The Ultimate 7-day Sardinia, Italy Itinerary

Wild, natural coastlines, hidden coves, white sand and sea in shades of turquoise you didn’t even know existed. Soak up the sun and the warm Mediterranean breeze, learn about ancient cultures, explore hilltop villages and exciting towns, hike in nature to find your own secret beach, and try Italian food that’s not quite Italian. Welcome to the ultimate 7-day Sardinia, Italy Itinerary!

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Wild, natural coastlines, hidden coves, white sand and sea in shades of turquoise you didn’t even know existed. Soak up the sun and the warm Mediterranean breeze, learn about ancient cultures, explore hilltop villages and exciting towns, hike in nature to find your own secret beach, and try Italian food that’s not quite Italian. Welcome to the ultimate 7-day Sardinia, Italy Itinerary!

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean, after Sicily (there, saves you Googling it!). It’s a stunning island, that’s windswept and rugged, but well-developed at the same time. You won’t have any trouble finding a great restaurant, a convenient grocery store, or a beautiful beach nearby at any time. The roads are great too, which makes this the perfect destination for a fly & drive.

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Cala Luna is one of the most stunning places in Sardinia.

7-day Sardinia, Italy Itinerary FAQ

I’ve created the perfect 7-day itinerary for you, so you can experience the beauty of Sardinia yourself. Here are some things you should know before going.

Where should I fly in and out of?

Being the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (just a bit larger than Vermont), Sardinia has three international airports. Olbia Airport is in the northeast, Alghero Airport in the northwest and Cagliari Airport in the south. Low-cost airlines fly to all three airports from larger European and Italian cities.

This itinerary starts and ends in Olbia, but sort of goes around the whole island, passing the other two cities with airports. So if flying to Cagliari or Alghero is more convenient, you can start and end your trip there.

How to get around Sardinia?

Forget about public transport in Sardinia. It exists, but it’s not very frequent, more expensive, and takes much longer to get to places. Just pretend it’s not there!

Driving is by far the best way to explore the island. Distances between places are very manageable – often with stunning views – and you have the freedom to go anywhere you like. Sardinia is perfectly catered for this with the numerous rental car companies at the airports.

If you don’t mind spending money on a rental car, I would go with one of the bigger companies, like Hertz, Europcar or Sixt (we recommend using Kayak to price-compare deals). A car for a week can cost as much as $450 to $500 for a small Fiat 500…in low season. The smaller local companies rent that same car out for $150 to $200. That’s a big difference, but they often get awful reviews where people got charged for existing damage, no availability etc.

I noticed those people almost never paid the extra for the damage waiver. I decided to see for myself on a recent trip to Sardinia. I booked a car with VitaRent via booking.com for about $150 including damage waiver. You don’t even need a creditcard to rent here. 

Even if you have the damage waiver and full insurance, always make sure you take 10 minutes to go around the car, check it from every angle and take photos and videos. The time stamp can be proof if it ever came to a dispute.

Luckily, there was no need for that at all. VitaRent was great! Returning the car was as easy as picking it up, and I got my deposit back in seconds. I’ve had a similar great experience with Noleggiare on an earlier trip.

Travel Tip: Booked your flight and rental car yet? We recommend using Kayak to price-compare deals and dates to save money… so you can spend more on food during your trip (#letsbehonest).

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Spaghetti. Need I say more? (Photo Credit: David Breeker)

What is the best time of year to visit Sardinia?

Italians leave their incredibly beautiful country for vacations in Sardinia, so that says a lot! The beauty of this island makes it a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, and it seems like they all arrive at the same time in summer. It starts in July and gets completely overcrowded by August. Avoid it if you can!

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit. Travel in April/May or September/October and you can explore the island as if you are there by yourself, while the weather is still great for a day on the beach and a refreshing swim.

Do I need to speak the language?

The local language is Sardinian, but everybody speaks Italian too. You will be fine with English in most situations, but I’ve noticed it’s appreciated when you know a few words in Italian.

Some useful words in Sardinia:

  • Good morning – Buongiorno
  • Good afternoon – Buon pomeriggio
  • Good evening – Buonasera
  • Hello/Bye – Ciao!
  • Please – Per favore
  • Thank you – Grazie mille
  • Yes – Si
  • No – No
  • Where is the beach? – Dov’è la spiaggia?
  • Could I have the bill, please? – Posso avere il conto, per favore?
  • Your sheep are blocking the road – Le tue pecore stanno bloccando la strada

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Orosei beach sardinia italy itineraryOrosei beach sardinia italy itinerary
The sweeping shores of Orosei beach.

The perfect 7-day Sardinia, Italy itinerary

You know everything you need to know for your trip now, so here’s my perfect 7-day Sardinia itinerary. It’s hard to see the whole island in one week, but this itinerary will take you around the island past some amazing highlights and lesser known places of Sardinia.

Day 1: Arrival in Olbia – Drive to Orosei

  • Today you’ll pick up your car and drive 90 minutes to your first stop: Orosei.

Arriving at Olbia Airport couldn’t be easier. It’s a small airport, so getting out and picking up your rental car shouldn’t take much time at all.

Drive to Orosei on the east coast, which takes about 90 minutes. If you arrive in the evening, you might want to drive straight to Orosei. If you arrive earlier, you are in luck, as there are many places that deserve a quick stop on the way.

Need a quick break? These options are great for a quick stop:

  • San Teodoro: A lively town full of restaurants and bars. Mind the thousands of swallows flying around, nesting in the roofs of houses, or at least covering your coffee or ice-cream. (Extra cream anyone?) The town has three amazing beaches (you’ll hear this a lot).
  • Spiaggia dei Pini: In Tanaunella, a district of the town of Budoni, you’ll find Pine Beach. You can park your car here and walk straight onto Budoni Beach. Even better is to walk through the small pine forest to the more secluded and (in my opinion) even more beautiful beaches Spiaggia Sant’Anna and Spiaggia di Porto Ainu. It’s stunning to see the blue sea through the pines. A five-minute walk is all it takes to get to them. There’s a great Italian restaurant called Shardana here, just in case you need lunch. Or head a bit further south to Posada for more traditional food. More traditional than Italian food? Yes, Sardinian food!
  • Posada: This village just south of Budoni is built on a hill, so if you’d like to see the town, prepare to play the Italian game of Does my car fit through here? You can also park at the bottom and walk up. Painful calves are guaranteed the next day, but it’s worth it for the sea views. If it’s lunch you’re here for, head to Marco & Caterina Trattoria Locanda (which is at the bottom of the hill!). This is a lovely trattoria where you can try authentic Sardinian food. It’s the closest thing to being invited for lunch at someone’s house. I recommend the culurgiones, Sardinia’s version of ravioli, filled with mashed potato, mint and pecorino, served with mushrooms and bacon. It’s bliss!
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Culurgiones, Sardinia’s version of ravioli, filled with mashed potato, mint and pecorino, served with mushrooms and bacon. (Photo Credit: David Breeker)

Back on the road, Orosei is not too far away now. This town on the gulf of the same name, will be your base for the next two nights to explore this area of natural beauty. With hundreds of picture-perfect white-sand-turquoise-sea beaches on this island, it’s not an easy job to stand out, but the beaches on this gulf are something else!

