10 Day Italy Itinerary for First-Time Travelers (With Travel Routes & Tips)
A 10 day Italy itinerary with must-see cities, day-by-day plans, travel tips, and highlights across Rome, Florence, Venice & Amalfi Coast.
In this 10 day Italy itinerary we focus on Rome’s historic ruins, the art of Florence, romantic canals of Venice, and the gorgeous scenery along the Amalfi Coast.
We’ve laid out a perfect balance of sightseeing, downtime, and authentic local experiences, with tips along the way to help you make the most of each destination. I’ve also included several ways you can structure this itinerary at the end.
Days 1-3: Rome
In Rome, every corner feels like a scene from a movie. The city’s layers of ancient landmarks, fountains, and piazzas are unforgettable. You'll walk through history and eat like royalty. Expect epic views, perfect pasta, and some of Italy’s most famous icons.
Day 1 – Rome’s Ancient Highlights
- Morning: Tour the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
- Afternoon: Visit the Pantheon and grab lunch near Piazza Navona.
- Evening: Stroll to the Trevi Fountain, toss a coin, then enjoy dinner in the Centro Storico.
Day 2 – Vatican & Art
- Morning: Visit St. Peter’s Basilica and its dome.
- Afternoon: Tour the Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel.
- Evening: Explore the Trastevere district for a casual dinner and lively atmosphere.
Day 3 – Leisure & Local Feel
- Morning: Walk through Villa Borghese Gardens or tour the Borghese Gallery.
- Afternoon: Shop and relax near the Spanish Steps.
- Evening: Enjoy an aperitivo and farewell dinner in Rome.
Days 4-5: Florence
Florence is a walkable city packed with artistic masterpieces, Renaissance architecture, and cozy trattorias. You’ll spend your days admiring timeless works and evenings soaking in sunset views with a glass of Tuscan wine.
Day 4 – Florence’s Famous Sights
- Morning: Visit the Duomo and climb Brunelleschi’s dome.
- Afternoon: Tour the Uffizi Gallery, then walk the Ponte Vecchio.
- Evening: Head to Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views and a sunset dinner.
Day 5 – Tuscany Day Trip
- All Day: Take a guided wine tour or visit towns like San Gimignano, Siena, or Montepulciano.
- Evening: Return to Florence and enjoy dinner in the Oltrarno district.
Days 6-7: Venice
Venice offers an entirely different rhythm. With no cars, you'll wander cobblestone lanes and float past palazzos. The experience here is romantic, atmospheric, and beautifully unique.
Day 6 – Venice Classics
- Morning: Visit St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
- Afternoon: Walk the Rialto Bridge and shop at nearby markets.
- Evening: Gondola ride through the canals, followed by seafood dinner on the Grand Canal.
Day 7 – Murano & Burano
- Morning to Afternoon: Take a vaporetto to Murano and Burano. Explore the glass shops and colorful buildings.
- Evening: Return to Venice for a peaceful dinner in the Cannaregio neighborhood.
Days 8-10: Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is pure eye candy. Colorful homes perched on cliffs, lemon groves, and warm beaches make it one of the most scenic places in Italy. Each town has its own flavor, and the views will stay with you long after your trip ends.
Day 8 – Arrive & Explore Positano
- Morning: Travel to the Amalfi Coast from Venice or Florence (train to Naples, then transfer).
- Afternoon: Check into a hotel in Positano, walk around town, enjoy the beach or scenic stairs.
- Evening: Dinner with views at a cliffside restaurant.
Day 9 – Amalfi & Ravello
- Morning: Visit Amalfi, tour the Amalfi Cathedral, and enjoy a coffee in the piazza.
- Afternoon: Head up to Ravello for Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone.
- Evening: Return to Positano or stay in Ravello for a peaceful dinner.
Day 10 – Relax & Depart
- Morning: Enjoy a relaxed breakfast with sea views or a quick swim.
- Afternoon: Travel to Naples or Rome for your departure.
- Evening: Fly out or stay overnight near the airport if needed.
✨ Additional Tips
✈️ How to Structure Your 10 Day Italy Itinerary: Travel Routes Explained
There are three main ways to organize your 10 day Italy itinerary depending on how you’re flying in and out, and how you want to spend your travel days. Each one works, but some are more convenient than others — especially if you're looking to avoid long train rides.
✅ Option 1: Classic North-to-South Route
Rome → Florence → Venice → Amalfi Coast
- Why choose it: This order is popular for first-time travelers who want to build from ancient Rome up to romantic Venice and finish with beach time on the Amalfi Coast.
- How it flows:
- Day 1–3: Rome
- Day 4–5: Florence
- Day 6–7: Venice
- Day 8–10: Amalfi Coast (train from Venice to Naples, then transfer)
- Downside: You’ll spend a long travel day getting from Venice to Amalfi, which can take 6–7+ hours with transfers.
🌟 Option 2: Reverse Route (South-to-North)
Rome → Amalfi Coast → Florence → Venice
- Why choose it: You front-load the longer travel early, and end in Venice, which is very relaxing and makes for a beautiful send-off.
- How it flows:
- Day 1–3: Rome
- Day 4–5: Amalfi Coast
- Day 6–7: Florence
- Day 8–10: Venice
- Bonus: Easier travel flow. You take the long Naples → Florence train in the middle of your trip when you're not tired.
- Best for: Travelers flying into Rome and out of Venice (open-jaw/multi-city flights).
✈️ Option 3: Loop Style (Fly In & Out of Rome)
Rome → Amalfi → Florence → Venice → Back to Rome
- Why choose it: If round-trip flights into Rome are cheaper or easier to find.
- How it flows:
- Day 1–3: Rome
- Day 4–5: Amalfi Coast
- Day 6–7: Florence
- Day 8–9: Venice
- Day 10: Return to Rome and fly home next morning
- Downside: You’ll need to backtrack from Venice to Rome, which is another 4-hour train ride.
- Tip: Take a late train on Day 9 or early on Day 10, and sleep near the airport.
🧳 Which Route is Right for You?
| Itinerary Option | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (North to South) Rome → Florence → Venice → Amalfi |
Logical flow from cities to coast Easy to understand for first-timers |
Long travel day from Venice to Amalfi Coast | First-timers with flights into Rome and out of Naples or back to Rome |
| Reverse (South to North) Rome → Amalfi → Florence → Venice |
More efficient travel order Ends in Venice — romantic and relaxing |
Requires open-jaw flights (Rome in, Venice out) | Travelers wanting smooth transitions with minimal backtracking |
| Loop (Round-Trip Rome) Rome → Amalfi → Florence → Venice → Rome |
Simple round-trip flights Good for using points or finding cheap deals |
Backtracking from Venice to Rome adds 4+ hours of travel | Budget travelers or those flying in and out of Rome |
💡 Pro Tip: Use Open-Jaw Flights
To avoid wasting time backtracking, book what airlines call an "open-jaw" ticket:
- Fly into Rome (FCO)
- Fly out of Venice (VCE) — or vice versa
This often costs about the same as a round-trip ticket and can save you a half day of travel time.
Explore Italy in 8 days with this itinerary featuring Rome, Venice, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast.