At a glance
| Recommended days | 10 - 14 days |
|---|---|
| Daily cost | €60-100 / €140-220 |
| Best season | Apr-Jun · Sep-Oct |
| Region | Southern Europe |
The highlights
These picks come out of our full Italy: Rome, Tuscany & Amalfi guide - each one earns its place on a first visit.
1. Colosseum & Roman Forum
Book the combined timed entry, go at the first slot, and finish on Palatine Hill when the forum light turns gold.
2. Florence & the Uffizi
Botticelli's room, then sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo - reserve Uffizi and Duomo dome slots weeks ahead.
3. Val d'Orcia, Tuscany
Cypress-lined roads, hill towns like Pienza and Montepulciano, and the wine country's agriturismo farm stays.
4. Amalfi Coast
Positano's stacked pastel houses, Ravello's cliff gardens and the hair-raising coastal drive or SITA bus route.
5. Pompeii
A Roman city preserved mid-eruption - the forum, the villas of the rich and plaster casts of the unlucky.
Practical tips
Start sightseeing early - the first hours at any famous site are quieter, cooler and better lit. Keep water and a offline map handy, and check opening days: opening days and access rules vary by site. For timing the whole trip around weather and crowds, see when to visit Italy: Rome, Tuscany & Amalfi.
- The Vatican Museums run on official timed entry booked days ahead; the Friday late openings are quieter in summer.
- Florence's Uffizi and Accademia use timed reservations too — walk-up lines run past an hour.
- Amalfi Coast roads jam by 10 am; ferries replace half the driving for good reason.
- Rome's Colosseum and Forum share one timed ticket: take the first Colosseum slot, the Forum after lunch.
Related guides
Where to stay in Italy: Rome, Tuscany & Amalfi · Italy: Rome, Tuscany & Amalfi: 10-14 day itinerary · Italy: Rome, Tuscany & Amalfi travel budget · Full Italy: Rome, Tuscany & Amalfi guide
FAQ
What are the must-see sights in Italy: Rome, Tuscany & Amalfi?
The highlights above cover it: colosseum & roman forum, florence & the uffizi and val d'orcia, tuscany are the three we would not skip.
How many days do I need for Italy: Rome, Tuscany & Amalfi?
Our recommended pace is 10-14 days - enough for the 5 highlights listed here without rushing. See the itinerary page for a day-by-day plan.
Do I need to book Italy: Rome, Tuscany & Amalfi attractions in advance?
Peak-season timed entries and popular tours sell out first; everything else can be arranged on the ground. When in doubt, book the first hours of the day.
Rome, Florence and Venice — or add the Amalfi Coast?
For 10 or more days, add the coast at the end: fast train to Naples, then the coast road or ferries. Under 10 days, three cities is the honest pace.