Check in to your hotel and go for a relaxed stroll around the town. Just explore to see what’s around. Orosei will be your base for two nights, so don’t worry about any sightseeing. Not that you have to in the city itself, as most of the sightseeing happens in the area around it. Orosei is full of great streets, shops and restaurants.

Speaking of restaurants…”If it’s pizza you want for dinner in Orosei, you go to Orion La Veranda!” This is how the restaurant was recommended to me by the local patissier, and he wasn’t wrong! At Orion La Veranda, my favorite pizza is the Piacere Fico. It’s a white pizza (no tomato sauce) with Parma ham and lots of local ingredients, like fig jam, Sardinian honey and a ball of sheep’s ricotta from the island. It’s food heaven!

Where to stay?

I recommend staying at Albergo Diffuso Mannois. This inn offers different rooms throughout the old part of the city. Some are more rustic and others are more modern, but all are absolutely beautiful inside. The accommodation has a main building, where you can find reception and a delicious breakfast every morning, just a few minutes’ walk from the rooms. There’s a private beach for you to visit too. You can borrow electric bikes to cycle the mile and a half to get there. Quirky setup, but it totally works!

Day 1 Summary

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The craggy coast of Cala Goloritzè.

Day 2: Golfo di Orosei

  • Today you’ll be cruising the stunning coastline of the Gulf of Orosei.

The town of Orosei is beautiful, but it’s the stunning coastline that really steals the show. Today you will go on a full day excursion to explore one of most beautiful coastlines of Sardinia, and that’s no mean feat on an island with such amazing beaches.

But first, time for breakfast first. The hotel serves a great breakfast in the main building. Whether savory or sweet is what gets you going in the morning, this buffet has it all. Lots of local produce too!

After breakfast, drive to Cala Gonone, a beautiful bay about 40 minutes away. This is where the boat cruise along the coast departs. You can leave at 9am, 10am, 11am or 12pm, but I would aim for 9 or 10 o’clock, so you can make most of the excursion and your time on the beaches.

Today you’ll cruise along the coastline of the Gulf of Orosei, where you’ll visit the absolute best of the best this area has to offer. You’ll visit the beaches and coves of Cala Gonone, Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu, Cala dei Sisine and Cala Goloritzè. I found it hard to pick my favorite, but Cala Luna and Goloritzè are absolutely awesome!

There is a bar on board and the excursion includes an aperitif. It doesn’t include lunch, but there are opportunities to eat somewhere along the way, or bring a sandwich (read: focaccia). Otherwise, beach restaurant Su Coile in Cala dei Sisine will get you a decent lunch!

After some amazing photo opportunities and refreshing swims, enjoy an aperitif while the boat slowly heads back to where you started, to arrive back at around 5.30pm. Back in Cala Gonone, you can either chill on the beach (you probably have sand everywhere by now, so you might as well!), or head into the small town of Cala Gonone to explore. 

If you’re ready for dinner, check out Sa Cuchina in Cala Gonone. This restaurant has some great classic pasta and typical Sardinian dishes on the menu. Great with a good glass of wine (always!). If you’re not hungry yet, which I can imagine after the aperitif, you can always drive back to Orosei for Italian dinnertime. 

Back in Orosei, Agriturismo Gollei is a great restaurant where it really feels like you’re eating at home with an Italian family. You know, where nonna is rolling meatballs in the kitchen. The dishes here are great, but if you can’t choose, go for the menu completo to watch plate after plate of delicious starters and mains arrive at the table. Hope you’re hungry!

Day 2 Summary

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cagliari sardinia italy itinerarycagliari sardinia italy itinerary
Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia and an absolute gem.

Day 3: Orosei – Cagliari

  • Watch the sunrise and drive 2.5 hours to the capital.

When I’m on the east coast of Sardinia I love to get up early to watch the sunrise (when I’m anywhere else, I don’t like to get up early). This side of the island is most spectacular for sunrises, so set that alarm and head out. 

You can go to the beach in Orosei, or choose any of the bays nearby. My favorite is Cala Gonone (you were here yesterday), but that involves a drive and an even earlier start. It’s beautiful to witness the sun come up from the beach, before most Sardinians wake up.

On your way back to your room, head to Pasticceria Saint Honore in Orosei to take out a selection of fresh handmade pastries for your breakfast. The friendly owner will explain what they all are. It’s hard to choose, as they all look delicious!

If you’re still hungry (impossible!), you can always have a second breakfast at the hotel, before you check out and set your maps app to the capital of Sardinia: Cagliari.

I know it’s only Day 3, but you’ve probably figured out that I’ve been avoiding sending you to the bigger cities of Sardinia. You drove straight out of Olbia after all. For a first taste of Sardinia, it’s better to avoid them, especially when you’re here for seven days. Don’t get me wrong, they are very nice places, but they don’t really show how beautiful, natural and unspoiled this island is…

…And then I go ahead and make you drive to Cagliari, the capital and largest city on Sardinia, for two and a half hours! But Cagliari is worth a visit and an abosolute gem!

This city’s history goes back for thousands of years and has been the capital of Sardinia for centuries. Just imagine the civilisations that lived here! The Nuragic Sards in the Bronze Age, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Catalans and Italians, to name a few. The city is an eclectic mix of historic cultures, architecture and food.

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Fregola with seafood (Photo Credit: David Breeker)

By the time you arrive, it’s lunchtime, so you get to experience that delicious food. If you’re into seafood, you should definitely try the fregola. This is a type of pasta made from semolina, round-shaped, not unlike giant couscous. Fregola means breadcrumbs, so I guess that makes sense. It’s normally served with seafood in a thin tomato and chili sauce. I had delicious fregola in restaurant Otium in Cagliari.

