Unforgettable one-week Italy itinerary for first timers

Planning to spend a week in Italy? Read on for our unforgettable one-week Italy itinerary for first timers. Informed and shaped by personal experience, following it will have you enjoying a fulsome flavor of one of the most beautiful countries in the world in just seven days.

My Italy itinerary for 7 days

While seven days isn’t really very long — and I really wished I’d been able to stay longer for my first-time trip — I also felt I made the most of my time in Italy through following this one-week Italy itinerary.

While it was tricky to make decisions about which cities (and sights) to focus on, on balance I felt I’d made the right choices through a combination of opting to visit four fabulous cities, and being mindful of what I most wanted to most wanted to see and do in each.

So, before going into day-by-day detail, here’s a handy overview of my Italy itinerary for 7 days.

• Day 1: Arrive in Rome.
• Day 2: Explore Ancient Rome and Vatican City.
• Day 3: Train to Florence.
• Day 4: Day trip to Verona, Pisa or Siena.
• Day 5: Explore Florence.
• Day 6: Train to Venice.
• Day 7: Explore Venice.

Editor’s tip: as you plan your own trip, read our run-down of the best things to do in Italy in conjunction with reading this Italy itinerary for 7 days.

You might also want to browse our customizable Italy itineraries.

Day 1: Arrive in Rome

With any luck ,you’ll land in Rome early enough to have time to take a wander after checking into your hotel.

I decided to ignore my impending jet-leg and start working through my list of the best things to do in Rome, starting by heading to the Spanish Steps to grab an energy-boosting coffee and slice of pizza.

Next, I headed to the Pantheon — setting the tone for the next day of my trip — before rounding off my evening with a meal back in Trastevere, my base for my time in Rome.

Editor’s tip: if you’re taken with the idea of spending longer in Rome, check-out our Rome itinerary for three days. 

Where to stay

When you only have a couple of nights in the Eternal City, you’ll want to choose where to stay in Rome very wisely.

I went for accommodation in Trastevere, as recommended by a Roman friend. Loaded with local restaurants and bars, it’s a great area in which enjoy the best pizza in Rome

For an upscale stay in the Centro Storico, check out places to stay near the Spanish Steps. You’ll have easy access to tons of attractions, shops, hotels and restaurants, and Villa Borghese.

Or, if you’re on a budget, you’ll find less expensive places to stay in Termini and Esquilino.

Things to do

My day began with an early-morning visit to the Colosseum and Forum, rounded off with doping a deep dive into the Vatican. 

Discover the Colosseum

An iconic symbol of ancient Rome — and of Rome today, for that matter —the Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever built, as I discovered during my guided tour.

I also discovered that I’d been wise to visit early. By the time I left (around 11am), a site that once hosted fierce gladiatorial games packed with cheering spectators was now packed with tourists…

But back to the attraction itself — despite the growing crowds, it was a really great experience, especially being able to walk its ancient corridors.

Ramble the Roman Forum

Super-close to the Colosseum, next I headed to the sprawling complex of temples, basilicas, and arches that make up the Roman Forum.

Dating back to the 7th century BC, the ruins here today — the Temple of Saturn, Arch of Titus, and House of the Vestal Virgins — were once the center of Roman public life.

I have to say, wandering the ruins was a highlight of my time in Rome. There was a calm majesty to the place, and I could have strolled between the trees here for hours. 

Visting the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Come the afternoon, I headed to the Vatican Museums to see masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci, and — of course — Michelangelo's iconic ceiling and "The Last Judgment" fresco in the Sistine Chapel.

I really recommend pre-booking this, and looking to bag yourself a specific time slot — the crowds can be very long.

St. Peter's Basilica

My last stop for the day was St. Peter’s Basilica, where I saw Michelangelo’s Pietà sculpture before climbing the dome for panoramic views over St. Peter’s Square and Rome.

If you don’t fancy climbing all 551 steps to the top, take the elevator, which will leave you with having to climb “just” 320 steps inside the dome.

Editor’s tip: read up on the best places to get off the tourist trail in Rome before making your own decisions about what you most want to do.

And, if you’re traveling as a family, discover the best things to do in Rome with kids. 

Day 3: Train from Rome to Florence

Come day 3, I rose early (again!) to take a train to Florence, determined to have a enough time to visit at least some of its best museums.

Fastest travel time: 1.5-3.5 hours

When it comes to getting from Rome to Florence, you have a few options.

