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7 Ways to Spend 7 Days in Italy – The Best Travel Itinerary

7 Ways to Spend 7 Days in Italy – The Best Travel Itinerary

You are about to spend 7 days in Italy and don’t know where to begin? Understandable. The boot-shaped country has so many must-see places that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But, don’t worry; no matter what cities you pick, you’ll have a great time. 

No, seriously, there’s no way to spend a week in Italy and not have the time of your life. This masterpiece of a country simply has it all. No exaggeration here, absolutely everything! From beautiful beaches and mountains through thousands of years of history and distinctive culture to one of the best cuisines in the world. Welcome to Italy!

About my 7 days in Italy itineraries

seven-days-in-italy-scooter-in-front-of-an-old-door

Before we get to my suggestions on how to spend a week in Italy, let me give a quick synopsis. I’ve been to Italy more times than I can count. It’s my favorite country on Earth, and I love it with all my heart.

While there are countless things to see there, I believe your seven days in Italy would be the best spend on a maximum of 2 main destinations complemented with day trips. I know you are tempted to see all the heavyweight attractions but visiting Rome, Florence, and Venice in such a short amount of time would be a mistake. Here’s why: 

All three cities are incredible and offer tons of fantastic stuff to see. Even if you check out only the biggest highlights, you’d hardly have time to enjoy the relaxed Italian atmosphere. You’ll have to spend tons of time on the road, check in to more hotels, and pack your bag more times, basically wasting time and missing out on the marvels in their regions. If you travel to Italy only to say you’ve visited the most famous cities, it’s ok to plan such an itinerary. If you want to enjoy your 7 days in Italy to the max, though, stick to two major hubs with either day trips or short stops on the road.

7 days in Italy - arch in rome

Now that we have this clear, it’s time to get to my example 7-day Italy itineraries. They are personally tested, so feel free to follow them blindly if you want. You can also easily tailor them according to your taste.

Are you ready?
Let’s go!

   See Also:  Best way to spend 2 weeks in Europe

Rome and Florence + Pisa Itinerary

7-days-in-italy-rome-florence-pisa

My first suggestion on how to spend a week in Italy would be the most classical one – the country’s capital Rome plus the capital of Tuscany – Florence.

I’ve been to many places worldwide, but in my book, nothing beats Rome. The Eternal City is this perfect blend of beauty, chaos, history, food, and romance that I can’t get enough of. Rome is also one of the biggest travel hubs in Europe, so finding affordable plane tickets should be easy.

  • Day 1 – Arrive in Rome
  • Day 2 – Rome
  • Day 3 – Vatican City
  • Day 4 – Travel to Florence
  • Day 5 – Florence
  • Day 6 – Day trip to Pisa
  • Day 7 – Depart from Florence
week in italy the colloseum with stormy sky

Day 1: Arriving in Rome

We start our 7 days in Italy with… nothing. What I mean is that I don’t like to plan anything for the arrival day. The sole purpose of this day is to check in to your hotel, get a nice meal and walk around the city center. 

Rome’s center has plenty to offer, including the Trevi fountain, Piazza Navona, the Partenon, and the Spanish steps. Depending on your hotel location, you can also check Trastevere – Rome’s foodie neighborhood.

Day 2: Exploring Rome’s highlights

On the second day of your week in Italy, you are about to see the symbol of the country – the Colosseum. Better make sure you’ve purchased tickets in advance. Otherwise, chances of getting in are slim to none. 

Right next to the Colosseum, we see another prime landmark – the Roman Forum. The cool thing about the forum is that you don’t need another ticket – the Colosseum and the Forum share the same ticket.

In the afternoon, check out whatever you couldn’t see in the city center on your first day (or Trastevere).

In the evening, see the sunset from Pincio hill or the most beautiful view in Rome through the famous Aventine keyhole.

week-in-italy-st-peter-square-from-above

Day 3: Vatican City

On your third day, you will leave Italy for a bit to explore the country inside of Rome – the Vatican City. Tinier than a neighborhood, the catholic state will occupy your whole day with its Vatican Museums (including the Sistine Chapel) and St. Peter’s Cathedral. Both of them are bucket list quality and should not be skipped. 

