How To Spend 10 Days in Italy

I get this request all the time: "Tim, I want to go to Italy, help." First, Italy is a big country. Getting through all of Italy in 10 days is not possible. There's so much history, and the different areas are just so unique, so how do you pick?

As an expert, I have to ask my clients what's important to them first. What do you want to see? Why are you going there? What made you want to go? Is there something important to see? Education on the destination is also an important part of the planning process. Letting clients know how long it takes to get from one city to another. Advising how long you should stay in each city. Recommending the major things to see and do while you're in each city. These are all important parts of the travel planning process that will help us provide the best experience.

Popular Areas of Italy to Visit:

Let's break down the areas. Milan, Lake Como, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Pisa, Florence, Rome, Naples, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Sicily. Each destination offers a completely different experience, so understanding what makes each one unique is the first step in planning the perfect Italy itinerary.

Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples are all major airports where people can fly in and out with the best chance of a nonstop flight. Of course, this all depends on where they're flying from. Most of Italy's major cities are connected by high-speed trains, making it easy to travel between destinations like Milan, Florence, Rome, and Naples. Remote destinations like Lake Como, Cinque Terre, and the Amalfi Coast often require regional trains, ferries, or private transfers to reach your hotel. Some will be adventurous and rent a car just keep in mind driving in these small towns also come with unique challenges.

In order to plan your trip correctly, we need to know what you want to see and help build around that. Traveling in an organized path will help us see more and allow us to plan all the parts you need. Let me share a few ideas of how to spend 10 days in Italy but remember, they don't work for everyone. Below I'll outline the various cities and how long you should stay in each.

Lake Como:

Lake Como has become one of Italy's most popular destinations thanks to its luxury hotels, charming lakeside villages, and breathtaking scenery. Last year it was Amalfi Coast and Southern Italy. This year it's Northern Italy. So how do you get to Lake Como? You'll want to fly in to Milan. From there, I recommend a private driver to take you to your hotel in Lake Como. The village in Lake Como that you'll be staying will depend on your budget but there are a few villages that I highly recommend to make your stay top-notch while you're there. Why do I recommend a private driver? Simple, depending on the village you stay at, you may need to rely on the regional trains and it's much easier to have a private driver take you to your hotel and take the hassle out of traveling. Staying in the right village in Lake Como will allow you to get the most out of your time. Remember, you're here for the lake and the authenticity of Italy. If you have an interest in Switzerland, try the Bernina Express train. I would say around 3 nights in Lake Como depending if you take the train to Switzerland as that's an all day tour.

Milan:

Milan is Italy's fashion and financial capital, known for luxury shopping, incredible architecture, and Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, The Last Supper. Visiting Milan is easy as it's a major airport allowing a lot of traveling to get here via a nonstop flight. I usually recommend only a single night in Milan as it's a major city known for shopping but most people are coming to Italy for other cities and are using Milan as a hub to get here, not stay here for a long period.

Venice:

Venice is unlike anywhere else in the world. Built on more than 100 small islands, there are no cars here—just canals, water taxis, and the iconic gondolas. This is a city meant to be explored at a slower pace. Wander the narrow streets, cross charming bridges, sip an Aperol Spritz in a quiet piazza, and enjoy some of the best seafood and Italian cuisine you'll find anywhere. Here you'll visit St. Mark's Square, tour St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, and take time to simply get lost in the city's hidden alleyways. You can also take a short boat ride to Murano, the world-famous home of Venetian glassblowing, where you can watch master artisans create beautiful blown glass by hand. I typically recommend only a night or two but keep in mind, you're walking the entire time so picking the right hotel is key.

Cinque Terre:

Cinque Terre is one of the most beautiful coastal destinations in Italy, made up of five colorful cliffside villages connected by scenic hiking trails and regional trains. Known for its dramatic ocean views, charming harbors, fresh seafood, and terraced vineyards, it's one of Italy's most photographed destinations. Visitors can explore the villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, each offering its own unique character and breathtaking scenery. Cinque Terre is tough to drive so it's recommended to leave out the rental car and use the regional trains or join a boat tour to visit all the villages. I would recommend 3 nights here.

Tuscany:

When people think of Tuscany, they think of vineyards. Popular areas include Chianti, Val d'Orcia, Siena, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, and Montalcino, each offering its own wineries, scenery, and local cuisine. I do highly recommend a car when you're in Tuscany as getting around requires driving and hiring a private driver is pricey and using taxi or Uber service is not something you'll be able to do here. The areas of Tuscany are very sleepy. You're here for the vineyards, the wine, and the food. You're not here for the entertainment or to party. For that, I recommend only 2 nights here.

Florence:

Florence is a big city. Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance and one of the best cities in Italy for art, history, shopping, and incredible food. The hop-on hop-off bus is a great way to get around and get acclimated to the city. If you're visiting the museums, skip-the-line passes are a must. Consider a walking tour if you want a more educational approach. Buy some jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio bridge, but remember to negotiate. Florence is a big city, so it's important to stay in the city to have the best experience. If you're planning yourself, make sure you're not staying outside the city, which requires a drive into the city every time or you'll be wasting money and time. I recommend 2 nights here for a good pace.

Rome:

Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world and is often the highlight of a first trip to Italy. Do NOT rent a car here. We'll put you in the right location so that you're in the heart of everything. I like to break down Rome into three specific areas: the Vatican, Colosseum, and the city. Having the hotel in the right area will have you within walking distance of the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and all the restaurants and squares. You'll want to get skip-the-line passes for the Vatican and the Colosseum because these lines can get super long and having you waiting hours to get in. I recommend 3 nights for Rome to see everything and no rush. You can try to do it in 2 but it'll be a little rushed.

Amalfi Coast:

The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy's most iconic destinations, known for dramatic cliffs, colorful seaside towns, and spectacular Mediterranean views. Travelers often compare it to Cinque Terre, but each destination offers a completely different experience. It's made up of different cities along the coast, and every one offers something different. We don't always recommend staying in one of those cities; Sorrento is a hidden gem, and you can drive into the cities along the Amalfi Coast to save money on the hotel. Most people will do day trips to Capri from here and tours to see the Blue Grotto. You can also do a boat tour to see the cities along the Amalfi Coast like Ravello and Positano. I recommend a minimum of 3 nights here mainly because of the how long it takes to get here from Rome.

Pisa and Naples:

I mentioned Pisa and Naples earlier in the blog, but we don't have people stay in these destinations. While Pisa is famous for the Leaning Tower, I usually recommend visiting it as a quick stop instead of building an entire itinerary around it. Sure, it's cool to get a picture holding up the leaning tower but it's my opinion that it's not worth the hassle for all the other things you could be visiting while here. I also mentioned Sicily earlier but Sicily is best traveled on its own, so if you're visiting Sicily, you're most likely staying there the entire time.

We'd love to help plan your next trip to Italy. We can help with flights, hotels, renting a car, booking trains, private transportation, and tours. If traveling alone frightens you, consider a group tour option where you follow a specific itinerary with a group of people the entire trip. This helps to make it easier for some. We can help recommend the right option of travel for you!

Frequently Asked Questions About Planning an Italy Trip

How many days should you spend in Italy?

I usually recommend at least 10 days for first-time visitors. It gives you enough time to experience multiple regions without feeling rushed.

Should I rent a car in Italy?

Not always. Cities like Rome, Florence, and Milan are best explored without one, while Tuscany is one of the few regions where renting a car makes sense.

What's the best time to visit Italy?

Spring and fall are my favorite seasons because you'll enjoy comfortable weather, smaller crowds, and fantastic sightseeing.

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