A Seven Day Italy Itinerary for First Time Visitors

JetStream Planning > Itinerary > A Seven Day Italy Itinerary for First Time Visitors
7 Day Italy Itinerary

We know that putting together an itinerary for your first trip to Italy can be extremely stressful. There are so many options to take in the country’s unique culture, history, and beauty that it can make your head spin. Well, we’ve put together a seven day Italy itinerary specific for those who are visiting Italia for the very first time, even though this will also work well for return visitors.

As you’ll see, with just seven days, we recommend limiting your travels to Rome, Florence and Venice. This will give you enough time to enjoy the essentials each city has to offer, while still allowing for you to explore and discover the unexpected.

Day 1: Arrival in Rome

  • Morning: We think Rome is an ideal place to be first introduced to Italy. We also expect that you’ll be arriving in the morning, as most people coming from overseas often require a red eye flight. So on day one, you’ll arrive in Rome and will need to take the time to settle into your accommodations.
  • Afternoon: Because so many people are walking on air arriving in Rome, it’s likely that you’ll be anxious to see some of the iconic sites and experiences that Rome has to offer. We suggest your first afternoon that you start with a visit to the iconic Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Explore the ancient ruins and immerse yourself in Rome’s historic grandeur. We STRONGLY recommend that you join a guided tour for this visit. Experiencing the Colosseum and Forum are significantly more wonderous when a local and knowledgeable guide provides the background, context, stories and tidbits about the incredible ancient ruins you are seeing.
  • Evening: Once the tour is complete, now it’s time to just soak in the vibe of Rome. Wander at your own pace but make your way towards Piazza Navona and enjoy dinner in a nearby restaurant.
The iconic Roman Colosseum

Day 2: Rome

  • Morning: If you followed our advice and taken the steps to limit the effects of jet lag from your trip over, today would be a great day to visit the Vatican City. It’s here, you’ll see the Sistine Chapel as part of the Vatican Museum and experience the awe that is St. Peter’s Basilica. Much like the Colosseum, it’s critical that you book a skip-the-line tour to maximize your time and ensure you’re not disappointed by not gaining entry to these popular sites.
  • Afternoon: Once again, slow down and at your own pace, take the time to walk through the Piazza del Popolo, visit the Spanish Steps, and take a walk around the Trastevere neighborhood, a lively and historic area enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.
  • Evening: There are so many great restaurants in the area, so enjoy a traditional Roman meal in Trastevere or near the Campo de’ Fiori.

Day 3: Rome to Florence

  • Morning: Be sure to enjoy the morning ritual of settling up to the counter for a morning Espresso and then today is the day you take a high-speed train to Florence (around 1.5 hours). Based on this schedule, you should be checkin into your accommodations sometime in the mid-afternoon. Remember, the earlier you book your rail ticket, the better price you’ll get, so it’s best to book before your trip.
  • Afternoon: Begin your exploration at the Duomo and its cathedral. Climb the dome for a panoramic view of the city. Like other popular sites, if you want to avoid either standing in line for hours or not getting access altogether, it’s best to purchase tickets well ahead of time.
  • Evening: Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio and make your way up to Piazzale Michelangelo to watch the sunset over Florence and capture a great Instagram moment. From there, make your way back to your accommodations but stop to have dinner in the Oltrarno district, known for its local eateries and artisan shops.

Day 4: Florence

  • Morning: Visit the Uffizi Gallery to see masterpieces by artists like Botticelli and Michelangelo. Once again, you will be thankful if you book tickets ahead of time. In fact, the tickets you purchase can be for a specific time for entry, so make sure you book in the morning as you will want a few hours to soak in some of the most famous pieces of art ever created.
  • Afternoon: For art lovers, it is also recommended you explore the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David. Then, visit the Basilica of Santa Croce and then take the time to wander through the historic center, experiencing what it must have felt like to walk through these same streets during the Renaissance.
  • Evening: Finally, enjoy a relaxing dinner and gelato. Consider visiting a wine bar for a taste of Tuscany’s renowned wines.

Day 5: Florence to Venice

  • Morning: Like your final day in Rome, enjoy taking the time to wake up and enjoy an Espresso at one of the local cafe’s. With the train station in close proximity, take a high-speed train to Venice (about 2 hours). Again, you’ll be arriving around the mid-afternoon, at which point you’ll be able to check into your accommodations.
  • Afternoon: The best way to see Venice is to simply wander. With some luck and planning, you should find your way to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Explore Piazza San Marco.
  • Evening: Take a gondola ride or enjoy a Vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal. Have dinner in the Cannaregio or Dorsoduro districts.

Day 6: Venice

  • Morning: Visit the Rialto Market and the Rialto Bridge. Wander through the Jewish Ghetto and the surrounding neighborhoods.
  • Afternoon: Explore the islands of Murano (famous for glassmaking) and Burano (known for its colorful houses). You can take a Vaporetto to these islands.
  • Evening: Return to Venice and enjoy a leisurely dinner at a canal-side restaurant.
The canals of Venice

Day 7: Venice and Departure

  • Morning: Use your remaining time to explore any sights you missed or simply enjoy a leisurely breakfast by the canal.
  • Afternoon: Depending on your departure time, you might be able to squeeze in a visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection or do some last-minute shopping.
  • Evening: Depart from Venice back to Rome for your departing flight.

Tips

  • Book in advance: If there’s one thing you may have picked up on, it’s to reserve tickets for major attractions and train tickets ahead of time to avoid long lines, ensure you can get in and secure better prices. Seven days is a quick trip and you don’t want to waste time standing around.
  • Traveling light: Since you’ll be moving frequently, pack light and consider using a versatile bag.
  • Local transportation: Use local transport apps and maps to navigate cities and plan your trips effectively.

An Italian holiday can be whatever you want it to be, but with a 7 day itinerary like this, you can get the most out of that time and experience some of the memorable sites and locations that will make you want to return again.

Itinerary
Tags , , , , , ,

About the Author

You may also like these