After lunch, go to your bed & breakfast to check in. It’s in the marina of Cagliari, so you’re very close to the sea, whilst still near the city center.

In the afternoon, meet at the bike shop in Via Sant’Eulalia at 2:30. You only have one night in Cagliari, so what better way to explore a new city than with a guided tour? It’s nice to get moving after lunch, so a bike tour it is…E-bike that is, so you don’t have to work too hard!

This two-hour E-bike tour of Cagliari is a great way to see the city from a different angle. It’s much more relaxed than I expected. You cycle through the streets and alleys of the old town, some full of flowers, while stopping at interesting places. You;ll go to the medieval Elephant tower and will also visit the Santa Maria Cathedral. You stop for coffee on the way. (The Italian way: a quick shot of coffee at the bar and go!)

After the tour, I recommend going for an aperitivo and a glass of wine. Italians do this at the end of the afternoon. It’s kind of like a pre-dinner, with some typical light bites and a good glass of local wine. Libarium is a cocktail bar in the Castello district, not far from your B&B. They do a great aperitivo and the bar offers splendid sunset views of the city.

Want to have another drink, with some accompanying snacks? Locanda Caddeo is a family company with three restaurants in the city center. Walk to the one in Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, near the Elephant Tower. They do a great Aperol Spritz with locally sourced cold and hot snacks.

Before dinner, stroll around the city as the evening falls. It is great to see Cagliari in the evening, with the street lights casting a yellow glow on the cobbled streets. It makes the otherwise colorful city look elegant and full of atmosphere. Take your time! Dinner in Italy starts sometime between 8:30 and 10:30pm. 

Fogo is a churrascaria – a restaurant that specializes in barbecue and grilled meat. The restaurant serves a fusion of Sardinian and Brazilian food. Random? Yes, but the food to die for. The menu is as easy as it gets. You order a Fogo Rodizio, the only item on the menu and just watch enormous skewers of grilled steaks and both Sardinian and Brazilian sides appear on the table. Amazing!

Where to stay?

Il Cagliarese B&B is a comfortable bed & breakfast with cozy rooms in a perfect location, close to the marina of Cagliari and at a stone’s throw of the old city center, but far enough to be quiet and calm. The buffet breakfast is very good, with plenty of sweet and savory options. There’s a car park a few hundred yards away.

Day 3 Summary

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Nuraghe Losa dates back between 1500 and 2000 BC and a cool place to ponder history. (Photo Credit)

Day 4: Cagliari – Oristano

  • Drive 90 minutes to the farming province of Oristano and explore the area for two nights.

Enjoy breakfast at your B&B, before checking out. Back on the road after a short visit to Cagliari, you’re heading to Oristano. This province is pretty undiscovered in terms of tourism. Farming is the main industry here, especially olives and vineyards. The Vernaccia grape only grows in this region. (Don’t worry, you will get to taste the local wine. I’ve got you!)

Off to the west coast! Your destination is Cabras, a town on the shores of a backland lake, close to the beach and the small city of Oristano, the capital of the province of Oristano. During your two-night stay, you’ll have time for beach visits, flamingo watching, cycling and a trip to Oristano.

The drive to Cabras is about an hour and a half from Cagliari. You can probably not check in yet, so why not visit a nuraghi and have some lunch? A what? Well, they are megalithic structures from the bronze age that can only be found in Sardinia.

Most nuraghi are built using big stones and have the shape of thick-walled towers. Sometimes they are a single tower, but you’ll also find entire complexes with towers and dwellings. There are more than 7,000 on the island! Not much is known about them, because their origins go so far back in history. They may have been used as watch towers, as homes or defensive buildings. Either way, it is very impressive to visit and get into these buildings that are over 3,000 years old.

You’re lucky, because one of the best preserved nuraghi, Nuraghe Losa, is very close to the village of Abbasanta. Nuraghe Losa dates back between 1500 and 2000 BC. They don’t know the exact year, but I’d say it’s pretty damn old either way. The cool thing about this site is that it has the tower shaped structure like most nuraghi, but it also boasts a few houses from that period next to it and on the edge of the ancient village.

Nuraghe Losa opens from 9 am till about an hour before sunset (I love vague opening times like that!). Entrance is just over $6, which includes a guided tour! Great value for visiting an Nuragic site that’s 3500 years old!

You’ll stay in a hotel in Cabras, which is a municipality of the city of Oristano. In Cabras you’ll be close to beautiful beaches, and only a 10-minute drive away from Oristano. The beaches of Oristano are good too, but the industrial port behind it makes me choose Cabras anytime. 

Check-in is only from 2 pm, so you have plenty of time for lunch at Trattoria Portixedda in Oristano. Now this is not a beautiful restaurant. It is one of those places that looks simple and basic, but where the food does all the talking. Deliciously cooked local Sardinian food is what makes this restaurant so special!

Drive to your hotel to check in. It’s a great little oasis where you can relax, or use it as a base to explore Cabras lake (flamingo watching, anyone?), the beaches of Cabras, or the city of Oristano. Whatever you decide to do this afternoon, you won’t regret it!

Dinner is not just amazing food tonight…it’s an experience. Have a meal at Agriturismo Pinucciaor I should say THE meal – and you’ll see what I mean. The concept is that you pay around $35 for a fish or meat meal, and Signora Pinuccia and her son will tingle your tastebuds with several courses. There is no fixed menu. You will be served whatever they feel like cooking that night. This is home-cooked, true Sardinian food at its best. There, I said it!

Enjoy a good glass of wine or homemade liquors and by the end of the evening you will feel like you’ve just had the most amazing Italian meal with family you never knew before tonight. That’s because of the food and the atmosphere, not the alcohol of course.

Where to stay?

Hotel Villa Canu is a historic countryside house that offers comfortable rooms set in a beautiful garden with a small swimming pool. The garden is perfect for relaxing and breakfast is served here too! The staff is super friendly and it really feels like a welcoming home rather than a hotel.

Day 4 Summary

  • Enjoy breakfast at your bed & well…breakfast
  • Drive to Cabras (Oristano)
  • Visit 3000 year old Nuraghe Losa including a guided tour
  • Typical Sardinian lunch at Trattoria Portixedda
  • Check into Hotel Villa Canu
  • Watch flamingos, go to the beach or explore the town of Oristano (or do it all!)
  • Have an incredible dining experience at Agriturismo Pinuccia

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On the Sinis peninsula, you get some amazing panoramic views.

Day 5: Oristano

  • Meet the giants of Mont’e Prama and explore the city center of Oristano.

