How to Plan a 10-Day Italy Itinerary 2024 (See 5 Ideas)

This article will give you some ideas about how to arrange a 10-day trip to Italy. We have provided five itinerary options for different needs, including first-timers, families, leisure-seekers, history lovers, and nature lovers.

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How Many Cities Should You See in Your 10 Days in Italy?

To ensure your comfort and an enjoyable experience, arranging three destinations is generally most suitable for a 10-day trip in Italy.

Most cities in Italy are not particularly large. Taking a walking tour is one of the best ways to explore most Italian cities, allowing you to stroll through their blocks and streets, experiencing their rich history, culture, and cuisine.

Due to the necessary level of daily walking involved (6,000–10,000 steps), we advise against scheduling overly-packed itineraries each day. Though, don't be afraid of the amount of walking — it would not be hurried.

During our private tour, your guide would constantly check on your condition and make adjustments as necessary. When planning the itinerary, you could also inform our travel advisor of the walking intensity you are comfortable with. Our advisor would tailor the itinerary to better suit your needs based on your actual situation.

1. 10-Day Classic Venice, Florence, and Rome Itinerary (Best for First-Timers)

If you are looking for an itinerary for your first Italy trip, you could consider this recommended itinerary. This itinerary would let you explore Italy's history and culture in the trio of classic destinations.

Venice, Florence, and Rome are the three most representative cities in Italy. With this 10-day itinerary, you would find spending 3 days in each city is a suitable pace of travel, especially for families.

• Days 1–3: Rome (the Colosseum, the Vatican, and a city walking tour)
• Days 4–6: Florence (galleries, squares, and a food tour)
• Days 7–9: Venice (city sightseeing with a gondola ride and an island-hopping tour)
• Day 10: Departure

In Rome

At the first stop, Rome, your private guide would take you to the top floor of the Colosseum. You would need to book up to a month in advance for access to this area with the best view of the Colosseum without being crowded amongst lots of other visitors.

Explore the Vatican, the country within a country. Explore the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel to get lost in the fabulous sculptures and frescoes.

You could wander through Rome to visit the famous Trevi Fountain, Spanish Square, and taste the delicious gelato and pizzas.

In Florence

In Florence, immerse yourself in its profound culture and great architecture from the Renaissance. Visit the Accademia Gallery and the Uffizi Gallery to witness Michelangelo's iconic David and other great masterpieces.

It is also a good experience to take a walking tour around the heart of Florence to explore its famous squares, its oldest bridge, Giotto's bell tower, and the Vasari Corridor.

By exploring these buildings and listening to the tour guide's explanations, you would gain a deeper understanding of the history and significance of this city.

For teens, we have specially arranged a pizza and gelato-making class. You and your kids could enjoy an interesting family time, working together, and dining on your cooking.

In Venice

Finish your journey in Venice. In the 'City of Canals', taking a gondola ride on the winding canals is a must-try experience. If you are interested in Venice's food, embark on a guided tour of Venetian aperitivo and savor the local delicacies.

You could also take one day to go island-hopping around Murano, where you could witness the most famous glassblowing process in the area. If you are traveling with children, you could try glassmaking together.

Contact us if you are interested in the itinerary. All of our tours can be customized or adjusted based on your requirements.

10-Day Italy Highlights Tour for Families with Teenagers A Teen-Oriented Journey to Italy

2. Rome, Florence, and Milan in 10 Days (History, Culture, and Fashion)

This itinerary would give you the chance to explore the fashion capital and the most developed city in Italy — Milan, as well as two other representative cities, Rome and Florence. If you love fashion and shopping, you should consider this itinerary.

• Days 1–3: Rome (visit ancient ruins, squares, fountains, and the Vatican)
• Days 4–6: Florence (museums, plazas, a city walking tour with food exploration)
• Days 7–9: Milan (city sightseeing with a food tour)
• Day 10: Departure

In Rome and Florence, you would learn more about ancient Rome's ruins, history, sculptures, and culture — from the Roman Colosseum to statues from the Renaissance displayed in the galleries.

When you head to Milan, in addition to the same fine and historical architecture, you could also experience a more modern Italian city atmosphere.

In Milan, take a walking tour to explore the city center for its classic highlights, including the Castello Sforzesco, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the best shopping centers housing some of the most famous fashion brands, and the famous Duomo (Milan Cathedral). With a guided tour, you would have priority access to the cathedral and its rooftop terraces, enjoying a stunning bird's-eye view.

Foodies, Milan also offers you enjoyable food tours. We could arrange an Italian gelato and pizza cooking class or a street food aperitivo tour for you to enjoy plenty of food and specialty drinks. If you are active or traveling with kids, we could arrange a city exploration tour by taking a Segway or an e-bike.

Milan is also famous for its opera and theaters. If you are interested in exploring Milan's art history, we recommend a tour of La Scala Theater Museum, where you could discover a wealth of costumes, set designs, signed scores, and historical musical instruments associated with opera and theater. If you are lucky enough, you could even catch a rehearsal.

10-Day Rome, Florence and Milan Family TourGolden Triangle Family Vacation in Italy!

3. 10 Days in Rome, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast (History and Coastal Views)

This itinerary focuses on Italy's southern cities and coastline scenery as well as the capital, Rome. If you prefer natural views and food rather than museums and galleries, this itinerary might be for you.

