A Romantic 10-Day Italy Itinerary: Rome, Florence & Amalfi Coast for Foodies, Museums, and Beach Time

Savor Rome’s ancient wonders, Florence’s Renaissance art, and Amalfi Coast sunsets—then unwind on the beach to end your Italy escape in style.
Low angle view of Michelangelo
Photo by Fabio Mariano on Pexels

Italy rewards the curious: emperors’ stones underfoot, Renaissance brushstrokes at eye level, and coastal towns that glow at golden hour. This 10-day romantic itinerary stitches together Rome’s ruins, Florence’s museums, and the sun-drenched Amalfi Coast—ending with lazy beach time, good espresso, and even better seafood.

Expect art and archaeology alongside trattorie that have perfected recipes over generations. You’ll skip lines at the Vatican, stand on the Colosseum’s arena floor, sample Roman street food, and venture through Tuscan hill towns and vineyards before drifting into Amalfi days of swims, lemon groves, and candlelit dinners.

Practical notes: book major museum entries in advance, ride Italy’s fast trains to save time, and carry cash for small cafés. For flights to or from Europe, compare options on Omio (Flights). For trains and ferries within Italy, use Omio (Trains), Omio (Buses), and Omio (Ferries).

Rome

Rome is a living museum where ancient forums back onto buzzing piazzas and the scent of pizza bianca drifts from neighborhood bakeries. You’ll trace a timeline from the Colosseum to the Sistine Chapel, then toast the day with a spritz in Trastevere’s cobbled lanes.

Top sights include the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Vatican City. For food lovers, Rome is roscioli-fueled mornings, cacio e pepe lunches, and gelato nights.

  • Getting in: Fly into FCO or CIA and compare fares on Omio (Flights). From the airport, take the Leonardo Express to Termini (~32 min) or a taxi (fixed fare).

Bookable picks in Rome (aligning with history, museums, and food):

Day 1: Arrival in Rome, golden-hour stroll

Afternoon: Land and check into your hotel. Shake off jet lag with an espresso at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè, then wander to the Pantheon and spill into Piazza Navona to admire Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Evening: Toss a coin at Trevi Fountain, climb the Spanish Steps at dusk, then dine in Trastevere—try Da Enzo al 29 for carbonara or Taverna Trilussa for classic Roman plates. Nightcap at Freni e Frizioni for a creative spritz.

Day 2: Ancient Rome—Colosseum, Forum, Palatine

Morning: Enter through the gladiator’s gate on a guided tour of the Colosseum arena and continue into the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for imperial vistas. Book the Arena + Forum + Palatine tour to save time and get context.

Afternoon: Lunch in Monti—La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali for amatriciana or sample supplì at Supplizio. Explore hidden Monti boutiques and the Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli (Michelangelo’s Moses).

Evening: Aperitivo at Urbana 47, then pizza al taglio at Pizzarium Bonci or a sit-down at Emma Pizzeria. Gelato at Gelateria del Teatro by the Tiber.

Day 3: The Vatican and Trastevere food night

Morning: Beat the crowds on a skip-the-line Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tour; stand beneath Michelangelo’s ceiling and then step into St. Peter’s Basilica. Use the official guided entry for efficient access.

Afternoon: Climb St. Peter’s dome for skyline views. Coffee and maritozzi at Pasticceria De Bellis, then stroll across Ponte Sant’Angelo to admire the Castel’s angels.

Evening: Join the award-winning Twilight Trastevere Food Tour for tastings—porchetta, suppli, cheeses, and gelato—paired with neighborhood stories. Perfect for a romantic, foodie evening.

Day 4: Baroque Rome, markets, and cooking together

Morning: Browse Campo de’ Fiori’s market stalls, nibble pizza bianca at Forno Campo de’ Fiori, and taste pecorino at Roscioli Salumeria. Peek at Caravaggios in San Luigi dei Francesi.

Afternoon: Explore Piazza del Popolo and Via Margutta’s art studios. Lunch at Armando al Pantheon (book ahead) for Roman classics.

Evening: Make pasta by hand in a fun date-night fettuccine, ravioli & tiramisu class near Piazza Navona. Night stroll past illuminated fountains.

Optional full-day alternative: If you prefer to see Pompeii and get a preview of the coast now, consider this Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip from Rome—a long but unforgettable day.

  • Next stop: Rome → Florence by high-speed train (Frecciarossa/Italo) ~1h30–1h45, from ~€25–€60. Book on Omio (Trains). Aim for a morning departure on Day 5.

Florence

Florence is the Renaissance in 3D—Brunelleschi’s dome on the skyline, Botticelli’s Primavera in the Uffizi, and artisan workshops in the Oltrarno. It’s also a superb base for Tuscan countryside, Chianti tastings, and hearty cucina toscana.

Highlights include the Duomo complex, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia (Michelangelo’s David), Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce, and a sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo. For food, think bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita, and schiacciata sandwiches.

Bookable pick from Florence (art/wine day):

Day 5: Train to Florence, Duomo and David

Morning: Depart Rome by high-speed train. Drop bags and grab an espresso and a sfoglia at Caffè Gilli on Piazza della Repubblica.

Afternoon: Visit the Accademia to meet Michelangelo’s David (reserve timed entry). Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower for views of Brunelleschi’s dome.