Start the day with breakfast (and a swim!) in your hotel’s garden. It’s such a peaceful place to slowly wake up and enjoy breakfast and a cappuccino. Then make sure you’re ready by 9am for your e-scooter adventure to visit the Giants of Mont’e Prama.

This tour is great, because you get to see the stunning scenery as well as having fun riding an electric scooter. Somehow you get to experience your surroundings better, because you feel, see, hear and smell more than would in a car (unless you’ve got a smelly car). 

And the Giants? They are nuragic statues (from the same people that lived in the nuraghi) that were found in Mont’e Prama. Today you will see them at the Civic Museum in Cabras. To me it was mind-blowing to look at statues that were sculpted more than 3000 years ago. The way they look is unlike anything I’ve seen before!

Soak up the sun and fresh air on a short scooter ride to your next stop. In the medieval village of San Salvatore di Sinis you can admire the hypogeum, a sanctuary for pagans. This sacred place is half dug out the rocks, half built with sandstone. You can just feel the history here, and all the different people that have worshiped here throughout the millennia…yes, millennia

Get on your seats and race (well, slowly enjoying the surroundings) to your final stop. The ancient city of Tharros was one of my highlights. Being in an ancient city, full of ruins and half intact temples is pretty awesome anyway, but this one is a stunning location. The city used to be an important Phoenician-Roman port, so it’s right at the point of the Sinis peninsula. You get some amazing panoramic views of the peninsula and the coastline from here.

Getting back to your starting point doesn’t mean the tour has finished yet. You’ll find a delicious aperitivo with local food and wines waiting for you. Good thing you don’t have to get back on a scooter after this!

Being in Oristano is a great opportunity to explore the city this afternoon. The historic city center has a pleasant main square, a large cathedral and old churches to see. Throughout the center you can see remnants of the original medieval city walls and there are a couple of medieval towers too.

I recommend going to the Antiquarium Arborense, which is a great museum full of archaeological finds from the area (Not fish! You didn’t read “Aquarium Arborense”, did you?). I can also totally understand you had your fill of old stuff today and you just want to go shopping for souvenirs at Porto Nuova.

Go for dinner at Trattoria Da Gabriele, right in the historic city center, and you won’t be disappointed. I like non-pretentious restaurants where you can eat great local food, especially here in Sardinia, and Da Gabrielle is exactly that. A good plate of food (try the grilled shrimp!), a glass of local wine, and friendly people. That’s all you need! 

Summary Day 5

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Spiaggia La Pelosa may be the best beach in the entirety of Sardinia. (Photo Credit)

Day 6: Oristano – La Pelosa

  • Make your way back two hours north to a breathtaking beach.

And I mean noooorth, as in the most northern tip of the island! First things first, enjoy another breakfast and a swim in the garden. I love waking up with a swim, and if you can do it here, why not do the same as yesterday morning?

Check out after breakfast and drive from Oristano to La Pelosa. If you get in the car, hit the gas and don’t stop until you get there, it will take you around two hours. You won’t though. I’m sure after almost a week here, you’ve learned that it’s almost impossible to go somewhere without stopping in Sardinia. Two reasons: Flocks of sheep crossing the road and scenic viewpoints. Take it slowly. Piano, piano, as they say in Italian.

If you want to go somewhere for lunch, I suggest having a break in Porto Torres, about half an hour from La Pelosa. There’s a lovely pizzeria called San Gavino. The interior is…classic, but the pizzas and pastas are delicious!

Arriving in La Pelosa, check in to your hotel and get ready for some time on the beach. Swimsuit, snorkel, a good book, towel, bucket and spade. You know the drill!

Spiaggia La Pelosa is one of my favorite beaches in Sardinia. And I’m not the only one! This one is always featured on “best beaches of Sardinia” lists. I love Pelosa Beach because it’s different to the tranquil coves nestled in rugged cliffs you’ve seen this week. This beach is long, and wide. It feels spacious! 

The sea is very shallow here too, so you can walk into the sea really far. Combine that with the stunning backdrop of Isola Piana and the smaller island with the iconic tower in between, and it makes for great photos! 

You had a busy day yesterday, you have a flight back tomorrow. Just be in the moment and relax. Read a book, laze in the sun, go for a refreshing swim. You don’t need to do anything today! Although, do you think you can swim to that island? The one with the tower on? It’s not that far, is it?

I have to admit, it’s something that crossed my mind a few times. I’m a decent swimmer and it doesn’t look that far. A quick research showed me that people do it, either swimming or walking along the seabed, but said it’s farther than it looks, the rocks are sharp and there’s a current. It put me off swimming there. I would hire a water bicycle instead to cross (no not a pedalo…it literally looks like a bicycle mounted on a canoe). It’s great fun!

Head to Stintino in the evening. This is the main town on this northern tip of the island, and is only a 10-minute drive away. It’s a great place to have dinner and to go for a walk and a drink after. 

Trattoria Gastronomica da Antonio e Margherita is not only a super long name for a restaurant, it’s also a very popular place to eat in Stintino. Su Porceddu, roasted suckling pig, is delicious here. You should try this typical Sardinian food if you’re not too squeamish, as it’s exactly what you’ll see on the plate! Don’t worry if that’s not your thing: they also have great seafood, barbecue and pasta dishes on the menu.

On your way back to the hotel, why not have a last drink right by the beach? Chiosco Bar La Torre has a great drinks menu with crafty cocktails and local wines. The terrace with views of Pelosa Beach is the perfect place to end your Sardinia trip!

Where to stay?

La Villa Del Paradiso offers beautiful and comfortable accommodations set in a lush garden, at walking distance from the Spiaggia La Pelosa, the famous beach on the northern tip of the island. It’s a lovely place to just sit outside your villa in the evening with a glass of wine, listening to the soothing sounds of the island around you.

Day 6 Summary

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Day 7: La Pelosi – Olbia Airport

  • Drive two hours back to the airport for your flight back.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and check out. Today you’re flying back, so it’s time to head two hours to the airport and return the car.

If your flight is in the evening, you could stop in Sassari on the way. This is Sardinia’s second largest city and there are some cool things to see and do here. If you have three hours to spare, this walking tour of Sassari is a great activity. A local tour guide will show you his favorite places and tell you interesting anecdotes about the city he grew up in. 

You could also stop in Olbia, so you’ll already be near the airport. Explore the city, or go to the beaches in Golfo Aranci. This stunning coastline is easy to explore and only a 20 minute drive from the airport. I discovered Spiaggia Bianca there last time I went, which is a calm, white-sandy beach. It has a little beach restaurant where they serve food and drinks. 

