(FREE DOWNLOAD) 7 Day Itinerary for Italy: Rome, Florence, Venice

Planning a week in Italy but not quite sure where to start? How much can you actually see in seven days without it feeling like a race? The good news is that it is all very manageable, especially if you follow our 7 day itinerary for Italy. This plan takes you through the best bits of three wonderful cities, starting in Rome, moving on to Florence and ending in Venice. Everything is arranged by area, allowing you to see the best places to visit in Italy without unnecessary backtracking.

You will also find a few handy tips on when to visit and how to get around, which can make your first time in Italy feel a lot smoother. And at the end of this guide, you’ll be able to download a free printable 7-day Italy schedule with a day-by-day plan and packing checklist for your week away.

Ready for your dream Italian trip?

Italy Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

In this part, let's go through a few helpful things to know before travelling to Italy (things we wish we had known before our very first visit). We'll cover when to go and some clear ways to get around without spending more than you need to.

1. Best Time to Visit Italy

• Late May to June and mid-September to early October are generally the nicest times to see Italy. The weather is warm but comfortable, and evenings are pleasant. It’s possible to spend full days outside without getting exhausted from the heat. These months are also a bit calmer, and prices are usually more manageable.

• July and August have their own appeal, but it's quite an intense season. It gets very hot, places are crowded, and prices go up. Locals often leave the cities for their own holidays, meaning that some small shops and restaurants close. That being said, if this is the only time you can go for one week in Italy, cities often feel quieter with better hotel deals as the beach and mountain areas become busy.

• Winter (roughly mid-December to February) is often skipped over, but can be a great choice, particularly in the north. You'll get traditional Christmas markets in Bolzano and Trento, and loads of skiing in the Alps and the Dolomites. If you prefer milder weather, head south, but you should still expect some grey skies and the chance of light rain.

Traditional carnival in Venice. Photo by Tomas Marek on Adobe Stock

And if you are hoping to add a bit of excitement to your week in Italy, you might enjoy planning your trip around one of these festivals:

• Venice Carnival in January or February, full of masks and old-fashioned glamour.

• The Battle of the Oranges in Ivrea in February, where people really do throw oranges at each other. Chaotic but great fun.

• Infiorata di Noto in May, with large flower carpets laid out along Via Nicolai.

• The Siena Palio on 2 July and 16 August, a bareback horse race filled with medieval music.

2. Getting Around Italy

Of course, one of the things to think about when planning your 7 day Italy itinerary is how you will get from place to place.

Trains in Italy are fairly cheap, fast and, in general, the most reliable way to travel between the big cities. A lot of people often ask us whether it is worth flying instead, and our answer is always the same: trains are better in every way we can think of. Stations are usually in the centre, there is plenty of space for luggage, and you do not have to worry about checking anything in.

• Regional Trains vs Fast Trains: Italy has two main types of trains. The fast ones link the major cities, and the regional ones connect smaller towns at a slower pace.

• For long trips, such as the trip from Rome to Florence during one week in Italy, a high-speed train is the better choice as it saves you a lot of time. Another perk is that you often save up to half the price by booking in advance. There is no exact rule on how early to book, but buying two months ahead has worked well for us.

• With regional trains, which you will come across if you travel between places like Naples and Venice or Milan, booking early does not really make a difference. The price is the same whether you buy it online or on the day at the station.

High-speed rail in Italy. Photo by Mats Silvan on Adobe Stock

• Trenitalia vs Italo: The two primary companies running high-speed trains are Trenitalia and Italo. Both are good, and if you compare the same type of seat, they feel rather similar. It usually just depends on which one has the route and price that works best with your plans.

• Travel card in Italy: To make it easy for your first time in Italy itinerary, we recommend checking out travel cards that match what you want to do. For instance, passes such as the Roma Pass or the Milan Pass have unlimited travel on buses and the metro, and entry to several popular sights. Just buy them online.

• FixBus: This service is usually a smart option in Italy for shorter-distance trips from the big cities to nearby towns, as bus tickets are radically cheaper than trains. For longer routes between Italy's big three cities, though, we would only use it if there were no better options. Some seats can be cramped, and sometimes the onboard toilet isn’t available, so you have to wait for rest stops.

• Venice public transport: In Venice, you will either be walking or taking a vaporetto, the water bus. It is not just transport, you know, it is part of the experience. A 24-hour pass, which is about 25 euros, gave us the freedom to get on and off while island hopping to places like Murano and Giudecca. Just carry a map with you, and check the times so you will not miss a boat.

3. Planning your first Italy trip

Whether you're hitting all three cities or just picking favourites, here's the real talk on making it work.