Just like the Colosseum, make sure you’ve bought your Vatican Museums tickets beforehand; otherwise, you won’t be able to enter. St. Peter’s Cathedral is free but has a considerable line you’d have to endure to marvel at its interior. I also recommend climbing to the top of the dome to see one of the best views in Italy.

Day 4: Travel to Florence

Get a train to Florence and stroll around the city center. If you arrive early enough, you can even climb the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. Keep in mind, though, that being one of the most popular things to do in Florence, the Brunelleschi Dome ascending requires online reservation sometimes weeks in advance. Then, enjoy a panini from All Antico Vinaio and witness a magical sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo.

florence alley with the Duomo in the back

Day 5: Florence highlights

Spend the day around Florence, checking the extraordinary landmarks the renaissance city offers. My suggestions are:

Prebooking online tickets for all of them is highly advisable (just click on their names).

Day 6: Day trip to Pisa

Your seven days in Italy continue with more world-renounced attractions. The day trip from Florence to Pisa is one of the easiest to do, and you get to enjoy the beauty and quirkiness of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the whole Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) complex.

7 days in italy tower of pisa close up

Day 7: Go home

If your departing flight is from Florence, you may have enough time to check an attraction or two more. Otherwise, make your way back to Rome and have a safe flight.

Extra resources for this itinerary – Detailed Rome GuideDetailed Florence GuideFlorence to Pisa Day Trip Guide.

   See Also:  How to spend 10 days in Portugal

Rome and Naples + Pompei and Amalfi Itinerary

map-with-postcards-from-italy

The second suggestion of spending a week in Italy also includes the capital, but this time it combines it with one of the most vivid cities in the country – Naples. Being the birthplace of pizza, the temple of Maradona, and a gateway to Pompei and Amalfi, Naples adds plenty of dynamic to your seven days in Italy.

  • Day 1 – Arrive in Rome
  • Day 2 – Rome/Vatican City
  • Day 3 – Travel to Naples
  • Day 4 – Naples
  • Day 5 – Day trip to Pompei
  • Day 6 – Day trip around Amalfi
  • Day 7 – Depart from Naples
sunset-over-rome bridge and st peters dome

Day 1 – Arrive in Rome

Just like the previous itinerary, this one begins in Rome. Unlike the previous, however, I’ll advise you to make sure you arrive as early as possible so you can check a major attraction like the Colosseum on day one. In this version of your week in Italy, you have a day less in the Eternal City, so the tempo should be a bit quicker. Ensure you have your Colosseum tickets booked online a week before you set foot in Rome.

Day 2 – Rome/ Vatican City

On your second day, you can check the Vatican Museums (book in advance) and St. Peters Cathedral (climb to the top) in the first half of the day and the city center in the second part. The good thing about Rome is that its attractions are close to eachother and even getting from one to another through the city’s tiny winding alleys is an awesome experience.

week in italy square with lions in naples

Day 3 – Travel to Naples

Get an early train to Naples (an hour and 20 minutes journey) and arrive around noon. This way, you have enough time to check in to your hotel and stroll Naples’s most famous streets – Spaccanapoli Road and Via dei Tribunali. For dinner go to the best pizzeria in Italy – L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele.

Day 4 – Naples

Explore the charming city of Naples and stuff yourself with pizza. Seriously, guys, pizza is the biggest attraction in this lovely southern city, and there’s a good reason for that. Besides already mentioned L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, you should definitely try Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina Sorbillo.

