Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice in 8 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary
The Colosseum, the Vatican, Renaissance Florence and canal-laced Venice — Italy’s classic trio by high-speed train.
ItalyCulture & historyFoodBy trainFirst-timers
Length8 days / 7 nights
CitiesRome, Vatican City, Florence, Pisa, Venice
CurrencyEUR Euro
Best time to goApr–Jun and Sep–Oct are ideal; Jul–Aug is hot and crowded, and Venice can flood in autumn and winter.
Day-by-day overview
Day 1 Arrive × fountains and piazzasDay 2 Ancient Rome × TrastevereDay 3 Vatican CityDay 4 FlorenceDay 5 Uffizi × PisaDay 6 VeniceDay 7 Burano × MuranoDay 8 Fly home
Day 1Arrive × fountains and piazzas
08:00🚗 Transport
Arrive at Rome Fiumicino
Type / No.Flight
LocationRome Fiumicino Airport 🧭
Check Schengen entry rules (EES / ETIAS); the Leonardo Express reaches Termini in 32 min.
11:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out14:00 / 11:00
LocationRoma Termini 🧭
Rome adds a city tax to hotel bills.
12:30📍 Sight
Trevi Fountain
Suggested time1 hr
TicketsFree
LocationTrevi Fountain 🧭
Watch for pickpockets; toss a coin over your shoulder.
📸 Photo spot⚠️ Heads-up
13:30🍽 Food
15:00📍 Sight
16:30📍 Sight
Piazza Navona & the Spanish Steps
Suggested time2 hrs
LocationSpanish Steps 🧭
Sitting and eating on the steps is banned.
📸 Photo spot
19:30🍽 Food
Day 2Ancient Rome × Trastevere
08:30📍 Sight
Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Suggested time3.5 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationColosseum 🧭
Book named, timed tickets on the official site; bring water in summer.
🎟 Book ahead🚶 Lots of walking🧴 Sunscreen
13:00🍽 Food
15:00📍 Sight
Capitoline Museums or the Mouth of Truth
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationBocca della Verità 🧭
19:00🍽 Food
Day 3Vatican City
08:00📍 Sight
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Suggested time4 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationVatican Museums 🧭
Usually closed Sundays (except the last Sunday of the month); no photos in the Sistine Chapel; cover shoulders and knees.
🎟 Book ahead⚠️ Heads-up
12:30🍽 Food
14:00📍 Sight
St Peter’s Basilica & dome climb
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationSt. Peter's Basilica 🧭
Free entry with security; the dome climb costs extra.
17:00📍 Sight
Castel Sant’Angelo & the Angel Bridge
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationCastel Sant'Angelo 🧭
🌙 Night view
Day 4Florence
08:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
08:30🚗 Transport
10:30🏨 Stay
11:00📍 Sight
Florence Cathedral (Duomo) & Giotto’s Campanile
Suggested time3 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationFlorence Cathedral 🧭
The dome climb needs a timed slot — 463 steps, no lift.
🎟 Book ahead📸 Photo spot
14:00🍽 Food
16:00📍 Sight
18:30📍 Sight
Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationPiazzale Michelangelo 🧭
🌙 Night view📸 Photo spot
20:30🍽 Food
Day 5Uffizi × Pisa
08:30📍 Sight
Uffizi Gallery
Suggested time3 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationUffizi Gallery 🧭
Closed Mondays; don’t miss The Birth of Venus.
🎟 Book ahead
12:00🍽 Food
13:30🚗 Transport
15:00📍 Sight
Leaning Tower & Piazza dei Miracoli
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationLeaning Tower of Pisa 🧭
Climbing needs a timed ticket; no under-8s.
📸 Photo spot
18:00🚗 Transport
Day 6Venice
08:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
08:30🚗 Transport
High-speed train to Venice
Type / No.Train
LocationVenezia Santa Lucia 🧭
About 2 hr 15; no cars on the island and many bridges have steps — pack light.
11:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out14:00 / 11:00
LocationVenice historic centre 🧭
Overnight guests are generally exempt from the day-tripper access fee.
12:00🚗 Transport
Vaporetto along the Grand Canal
Type / No.Ferry / boat
LocationGrand Canal 🧭
Line 1 is the scenic one; multi-day passes save money.
13:30📍 Sight
15:00📍 Sight
St Mark’s Square, Basilica & Doge’s Palace
Suggested time3 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationSt Mark's Basilica 🧭
🎟 Book ahead
19:30🍽 Food
Day 7Burano × Murano
09:00🚗 Transport
09:30📍 Sight
11:30📍 Sight
13:00🍽 Food
17:00📍 Sight
Gondola ride
Suggested time0.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationVenice gondola 🧭
Fares are regulated — share a boat to split the cost.
📸 Photo spot
Day 8Fly home
08:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Double-check passports, power banks and valuables.
09:00🚗 Transport
12:00🚗 Transport
Head to the airport and fly home
Type / No.Flight
Aim to reach the airport 2.5–3 hours before an international flight.
🎟 Book these before you go
- Day 2｜Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill: Book named, timed tickets on the official site; bring water in summer.
- Day 3｜Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel: Usually closed Sundays (except the last Sunday of the month); no photos in the Sistine Chapel; cover shoulders and knees.
- Day 4｜High-speed train to Florence: About 1.5 hours.
- Day 4｜Florence Cathedral (Duomo) & Giotto’s Campanile: The dome climb needs a timed slot — 463 steps, no lift.
- Day 5｜Uffizi Gallery: Closed Mondays; don’t miss The Birth of Venus.
- Day 5｜Leaning Tower & Piazza dei Miracoli: Climbing needs a timed ticket; no under-8s.
- Day 6｜High-speed train to Venice: About 2 hr 15; no cars on the island and many bridges have steps — pack light.
- Day 6｜St Mark’s Square, Basilica & Doge’s Palace
🌦 Monthly temperatures: Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Pisa, Venice
| City / month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rome High / low | 12° 3° | 13° 4° | 16° 6° | 19° 9° | 23° 13° | 28° 17° | 31° 19° | 31° 20° | 27° 17° | 22° 13° | 16° 8° | 13° 4° |
| Florence High / low | 11° 2° | 13° 3° | 16° 5° | 20° 8° | 24° 12° | 29° 16° | 32° 18° | 32° 18° | 28° 15° | 22° 11° | 15° 6° | 11° 3° |
| Venice High / low | 7° 0° | 9° 1° | 13° 5° | 17° 9° | 22° 13° | 26° 17° | 29° 19° | 28° 19° | 24° 15° | 18° 11° | 12° 6° | 8° 1° |
(typical averages — check the forecast before you go)
FAQ
How many days does Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice in 8 Days take?
It’s planned as 8 days / 7 nights with 43 stops (18 sights and 10 meals). Copy it and add or remove stops to suit your pace.
What should I book in advance?
We recommend booking or buying ahead: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, High-speed train to Florence, Florence Cathedral (Duomo) & Giotto’s Campanile, Uffizi Gallery, Leaning Tower & Piazza dei Miracoli, High-speed train to Venice, St Mark’s Square, Basilica & Doge’s Palace.
How do I make this template my own?
Tap “Use this template”, enter a name and start date, and an editable copy is created. Add your flights and hotels, adjust times and stops, then export a PDF or image to share.
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Note: opening hours, prices, timetables and entry rules change often — check official sources. This page offers general suggestions, not bookings or professional travel advice.