• Days 1–3: Rome sightseeing
• Days 4–5: Naples (visit Pompeii and a food tour)
• Days 6–9: The Amalfi Coast (coastal scenery and exploration of seaside towns)
• Day 10: Departure

Discover ancient Rome with a visit to the Colosseum. Marvel at Michelangelo's masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Start a walking tour to see the city's lively squares, people, and the famous Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain.

A food experience is the most recommended experience when in Naples, the birthplace of pizzas. Take an authentic Margherita pizza cooking class to learn the secrets of this delicious recipe and enjoy the fruits of your cooking.

If you're interested in history and archaeology, a trip to the ancient city of Pompeii is recommended. The remains of farm tools, furniture, animals, and people have been excavated there and would reveal to you how the town once prospered before it was buried under volcanic ash.

Then, you would head to Italy's most beautiful coastline — the Amalfi Coast. As you're driven along the coast, you would explore some of the stunning seaside towns.

Stroll along Positano's charming streets, particularly Via dei Mulini, which is lined with boutique shops selling stylish clothing, ceramics, and local crafts. In Amalfi, visit the iconic 9th-century Amalfi Cathedral and admire its striking Arab-Norman architecture, intricate mosaics, and bronze doors.

Explore the historic Villa Rufolo, a 13th-century villa with stunning Moorish architecture and lush gardens. The panoramic views of the coastline from the villa's terraces are fantastic.

If you are interested in an island trip, the nearest island of Capri is a good option. You could take an extra day trip there to explore a sea cave known for its mesmerizing blue water, wander through the picturesque streets of Capri town, and take a boat tour around the Faraglioni, three towering limestone sea stacks that form one of Capri's most iconic landmarks.

10-Day Rome, Naples and Amalfi Coast Tour A Dreamlike Experience for Coastline Lovers

4. Milan, Bologna, and Venice (Unconventional Route)

If this is not your first time in Italy or you want to enjoy some new experiences, such as exploring luxury car manufacturers' histories, you could refer to this itinerary.

• Days 1–3: Milan sightseeing with a Lake Como tour
• Days 4–6: Bologna (city exploration with car museums and a vinegar-tasting experience)
• Days 7–9: Venice sightseeing with a boat ride and a food and wine tour
• Day 10: Departure

The itinerary would start in Milan. Visit its famous Duomo and reach its summit for a stunning view and discover the city with a food tour. If you love fashion and shopping, walk through Milan's fashion center — the Quadrilatero della Moda. Take a day trip to Lake Como where you could explore Como's historic center, enjoy a boat ride, and explore its food and wine.

Bologna is a place where you could have fresh experiences. As the hometown of Lamborghini and Ferrari, explore Lamborghini and Ferrari museums to see legendary car models first-hand.

Bologna is also regarded as Italy's most delicious city. There, you could follow your private guide to explore Bologna's historic center to see the city landmarks and taste local delicacies. You would also have the chance to uncover the secret of balsamic vinegar by visiting an ancient vinegar factory.

In Venice, discover the city highlights with a relaxing gondola ride and a Venetian aperitivo tour. You would also go on a Prosecco wine-tasting tour to visit family-run wineries and savor the various wines made there.

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5. Sicily (Island Vacation)

This itinerary would mainly focus on Sicily, Italy's biggest island. You could spend 10 days on the island to experience its scenery, history, culture, and also food.

• Days 1–3: Palermo (palaces, cathedrals, and a food tour)
• Days 4–5: Syracuse (visit an archeological park and an island)
• Days 6–9: Taormina (volcanic scenery with a sunset view and some free time in the town)
• Day 10: Departure

In the 10 days in Sicily, you could visit three towns with different features and experiences.

Palermo, the capital of Sicily, offers a rich tapestry of history, culture, and culinary delights. There, you could explore the Norman Palace, once the seat of Sicilian kings, take a trip to Monreale to see the stunning cathedral with intricate Byzantine mosaics depicting biblical scenes, and enjoy Sicily's delicacies during a food tour.

Syracuse is one of the best cities to learn about Greek and Roman history. The Neapolis Archeological Park is a place we recommend. There, you would find a massive collection of ruins dating back to Sicily's glorious days, including the Greek Theater.

To gain insight into the historical ties between Syracuse and Greece, visit the island of Ortigia. There, you could explore the coastline while your guide narrates the island's connections to various Greek gods and goddesses, offering a deeper understanding of its cultural significance.

At the last stop in Sicily, Taormina, a trip to Mount Etna to climb the majestic volcano and watch the stunning sunset could be an adventurous and romantic thing to do. We also recommend a cooking class to learn about how to make traditional Sicilian dishes and pasta. Some leisurely time spent exploring the town, such as taking a nap in a hammock and wandering through the charming streets, would be a nice ending for the whole trip.

10-Day Sicily Highlights Tour: Palermo, Syracuse, and TaorminaJourney Through Three Sicilian Pearls

We Are Ready to Help Plan Your Italy Trip

If you have other destinations in mind, activities you're keen on, or any other requests, our consultants will tailor your itinerary to suit your preferences. Feel free to contact us.

Here are some more popular Italy itineraries for your reference:

• 7-Day Rome and Florence Tour
• 10-Day Greece and Italy Classic Tour
• 14-Day Italy and Greece Family Highlights Tour