Some locations seize you the second you arrive—and Italy is unquestionably certainly one of them. It’s not simply the historical past, meals, or beautiful views; it’s one thing you are feeling. Imagine sitting in a comfy little wine bar in Florence, strolling alongside quiet canals in Venice at night time, or having a meal in Rome that tantalizes your tastebuds lengthy after you allow. These are the moments that make touring right here unforgettable, and here’s a 7-day Italy itinerary to make all of it occur!
We simply spent seven days touring by means of Italy, and each a part of it felt alive. One second, we had been standing on a clifftop in Positano, watching the waves roll in; the following, we had been in a tiny family-run trattoria, sipping wine whereas an outdated Italian couple danced to a reside accordion participant. Some locations look stunning in footage, however Italy is completely different—you must be there to grasp it.
What made this journey even higher? The small surprises. The boutique lodge in Rome had extra attraction than any five-star resort. A tiny café in Florence the place a neighborhood chef served up the perfect plant-based pasta we’ve ever had. A distant seaside in Capri the place the one sound was the water going towards the cliffs.
For vacationers trying to expertise Italy the appropriate method, we’ve put collectively an in depth itinerary with the perfect locations to remain, divine eating places, and experiences you gained’t wish to miss. If you’re planning your personal journey, Reliabletraveler is a superb place to seek out skilled suggestions, first-hand journey tales, and insider tricks to make your go to even higher.
Italy is romantic, easy, and utterly unforgettable. In this seven-day journey, we’ll present you the way to expertise it to the fullest.
The second we step off the airplane in Rome, we felt the cit has its personal vitality. One minute you’re strolling previous ruins which have been right here for 1000’s of years, the following, you’re squeezing right into a tiny café the place locals are casually sipping espresso like they’ve acquired on a regular basis on the earth. Rome strikes at its personal tempo—quick, sluggish, chaotic, relaxed—all on the identical time, and in some way, it simply works.
Day 1: Arrival, Trevi Fountain & Rome’s Buzzing Piazzas
I begin my first afternoon in Rome on the Trevi Fountain. Sure, it’s a vacationer magnet, however there’s a motive for that. The white stone sculptures, the frenzy of cascading water—it’s the sort of place that makes you cease for a second and simply take it in. We toss a coin over our shoulder (as a result of, hey, custom) and watch it disappear into the turquoise water earlier than heading off.
From there, we wander towards Piazza Navona, one of many liveliest squares in Rome. Artists arrange their canvases, distributors promote work of the Colosseum, and the air is thick with dialog and the occasional clatter of plates from the eating places lining the sq.. We seize a fast espresso at Caffè Sant’Eustachio, a tiny café that’s been perfecting its roast because the Nineteen Thirties. It’s sturdy, clean, and precisely what we’d like earlier than diving into the following cease.
Day 2: Walking Through History – The Colosseum & Roman Forum
On my second day in Rome, we begin with one of many metropolis’s most well-known landmarks—the Colosseum. Seeing it up shut, the sheer scale is overwhelming. We e-book a small group tour (extremely advocate) and step inside, strolling by means of the underground tunnels the place gladiators as soon as stood, ready for his or her flip within the enviornment. The information shares tales about how this place as soon as held over 50,000 roaring spectators, and for a second, you’ll be able to virtually hear the echoes of the previous.
From there, we head towards the Roman Forum, the previous coronary heart of historic Rome. It’s a mixture of towering columns, half-standing temples, and worn cobblestone paths resulting in tales of emperors, gods, and every day life from centuries in the past. Unlike a museum, the place historical past is saved behind glass, this can be a place you stroll by means of, contact, and expertise firsthand.
For lunch, we discovered a comfy spot at Ginger Sapori e Salute, a sustainable restaurant that focuses on natural Italian dishes. Fresh salads, do-it-yourself pasta, and cold-pressed juices—gentle however filled with taste, excellent for a mid-day break.
The afternoon is spent exploring Trastevere, certainly one of Rome’s most charming neighborhoods. With its cobblestone streets, colourful homes, and full of life piazzas, it’s straightforward to see why this space is a favourite amongst each locals and guests. We cease by Giselda, a café that serves a number of the finest vegan pastries we’ve ever had, earlier than ending the day at a rooftop bar, watching the sundown over the town.
Day 3: Vatican City & Sunset Views
On my closing day in Rome, we cross the Tiber River to go to Vatican City—house to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. The sheer scale and wonder of those websites are breathtaking. Standing inside St. Peter’s Basilica, staring up at Michelangelo’s dome, it’s inconceivable to not be impressed.
