Planning a trip to Italy with kids and want a totally doable 10 days in Italy itinerary? Keep scrolling to check out my kid-friendly classic Italy itinerary that hits all the highlights!
This kid-friendly 10 days in Italy itinerary was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
When we decided to plan a summer trip to Italy with our kids, we thought it would be great to do a “grand tour” of the country.
Our kids really wanted to ride a gondola in Venice and see the Colosseum in Rome. And we had a few ideas of what to do in between.
Keep scrolling to see our exact kid-friendly itinerary for 10 days in Italy with our family.
Best Places to Visit in Italy with Kids
With 10 days in Italy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities. I mean, you could easily do a 10-day Northern Italy itinerary, a full Southern Italy itinerary, or spend the whole time in Tuscany.
For this trip, we stuck with the classic Italy itinerary: Rome, Florence, and Venice. A lot of families visit Italy this way because you can hit all the highlights in these major cities.
Rome with Kids
Rome is one of the most popular places to visit in Italy because it’s massive. Plus, that’s where you’ll find the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Vatican City.
We knew that we wanted to do a walking tour to familiarize ourselves with the Eternal City. We also wanted to check out some of the historic sites and do some interactive activities. Check out the top things to do in Rome with kids.
Florence with Kids
Florence is another popular Italy destination. It’s a great jumping-off point for day trips in Tuscany that are easy to do via train.
But there are cool places to explore in Florence like seeing Michelangelo’s David at the Uffizi Gallery, walking across the Ponte Vecchio, and playing at the Interactive Da Vinci Museum. Check out the top things to do in Florence with kids.
Venice with Kids
Venice is another iconic Italian vacation spot. Here, you can walk across the Rialto Bridge, take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal, and visit the Doge’s Palace.
Some people choose not to visit Venice because they don’t think there’s enough to do there. My kids beg to differ! Check out the top things to do in Venice with kids.
Our Exact 10 Days in Italy Itinerary
I want to say that we planned this Italy itinerary for our family of four, which consists of myself, my husband, and our two boys (ages 6yo and 9yo).
I like a fairly tight schedule, so this 10 days in Italy itinerary might sound a bit aggressive for your family. I suggest picking and choosing the activities and building in more “siesta time” if you want a more leisurely schedule.
Okay, let’s dive in!
DAY 1: VENICE ITINERARY
We left Seattle around 2:30 p.m., had a quick layover in Frankfurt, Germany and arrived in Venice at 2 p.m. It was technically an overnight flight but I don’t think any of us got more than a couple of hours of sleep.
Since we went through customs in Germany, it was pretty easy to get off the plane in Venice and head straight for the baggage claim area. But then we had to figure out how to get to our hotel in Venice.
Arrival in Venice
My husband had done some research a few days prior and narrowed it down to taking a water bus or a water taxi.
We knew the water bus would be the cheapest option but the water taxi sounded like a bit more fun AND it might get us closer to our hotel.
After barely sleeping in the previous 24 hours, we thought it would be best to spend a little more for convenience.
Our water taxi dropped us off just steps away from Hotel Bisanzio. We wheeled our luggage over to the desk and thankfully our room was ready!
We dropped off our luggage, used the facilities, claimed our beds, changed our clothes, and then headed out to explore Venice!
Exploring Venice
Our main goal was to do a gondola ride this evening. Mission accomplished! It was 80 Euros for 30 minutes and that was the perfect length. Any longer and I think we all would have been lulled to sleep!
We really weren’t that hungry for dinner, so we grabbed a quick gelato before heading back to the hotel to sleep. We knew we had a packed full day in Venice, so we wanted to be as rested as possible.
DAY 2: VENICE ITINERARY
My husband woke up crazy early so he grabbed his “good” camera and headed out to do some sunrise photography around St. Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal, and other places along the way.
Flytographer Photo Shoot
I’m pretty obsessed with doing a Flytographer photo shoot almost anywhere we travel. They are fun, easy, and fairly affordable. So, no one flinched when I told them we had a 7:00 a.m. Venice photo shoot.
Our photographer Marta was adorable and expertly navigated all of the winding alleys along the canals and we got the cutest photos. You can check out all our Venice photography tips and see the rest of our photos HERE.