By plane

Although flying is the fastest option in terms of the one-hour flight time, once you factor in the time it’ll take to get to and from the airports, and check-in time, in my opinion you’d be better off taking the train.

By high-speed train (Frecciarossa)

Departing from Rome Termini Station and arriving at Firenze Santa Maria Novella in Florence, the train ride takes take between 1.5 and 3.5 hours depending on the route. I checked times in advance and was there in just over 1.5 hours.

By rental car

Driving will take about 3-4 hours along the A1 (Autostrada del Sole).

By bus

If you’re on a budget, taking a bus is the cheapest way to travel from Rome to Florence, and takes 3.5 - 4.5 hours.

Where to stay

Though far from a sprawling metropolis, Florence has accommodation options to suit all tastes.

If you’re a first-timer — and short on time — the pretty places to stay in the Duomo area come most recommended as this is Florence’s historic heart. 

Accommodation in the Uffizi area is also great for art and culture lovers.

Day 4: Day trip to Verona, Pisa or Siena 

As hard as it might be to resist diving straight into exploring Florence, on day four we suggest taking a day trip to one of a trio of terrific locations.

While I opted for Verona (I’d long been allured by its romantic reputation), you can easily visit Pisa and Siena from Venice.

Read on to find out why you might want to visit each of them.

Verona

Travel time from Florence by train: 1.5–2 hours

Famed for being the city of Romeo and Juliet, Verona is as rich in history as it is in romantic charm.

I headed straight for Piazza Bra to see its 1st-century Roman amphitheatre, and then took a stroll through Piazza delle Erbe for a late breakfast.

Impossibly pretty — it’s lined with frescoed buildings — this lively square has lots of cute cafés and market stalls. 

I also walked along the Adige River and crossed the beautiful Roman Ponte Pietra bridge, and (of course!) visited Juliet’s House to see its iconic balcony and statue of Juliet. 

Pisa

Travel time from Florence by train: 1 hour

Given that it’s very easy to get from Florence to Pisa to see its iconic UNESCO-designated leaning tower, many tourists opt to take this day trip.

On arrival in Pisa, beyond seeing the wonky wonder its known for, you could clim the tower to rather special views, and visit the nearby Camposanto Monumentale (monumental cemetery).

If you’re into art, the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo houses incredible sculptures and art from the cathedral complex while shoppers should save time to stroll Borgo Stretto.

Siena

Travel time from Florence by train: 1.5 hours

I found it very tricky to decide whether to visit Siena or Verona on my first trip and, much as I loved Verona, I’m still torn between the two.

Compact and captivating, Siena’s medieval charms are utterly magical. In fact, its Piazza del Campo is oft hailed one of Europe’s most beautiful squares, while the grand Siena Cathedral (Duomo) is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. 

The natural landscapes around these parts are magical, too. Walk up the Facciatone for sweeping views of town and the Tuscan hills before meandering Via di Città to treat yourself to some traditional Sienese sweets and a glass of Tuscan wine.

Editor’s tip: for more ideas, read up on the best day trips from Florence, and check out our customizable Italy itineraries.

Day 5: Explore Florence

On day five, I headed out to see some of Florence’s top attractions. Though I had just a day here, I picked places that would cover as much of its art and history as possible.

Things to see

Here’s a run-down of the attractions I decided to focus on — unsurprisingly, they have a bias towards the architecture and art Florence is so famous for.

Visit the Duomo

I started out at Florence’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore — AKA the Duomo.

After finding myself stopped in my tracks by its marble facade and Gothic grandeur, I headed inside and climbed the 400+ steps to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome for breath-taking views over Florence.

After I’d caught my breath, I headed to the nearby Giotto Bell Tower — another Florence icon.

Explore the Uffizi Gallery

Home to one of the world’s greatest collections of Renaissance art — including Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus”, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Annunciation” and Michelangelo’s “Doni Tondo”. Florence’s Uffizi Gallery is an absolute must-visit.

Booking tickets in advance is highly recommended — the lines are usually long.

Editor’s tip: art lovers will also want to visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s “David”, one of the most famous sculptures in the world. 

Stroll across Ponte Vecchio to Piazza della Signoria

After the intensity of seeing so much art, I spent the afternoon strolling across the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s oldest bridge, and spent time browsing the boutiques and with jewelry shops. 

I timed my walk to wind up at Piazza della Signoria at the end of the day. Home to a replica of David — and other statues — it’s basically a beautiful open-air museum.

Editor’s tip: if you feel inspired to spend a little longer here, read our itinerary for the perfect weekend in Florence.