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Europe’s most captivating country, Italy flaunts its Mediterranean climate, millennia of history and irresistible food; unwittingly drawing you in. Boasting more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country in the world, Italy’s rich history and centuries of cultural development ooze from its lands.
Figuring out the best way to spend 7 days in Italy is not the most straightforward task. However, while a 7-day Italy tour may mean that some items on your Italy bucket list have to go unticked, it is still an ample amount of time to experience this beautiful country.
Whether you are seeking wine tastings beneath the Tuscan sun, Renaissance art in iconic cities or the ski runs of the Dolomites, you’ll be able to walk away from a 7-day tour of Italy with a taste of the country!
We’ve put together a selection of 7-day Italy itineraries that strike a balance between visiting the must-see cities and moving slowly enough to have an enjoyable Italian experience!
Our in-destination Local Designers at Designer Journeys use their unique local insight and expert knowledge to design, build and deliver your extraordinary travel experience. Just tap the button below to explore our gallery of customisable Italy tours and tap ‘customise’ to connect with a Local Designer who will design your free personalised itinerary in 48 hours!
Planning a trip to Italy?
Structuring Your Italy Trip – Is 7 Days in Italy Enough?
Depending on the kind of experience you are looking for, there are two different ways to structure your 7-day trip to Italy. One way is to pick 2-3 destinations and embark on a fast-paced Italy road trip over 7 days that covers a lot of ground. Alternatively, you could choose a single base and explore one area slowly with day trips to your selected city.
With the first option, you’ll be able to see more of the top things to see in Italy in 7 days. However, with the second option, you’ll be able to get to know a region much better like in this 12-Day Slow Tour of Siena.
Both options present different benefits. Which option you choose will largely depend on what your top places to see in Italy in 7 days are.
Italy Tour Tips
There is no single best way to see Italy in 7 days, however, following these tips will ensure that you embark on the best 7-day Italy itinerary for you.
Try Not to Pack Too Many Destinations Into Your 7-Day Trip to Italy
Italy is a well-connected country with a staggering number of sights to see so it can be all too tempting to try to squeeze 5-6 destinations into your 7 days. If you’re up for moving fast, it’s also possible to do an Italy and France itinerary in 7 days, but you will have to choose which destinations you’d like to visit wisely to limit your time travelling.
Ultimately, the slower you go, the better.
Here are some itineraries which involve basing yourself in 1-2 destinations while taking regular day trips to experience some of the best places to visit in Italy in 7 days:
- 7-Day Sicily Itinerary
- 7 Days in Northern Italy
- 7 Days from Rome Italy Itinerary
- 7-Day Southern Italy Itinerary
- 7-Day Puglia Itinerary
- 7-Day Milan Itinerary
Stick to a Smaller Geographical Area to Make the Most of Your 7-Day Italy Travel Itinerary
While it could be tempting to split your 7-day Italy tour between Florence and Puglia, you’ll spend a good portion of your trip on trains, planes or private cars.
To make the most out of your trip, pick a region which appeals to you most to be able to experience that region. As an example, you would get more experiences out of a Northern Italy itinerary of 7 days, than trying to squeeze the north, south and central regions into this time.
One of the best ways to optimise your 7-day Italy trip while basing yourself in one location is to make the most of day trips. Instead of hauling your luggage onto a train then losing half a day through travelling and checking into a new hotel, you can get up early, explore a new city for a day and catch the last train back. Day trips are a much easier way to see more of Italy in one week.
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Book (Some) Train Tickets in Advance
High-speed trains are the best way to get around Italy; however, it’s best to book a number of these tickets in advance to make sure you get the best prices. On the other hand, the slower, region trains are set prices and therefore, do not need to be booked in advance.
Our Local Designers in Italy know the country like the back of their hand and are the best people to help design your unique 7-day Italy tour itinerary. Let them take the stress out of which tickets to book by designing your trip with them.
What to Pack for Italy
With four distinct seasons, when it comes to clothes, packing for your trip largely depends on what time of year you visit:
- Summer (June to August) – hot and humid
- Autumn (September to November) – cool and comfortable
- Winter (December to February) – cold and wet, with snow in the north
- Spring (March to May) – a little bit of rain, but warm
If you plan to move around the country visiting several places in your seven days, then it’s best to pack layers, so you are prepared for whichever weather you encounter. If you’re planning a 7-day Italy road trip, then taking a suitcase won’t be a problem. However, if you plan to be moving about by trains and buses, you may prefer to pack lighter or use a backpack so that you can easily transport your luggage as you move around.
Other than clothes, you’ll want to make sure you have the following for your 7-day trip to Italy:
- Travel adapter
- Travel insurance
- Day bag for day trips
- Passport (of course!)