Book a Family Photo Shoot
Whenever we travel, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy, affordable, AND guarantee that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link or use the code HAWAIITRAVEL.
Private Kid-Friendly Venice Walking Tour
We met up with our private tour guide Romy for a kid-friendly walking tour of Venice. I like to book private tours when I can because I appreciate the flexibility.
My husband wasn’t feeling well (I think it was jetlag-related) so we actually spend some time sitting at a cafe in the middle of the tour. That’s something you can’t do in a group tour setting.
Romy walked us all over the main areas of Venice. She was able to get our kids interested in the history of Venice as well as answer a million questions about why Venice is the way it is.
My husband and I thought we already knew a lot about Venice, but we learned SO many new things. And it was nice to be able to chat about what it’s like to grow up in Venice.
As with any good tour in Italy, this one ended with some gelato!
Afternoon Trip to Murano and Burano
When visiting Venice, a lot of people don’t realize that there are some cool islands you can explore as a half-day trip.
I visited Murano and Burano on my first trip to Italy as a teenager and I knew I wanted to fit it into this trip to Venice.
After our original tour fell through (don’t book through Under the Tuscan Sun tours), my husband found a great afternoon boat tour to Murano and Burano.
Murano island is famous for glassblowing. We got to watch a Murano glassblowing demonstration and walk around their gallery.
Then we headed to Burano (my favorite island) to see traditional lacemaking as well as walk around the charming island full of colorful houses.
We had so much fun that we almost missed our boat ride back! Check the latest rates and availability.
Evening Stroll Around Venice
Once we got back to Venice, we figured we’d spend our last night walking around before having dinner.
One of the coolest Venice hidden gems is the Libreria Acqua Alta. It’s basically a used book store that is also home to four cats.
Libreria Acqua Alta has some adorable photo spots throughout the store. It’s also a great place to pick up unique Venice souvenirs.
We grabbed some dinner and dessert before making our way back to the hotel. Read my complete 1 day in Venice itinerary.
DAY 3: VENICE/FLORENCE ITINERARY
The kids were really sad to leave Venice and they told us we needed to come back in 3 years. Crossing our fingers that happens!
Water Bus to Train Station
The most affordable way to get from our hotel to the Venice train station was by water bus. We had a water bus stop near the hotel that was the right route to take us to the train station.
It was pretty easy to buy tickets right from the station. The hard part was sitting in the holding area which bobbed up and down while we waited for the water bus.
Our kids loved the water bus in Venice and they even met other kids on the boat. They ended up playing the game Chopsticks until we got to the train station.
From the water bus stop, it was really easy to walk to the train station in Venice and find the right track to head to.
Train Ride from Venice to Florence
The train ride from Venice to Florence was about 2 hours long. We booked Premium tickets, which meant we could enjoy WiFi, seats with tables, and get free snacks/water.
The ride itself was really smooth and I actually spent the time working on blog posts. My kids loved having internet so they could do iPad games and zone out for a bit.
Arrival in Florence
We arrived in Florence in the early afternoon. Since our hotel wasn’t super close to the Florence train station and we had a bunch of luggage, we hopped in the taxi line.
It seemed crazy long at first, but it moved really quickly. We still were in line for about 20 minutes, but everyone’s moods were pretty happy.
We arrived at Hotel la Scaletta too early for check-in. But they were super nice and held our bags for us so we could find lunch and walk around town.
Exploring Florence
If you visit Florence during the summer, be prepared for crowds. We tried to stop at a few restaurants that our hotel recommended, but they were all reservation-only and completely full.
Thankfully, we found a cute sandwich spot to refuel.
And then we did a bit of shopping along the side streets. We found a shop that creates artwork using old ship manifests. We got to chat with the owners for a bit and the whole experience was really cool.
We went back to the hotel to get into our room, soak up some air conditioning, and re-group a bit before dinner.
I made reservations at Trattoria 13 Gobbi (a restaurant that we’ve eaten at on prior trips) so we walked around and shopped until it was time for our reservation. Then, we walked back to the hotel and got some much-needed rest.
DAY 4: FLORENCE ITINERARY
We wanted to spend this Florence day getting an overview of the city. Our kids had never been here before and we figured it was best to have an expert guided tour.
