Italy is where ancient roads meet Renaissance brilliance. From Rome’s imperial stones to Florence’s marble façades, this 7-day itinerary blends sightseeing, museums, cafés, and a dash of wine tasting—crafted for a very low budget while staying romantyczny.

Across millennia, Italy has collected layers: gladiatorial arenas, papal palaces, Medici galleries, and piazzas perfumed by espresso. You’ll walk centuries in an afternoon, see Michelangelo before lunch, and catch a sunset from a hilltop terrace by evening.

Practical notes: public water fountains (nasoni/fontanelle) make refills easy, bakeries and markets keep meals affordable, and trains are fast between cities. Book key sites in advance (especially the Vatican and Florence museums). Shoulders and knees covered in major churches, and comfy shoes are a must.

Rome

Rome is the Eternal City—romance woven through cobblestones, baroque fountains, and late-night trattorie. The historic center is a living museum: the Pantheon’s perfect dome, Bernini’s angels on bridges, and the orange glow of the Colosseum at dusk.

Top sights for this trip: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Centro Storico from Piazza Navona to the Trevi Fountain. Save time by grouping nearby sights and riding the Metro sparingly.

Coffee culture thrives here. Try Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè near the Pantheon or Tazza d’Oro by the Trevi; grab pizza al taglio (by the slice) from Forno Campo de’ Fiori, and treat yourselves to suppli at Supplizio or I Supplì in Trastevere.

Where to stay (budget-forward):

• The Beehive (hostel/private rooms near Termini; social, spotless, wallet-friendly): Check availability on Hotels.com
• More options (filters for budget/hostels/apartments): Browse Rome hotels on Hotels.com or Rome apartments on VRBO.

Getting to Rome and around:

• Flights (to Europe): Search flights on Omio. If you’re coming from outside Europe, compare Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Local transport: single 100‑min ticket ~€1.50; 72‑hour pass ~€18; weekly pass ~€24. Walk whenever possible—most top sites cluster together.

Day 1: Arrival, Centro Storico stroll, sunset over the city

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the travel with a slow walk: Piazza Navona’s fountains, the Pantheon (free; step inside to feel 2,000 years of harmony), and a coffee at Sant’Eustachio. Snack on pizza al taglio at Forno Campo de’ Fiori—thin, crispy, and budget-friendly.

Evening: Golden-hour views from the Pincio Terrace above Piazza del Popolo are pure romance. For dinner on a budget, try Pizzeria Da Remo (Testaccio) for classic Roman pies, or Trapizzino (Trastevere) for stuffed pizza pockets; both are delicious and affordable. Post-dinner gelato at Gelateria del Teatro.

Day 2: Ancient Rome—Colosseum to the Forum

Morning: Join a small-group tour to unlock the stories behind the stones and skip queues when available:

Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

Budget tip: if you’d rather go self-guided, book timed tickets in advance and bring a downloaded audio guide to save costs.

Afternoon: Picnic on the Palatine (bakeries around Via Cavour) and wander the Roman Forum’s basilicas and arches. Refuel with espresso at Antico Forno Serpenti in Monti and browse its indie boutiques.

Evening: Cross the Tiber to Trastevere. Aperitivo at Freni e Frizioni (a drink plus light buffet makes a frugal meal). Dinner options: Osteria da Zi’ Umberto for Roman staples or I Supplì for crunchy, cheesy bites. Night stroll to the softly lit Isola Tiberina.

Day 3: The Vatican and baroque Rome

Morning: Tour the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (prebook—lines get epic):

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

Prefer pure speed? Timed-entry options help you maximize time if you’re watching your budget closely.

Afternoon: St. Peter’s Basilica (free). If energy allows, climb the dome for grand views. Break with a cornetto at pasticceria near Borgo Pio; then traverse the elegant Via dei Coronari toward Piazza Navona.

Evening: Toss a coin at the Trevi Fountain and climb the Spanish Steps at sunset. For a low-cost, high-flavor dinner, go to Pinsere for oval Roman pizzas or hit Mercato Centrale Roma (Termini) for many affordable stalls under one roof.

Florence

Florence is the Renaissance in full bloom—Brunelleschi’s dome, Botticelli’s brush, and stone streets echoing with artisans’ work. It’s a compact, walkable city where every corner seems staged for a date night.

Top hits: the Duomo ensemble, Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, Ponte Vecchio at sunset, and the view from Piazzale Michelangelo. The Oltrarno district hums with workshops, cafés, and low-key wine bars perfect for budget-friendly aperitivi.

For cafés, try Ditta Artigianale (specialty coffee), Scudieri (classic, by the Duomo), and La Ménagère (creative space—peek even if you just window-shop). Cheap and good eats: panini at All’Antico Vinaio or a sit-down bargain at Trattoria da Rocco in the Sant’Ambrogio market.

