Italy Itinerary: How I’d Plan My First 10-Day Trip

If I had 10 days for my first trip to Italy, I’d focus the itinerary on Rome and Florence, then use the last few days to choose between Venice or an experience in Tuscany, depending on what kind of trip you prefer. If you’re more interested in history and art, I’d probably lean toward Venice. If food, smaller towns, and slower travel sound more appealing, Tuscany might make more sense.

Introduction

Hi! My name is Bruna, I’m the author of this blog, and in this post I’m going to help you plan a 10-day trip to Italy.

As usual around here, I don’t really like giving you a completely fixed itinerary, because I strongly believe that everyone has different priorities when they travel.

Personally, I’d probably plan a huge trip around Italy just to see all the places with a lot of history, because that’s one of the things that interests me most about the country.

Well… unfortunately, I’ve never been to Italy 😅

But I spent the whole week researching what I would do if I finally went, and I’m going to share all of it with you in this post!

And here’s something I realized while researching: 10 days in Italy are nowhere near enough to see everything I’d like to see.

I’m particularly interested in visiting cities in northern Italy, in addition to Rome, of course. Milan, Genoa, Verona, Bologna…

Honestly, Venice isn’t really at the top of my personal list.

But I know that a lot of people planning their first trip to Italy will absolutely want to see Venice. And after researching it more, I realized that simply leaving it out because it isn’t one of my priorities wouldn’t make much sense.

So I wanted to do something a little different here.

Instead of pretending there is one perfect 10-day Italy itinerary, I want to show you how I would think about this trip and give you some alternatives so you can adapt it to your own interests.

Because if you’re interested in history like I am, you’ll probably plan a very different trip from someone who is mainly going to Italy for the food, landscapes, or experience of visiting smaller towns.

And that’s exactly what I love about planning a trip.

Can you see Italy in 10 days?

You can absolutely have a great first trip to Italy in 10 days.

But see all of Italy in 10 days?

Definitely not.

And I think it’s important to make that distinction before planning any itinerary.

Italy has an enormous number of cities, regions, islands, historic sites, museums, beaches, mountains, and completely different experiences.

Rome alone has an overwhelming number of historical places to visit. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains an incredible amount of archaeological and cultural heritage.

And the same goes for the rest of the country.

So I wouldn’t try to build a 10-day itinerary that goes through five or six cities just so I could put more names on the list.

I’d rather see fewer places and actually enjoy each one.

How I’d choose the cities for my first trip to Italy

Before deciding where I’d sleep every night, I’d ask myself a few questions.

1. Does this place match what I actually want to see?

For me, history and culture would be pretty high on the list.

But maybe for you it’s food, beaches, landscapes, architecture, museums, nightlife, small towns, shopping, or simply that feeling of being somewhere completely different.

2. How much time am I going to lose getting from one place to another?

This is something I think is really important.

It’s one thing to look at a map and think:

“Oh, this city is here and that one is over there.”

It’s another thing to remember that every time you change cities, you have to:

1. check out;
2. get to the station;
3. take the train;
4. arrive in the new city;
5. get to your accommodation;
6. check in;
7. get yourself organized again.

So for a trip of only 10 days, I’d try to keep the number of bases reasonable.

The good news is that Italy has an extensive railway network, especially between major cities. High-speed trains make it possible to cover significant distances in relatively little time.

3. Does this city really need to be part of this trip, or can it wait?

This might be the hardest question.

Because I would love to visit Milan, Genoa, Verona, and Bologna.

But would I put all of them into a first trip of just 10 days?

Probably not.

And not because they aren’t interesting.

Quite the opposite.

It’s because Italy has way too many places I want to visit.

The itinerary I’d choose for a first 10-day trip

After researching all the possibilities, I’d probably end up with a fairly simple structure:

Rome → Florence → choose between Venice or Tuscany

And I really like this idea because it gives you a first trip without turning the entire 10 days into a race against the clock.

The first part would be almost fixed:

Rome

History, Ancient Rome, the Vatican, monuments, piazzas, and a lot of walking.

