11 day Italy Itinerary

By Urvish Shah•2024-03-15•8 min read

I want to compile my 12-day itinerary from my recent trip to North and Central Italy in this post.

Day 1: Rome

I arrived in Rome the evening before, so I had the whole day for exploration.

Colosseum

  • Tip: Book tickets at least a month in advance.
  • Entry: Standard entry without a guided tour.
  • Recommendation: Use Rick Steves’ audio guide app.
  • Caution: Be very cautious of pickpockets. Out of six people from my hostel, three lost their wallets, and one lost her phone.
  • Duration: ~2 hours.

Colosseum in Rome

Roman Forum

  • Location: Just across the street from the Colosseum.
  • Ticket: Combined ticket for Colosseum and Roman Forum.
  • Highlights: Arch of Constantine, Temple of Venus.
  • Recommendation: Use an audio guide.
  • Duration: ~3 hours. Roman Forum

Spanish Steps

  • Location: City center of Rome, in the Spanish Plaza.
  • Note: Not much to do here, but the surrounding area has luxury brand stores.
  • Entertainment: Talented artists perform in nearby alleys.

Trevi Fountain

  • Description: Stunning Baroque architecture with vibrant blue water.
  • Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late at night to avoid crowds.
  • Caution: Be mindful of pickpockets due to large crowds. Trevi Fountain

Pantheon

  • Description: Originally a Roman temple, now a Catholic church.
  • Recommendation: Learn about its rich history beforehand.
  • Tickets: Buy on the spot; the cash line is typically shorter.

Day 2: Vatican City

St. Peter’s Basilica

  • Description: One of the largest churches in the world.
  • Entry: Free, but expect long queues.
  • Dome Climb: Requires a separate ticket for stunning views. St. Peter's Basilica

Vatican Museums

  • Highlights: Extensive collection of remarkable history and rare artifacts.
  • Recommendation: Use an audio guide.
  • Duration: 3–4 hours.
  • Tickets: Purchase online about a month in advance.

Sistine Chapel

  • Highlights: Breathtaking frescoes and paintings.
  • Note: Photos are not allowed inside.
  • Tickets: Purchase well in advance—at least a month ahead.

Borghese Gallery

  • Artists Featured: Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and others.
  • Location: A bit away from the main landmarks of Rome.
  • Duration: ~2 hours.

Day 3: Florence

Ahh, I love Florence. There's something about this city that's indescribable—the vibe here is phenomenal. I think it's one of my favorite cities in the world. I'd go here just for roaming around the city center and eating the amazing food.

Santa Maria del Fiore Church

  • Description: In my opinion, the most beautiful church in the world.
  • Architecture: Designed by Brunelleschi; features the largest brick dome in the world.
  • Entry: Free, but the exterior is more impressive than the interior.
  • Additional Sites: Giotto’s Campanile and the Baptistery (require tickets).
  • Dome Climb: Requires a separate ticket; book a few days ahead. Santa Maria del Fiore Church

Piazza della Repubblica

  • Description: A large plaza in the heart of Florence.
  • Nearby: Market with Florence-made leather goods.

Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio

  • Palazzo Vecchio: Town hall of Florence, situated in Piazza della Signoria.
  • Ponte Vecchio: Medieval pedestrian bridge over the Arno River, famous for its charming local shops. Ponte Vecchio

Piazza Michelangelo

  • Description: Best sunset view in the city.
  • Access: Involves a bit of a climb; bus available.
  • Atmosphere: Often live music performances; nearby stands for drinks. Piazza Michelangelo

Day 4: Florence

Uffizi Gallery

  • Artists Featured: Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli.
  • Recommendation: Use an audio guide.
  • Duration: Minimum 3 hours.

Galleria dell’Accademia

  • Highlights: Michelangelo’s statue of David.
  • Duration: ~1 hour.

Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens

  • Description: Renaissance residence of the Medici family.
  • Duration: ~2 hours.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

  • Travel: Just an hour away from Florence by train.
  • Visit Duration: ~1 hour. Leaning Tower of Pisa

Day 5: Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre, a stunning cluster of five picturesque villages, is located about 2.5 hours from Florence. While it's a bit of a stretch for a day trip, with careful planning, you can make the most of it.

Suggested Itinerary:

  • Start: Early train from Florence to La Spezia.
  • Transportation: Purchase day passes for regional trains connecting the villages.
  • Hiking: Start at Monterosso and hike to Vernazza and Corniglia.
  • Train: Take the train for Manarola and Riomaggiore.
  • Highlights: Riomaggiore is known for its picturesque views.
  • Return: Back to Florence by 8 PM. Cinque Terre

Day 6: Siena

Siena is a fantastic day trip from Florence, offering a glimpse into the heart of Tuscany. The town is just an hour away by train.

Piazza del Campo

  • Description: The old town of Siena is charming and picturesque.
  • Highlights: Monte de Paschi bank (oldest bank in the world), Palazzo Pubblico, Torre del Mangia. Piazza del Campo

Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

  • Description: A masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
  • Interior Highlights: Black and white striped marble columns, mosaic floor, stained glass windows, works by Donatello, Bernini, and Michelangelo.
  • Piccolomini Library: Decorated with vivid frescoes.

Day 7: Milan

Milan is a vibrant city known for its fashion, design, and rich history.

Duomo di Milano

  • Description: One of the largest and most intricate Gothic cathedrals in the world.
  • Rooftop: Offers panoramic views of the city. Duomo di Milano

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

  • Description: Elegant 19th-century arcade with luxury shops and cafes.

Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco)

  • Description: Historic fortress housing several museums and art collections.

The Last Supper

  • Location: Santa Maria delle Grazie.
  • Note: Tickets need to be booked well in advance.

Navigli District

  • Description: Known for its charming canals, lively bars, and restaurants. Navigli District

Day 8: Lake Como

Lake Como is a perfect day trip from Milan, offering stunning scenery and charming towns.

Como

  • Highlights: Como Cathedral (Duomo di Como), lakeside promenade, vibrant piazzas. Como

Brunate

  • Access: Brunate funicular.
  • Activity: Hike to Faro Voltiano lighthouse for panoramic views.

Boat Ride

  • Towns to Visit:
    • Bellagio: Known as the “Pearl of Lake Como.”
    • Varenna: Colorful houses, lush gardens, serene vibe.

Day 9: Bologna

Bologna is often referred to as the gastronomic heart of Italy.

Culinary Highlights

  • Dishes: Tagliatelle al ragù (Bolognese sauce), tortellini, mortadella.
  • Markets: Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe.

Historic Old Town

  • Architecture: Medieval, including the iconic Two Towers (Due Torri).
  • Porticoes: Extensive, stretching for miles. Bologna

Piazza Maggiore

  • Surroundings: Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo d’Accursio.

Quadrilatero

  • Description: Medieval market district with vibrant local culture.

Day 10: Venice

Venice, just two hours away from Bologna by train, offers a one-of-a-kind experience.

St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)

  • Surroundings: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Campanile (bell tower).

The Grand Canal

  • Activities: Vaporetto (water bus) ride or gondola trip.
  • Highlight: Rialto Bridge. The Grand Canal

Bridge of Sighs

  • Description: Enclosed bridge with picturesque views.

Exploring Venice

  • Activities: Wander through narrow alleyways and hidden squares.

Rialto Market

  • Description: Experience local life with fresh produce, seafood, and Venetian specialties.

Day 11: Bologna

For me, the last day was basically half a day of exploring Bologna again and then catching a flight back home in the afternoon. If in your case you have a full day available, you can include doing a day trip to Verona.