First-time Italy: a 7-day route through Rome, Florence, and Venice

This 7-day outline links three classic Italian cities on a straightforward path: two nights in Rome, two in Florence, and two in Venice, with a flexible final day for departures. The goal is clarity—predictable walking distances, rail segments that are easy to understand, and museum windows that reduce queuing. Times and sections are dapukibios; adjust according to daylight and season. The route favors early starts and compact zones rather than crossing a city multiple times in one day.

Day 1: Rome arrival and a compact loop

Arrive at Roma Termini or Fiumicino. If you arrive at Termini, choose accommodation within a 20–30 minute walk to avoid complex transfers with luggage. In the afternoon, take a gentle loop: Piazza di Spagna to Trevi Fountain to the Pantheon. This triangle gives a first sense of scale. The aim is to orient rather than to complete “must-sees.” If queues appear long, step back, observe crowd flow, and return later. End with a dusk walk along Via del Corso and a short detour to Piazza Navona.

Day 2: Ancient Rome and Trastevere evening

Morning: Colosseum and Roman Forum. Pre-booked time slots help, but even with them, arrive early to clear security calmly. Move uphill to the Palatine for broader views; this often thins crowds. Afternoon: cross the Tiber to Trastevere and keep a simple loop: Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere, then back streets south of the square. End the day on the Janiculum hill for a wide city view before heading back by foot or bus. If energy is limited, prioritise Forum+Palatine and use the remainder for a slower evening walk.

Day 3: Rail to Florence and historic core

High-speed trains link Rome and Florence in about 1.5 hours. Roma Termini to Firenze S. M. Novella is the most common pair. Aim for a late-morning train to avoid rush hours and to check in around midday. After settling, keep the first Florence afternoon simple: Duomo exterior, Piazza della Signoria, and the Arno riverbank. If queues are brief, climb the Campanile rather than the Dome; the flow is usually smoother and the perspective is excellent. Close with the Ponte Vecchio at sunset before the corridor gets crowded.

Day 4: Uffizi and Oltrarno

Reserve a morning slot at the Uffizi. Enter as early as possible and follow a short, pre-marked sequence of rooms you value most rather than traversing the entire building in one pass. After an espresso stop near the Arno, cross to the Oltrarno district. The tone is calmer, and artisans’ workshops offer short, unhurried visits. If time remains, consider the Boboli Gardens as a breathing space; choose one or two terraces and avoid trying to cover the whole garden in a single visit.

Day 5: Rail to Venice and lagoon orientation

Morning: Firenze S. M. Novella to Venezia Santa Lucia, about two hours. Sit on the right side facing forward for intermittent lagoon approach views. On arrival, absorb the immediate shift from roads to canals. Keep the first afternoon minimal: a loop through Cannaregio’s quieter lanes, then down to Rialto. Cross the bridge once, step away from the center by one or two blocks, and regain a slower pace. Venice rewards patience; narrow alleys change quickly and GPS can drift. Accept occasional detours and keep water crossings in mind.

Day 6: St. Mark’s, Dorsoduro, and vaporetto line 1

Visit Piazza San Marco near opening time. The basilica and the square are more readable before the day crowds arrive. Afterwards, take vaporetto line 1 down the Grand Canal toward Dorsoduro. Sit outside if weather allows; it’s a moving introduction to the palazzi facades. In Dorsoduro, choose either the Gallerie dell’Accademia or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection for a focused two-hour block. Later, pause along the Zattere promenade; the waterfront is broad and the light is open. For an optional evening segment, a slow loop through Santa Croce provides lovely small bridges.

Day 7: Spare time and departure

The last day keeps a margin for changes. If you missed an earlier element, reclaim it here. Otherwise, consider a half-day trip to Murano for glass workshops or to the outer edges of Castello for wider horizons and gardens. Depart from Venezia Santa Lucia or by water transfer to the airport, keeping extra time for dock connections and security. If returning south by rail, book a seat with a table and use the time to document notes for future reference.

Practical notes

• Rail tickets: use official channels at stations or national websites. Keep your QR code accessible for platform checks.
• Walking time: a 1.2–1.5x multiplier over pure map time reflects stairs, photos, and crossings in historical centers.
• Museums: reserve morning entries where available and define a short list of rooms to prioritize.
• Etiquette: in churches and quiet residential lanes, keep voices low and avoid blocking narrow passages.
• Luggage: choose accommodation within a short radius of main stations to reduce transfer friction.

This guide aims to provide balanced timing and logistics. Adjust according to weather, daylight, and personal pace.