Italy is one of the richest countries in historic cities, and the challenge is choosing. This 9-day itinerary combines the four best-known stops: Rome and the Vatican, Florence with a trip to Pisa, Venice, and Milan, linked by high-speed trains in just a few hours. It comes with a version ready for your Schengen visa file.
Best time to visit Italy
Spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) are best: mild weather and shorter queues at the sights. Summer is hot in Rome and Florence with longer queues, while winter is quiet and cheaper, except during the holidays.
Day-by-day itinerary
| Day | City | Activities | Transport | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rome | Arrival, Trevi Fountain | Flight to Fiumicino, then train | Hotel, Rome |
| 2 | Rome | Colosseum, Roman Forum | Metro and walk | Hotel, Rome |
| 3 | Vatican City | Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Square | Metro | Hotel, Rome |
| 4 | Rome → Florence | Transfer, the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio | High-speed train (about 1.5 hours) | Hotel, Florence |
| 5 | Pisa | Day trip to the Leaning Tower | Train (about 1 hour) | Hotel, Florence |
| 6 | Florence → Venice | Transfer, St. Mark’s Square | High-speed train (about 2 hours) | Hotel, Venice |
| 7 | Venice | Grand Canal, Murano island | Water bus | Hotel, Venice |
| 8 | Venice → Milan | Transfer, the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II | High-speed train (about 2.5 hours) | Hotel, Milan |
| 9 | Milan | Departure | Flight from Malpensa | — |
Getting around and practical tips
High-speed trains connect all four cities from central stations and are better than domestic flights. Venice Santa Lucia station opens directly onto the Grand Canal, and you get around Venice by water bus or on foot. Book Vatican Museums and Colosseum tickets online in advance, because queues in high season can take hours.
Visa and trip documents
All nights are in Italy, so you apply to the Italian embassy for a Schengen visa. The general documents are in our guide to Schengen visa requirements. You stay in four cities, so make sure your hotel bookings connect, and that your flight reservation is multi-city: arriving in Rome and departing from Milan.
We prepare this itinerary with your own dates, with hotel bookings in all four cities and a multi-city flight reservation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add Naples and the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, with three extra days south of Rome. The high-speed train reaches Naples in about an hour.
Do I need a separate visa for the Vatican?
No. You enter directly from Rome without border checks, and a Schengen visa is enough.
Is this itinerary tiring for families?
It includes three train transfers. You can make it lighter by dropping Milan and flying home from Venice.