Evening: Dinner at Trattoria Mario (old-school, communal tables) or Ristorante del Fagioli for bistecca. Gelato at Gelateria dei Neri. Night stroll across Ponte Vecchio.

Day 6: Full-day Tuscany countryside (day tour)

Spend today on the Siena–San Gimignano–Pisa tour with winery lunch. Expect Gothic piazzas, medieval towers, a Chianti tasting, and a photo at the Leaning Tower. It’s efficient, romantic, and delicious—ideal for your foodie-museum vibe without the logistics.

Day 7: Uffizi gems, then to the Amalfi Coast

Morning: Tour the Uffizi’s highlights—Botticelli, Leonardo, Caravaggio—then coffee at La Terrazza above Rinascente or at Ditta Artigianale.

Afternoon: Train Florence → Salerno (~3h30–4h, from ~€40–€75 on Omio (Trains)), then ferry to Amalfi or Positano (~35–70 min, ~€10–€18 on Omio (Ferries)). Check in and head straight for the water.

Evening: Dinner by the sea: in Amalfi try Ristorante Marina Grande or Sensi; in Praiano, Il Pirata carved into the cliff; in Positano, La Tagliata for family-style views and recipes.

Amalfi Coast

Sheer cliffs, pastel villages, and citrus in the air—this is Italy’s postcard coast. You’ll slow down with beach days, boat rides, and long lunches, saving the grand finale of your trip for the sea.

Base in Amalfi or Praiano for value and ferry access, or Positano for views and nightlife. Beach time is best May–September; in shoulder seasons, expect sun, fewer crowds, and cooler swims.

Day 8: Amalfi town and beach time

Morning: Espresso and sfogliatella at Pasticceria Pansa by the Duomo. Tour the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea and the paper museum (Amalfi’s medieval paper mills are a fascinating detour).

Afternoon: Beach on Marina Grande or take a boat to Duoglio’s pebbly waters. Lunch of spaghetti alle vongole at L’Abside or a lemony scialatielli ai frutti di mare.

Evening: Sunset aperitivo on the pier, then dinner at Da Ciccio Cielo Mare e Terra above Amalfi for garden produce and seafood. Night stroll with gelato along the lungomare.

Day 9: Positano or Praiano—lazy seaside day

Morning: Ferry to Positano for Spiaggia Grande, then escape to Fornillo Beach (quieter, romantic cove). Coffee at Casa e Bottega for fresh juices and pastries.

Afternoon: Long lunch at Chez Black on the sand or take a boat to Laurito cove for Da Adolfo’s grilled mozzarella on lemon leaves (reserve ahead in high season). Swim, nap, repeat.

Evening: Return to Praiano for a cliffside cocktail at One Fire Beach or Il Pirata. Seafood risotto at La Brace or casual plates at La Bontà del Capo in Conca dei Marini.

Optional history hit: If you can’t resist, visit Pompeii from Amalfi by morning ferry/bus to Salerno and regional train to Pompeii (~1h45–2h each way via Omio (Trains)). Return for a late-afternoon swim.

Day 10: Ravello views or final swim, then depart

Morning: Early bus/taxi up to Ravello for Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity and Villa Rufolo’s gardens—quiet, romantic, and breathtaking. Alternatively, squeeze in one last swim at Marina di Praia.

Afternoon: Head to Naples for your flight or Rome for onward travel. Amalfi → Salerno by ferry (~35–60 min) then Salerno → Naples (~40–70 min) or Salerno → Rome (~2h) by train via Omio (Trains) and Omio (Ferries). For flights home, check Omio (Flights).

Evening: If time allows before departure, celebrate with sfogliatella and espresso near Napoli Centrale or a final seaside coffee in Amalfi.

Getting between cities at a glance

  • Fly to Rome: compare on Omio (Flights).
  • Rome → Florence: 1h30–1h45 fast train, from ~€25–€60 on Omio (Trains).
  • Florence → Salerno (for Amalfi): ~3h30–4h fast train, from ~€40–€75 on Omio (Trains); then ferry to Amalfi/Positano ~€10–€18 on Omio (Ferries).
  • Amalfi → Naples or Rome (departure): ferry to Salerno + train to Naples (~40–70 min) or Rome (~2h) via Omio (Trains).

Food & coffee highlights by city

  • Rome: Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (cured meats/pasta), Pizzarium Bonci (pizza al taglio), Armando al Pantheon (Roman classics), Gelateria del Teatro (artisan gelato), Sant’Eustachio (historic coffee).
  • Florence: Trattoria Mario (lunch-only Tuscan staples), All’Antico Vinaio (schiacciata sandwiches), Mercato Centrale (varied bites), La Ménagère (design-forward café), Gelateria dei Neri (must-try).
  • Amalfi Coast: Pasticceria Pansa (pastry temple), Sensi (contemporary Amalfi cuisine), Il Pirata (Praiano, on the rocks), Chez Black (Positano beachside), La Tagliata (farm-to-table views).

Note on budget (50/100): This plan mixes mid-range trattorie with a few special meals and experiences. Book trains early for best fares, choose sea-view lunches over dinner to save, and lean on ferries/buses along the coast.

Summary: In ten days you’ll walk with emperors, dine with artisans, and toast sunsets over the Tyrrhenian. Rome fills your head, Florence fills your heart, and the Amalfi Coast slows your pulse—exactly the romantic Italian arc you asked for.

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