A couple of years ago, before I set sail for South America, my friend got married in Italy. Being the great friend that I am, I travelled to Italy for the wedding, and I decided to take a holiday to explore more of the country while I was there. I loved Italy, and Italian food, people, art, and architecture just blew me away. I wanted to share this one-week Italy itinerary that will take you to Rome, Florence, and Pisa.
Know Before You Go to New Italy
Before travelling to Italy, make sure you book accommodation and popular attractions ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out.
⭐ TOP 3 ITALY ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
Rome: Vatican: Museums & Sistine Chapel Entrance Ticket
Florence: Timed Entrance Ticket to Michelangelo’s David
Pisa: Reserved Entrance to Leaning Tower of Pisa & Cathedral
Italy Itinerary Days One to Three: Rome
Rome is magnificent. There are so many wonderful things to see in Rome that three days are just enough to scratch the surface, but if you only have two days in Rome then you can still fit in most of the highlights.
Key Rome attractions include the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Roman Forum, or the Pantheon. I chose not to visit the Vatican, and although I want to go back and see it, I don’t regret spending my time simply wandering the streets and eating. This is another essential activity in Rome or anywhere in Italy for that matter!
Bear in mind that the Colosseum and St. Peter’s will both have hefty queues, so I suggest doing these first thing in the morning. For me, the Colosseum was the highlight of Rome. Walking inside and imagining gladiators battling in front of hordes of Romans gave me goosebumps!
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If you’re visiting Italy on a budget there are plenty of free things to do in Rome, but sadly, when I was there, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain were both hidden beneath scaffolding. This is another excellent excuse for me to make a repeat visit! You can take in some of the key sites walking around the city, and then you can hop on the bus or take a taxi when you get tired.
Trastevere is one of the best areas to stay in Rome, but even if you aren’t staying there you should at least visit for dinner. Choose any of the restaurants here for one of the best meals you will ever have! Enjoy a glass of wine in any piazza, and watch the world go by. Italy is not a country for rushing, so just sit back and relax.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Speak the few words of Italian you know, gesticulate wildly, and fall in love with Italy or an Italian if you can! And know that Rome is just the beginning of your adventure in Italy.
Top things to do in Rome include:
- Vatican: Museums & Sistine Chapel Entrance Ticket
- Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill Entry Tickets
- Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius Volcano Full-Day Trip
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide
- Fiumicino Airport: Direct Bus Transfer to Rome Termini
Italy Itinerary Days Four to Six: Florence
Trains from Rome to Florence can take as little as an hour and a half, so book an early train to enjoy the rest of the day in Florence. Here, too, morning is the best time to visit the most popular attractions to try to avoid crowds.
To see Florence at its most magnificent, spend your mornings sightseeing and the afternoons eating and exploring. Florence was my favourite city in Italy. It’s compact, stunningly beautiful, and less in-your-face than Rome. I could imagine myself living there.
You have to visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s “David.” The detail and size of the statue surprised me, from the muscles in David’s leg to his smooth marble skin, along with the fact that Michelangelo began work on his masterpiece when he was just 26 years old, finishing it three years later.
For more classic Italian art, the Uffizi Gallery is home to works by Botticelli, Piero della Francesca, and many more. Book slots online to avoid the crowds at both museums, or get there before they open and join the queue.
Book your tickets here for the Uffizi Gallery or to see Michelangelo’s David
In the afternoon, admire Il Duomo, the huge cathedral that dominates the skyline of Florence, and climb the bell tower for unbeatable views of the city. Stroll down to the river at sunset to see the Ponte Vecchio bridge bathed in golden light and its reflection on the Arno River.
Across the river is the Piazzale Michelangelo, with a bronze replica of “David” and more stunning views of Florence. The walk up the hill is worth the effort!
Florence’s market is a haven for foodies, where you can buy risotto, pasta, cheese, wine, olive oil, and more to take home, as long as you can resist the temptation to eat everything before you leave.
With creamy gelato, focaccia sandwiches stuffed with cured meats and cheeses, fresh bread with a drizzle of olive oil and rich balsamic vinegar, spaghetti in a garlic sauce with clams, the food in Florence is to die for. Even if you do nothing else, just eat in Florence, and you’ll be happy.
Italy Itinerary Day Seven: Pisa
Two days are best to get to know Pisa, but one day is enough to see the highlights and the Leaning Tower. I booked another morning train from Florence to Pisa, which took about an hour, and then I hit the streets to explore the city. You could also do a day trip from Florence to Pisa and return to Florence in the evening.
The Leaning Tower is the most popular attraction in Pisa. Many tourists simply visit the Tower in the Piazza dei Miracoli and neglect the rest of this charming city. Take time to discover Pisa’s piazzas, side streets, cafés, and bars to get a real flavour of Italy away from the crowds. Alternatively, try a self-guided bike tour of Pisa to explore the city on two wheels.
The best things to do in Pisa include:
I ended my trip in Pisa and took a cheap flight back home to the U.K. If you’re flying to and from Rome, then catch a train to whisk you back to the capital. If you have more time, you can add other destinations to your itinerary, such as Bologna, Venice, or Milan to explore more Italian city life.