Pick Your Cities (And Be Realistic About It)

Going for the big three (Rome, Florence, Venice) in 7 days? Totally doable, but it's a bit of a sprint.

>>> Check Out: Ultimate Italy Itinerary 10 Days For the Greatest Hits 2026

If you're travelling with a big group, stick to 2 places at most (and maybe a day trip or two). Moving between cities eats up way more time than you'd think.

Packing, checking out, dragging your stuff to the station, waiting for trains, checking in new hotel, unpacking, the whole work. Factor in at least half a day for each move between cities.

So if you're bouncing from Rome to Florence to Venice, you're burning a solid 1.5 days just on the logistics of travelling.

Exploring only 2 cities lets you take your time and soak things properly. Plan your itinerary with that in mind.

Expect a Lot of Walking

You'll easily log 10,000 to 20,000+ steps a day. Bring comfy shoes and keep track of your physical stamina. Moreover, major sites can be exhausting (narrow alleys, tons of people, motorbikes, etc.). Plan a lot of stops if your conditions don’t allow prolonged walking.

Book Everything Early

Book everything at least weeks, if not months, in advance (unless you fancy waiting for 2+ hours in the queue). Plus, be sure to book through official websites, not third-party sites. And also grab those skip-the-line tickets, too. They are worth it.

Plan ahead

Scout out your must-see spots on Google Maps before you go. This saves so much time and decision fatigue when you're actually there. If you prefer quieter moments and fewer crowds, visit sites early in the morning.

Get the Right Passes & Insurance

Look into travel or city passes depending on what you're doing. Grab travel insurance too, and keep digital copies of all your important documents just in case.

Download Useful Apps

Get an app for train timetables, local transport, and a translation program. Makes life so much easier when you're navigating a new country.

Choose the right luggage

Stairs, cobblestone, stations. Backpacks will let you conquer them all.

One little thing to be aware of is the fact that getting around Italy is not always as convenient as you might think.

You might find yourself tugging your suitcases up the stairs at a train station, squeezing through bustling piazzas or rolling them over bumpy cobblestones on the way to your hotel. That is why packing light for Italy takes a lot of the hassle out of your trip.

A light travel backpack really is your best friend here. Something you can carry on the plane and not have to think about again.

If you want a suggestion, CabinZero backpacks are great for this. The 30L+ or 40L+ sizes are usually more than enough for a week. When empty, the bags are so light that you are not starting with extra weight before you have even packed anything. They handle a bit of rain and fit all major airlines' carry-on requirements, so there’s no risk of surprise luggage fees.

Your Detailed 7-Day Italy Schedule

Let’s get to the good stuff: determining where to go, what to see, and how to enjoy must-see cities in Italy. On this seven-day route, you will fly into Rome, make your way up to Florence, and then wrap things up among the islands of Venice. 

1. Days 1-3: Rome, The Eternal City

Start your 7 Day Italy Itinerary in Rome. Photo by xbrchx - stock.adobe.com

Rome is one of those places where even a whole week can feel too short, let alone a couple of days there. When we first arrived and unfolded the map in our hotel room, we were honestly taken aback by just how much there was to see. Everywhere you look, there is a ruin, a palace or a piece of history waiting for you. 

So, where to stay when visiting Rome? Well, on our last trip, we decided to go to Hotel Navona. It is just by Piazza Navona and only a few minutes on foot from the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. We paid about 130 euros a night for two people. The only downside is that the entrance is on a one-way street, so you might have to walk a little further to catch a taxi.

For your first day in Rome, you are likely to suffer from jet lag. So we recommend taking it slow and save the major sites for the 2nd day onward.

It's nice to start at the Trevi Fountain. Its baroque design is far more striking in person than it ever looks in photos. What draws everyone in, however, is the tradition of tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain. And yes, everyone did it. Who would not like the chance to return to Rome someday?

Within a short walking distance of Trevi Fountain are Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps. They might have seemed only a long staircase with a fountain at the bottom, but thanks to Audrey Hepburn and the film Roman Holiday, the steps have become a symbol of that Italian allure.

Towards the end of the day, before returning to your hotel, you might like to do a little wandering in Trastevere. The neighbourhood has a lot of little cafes, family-run restaurants and bars tucked along narrow cobbled streets, many with balconies full of flowers.

Exterior view of the Colosseum in Rome. Photo by kbarzycki on Adobe Stock

Then, on our second day, we made for the Colosseum and the other ancient sites nearby. Several weeks before, we bought skip-the-line tickets from a website called Tiqets, which gave us access to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Imperial Forums, allowing us to enjoy exploring the Roman Forum at our own pace.

