7 days in Italy is enough for the "golden triangle" — Rome (3 nights), Florence (2 nights), Venice (2 nights). This is the classic first-time Italy trip, and it's classic for a reason: these three cities contain the highest concentration of art, history, food, and beauty on the planet. The key is NOT trying to add a 4th city. The Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and Tuscany hill towns are magnificent — save them for your second trip. 7 days with 3 cities = deep experience. 7 days with 5 cities = exhausting blur. First-timer mistakes →
Plan my 7-day Italy trip →Day 1 (arrive + ancient Rome): Arrive, check in (where to stay). Afternoon: Colosseum + Forum + Palatine Hill (book in advance — skip the line guide). Evening: walk to Monti for dinner (Ai Tre Scalini, La Barrique). Day 2 (Vatican + Trastevere): Morning: Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel (book 7:30/8am slot — arrive before the crowds). Afternoon: St. Peter's Basilica (free, no booking — climb the dome €8 for the view). Walk across to Castel Sant'Angelo. Evening: Trastevere dinner (where to eat → — Da Enzo al 29, Nannarella). Day 3 (centro + departure prep): Morning: Pantheon (free), Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain. Afternoon: Borghese Gallery (book ahead — 2hr slot) OR Spanish Steps + Via del Corso shopping. Late afternoon: Testaccio for supplì at Mordi e Vai + gelato. Evening: sunset from the Pincio terrace → dinner in Monti. Budget hotel: €80-120/night. Mid: €150-250. Luxury: €300+.
Transport: Rome→Florence Frecce (1.5h, €20-40 if booked early — transport guide). Depart 8-9am, arrive by 10-10:30am. Day 4 (Renaissance): Drop bags at hotel (where to stay). Walk to Duomo (exterior + climb Brunelleschi's dome — book at duomo.firenze.it). Lunch in San Lorenzo area (Trattoria Mario — €12-18, queue at 11:45). Afternoon: Uffizi Gallery (book ahead, enter at 3-4pm for thinner crowds). Evening: cross Ponte Vecchio → Oltrarno dinner (where to eat — Trattoria 4 Leoni, Gusta Pizza). Day 5 (David + Oltrarno): Morning: Accademia (David — book, 30min visit). Walk through San Marco → Mercato Centrale (street food lunch upstairs). Afternoon: Pitti Palace + Boboli Gardens OR walk to Piazzale Michelangelo (the sunset panorama — free, 20min uphill walk, THE best view in Florence). Evening: gelato at Vivoli → dinner at Sabatino (the €4 primo legend). Budget: €60-100/night. Mid: €120-200. Luxury: €250+.
Transport: Florence→Venice Frecce (2h, €25-45). Depart 8-9am. Day 6 (arrive + San Marco): Arrive Santa Lucia station → vaporetto Line 1 down the Grand Canal (the most beautiful public transport ride in the world — sit outside). Check in (where to stay — Dorsoduro recommended). Afternoon: Piazza San Marco + Basilica (free, 15min queue) + Doge's Palace (book). Bacaro crawl in San Polo (All'Arco, Do Spade — cicchetti + wine, €10-15 for a meal). Evening: GET LOST. Put away the phone. Walk randomly. Venice's magic is in the wrong turns. Day 7 (islands + farewell): Morning: Vaporetto to Burano (45min — the colored houses, the lace tradition, the best photo opportunity in the Venetian lagoon). Lunch on Burano (Trattoria al Gatto Nero — fish risotto). Return via Murano (glass factories, 15min stop). Afternoon: Rialto Market area → final gelato → walk along the Zattere waterfront (Dorsoduro) for the last light on the water. Depart or overnight. Budget: €70-120/night. Mid: €130-250. Luxury: €300+.
Budget (hostel/budget hotel, trattorias, no taxis): Accommodation €490-840. Trains €65-100. Food €200-300. Museums €80-120. Total: €835-1,360/person. Mid-range (3-star hotel, good restaurants, some splurges): Accommodation €900-1,500. Trains €100-150. Food €350-500. Museums €100-150. Total: €1,450-2,300/person. Luxury (4-star+, fine dining, private guides): €3,000-5,000+/person. Full cost breakdown → · Budget guide →