10-Day Italy Itinerary: Experience the Best of Italy in 10 Days
Are you planning to visit Italy and wondering how to make the most out of your trip? This 10-day Italy itinerary will guide you through the best sights and experiences in Italy. From the stunning architecture and art of Rome to the scenic landscapes and food of Tuscany, this itinerary will provide you with a comprehensive view of the best that Italy has to offer.
This 10-day Italy itinerary
will take you through some of the most beautiful and historic places
in Italy. From Rome's ancient ruins and Vatican City's art to
Florence's Renaissance masterpieces and Tuscany's scenic landscapes,
to Amalfi Coast's breathtaking beauty and Venice’s art treasures,
you will experience the best of Italy. Pack your bags, book your
tickets, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Italy.
Here are some additional tips for planning your trip:
✔️Book your flights and accommodation well in advance, especially if you're traveling during peak season.
✔️Get a travel insurance policy to protect yourself against unexpected events.
✔️Learn some basic Italian phrases, such as "hello", "goodbye", "please" and "thank you."
✔️Be prepared for crowds, especially in popular tourist destinations.
✔️Pack comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking.
With a little planning, you can have an unforgettable trip to Italy!
Start your Italian adventure in Rome, the capital city, and the heart of Italy. Rome is known for its history, art, and architecture, and it is impossible to see everything in just one day, so spend at least a couple of days there.
PRO TIP: Get the convenient Rome Tourist Card to enter the city's top highlights: it gives you access to Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, St Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.
Armando al Pantheon is a family-run restaurant that has been serving up classic Roman dishes since 1961. The menu features all the favorites, such as carbonara, amatriciana, and cacio e pepe.
I suggest to stay at Hotel Forum, the only hotel located right in front of the Imperial Forum. It also boasts a refined roof garden restaurant, where one breathes a unique atmosphere. The elegant lobby is a welcoming meeting place, where at the end of the day it is pleasant to sip a cocktail, choosing from a rich selection of wines and spirits.
Grand Hotel Palatine is a 4-star hotel, located in the Monti district, close to the large archaeological area that includes the Colosseum, Imperial Forum, Palatine, Circus Maximus, Caelian and Baths of Caracalla.
It has different types of rooms including rooms with views of the Quirinale or Vittoriano, Junior Suites and Suites with private terrace on the Top Floor from where to enjoy a splendid view of the city.
Le Spighe Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, also to outside visitors, and serves seafood and land-based cuisine to rediscover the best dishes of Roman and national tradition.
Hotel Degli Artisti is located on a quiet street in the heart of Rome, near the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. The hotel has 35 family friendly, bright, spacious and welcoming rooms, equipped with the most modern comforts, overlooking both the inner courtyard and the beautiful garden of the Sant'Isidoro Church.
Set on the upper floors of a historic building in Rome's Monti district, Princeps Boutique Hotel offers stylish soundproofed rooms with marble bathrooms and free WiFi. The property is directly opposite the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. A buffet-style breakfast is provided daily, including fresh fruit, croissants and cakes as well as cold cuts, eggs and cheese.
Mama Roma is, at the same time, a hotel, a bustling urban retreat, a gastronomic address for those in search of authentic flavors, and a space to work, have fun, and relax in the spa with indoor pool, sauna, hammam, and a collected fitness center.
From the first time you enter the hotel and common areas, you are welcomed into bold, cutting-edge design environments, where mosaic floors and stylized capitals depicted on the walls meet contemporary geometric shapes and ceilings decorated with the works of graphic designer and artist Beniloys.
Hearty and delicious recipes of typical Roman cuisine make up the generous menu of Mama Roma restaurants, which includes delicious pizzas baked in wood-fired ovens and Mama signature dishes with an international flair. The different restaurants, with large tables that invite conviviality and sharing, are also open to outside guests, with separate access.
Located in a splendid Art Nouveau building from the late 1800s, Hotel Artemide has comfortable, elegantly furnished and carefully soundproofed rooms. The Restaurant & Bar on the terrace offers a rich and refined menu, an ideal place to fully experience the evocative sunsets over the eternal city. Finally, the area dedicated to the SPA, is a cozy haven to regenerate in full relaxation.
A magical place that tells a long family history reborn within a historic building that offers a complete welcome between art, design and taste and where sustainability is a concept that embraces every aspect. Palazzo Ripetta attaches great value to the theme, so much so that it has obtained the international Green Key certification that demonstrates the accommodation's environmental commitment to the territory. The eco-friendly vocation guides every choice: from the waste compactor, to the courtesy products, to the collateral of the rooms that are eco-sustainable and made from recycled and recyclable materials.