Private Family-Friendly Florence City Tour
We met up with Cristina at Piazza della Repubblica for a private family tour of Florence. It was an easy walk from our hotel. She gave our kids a scavenger hunt to work on during the tour.
She took us around the city center where we saw Brunelleschi’s Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, Uffizi Gallery courtyard, Arno River, the Ponte Vecchio, and more.
Of course, this tour also ended with gelato!
Siesta
I should mention that Florence during the summer can get HOT. So we grabbed lunch to go and brought it back to our hotel so we could eat it in the air conditioning.
It also gave everyone a chance to cool down, rest their legs, and zone out on screens for a bit.
Da Vinci’s Workshop
We did an afternoon tour of the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in Florence. It’s a really cool interactive museum for families where you can see Da Vinci’s designs come to life.
Our tour guide helped the kids learn how to sketch the details of the machines, draw the entire machine, give each machine a name, and then encouraged them to create their own machines.
While our kids had heard about Leonardo Da Vinci before our trip, this was such a cool way for them to get a peek inside his mind as they got to play around with the machines.
They loved it so much that they kept sketching their designs throughout dinner.
DAY 5: CINQUE TERRE/PISA ITINERARY
One of the coolest things about visiting Florence is that it’s a great hub for taking day trips. My husband and I visited Cinque Terre when I was pregnant with my oldest and we really wanted to do an overnight there.
But, it was fully booked when I checked 9 months in advance. So, we did a Cinque Terre day trip from Florence instead.
Cinque Terre consists of five towns on the Italian Riviera. These seaside towns can be accessed via local train, hiking, or by ferry.
Visiting Cinque Terre
I booked our train tickets as soon as they were released (I signed up for an alert online). We got up early in the morning and took a train to Pisa, then to La Spezia, and finally to Monterosso. This is one of the hill towns furthest away.
We started here because this is where we stayed last time and we were obsessed with their mussels. So, we basically spent all our time in Monterosso eating delicious mussels and ceviche.
Our kids aren’t big on hanging at the beach. If they were, we would have packed swim stuff and paid for a chair at the beach. But they aren’t so we didn’t.
Instead, we purchased ferry tickets and took a fun boat ride to Riomaggiore. Our plan had been to get off at each Cinque Terre village, but the boat only stopped at two.
The day we visited Cinque Terre was also a cruise ship day, so all the towns were PACKED with cruise ship passengers to the point where it was uncomfortable.
We got out at Riomaggiore and did a little shopping and had some gelato. But it was mid-afternoon by now and our kids were bored. So, we switched to Plan B. Read my complete guide to Cinque Terre.
Visiting Pisa
This was a total impromptu addition to our Italy itinerary. And we only stopped because my kids insisted that the Leaning Tower of Pisa was on their bucket list.
We quickly bought train tickets for Pisa. It was just about an hour from La Spezia (which was a short train ride from Riomaggiore).
The train station is just a 20-minute walk from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. My husband and our 6-year-old took the bus while my 9-year-old and I walked. We arrived at about the same time.
I’m so glad we made this stop! It was seriously cool to see it in real life and we were giddy when we realized we could climb to the top!
I’m really glad that we ended up adding this excursion to our Florence day trip. It was nice to escape the crowds of Cinque Terre and get to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa during Golden Hour. Read my guide to visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa with kids.
DAY 6: FLORENCE ITINERARY
This was our last full day in Florence so we wanted to hit a few more highlights.
Golf Cart Tour of Florence
We did a golf cart tour of Rome about 8 years prior (before they were really a “thing”) so we were excited to do one in Florence.
We met up with our eco-friendly Florence golf cart tour at Piazza Santa Croce. This was our first time visiting Santa Croce, so it was a great excuse to look around for a bit before our tour started.
Then, our guide drove us all over Florence and told us what we were seeing. Well, he had a recording that played that gave us the highlights!
As far as city tours go, we had a blast with this one! The kids loved not having to walk and we loved getting some much-needed breeze in the hot city!
We also got to head up to the Piazza Michelangelo to get an epic view of Florence.
Siesta
Did I mention that Florence was in the upper 90s temperature-wise? Our kids begged for another Siesta afternoon. We grabbed food and took a break in the hotel so we’d have enough energy for our afternoon tour.