Summary Day 7

  • Breakfast at your hotel in La Pelosa
  • Drive from La Pelosa to Olbia Airport
  • If time allows, stop in Sassari for a walking tour, or explore the Golfo Aranci near Olbia

Come back for more

I hope you like the sound of this 7-day itinerary! Seven days is not long to see the whole of Sardinia, but this takes you around the island so you’ll see as much as you can, often to off-the-beaten-track destinations. You just have to come back to see the rest next time. There are even islands off Sardinia…yeah, you definitely should come back!

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About Our Guest Poster: David Breeker loves visiting Italy. The mix of culture, history, food and stunning beaches makes Sardinia one of his favorite islands that he keeps coming back to. 


What are your thoughts on this 7-day Sardinia Itinerary? Let us know below!

Psst: Planning more Italy or European travels? Here are some other posts:

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Wild, natural coastlines, hidden coves, white sand and sea in shades of turquoise you didn’t even know existed. Soak up the sun and the warm Mediterranean breeze, learn about ancient cultures, explore hilltop villages and exciting towns, hike in nature to find your own secret beach, and try Italian food that’s not quite Italian. Welcome to the ultimate 7-day Sardinia, Italy Itinerary!Wild, natural coastlines, hidden coves, white sand and sea in shades of turquoise you didn’t even know existed. Soak up the sun and the warm Mediterranean breeze, learn about ancient cultures, explore hilltop villages and exciting towns, hike in nature to find your own secret beach, and try Italian food that’s not quite Italian. Welcome to the ultimate 7-day Sardinia, Italy Itinerary!

Our Top Travel Tips & Resources

Here are our favorite travel tips & resources for saving money and planning travel logistics! For more tips, check out our travel tips resource page or our guide to planning a trip.

  • Booking Flights: To score flight deals, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on only on a budget airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
  • Accommodations: We usually stay in budget-friendly vacation rentals, boutique hotels or private rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to book hotels (we love their flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld to book hostels (low deposit, easy change/cancellation, and excellent reviews). For vacation rentals, we prefer to book using VRBO because they’ve got lower fees and better support than Airbnb, and we’re not fans of Airbnb’s unethical track record. You can also book vacation rentals on Expedia and Hotels.com. We also use TrustedHousesitters as both hosts (for our home and our fur-child) and travelers!
  • Travel Insurance: We always, always, ALWAYS buy travel insurance for international trips, and we STRONGLY suggest it – visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find out why. We recommend either World Nomads or SafetyWing for international travel insurance. SafetyWing is one of the few policies that covers Covid-19, and they have excellent monthly policies that are perfect for Digital Nomads and long term travelers!
  • Travel Credit Card: We book all of our trips on our favorite travel credit card. Not only do we earn cash back that we can spend on more travel, but the card offers fantastic travel perks like travel insurance, trip delay and cancellation coverage, lost baggage reimbursement, and rental car coverage, which helps protect us on our travels. Learn more here.
  • Vaccines & Meds: We use the travel guides on the CDC website to research recommended medications and vaccines for international trips. We always recommend getting every vaccine recommended by the CDC! You can get them at your primary care doctor’s office or a walk-in pharmacy.
  • Tours: We love booking guided tours, especially food tours and walking tours, to get a local’s perspective and a history lesson while sight-seeing! We book our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.
  • Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to figure out how to get from place to place, and book local transportation online using Bookaway wherever we can. When we book a rental car, we use DiscoverCars to compare rental companies and find the best deal.
  • Luggage Storage: Whenever we’re checking out early or taking advantage of a long layover, we use LuggageHero to safely store our luggage while we’re running around. Use the code PRACTICALW for 2 hours of free luggage storage on us.
  • VPN Service: A VPN keeps your digital information (like website login details, bank info, etc) safe, even when you’re connected to an unsecured network while traveling. Plus, it lets you use Netflix & other streaming sites abroad! We use NordVPN. Use the code WANDERLUSTPROMO when you sign up!
  • What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we bring on every trip. We also have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and many more. Take a look at all of our packing guides!

The Ultimate 10 Days in Italy Itinerary

If treasure chest was a country, Italy is one full of history, culture, fashion and deliciousness. Rome resonates with stories of gladiators and emperors. Venice is full of romantic canals and quirky bridges. Florence buzzes with Renaissance architecture and world-famous art. And every spot on this 10 Days in Italy Itinerary is like opening a new treasure chest!

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If treasure chest was a country, Italy is one full of history, culture, fashion and deliciousness. Rome resonates with stories of gladiators and emperors. Venice is full of romantic canals and quirky bridges. Florence buzzes with Renaissance architecture and world-famous art. And every spot on this 10 Days in Italy Itinerary is like opening a new treasure chest!

Pour in a pleasant Mediterranean climate, a steaming hot pizza or a plate of pasta and the smell of a freshly brewed espresso and you have a winning recipe for a 10-day holiday. Can you see it all in 10 days? Absolutely not! But it’s long enough to get a long-lasting impression of Italy that’ll make you want to come back for more. Again and again!

Psst: Planning a trip to Italy & Europe? Here are some other useful posts:

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Oh hey, guess what? We’ve created a printable e-book version of our Two Super Detailed Winter Europe Itineraries (for Two Weeks) post available fo’ free! It’s a solid 30 pages of travel tips, printable packing lists, and all the itinerary details you need to plan a Europe in winter trip. Sign up below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox:

Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence and a great place to shop local vendors!Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence and a great place to shop local vendors!
Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence and a great place to shop local vendors! (Photo Credit https://flic.kr/p/Lc8aao)

10 Days in Italy Itinerary FAQ

Italy is an easy country to travel through. Good roads between major cities (although driving in Italy can be a bit of an ‘experience’. I’ll tell you about that a bit later!), very good train connections between cities and friendly people who are willing to help when you’re stuck. That doesn’t mean you don’t need to prepare for your trip though.

Here are some things you should know before you head off to Italy:

Where should I fly in and out of?

The two main airports to internationally fly in and out of Italy are Milan Malpensa or Rome Fiumicino. This 10 Days in Italy itinerary starts and ends in Rome, so Fiumicino it is!

The best way to get from the airport to the city center of Rome? Take the Leonardo Express! It’s a direct shuttle train that runs every 15 minutes. It takes you to the city in just under 32 minutes and costs around $19. A taxi takes at least 50 minutes and is more expensive.

