7-day itinerary
7 Days in Italy
Rome, Florence and Venice with a countryside day — three bases, two train journeys, no wasted mornings.
Last reviewed September 2026
This week keeps you in three places rather than five. Each city gets enough time to feel lived in, and the two train journeys between them are short enough to leave half the day free.
- Length
- 7 days
- Pace
- Moderate — one anchor activity per day, two travel half-days
- Best for
- First visits • Cities • Food • Couples
Day 1
Arrive in Rome
Morning
Land at Fiumicino and take the express train into the city. Drop bags and resist the urge to plan anything demanding.
Afternoon
A slow orientation walk: Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the streets between them.
Evening
Dinner near your accommodation, early night to reset after the flight.
Where to eat
A neighbourhood trattoria rather than anywhere that needs a reservation.
Where to stay
Centro Storico for walkability, or Trastevere for evening atmosphere.
Transportation
Airport express train to Termini, then taxi or metro.
Map & location
Orient yourself between the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the river — most of central Rome sits within that triangle.
Helpful tipBook your ancient Rome timed entry for tomorrow morning before you sleep.
Day 2
Ancient Rome
Morning
Colosseum and Roman Forum with a timed-entry ticket, starting as early as your ticket allows.
Afternoon
Palatine Hill, then a long lunch and a rest before the late-afternoon light.
Evening
Aperitivo in Monti, dinner nearby.
Where to eat
Monti has good options within walking distance of the Forum.
Where to stay
Same base — no moving today.
Transportation
Walking, with a metro hop if you're tired.
Map & location
The Colosseum, Forum and Palatine form one connected site; Monti sits immediately north.
Helpful tipBring water and a hat; there's almost no shade across the Forum.
Day 3
Vatican area, then evening Rome
Morning
St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums with advance tickets.
Afternoon
Cross to Castel Sant'Angelo, then rest.
Evening
Trastevere for dinner and a wander through its lanes.
Where to eat
Trastevere, booked a day ahead if you have somewhere specific in mind.
Where to stay
Same base.
Transportation
Walking plus one taxi or bus across the river.
Map & location
The Vatican sits on the west bank; Trastevere is a 20-minute walk south along the river.
Helpful tipEarly entry slots are markedly quieter than mid-morning.
Day 4
Train to Florence
Morning
High-speed train from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, about 1.5 hours.
Afternoon
Check in, then the Duomo complex and a walk across Ponte Vecchio.
Evening
Dinner in the Oltrarno, away from the busiest streets.
Where to eat
Oltrarno — better value and more local than the centre.
Where to stay
Oltrarno for calm, or near the Duomo for convenience.
Transportation
High-speed train; both stations are central, so no airport transfers.
Map & location
Florence's centre is small: the Duomo, Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio are within ten minutes of each other on foot.
Helpful tipReserve the Uffizi or Accademia now for a specific time tomorrow.
Day 5
Florence and the Tuscan countryside
Morning
One major gallery — the Uffizi or the Accademia, not both.
Afternoon
Head into the countryside: a hill town such as San Gimignano or a vineyard visit in Chianti.
Evening
Return to Florence for dinner, or eat in the countryside before driving back.
Where to eat
Lunch in a hill town is often the day's best meal.
Where to stay
Same Florence base.
Transportation
Rental car for a day, or an organised small-group tour if you'd rather not drive.
Map & location
Chianti sits between Florence and Siena; San Gimignano is west of that, about an hour from the city.
Helpful tipAvoid driving into the historic centre — traffic restrictions apply and fines follow.
Day 6
Train to Venice
Morning
Slow morning in Florence, then the train north — about two hours.
Afternoon
Arrive in Venice as the day visitors leave. Walk from your accommodation without a destination.
Evening
Cicchetti and a glass of wine along a quiet canal.
Where to eat
Dorsoduro or Cannaregio, away from the main routes.
Where to stay
Dorsoduro for calm and good museums.
Transportation
High-speed train to Venezia Santa Lucia, then vaporetto or a walk.
Map & location
Santa Lucia station sits at the top of the Grand Canal; Dorsoduro is across the water to the south.
Helpful tipPack light — Venice means steps, bridges and no wheeled convenience.
Day 7
Venice, then onward
Morning
Be out by 7am: St. Mark's Square and the surrounding lanes are nearly empty and worth the alarm.
Afternoon
One island — Murano or Torcello — or the Accademia if the weather turns.
Evening
Final dinner, then pack for departure from Marco Polo.
Where to eat
Somewhere you noticed yesterday and meant to return to.
Where to stay
Same base, or an airport hotel for a very early flight.
Transportation
Water bus or water taxi to Marco Polo, allowing generous time.
Map & location
Murano and Torcello are north of the main islands, reached by vaporetto from Fondamente Nove.
Helpful tipWater transfers are weather-dependent; leave more margin than a land transfer would need.
Before you book this route
- Two travel half-days are built in — resist adding a fourth city.
- Timed-entry tickets for major sites should be booked before restaurants.
- If you have ten days, add a coastal or countryside base rather than another city.