Lastly, don’t forget your camera to catch all the fantastic places you see in Italy in 7 days!
3 Itinerary Ideas for Your 7-Day Trip to Italy
The Classic Trio – 7-Day Rome, Florence & Venice
The classic Rome, Florence and Venice trio is arguably the best Italy itinerary of 7 days if you want to encounter some of the greatest Italian architecture and landmarks. In a county full of vast historical sights, beautiful cities and beautiful landscapes, it’s hard to create an itinerary that squeezes all of this into one week. However, this trip manages to encompass the best of Italy’s cities perfectly.
Highlights of this trip:
- Peeping over the crater of the mighty Mount Vesuvius
- Posing next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Watching the world go by in Venice’s St Mark’s Square
Day 1: Welcome to Rome
The Eternal City will welcome you with open arms on your first day. You’ll head out with a local guide to explore some of Rome’s most iconic monuments including the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona and you’ll even see some Ancient Roman ruins along the way. You’ll finish your first day in Rome in true Italian style with some gelato from one of the best stands in the city!
Day 2: Private Tour of Imperial Rome
You’ll dive into the ancient monuments of Rome today with your expert local guide. With skip-the-line entry, you’ll explore the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where you’ll explore ancient palaces, temples, markets and monuments.
Day 3: Day Trip to Pompeii from Rome
From Rome, you’ll travel by coach to the archaeological site of Pompeii. Once a vast thriving Roman city, Pompeii was buried under 30 feet of ash following a huge volcanic eruption in 79AD. It lay undiscovered until the 17th century, and today, it is a fascinating sight to visit in Italy.
Day 4: Onwards to the Renaissance City
Departing Rome, you’ll catch the high-speed train to Florence, often referred to as the Cradle of Renaissance in Italy. As you spend the afternoon exploring Florence with a local guide, the city will not disappoint; breathtaking beauty, secular heritage and awe-inspiring architecture greet you on every corner.
Day 5: The Monuments of Pisa
Just a short drive from Florence, Pisa is a city of outstanding beauty that is well worth the day trip. You’ll travel through the Arno Valley and spend the day visiting the Piazza dei Miracoli, with the celebrated Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Pisa Baptistery and the Pisa Cathedral, an unrivalled masterpiece of Romanesque art.
Day 6: Onwards to Venice
Travelling once again by high-speed train, you’ll arrive in the Floating City of Venice. You could spend your whole 7-day itinerary in Venice, but with just a couple of days, your expert local guide will be on hand to show you the best of the city. From the grandeur of St Mark’s Square to the iconic Doge Palace and everything in between, Venice will enchant you.
Day 7: Goodbye Italy
Today, your 7-day Italy tour comes to an end as your driver escorts you to the airport for your return flight.
If Rome is calling your name then this 7-day tour is perfect for you. Tap the button below to see what else is included in this wonderful tour of Italy and to connect with one of our in-destination Local Designers who will design, build and deliver your free personalised Italy itinerary in 48 hours or less!
Check out This 7-Day Italy Itinerary from Rome Here!
Unique Regions of Italy – 7-Day Piedmont & Cinque Terre
For a different kind of experience, this 7-day South Italy itinerary sees you exploring two distinct regions of Italy – Piedmont and Cinque Terre. You’ll travel through the rural towns and gourmet capitals of Piedmont, through the stunning wine region to the seaside towns of Cinque Terre.
Highlights of this trip:
- Truffle hunting in Alba
- Wine tasting in the Piedmont vineyards
- Strolling through the colourful Cinque Terre towns
Day 1: Welcome to Italy
You will begin your 7-day Italy itinerary from Milan as your driver picks you up and escorts you to your hotel in Alba in the heart of the Piedmont region. Known as the gourmet capital of Piedmont, Alba’s city centre is beautifully scattered with over one hundred towers from its time as a powerful state.
Day 2: Barolo Wine Tasting!
The plan for today is wine tasting as you’ll leave Alba with your guide for a unique tour of the region. After a wine tasting stop at Enoteca del Barolo, you will move onto La Morra where you will be free to explore this quaint town on your own.
Day 3: A Day of Hunting Truffles
Accompanied by a “Trifolau”, an expert truffle gatherer, you’ll spend the day hunting down the celebrated ‘white gold’ of Piedmont. You’ll be in awe of the skill of the expert hunter and his trusty dog as they lead you on a search for the rare tuberous fungi.
Day 4: Piedmont Wine Tour
Because one wine tasting in a 7-day Italy tour is simply not enough, today you’ll head off to taste some of the most exceptional wine in Italy produced in the Piedmont region. Among all of the areas in Italy, Piedmont boasts the most significant number of DOC and DOCG appellations, so this wine tour is sure to be a highlight of this trip.