Florence

The Renaissance, art, architecture, and a great base for exploring other parts of Tuscany.

The last few days

This is where you choose:

Option 1 — Venice: add a completely different city while continuing to prioritize history, art, and culture.

Option 2 — Tuscany: slow things down a little and explore smaller towns, landscapes, and food.

And I think this choice makes the itinerary much more interesting than simply telling everyone they have to take exactly the same trip.

Days 1-4 – Rome

If this were my first trip to Italy, I’d start in Rome.

And I think that has a lot to do with my personal interest in history.

Rome is basically a history book you can walk through.

The historic center brings together attractions and monuments from many different periods, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Vatican area.

I’d give Rome four days of the itinerary, keeping in mind that the first day would be partly taken up by arriving.

Day 1 – Arriving in Rome

I wouldn’t plan a massive schedule here.

Depending on what time my flight arrived, I’d probably check in, rest for a little while, and then head out just to start getting a feel for the city.

A walk through the historic center could be a great way to begin.

And I think it’s important not to make that classic mistake of planning a trip as if the traveler has just teleported from the airplane directly to the Colosseum.

International flights are exhausting.

So I’d keep the first day light.

Day 2 – Ancient Rome

This would be the big historical day of the trip.

My priorities would be:

• Colosseum;
• Roman Forum;
• Palatine Hill;
• the Imperial Forums area.

The Colosseum is probably one of the first images that comes to mind when we think of Rome, but I think the interesting part is not treating it as an isolated attraction.

The surrounding area gives you a much bigger picture of Ancient Rome.

Day 3 – Vatican City and the surrounding area

On the third day, I’d dedicate part of the day to Vatican City.

This would include:

• St. Peter’s Basilica;
• Vatican Museums;
• Sistine Chapel;
• St. Peter’s Square.

I’d book tickets in advance whenever necessary, because popular attractions can eat up a surprising amount of time when you leave everything to the last minute.

Day 4 – Historic Rome

This would be more of a walking day.

I’d include places such as:

• Pantheon;
• Piazza Navona;
• Trevi Fountain;
• Piazza di Spagna;
• Piazza del Popolo;
• Trastevere, depending on the pace.

And I’d probably leave some room to simply walk around without turning every minute of the day into a mandatory attraction.

Because Rome seems like exactly the kind of city where you can plan a lot and still find something interesting around the next corner.

Days 5-7 – Florence

On day five, I’d head to Florence.

And one of the things that convinced me during my research was how quick the journey between Rome and Florence can be by high-speed train.

So there doesn’t seem to be much reason to make this transfer unnecessarily complicated.

Florence also feels like a perfect fit for a first trip if you’re interested in history and art.

Its historic center is packed with attractions such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens, the Accademia Gallery, and the Basilica of Santa Croce.

Day 5 – Rome → Florence

I’d make the journey in the morning.

After arriving, I’d check in and start exploring the historic center.

Piazza del Duomo would probably be one of my first stops.

Day 6 – Historic and artistic Florence

This would probably be the day when I really dive into the artistic side of the city.

Depending on what I managed to book, I’d prioritize:

• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore;
• the Duomo complex;
• Uffizi Gallery;
• Piazza della Signoria;
• Ponte Vecchio.

Florence packs an impressive amount of artistic heritage into a relatively compact area, which is one of the things that makes it such an interesting city for a short trip.

Day 7 – Florence or Tuscany

And this is where the first big decision of the itinerary begins.

If you’re really into art and history, you can simply continue exploring Florence.

But if you want to see more of Tuscany, this could be the time to explore the region.

And here I’d do things differently depending on the type of traveler.

So… Venice or Tuscany?

This is probably my favorite part of this itinerary.

Because I don’t think there’s one universal answer.

If you asked me:

“Bruna, which one would you choose?”

I’d probably answer:

it depends on what you want to feel during this trip.

Option 1 – Choose Venice if you want a more classic first trip

If this is your first trip to Italy and you really want to visit some of the country’s most famous cities, Venice makes a lot of sense.