How do I get around Italy?

I mentioned earlier that driving is ‘a bit of an experience’. Driving in Italy is often chaotic, unpredictable and busy. Are Italians bad drivers? I don’t think so. Everybody is used to this type of driving, so it’s fine, but it’s probably very different to your daily drive at home. 

But why not take the train? The train network in Italy is great! Taking the train is convenient, gets you right into the city (parking in Italian cities is…creative) and relatively cheap. In this 10 Days in Italy Itinerary you will visit popular destinations, which is really easy to do by train. So my advice is to go for that, unless you really have a good reason to drive.

What is the best time to visit Italy?

9:00am on a Tuesday morning! Oh, you mean seasons and stuff? In that case, the answer is a bit less specific.

Spring and autumn are probably the best time to visit for most travelers. This is when temperatures are between 60℉ and 70℉, so pretty pleasant. Another huge advantage is that cities are not packed with other tourists. Of course it will be busy, because Italy is a popular destination, but nothing like the crowds that visit in summer.

Do you not like waiting in line for everything? Do you like your photos with as little strangers as possible? Winter is your season to visit Italy! It doesn’t really get freezing cold in the Mediterranean either, with mild temperatures between 30℉ and 50℉. If you stay away from the mountains, of course!

Don’t write off summer though! I personally love Italy in summer. It can get very busy at tourist destinations, but to me that’s Italy at its best: beautiful sites enjoyed by lots of people. It fills the squares and streets with a buzzing atmosphere. If you’re into photography, you may have noticed the typical hazy light in Italy. I’ve only seen that in summer. Yes, summer in Italy is hot and crowded, but I’m all for it.

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The Trevi Fountain is filled with wishes!

10 Days in Italy Itinerary

Now you know pretty much everything you need to prepare for your trip, let’s see what you can do in 10 days in Italy. We have created an exciting itinerary that lets you experience the highlights of Italy. Not all of them, but I guess you would just have to come back for more. 

Day 1: Arrival in Rome

  • Today you’ll arrive in Italy’s magnificent capital, also known as the Eternal City.

Don’t run off to the Colosseum or Vatican City yet! Let’s take it easy today, as you’ve only just arrived. Rome is a lovely city to explore on foot, so let’s go for a walk to get your whereabouts.

The Spanish steps are a great first stop on your walk. Have a coffee (espresso if you want to do like the Italians; milky coffee is only for breakfast) and one of the many pastries at Trecaffe Due Macelli on Via Dei Due Macelli 107. Can’t choose? I think you can never go wrong with a cornetto al pistacchio, a cone-shaped croissant filled with pistachio cream.

Walk on to the famous Trevi Fountain. The popular activity here is to stand with your back towards the fountain, then throw in a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder. The legend goes that if you throw one coin, it means you will return to Rome. If you throw two coins, you will fall in love with an Italian. If you throw three coins, you will marry that person. I tried it and something amazing happened! I left with less money than I came with.

Continue your leisurely stroll towards the Pantheon, on to the Forum and the Colosseum. Don’t go in, but just admire them from the outside. You’ll soon figure out that Rome is like an open-air museum. This walk takes less than an hour if you walk it in one go, but you can easily spend a few hours admiring the city and taking photos. It’s so impressive.

You must be hungry by now! If you ask any Roman (that’s a resident of Rome, not a legionnaire) where you can get some good food, the answer will be the Trastevere neighborhood. This area is famous for its many bars and restaurants, and I love it at the end of the afternoon when the area fills up and it creates a bustling atmosphere. Think people eating and drinking outside, cobblestone squares and narrow streets, grapevines hanging over your head.

Walk across the river Tiber to get to Trastevere. Have dinner at Osteria Nonnarella, for authentic Roman cuisine that tastes like it’s made by an Italian grandma (maybe it is, who knows?).

Where to Stay in Rome

When in Rome…it’s best to be in the middle of it all. I really liked Hotel Fellini, which offers 3-star comfort and is only a stone’s throw away from the Trevi Fountain. All the main sites are only a short walk away from this great hotel!

Day 1 Summary

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Being in the stands, looking down on the arena, you can almost feel the gladiators fighting below, the clamoring of the spectators, the roaring of the lions.

Day 2: Rome

  • Today you’ll visit iconic sites like the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Wake up slowly with a breakfast buffet and a good cup of coffee (cappuccinos are allowed this time of day) at your hotel. Today you’re going to see some cool iconic sights up-close.

The Colosseum is one of those sites that deeply impressed me. Of course, the structure is iconic and it’s amazing to see it still dominating the skyline of Rome, but it was the atmosphere that really got me. Being in the stands, looking down on the arena, you can almost feel the gladiators fighting below, the clamoring of the spectators, the roaring of the lions. Brutal of course, but very evocative.

I like this tour of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. It makes your visit to the Colosseum a lot more interesting and gives you exclusive access to the arena floor – you get to enter the arena the same way the gladiators did! Plus, you can skip the line, which is very much needed once you see how long the lines for the Colosseum are.

After the Colosseum, your guide will take you to the Roman Forum. I wrote earlier that Rome is an open-air museum and this can’t be more true for the Forum. This used to be the hub for politics and socialising in ancient Rome. Walk around this area, brought alive by your guide through stories and facts, to get a vivid idea of what it was like to live in Rome throughout the centuries.

The tour concludes at Palatine Hill. This is the most important of seven hills in and around Rome. This place has been inhabited since 1,000 BC and is believed to be the center from which Rome grew into the city it is now. You’ll see some beautiful ruins of majestic palaces, and the views of the city are spectacular from here.

Time for lunch, after a busy morning! Enjoy a nice pizza at Pizzeria Acqua & Farina.

The Appian Way is a famous ancient main road just outside the city center. This road runs from Rome to Brindisi in the ‘heel’ of Italy. It was used to supply the Roman army with supplies. The stretch along Rome is just under 10 miles long. Along the way you see ancient basilicas and catacombs you can visit. 

You can walk or cycle the Appian Way, but you’ve had a busy morning, so I’ll go easy on you. This golf cart tour is more relaxing and more fun. This tour takes around 2.5 hours and you’ll get to see more of the Appian way than just walking alone and it also includes a 30-minute walking tour of the Catacombs of Rome. Che bello!

Head to Trastevere again for dinner at Tonarello, a cozy Italian restaurant. You’ve got to try the pasta with meatballs here. Alternatively, if you still have enough energy, I recommend a Trastevere Food Tour instead. A local foodie takes you round all the best places in this trendy area, with a lot of stops to try local food and wines. 