Other Naples attractions to check are the Maradona Mural, Museu Capella Sansevero, the Archeological Museum and Castel dell’Ovo.

centaur statue in Pompei

Day 5 – Day trip to Pompei

Naples is quite remarkable, but just an hour away is Italy’s most famous UNESCO-recognized attraction – the ancient city of Pompei. Buried by the Vesuvius volcano in 79 AD, Pompei is the most well-preserved ancient Roman city that you must have on your itinerary. 
Once there, a great way to get the most out of the ancient city is via tour led by an archeologist.

Day 6 – Day trip around Amalfi

One of the highlights of your 7 days in Italy would be right before your departure. The Amalfi coast is considered the most beautiful area of Italy and being in Naples you just can’t miss it.

 With only a week in Italy, you won’t have enough time for detailed exploration, but that’s ok – a day is enough to taste the area’s beauty without spending a fortune on it (yes, Italy’s premium vacation spot comes with premium prices too).

The best way to explore Positano, Ravelo, and the other Amalfi highlights is via an organized trip from Naples.

7-days-in-italy-positano-from-above

Day 7 Depart from Naples

And just like that, your week in Italy is over. If your departure flight is from Naples, you may have enough time for a few more attractions and maybe a pizza or two. If not, make your way back to Rome and have a safe flight.

Extra resources for this itinerary – Detailed Rome GuideDetailed Naples GuidePompei GuideMount Vesuvious Guide.

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Rome + Alberobello + Matera Itinerary

week-in-italy-rome-matera-alberobelo

This itinerary will present a bit off-the-beaten-path way to spend a week in Italy. It’s not really that off-beaten because both Alberobello and Matera are known tourist destinations, but they are far, far away from the popularity of Venice and Florence. It’s the only itinerary with three places to stay, but in my defense, Alberobello and Matera present one-of-a-kind sleeping accommodations.

  • Day 1 – Arrive in Rome
  • Day 2 – Rome
  • Day 3 – Vatican City
  • Day 4 – Travel to Matera
  • Day 5 – Matera/ travel to Alberobello
  • Day 6 – Alberobello
  • Day 7 – Depart from Bari
seven days in italy trevi fountain up close

Day 1 – Arrive in Rome

Just as in my first 7 days in Italy itinerary, we have the first day free. Check in to your hotel and lazily stroll around the city center. Toss a coin in Trevi, marvel at Piazza Navona, sit at the Spanish Steps and enjoy a sunset at Pincio.

Day 2 – Explore Rome

Your second day in Italy is reserved for the country’s symbols – the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. They are both situated right next to eachother and share the same ticket (you should buy online).

In the afternoon, check out the attractions you couldn’t see the previous day, grab a bite at Trastevere and enjoy a sunset in the Orange Gardens.

italian landmarks staricase-of-the-vatican-museums

Day 3 – Vatican City

Continue your seven days in Italy with a visit to the holiest country on Earth – the Vatican City. For those of you that do not know it already, this “country” is as large as a neighborhood and easily explored in a day. Vatican City’s highlights are the Vatican Museums (which you should get online tickets for), the Sistine Chapel (part of the Vatican Museums), St. Peter’s Cathedral (free but requires a long line waiting), and St. Peter’s Square (best observed from the top of the cathedral).

Day 4 – Travel to Matera

Say goodbye to Rome and get a bus (easy to find on Omio) to one of the weirdest cities in Europe – Matera. Build entirely out of stone, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fantastic place to explore. The bus ride is around 5 hrs, so you won’t have much time to wander around but do your best.

matera-at-dawn

Day 5 – Matera/Alberobello

Matera doesn’t really have a lot of attractions. It’s primarily viewpoints, old roads, and a couple of churches. In half a day, you can cover pretty much everything and make your way to Alberobello. You need to get a bus to Bari (1 hr) and then another to Alberobello (2hrs) so make sure you plan that right.

Day 6 – Alberobello

Alberobello would be one of the most curious places you’ve seen and a perfect way to end your week in Italy. The village is full of weird white Trulli houses, and exploring them feels surreal. The attraction of Alberobello is the town itself, so spend the day getting lost around its tiny streets. For a complete experience, I strongly recommend staying inside one of the Trulli houses.

red-bike-in-front-of-a-white-house

Day 7 – Depart from Bari

Make your way back to Bari (or Rome) and say goodbye to Italy. Have a safe flight!