CabinZero tip: Be sure to download Rick Steve audio tours for a self-guided tour around the sites.

As long as you are not visiting the underground areas, the Colosseum is quite uncomplicated to explore. Just wander around the arena and head up to the first, second, and third levels, which is more than enough to take in the atmosphere. From there, it’s just a short walk to the Roman Forum, the Imperial Forum, and Palatine Hill, all located right next to each other.

The Vatican was the main focus of our last day in Rome. The basilica itself is free, while for the museums you need a ticket. It helps to get there early so you can go straight into the basilica, then use the skip-the-line ticket for the museums. And if you feel like treating yourself, do a guided Vatican City tour to make things even smoother. This gives you quicker entry and takes you directly from the Sistine Chapel back into the basilica without having to queue again.

A short stroll away is Castel Sant'Angelo. From the outside, it has the look of a sturdy old fortress, and its dark, weathered stone gives it a rather serious air. What really stands out, though, is Ponte Sant'Angelo, the bridge that leads to it, decorated on either side by elegant statues of angels.

2. Days 4-5: Florence, The Birthplace of the Renaissance

If you take a high-speed train, it takes less than two hours to get from Rome to Florence. Compared with Rome, Florence feels much smaller and tidier.

Most of the city’s well-known landmarks are gathered around Piazza del Duomo, so staying somewhere around the square will make exploring Florence in 2 days pleasantly convenient.

To avoid a lot of unnecessary time looking for everything, spend your first day simply walking around the main squares and getting a feel for the city. Then, for the second day, select a couple of churches or museums that you really want to see (again, buy tickets in advance).

No trip to Florence is completed without paying Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore a visit. Photo by rh2010 on Adobe Stock

CabinZero tips: Most museums in Florence are closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.

Probably the first place you wander into will be the Piazza del Duomo. It’s considered the spiritual centre of the city and a perfect answer to the question “Where to visit in Italy for first timers?”

The spotlight is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (often called the Florence Cathedral). Its exterior is beautiful, with a terracotta dome and a facade of white and green marble, topped with a delicate rose window.

Opposite the cathedral stands the Baptistery of St John, and right next to it is Giotto’s Bell Tower. These buildings share the same marble style, so the whole complex looks wonderfully harmonious.

A short walk east of the square takes you to the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, home to some of the world’s most important sculptures, including Michelangelo’s moving work The Deposition.

From Piazza del Duomo, it’s around ten minutes on foot to Piazza della Signoria, another of Florence's most well-known squares. Here you’ll find the old Ponte Vecchio bridge, the Uffizi Gallery, the Palazzo Vecchio and the open-air sculpture space Loggia dei Lanzi. This area alone can keep you busy for quite a while.

If you pass Ponte Vecchio and walk more than one kilometre further south, you’ll reach the wide Piazzale Michelangelo. Because it sits on one of the highest hills in the city, it offers sweeping views over Florence. Seeing Michelangelo's David here is a must, as the copy of the statue stands proudly in the centre among other statues and replicas.

And where is the original David? Inside the Galleria dell’Accademia. The museum isn’t as large as the Uffizi, but the artworks it exhibits are in no way less significant. If you can manage it, visit both. If time only allows for one, think about what you’d rather see: the statue of David or Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus.

3. Day 6-7: Venice, The Floating City

Spend your last days in Italy in this dreamy scene. Photo by tichr - stock.adobe.com

Getting from Florence to Venice by high-speed train is naturally the best bet. If you book with Italo, tickets sometimes start from as little as €18.90.

Venice, in reality, has two main areas to stay in: Mestre on the mainland, and the main island where all the canals are.

Mestre is only about fifteen minutes away by bus or train and is far friendlier on the wallet for both food and accommodation.

Still, if you’d like to truly soak up the uniqueness of Venice in 2 days, staying on the island is advisable. It’s compact enough that, wherever your hotel is, you’ll probably be just a short walk from the main square.

The Grand Canal cuts through the island like a main road on water, with waterbuses and water taxis gliding up and down throughout the day. Venture further in and you’ll find narrow canals where only gondolas and tiny boats can pass.

Alongside comfy shoes, bring a small water-resistant hip bag so your bits and pieces stay dry as you tour all the little lanes and bridges.

Your first stop will most likely be St Mark’s Square. It’s packed with historic buildings: St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Clock Tower are all gathered around the same space.

For us, the basilica stood out the most. With its marble details, curved arches and domes rising above, it feels both ornate and quietly majestic.