Day 2 Summary

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The Vatican City from the outside! (Photo Credit)

Day 3: Rome

  • Today you’ll explore St. Peters’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums.

After another lovely breakfast buffet in your hotel, it’s time to head to a new country. Wait, what? This is the 10 Days in Italy Itinerary, right? 

Vatican City is officially an independent country, right in the middle of Rome. It’s the residence of the Pope, and most other residents are priests and nuns from all over the world. Vatican City is a very popular place to visit – so popular that during my first visit to Rome I walked over to the Vatican, saw the lines and turned around immediately. I would have had to wait in line between one to two hours to get in.

Back then, skip-the-line tickets weren’t a thing, so you won’t have that problem now. Unless you want to wait in line of course, as a kind of weird achievement thing. Vatican City is not very big, but there is a lot to see. St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums which are full of famous art. Add the masses of visitors to that, and you can easily spend a whole day there, including queuing up.

A guided tour of the Vatican lets you skip the line and see all the highlights this micro-state has to offer, led by a knowledgeable guide. This way you see the highlights in about 2.5 to 3 hours. Don’t forget to have a look at the lines when you walk past. It’s worth it for that alone!

Afterwards, have lunch at The Loft, just outside Vatican City. This awesome Italian brewpub is a great spot for a beer and a light lunch. A sharing platter with local meats, cheeses, tomatoes and olives hits the spot.

Any meal in Italy – except breakfast – can take hours. Multiple courses, a glass of wine in between each. A good chat and a good views. Take your time, have a glass of wine, try some light bites, unwind…or totally be like me and be back outside within 30 minutes.

Today’s itinerary ends a bit later than usual, so there’s nothing planned this afternoon. Want to explore streets, squares and alleys to see what you can find? Go for it! Want to go shopping for some Italian fashion? This is the place! Thinking of going back to the hotel for a nap? Go all out, but set your alarm for dinner! (Trust me, I’ve been there before, waking up at midnight confused, thinking I’ve been asleep for two days!)

Dinner at Pasta e Vino Osteria in – guess where? – Trastevere. This restaurant’s name tells you exactly what to expect here. This is where you go for a hearty bowl of pasta and a glass of great wine, although the steaks are pretty spectacular too!

At 8:30pm, it’s time for an awesome evening activity. The paranormal night walking tour takes you through the secret backstreets of Rome, past places haunted by paranormal activity, where gruesome executions have taken place. Will you see anything? Who knows! The guide is great and knows how to tell a spooky story. Shivers down my spine (and it wasn’t even cold)!

Day 3 Summary

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The gorgeous terra cotta roofs of Florence (Photo Credit)

Day 4: Arrival in Florence

  • Today you’ll travel from Rome to Florence and explore the city!

This morning, after breakfast in the hotel and checking out, take a train from Rome to Florence. The train departs from Roma Termini station and takes you directly to Firenze Santa Maria Novella station. The journey takes around an hour and a half.

Check into your room for two nights. After you’ve made yourself at home, it’s time to explore this city the Italians nicknamed ‘La Bella’ (The Beautiful). Florence is very walkable, so let’s get out there.

But…lunch first. Let’s start your Florence adventure with a sandwich from I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti. A sandwich? I know, but these are great. Think freshly baked focaccia, fresh cold meats, the best tomatoes and vegetables…hands down the best sandwiches of Florence. 

Spend the afternoon walking through the city. Take your time and soak it all up. Visit Piazza della Signoria, which is not just your average square. It’s like an open-air exhibition with some very famous sculptures. A copy of Michelangelo’s David, for example, or ‘“Perseus with the Head of Medusa” by Cellini. Even the fountain is a combination of stunning sculptures.

You’ve spotted a copy, but it’s time to see the original “David” sculpture by Michelangelo. You’ll find him inside Galleria dell’Accademia. There’s definitely a buzz here amongst the visitors. David is kind of a big thing, almost like a celebrity. The rest of the gallery is home to lesser-known works by Michelangelo, some even unfinished. It’s like visiting his workshop back in the day.

Galleria dell’Academia gets quite busy, so skip-the-line tickets are recommended!

Walk past the Cathedral of Florence, the Duomo di Firenze, which is impressive to say the least! The central dome is enormous. It is the largest structure ever built by brick. Ever! Most major cities in Italy have a cathedral, but the white marble and dark green windows make this one stand out! You can even climb to the top for an amazing view. And sore calves the day after!

Try to plan your walk so that you’ll reach Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) at around sunset. This famous bridge was built in 1345, so yes, it is a pretty old bridge indeed. Through the centuries, the bridge has always been home to traders and shopkeepers, which is still the case now. 

Why sunset? Well, I think the bridge is especially beautiful on a sunny day, about an hour before the sun goes down. The light gets this soft, yellow glow, which makes the bridge look stunning.

Have dinner at La Buchetta (make sure you book a table beforehand). This old-school Italian bistro serves classic pasta dishes, ravioli and steak dishes. Steak Florentine, anyone? I had amazing gnocchi here, garnished with edible flowers, and tiramisu for dessert. It was probably the best meal I ever had in Italy. There, I said it! 

Where to Stay in Florence

The city center of Florence is so compact that you can easily walk everywhere. Residenza Benizzi is near Ponte Vecchio, which is both convenient and stunning! The modern rooms are very stylish and super comfortable, some with views of the Cathedral. The hotel serves a great breakfast too!

Day 4 Summary

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Fountain of Neptune at Piazza della Signoria (Photo Credit)

Day 5: Florence

  • Today you’ll be amazed by the artistic and historic delights of Florence by visiting the Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Breakfast is light, with coffee and single-portion snacks you can take out or eat there. 

Florence is the city of Renaissance art, so I guess you know what’s coming. Spend the morning visiting the Uffizi. This is one of the most famous galleries in the world and a must-visit in Florence. Now, the Uffizi is not just your average gallery. It is huge! I’m talking about 100 rooms and more than 2,200 paintings. Yeah, you could spend all day here. Don’t though, we have more to see!