Trattoria da Teo, in the heart of Trastevere neighborhood, is a great place to try traditional Roman cuisine in a nice and casual atmosphere. Booking is recommended as the place is consistently popular with locals.
The famous Spanish Steps (Italian: Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) is the monumental baroque stairway of 135 steps between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, dominated by the Trinità dei Monti church, at the top.
Take an amazing day trip to Pompeii, one of the world's most important archaeological sites on a day tour from Rome. Travel on an air-conditioned bus, take a panoramic tour of Naples, enjoy a real Neapolitan pizza for lunch. Then enter the amazing UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pompeii with skip-the-line tickets, spend the afternoon exploring and learning about the history of this fascinating city and see the ruins of its temples, theaters, and homes.
If you're looking for a charming and elegant stay in the heart of Positano, Hotel Palazzo Murat is an excellent choice. It is situated just 250 meters from the beach, but you won't have to climb as many steps as other places to reach the main shopping, restaurants, and beach.
This 18th-century building is surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens and offering breathtaking panoramic views of the town. The spacious rooms are designed with your comfort in mind and offer stunning views of the sea, garden, or perched town.
Guests can enjoy a sumptuous buffet spread each morning on the courtyard, which overlooks the gardens. Indulge in homemade local specialties at Al Palazzo restaurant, set on a porch surrounded by citrus trees, a true oasis in the heart of bustling Positano.
Casa Buonocore is a hidden gem in the heart of Positano. This charming family-run hotel offers guests an unforgettable stay just a short 5-minute walk from the stunning sandy beaches.
The hotel's elegant air-conditioned rooms feature beautiful white-themed decor, free Wi-Fi, and breathtaking views. The Junior Suite and Deluxe rooms boast private balconies with seating areas, while the Superior room offers a panoramic terrace overlooking Positano. Guests can relax in the beautiful garden or unwind in the cozy library with fine tiled floors and large windows. Every morning, a sweet breakfast buffet is served on the charming patio.
This charming hotel is just a few steps from the main road, surrounded by pleasant shops and restaurants. The interior of Miramare is just as appealing as the natural scenery, featuring arches, vaults, and small openings.
The rooms are spacious and bright, with traditional Italian decor, terracotta tile floors, crisp white linens, and a terrace or balcony with an incredible sea view. The dining terrace is equally stunning, with a mature bouganville vine growing on the ceiling, creating a wonderful indoor garden setting for breakfast or dinner.
If you want to experience the beauty of Positano in a peaceful atmosphere, Miramare is the ideal choice.
Discover the beauty of Positano at the luxurious Buca di Bacco hotel, perfectly located above the stunning Marina Grande. Wake up to breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and indulge in a delicious breakfast buffet that includes bacon and eggs.
The hotel's restaurant boasts a sea-view terrace, specializing in authentic Amalfi-Coast cuisine and fresh seafood, such as spaghetti with baby clams, lemon mousse, and wild fennel liqueur. Each room has a classic decor with traditional dark-wood furnishings, air conditioning, and satellite TV.
Most rooms offer stunning views of the Spiaggia Grande beach and the sea. Experience the perfect blend of Italian charm and modern amenities at Buca di Bacco, where every moment feels like a dream.
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Hotel Piccolo Sant'Andrea Luxury Suite Hotel & Spa
If you're looking for a luxurious and unforgettable vacation on the Amalfi Coast, The Piccolo Sant’Andrea Luxury Suite Hotel & spa in Praiano is the perfect choice. This hotel offers everything you could want and more, from exquisite dining options to a spa with exclusive treatments.
One of the standout features of this hotel is its location perched right over the sea. From every room and suite, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the sea and surrounding landscape. The modern design with influences from Venetian art adds a touch of elegance to the rooms, making for a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
Each room and suite is designed with personalized services in mind, ensuring that each guest has a one-of-a-kind vacation. Whether you choose a room with a panoramic terrace or a romantic private garden, you'll be surrounded by green nature and absolute privacy.
The Pietra Piana Restaurant is another highlight of this hotel. The chef creates unique and refined flavors using typical Campanian recipes, providing an incredible gastronomic experience that you won't forget. And if you're looking for a drink and a view, the cocktail bar with its panoramic terrace is the perfect location to enjoy an aperitif.
