7-Day Italy Itinerary: Venice, Florence, and Rome!

Venice, Rome, and Florence!

This is the ultimate 7-day Italy itinerary, currently featuring St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, Rialto Bridge, a gondola ride, Murano and Burano in Venice; the Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, David, Pisa, and wine in Florence; the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona in Rome and more! Whether you’re solo traveling or going with a group, this is a great guide for what to do in this beautiful area as well as recommendations for food, activities, accomodations, and more.

Overview

Day 1-2: Venice
Day 3: Florence
Day 4: Day Trip From Florence
Day 5-7: Rome

Pre-Travel Guide

Where to Get The Best Flight Deals: Some Tips & Tricks

Google flights and Skyscanner are definitely my top choices for finding amazing deals on flights since you can track flight prices and compare deals from different airlines.

Where to Stay: Recommended Hotels

I strongly suggest booking accommodations and tours as soon as you decide to go because these are very popular travel destinations, especially in the peak seasons! This itinerary will have you only staying overnight in three cities, so it should be relatively simple to find accommodations.

Venice

Florence

Rome

Best Times to Visit

Italy is a beautiful country to visit any time of the year, as it has something to offer throughout the seasons.

Spring (March - May)

Spring in Italy is a beautiful time to visit, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds than the peak summer months. This is a great time to visit the beautiful gardens and parks in the country, and it's also the perfect time to explore the cities and towns without having to worry about the summer heat.

Summer (June - August)

Summer is the peak season in Italy, with hot temperatures and crowded beaches and cities. This is the best time to experience the vibrant nightlife and beach culture of Italy, as well as attend many of the outdoor festivals and events that take place during this time.

Fall (September - November)

Fall is a beautiful time to visit Italy, with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds than the summer months. This is the perfect time to visit the wine regions of Tuscany and Umbria, as well as to experience the beautiful fall foliage in the countryside.

Winter (December - February)

Winter in Italy is a magical time, with holiday markets, delicious winter cuisine, and beautiful Christmas lights and decorations. This is a great time to visit the ski resorts in the Italian Alps or to explore the art and culture of the cities without the peak season crowds.

How to Get Around Italy: Walk and Take Trains

In cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, the historic city centers are largely pedestrianized, which means that walking is the easiest way to get around. Public transportation options, such as buses, trams, and metros, are also available in these cities and can be a convenient way to travel longer distances.

For longer journeys between cities, trains are a popular and efficient option in Italy. High-speed trains like the Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Italo can take you from Rome to Florence, or from Florence to Venice, in just a few hours. You can also take regional trains, which are slower but more affordable.

Travel Insurance

You should consider buying travel insurance in case of illness, baggage delays, flight delays or cancellations. Check with your credit card company to see if they offer any insurance. Some recommended companies are World Nomads and Allianz Travel Insurance.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

7-Day Italy Itinerary!

Day 1: Arrive in Venice, Gondola Ride, St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace

Welcome to Italy! Arrive in Venice and check in to your hotel, then start exploring! Spend your first day exploring the canals, narrow streets, and beautiful architecture of the city.

Stop 1: Gondola Ride

A gondola ride is a must-do when in Venice! Gondolas are a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat that has been used for transportation in Venice for centuries. They are a unique feature of the city, and are commonly associated with the image of Venice as a romantic, picturesque destination.

Stop 2: St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace

Visit St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace to experience the grandeur of Venetian architecture! One of the best ways to see these two places is to book a tour that includes entry to both! Here are some of the most popular options:

St. Mark's Basilica, also known as the Basilica di San Marco, is a magnificent church located in the heart of Venice's St. Mark's Square. The basilica is known for its stunning mosaics, intricate Byzantine architecture, and opulent decoration, which includes gold leaf, marble, and precious stones.

The Doge's Palace, or Palazzo Ducale in Italian, is a Gothic-style palace located adjacent to St. Mark's Basilica. The palace was once the residence of the Doge of Venice, and later served as the city's seat of government. The palace features the famous Golden Staircase and the Doge's apartments. Today, the palace is open to the public and serves as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into Venice's rich history and culture.

Day 2: Rialto Bridge, Rialto Market, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Glassblowing & Lace-Making Workshops

Stop 1: Rialto Bridge & Rialto Market

Visit the Rialto Bridge (left image) and the bustling Rialto Market (right image)!

The Rialto Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in Venice, and is one of the four bridges that span the city's Grand Canal. The Rialto Market is located near the Rialto Bridge and is one of Venice's oldest and most famous markets. The market is a vibrant and bustling place, where locals come to buy fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables, and other local products.

Stop 2: Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a must-visit destination for art lovers visiting Venice! The collection includes works from some of the most important modern artists of the 20th century, including Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, and many others. Visitors to the museum can explore the beautiful Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, which overlooks the Grand Canal, and enjoy the stunning art collection on display! Book a ticket here.

