10 Day Italy Itinerary – Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan & Lake Como

This 10 day Italy itinerary is designed to minimize backtracking, focus on high-speed trains and keep a comfortable pace through Italy’s most famous cities.

• Start in Rome for ancient sites, fountains and the Vatican.
• Continue to Florence for Renaissance art and a Pisa/Tuscany option.
• Move on to Venice for canals, islands and gondolas.
• End in Milan with a Lake Como day trip and final shopping.

The itinerary assumes open-jaw flights (arrive Rome FCO, depart Milan MXP) and uses Trenitalia / Italo high-speed trains between cities.

These internal guides give you more detail about the services and attractions mentioned in this 10 day Italy itinerary:

• Flights & transit routes »
• Best seasons & flight deals »
• Rome hotel areas »
• Florence hotel areas »
• Venice hotel areas »
• Milan hotel areas »
• Family & honeymoon hotels »
• High-speed trains guide »
• Getting around Rome »
• Getting around Venice »
• Getting around Milan »

Suggested main airports for this 10 day Italy itinerary are: Rome Fiumicino (FCO), Venice (VCE) and Milan Malpensa (MXP).

• Use open-jaw flights: arrive in Rome (FCO) and depart from Milan (MXP) to avoid backtracking and save time.
• Compare prices and routes via major hubs; many airlines offer one-stop options from the Middle East and Europe.

For more detail: 👉 Flights & transit routes guide »

Split your stay across the four main cities for a balanced Italy travel itinerary:

• Rome: stay near Colosseum / Trevi for easy access to key sights.
• Florence: pick a hotel close to the Duomo & Arno River .
• Venice: stay around St. Mark’s Square or Rialto Bridge to reduce walking with luggage.
• Milan: choose a base near the Duomo & Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II .

📌 For curated lists (families, couples, honeymoon): 👉 Family & honeymoon hotels in Italy »

High-speed trains make this 10 day Italy itinerary efficient and comfortable.

• Intercity trains: Trenitalia / Italo guide » – best way to move between Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan.
• Within Rome: metro, buses and walking cover most sights.
• Within Venice: vaporetto (water bus) and gondola rides instead of cars.
• Within Milan: an extensive metro network connects main areas and outlets.

📌 Typical transport budget (10 days): roughly 160–310 EUR per person (intercity + local).

Below is the recommended 10 day Italy itinerary with key sights and internal links.

Day 1 – Rome: Arrival & city stroll

• Arrive at Rome Airport (FCO) and check in to your hotel.
• Evening walk to Trevi Fountain & Piazza Navona , then dinner in Trastevere.

Day 2 – Ancient Rome

• Morning visit to Colosseum & Roman Forum (book skip-the-line tickets).
• Continue to Capitoline Hill & Piazza Venezia .

Day 3 – Vatican & classic Rome

• Visit the Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica .
• Afternoon at the Spanish Steps & Via Condotti for shopping.

Day 4 – Florence: Art & heritage

• Take the train to Florence (1.5–2 hours) .
• Explore the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery & Ponte Vecchio .

Day 5 – Pisa or Tuscany countryside

• Option 1: Half-day trip to Pisa (Leaning Tower) .
• Option 2: Tuscany countryside, wine or gelato/pizza experiences .

Day 6 – Venice: Canals & charm

• Morning train to Venice (2–2.5 hours) .
• Visit St. Mark’s Square & Rialto Bridge , and enjoy a gondola ride.

Day 7 – Venice in-depth

• Take a trip to Murano & Burano Islands or explore hidden alleys and quieter areas.
• Enjoy a seafood dinner by the canals.

Day 8 – Milan: Fashion capital

• Take the train to Milan (2.5–3 hours) .
• Visit the Duomo & Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II .
• If available, book a time slot to see The Last Supper .

Day 9 – Lake Como day trip

• Take a day trip to Lake Como with Bellagio and a boat tour.
• Check restaurant & viewpoint suggestions for lunch or sunset.

Day 10 – Shopping & departure

• Morning in Milan outlets or Duomo shopping streets .
• Head to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) for your flight home.

This 10 day Italy itinerary minimizes hotel changes and backtracking, pairs big cities with lakeside scenery and keeps transfers short with high-speed trains. It works very well as a first-time Italy travel itinerary for families and couples.

• Hotels (10 nights): Budget 600–900 • Mid-range 900–1500 • Luxury 2000+
• Intercity trains: ~120–220 (depending on booking time)
• Local transport: ~40–90 (metro, buses, vaporetto)
• Entry tickets & activities: ~120–250 (Colosseum, Vatican, gondola, etc.)
• Food (10 days): Budget 200–300 • Mid-range 300–500 • Luxury 700+

📌 Total approximate range: Budget 1080–1760 EUR • Mid-range 1660–2560 EUR • Luxury 3400+ EUR per person, depending on season and hotels.

• Book Colosseum, Vatican and Last Supper tickets well in advance.
• Use high-speed trains between cities to save time and avoid internal flights.
• In Venice, stay near St. Mark’s or Rialto to reduce luggage hassle.
• Try authentic gelato, pizza and pasta in each city – avoid tourist menus when possible.

Use these guides to go deeper into the main places in this 10 day Italy itinerary:

• 🇮🇹 Italy travel hub – overview and main regions.
• 🏛️ Colosseum & Roman Forum guide – tickets and visiting tips.
• ⛪ Vatican & St. Peter’s guide – what to see and how to book.
• 🌉 Venice islands (Murano & Burano) – colorful villages and lagoon views.
• 🛍️ Milan outlets & shopping areas – where to shop before departure.

This 10 day Italy itinerary makes it simple to explore Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and Lake Como with smart routing and train travel.

Save this 10 day Italy itinerary and adjust hotel category, budget and pace to match your style. With a bit of planning, it can be one of your most memorable trips in Europe.