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Day 5: Amalfi Coast
Pastel-colored houses, steep
winding streets, and a charming atmosphere await you in Positano, a
favorite destination for travelers seeking a romantic and picturesque
Italian experience.
Then enjoy an Amalfi
Coast day tour, or go around at leisure with your rental car, to get to know the picturesque towns of Amalfi and Ravello and the breathtakingly beautiful coastline with colorful houses perched on cliffs, turquoise waters and delicious food.
Drop off your rental car at Naples Central Train Station and take a high-speed train from Naples to Florence, the capital of Tuscany, and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Florence is known for its art, architecture, and food, and it is the perfect place to experience the best of Tuscany.
Giotto’s Bell Tower: Located right next to the gorgeous Florence Cathedral, the stunning Giotto's bell tower is a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture, offering amazing panoramic views of the city.
Trattoria dell'Oste is a family-run restaurant and a great place to try authentic Tuscan dishes, such as ribollita, pappardelle al cinghiale, and bistecca alla fiorentina, in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
A modern, cosmopolitan hotel with 171 rooms unlike anything currently available in Florence, that has its central core of 66 rooms in the original monastery next to the eponymous church of San Paolino. A place to heavenly relax and be infernally amused. The 25hours hotel in Florence follows the story of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, reinterpreted in a unique and humorous way, as the hotel rooms are divided into two categories: Paradise and Hell. The San Paolino restaurant epitomises Italian cuisine, offering the best produce from all regions of the country, although Tuscany occupies a special place on the menu.
Strategically situated in the heart of Florence, the Art Atelier Hotel is a refined four-star establishment, ideally positioned for exploring the city's wonders.
It offers 19 elegantly appointed rooms with exposed brick ceilings, artisanal floral decorations, and top-notch furnishings.
A 4-star boutique hotel located in the heart of Florence, between the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, Hotel Calzaiuoli encapsulates a blend of style, optimal location and comfort.
The 54 rooms, spread over four floors of a prestigious historic Florentine palace, boasts elegant style and high-profile services, and are perfectly suited to every type of need and stay. There are four types, different in style and color scheme, but all equally comfortable and cozy, with parquet flooring.
The excellent breakfast buffet, with sweet and savory products, is prepared in the cozy room with large windows and a view of the Florentine street. The property is also pet friendly, welcoming small and medium-sized pets at no extra charge.
In the splendid setting of Piazzale Michelangelo, the Art Hotel Villa Agape is an historical villa that offers guests enchanting rooms that provide unparalleled views of the Tuscan scenery and the private estate’s magnificent gardens.
Grand Hotel Mediterraneo is a contemporary-style 4* hotel on the Lungarno in a strategic location for exploring the city and major attractions, such as Piazzale Michelangelo, Piazza Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery.
It offers spacious and welcoming spaces characterized by comfort and functionality that lend themselves perfectly to both leisure and business stays.
Gastronomic offerings are also rich thanks to the hotel's Arno restaurant, which offers traditional Tuscan cuisine with a range of daily specials, and the American Bar "Lounge Bar," which serves international cuisine that can be paired with classic cocktails.
During the summer period it is also possible to relax at the delightful Terrace Bar adjacent to the Lounge Bar
I suggest to stay at Hotel Spadai, located only 100 meters from the Cathedral. The result of the complete restoration of an imposing Renaissance building, it boasts luxurious rooms, a welcoming private spa and a magnificent view of the Brunelleschi dome.
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Florence Day 7: Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, and Boboli Gardens
Start the day visiting the Uffizi Gallery, then take a walk across the Ponte Vecchio to reach Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens.
The Palazzo Pitti is a vast, mainly Renaissance, palace situated on the south side of the River Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio. The core of the present palazzo dates from 1458 and was originally the town residence of Luca Pitti, an ambitious Florentine banker.
Osteria Santo Bevitore is known for its creative and innovative take on traditional Tuscan cuisine. The menu features a variety of seasonal dishes, all of which are made with fresh, local ingredients.
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Day 8: Day Trip to Siena and Chianti
Experience the beauty and taste of Tuscany with the Siena and Chianti Wine Tour from Florence that combines culture, history, and wine in a way that will leave you with unforgettable memories. A knowledgeable and friendly guide will take you on a well-organized journey through the stunning Tuscan countryside in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. The tour's highlight is a visit to a local winery where you can sample the delicious Chianti wine and extra virgin olive oil.