After a number of hours of exploring, we take a break at Flower Burger, a totally vegan burger spot that’s been making waves in Rome’s meals scene. It’s colourful, inventive, and surprisingly good for plant-based quick meals.
As the solar begins to set, we make our technique to Pincian Hill Terrace in Villa Borghese. If there’s one place to look at Rome bathe in golden gentle, that is it. The rooftops stretch so far as the attention can see, and {couples} collect alongside the railing, soaking within the view earlier than the town lights flicker on.
Dinner is at Aroma, a Michelin-starred restaurant with an insane view of the Colosseum. The ambiance is intimate and ideal for honeymooners and {couples} searching for that unforgettable eating expertise. They additionally supply a full vegan menu and deal with sustainable substances, making it a guilt-free indulgence.
Walking again by means of the softly lit streets, we understand one thing—Rome isn’t only a metropolis you go to, it’s a metropolis you are feeling.
After three packed days in Rome, we hop on a high-speed prepare to Venice. The journey itself is clean, passing by means of rolling hills and sleepy Italian cities. But the second we step out of Santa Lucia Station, it’s like coming into one other world. Instead of honking automobiles and busy streets, there’s water in all places—boats changing taxis, gondoliers navigating slender canals, and outdated buildings with their foundations dipping proper into the lagoon. It’s chaotic, historic, and slightly surreal—however in one of the best ways.
Day 4: Exploring the Grand Canal, St. Mark’s, and Venice’s Hidden Corners
I examine into Ca’ Sagredo, a lodge that’s half museum, half palace, and absolutely Venetian. It’s a restored Fifteenth-century constructing proper on the Grand Canal, with ceilings so intricately painted it seems like a Renaissance masterpiece. More importantly, it’s a part of Venice’s sustainability efforts, serving to to protect the delicate steadiness between tourism and conservation.
First cease? St. Mark’s Square. It’s the center of the town, at all times buzzing with vitality—vacationers snapping photographs, pigeons fluttering round, and cafés crammed with individuals sipping espresso at tiny tables. St. Mark’s Basilica, with its domes and gold mosaics, is much more spectacular in individual, whereas Doge’s Palace subsequent door provides a glimpse into the town’s former rulers and their lavish existence.
Instead of climbing St. Mark’s Campanile for the basic Venice skyline view, we take the locals’ tip and head to San Giorgio Maggiore. Fewer crowds, the identical panoramic view, and a a lot quieter second to soak all of it in.
By afternoon, we lastly collapse and take a gondola journey. Some say it’s a vacationer entice, however actually? Gliding by means of the smaller, quieter canals is the place Venice actually feels magical. Away from the crowds, you go centuries-old homes, wood shutters barely holding on, and balconies overflowing with flowers. The gondolier, who’s clearly accomplished this a thousand occasions, nonetheless manages to crack jokes whereas expertly steering below low bridges.
Dinner is at Osteria La Zucca, a comfy, vegetarian-friendly spot that proves Italian meals isn’t all about meat. Their pumpkin flan and do-it-yourself pasta are so good we don’t even take into consideration lacking a standard meat dish.
Day 5: Murano & Burano – The Islands Beyond the Canals
While most guests keep on with Venice’s major sights, the true gems are only a brief boat journey away.
First up is Murano, the island well-known for its handmade glasswork, a craft that dates again over 700 years. Venice’s glassmakers had been moved right here within the thirteenth century to stop fires from breaking out within the metropolis (and, let’s be sincere, to maintain their commerce secrets and techniques protected). Today, the custom remains to be alive, with small studios and family-run workshops lining the canals.
I go to Vetreria Artistica Colleoni, the place glassblowers work in entrance of open flames, shaping delicate vases, intricate chandeliers, and impossibly skinny glass collectible figurines. Watching them work is mesmerizing—it takes simply minutes to rework molten glass into one thing stunning, however years of coaching to grasp the craft.
After Murano, we take the vaporetto to Burano, a small fishing island that appears prefer it was painted with a field of crayons. Every home is a unique shade—shiny yellows, deep blues, and fiery reds—initially painted that method so fishermen may spot their houses even in thick fog. The island can also be well-known for its handmade lace, a craft that dates again to the 1500s.
I cease for lunch at Trattoria al Gatto Nero, a family-run spot that serves up a number of the freshest seafood within the lagoon. The proprietor tells me that Burano is among the final locations the place fishermen nonetheless use conventional strategies handed down for generations. It’s a reminder that past the vacationer crowds, Venice’s islands nonetheless maintain onto their outdated methods of life.
