10 days in Italy – the country of pizza, pasta and Aperol Spritz. During 10 days in Italy you can explore the country’s dreamiest places if you plan your trip well.

This itinerary for 10 days in Italy from North to South Italy follows a harsh schedule and might not be the right pace of travel for everyone. When I travel with my friends, we save time by taking night trains, we get up with the sun and we don’t sleep much. For us, to travel is to explore, to experience and to venture – not to relax. If that’s not your way of travel, you might want to spend 1-2 days more in some destinations.

10 Days Italy Itinerary from North to South

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Getting around in Italy

Getting around in Italy is fairly easy. No matter if you choose public transport or to drive yourself, with both options you can easily get to most sites.

Public Transport

Italy has a well-developed and affordable train network operating between cities. The two train companies in Italy are Trenitalia and ItaliaRail. You can check the route network and their time schedules on their website.

BUDGET TIP:

Often, the fares differ depending on the time and duration of your connection.
For example, going from Venice to Rome usually takes about 4 hours. We took a night train that took 8 hours and we paid almost half of the price than the quicker connection would have cost. By taking a night train you also save one night of accommodation.

Also check the prices on Trainline. Trainline is a search engine for train and bus connections in Europe. If you book your ticket well in advance, you might get it for a lower price on Trainline. Knowing the itinerary of your 10 days in Italy in advance can therefore help you save some money.

 

Rental Car

The perk of having a car is that you’re more flexible in terms of time and place. With a car you can visit places off the beaten path or stay in an accommodation outside the main tourist area to get more value for your money.

To get a good deal for your rental car I recommend comparing prices of different providers. Discover Cars is a great platform to get an overview of the providers and their rental prices.

Aspects to consider

  • Parking can be hard to find and expensive – especially on the Amalfi coast. In Positano you need to pay 7€ per hour if you can’t find a free parking spot on the street.
  • Parking tickets: Make sure to only park in the marked places. Policemen are quick to give you a fine if you exceed the time limit or if you park in a wrong place.
    White marks mean that you can park for free for an unlimited time.
    Blue marks mean that it’s a pay zone.
  • You have to pay a fee for using the highways. Short sections usually cost 2,10€ but from Bari to Naples we paid a total of 16,50€ for a 2 hour drive.
  • Fuel is quite expensive compared to other countries in Southern Europe.

Public Transport or Rental Car?

There’s no clear answer to this question as it depends on your priorities and preferences. If you travel solo or if you’re on a really tight budget, it’s probably better to use public transport.

However, if you’re at least 2 persons and you prioritize flexibility and seeing more than just the main sights of an area, it’s more convenient to have a car.

For 10 days in Italy, a rental car can be quite expensive. We did a mix of both and took the train from Venice to Rome and from Rome to Naples. In Naples we rented a car at the airport. From there we drove down the Amalfi Coast, then to Bari and back to Naples.

I think the best way to do it is as we did it, to take the train between major cities and then rent a car to get around within an area.

Day 1: Venice

Photo spot in Venice, Italy

Venice is one of the most famous and most visited towns in Italy. It was also the first stop of our 10 days in Italy.

First off, I want to mention that Venice struggles a lot with the problem of overtourism and the disrespectful behaviour of tourists.

If you visit Venice, please remember that this is the HOME of locals and not solemnly a tourist attraction. The City of Venice has launched an awareness campaign #EnjoyRespectVenezia that should guide visitors to behave respectfully and responsibly towards the city and its inhabitants.

A further great way to support the local community in Venice is to shop and consume products from local providers instead of illegal street vendors. Please check out Venezia Autentica before your trip to get an authentic Venetian experience while positively impacting the life of the locals.

Venice, Italy

Have an early morning

The most famous sights of Venice are usually quite crowded during the day. If you want to enjoy them by yourself, there’s no way around than to have an early morning.

Piazza San Marco, Venice

Especially the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco are much more impressive without crowds. Be there at around 7-8 am to admire the architecture without any other people.

Breakfast at Niki Bar

Breakfast in Venice

Niki Bar is a great place to start your day with a healthy and delicious breakfast. The woman who owns it is such a sweetheart. She prepares all meals with love and the fresh fruit juices are amazing. Plus, you get a huge portion for an affordable price.

Aperitivo at Al Remer

Al Remer offers Aperitivo every evening where you simply pay for your drink and you get a buffet with snacks with it. The bar is hidden behind the small alleys of Venice and people who don’t know about it probably wouldn’t find it. It’s located right next to the canal in a calm place.