And I have to admit that, even though it isn’t one of my personal priorities, after researching the city I understand much better why it appears in so many Italian itineraries.

Venice isn’t simply a city with canals.

Its historic center is made up of 118 islands connected by bridges, and the city and its lagoon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Some of its best-known sights include St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Rialto Bridge.

So if you prioritize:

• history;
• architecture;
• art;
• iconic places;
• a classic first trip to Italy;

I’d put Venice on the itinerary.

Day 8 – Florence → Venice

The high-speed train journey from Florence to Venice can take around 2 hours and 15 minutes on fast services.

I’d travel in the morning and use the rest of the day to start exploring Venice.

Day 9 – Venice

This would be the day to explore the city’s main historical sights.

I’d prioritize:

• St. Mark’s Square;
• St. Mark’s Basilica;
• Doge’s Palace;
• Bridge of Sighs;
• Rialto Bridge;
• walking through the city’s different neighborhoods.

And depending on the pace, I might simply get lost in the streets.

I think Venice is exactly the kind of place where part of the experience is walking around without turning everything into a checklist.

Day 10 – Going home

There’s one strategy I’d seriously consider here:

you don’t necessarily have to go back to Rome.

If the flights work out and the price difference is reasonable, I’d look for an open-jaw or multi-city ticket:

That way, the itinerary stays nice and linear, and you don’t have to waste a day returning to the city where you started.

Option 2 – Choose Tuscany if you prefer food, landscapes, and smaller towns

Now, if you look at this itinerary and think:

“Bruna, I’m not that interested in Venice. I want to experience Italy at a slower pace.”

I’d seriously consider Tuscany.

And this option is especially appealing if you like:

• food;
• wine;
• landscapes;
• smaller historic towns;
• villages;
• the countryside;
• slower experiences.

There’s one thing I learned during this research that I feel obligated to confess:

I genuinely thought Tuscany was a city. 😂

I know. It sounds like a very basic thing to get wrong when you’re writing an Italy itinerary.

But that’s exactly why I like showing the research process around here.

Tuscany is a region of Italy, and it contains several cities, towns, villages, and rural areas that can become part of your trip.

And that might actually be what makes this option so interesting.

Florence, of course, is already in Tuscany. So when I say “choose Tuscany” after spending a few days in Florence, I mean using the last part of the trip to explore other parts of the region, rather than simply adding another major city.

Day 8 – Exploring Tuscany

I wouldn’t try to visit five towns in one day.

Tuscany seems like exactly the kind of region where it makes more sense to choose a few experiences and actually enjoy the journey.

For example, Siena immediately made it onto my list.

I opened Google Maps to look around the city and somehow ended up in a beautiful little place with narrow streets.

And Siena isn’t just pretty on Google Maps. Its historic center preserves much of the city’s medieval character and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

San Gimignano also looks exactly like the kind of place I’d want to visit.

The medieval town is famous for its towers and historic skyline.

And then there’s Lucca, with its historic center surrounded by walls that you can actually walk along, and Pisa, famous above all for the Piazza dei Miracoli and its leaning tower.

In other words, I quickly discovered that the problem hadn’t gotten any smaller.

I just had even more places to choose from!

So I’d think about this part of the trip like this:

• Siena, if you love history and medieval towns;
• San Gimignano, if you want a very characteristic Tuscan town;
• Lucca, if you want another historic city that feels a little less obvious;
• Pisa, especially if seeing the Leaning Tower is important to you;
• Chianti or Val d’Orcia, if landscapes, food, and the countryside are your priority.

I wouldn’t try to visit all of them in a single day.

Day 9 – More Tuscany

I’d use this second day to continue exploring the region or, if I wanted a more comfortable trip, simply return to Florence and enjoy the city.

And there’s an important distinction here:

Tuscany doesn’t have to mean rushing through three towns in one day.

If the idea is to enjoy the landscapes, food, and smaller towns, I’d rather choose fewer places.

In fact, if the main goal were to explore smaller towns and rural areas, I’d seriously consider renting a car for this part of the trip, rather than having a car for the entire itinerary.