Trattoria Mario has been serving up classic Florentine cuisine since 1930. The menu features all the favorites, such as bistecca alla fiorentina, lampredotto, and trippa alla fiorentina, in a casual and friendly atmosphere.
Go explore this wonderful city with a true Venetian on a 2-hour free tour of Venice. You'll walk the city's streets and see the most important landmarks of the City of Canals:
Doge’s Palace: A magnificent Gothic-style palace that served as the residence of the Doge, the political leader of Venice, and now a museum showcasing the city’s history and art.
One of the most impressive cathedrals in the world, Saint Mark's Basilica is a breathtaking masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Its opulent exterior is adorned with intricate mosaics that shimmer in the Venetian sunlight, while its domes and spires seem to reach for the heavens. This iconic cathedral, often referred to as the "Church of Gold" due to its golden mosaics, houses an extensive collection of religious relics and art, making it a significant religious and cultural center in Venice. With its rich history and unparalleled beauty, Saint Mark's Basilica stands as a symbol of the city's grandeur and spiritual significance.
Grand Canal: The main waterway of Venice, lined with stunning palaces, churches, and historic buildings, offering a picturesque and quintessential Venetian experience.
Rialto Bridge: The iconic bridge that spans the Grand Canal and is one of Venice’s oldest and most recognizable landmarks, featuring shops and markets.
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Taste your way through Venice on a guided food and wine tour that will take your to the best of the city's famous wine bars, known locally as bacari, where you'll enjoy excellent wine, as well as being treated to delicious typical dishes.
I suggest to stay at the Hotel Donà Palace, a luxury and elegant boutique hotel once the residence of the Doge Donà, housed in a 14th century palace overlooking Rio di Palazzo Ducale with its famous Ponte dei Sospiri, just a short walk from Piazza San Marco. While being close to many important Venetian monuments, the hotel’s luxurious accommodations and accommodations have an intimate and peaceful atmosphere that blends perfectly with the reflective warmth of Venetian Gothic design.
Hotel Pensione Accademia is well-known for its lush gardens and for its location. In the heart of the historic center and right next to the Grand Canal, the hotel is cherished by art lovers for its proximity with museums and for its calm and relaxing setting.
The rooms, different one from another, are furnished in Venetian style and overlook the canal or the inner gardens, where you can spend quiet moments savoring an aperitif.
The Palazzo Hotel Sant’Antonin is located a few steps from Piazza San Marco, surrounded by a medieval court and one of the largest private gardens in Venice.
The palace dates back to the beginning of the 16th Century, when it was built as a warehouse for important merchants. All the rooms have modern amenities and feature the original furniture and accessories that decorated this house for the past two centuries.
La Residenza is housed in an elegant historic building, in the vicinity of San Marco Square, just a short distance from Riva degli Schiavoni. This 2 star hotel is located in the prestigious 15th century Gritti-Badoer Palazzo, which once belonged to noble Venetian families. It stands out for its elegant Gothic-Byzantine architecture and finely restored interiors, featuring period furnishings and 18th century paintings.
The eclectic and theatrical Hotel Metropole seduces with its sophisticated Oriental charm, exceptional attention to detail and extravagant atmosphere. A lush, fragrant garden, ideal for outdoor dining, dominates the exterior with exotic palm trees and jasmine.
Spectacular lagoon views frame an antiques collection, an Oriental-inspired spa, and the enchanting Oriental Bar with a retro spirit and Speakeasy savoirfaire. A sensual retreat that can awaken all the senses.
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Day 10: Venice
Start the day enjoying a gondola ride through the canals of Venice, with a 30 minute shared gondola ride and an introduction to the gondola experience before embarkation on gondola
Peggy Guggenheim Collection: One of the most important galleries of modern art in Europe. You'll discover pieces from the 20th century that encompass a wide range of styles and techniques, from Cubism to Surrealism.
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Hi! I’m Maria, italian Travel Creator with a passion for Italy and a background as a travel and food writer.
A passionate traveler myself, I constantly explore my own country, Italy, far and wide, from North to South, discovering and testing (and tasting too, of course ;) off-the- beaten-path destinations, exciting experiences and delicious food.
Over time I shared my extensive, first-hand knowledge of Italy through my articles and on my blog Compagnia dei Viaggiatori. Now it's the pillar to create original travel guides and tailor-made itineraries for discerning travellers to Italy willing to live an authentic Italian travel experience.
Will you be the next one?