Private Uffizi Gallery Kid-Friendly Treasure Hunt Tour
I’m a huge fan of art museums so I usually do at least one art museum when visiting Europe with kids. This time it was the Uffizi because I’m a Botticelli fan.
I prepped the kids by showing them Birth of Venus and Primavera so they could be on the lookout for those paintings at the Uffizi. They really wanted to impress the tour guide by recognizing the paintings!
We met up with Francesca who had a cool scavenger hunt planned at the Uffizi Gallery. Personally, I think this is the best way to tackle such a huge museum with kids.
Our 6-year-old was overly tired and pretty much spent the whole tour asleep in my husband’s arms. I mention this in case this might be too much for younger kids.
Our 9-year-old thought the tour was really interesting and we learned some really cool things about different painters, Florence’s history, and art in general.
DAY 7: FLORENCE/ROME ITINERARY
Our kids really, really wanted to see Michaelangelo’s David, but it was impossible to get skip-the-line tickets. The best thing I could do was book a group tour that included skip-the-line tickets.
Accademia Gallery
I guess any classic Italy itinerary includes a peek at Michelangelo’s David. I’m glad that our boys pushed us to book tickets because they did enjoy seeing this famous statue up close.
Since I had to book a group tour, we ended up spending an hour walking around the other parts of the Accademia before ending with Michelangelo’s David. So, this activity took longer than it needed to. Read my complete Florence itinerary.
Train Ride from Florence to Rome
Our train to Rome left Florence around 3:00 p.m. So we headed to the train station about 30 minutes early to give us time to grab snacks and drinks.
We booked Premium tickets again, so we enjoyed the WiFi. This time, they skipped over us for the snacks and drinks (lame) but we had enough of our own stuff.
It took about 90 minutes to get to Rome from Florence via train.
Arrival in Rome
We met up with my cousin and her family at Roma Termini (they flew in from Spain) and we headed to our rental home.
It was 101 degrees when we arrived. We hit up a grocery store and then grabbed takeout from a local restaurant and stayed in our air conditioning.
DAY 8: ROME ITINERARY
For our first full day in Rome, we wanted to see some of the city’s highlights.
Private Family-Friendly Rome City Tour
My husband and I were the only ones in our group who had been to Rome before. So, we figured doing a Rome walking tour might come in handy.
On this Rome tour, we went into the Pantheon, walked around Capitol Hill, and explored Piazza Navona.
Our tour guide Simone was really cool and great with kids! He had a scavenger hunt for them to work on during the walk and it was a great way to keep the kids interested.
We also stopped for snacks and gelato, which was a big hit!
While this tour was awesome, I probably would recommend that people do a Rome Golf Cart tour instead. It’s easier with little kids and you’ll get to see more stuff.
Siesta
By the end of the tour, the kids were all hot, tired, and sweaty. So we headed back to our rental house and figured we’d do an early dinner and head back out in the evening.
Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain
After an early dinner, we ventured out again when the temperature wasn’t as hot. We hoped the crowds would also be fewer, but that was wishful thinking!
We headed straight for the Spanish Steps. I feel like most Italy itineraries have a brief stop here, even if it’s just to snap a quick pic.
Our kids ended up racing to the top of the stairs. Thank goodness we had Air Tags on them!
Next, we headed to the Trevi Fountain. It’s easy walking distance between the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.
It was massively crowded at the Trevi Fountain, but the kids managed to throw their 3 coins in the fountain and hopefully that means we’ll be planning another trip to Rome!
DAY 9: ROME ITINERARY
If you’re going to spend 10 days in Italy, you might as well pop into the Vatican City. It’s the only country located INSIDE another country. And no passport is needed!
Private Family Treasure Hunt in the Vatican Museums
Our group did a private tour of the Vatican that was specifically geared toward families. Like the other ones, this included a scavenger hunt component.
Our tour guide did a great job of explaining what we’d be seeing inside. She did a full dissection of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and we all learned a ton.
I’m super thankful that we had her as a tour guide because she was not only able to navigate the crowds, but she talked to a security guard to let us skip a few rooms. This saved us more than an hour of standing in a stuffy room.
I was honestly a little surprised, but my 9-year-old truly enjoyed seeing Vatican City. Check out my full guide to visiting the Vatican with kids.