That way, the car has a specific purpose, which is exploring the Tuscan countryside.

Which option fits your travel style?

And this is exactly the part I’d like you to adapt to your own travel style.

What about Milan, Verona, Bologna, and Genoa?

This was one of the hardest parts of the research for me.

Because I really want to visit cities in northern Italy.

Milan, Verona, Bologna, and Genoa are all places I’d absolutely like to research for a future trip.

And there’s a logistical advantage here: many cities in northern and central Italy are connected by high-speed rail.

But that doesn’t mean we should put all of them into a 10-day trip.

Actually, I think doing that would be exactly the kind of itinerary I don’t want to create here.

I’d rather finish my first trip thinking:

“There are still so many places I didn’t see.”

than:

“I visited ten cities and barely remember any of them.”

What if I want to rent a car?

For this particular itinerary, I don’t think a car would be the first thing I’d look into.

Between Rome, Florence, and Venice, high-speed trains are a very convenient option.

There’s also another issue that’s easy to overlook when thinking about renting a car in Italy: ZTLs, or limited traffic zones.

These areas exist in many Italian cities and restrict vehicle access during certain periods, with rules that vary from city to city.

So for a predominantly urban itinerary like this one, I’d look at trains first.

Now, if your main goal is to explore Tuscany through smaller roads, villages, and rural areas, the situation changes.

In that case, a car can make much more sense.

To compare car rental options, you can check out GetRentACar website HERE.

What’s the best time of year for this trip?

There’s one thing I already know about myself:

I would not choose the peak of summer.

I think a trip around Italy would suit me much better if I could spend the whole day walking around cities without feeling like I’m melting.

And that matters because this itinerary involves a lot of walking.

This is not exactly a trip where I imagine spending every afternoon by the hotel pool.

Italy can be visited year-round, and each season offers a different experience.

So if I were choosing when to go, I’d probably compare:

Spring: a great possibility if you want milder temperatures and plenty of time outdoors.

Summer: I’d put this lower on my list.

Not because summer is necessarily a bad time to visit Italy, but because it doesn’t really match the kind of trip I imagine for myself.

Fall: this would be another season I’d seriously consider.

Especially if I wanted to combine historic cities with food and Tuscany.

Winter: it can work very well for certain types of trips, but I’d need to research what I actually wanted to do before choosing it.

For me, spring or fall would probably be the first seasons I’d compare.

What if I had more time?

Now things would get dangerous…

Because with more days, I’d immediately start adding all the places that didn’t fit.

And one of the first things I’d consider would be one of Italy’s islands.

Italy has several islands and archipelagos that could completely change the style of the trip.

Sicily, for example, combines history, culture, food, and beaches, while Sardinia is famous for its coastline, landscapes, and archaeological heritage.

The Aeolian Islands, also in Sicily, would be another really interesting possibility for a longer trip.

But I definitely wouldn’t try to squeeze an island into a 10-day itinerary like this.

At that point, I think the trip would lose exactly what I’m trying to preserve:

time to actually enjoy the places.

And what about Monaco? 👀

Well…

Technically, Monaco is not in Italy.

But if I were planning my own trip and had a few extra days, I have to admit that the idea of traveling through Liguria and making a little detour to Monaco would be very tempting.

I’d just treat it as an extension of the trip, not as part of the 10-day Italy itinerary.

Because if I start adding Monaco, Milan, Verona, Bologna, Genoa, Venice, Tuscany, and an Italian island to the same trip…

well…

We’re right back where we started.

So, which itinerary would I choose?

If I had to plan my first trip to Italy today, I’d do this:

Days 1–4 – Rome

History, Ancient Rome, the Vatican, and the historic center.

Days 5–7 – Florence

The Renaissance, art, architecture, and the historic center.

Days 8–9 – Choose between Venice or Tuscany

Venice, if you want to continue prioritizing history, art, and one of Italy’s most iconic cities.

Tuscany, if you prefer food, landscapes, smaller towns, and a slightly slower trip.