Extra resources for this itinerary – Detailed Rome and Vatican City Guide

Florence and Venice + Bologna Itinerary

7-day-italy-itinerary-map-with-italy-postcards

This 7-day Italy itinerary is probably the most romantic one. Yes, it skips Rome, which sucks, but Florence and Venice are good enough to compensate. Good enough is actually a colossal insult to two of the most enchanting places on the planet.

  • Day 1 – Arrive in Florence
  • Day 2 – Florence
  • Day 3 – Florence
  • Day 4 – Travel to Venice through Bologna
  • Day 5 – Venice
  • Day 6 – Venice
  • Day 7 – Depart from Venice
week in italy - florence-duomo-at-sunset

Day 1 – Arrive in Florence

Arrive in the city of Michelangelo, check in to your hotel, and stroll around the city center. You may grab a bite at Via del Neri or enjoy a Spritz at Hotel Medici’s Rooftop Bar.

Day 2 – Florence

Explore the city center, starting with Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral’s dome and/or tower (make sure you buy your online tickets a week ahead). If you’re up to it, you may wait on the humongous crowd to get inside the cathedral (unless you have skip-the-line ticket).

In the afternoon, go through Ponte Vecchio and walk around the Boboli Gardens. Then, enjoy a magical sunset on Piazzale Michelangelo.

david statue in glaeria academica in florence

Day 3 – Florence

Time to enjoy the artsy side of Florence. First, go check out David in Galeria Academica, then get lost in one of the top art museums in the world – The Uffizi Gallery. If you have more time, you can also check the amazing Cappelle Medicee or climb the Brunelleschi Dome. Another option for this day is a day trip to Pisa.

Day 4 – Travel to Venice through Bologna

On the fourth day of your 7 days in Italy, you need to get up early and make your way to Bologna. It’s only an hour and a half train journey so you should arrive there before noon. Bologna is very cool but small, so you don’t need a whole day to explore it.

Spend the next few hours strolling around the city center. Make sure you check Piazza Maggiore, The Leaning Towers of Bologna, San Petronio Church, and the Archiginnasio. Also, try some local tortellini (this one is a must). In the afternoon, make your way to Venice (3 hours via train)

7 days in Italy-Venice-Grand-Canale

Day 5 – Venice

Ah, Venice! The most romantic place in the world. As unique as it gets, Venice is just a marvel of a city. While full of attractions, Venice’s most prominent landmark is Venice itself! 

Spend your first day there exploring the tiny alleys and canals, picturesque restaurants, the San Marco Square, and the Bridge of Sighs. End the day with a walk around Canale Grande and a sunset watch on the Accademia Bridge.

Day 6 – Venice

The last full day of your week in Italy is here, and you’re in Venice. How awesome is this! Continue exploring the picturesque canals of the Floating City, go up the bell tower of San Marco and check out the Doge Palace (better make sure you have an online ticket, though).

In the afternoon, check out the Rialto Bridge and go for a Gondola ride.
End the day with a panoramic sunset on the top of Fondaco dei Tedeschi.

gondolas-passing-under-the-bridge-of-sighs

Day 7 – Depart from Venice

Sadly your Italian adventure is over, and it’s time to go home. So make your way to the Marco Polo/Treviso airport or back to Romе. Have a safe flight.

Resources that will help you with this itinerary – Detailed Florence GuideDay Trip to Pisa GuideDetailed Venice Guide.

   See Also:  How to spend 10 days in Thailand

 Florence + Tuscany, Pisa, Cinque Terre Itinerary

map-with-pisa-florence-and-ct-postcards

This is the easiest one-week Italy itinerary I have. You have to book just one hotel and your travel time is relatively little. You will see neither Rome nor Venice or Naples but trust me, you’ll immensely enjoy this trip.

