7 Days in Rome and Florence: A Food, Art, and History Itinerary

Two Italian icons in one week—ancient ruins, Renaissance masterpieces, markets, and trattorias—with practical transport tips and timed-entry strategies to keep lines short and experiences rich.

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Italy rewards slow travel. In a week, pairing Rome and Florence gives you the spine of Roman antiquity and the heart of the Renaissance—with enough time for espresso rituals, trattoria dinners, and a countryside day trip. Expect stone-paved lanes, bell towers at dusk, and the kind of meals that become memories.

Rome layers 2,000 years of history in a walkable amphitheater of piazzas and palaces. You’ll step from the Colosseum to medieval alleys, then across the Tiber to Trastevere for carbonara and a spritz. Timed tickets are key for the Colosseum and Vatican; modest dress is required for churches (covered shoulders and knees).

Florence compresses genius into a compact center: Brunelleschi’s dome, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, and Michelangelo’s David are minutes apart. The city is best on foot, with evenings in the artisan-filled Oltrarno. Most state museums close on Mondays; book the Uffizi and Accademia in advance.

Rome

Rome is a living museum with a boisterous appetite. Start with the Forum and Palatine Hill to orient yourself in the ancient city, then wander into the baroque theatrics of the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona. For modern flavors, Testaccio markets and Ostiense street art add fresh color.

  • Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Capitoline Museums, Pantheon, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Trastevere.
  • Eat & drink: Breakfast at Roscioli Caffè (maritozzi, the cream-filled Roman bun) or Forno Campo de’ Fiori (pizza bianca). Lunch at Mercato Testaccio (Mordi e Vai’s iconic bollito panino) or Trapizzino (Roman pizza pockets). Dinner at Armando al Pantheon (cacio e pepe, amatriciana), Felice a Testaccio (tableside cacio e pepe), or Da Enzo al 29 in Trastevere. Gelato at Gelateria del Teatro or Fatamorgana. Cocktails at Drink Kong (futurist, award-winning) or Salotto 42 (intimate lounge).
  • Stay: Search stays in Rome on VRBO or hotels via Hotels.com. Consider Centro Storico for sights, Monti for nightlife and boutiques, or Trastevere for village vibes.
  • Getting there: Find flights to Rome (Europe routes) with Omio. From FCO airport, take the Leonardo Express to Termini (~32 min) or a taxi at the fixed city rate.

Day 1: Arrival and Rome’s Golden Hour

Morning: In transit.


Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a stroll through the Centro Storico: the Pantheon’s coffered dome, Piazza Navona’s Bernini fountains, and the baroque drama of the Trevi Fountain. Coffee at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè—wood-roasted beans and a signature “gran caffè.”

Evening: Dinner near the Pantheon: Armando al Pantheon (book ahead) for Roman classics or Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina for carbonara and an outstanding wine list. Digestivo walk to the Spanish Steps; gelato at Giolitti or Gelateria del Teatro.

Day 2: Colosseum, Forum, and Capitoline

Morning: Timed-entry for the Colosseum; add the Arena Floor if available for a gladiator’s-eye view. Continue to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill—start from Palatine for sweeping panoramas, then descend into the Forum’s basilicas and arches.

Afternoon: Capitoline Museums for the Dying Gaul and Capitoline Wolf, plus Michelangelo’s harmonious piazza design. Lunch in the Jewish Ghetto at Nonna Betta (artichokes two ways) or Ba’Ghetto (Roman-Jewish classics). Espresso at Tazza d’Oro.

Evening: Cross the Tiber to Trastevere. Dinner at Da Enzo al 29 (queue early) or Taverna Trilussa (rigatoni alla carbonara in the pan). Craft beer at Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà or cocktails at Freni e Frizioni on the square.


Day 3: Vatican Masterpieces and Prati Aperitivo

Morning: Early slot at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel; follow a route that hits the Raphael Rooms before the Chapel. Note: knees and shoulders covered for St. Peter’s. Climb the basilica dome for one of Rome’s best views.

Afternoon: Walk via the colonnades to Castel Sant’Angelo’s ramparts. Lunch in Prati: Pizzarium Bonci (inventive pizza al taglio) or Pastasciutta for quick fresh pasta.

Evening: Aperitivo at Il Sorpasso or La Zanzara. Dinner at Emma Pizzeria (thin-crust DOC pies) or Cesare al Casaletto (worth the tram ride for fried starters and Roman mains). Nightcap at Drink Kong.

Day 4: To Florence by High-Speed Train

Morning: Depart Rome Termini for Firenze Santa Maria Novella on a Frecciarossa or Italo high-speed train (~1h30–1h40; ~€20–€60). Compare times and fares on Omio Trains.