Eat panini at De Lele

De Lele sells the best paninis for only 1€. Get some paninis and sit by the canal to enjoy them with a lovely view.

Share an Antipasti Platter at Paradiso Perduto

Paradiso Perduto is a great place for dinner. Their antipasti platters are amazing and big enough to share them.

Day 2: Venice and Burano

Burano, Venezia

Burano is a neighbouring island of Venice that you can easily reach via vaporetto (ferry). It takes less than an hour to get from Venice to Burano and a one way ticket costs 7,50€. The ferry number 12 runs from Venice to Burano and back.

Burano is famous for its colorful houses and the Burano lace that is produced on the island.

I recommend visiting Burano in the morning while the streets are still empty. The later it gets, the more people arrive. In the afternoon and in the evening the island can get quite busy.

Burano, Venice

Burano is full of colorful houses wherever you look. The island is much smaller than Venice and 2-4 hours are enough to explore everything. There’s not much to do besides strolling through the picturesque streets, visiting local stores of Burano lace and having lunch or a Spritz by the canal. Burano used to be a fisher island so you can get great fish and seafood there.

Day 3 and 4: Rome

We took the night train from Venice to Rome, where we had a short stop of only 1 day. However, I suggest a minimum 2 days in Rome. There’s so much to see and to do in Rome. If you’re an enthusiast of Rome’s history and its ancient buildings, I recommend staying even more than 2 days.

To make the most of your time in Rome, check out these experiences with local guides from Get your Guide:

 

As I had already been to Rome a few years ago, I didn’t mind the short stop of 1 day. Plus, I always prefer coastal towns and nature to cities.

Aperitivo at Meccanismo

If you want to have a proper local experience in Rome, go for an Aperitivo at Meccanismo. When you order a drink, you get a platter of snacks and antipasti with your order. It is an Italian tradition to have an Aperitivo with friends before dinner.

Visit the famous sites

The Colosseum is one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World and should be part of everyone’s visit to Rome. We went there right before sunset and could enjoy the beautiful lighting of the golden hour.

Colosseum, Rome

Here are some great guides to Rome:

Day 5: Naples and Pompei

Naples

From Rome to Naples it’s only 2 more hours by train. When we arrived at the train station and made our way to the Airbnb in Naples, we soon realised that Naples is not worth spending much time there. While the port area is pretty and there’s a lovely viewpoint on top of the city, there’s not much to see except for that.

If you only have 10 days in Italy, don’t waste your time in Naples and better look for an accommodation in Pompei, as the town is much prettier.

Pompei

First off, it’s important to clarify the difference between the historic town Pompeii and the modern city Pompei (yes, it’s extremely confusing and it took me a while to figure this out).

The spelling marks the difference between the ancient town (Pompeii) and the modern town (Pompei) in the English language.

The historic town Pompeii was buried under volcanic ash when Volcano Vesuvius erupted in the year 79 AC. Those ruins are what attracts a great number of tourists to the area. Pompeii is only a part of the city Pompei.

Visit the ancient town Pompeii

Preserved by the ash of Volcano Vesuvius’ eruption, Pompeii is now one of Italy’s most famous tourist attractions and shows an insight of how Roman life used to be in the past.

You can book your skip-the-line ticket and a guided tour in a small group here. Or check out this tour to Pompeii including a wine tasting.

Pompeii

Pompeii has truly impressed me. It’s incredible how this whole town could be so well preserved for such a long time after it had been buried by lava. Besides the insights into the way the Romans lived, also the view of the surrounding mountains is impressive.

Climb Mount Vesuvius

Pompei, Volcano Mount Vesuvius

Climbing Mount Vesuvius should be on everyone’s itinerary for Naples or Pompei.

Mount Vesuvius is the only volcano on European mainland that has erupted within the past 100 years. It is even regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes because a high number of people live in great proximity of the the volcano, putting them in danger in case of an eruption.

Check out this tour to Pompeii including a wine tasting.

View from the Volcano Mount Vesuvius

Then you head back to the parking lot where the mini van waits for you to bring you back to the center of Pompei.

Personally, I wasn’t very impressed by the volcano as I’ve climbed other volcanos that were much more impressive. However, the view from the top is amazing and it should be part of a visit to Pompei or Naples anyways.

Pompeii Window B&B

In Pompei we stayed a night at Pompeii Window B&B. The B&B is in a good location near the center of Pompei and we had balcony views of Mount Vesuvius. Plus, the host even picked us up from the bus stop in his private car.