Where to stay (budget-forward):

• Hotel Santa Croce (simple, central, great value near the basilica): Check availability on Hotels.com
• Hotel Dali (budget favorite near the Duomo; classic rooms, friendly rates): Check availability on Hotels.com
• More options: Browse Florence hotels on Hotels.com or Florence apartments on VRBO.

Getting to Florence and around:

• Rome → Florence by high-speed train: 1h30–1h45, typically €25–€60 if booked early; regional trains 3–3.5h ~€20. Compare schedules and prices on Omio Trains or Omio Buses.
• Departing flights from Florence/Pisa (within Europe): Search flights on Omio. From outside Europe, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 4: Train to Florence, Duomo quarter, and Piazzale Michelangelo

Morning: Take an early Rome → Florence train (1h30–1h45). Book on Omio Trains for the best deals. Walk to your hotel; drop bags and grab a cappuccino at Ditta Artigianale.

Afternoon: Admire the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery exteriors; peek into the free-to-enter Orsanmichele church and its niche statues. Sandwich stop at All’Antico Vinaio (go early to avoid lines) or Schiacciavà for a shorter queue.

Evening: Stroll across Ponte Vecchio to the Oltrarno and climb to Piazzale Michelangelo for a postcard sunset. Dinner on a budget: Trattoria Sabatino (old-school, hearty, low prices) or Ristorante Il Pallaio (Tuscan comfort classics). Gelato at La Carraia.

Day 5: Uffizi masterpieces and Michelangelo’s David

Morning: Uffizi Gallery—Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Leonardo, Caravaggio. Book the earliest slot; if your dates hit Italy’s “free first Sunday,” arrive before opening and pack patience. Coffee break at Caffè Gilli for a historic vibe (espresso at the banco is cheaper).

Afternoon: See David at the Accademia; a short, focused tour makes the visit richer and faster:

Florence Accademia Gallery Tour with Entrance Ticket Included

Budget tip: after, wander free art in the streets—copy statues in Piazza della Signoria and artisan workshops along Via Maggio.

Evening: Aperitivo at Le Volpi e l’Uva (small plates, well-priced pours). Dinner at Trattoria da Rocco in the Mercato Sant’Ambrogio (very affordable, homey). Night walk along the Arno.

Day 6: Romance on a Tuscan farm or DIY Chianti wine tasting

Option A (romantic experience, half-day class):

Head just outside the city for hands-on cooking with wine included—a beautiful, budget-friendly splurge for two:

Florence Pizza or Pasta Class with Gelato Making at a Tuscan Farm

It includes a 3-course meal and wine—dinner and date night in one.

Option B (DIY Chianti on a budget):

Morning: Bus 365 from Florence Autostazione to Greve in Chianti (about 55–70 min; ~€4–€6; check Omio Buses for times). Explore Piazza Matteotti and the tiny church.

Afternoon: Pay-per-taste at Enoteca Falorni (hundreds of wines by self-serve card—you control spend). If you’re up for a short, scenic walk, head uphill 20 minutes to Montefioralle, a stone village straight out of a film set.

Evening: Return to Florence. Budget dinner ideas: Gusta Pizza (Oltrarno) or a simple ribollita and pasta at Trattoria Anita. Nightcap: sit on the steps of Santo Spirito with a takeaway gelato.

Day 7: Artisan Florence and farewell

Morning: Browse San Lorenzo Market for last gifts (leather care: buy from reputable stalls). Pop into the Officina Profumo–Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella—free to enter, museum-like interiors.

Afternoon: Final espresso and a sweet bite at Pasticceria Nencioni or Caffè Scudieri. Depart for the airport or your next stop—compare routes on Omio Flights and Omio Trains.

Practical budget notes (to keep it romantyczny at “1/100”):

• Picnic smart: markets (Campo de’ Fiori in Rome; Sant’Ambrogio in Florence) + fountains for free water.
• Stand at the bar for cheaper coffee; share big portions (panini, pizzas).
• Time museums: free first Sundays in state sites; evenings are often quieter.
• Walk whenever possible; buy transit passes only when you’ll exceed two rides/day.

Extra tour ideas (if you have time or want alternatives)

• Vatican skip-the-line ticket-only options to reduce cost while saving time: Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel + Optional Basilica

Why this plan works: Two cities keep transfers cheap and simple, you’ll see world-class art and antiquity with minimal paid tours, and you’ll still enjoy wine and café culture in the most romantic corners of Italy.

Recommended booking links in one place:

• Rome hotels: Hotels.com | VRBO
• Florence hotels: Hotels.com | VRBO
• Trains/buses in Europe: Omio Trains | Omio Buses
• Flights within/to Europe: Omio Flights | From outside Europe: Trip.com and Kiwi.com

Summary: In just one week, you’ll stand where emperors ruled, gaze up at the Sistine ceiling, meet David, and toast in Chianti—while keeping costs low and the romance high. This itinerary balances marquee museums with slow café moments and skyline sunsets, the kind you’ll both remember.