The Ultimate 10-day Italy Itinerary

After years of traveling with my best friend and partner, I realized that while I had plenty of photos, I often forgot about the emotions and impressions that came with visiting a new place. This inspired me to start a travel blog and share my experiences with others. For our first trip to Europe, we decided to explore Italy.

Italy's rich history, stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine were just a few of the reasons why I was drawn to this country. Millions of tourists flock to Italy each year to soak up the unique experience of visiting Italian cities and exploring the diverse landscapes, from the charming coastal towns in the south to the majestic Italian Alps in the north. And the best part? Italy can be a budget-friendly destination.

I hope my travel blog inspires you to plan your own adventure in Italy and create unforgettable memories.

Our 10-day trip to Italy took place in late August and early September, during the summer months. If you prefer cooler temperatures, late September and October would be an ideal time to visit. We created a 10-day itinerary to ensure we could see all the major attractions, but feel free to take things slower and enjoy the beauty of Italy at your own pace.

Day 1: Naples and Amalfi Coast

We started our trip in Naples, which can be reached by flight, train or car. We chose to rent a car, but I highly recommend adding full damage insurance (or pay with a credit card which includes insurance), as driving near the southern coast of Italy can be chaotic. Alternatively, tourist buses are available, and I would suggest taking one to enjoy the 36-mile stretch from Sorrento to Salerno, instead of dealing with the narrow, twisting roads packed with Vespas and other vehicles.

We chose to stay in a small, picturesque beach town called Castellammare di Stabia, which was about 1.5 hours' drive from the Amalfi area. This gave us the chance to interact with locals and immerse ourselves in Italian culture, while still being able to visit the Amalfi Coast. The town had plenty of small restaurants, bars, and a lively nightlife. If you prefer to stay closer to the Amalfi area, there are many bed and breakfast options available, although they may be more expensive.

Amalfi coast 

The Amalfi Coast, a 36-mile stretch of coastal road between Sorrento and Salerno, is widely considered one of the most spectacular drives in the world. In fact, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. We opted for a day trip from Sorrento to Salerno, and driving in this direction meant that we faced the Tyrrhenian Sea and beautiful unobstructed views. The water was a deep blue color, and we enjoyed the warm breeze with a refreshing cup of lemon gelato or Limoncello.

Positano

Our first stop was Positano. If you're planning to visit each town, it's better to take a bus tour instead of renting a car, as parking can be expensive (15-20 euros per hour). The town can be very crowded in the summer and fall seasons, so we decided to have lunch in a small restaurant.

💡if you want to do a water activity like jet ski or boat rental book in advance. Impromptu plans may not work out due to the summer rush. 

Praiano

Next we stopped at a small quaint beach town Praiano. It is not as busy as Positano. If you visit the beach between 10am to 2pm you can find shade and enjoy the warm waters. 

💡Amalfi area don't have changing rooms so either change in the car or wear your swimsuit from hotel rooms or use a towel in a public place. 

Amalfi

Our last stop was Amalfi, which, in my opinion, was slightly overhyped due to the number of tourists and over-edited internet pictures. Nevertheless, it's a nice beach town to enjoy.

Day 2: Pompeii

If you're interested in archeological sites, then Pompeii is a must-visit. It's about 25.4 km (or 15.7 miles) from Naples and makes for a great day trip. Pompeii is an archeological site that was a Roman city destroyed in 75 AD due to a volcanic eruption. The lava deposit has preserved the city, and you can take self-guided or guided tours for a fee of 16 euros per person.

💡if you decide to take a free tour download Rick Steve’s app and the tour on your phone. The app offers self-guided tours and download it before entering Pompeii archaeological site due to lack of internet. 

Day 3 and 4: Rome and Vatican City

During the remainder of our trip, we relied on public transportation, including Italian railways and city buses, for travel within and between cities. For the journey from Naples to Rome, we took the Italian railways, which took approximately two hours. The train ride was quick, reaching speeds of up to 250 km/hour, and provided stunning views of the Italian countryside, with its picturesque villages, rolling hills, and green pastures.

💡Just a reminder for foreign tourists, it's important to keep your travel documents with you at all times, even in Italy's central railway stations, as you may be checked for immigration at any time. 

Vatican City

We visited Vatican City on the last Sunday of the month, the only day of the month when entry is free. However, be prepared to queue early, as early as 7am, to enter the city gates by 9am. If you wish to have a guided tour, you will still need to pay a fee, but there is an expedited entry to the Vatican City and Museum. Our recommendation is to visit the museum first, as it can take up to 3-4 hours to complete the tour. The highlight of the Vatican Museum is the Sistine Chapel, and it's best to be inside the chapel by 1pm at the latest, as it's the last tour of the day. The chapel and museum close at 2pm on Sundays. During the visit to the Sistine Chapel, visitors are not allowed to talk. We brought our headphones and listened to the Rick Steve's audio tour to learn about the history and significance of Michelangelo's art within the chapel. The Vatican Museum is a fantastic place to learn about the history of the Catholic Church, Renaissance period, and the art of the Roman era.

Surprisingly, the Vatican Museum also has an area where you can see Egyptian Mummies which was totally unexpected for me. The Pope recites the Angelus prayer every Sunday at St Peter Square during the Mid-day.