Pompei, Sunset view

The sunset views from our balcony were amazing. I highly recommend staying there if you spend a night in Pompei.

Day 6: Capri and Sorrento

The Island of Capri can be reached via ferry either from Naples or from Sorrento. A return ticket for the ferry from Sorrento costs about 40€ and the ferry runs every hour.

If you’re on a budget, I recommend visiting Capri as a day trip because the accommodations there are much more expensive than on the mainland. And one day is enough to explore the beautiful places the island has to offer.

Head to Capri in the morning and spend the day there. The last ferry back to Sorrento leaves at 17:45 which gives you enough time to explore Sorrento on the same day and have dinner there.

Capri Island

Capri Island, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Capri is a mountainous island which receives a great number of tourists in the summer months. Arriving to the Grand Marina by ferry, you can either climb the numerous stairs or you take a funicular to get to the center of the island.

Gardens of Augustus and Via Krupp

Capri Island, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Gardens of Augustus are small botanical gardens on the island Capri. The gardens overlook the ocean and the impressive rocky coast of Capri.

Capri Island, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Keep walking up to the highest part of the Gardens of Augustus to see Via Krupp. Via Krupp is a historic footpath that connects the Gardens of Augustus with the ocean.

You can only look at the path from above as it has been closed due to the danger of falling rocks.

Stroll through the center of Capri

Piazza Umberto is the main square of the island and the heart of Capri. It’s located on a hilltop with amazing views of the coastline. The bustling square provides a lively atmosphere where tourists mingle in overpriced cafés.

In the surrounding area you can find designer stores, expensive restaurants and luxury hotels. If you don’t have a fortune to spend, simply take a walk and enjoy the views.

Blue Grotto

Blue Grotto is the most visited attraction on Capri. A boat takes you to a cave where the water reflects the sun rays, making it shine in an intense blue.

I didn’t go there because I didn’t think it was worth it. Apparently, the Blue Grotto is truly impressive but also extremely crowded.

Sorrento

Back in Sorrento, the coastal town nestled among mountains waits to be explored. Sorrento offers beautiful views overlooking Naples, Volcano Vesuvius and the Island of Capri. The picturesque old town features a variety of traditional craft shops and small boutiques.

Try freshly squeezed lemon juice

Capri Island, Amalfi Coast, Italy

I’ve never had freshly squeezed lemon juice as good as in Italy. Those lemons aren’t as sour as the common ones and they taste amazing. There’s nothing as refreshing as freshly squeezed lemon juice with ice on a hot summer day.

Eat ice cream at Raki

Sorrento, Amalfi Coast

The ice cream at Raki in Sorrento was the best ice cream I had during my 10 days in Italy. Definitely try mango-orange, I absolutely loved this flavour. And their dark chocolate ice cream is to die for too.

Day 7: Amalfi Coast

Amalfi is a stretch of coastline that attracts thousands of tourists each year. I have to admit that I had initial doubts about the Amalfi Coast. It’s such a hyped destination with overpriced hotels, crowded streets and lots of traffic. These are characteristics that usually make me want to stay away from a place.

Nevertheless, I gave it a try and I was absolutely amazed by the coast. Driving along the Amalfi Coast is simply stunning. The views of imposing cliffs paired with the blue ocean and the houses built into the mountains are impressive.

Positano, Amalfi Coast

Positano & Amalfi

Positano and Amalfi are the most instagrammed places of the Amalfi Coast and are considered as the ultimate must-see towns in the area. Parking spaces are rare, if you find a free one you’ll have to walk a long way to the center or you pay 7€ per hour for parking in the center.

If you have the chance, visit Positano and Amalfi by bus or early in the morning. The bus drops you off right by the center. Taking the bus saves you time, money and effort of finding a parking space.

For a different experience, you could also visit Positano & Amalfi by boat.

Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Positano is a lovely town with cute boutiques, traditional ceramic shops, narrow stairways and a small beach where you can cool down in the ocean. The view of the imposing mountainous coast is breathtaking.

After a couple of hours of strolling through the center and relaxing on the beach I had enough of Positano – there are too many people in a small place and it’s over-hyped in my opinion.

My personal conclusion is that Positano and Amalfi are worth visiting but I wouldn’t want to stay there for more than 1-2 hours.

Minori and Maiori

I was happy to leave the busy tourist hotspot Positano to head to the less famous coastal town Minori. In Minori and Maiori you can find less crowded streets and lovely restaurants that offer delicious meals at a more affordable price.

I highly recommend checking these villages out if you prefer less crowded places.