Stop 3: Glassblowing and Lace-Making Workshops

Take a vaporetto (water bus) to the islands of Murano and Burano to see the famous glassblowing and lace-making workshops. The glassblowing workshops on Murano are famous for producing high-quality and intricate glass products, including chandeliers, vases, and sculptures. The techniques used by Murano's glassblowers have been passed down through generations of artisans, making Murano glasswork a unique and valuable art form.

Burano, on the other hand, is known for its lace-making, and it produces some of the most delicate and intricate lacework in the world. Burano's lace-makers developed their own unique style of lace, known as Burano lace, which is distinguished by its intricate patterns and fine thread. I highly recommend booking a tour for these!

Day 3: Travel to Florence, Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, Ponte Vecchio & Michelangelo’s David

Take a train from Venice to Florence — the high-speed ones will get you there in just about 2 hours!

Stop 1: Uffizi Gallery

Visit the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world's greatest art museums, to see works by Italian Renaissance artists such as Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci. If you book a ticket in advance, you can skip the long lines!

Stop 2: The Duomo & Ponte Vecchio

Climb to the top of the Duomo (left image) to enjoy a panoramic view of the city, and walk across the Ponte Vecchio (right image), a famous bridge lined with jewelry shops!

Stop 3: Michelangelo’s David

Visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's famous sculpture, David. The sculpture depicts the biblical hero David, who famously defeated the giant Goliath in a battle. David is widely considered to be one of the greatest masterpieces of Renaissance art. Skip the lines with a priority ticket!

Day 4: Day Trip From Florence!

You can choose to spend more time exploring places in Florence such as the beautiful Boboli Gardens and the Pitti Palace or you can go on a day trip! Options for day trips include visiting the leaning tower of Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, Tuscany wineries, Cinque Terre, and more. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Day 5: Travel to Rome, Colosseum, Roman Forum & Pantheon

Take a train from Florence to Rome — by high-speed train, you’ll arrive in about 1.5 hours! A great way to see both the Colosseum and Roman Forum together is to book a tour that includes entry to both, letting you skip the line to buy tickets. Here are some good options:

Stop 1: The Colosseum

Visit the Colosseum, the iconic amphitheater that was the site of gladiatorial contests and other public spectacles in ancient Rome, such as animal hunts and mock sea battles. It is one of the most famous and recognizable landmarks in the world, and is an iconic symbol of Rome and the Roman Empire.

Stop 2: The Roman Forum

Walk through the Roman Forum, the center of political and social life in ancient Rome. It was home to many important government buildings and temples, and it was also used for public speeches and debates.

Stop 4: The Pantheon

Explore the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings, which has been in continuous use for over 2000 years. The Pantheon's most distinctive feature is its massive dome, which is made of concrete and was the largest dome in the world until modern times. The dome is supported by a series of arches and columns, and has a central opening, or oculus, that allows sunlight to enter the building.

Day 6: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica & Trastevere

I definitely recommend booking some kind of tour package to see these sights, as most packages include entry tickets, and some also include guided tours and a chance to climb the St. Peter’s Basilica dome!

Stop 1: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Visit the Vatican Museums to see the world-famous Sistine Chapel and other priceless works of art. The museums contain some of the most important and valuable works of art and historical artifacts in the world, including works from Michelangelo and Raphael.

One of the most famous sections of the Vatican Museums is the Sistine Chapel which is located within the Vatican Palace. The Sistine Chapel is famous for its ceiling, painted by the Italian artist Michelangelo and considered one of the greatest works of art in Western civilization.

Stop 2: St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is considered one of the most important and iconic landmarks in the world, and is the largest church in Christendom. The church is known for its ornate decorations and works of art, including numerous frescoes, sculptures, and mosaics. The church is also home to many important relics and artifacts, including the tomb of St. Peter, the Chair of St. Peter, and Michelangelo's famous sculpture, the Pieta.

Stop 3: Trastevere

Wander through the Trastevere neighborhood, a charming and picturesque neighborhood located on the west bank of the Tiber River. Trastevere is known for its winding, narrow streets, colorful buildings, and lively atmosphere. It is also a great place to experience the nightlife of Rome, with many bars and nightclubs that stay open late into the night.

Day 7: Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona

Spend your day exploring any remaining places you want to see and enjoying the amazing Italian food before you leave.

Stop 1: Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is a Baroque masterpiece and one of Rome's most famous landmarks! The fountain is known for its beautiful Baroque architecture and stunning sculptures.

Stop 2: Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is a beautiful and historic public square located in the heart of Rome. One of the main attractions of Piazza Navona is the Fountain of the Four Rivers, a stunning Baroque fountain that was designed by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The fountain features four large statues representing the four great rivers of the world, and is considered one of the greatest works of art of the Baroque period.

And That’s A Wrap!

If you found this itinerary helpful, feel free to share it with a friend. I earn a small commission if you purchase or book anything using my links, and you pay the same price — thank you so much for all your support! Enjoy your trip to Italy!

7-Day Italy Itinerary