Rome & Florence: Best Itinerary Ideas

How many days do you need in Rome & Florence?

• Most travelers spend 6-7 days in Rome and Florence combined
• Visiting Rome and Florence in 5 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
• With 8 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
• The most common extensions are Venice, Bologna, and Amalfi Coast

How Many Days to Spend in Rome
How Many Days to Spend in Florence
How Many Days to Spend in Tuscany

Recommended Itineraries for Rome & Florence

Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days

Combine the best of Rome and Florence in this six-day trip, starting with guided tours of the Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel, Rome's historical center, and the ancient Colosseum and the Roman Forum sites. Take the train to Florence, where you'll discover medieval plazas, monuments, cathedrals, and museums, plus incredible views of the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio. End your tour with a cooking class in Florence, where you'll learn how to make traditional Italian pasta, dessert, and more. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week

Your trip to Rome and Florence starts with guided tours through Rome's historical core, Vatican City, and the Roman Forum, with walks through the Colosseum and to the top of Palatine Hill. Head to Florence to experience its historic squares, cathedrals, and museums, plus an Italian cooking class to learn how to make traditional pasta and dessert. End your trip in the Tuscan countryside with visits to Siena and San Gimignano, complete with walking tours and a wine tasting. Read more

Extended Itineraries

9-Day Itinerary Including Venice & Sorrento

Hop between four iconic Italian destinations on this nine-day trip. Whisked between cities by comfortable high-speed trains, you can forget about the logistics and immerse yourself in the experience. Cruise the canals of Venice, marvel at Renaissance art in Florence, discover ancient history and modern culture in Rome, then change gears and end your grand tour soaking up the sun on the Amalfi Coast. With two days in each location, you can get oriented with a guided tour, then spend the next day exploring at your own pace. Read more

10-Day Itinerary Including Venice

Explore Italy's top cities and cultural sights on this 10-day trip. Start in colorful Venice to see the ornate Doge's Palace and enjoy a cruise on the Grand Canal. In Florence, see world-famous art by Renaissance masters like Michelangelo and Donatello, then go wine tasting in rural Tuscany. End your trip in Rome, where visits to the Sistine Chapel, bohemian Trastevere neighborhood, and mouth-watering pizza round out the perfect getaway. Read more

2-Week Itinerary Including Venice & the Amalfi Coast

Spend two weeks delving into Italy's historical and cultural sites on this packed itinerary. Ride a gondola down Venice's Grand Canal and see art by Michelangelo and da Vinci in Florence. Explore Tuscany's medieval towns, then continue to the Amalfi Coast for ancient summer villas, limoncello, and seaside terraces. End in Rome to see the Vatican and explore eclectic neighborhoods. Read more

How to travel between Rome & Florence

If you've taken in the Renaissance charms of Florence and are ready to visit Rome or catch your flight home, there are a few ways to make the roughly 175-mile (282 km) journey. Italy's two train companies offer a full schedule of daily departures between the two cities, with trains running every 15-30 minutes. Driving between Florence and Rome takes about 3.5 hours if you stay on the autostrada, the Italian equivalent of an interstate highway. There are also several flights a day connecting the two cities. Read more