The famous bridges, like the Rialto and the Bridge of Sighs, are only a short walk away. That said, in Venice, you don’t really need to seek out specific bridges. You’ll stumble across so many along the way, each one has its own charm. The real challenge is simply having enough energy to cross them all.

If you’re keen on art, Venice has plenty to offer. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the opera house La Fenice are among the favourites.

For your final day, you could have a day trip. In this Italy itinerary, we will cover Burano and Murano. Both islands are small and can be seen in just a day. Murano is closer, taking roughly twenty minutes by vaporetto. Burano is further out, nearly an hour away.

Burano is perfect for anyone who loves cheerful scenes during their 7 day itinerary for Italy. The houses sit shoulder to shoulder, painted in vivid shades of green, red, purple, yellow, etc. Even the boats and doorframes join in. It’s as if the whole island is ignoring any normal rules of colour matching out there.

Colourful houses on the island of Burano. Photo by marcorubino on Adobe Stock

Murano, by contrast, is gentler and more reserved. It’s famous for its glassmaking tradition, and you’ll find shops filled with delicate pieces in every shape and shade. There were so many beautiful things on display that we hardly dared touch anything, just in case it wobbled.

Estimated Italy budget for 7 days

For one week in Italy, the main things to think about are flights, accommodation, food, transport and a few activities along the way.

• Let’s start with flights. Prices change depending on where you fly from and the time of year, but you can expect anything from around €18 to over €230. One-way tickets can be surprisingly cheap, sometimes about €18 to €35 with budget airlines like Ryanair or EasyJet. If you’re flying a return route such as London to Rome, the fare usually sits at roughly €230.

• As for accommodation, budget options like hostels or guesthouses tend to be around €25 to €43 a night. If you prefer the comfort of a 2 or 3 star hotel on an Italy in 7 days trip, it is best to set aside at least €80 a night. The more luxurious hotels come at approximately €265. A small note: prices usually go up quite a lot during busy periods such as June. In Rome, even a 2-star hotel often starts at about €165 a night.

• When it comes to food, a simple meal in Italy usually costs between €10 and €25, whether it’s something quick or classics like pizza, pasta or a panini. A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant is normally around €48 to €100 for two people. And if you fancy a fine dining experience, expect to spend over €100 per person.

Gelato in Italy typically costs around €2 to €7 for a cone. Photo by Chris on Adobe Stock

• There are activities to consider as well. Private tours, such as a gondola ride in Venice, usually cost around €81. Entry to major historical sites, museums or galleries often starts at around €18. There are also plenty of free sights to enjoy, such as Florence Cathedral, the Leaning Tower of Pisa from the outside, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon in Rome or a stroll around St Mark’s Square in Venice.

• For getting around, trains and regional buses are normally the most affordable choice for a 7-day trip. High-speed trains between major cities can cost €20 to €50 or more if booked early. Regional trains for medium distances are usually about €5 to €25. Local buses tend to cost around €1.50 to €2.50 per ride. In Venice, a single vaporetto trip is about €9.50, while a 24-hour pass is roughly €25.

Here’s a gentle look at what you might spend each day in your 7 day itinerary for Italy, depending on how you like to travel. These estimates don’t include the main flight costs.

• If you’re keeping things budget-friendly, plan for roughly €90 a day. That should be enough for a hostel or guesthouse, public transport, meals in supermarkets, quick bites like pizza or pasta, and mostly free or low-cost activities.

• For a more comfortable mid-range trip, around €212 a day is a realistic amount. With this, you can stay in a two or three-star hotel, use trains and buses to get around, enjoy a mix of restaurant meals and groceries, and visit some well-loved attractions.

• If you prefer something more luxurious, you’ll be looking at a daily budget of around €595. This would cover staying in five-star hotels, enjoying three restaurant meals a day, hiring a larger car and booking private or guided experiences.

Below is a quick summary of what one week in Italy might cost for one person (excluding flights):

GET YOUR FREE 7 DAY ITINERARY FOR ITALY

Here's a ready-to-print version of the 7-day Rome Florence Venice itinerary. It’s handy to keep it with you throughout the trip. It’ll help you stay on track with what's coming up, all in an effort to make the most of your week in Italy without feeling rushed.

Getting Set for Italy

This detailed 7 day itinerary for Italy, covering Rome, Florence and Venice, should give you a nice head start in planning your holiday. With everything laid out day by day, it becomes much simpler to enjoy the moment and make the most of your week in Italy. And if you like travelling light, a CabinZero backpack can be a real help. It’s comfy, sturdy and effortless to bring along, allowing you to focus on the good bits of your journey, whether you’re flying in, taking the train or hopping on a boat to the islands.

Quyen Pham