Siesta
Remember how I said Rome was hot? After enjoying lunch in an air-conditioned restaurant near St. Peter’s Square, we headed back to the rental house.
We had tentative plans to visit Villa Borghese, but the weather just was so unbearable for us. If the weather had been a bit cooler, I know the kids would have loved playing there.
DAY 10: ROME ITINERARY
We ended our 10 days in Italy with one of the most famous attractions in Italy: the Colosseum!
Private Roman Forum and Colosseum Tour
We did a kid-friendly Colosseum and Roman Forum tour that was really great! It started at the Roman Forum where we learned what life was like in Ancient Rome.
Then, we headed straight into the Colosseum for an in-depth look at gladiator life and the logistics of the arena.
The Colosseum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s honestly impressive to walk through it.
Our guide had scavenger hunts for each location and our kids learned a TON about gladiators. They actually were able to talk about it later and I couldn’t believe how many facts they retained.
Rome Gladiator School
We also signed our family up for Rome Gladiator School. My husband heard about it from a TV show and apparently, a bunch of celebrities have done it.
Basically, we started inside a gladiator museum where we got to try out helmets, shields, swords, and other weapons while learning about the Roman army. It was fascinating!
Then, it was time for gladiator training! This included putting on a costume, running an obstacle course, learning some key moves, and then sparring.
Finally, it was time for the grand battle! Everyone stepped into a little arena and got to put their skills to the test!
This was the highlight of our trip to Rome, according to our boys. Check out my full guide to Rome Gladiator School.
DAY 11: DEPARTURE
I know I said this was a 10 days in Italy itinerary, but we did one last thing in Rome that I wanted to talk about.
Flytographer Photo Shoot
Yes, we started and ended our 10 days in Italy with photography sessions!
We booked this one at 6:30 a.m. so we had plenty of time for a leisurely photo shoot before our flight to Amsterdam.
Since I really wanted “good” family photos in front of the Colosseum, I booked a route that took us around that area. It was definitely worth getting up before dawn to avoid all the pesky crowds!
You can check out all our Rome photography tips and see the rest of our photos HERE. Read my complete Rome itinerary.
Is This The Best Italy Itinerary for Families?
Even though I’m a family travel blogger and my whole job is to give advice about where families should go, I’m a firm believer that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all Italy itinerary.
This itinerary worked well for our family. Well, my husband did complain a little bit about how it was too packed. But, by the end of the trip, there wasn’t anything that we would have cut from this Italy itinerary.
We don’t normally have so much “down time” when we visit Italy, but the hot weather and crowds made this a necessity.
Other Italy Itinerary Ideas
If you’d like to extend your Italy itinerary or swap out any of the cities I mentioned above, here are some popular options.
Tuscany
You can do Tuscany as a day trip (or several) from Florence. A few of the most popular places to visit in Tuscany for families include Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, the Chianti Region, Maremma, and Val d’Orcia.
Tuscany is great for families that want to do wine tasting, explore farms, do a cooking class, check out medieval castles, and get a break from the city.
Amalfi Coast
A lot of people have a hard time deciding between Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast. You can do the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Rome, or you can spend a few nights there.
We seriously considered adding a few days on the Amalfi Coast, but it just felt too similar to Cinque Terre so we didn’t do it. But if you aren’t doing Cinque Terre, this would be great for any Italy itinerary.
The Amalfi Coast towns include Positano, Sorrento, Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano, Maiori, Minori, Atrani, Furore, and Cetara.
I’m still kicking myself that we didn’t do an Amalfi Coast day trip. Next time, I guess.
Lake Como
Lake Como, nestled in the Italian Alps, is a must-visit for its mesmerizing beauty, charming lakeside villages, and serene atmosphere.
It offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, Italian culture, and luxury, with activities like boat tours, hiking, and visiting historic villas.
Adding Lake Como to your Northern Italy itinerary provides a relaxing counterpoint to the bustling city sights and a taste of the Italian dolce vita.
Milan
Milan is one of the world’s fashion capitals, hosting prestigious labels like Armani, Versace, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana. But that’s not all that is there.
One of the top Milan attractions is the Duomo di Milano. This iconic Milan cathedral is the largest in Italy and the third-largest in the world.
Pompeii and/or Herculaneum
If you’re interested in Ancient Rome, you might want to do a tour of Pompeii.