Day 10 — Going home

And if I chose Venice, I’d look for a multi-city flight that lets me fly into Rome and home from Venice rather than unnecessarily returning to my starting point.

Check out tickets and tours on Tiqets!

For tickets and tours, it’s worth checking the options available on Tiqets and booking in advance when needed. Just click HERE to check what’s available.

My conclusion

I started this research thinking that maybe I’d be able to create the perfect 10-day itinerary for Italy.

I didn’t.

And I actually think that’s a good thing.

Because the more I research Italy, the more I realize that trying to see the whole country in one trip would probably be a terrible idea.

I want to see Rome.

I want to see Florence.

I want to see northern Italy.

I want to see Tuscany.

I want to see the islands.

I want to see historic places.

I want to eat.

I want to walk.

I will probably spend way more time than I should staring at old buildings.

And at some point, I’ll probably want to squeeze Monaco into the trip just because it happens to be nearby. 🤭

So if you’re planning your first trip to Italy too, my biggest recommendation is:

don’t try to see the entire country at once.

Choose what actually fits you.

If history and art are your priorities, Rome + Florence + Venice can be an excellent starting point.

If food, landscapes, and smaller towns sound more like your thing, Rome + Florence + Tuscany might be a better option.

And if you have more time, then I’d start looking at other regions, northern Italy, and the islands.

Because maybe the best part of a first trip to Italy is knowing that you’re going to come home with a huge list of places you still haven’t seen.

And honestly?

I’m already starting to build that list😁

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see Italy in 10 days?

Yes. You can have an excellent first trip to Italy in 10 days, but that isn’t enough time to see the entire country. The best approach is to focus on a few destinations and avoid spending most of the trip traveling between them.

What is the best 10-day itinerary for Italy?

A good first-trip structure is to combine Rome and Florence, then use the final days to choose between Venice or an experience in Tuscany. The best option depends on your interests and travel style.

Is Rome, Florence, and Venice doable in 10 days?

Yes. The three cities are connected by high-speed rail, making the journey between them relatively quick. Rome to Florence takes a little over an hour and a half on high-speed services, while Florence to Venice takes roughly two hours and 15 minutes on fast services.

Is it better to travel around Italy by train or car?

For an itinerary focused on major cities, trains are usually the more convenient option, especially because Italy has an extensive high-speed rail network. A car can make more sense in rural areas such as parts of Tuscany. You should also consider ZTLs, which restrict vehicle access in many Italian cities.

How many days should you spend in Rome on your first trip?

For a 10-day Italy itinerary, I’d dedicate around four days to Rome, keeping in mind that the first day may be partly taken up by arrival. The city has an enormous number of historical and cultural attractions, so prioritizing is important.

How many days should you spend in Florence?

For a first trip, two to three days can be enough to see Florence’s main sights while also giving you the option of using the city as a base for exploring other parts of Tuscany.

Is Venice worth visiting?

Venice can be a great choice if you’re interested in history, architecture, and art. The city and its lagoon have exceptional historical and cultural value and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What is the best time to visit Italy?

It depends on the type of trip you want. Italy can be visited year-round, but spring and fall can be particularly appealing if you want to spend a lot of time walking around cities and enjoying outdoor attractions.

Is Tuscany a city?

No. Tuscany is a region of Italy that includes cities and towns such as Florence, Siena, Pisa, and Lucca, as well as villages, countryside, and areas such as Chianti and Val d’Orcia.

Which cities should you visit in Tuscany?

For a first trip, some popular options include Florence, Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano, and Lucca. The best choice depends on your travel style. Siena and San Gimignano are particularly interesting if you love history and medieval towns, while Pisa is the obvious choice if seeing the Leaning Tower is important to you.

Don’t leave just yet! Why not check out some of my other posts that might interest you?

→ How Much Does It Cost to Travel to Italy for 10 Days? My Budget for 3 Travel Styles

→ Rome in 5 Days: The Itinerary I’d Follow on My First Trip

→ How Much Does a 5-Day Trip to Rome Cost? A Complete Budget Guide