7-Day Itinerary in Italy: Best Ideas to Spend a Week in Italy

Planning a trip to Italy can get overwhelming, especially if it is your first time visiting. There are just too many lovely places to see and sites to explore, but do not worry – we are here to help you plan the best week of your life! Time to thoroughly organize an adventure with this 7-day itinerary in Italy!

Day 1: Rome

Exploring Rome definitely stands at number one, not to mention it is the most easily reachable city in Italy, from basically every other city in Europe! So, what can you see here in the capital city?

Your first stop could be the most important heritage site of all – the Colosseum. Dating from ancient Roman times, the building and its amphitheater survived the fall of the Roman Empire, the Dark Ages, the Middle Ages, and the Industrial Revolution, so buy the bus ticket here and explore the ancient ruins!

Adjacent to Colosseum, logically, your next stop should be the Roman Forum – the once heart of life in the Roman Empire. You will see ruins of temples, podiums, shrines, judiciary buildings, and many more!

We suggest visiting the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain, among other highly significant sites in Italy. While it will most likely be crowded, brushing a few shoulders or waiting in line is worth it if you wish to know more about the historical background of Rome!

Source: Pixabay

Day 2: Vatican City

Since you are already in Rome, traveling to Vatican City is necessary! Here you will see the most important establishments of the Catholic Church, untouched and unurbanized streets, and some of the most beautiful architectural pieces in Italy.

The most important site here, without a doubt, is the St. Peter’s Basilica and Square. It is the world’s largest chapel and the hub of all Catholics. Still, even if that were not the case, the basilica is often visited to admire its stunning, intricate architecture and beautiful surroundings!

Sistine Chapel is another great attraction. The most cherished monument here, the abbey is best known for its design and the famous ceiling, painted by Michelangelo in the Renaissance period.

As with any other city in Italy, the Vatican oozes art and culture, so you should visit the Vatican Museums and Gardens to see the most beautiful pieces of art and agriculture. Many of the names in the museum you will most likely recognize – artists such as Da Vinci, Raphael, and Caravaggio.

Source: Pixabay

Days 3-4: Florence

Catching a quick train from Rome, head to Florence, the city of Renaissance beauty, artwork, and culture. Romantic, charming, and historically stunning, Florence is definitely worth spending a couple of days in. While it is not enough for you to thoroughly explore, it is enough to fall in love with it!

Start at the Galleria dell Accademia, home to the stellar artworks of the most influential creators in history. With the most stunning works of Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Da Vinci, Florence can easily be called the hub of art and culture in Italy!

You should also stop by Mercato di San Lorenzo, one of Florence’s oldest markets, where you will find small souvenirs, art crafts by locals, and tasty food!

After a market tour, stroll around to find the most beautiful Piazzas in the city – Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza del Duomo.

Since you will have a couple of days here, let yourself have a bit of time to sit down at a local cafe for an Italian breakfast, or walk without a map and get lost between the streets of Florence, only to find your way back through different passages.

Source: Pixabay

Day 5: Cinque Terre

If you reach Cinque Terre early in the morning, the better part of the day will be enough for a thorough exploration and the most important sites here!

Start at the largest village in Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare, and the only one with a sandy beach! We suggest walking around with a cool beverage to help the heat, making a quick stop at Oratorio dei Neri, a church decorated with human skeletons, before carrying on! Afterward, of course, you should enjoy the warm sandy beaches and blue water of the Mediterranean! Just make sure not to stay for too long – much to see!

Depending on the time, you can hike or take the train to the village of Vernazza, a picturesque hamlet with a castle and colorful, lovely houses. After enjoying the viewpoints and touring the castle, move on to the next corners of Cinque Terre, such as Corniglia and Riomaggiore – both of which are charming and fun Italian villages full of local restaurants, shops, and postcard-worthy views.

Source: Pixabay

Days 6-7: Venice

Finish your week strongly – with the sights of one of the most stunning cities in Italy, Venice! The city of plazas, buildings of impressive architecture, art, and the most exciting roads ever. Strap in for a real adventure!

Kick off with the St. Mark’s Basilica and Piazza San Marco. It is a great starting point for a Venetian getaway! The structure is evidently influenced by the Middle-Byzantine, Romanesque and Islamic styles, so even the exterior of the church is as impressive as the historical stories surrounding it. The inside, however, is equally beautiful, with domes, vaults, and upper walls covered with gold-ground mosaics depicting saints, prophets, and biblical scenes.

Another highlight of the floating city is the most famous touristy activity here – cruising in the gondolas! Sit back and relax while overlooking the Venetian Gothic and Rennaissance facades. At a dreamy pace, you will be taken through the cities of Venice – the canals and narrow passageways that will eventually bring you to the Grand Canal, a connection point between the Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge, and train arrival points.

Leave some time to simply enjoy yourself at your own pace, though. Try the famous Italian ice cream – gelato, and have a cup of coffee near the Doge’s Palace. If this is your last day before leaving Italy, we suggest you relax and say your quiet goodbyes.

Source: Pixabay

A week in Italy? Easy! Follow our itinerary for the best experiences, and try to manage your time wisely so that you can see as much as possible. This really will be one of the most extraordinary weeks of your life. Good luck, and ciao!