Visiting Pompeii is a unique journey back in time, as you explore the well-preserved ruins of this ancient Roman city that was frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
A lesser-known alternative is Herculaneum. Herculaneum is an ancient Roman town that, like Pompeii, was preserved under volcanic ash and pumice after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
You can also do these as day trips from the Amalfi Coast.
Where Did We Stay in Italy with Kids?
Hotel Bisanzio in Venice
We really loved staying at Hotel Bisanzio and I’d recommend it to any family looking for a spacious room.
The loft room was really nice because the kids had bunk beds and their own bathroom while we had a loft room upstairs with our own bathroom. Check the latest rates and availability.
There are lots of other great options all across Venice. See my list of the best kid-friendly Venice hotels.
Hotel La Scaletta Al Ponte Vecchio
I definitely recommend Hotel La Scaletta for families wanting spacious rooms with a great location. We still can’t believe how many places we were able to easily walk to.
The luxury suite exceeded our expectations. The kids had their own beds and they were separated from us by a partial wall. Check the latest rates and availability.
Plus, we had a stand-alone tub near our bed and a balcony with an epic garden view.
There are lots of great options all across Florence. See my list of the best kid-friendly Florence hotels.
Airbnb Near Roma Termini
We only booked an Airbnb because there were 8 of us staying together and we wanted areas to just hang out. I really don’t like Airbnb (they have canceled on us last minute) and don’t recommend that people use them.
We definitely would have booked a hotel if it was just our family. See my list of the best kid-friendly Rome hotels.
What to Pack for Italy with Kids for Summer
Packing for a trip to Italy with kids can vary depending on the season, but here are some general Italy packing essentials we used in the summer.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Italy is best explored on foot, so ensure everyone has sturdy, comfortable footwear. I wore my Cariuma shoes and leather sandals. My kids wore these sandals.
Lightweight Clothing
During summer, pack lightweight, breathable clothing. My boys wore a lot of shorts and either T-shirts or button-down shirts.
My favorite dresses for Italy include this striped dress, this flutter sleeve dress, and
Sun Hats
I pretty much lived in either my Brixton hat or a straw hat from Nordstrom Rack. My kids got straw hats in Venice and then Pokemon hats in Florence.
Sunscreen
My favorite sunscreen for our whole family is this Babyganics spray. It’s not an aerosol sprayer so it’s easy to spray your hands and then rub it into your body. This mineral sunscreen soaks in quickly without leaving a white residue.
Bug Spray
We were not expecting Italy to have so many bugs (outside of Venice). So we were thankful to have mosquito bracelets as well as bug spray with us. And we were eternally grateful for After Bite.
Reusable Water Bottles
It’s important to stay hydrated, especially during the hot summer months. We’re big fans of Yeti water bottles because they have a smaller drink hole than other water bottles.
Travel Adapter
Italy uses Type F and Type L plugs. I like this adapter because it’s also a converter. It was great for my laptop, my husband’s C-PAP, as well as my curling iron.
My Tips for Visiting Italy with Kids
Public Transportation vs Taxi/Uber
While we’ve done public transportation in a lot of European cities, I personally don’t like using it in Rome.
Not only is it notorious for pickpockets, but they only have a few lines around the city. That means you’ll probably have to walk a decent amount even if you take the metro in Rome.
Personally, we just splurge and take taxis or Uber in Rome. I like not worrying about protecting myself from pickpockets. Plus, it gets us much closer to our destination.
For Florence, your best bet is to either walk (things are much closer than you think) or take a taxi or Uber. And for Venice, you’ll either need to walk or take a water bus.
Do You Need to Rent a Car in Italy?
For this 10 days in Italy itinerary, we didn’t rent a car and we definitely didn’t need to. We relied on trains and taxi/Uber.
The only time we rented a car in Italy was when we stayed in the Tuscan countryside several years ago. The place we stayed was too far from a train station and it made the most sense to have our own vehicle.
If you are just visiting Rome, Florence, and Venice, you do NOT need a rental car.
Be Prepared for Train Delays
When we arrived at the train station in Florence, we saw that most of the trains had a delay of at least an hour. It was a good reminder not to book any tours or activities on our travel days.
Make sure to grab snacks and drinks and find a place to hunker down at the train station.