For a taste of picturesque waterfront towns, try Lake Garda, Lake Como, or Cinque Terre. This two-week itinerary by train has a great route, taking in Venice, Milan, Cinque Terre and Assisi, as well as Rome Florence. No matter how long you spend in Italy, I guarantee it won’t be enough!
Getting Around Italy
Italy By Train
Travelling in Italy by train is easy, at least to these key destinations. I recommend booking tickets in advance, especially for high-speed trains. With only one week to explore the country, you don’t want to risk wasting time. However, at the station watch out for over-helpful scammers who will grab your bags and expect a tip for carrying them onto the train. Only give your tickets to the official ticket collector!
Italy By Car
If you are a confident driver you could also consider hiring a car and driving around Italy. An Italy road trip gives you the freedom and flexibility of being able to stop when and where you like, although driving in Italian cities needs nerves of steel! It helps if you have a navigator with you who can help with directions and moral support, as well as sharing the driving.
Looking to Hire a Car?
- Get a quote for car hire with Discover Cars who compare car rental deals from lots of different companies so that you can choose which is best for your trip. I've used Discover Cars several times on road trips around the world and I love how easy it is to find cheap car hire!
Italy Tours
If you prefer to sit back, relax and let someone else do all the planning and organisation, then joining a group tour of Italy is a great idea.
Recommended Italy Tours
If you prefer to explore Italy with a group tour, here are a few fabulous options
Ultimate Italy | G Adventures
Spend 14 days exploring the best of Italy, from Rome to Venice. Admire the colourful villages of the Cinque Terre, sip local wine in Tuscany, stroll along the canals of Venice and fall in love with Florence on this incredible tour.
Local Living Italy | G Adventures
G Adventures Local Living Tours really get under the skin of a destination, spending more time in one place and getting to know the local culture. This Local Living adventure starts in Rome then you will be in the heart of central Tuscany.
Best of Italy | GetYourGuide
Explore 9 picturesque Italian cities in 5 days with this guided tour from Rome. You'll visit Assisi, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Bologna, Padova, Venice and Montepulciano. See masterpieces from the likes of Michelangelo and Giotto, roam ancient cobbled streets, marvel at magnificent cathedrals, and taste delightful wines.
Other Italy Travel Tips
You shouldn’t have any trouble getting around Italy or talking to the people you meet in English, although learning some words of Italian will no doubt help you along – even the basic buongiorno (hello) and grazie (thank you) will make people even more welcoming!
If you’re staying for a while or will want to use a lot of data while you’re travelling you may want to buy a sim card in Italy or check out an eSIM.
eSIMs are a cheap and useful way to make sure you stay connected, as long as your phone is eSIM compatible. Most new models do have eSIM capability but double-check before you purchase.
Airalo eSIMs are super easy to use and set up, and you get email notifications when your eSIM is about to expire so you can top up easily if needed.
Check current rates and prices for data packages here:
You should also check the fees your credit or debit card will charge you for withdrawing euros in Italy or for each card transaction. I use my Wise travel credit card which has great rates on transactions and withdrawals.
Have you been to Italy? What was your favourite city, and how did you plan your Italy itinerary? Let me know in the comments below.
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Great guide! I’ve been to Italy a few times and there is just so much to see! I like that your itinerary doesn’t cram too much into one week!
I´ve been to Italy many times. My favourite city is Rome. Historical sights, great food, architecture shopping…. it has it all.
Pisa was much larger than we thought it would be, we really enjoyed visiting and had a gelato by the banks of the river. This is a great itinerary for anyone travelling to Italy, thanks for sharing.
What a helpful guide! We ended up spending about 7 days between Rome and Florence on our visit to Italy last fall and we really loved our time there. Don’t forget to get your ticket validated!! 🙂
Rome, Florence, Pisa, all unique and magnificent in their own way. We traveled across the three places in 5 days, but wish we had spent a couple of more days at each place to really enjoy them. Loved Florence the most, simply breathtaking.
I have not yet been to Italy and can’t wait to visit someday. It’s such a popular destination and I’ve definitely seen a ton of photos of the Leaning Tower. Such great advice to explore Pisa beyond the leaning tower because I would have thought there was nothing else there to see. The pedicab tour of Pisa sounds like a lot of fun too!
This is a great week itinerary. My first trip to Italy was 9 days and we skipped Pisa, but squeezed in Venice, a short stop in Padua and Assisi. It was literally end to end. I think this is probably better because you get more time in cities than on buses. The second time I went, I stayed in Florence for 8 days and took two day trips to Siena and Bologna and it was my preference of the two visits because it was so much more chill. Although, I think no trip is complete without time in Rome. So much history!
I was in Italy 20 years ago. I had a scholarship and I explored Italy for six month. Toscana was my favorite and besides the famous Rome, Florence, and Pisa, I enjoyed the small medieval town of Montepulcuano, Pienza, Luca. I don’t have enough words to describe the beauty if Italy but the fact that I stayed only in Rome for one week maybe has something to say.
What a comprehensive itinerary that you have owned. This post is filled with beautiful scenery and I love how you have tucked them all together and made a great itinerary . I haven’t been to any of this place and I actually have long been dreaming to visit Rome and Florence. Hopefully I get the chance to visit here soon. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Rome is incredible but sadly I was underwhelmed by Florence. That area is however stunning. I love the little mountain towns that you can explore at leisure. So medieval