza del Campo visit
- 12:30 — Lunch at Osteria Le Logge
- 14:00 — Siena Cathedral visit
- 16:30 — Wander around Fonte Gaia and medieval streets
- 18:00 — Siena → Florence (bus)
- 20:30 — Dinner at Il Latini in Florence
Transport: Bus round trip Florence ↔ Siena, plus local walking in Siena and Florence.
Day 7: Venice (arrival and first canal experience)
Travel to Venice and spend the afternoon getting introduced to the city’s canals, main square, and historic atmosphere.
- 07:30 — Florence → Venice (train)
- 09:45 — Check-in in San Marco district
- 10:30 — Walk to St. Mark’s Square
- 12:30 — Lunch at Trattoria da Giovanni
- 14:00 — Visit Doge’s Palace
- 16:30 — Gondola ride on Venetian canals
- 20:00 — Dinner at Osteria alle Testiere
Transport: Train Florence → Venice, plus walking and vaporetto locally.
Day 8: Venice (Dorsoduro, Rialto, and evening aperitivo)
Discover a more local side of Venice through art, neighborhood walks, market areas, and a classic Venetian evening atmosphere.
- 09:00 — Visit Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
- 10:30 — Walk in Dorsoduro district and visit Peggy Guggenheim Collection
- 13:00 — Lunch at Osteria Ai Artisti
- 15:00 — Explore Rialto Market and Bridge area
- 18:00 — Evening stroll and aperitivo at Campo Santa Margherita
- 20:30 — Dinner at Trattoria Anzolo Raffaele
Transport: Walking and vaporetto within Venice, with no intercity transfers.
Note: For a more immersive experience in Venice, see the Venice 3-day itinerary or Venice 4-day itinerary which includes more attractions and activities.
Day 9: Murano day trip from Venice
Short island trip to Murano to explore Venice’s glassmaking heritage, artisan workshops, and quieter canals.
- 09:00 — Venice → Murano (vaporetto)
- 09:45 — Visit Museo del Vetro
- 11:30 — Visit glass workshops
- 13:00 — Lunch at Busa alla Torre
- 15:00 — Leisure walk by Murano canals and church visit
- 17:00 — Murano → Venice (vaporetto)
- 20:00 — Dinner at Antiche Carampane
Transport: Vaporetto round trip Venice ↔ Murano, with walking in both Murano and Venice.
Day 10: Venice (final morning and departure)
Relaxed last morning in Venice with brunch and a final stroll before heading to the airport for departure.
- 09:00 — Brunch at Rosa Salva
- 10:30 — Leisure walk in San Marco area
- 12:30 — Venice → Venice Marco Polo Airport (water taxi)
Transport: Walking in Venice and water taxi transfer to the airport.