Minori, Amalfi Coast

The restaurant we had dinner at seems to be quite new as it’s not even shown on Google Maps. It’s located right next to “Bistrot 52” in the centre of Minori. The owners are lovely people and the food is amazing.

Stay the night in Agerola

Agerola is located in the mountains of the Amalfi Coast. The village offers a stunning view of the ocean and the surrounding mountains.

Staying in Agerola gives you the best of both worlds: You’re not far away from the busy coast but you can experience the tranquility of a calm mountain village with sea view.

We decided to stay at the Agriturismo Orrido di Pino in Agerola and it was the best place we could have chosen. During those 10 days in Italy, this was my absolute favourite accommodation.

Agerola, Amalfi Coast

Orrido di Pino is a family-owned Agriturismo in Agerola and the owners are real sweethearts. They grow their own wine (which tastes amazing) and the rooms are spacious with a big terrace. Every evening they offer a three course menu including wine for 20€.

Besides the amazing food and the great hospitality there are also stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the ocean from above.

Day 8: Agerola and Matera

The next day we had an early morning with Italian breakfast in our Agriturismo in Agerola before we headed out to hike the “Path Of The Gods” (Sentiero Degli Dei). This was our last stop on the Amalfi Coast.

Sentiero Degli Dei – Path of the Gods

The Path of the Gods (Sentiero Degli Dei) is the most famous hike of the Amalfi Coast and it attracts a high number of hikers everyday. Starting in the village Bomerano, the trail leads from the mountains towards the coast to Positano.

Agerola is the perfect place to stay if you want hike the Sentiero Degli Dei because the starting point in Bomerano is only a 10 minute drive away.

Make sure to be in Bomerano early in the morning at around 8 am to get a parking space. From there, simply follow the signs towards the “Sentiero Degli Dei”.

If you would like to hike the Path of the Gods with a local guide, you can book your experience here.

Sentiero Degli Dei, Bomerano

The sky and the ocean seem to merge into each other at the horizon, so that you can’t be sure where the ocean ends and where the sky begins. During the hike you can enjoy the peacefulness of nature in the calm mountains above the Amalfi Coast.

Once you arrive to Positano or Praiano you can either take a taxi or a boat and a bus back to the starting point in Bomerano.

We only hiked a small part of the trail and turned back around to Bomerano after half an hour. The views were stunning even at the beginning of the hike and this way we saved some time and also money as we didn’t need transport back to the car.

Matera

After hiking the Sentiero Degli Dei, we left Agerola and headed towards Matera, which is about 3 hours by car from the Amalfi Coast.

Matera, Italy

Matera is an ancient city on a hill located in the South of Italy. In 2019 it was declared a European Capital of Culture by UNESCO. 

In the past, citizens used to live in cave-dwellings that were carved into the river canyon of Matera. The people living in those caves suffered from diseases and poverty until the government has relocated them into modern houses. Only then, the tourism potential of Matera was discovered and the caves were restored.

Now, Matera attracts lots of visitors and is home to many hotels and restaurants. Wander the cobblestone streets and stop for a coffee or an Aperol Spritz on the way.

You can book your guided walking tour through Matera here.

Day 9 and 10: Bari

From Matera, it’s only a 30 minute drive to get to Bari, which is located in Puglia, on the opposite coast of Amalfi. While Bari itself isn’t worth spending much time there, it’s a great starting point to explore the surrounding villages.

Stay the night in Bari and then head from Bari to Alberobello, Ostuni, Monopoli and Polignano A Mare. These 4 towns are not far from each other and if you have a car, you can easily visit all 4 towns in one day. In case you have more spare time, I recommend visiting Trani as well.

Alberobello

Alberobello, Bari, Italy

Alberobello is the place you should visit first thing in the morning. We got up at 7 am and drove straight from Bari to Alberobello. This town is a huge tourist magnet and it can get extremely crowded later in the day. The earlier in the morning you get there, the better.

Alberobello is one of the most picturesque towns in the South of Italy. My Italian friend told me that basically every Italian wants to visit it once in their lives.

The most striking feature of Alberobello is the unique architecture of the houses that you can see in the picture above. These houses are called “Trulli”. They were built in the past because it was fairly easy to rebuild them in case they got destroyed.

Now, the Trulli in Alberobello are solemnly a tourist attraction and they’re used as souvenir shops. My local friend told me that many people who live in that area still own a Trullo which they use for storage capacities.