Back in Venice, we wander by means of Dorsoduro, a quieter, artsier neighborhood that feels miles away from the chaos of St. Mark’s. Here, small wine bars spill onto the streets, Cicchetti (Venetian tapas) is served on wood boards, and the entire place has a relaxed, lived-in really feel.
As we sip a glass of Venetian spritz, watching the solar dip behind the terracotta rooftops, we get why this metropolis leaves such an impression on individuals. It’s not simply the gondolas or the canals—it’s the way in which Venice makes you decelerate, wander, and simply take all of it in.
After absorbing the magic of Venice, we board a flight to Naples and take a winding coastal drive in the direction of the Amalfi Coast. The highway itself is an journey—hairpin turns, dramatic sea cliffs, and tiny villages clinging to the sting of the mountains like they’re defying gravity. From the second we arrive, we get it—this place is pure, easy magnificence.
Day 6: Positano & The Path of the Gods
We based mostly ourselves in Positano, a postcard-perfect city that appears prefer it was constructed for honeymooners. Pastel-colored homes stack up the cliffside, tiny alleyways result in hidden cafés, and the complete city smells like contemporary lemons and sea breezes.
We examine into Le Sirenuse, one of many Amalfi Coast’s most well-known motels. It’s elegant however laid-back, with a robust deal with sustainability—from plastic-free initiatives to a menu constructed round regionally sourced substances. The balcony view? Straight out of a dream.
Hiking the Path of the Gods
Instead of spending my first day lounging on the seaside (tempting), we determine to tackle the Sentiero degli Dei—aka the Path of the Gods. It’s one of the crucial well-known mountain climbing trails in Italy, working excessive above the shoreline with panoramic views that make each uphill step price it.
The path is about 7km lengthy, beginning in Bomerano and ending in Nocelle (simply above Positano). Along the way in which, we go tiny stone cottages, lemon groves, and mountain goats standing in locations we wouldn’t dare try. At one level, we cease at a lookout the place the complete Amalfi shoreline stretches out beneath me, and we have now to remind myself that that is actual.
For lunch, we cease at La Tagliata, a family-run restaurant perched on the cliffs, the place every little thing they serve comes from their very own farm. The proprietor, an older Italian girl, insists we attempt her do-it-yourself pasta. We don’t argue. It’s hands-down the perfect meal of the journey.
After mountain climbing, we head again right down to Spiaggia Grande, Positano’s major seaside. The pebbled shore is lined with colourful umbrellas, and the water is that excellent shade of Mediterranean blue. We cool off with a fast swim earlier than grabbing an aperitivo at Franco’s Bar, simply in time to look at the solar sink into the ocean.
Day 7: Amalfi, Ravello & The Most Scenic Drive of My Life
On my final full day, we discover two extra Amalfi gems: Amalfi Town & Ravello.
I begin in Amalfi, the city that gave the shoreline its identify. It’s smaller and fewer dramatic than Positano however filled with historical past. The centerpiece is Duomo di Sant’Andrea, an Eleventh-century cathedral with a grand staircase main as much as its mosaic-covered façade. Amalfi can also be well-known for its paper-making custom, so we pop into the Museo della Carta to see how they’ve been making handmade paper right here for hundreds of years.
From there, we take the bus as much as Ravello, a peaceable hilltop city identified for its gardens and jaw-dropping views. The spotlight? Villa Cimbrone, a historic villa with the well-known Terrace of Infinity—a protracted balcony that feels prefer it’s floating above the ocean. The view is countless, and for a second, the world simply stops.
A Farewell Feast at a Cliffside Ristorante
For our final meal on the Amalfi Coast, we head to Il Flauto di Pan, a restaurant tucked contained in the gardens of Villa Cimbrone. It’s a slow-food expertise the place every dish seems like a murals. We go for the vegan-tasting menu, which incorporates contemporary pasta, grilled seasonal greens, and a lemon sorbet made out of Amalfi’s well-known citrus.
With the twinkling lights of the shoreline beneath, we will’t consider a greater technique to finish this journey.
Final Thoughts on this 7-day Italy Itinerary
Seven days, three unbelievable locations, and sufficient reminiscences to final a lifetime. Rome, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast every had their very own magic, however collectively, they created a journey that felt like the perfect of Italy wrapped into one journey. Would we do it over again? In a heartbeat. For extra info and planning instruments for Italy, take a look at our mates at ReliableTraveler.