Italy 9-Day Itinerary: Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Tuscany
This route combines Italy’s greatest hits with some hidden gems. The mix of train and car travel lets you experience both cities and countryside at the right pace.
24/7 Live Cam: Venice Rolling Cam — by I Love You Venice
Route Overview
Rome (2 nights) → Florence (2 nights) → Cinque Terre (1 night) → Tuscany (2 nights) → Rome (1 night)
Day 1: Arrive in Rome - Afternoon Exploration
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM):
- Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) - Iconic stairway, great for people watching
- Surrounding shopping district - Via Condotti for luxury brands
- Palatine Hill and Palatine Palace
Evening (5:00 PM - 6:30 PM):
- Roman Forum - Ancient Rome’s heart, beautiful at sunset
- Dinner in the historic center
Accommodation: Central Rome, near major attractions
Day 2: Vatican & Classic Rome
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM):
- Vatican Museums - Book tickets in advance to skip lines!
- Sistine Chapel - Part of Vatican Museums tour
- St. Peter’s Basilica - Free entry, arrive early
Lunch: Near Vatican, plenty of tourist-friendly options
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 6:00 PM):
- Castel Sant’Angelo - Former papal fortress, great river views
- Piazza Navona - Baroque fountains and architecture
- Via del Corso - Main shopping street
Evening: Dinner in Trastevere neighborhood - more local vibe
Day 3: Rome → Florence
Morning: Train to Florence (~1.5 hours on high-speed train)
Book ahead: High-speed Trenitalia or Italo trains
Afternoon (1:30 PM onwards):
- Check into hotel, drop bags
- Florence Cathedral (Duomo) and Piazza del Duomo
- Climb the dome if you’re up for 463 steps!
Evening:
- Palazzo Pitti and Palatina Gallery
- Dinner in San Lorenzo area
Day 4: Florence Art & Culture
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM):
- Uffizi Gallery - Book tickets in advance, world-class Renaissance art
- Piazza della Signoria - Outdoor sculpture gallery
Lunch: Central Florence, try a lampredotto sandwich (local specialty)
Afternoon:
- Ponte Vecchio - Famous bridge with jewelry shops
- Oltrarno neighborhood - Artisan workshops
- Gelato break (obviously)
Evening: Last night in Florence, splurge on a nice dinner
Day 5: Florence → Cinque Terre
Morning (8:00 AM): Drive to Cinque Terre (~2 hours)
Park in Monterosso - Most parking available here
Day exploring the five villages:
-
Monterosso al Mare (9:00 AM - 11:30 AM)
- Only village with a real beach
- Good starting point with parking
-
Vernazza (11:30 AM - 2:30 PM)
- Take train between villages (buy Cinque Terre Card)
- Lunch here - best harbor views
- Most photogenic village
-
Corniglia (2:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
- Quietest village, on a cliff
- 377 steps up from station
-
Manarola (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM)
- Famous colorful houses
- Great for sunset photos
-
Riomaggiore (if time)
- Southernmost village
Accommodation: Stay overnight in one of the villages - magical experience
Tip: Train is best for village-hopping. Walking paths exist but are strenuous.
Day 6: Cinque Terre → Pisa → Tuscany
Morning (8:00 AM): Drive to Pisa (~1 hour 40 min)
Pisa (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM):
- Leaning Tower - Yes, it’s touristy but worth seeing
- Piazza dei Miracoli - The whole square is UNESCO listed
- Get your obligatory “holding up the tower” photo
Lunch: Quick bite in Pisa
Afternoon: Drive through Tuscany (~1 hour 15 min)
- Stop at Lucca (walled city) or San Gimignano (medieval towers)
- Rolling hills, cypress trees, vineyards - classic Tuscany
Evening: Arrive at Tuscan accommodation
- Consider an agriturismo (farm stay) for the authentic experience
Day 7: Tuscany Exploration
Full day in Tuscany:
- Visit wineries (Chianti region)
- Explore medieval hill towns
- Visit a castle or two
- Long lunch at a countryside restaurant
Suggested stops:
- Montepulciano - Wine town
- Pienza - Cheese and Renaissance architecture
- Val d’Orcia - UNESCO landscape, those iconic Tuscan views
Evening: Drive to Civita di Bagnoregio (~2 hours 20 min)
Day 8: Civita di Bagnoregio → Rome
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Civita di Bagnoregio - “The Dying City”
- Connected only by footbridge
- Medieval village frozen in time
- Walk the narrow alleys, stone houses
- Chiesa di Santa Maria - Main church
- Viewpoints over surrounding valleys
Lunch: In Civita or nearby town, try local specialties
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM):
- Drive back to Rome (~1 hour 45 min)
- Return rental car
- Last evening in Rome
Evening: Final Italian dinner - make it count!
Day 9: Departure
Morning: Depending on flight time
- Last espresso
- Final gelato
- Head to airport
Practical Tips
Transportation
- Rome-Florence: High-speed train (book on Trenitalia or Italo)
- Florence-Cinque Terre-Tuscany-Rome: Rental car recommended
- Cinque Terre: Train between villages (Cinque Terre Card)
Booking Timeline
- 1-2 months ahead: Vatican Museums, Uffizi Gallery, Dome climb
- 2-4 weeks ahead: Train tickets, car rental, accommodations
- 1 week ahead: Restaurant reservations for special meals
Driving Tips
- ZTL zones in historic centers = huge fines if you drive in
- Park outside historic centers and walk
- Italian drivers are… spirited
- Autostrada toll roads are efficient
Budget Breakdown (per person)
- Trains (Rome-Florence round trip): ~€80-120
- Car rental (5 days): ~€150-200
- Accommodations (8 nights): ~€600-1000
- Museum entries: ~€100-150
- Food: ~€300-400
Total: ~€1,200-1,800 for a comfortable trip
What I’d Skip
- Crowds at Trevi Fountain midday (go early morning)
- Overpriced restaurants near major attractions
- Guided tours when self-guided works fine
Italy questions? I’ve driven this exact route and happy to share more details.