If you don’t see your train listed on the board (sometimes it’s full of delayed trains), go inside the gate and check the platforms to see if your train is listed.
Book Skip-the-Line Tickets (especially during the summer)
You wouldn’t believe how many people we saw who were turned away at every museum we went to because all the tickets for the day were sold out.
My son and I wanted to do an impromptu climb up the Duomo, but we quickly realized that tickets were sold out all week.
I suggest booking skip-the-line tickets for any museum you want to do at least a month in advance. You can figure out which ones you might want to do a tour for or which ones you want to explore on your own.
Bring Headphones for Kids
If you’re doing any museum tours, there’s a good chance that your tour guide will hand your kid ear buds that don’t fit in their ears. It’s SUPER frustrating.
A good solution is to bring your own headphones that you can use instead. These will fit your child much better and alleviate a ton of drama/tears.
10 Days in Italy Itinerary FAQs
Can I see all of Italy in 10 days?
While it’s theoretically possible to visit many of Italy’s highlights in 10 days, it’s unlikely that you would be able to fully experience all of Italy in such a short period of time.
Italy is rich in history, culture, and diverse landscapes, and each region, city, and even small town has its unique charm and attractions.
To truly immerse in the Italian experience, it’s advisable to focus on a few select areas rather than trying to cover everything.
How should I spend 10 days in Italy?
Your 10-day itinerary in Italy should ideally include a mix of sightseeing, relaxation, and immersive experiences.
How many days is good in Italy?
The length of your stay in Italy can depend greatly on the depth of experience you’re seeking. A week to 10 days is a good starting point for first-time visitors wanting to cover several major cities (such as Rome, Florence, and Venice) at a relaxed pace.
However, if you wish to explore more regions, delve into specific cultural aspects, or spend more time relaxing in the countryside or beaches, consider extending your trip to two weeks or more. Ultimately, any time spent in Italy will be rewarding!
How many cities can I realistically visit during a 10-day trip to Italy?
Depending on your pace, you can comfortably visit 2-4 cities. For example, you could spend a few days each in Rome, Florence, and Venice with day trips to the surrounding areas.
Should I rent a car for a 10-day trip in Italy?
It’s not necessary if you’re sticking to cities as Italy has an excellent train system. However, a car may be useful for exploring the countryside or smaller towns, such as those in Tuscany.
Can I visit both Northern and Southern Italy in 10 days?
While it’s possible, it may feel rushed. It’s better to focus on one region to fully appreciate its attractions without feeling overwhelmed by travel.
Is a 10-day trip enough to experience Italy?
While it’s impossible to see everything in Italy in just 10 days, a well-planned itinerary will allow you to experience a good slice of Italian culture, history, and cuisine.
What are some must-see sights for a 10-day trip in Italy?
Some must-see sights include the Colosseum and Vatican in Rome, Uffizi Gallery and Duomo in Florence, the canals of Venice, and the Leaning Tower in Pisa.
Should I book skip-the-line tickets for major attractions?
Absolutely, this can save you a lot of time, especially during the peak season.
What’s the best way to travel between cities in Italy?
The train system in Italy is efficient and often the fastest way to travel between major cities.
Can I include a day at the beach in my 10-day Italy itinerary?
Certainly, Italy has some beautiful beaches. Consider the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, or Sardinia.
What’s the best time of the year to travel to Italy for 10 days?
Spring (April to June) and Fall (September and October) are generally the best times to visit Italy, with pleasant weather and fewer tourists.
Spending 10 Days in Italy with Kids Wrap-Up
Spending 10 days in Italy with your family can be an extraordinary journey.
With these Italy itinerary ideas, your Italy trip will be a blend of adventure, relaxation, and education. Be it day trips or extended stays, Italy vacations cater to every age, making it an ideal destination.
Remember, every itinerary is just a suggestion—feel free to adapt it to your family’s tastes and pace. Happy travels!
Looking for more Italy travel resources? Check out my top tips for visiting Italy with kids, Rome travel tips, Florence travel tips, Venice travel tips, 3 days in Rome with kids, day trips from Rome, 2 days in Florence with kids, best Rome tours for families, day trips from Florence, day trip to Cinque Terre, Europe travel tips, and 1 day in Venice with kids!