  • Day 1 – Arrive in Florence
  • Day 2 – Florence
  • Day 3 – Florence
  • Day 4 – Day trip to Pisa
  • Day 5 – Day trip around Tuscany
  • Day 6 – Day trip to Cinque Terre
  • Day 7 – Depart from Florence
10-days-in-italy-itinerary-florence-duomo

Day 1 – Arrive in Florence

With this itinerary, you have plenty of time in Florence, so there is nothing you should rush into your first day. You may grab a bite at Via del Neri or enjoy a Spritz at Hotel Medici’s Rooftop Bar.

Day 2 – Florence

Get lost around the city center but make sure you find your way to Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. First, see the view from its dome and/or bell tower (make sure you buy your online tickets a week ahead). Then, if you’re up to it, you may wait on the humongous crowd to get inside the cathedral (unless you have a skip-the-line ticket).

Enjoy a walk around the Arno River in the afternoon, go through Ponte Vecchio, and see the Boboli Gardens. Finally, enjoy a magical sunset on Piazzale Michelangelo to cap this wonderful day.

7 days in Italy medici-chapel-marbel-interior

Day 3 – Florence

Your third day is a museum day. First, check out Michelangelo’s David in Galeria Academica, then get art overload in one of the top art museums in the world – The Uffizi Gallery

Other Florence landmarks worth checking are the amazing Cappelle Medicee, the celebrity tombs inside the Basilica of Santa Croce, and Piazza della Signoria.

Day 4 – Day trip to Pisa

Time to get out of Florence. When you have such a travel gem as Pisa that close to you, you just have to see it, right? The good thing about Pisa is that the Leaning Tower and all the other city attractions are in the same place – Piazza dei Miracoli.

Climb the tower, go inside the Santa Maria della Spina and the Baptistery, explore Camposanto Monumentale, and do it all in a relaxed tempo. You have nothing else to do today.

week in Italy pisa cathedral looked from the tower

Day 5 – Day trip around Tuscany

Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region. And the Tuscany region is world-famous for its natural beauty and wine. We can’t skip that, can we? So day five of our seven days in Italy will be spent on an organized trip around some of Tuscany’s biggest highlights. Now it’s up to you to choose the best day trip. I’ve tried this wine tour and this Tuscany highlights one, and they both were top quality.

Day 6 – Day trip to Cinque Terre

Today we will visit another can’t-believe-something-like-that-exist attraction. Cinque Terre is probably the most picturesque group of villages you can find anywhere on the planet. Scratch that; they surely are the most picturesque group of villages you can find anywhere on the planet. Tucked away at the eastern end of the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre are five colorful traffic-free villages you will remember forever.

Going there on your own is not that easy, but it’s absolutely doable. Here it’s explained in detail how to do it. Of course, you can also choose the hassle-free way and book an organized tour as I did.

7-day-italy-itinerary-cinqye-terre-panorama

Day 7 – Depart from Florence

Just like that, your Tuscany adventure is over. I’m sure you had a great time and will be back to see more of Italy. Have a safe flight.

Resources that will help you with this itinerary – Detailed Florence GuideDay Trip to Pisa Guide.

Milan and Cinque Terre + Genoa Itinerary

7-days-in-italy-milan-genoa-ct-postcards

This 7-day Italy itinerary is more suitable for people who’ve been to the country before. This route misses Rome, Venice, and Florence, and while Milan is quite impressive and Cinque Terre is incredibly picturesque, they can’t compensate for the heavyweights. However, if you’ve already seen some of the best cities in the country, this route will let you dive deeper into Italy’s magnificent culture.