Day 5: Cinque Terre calls!
Strung along the rugged Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre is made up of a collection of five old seaside villages which are often referred to as the ‘famous five’. Today, you’ll travel to this picturesque coastline complete with terraced vineyards and harbours full of fishing boats for the last few days of your trip.
Day 6: Cinque Terre Tour
Each offering a unique atmosphere, the Cinque Terre villages are very different from one another, so a day of exploring all five villages is sure to be an exciting one. You’ll spend the day strolling their colourful streets and feasting on fresh seafood specialities in their harbour-front trattorias.
Day 7: Ciao Italia!
This Italy in 7 days itinerary comes to an end as your driver takes you to the airport for your departing flight.
Tap the button below to see what other incredible experiences are included in this trip. If you like the sound of this trip, you can customise it to suit you with one of our trusted, in-destination Local Designers. Answer a few simple questions and they will get to work on your free personalised Italy itinerary!
Is Southern Italy Calling Your Name?
The Ultimate Sicily Itinerary – 7 Days of Cooking, Wine Tasting & Yoga
This multifaceted 7-day trip to Sicily sees you exploring this beautiful island through its culture, gastronomy and nature. Combining cooking, wine tasting and yoga experiences, you’ll experience this land in a unique, hands-on way.
Highlights of this trip:
- A delicious Sicilian welcome dinner
- A Modica chocolate making experience
- Absorbing the positive energies of yoga in beautiful parts of Sicily
Day 1: Sicily Awaits
Today, you’ll arrive in Sicily and be transported to the land of Modica to the charming guesthouse that you’ll call home for the next few days. As Italian hosts do, you’ll be welcomed in for a delicious Sicilian dinner that night – the perfect introduction to the Sicilian tradition.
Day 2: Hatha Yoga & Tasting the Food of the Gods
After beginning the day with a Hatha yoga class to align your mind, body and spirit; you’ll set out on a guided tour of Modica. Home to an ancient method of chocolate-making, in Modica, you’ll dive into this sweet-smelling world as a local laboratory and attend a cooking show followed by a tasting.
Day 3: Wine Tasting, Noto & Fishing Village of Marzamemi
You’ll begin the day by delving into the world of “Nero d’Avola” wine with a wine tasting and cooking experience before a long walk through the vineyards. Your afternoon will be spent amongst the charming Baroque façades of Noto’s palaces, churches and convents. You’ll then meander through the enchanting fishing village of Marzamemi.
Day 4: Trekking Cava d’Ispica
After beginning the day with another yoga class, you’ll expend some more energy as you trek through the fascinating canyon within the Hyblaean Mountains known as Cava d’Ispica. During the trek, you’ll be able to admire the prehistoric rock-cut tombs and medieval rupestrian settlements. After lunch in the shelter of the cliffs, you’ll travel to the Baroque town of Scicli for an aperitif.
Day 5: Authentic Sicilian Cheese Experience
Cheese and wine, wine and cheese. Today brings yet another authentic gastronomic experience as you head to a Sicilian farm to enjoy a tasting of local cheese, olive oil and sundried tomatoes. With a full belly, the afternoon will be spent wandering along the narrow lanes of Ortygia, home to medieval buildings and Baroque churches.
Day 6: Ragusa & Sicilian Cooking Class
Following an early morning yoga class to awaken your body, you’ll head off to Ragusa Ibla, the older part of a unique Baroque town in the heart of the Hyblaean Mountains. Your afternoon will be delightful as you take part in a traditional cooking class where you’ll uncover the secrets of a Hyblaean grandma’s home cooking by making pasta and a delicious pasta sauce.
Day 7: Goodbye Sicily
Today marks the last day of your cooking, wine tasting and yoga holiday.
Check out this Sicily itinerary of 7 days by tapping the button below. You’ll be able to browse this trip as well as many others in our gallery of customisable Italy tours. You can then customise it to suit your travel style and budget with one of our Local Designers in Italy to create your very own extraordinary travel experience!
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Design Your Own Italy Itinerary
With our team of trusted, in-destination Local Designers in Italy, you can design your dream trip. No matter how you want to spend your 7 days in Italy, our Local Designers will design a trip that suits your budget and travel style. In no time at all, you could be sipping wine in some of the finest wineries in Piedmont, admiring the view of Florence from the top of Giotto’s Bell Tower and strolling through the colourful streets of the Cinque Terre villages.
Explore our range of fully customisable Italy tours today or design your own Italy trip from scratch with the help of one of our Local Designers. Using their local insight, expert knowledge and travel planning skills, our trusted Local Designers will be able to build a trip filled with experiences you won’t find anywhere else! Tap the button below to get started.
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