Italy is a beautiful country with a lot to offer visitors. If you are planning a trip to Italy for the first time, you may be wondering how many days you need to see the highlights.
The answer to this question depends on your interests and how much time you have available. However, as a general rule, I would recommend spending at least 10 nights in Italy. This will give you enough time to visit some of the most popular tourist destinations, such as Rome, Florence, and Venice and Milan.
If you have more time, you can also explore some of Italy’s lesser-known gems, such as the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, and the Dolomites.
- 3 nights Rome
- 2 nights Florence
- 2 nights Venice
- 3 nights Milan
Rome - 3 nights (https://elevatedviewpoint.com/Rome/)
Arrival – Rome Highlights
Arrive and drop bags off at hotel
Activity: Walk to Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps
Early Lunch: La Salumeria (https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-salumeria-roma) – I absolutely love sitting out here and watching people go by and munching on charcuterie and drinking a cold beverage
Activity: Pantheon
Dinner: Cacio e Pepe https://www.yelp.com/biz/cacio-e-pepe-roma?osq=Cacio+e+Pepe
Dessert: Gelateria del Teatro – best gelato in Rome
Day 2 – Vatican Day
Breakfast: Local Cafe
Activity: Do a Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica early in the morning before the crowds form
Lunch: Mordi Sandwichouse (https://www.yelp.com/biz/mordi-sandwichouse-roma?osq=Mordi+Sandwichouse) or Mr. Baguette (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/mr-baguette-roma)
Activity: Castle Sant’Angelo
Dinner: Da Enzo al 29 (https://www.yelp.com/biz/da-enzo-al-29-roma-2?osq=Restaurants)
Dessert: Gelateria del Teatro – best gelato in Rome
Day 3 – Colosseum Day
Activity: Spanish Steps in morning to get pictures without the crowds
Breakfast: Local Cafe
Activity: Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum (get tickets ahead of time or Roma Pass)
Lunch: Bonci Pizzarium (https://www.yelp.com/biz/pizzarium-gabriele-bonci-roma)
Do: Nap
Do: head to the Trevestere for dinner
Dinner: Alfred E Ada https://www.yelp.com/biz/trattoria-da-alfredo-e-ada-roma
-Be there 20 minutes before opening (opens at 7pm) since no reservations
Dessert: Gelateria del Teatro – best gelato in Rome
Day 4
Breakfast: Local Cafe
Depart
Florence - 2 nights (https://elevatedviewpoint.com/Florence/)
Arrival
Activity: Duomo
Activity: Palazzo Vecchio
Lunch: All Antico Vinaio – Definitely worth going at least twice
Activity: Piazzale Michelangelo for best view in Florence
Dinner: Osteria Pastella https://www.yelp.com/biz/osteria-pastella-firenze – Parmesan bowls and fire. What’s not to love?
Day 5
Breakfast: at Hotel
Activity: Florence Accademia (get tickets ahead of time)
Activity: Uffizi Gallery
(get tickets ahead of time)
Lunch: All Antico Vinaio – best sandwich in the world https://www.yelp.com/biz/allantico-vinaio-firenze?osq=Restaurants
Activity: Stroll along the Arno River and walk the Ponte Vecchio Bridge
Dinner Pensavo Peggio https://www.yelp.com/biz/pensavo-peggio-firenze?osq=Restaurants – best lasagna I have ever had
Day 6
Venice - 2 nights (https://elevatedviewpoint.com/Venice/)
Arrival
Activity: See Rialto Bridge
Dinner: Estro https://www.yelp.com/biz/estro-venezia-3
Dessert: Gelatoteca Suso https://www.yelp.com/biz/gelatoteca-suso-venezia / https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/gelatotecas
Day 7
Breakfast: Marchini Time https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/marchini-time-venezia-2
Activity: St Marks Square, St Marks Cathedral, St Marks Clocktower, Doge’s Palace
Do: See Bridge of Sighs from outside
Activity: Gallerie dell’Accademia
Lunch: Cantine del Vino già Schiavi https://www.yelp.com/biz/cantinone-già-schiavi-venezia?page_src=best_of_yelp
Activity: Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
Talk Ferry back across
Dinner: Trattoria Antiche Carampane https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187870-d1087359-Reviews-Antiche_Carampane-Venice_Veneto.html
Dessert: Gelato Suso https://www.yelp.com/biz/gelatoteca-suso-venezia / https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/gelatotecas
Day 8
Do: Take early morning pics w/out tourists at Doge Palace & on Rialto Bridge
Breakfast: Marchini Time (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/marchini-time-venezia-2)
Activity: Walk the Rialto Market & other sights
Activity: Gondola Ride
Lunch: We Love Italy https://www.yelp.com/biz/we-love-italy-pasta-to-go-venezia-2
Do: Ca’ D’Oro
Do: Church of Santa Maria Assunta or Jesuits
Snack: Acqua e Mais https://www.yelp.com/biz/acqua-e-mais-venezia
Dinner: Osteria Alle Testiere https://www.yelp.com/biz/osteria-alle-testiere-venezia-2?osq=Osteria+alle+Testiere
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If you find yourself in South East Venice, you have good eating options:
Al Covo: https://www.yelp.com/biz/al-covo-venezia
Basego https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187870-d10100589-Reviews-or10-Basego-Venice_Veneto.html
Milan - 3 nights (https://elevatedviewpoint.com/Florence/)
Arrival
Arrive and Drop off bags at Hotel
Do: If staying at Hotel Spadari – walk the majestic Via Raffele
Dinner: Trippa https://www.yelp.com/biz/trippa-milano
Day 9
Breakfast: Pave https://www.yelp.com/biz/pav%C3%A9-milano-2
Activities: Duomo di Milano, Royal Palace of Milan, Basilica of Santa Maria at San Satiro
Eat at Peck: Peck https://www.yelp.com/biz/peck-milano-2 (like Eataly on roids)
Explore: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Snack: Gelato at Cioccolati Italiani https://www.yelp.com/biz/cioccolati-italiani-milano-6
Do: Nap
Dinner: Contraste (https://www.yelp.com/biz/contraste-milano) – World Class Meal. Highly Recommend.
Day 10
Breakfast: Pasticceria Marchesi https://www.yelp.com/biz/pasticceria-marchesi-milano-4
Do: Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
Do: Santa Maria delle Grazie & Il Cenacolo Museum to see Last Supper Painting (Make sure to get Reservations ahead of time)
Lunch: De Santis https://www.yelp.com/biz/de-santis-milano-4
Activity: Sforzesco Castle & Arco della Pace
Eat: Chocolat https://www.yelp.com/biz/chocolat-milano-5
Dinner: Frangente https://www.yelp.com/biz/frangente-milano
Day 11 – Depart
Breakfast: Pasticceria Marchesi https://www.yelp.com/biz/pasticceria-marchesi-milano-4
Depart
