Getting there
Fly into the main regional gateway for Italy. Reserve airport pick-up or the fastest train link into the centre.
Itinerary · Italy · 7 days
7 days in Italy · the essential route
Italy in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
A 7-day plan to see the best of Italy without wasting time on transfers. Each day pairs one hub with the sights worth queueing for, a beach or excursion for the afternoon, restaurants worth booking and 1–2 Viator tours that fit the rhythm of the day.
- Ideal for
- First-time visitors · slow travellers
- When
- May–June and September–early October
- Budget
- 1540–2660 € per person (accommodation + tours, excluding flights)
- Duration
- 7 days · 6 noches
Getting around
Rent a car for inter-hub transfers; use taxis inside town centres.
Where to sleep
Split your nights across the hubs listed below, one to two nights per base to avoid check-in fatigue.
Trip index
7 days, día por día
Day 01
Rome — Two millennia of empire
Sleep in · Rome
Day 1 centred on Rome. Two millennia of empire, Baroque piazzas and cacio e pepe. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Rome: Colosseum & Roman Forum and Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Fregene (or Sperlonga day trip if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at La Pergola (3★) (back-up: Roscioli).
Where to eat
- La Pergola (3★)
- Roscioli
- Armando al Pantheon
Bookable for day 1 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's — skip-the-line
3 h·From £62Priority Vatican entry, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's.
Book on Viator →Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill guided tour
3 h·From £54Skip-the-line Colosseum with the Roman Forum + Palatine included.
Book on Viator →
Day 02
Florence — The birthplace of the Renaissance
Sleep in · Florence
Day 2 centred on Florence. The birthplace of the Renaissance — Uffizi, Duomo and bistecca. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Florence: Uffizi Gallery and Duomo & Brunelleschi's dome.
Afternoon
Afternoon excursion: Chianti wine tour.
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Enoteca Pinchiorri (3★) (back-up: Trattoria Sostanza).
Where to eat
- Enoteca Pinchiorri (3★)
- Trattoria Sostanza
- All'Antico Vinaio
Bookable for day 2 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 03
Venice — 118 islands
Sleep in · Venice
Day 3 centred on Venice. 118 islands, 400 bridges and the most improbable city on earth. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Venice: St Mark's Basilica & Campanile and Doge's Palace.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Lido di Venezia.
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Osteria alle Testiere (back-up: Antiche Carampane).
Where to eat
- Osteria alle Testiere
- Antiche Carampane
- All'Arco (cicchetti)
Bookable for day 3 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 04
Amalfi Coast — Positano
Sleep in · Amalfi Coast
Day 4 centred on Amalfi Coast. Positano, Amalfi and Ravello on the world's most photographed cliff road. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Amalfi Coast: Positano cliff village and Ravello — Villa Cimbrone & Rufolo.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Spiaggia Grande, Positano (or Fornillo if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at La Sponda at Le Sirenuse (1★) (back-up: Il Refettorio at Monastero Santa Rosa).
Where to eat
- La Sponda at Le Sirenuse (1★)
- Il Refettorio at Monastero Santa Rosa
- Da Adolfo (beach lunch)
Bookable for day 4 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 05
Capri — The world's most storied island
Sleep in · Capri
Day 5 centred on Capri. The world's most storied island — Faraglioni, Blue Grotto and dolce vita. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Capri: Piazzetta di Capri and Faraglioni sea stacks.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Marina Piccola (or Bagni di Tiberio if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Le Grottelle (back-up: Da Paolino (lemon garden)).
Where to eat
- Le Grottelle
- Da Paolino (lemon garden)
- Riccio (Capri Palace)
Bookable for day 5 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 06
Lake Como — Bellagio
Sleep in · Lake Como
Day 6 centred on Lake Como. Bellagio, Varenna and the villa-strewn Y-shaped Alpine lake. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Lake Como: Bellagio old town and Villa del Balbianello.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Lido di Bellagio (or Menaggio public lido if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Il Gatto Nero (Cernobbio) (back-up: Ristorante Berton al Lago).
Where to eat
- Il Gatto Nero (Cernobbio)
- Ristorante Berton al Lago
- Locanda La Tirlindana
Bookable for day 6 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 07
Cinque Terre — Five UNESCO fishing villages stacked on Ligurian cliffs
Sleep in · Cinque Terre
Day 7 centred on Cinque Terre. Five UNESCO fishing villages stacked on Ligurian cliffs. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Cinque Terre: Vernazza harbour and Manarola sunset.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Monterosso al Mare (or Guvano (nudist cove) if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Belforte (Vernazza) (back-up: Nessun Dorma (Manarola)).
Where to eat
- Belforte (Vernazza)
- Nessun Dorma (Manarola)
- Miky (Monterosso)
Bookable for day 7 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Before leaving home
Packing and logistics tips
- 01Layer for cool mornings and hot midday sun
- 02Book restaurants and top-tier tours 2–3 weeks ahead
- 03Comfortable walking shoes — most old towns are cobbled
- 04A small day-pack for water, sunscreen and a light shell
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