Ostuni

Ostuni, Italy

Ostuni is another lovely town in Puglia, South Italy. It is also referred to as the “White Town”. There is not much to do in Ostuni, but the old town invites to stroll through its stairways and to have a coffee or a Spritz in one of the various bars. Keep your eyes open to discover cute alleys such as the one on the photo above.

Monopoli

Monopoli is a charming coastal town with numerous restaurants and bars. I recommend a short stop there to explore the old town and to have a drink or a snack in one of the bars.

Monopoli, Apulia, Italy

We had these antipasti platters at Barumba Café. The salmon platter and the cheese platter were amazing.

As a dessert we treated ourselves to a delicious ice cream at Il Capriccio, which is right next to Barumba Café.

Polignano A Mare

Polignano A Mare, Bari, Italy

Our last stop of the day was Polignano A Mare. This town was another highlight and is a must-see. Houses built right on the edge of the cliffs provide an impressive view and the buildings seemingly melt with the rocks.

Polignano A Mare, Apulia, South Italy

Waves clashed against the cliffs while the sun went down and the streets of Polignano A Mare got busier. The last sun rays illuminated the cliffs and the buildings on top of them.

Polignano A Mare is a great place to end the day as you can watch a beautiful sunset before heading to the old town to have some drinks.

Polignano A Mare, Apulia, Italy

Polignano A Mare was the last stop of our 10 days in Italy. We spent a perfect last evening in this lovely coastal town.

The next day we drove back to Naples to return our car and to take our flight back home.

Budget tips

10 days in Italy can become quite expensive. Here are some tips to spend your vacation in a more economic way.

Don’t fall for tourist rip-offs

It may seem obvious, but don’t eat in restaurants near tourist hotspots such as the Piazza San Marco in Venice or the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Those restaurants usually charge extra for the view or for their location in the main tourist area. Step away from these places and look for a Trattoria or an Osteria in a small side street.

Buy food at the market

When you spend 10 days in Italy, having breakfast, lunch and dinner in a restaurant everyday can become a burden on the wallet. Skip the restaurant for some meals and buy some fresh fruits or traditional snacks at local markets or in the supermarket instead. Find a nice place to sit down and have a picnic.

Coperto – No tips

When you sit down in a restaurant in Italy you’re charged a “Coperto” as a service and cover fee. The charge usually ranges from 1 to 3 Euros and additional tipping is not common.

Coffee

The same thing that applies for the coperto in restaurants also goes for cafés. If you order a coffee for take-away you sometimes pay only half the price of what you pay when you sit down.

The price list often shows prices for takeaway but when you sit down you’re charged more. To save money, Italians often have their coffee while standing at the bar.

Have an Aperitivo with snacks

Having an Aperitivo with friends is an Italian tradition. You meet in a bar for a drink (usually Aperol Spritz) and have some snacks with it. Some bars take the Aperitivo a step further by offering a platter or a whole antipasti buffet included in the drink. This is especially common in the area of Milan and Florence. But also bars further South offer Aperitivo. Here are some bars that offer Aperitivo with snacks:

Venice: Al Remer
Rome: Meccanismo

Having an Aperitivo is a great way to save some money for food as the snacks that come with the drink can be quite filling.

Stay in Agriturismos

Agriturismos are farms on the Italian countryside that receive guests in their restaurant and for overnight stays. Those accommodations are often more economic than hotels and they offer beautiful views and spacious rooms.

Depending on where you stay, you often get home-made products and home-grown fruits and vegetables for breakfast. Meals are usually freshly prepared with local products.

My absolute favorite Agriturismo was Orrido di Pino in Agerola on the Amalfi Coast.

Agerola, Amalfi Coast

The only drawback is that you usually need a car to get to those Agriturismos as most of them are located outside the center in the countryside.

North Italy vs. South Italy

There’s a great difference between Northern Italy and Southern Italy when it comes to safety measures and restrictions. Northern Italy is the area where the situation really got out of hand while in Southern Italy, life wasn’t impacted much.

Therefore, safety measures such as wearing a mask and social distancing are put into practice more strictly in the North than in the South.

In the north of Italy, almost all restaurants and stores provide hand sanitizer at the entrance and shop owners ask you to sanitize your hands before entering. In the South, people seem to care less and some don’t mind if you enter a building without mask.

10 days Italy - The ultimate guide from North to South Italy

Here are some more suggestions for summer destinations in Europe:

10 days Italy - The ultimate guide from North to South Italy

I truly hope that my itinerary for 10 days in Italy from North to South provides some useful tips and helps you plan a memorable trip to Italy.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me – I’d love to help!

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