Italy's classic grand tour — Rome for ancient history and the Vatican, Florence for the Renaissance, and the Amalfi Coast for the most dramatic scenery in the Mediterranean — remains one of the world's great travel experiences. Seven days is tight but entirely doable; this itinerary shows you how to make every hour count without spending it all in queues.
Days 1–2: Rome
Fly into Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and take the Leonardo Express train to Termini station (32 minutes, €14). Day 1: the Ancient Rome circuit — the Colosseum (book timed entry online at least 2 weeks ahead; the combined ticket includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill), the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill. Allow a full morning. Afternoon: the Capitoline Museums (the world's oldest public museums, with extraordinary Roman sculpture and the original Marcus Aurelius equestrian statue). Evening: walk to the Trastevere neighbourhood for dinner — the most atmospheric part of Rome, with cobblestone streets, ivy-covered buildings, and excellent trattorias. Day 2: the Vatican — the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (book the first entry slot, 8am, to beat the crowds; the Sistine Chapel is genuinely overwhelming in its scale and beauty), then St Peter's Basilica (free entry; climb the dome for extraordinary views). Afternoon: the Pantheon (free entry; the best-preserved ancient Roman building in the world) and the Piazza Navona. Evening: the Trevi Fountain (go after 10pm when the crowds thin) and the Spanish Steps.
Day 3: Rome to Florence by Train
Take the Frecciarossa high-speed train from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (1 hour 30 minutes, from €20 booked in advance). Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon in Florence. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the world's greatest art museums — Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera, Leonardo's Annunciation, Raphael's portraits, and Caravaggio's Medusa are among the highlights. Book timed entry in advance (essential in summer). The Galleria dell'Accademia has Michelangelo's David — book in advance. Evening: walk across the Ponte Vecchio (the medieval bridge lined with jewellers' shops) and up to the Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views over Florence at sunset — one of the great views in Italy.
Day 4: Florence
Morning: the Florence Cathedral (Duomo) complex — Brunelleschi's dome is one of the greatest architectural achievements in history. Climb the dome (book in advance; 463 steps; extraordinary views) or Giotto's Campanile (414 steps; slightly easier). The Baptistery's bronze doors (the "Gates of Paradise" by Ghiberti) are extraordinary. The Bargello Museum has the finest collection of Renaissance sculpture in the world — Donatello's David, Verrocchio's David, and Michelangelo's Bacchus. Afternoon: the Oltrarno neighbourhood (south of the Arno) — the Boboli Gardens (the finest Renaissance garden in Italy), the Pitti Palace, and the artisan workshops of the Oltrarno. Evening: dinner in the Oltrarno — try a bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine T-bone steak) at a traditional trattoria.
Day 5: Cinque Terre
Take the train from Florence to La Spezia (2 hours, from €15), then local trains between the five Cinque Terre villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso). The Cinque Terre are five fishing villages clinging to dramatic cliffs above the Ligurian Sea — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy's most photographed landscapes. The Cinque Terre Card (€7.50/day) covers the local trains and the coastal path. The coastal path between the villages is partially open (check current conditions — sections are frequently closed for maintenance). Vernazza and Manarola are the most beautiful villages. Swim from the rocks at Riomaggiore or the beach at Monterosso. Return to Florence in the evening, or stay overnight in one of the villages for a more relaxed experience.
Day 6: Florence to the Amalfi Coast
Take the Frecciarossa from Florence to Naples (3 hours, from €25), then a ferry or hydrofoil from Naples Molo Beverello to Positano (1.5 hours, from €20) or Amalfi (1.5 hours). Alternatively, take the train to Salerno and the ferry from there. Check into your hotel in Positano or Amalfi. Positano is the most glamorous and photogenic village — pastel-coloured houses cascading down a cliff to a small beach. Amalfi is larger and more accessible. Ravello (above Amalfi) is the most elegant — the Villa Rufolo gardens have extraordinary views. Spend the afternoon swimming, exploring the village, and eating the best seafood of your trip.
Day 7: Amalfi Coast & Departure
Morning: take the local ferry along the coast — the best way to see the Amalfi Coast's dramatic scenery. Stop at Praiano (quieter than Positano), the Grotta dello Smeraldo (Emerald Grotto, accessible by boat), and Amalfi town. The Amalfi Cathedral (Duomo di Sant'Andrea) has a beautiful Arab-Norman cloister. Afternoon: drive or take the bus up to Ravello for the Villa Cimbrone gardens — the "Terrace of Infinity" has one of the most famous views in Italy. Return to Naples by ferry (1.5 hours) and take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii (35 minutes) if time allows — the ancient Roman city preserved by the 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius is extraordinary. Fly from Naples Capodichino Airport (NAP) — 20 minutes from the city centre by taxi.