  • Day 1 – Arrive in Milan
  • Day 2 – Milan
  • Day 3 – Day trip to lake Como
  • Day 4 – Travel to Genoa and then Cinque Terre
  • Day 5 – Cinque Terre
  • Day 6 – Cinque Terre
  • Day 7 – Depart from Genoa/Milan
week-in-italy-milans-duomo-at-sunrise
  • Day 1 – Arrive in Milan

Milan is one of the biggest cities in Italy, and plenty of low-cost flights land there. On your first day, walk around the city and enjoy the atmosphere. You can also do some shopping on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II

  • Day 2 – Milan

On the second of your 7 days in Italy, you can explore the city’s biggest attractions. Start with the most significant building in town – Milan’s Duomo. While the city is far from the most picturesque in Italy, its cathedral is quite the opposite. It’s not only one of the most impressive in the country, but I dare to say it’s one of the most impressive temples in the world. Don’t miss going on the roof too. The views are spectacular.

Stroll through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Piazza Mercanti, grab a bite, and head over to Santa Maria Delle Grazie, where you can see the most famous wall painting in the world – Da Vinci’s Last Supper. Make sure you’ve bought tickets online or have a tour booked; otherwise, there’s no chance of getting in.
In the evening, go back to Piazza del Duomo to see the cathedral lit up at night.

dinner-at-lake-como
  • Day 3 – Day trip to lake Como

There’s hardly anything else noteworthy in Milan, so on day three, make your way to beautiful lake Como. You can do it on your own, boarding the train to Como Nord Lago (end of the line) or get an organized tour with transportation.

At lake Como, you can go to one of their three beaches or stroll around the town of Como or the colorful villages of Bellagio and Varenna. You can also go on one of the numerous cruises over the lake or get a private boat.

  • Day 4 – Travel to Genoa and then Cinque Terre

On day 4, get up early and take the train to Genoa (2 hours). Walk around the colorful city center and grab a bite before embarking on another train to Cinque Terre. No matter which village you’ve chosen you can easily reach it via train.

7-days-in-italy-genoa-beach-from-above
  • Day 5 – Cinque Terre

Designated in 1999, The Cinque Terre National Park is Italy’s smallest and oldest National Park. While incredibly tiny (around 15 sq mi), the five villages offer some of the most gorgeous sceneries in the world.

Monterosso and Riomaggiore are the biggest villages that offer more accommodation options than the others. Vernazza and Manarola are both smaller but considered the most beautiful of the five. Corniglia is somewhere in the middle. Since they are small enough, you can see them all in two days.

  • Day 6 – Cinque Terre

Continue exploring the villages and consider embarking on one of the tours in the area. If you stay in Monterosso, this sunset cruise is definitely a spectacular treat. The kayak exploration tour is also something worth considering. If you’re in Manarola, you can indulge in delicious Italian wine tasting.

cinque-terre-at-night
  • Day 7 – Depart from Genoa

Make your way back to Genoa or Milan via train and say goodbye to Italy. Have a safe flight!

   See Also:  How to spend 2 weeks in Indonesia

Sicily and/or Sardinia Itinerary

map-with-sicily-and-sardinia-postcards

The last option of spending seven days in Italy is a bit different from the others. Sicily and Sardinia are the country’s biggest islands, and they both offer enough to spend your entire vacation there. You have three options on how to do it:

7-day-italy-itinerary-old-temple-in-sicily
  • Option 1 – A week in Sicily

Sicily is an incredible blend of Arabic, Byzantine, Greek, and Norman influences and is awash with cultural treasures. A real magnet for all archeology enthusiasts out there. While traveling around mainland Italy is easiest via train, to explore Sicily the best way possible, you’ll have to rent a car.

Exploring Sicily will be a road trip like no other. Starting in Palermo, drive through Taormina, Cefalu, Syracuse, and Ragusa. Dedicate a day to each of them and, of course, don’t miss the UNESCO-recognized Agrigento archeological area.

sardinia-beach-with-yachts
  • Option 2 – A week in Sardinia

Unlike Sicily, Sardinia is not so famous for its archeological marvels but more for its heavenly beaches. Dedicate a couple of days to Sardinia’s colorful capital of Cagliari before making your way to the shores of Porto Torres. Finally, end your journey in Saridina’s most famous resort town – Olbia, known for its delicious pizza and cute little cafes and bars.

boats-in-sicily-port
  • Option 3 – A week in Sicily and Sardinia

If you wish to combine both Mediterranian islands, you better skip their capitals. The easiest way to travel between Sicily and Sardinia is via Ryanair flight that departs from Catania and lands in Alghero (you can also catch a ferry, but it’s a 12-hour journey, and with only 7 days in Italy, we can’t afford to waste that much time).