Just outside the St. Peter square you can find tons of shops to buy gifts, paintings and souvenirs for friends and family. During summer days, you can also find street side vendors to enjoy the Italian gelato. 

Depending on your interests, you can choose to spend half a day or a full day in the Vatican City.

Rome

One of the best ways to experience Italy is to visit its cities. Rome the capital of Italy, is one of the best cities to visit in Italy. It's a city full of ancient ruins, beautiful churches, and world-class museums. I would suggest spending at least two days in Rome to truly appreciate all it has to offer, including the amazing food. One of my favorite experiences in Rome was walking down the cobbled streets after sunset, surrounded by the lights from the grand Roman buildings. It was a peaceful and beautiful sight to behold.

Make sure to take a tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, which can take between 3-4 hours to cover. The next day, we did an on-foot tour of the entire city of Rome (or you can opt for a hop-on-hop-off bus tour), which covered the Altar places, Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon. Rome also has a great shopping district, and for non-European visitors, you can get a tax refund for a minimum receipt of 154.95 EUR from any shop in Italy.

💡"Nasone" (water fountains) are safe for drinking water. You have to pay for water in restaurants and also carry Euro coins to use public restrooms. 

Rome is also an excellent place to try out cuisines from various parts of the world (Thai, mediterranean, French, Chinese etc). If you want to adventure outside of Italian food, feel free to satisfy your taste buds with some kebabs! 

Day 5 and 6:  Florence and Pisa

Florence

Take the interregional train from Rome to Florence. It is about a 1.5 hour journey and directly takes you to the middle ages or Renaissance period. Florence is a small, cute town in the central part of Italy. Outside of Florence city, you can also take car rentals, Vespa or a booked tour for Wine Tasting in Tuscany or Chianti regions. Famous for its wineries, the tours not only offer an amazing wine tasting experience but a drive through idyllic Italian greenlands and villages.

Once you arrive in Florence, take a free guided evening tour through the narrow streets and piazzas. Visit Florence Duomo complex, Pitti complex and walk through the alleys showing the Da Vinci home and Piazzale Michelangelo and  Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore were my personal favorites. 

💡The pistachio gelato in Edoardo (Piazza Del Duomo) is a must try and don’t forget to bargain while shopping in Florence! They can haggle down to as much as 70% of the original price. 

Enjoy the sunset, looking at the river at many “open rooftop” restaurants in Florence and end the day by taking the stroll next to the Arno river. 

Pisa

Take the regional train from Florence to Pisa. It is about a 1.5 hour journey each way and you can visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Leaning tower of Pisa will take you about 1.5-2 hrs at max to cover if you decide not to go inside the basilica and the tower. If you do decide to go in then add at least another 1.5 hours to your trip. Like any famous Roman building it's beautiful and hustling with tourists. Depending upon how much time you have you can also decide to visit the beach towns near Pisa. 

• Take the city bus to visit the coast Sassiny Beach. This is about a 45 mins bus journey each way. It is a small town with not many tourists and a great place to enjoy sunset with Aperol (classic Italian liquor). 
• If you have a full day to spend in Pisa, you could also head to The Five Towns of the Cinque Terre: Spectacular Beauty on the Italian Riviera. This can take you about 5-8 hours to cover so plan for it. You can take the regional trains to visit these towns or just drive there. 

Day 7: Venice

The train ride from Florence to Venice takes approximately 2 hours to reach Venice Centrale, followed by a 20-minute regional train ride to Venice Mestre. Despite the abundance of abandoned houses and overwhelming crowds of tourists, Venice's inner alleys can provide a more authentic and picturesque experience. History enthusiasts may enjoy listening to Rick Steve's audio tour.

You can take the gondola ride through the Venice canals and grand canal which cost 80 Euros for 4 people and was about a 30 mins ride. The sunset and the evening lights make the place look more photogenic than in the daylight. 

💡Eat food in the inner alleys of Venice canals vs rest to the water. It is easier and cheaper vs. the restaurants next to the main Venice canal. 

Day 8 and 9: Milan

Milan, known as the Fashion Capital of Italy, is a bustling metropolitan hub located in the northern part of the country. One or two days are enough to explore the city's beautiful Roman churches, monuments, and luxury shopping scene. Duomo mall is a popular spot for all major brands and shops for the whole family. The city also offers incredible food and nightlife experiences.

You can spend an entire day at Duomo mall which has all major brands and shops for your entire family. Like any major city, Milan also has amazing food and nightlife to offer.

Also take a day tour to visit the Duomo square, Sforezesco castle and Milan Cathedral. 

💡Milan is home to the famous “Last Supper Painting” and offers a walking tour. 

Day 10: Lake Cumo

Nestled in the Italian Alps, Lake Como is a breathtaking destination to enjoy the country's picturesque alpine lakes. From Varenna, which can be reached from Milan, you can take a ferry to Bellagio or Menaggio in 15 minutes. Alternatively, Como can be reached from Milan, where you can visit Cernobbio, also a 15-minute boat ride from the city. Keep in mind You can also visit from Como to Bellagio but consider a 1-2 hour boat journey.