Afternoon: Check in and orient yourself at the Duomo complex: admire the Baptistery’s bronze doors, then climb Giotto’s Campanile for views of Brunelleschi’s dome (less crowded than the dome climb). Coffee at Ditta Artigianale (specialty roasts).


Evening: Drift into the artisan quarter of the Oltrarno across Ponte Vecchio. Dinner at Trattoria Sostanza (butter chicken and bistecca alla Fiorentina; book) or Trattoria La Casalinga (homey Tuscan plates). Gelato at La Carraia on the river.

Florence

Florence is compact but inexhaustible. Walk from the Duomo to the Uffizi in minutes, detouring for lampredotto (tripe) panini or a glass of Chianti poured by a sommelier who knows the vineyard by name. Sunset belongs to Piazzale Michelangelo; evenings are for wines and trattoria chatter.

  • Top sights: Duomo, Baptistery, Giotto’s Campanile, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia (David), Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce, Boboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo.
  • Eat & drink: Breakfast at Pasticceria Nencioni (sfoglie) or Caffè Gilli (historic counter). Lunch at All’Antico Vinaio (schiacciata sandwiches—go off-peak), I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti or I Fratellini (tiny, delicious). Dinner at Buca Lapi (oldest restaurant, bistecca), Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco (Tuscan comfort), or Trattoria Mario (lunch-only, no frills). Gelato at Gelateria dei Neri or Vivoli. Wine at Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina; speakeasy sips at Rasputin.
  • Stay: Search stays in Florence on VRBO or hotels via Hotels.com. Base near the Duomo for proximity, in Santa Croce for nightlife, or Oltrarno for artisan charm.
  • Getting around: Walk most places; the historic center has a ZTL (restricted driving). For regional trains and buses, use Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Day 5: Uffizi and the Arno

Morning: Timed-entry at the Uffizi. Prioritize Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera, Leonardo’s Annunciation, and Caravaggio’s Medusa. Coffee at Caffè Michelangiolo downstairs between wings.

Afternoon: Piazza della Signoria’s open-air sculpture gallery, then Santa Croce (tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo). Lunch at I Fratellini (tiny sandwich window—try finocchiona and pecorino) or Osteria All’Antico Ristoro di’ Cambi (hearty Tuscan; short taxi).

Evening: Sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo; continue to San Miniato al Monte for vespers if time. Dinner at Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco (pappardelle al cinghiale) or Buca Lapi (book for bistecca). Nightcap at Procacci (truffle bites and wines) on Via de’ Tornabuoni.


Day 6: Tuscan Day Trip (Siena & San Gimignano)

Morning: Train or bus to Siena (train ~1h30 with a short uphill walk; fast bus ~1h15). Compare options on Omio Trains and Omio Buses. Explore the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the striped Siena Cathedral; if the mosaic floors are uncovered (seasonal), they’re extraordinary.

Afternoon: Continue by bus to San Gimignano (~50–60 min). Climb Torre Grossa for medieval skyline views and sample saffron-flavored gelato at Gelateria Dondoli.

Evening: Return to Florence (about 1h15–1h45 depending on route). Dinner back in town at Trattoria La Casalinga or Il Santo Bevitore (modern Tuscan, reservations recommended). If you prefer wine country, swap today for a Chianti small-group tour (typical €70–€120) with tastings and a farmhouse lunch.

Day 7: David, Markets, and Departure

Morning: Timed-entry for the Accademia to meet Michelangelo’s David before crowds. Brunch at Mercato Centrale—Da Nerbone (bollito and lampredotto) or fresh pasta stalls upstairs. Browse the San Lorenzo leather market for souvenirs.

Afternoon: Last espresso and biscotti, then depart. For flights within/to Europe, check Omio. For trains to Rome or elsewhere in Italy, use Omio Trains.


Logistics at a Glance

  • Best time: April–June and September–October for mild weather. August can be hot; some restaurants close for holidays.
  • Tickets to book ahead: Colosseum (with Forum/Palatine), Vatican Museums, Uffizi, Accademia, Duomo dome or Campanile climbs, and popular restaurants.
  • Local transport: Rome’s metro/bus passes (24/48/72-hour) are useful; Florence is best on foot. Taxis are official white cabs; use ranks or reputable apps.

In a week you’ll span gladiator sands to Renaissance studios, tasting Rome’s hearty cucina romana and Florence’s Tuscan soul along the way. With trains doing the heavy lifting and timed entries smoothing the day, this itinerary packs Italy’s greatest hits—plus the little moments that make them yours.

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