Make your Sicily base in Catania and go on day trips exploring TaorminaMount Etna, and Syracuse.
Once in Sardinia, stick to the north side with Porto Torres and/or Olbia. Make sure you check the Ryanair flights and plan your week in Italy according to them.

Tips and Tricks to spend the perfect 7 days in Italy

Now that you’ve seen all of my suggested Italy itineraries let me give you some tips. Itineraries are essential, but there are a few more things to watch for to guarantee a smooth journey.

  • Don’t try to see everything

This is my most important tip. Trying to see everything in just a week in Italy is a huge mistake. Not only that, it’s impossible, but it’ll make your vacation more of a choir. And by everything, I don’t mean only the cities but also the attractions inside them. You won’t be able to see everything in Rome for two and a half days. No, sir. You better pick the highlights you think you’ll enjoy the most and spend your week in Italy in a relaxed tempo. Trust me – you’ll enjoy it way more!

  • Use trains

Italian trains are just marvelous. They are fast, reliable, and can get you pretty much anywhere you want. The best place to find train journeys in Europe is Omio.

  • Consider renting a car

Italian traffic is among the most chaotic ones I’ve seen in Europe, and still… nothing beats the convenience of having a car to help you explore the country. So, if you consider yourself an adequate driver, rent a car and explore the maximum you can of this beautiful country. The best tool to find one in Itlay is Discover Cars. They will compare the offers of 500 rent-a-car providers and present you with the best offers there are.

7-days-in-italy-train-passing-picturesque-cliff
  • Pick your season carefully

I’m sure you are already aware of that, but the weather is a vital part of having a great week in Italy. The boot-shaped country pride itself on great weather, but it’s better to do your research before booking them plane tickets. Shoulder seasons are the best time to visit most European countries, Italy included. Here’s a bit more about Italy’s weather.

  • Pick your hotel carefully

Although you probably won’t spend much time in your hotel (since there’s so much to see outside of it), choosing good accommodation is still vital. What I do is mark all the attractions I want to see on Google Maps. Then I open Booking.com’s map and pick a hotel close to most of them with a metro station (or at least a bus stop) next to it.

duomo-view-from-a-roofbar
  • Avoid the tourist traps

Italy is the third most visited country in Europe, so you can imagine how many tourist traps there are. During your week in Italy, you’re bound to stumble on them but avoiding the most obvious ones is not that hard. 

For example, never sit for a meal or buy souvenirs from the major tourist spots. They are always overpriced, and most of the time, the quality is not that good. Instead, try to find restaurants with mostly local clients. They are guaranteed to serve authentic food. And authentic Italian food is the most delicious thing in the world.

  • Get a travel insurance

Italy is not the most dangerous country there is, but I’ll always recommend having travel insurance. No matter how safe a place is, you never know what may happen. I currently use HeyMondo for my travels because they have proven themselves to me more than once over the years. The link above will give you a 5% discount, but If you have another favorite provider, that’s ok. Just make sure you have one because you never know what may happen.

  • Depart from a different city

Since you have only 7 days in Italy, you need to maximize your sightseeing time and minimize the traveling time. If you arrived in Rome, for example, and made your way to Florence, it would be stupid to waste half a day going back to Rome just to catch your flight back home, right? So just get one from Florence.

That’s all from me, I hope you have an awesome week in Italy!
  
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If you haven’t planned your trip there yet, find out how I plan my trips!
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I have 48 bucket list ideas for Italy. See my impossible bucket list of 1700+ adventures!


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