I made a list of works you must see in the Uffizi (and even that will take all morning!):

  • “Primavera” by Sandro Botticelli
  • “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli
  • “Madonna of the Goldfinch” by Raphael
  • “Annunciation” by Leonardo da Vinci
  • “Madonna with the Long Neck” by Parmigianino
  • “Venus of Urbino” by Titian
  • “Doni Tondo” by Michelangelo
  • “Medusa” by Caravaggio
  • “Laocoön and His Sons” by Baccio Bandinelli

Are you after some authentic Florentine cuisine for lunch? I know just the place! Mangiafuoco Bracerie serves delicious authentic food. Try the pappa al pomodoro, which is a soup made with Tuscan ribbed tomatoes. The soup is so thick it’s almost like a tomato porridge. Sounds weird, tastes amazing!

This afternoon you’ll visit Palazzo Pitti, one of the most iconic buildings of Florence. This palace started out as a house, built by Luca Pitti, who lived here and died before it was finalized. Dynasties that followed all lived here and had the house expanded, until it became the palace it is now. It houses a few museums which display silverware, jewelry and porcelain collections, as well as Renaissance paintings and modern art.

Boboli Gardens are – well – the gardens of the palace. These beautifully landscaped grounds cover 111 acres, so you can stroll here for hours, wondering what it must be like to have lived here. And what it would be like to get lost in your own garden!

The palace and gardens are very popular attractions, so it’s a good idea to get skip-the-line tickets here, or book a guided tour of the palace and gardens if you like to hear more about the families that lived in Palazzo Pitti, their history and their lives. The stories make your visit a richer experience.

Have dinner at Angel Roofbar & Dining. This exciting restaurant is located on the roof terrace of Hotel Calimala. The rooftop has three levels. There’s a restaurant, two bars and a 360° panoramic patio. The southern Mediterranean food is absolutely delicious.

Day 5 Summary

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The magical, floating city of Venice!

Day 6: Arrival in Venice

  • Today you’ll travel to this one-of-a-kind city and take a gorgeous gondola ride.

Start the day early with breakfast at your hotel in Florence, then it’s time to pack and leave. After check-out, take a morning train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station to Venezia Santa Lucia station. This is a direct service that takes you via Bologna and Padova to Venice, so you don’t need to change. It’s a 5-hour journey, so it’s a good idea to grab some lunch and snacks to eat on the train.

Arriving in Venice is a surreal experience that I’ll never forget. You arrive at the station, get off the train, walk through the hall towards the exit. So far so good…but then when you come out, there are just boats everywhere instead of cars. Yes, I had seen pictures of Venice and I know it has canals instead of roads. But actually seeing it was so unlike any other city, that nothing could’ve prepared me for this.

Check-in at the hotel where you will stay for two nights. Freshen up and get out there to explore this city locals nicknamed Serenissima (The Serene).

Do you know what I really like to do in Venice? Just wandering around! Put your map down, don’t use Google Maps, but just walk wherever you feel like going. Forget about the famous places for now. This way you can really find some hidden gems in Venice, whether it’s a restaurant, a picturesque street or canal, or a perfect spot for a picture. The romantic canals are great for exploring!

Walk around as long as you like, but leave an hour or so for the most cliche thing you can do in this city. Think about Venice and you see a couple sitting in a gondola, cuddled up. The gondolier slowly pushes the boat through the romantic canals, while singing “O sole mio”. The couple’s faces slowly moving towards each other, slurping the same strand of spaghetti, until they…Wait, was that in Venice? 

Anyway, you get the point. This is so cliche you have to do it! You will never forgive yourself if you’ve been to Venice and you didn’t get to ride the canals in a gondola. Whether you are there as a couple, with friends, or riding solo (mio), just go for it. 

Gondola rides are so popular there was fierce competition among gondoliers. Therefore an official tariff is now in place. A 30-minute ride costs around $88. If you’d like the gondolier to sing or play an instrument (can you play the grand piano please?), it’ll cost extra.

If you don’t mind sharing a gondola with others, you can book a gondola ride here for a very reasonable $45 – sometimes even less if it’s on offer. The number of people per gondola is small, so it’s still a pretty private experience.

Do boat rides make you hungry too? Head to Bacaro Quebrado for dinner. This tavern-style restaurant serves phenomenal classic pasta dishes. I love al fresco dining, and this restaurant has outdoor seating. You basically sit right in the street, watching people walk by.

Where to Stay in Venice

The city of Venice is built on 118 small islands (but there are loads of other islands in the Lagoon of Venice), surrounded by canals. They are linked through 438 bridges. Pretty impressive! The city is divided into six districts. For this short stay, I would advise to stay around the Grand Canal. The Rosa Salva Hotel is a great place to stay. Modern design rooms in an old building and super comfortable beds. Staff is friendly and it’s only a short walk away from Piazza San Marco.

Day 6 Summary

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Piazza San Marco venice 10 day italy itineraryPiazza San Marco venice 10 day italy itinerary
The Piazza San Marco from the water!

Day 7: Venice

  • Today we’ll visit Piazza San Marco and the Doge Palace.

Have a traditional Italian breakfast at Rosa Salva this morning, which is literally a pastry and a small cappuccino or espresso. The café with the same name is just outside your hotel, and happens to be one of the best pastry shops in Venice. Lucky you!

In Venice, all roads – well, canals – lead to Piazza San Marco. Not literally, but even if you just walk around you will eventually end up on the centrally located St Mark’s Square. It’s worth a visit!

Walking around this square always feels like going back in time. I don’t know whether it’s the impressive buildings like the Doge’s Palace or the Byzantine architecture of St Mark’s Basilica, or if it’s just the large clear space in an otherwise built-up city. Either way, spend some time just being on the piazza, soaking it all in.

Seeing the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica is best done with a guided tour. You get a fun and interesting experience, knowledgeable guides and you get to skip the line. The grandeur of both buildings is truly impressive. The tour starts at 10am at Riva Degli Schiavoni and takes about three hours, which flies by as it’s so interesting.

It’s tempting to find a restaurant on Piazza San Marco, but I would find something a bit farther away. Most places charge extraordinary prices for food and drinks, often by charging high coperta, meaning “cover” charge, which is the cost charged in Italian restaurants just to sit at the table. Normally it’s €2 or €3 per person, but on this square it seems the sky’s the limit.

Only a couple of minutes’ walk away from Piazza San Marco is Pako’s Pizza and Pasta, which is a hole-the-wall restaurant for takeout pizza and Italian fast food. And it’s good too! Quick is good in this case, because your next tour starts at 2:00 pm and leaves from Piazza San Marco.

Luckily it’s a boat ride, so nothing too active after walking through the majestic buildings of Piazza San Marco. This tour visits two of the islands of Venice: Burano and Murano and takes four hours in total.

Burano Island is famous for its colorful houses and lace production, while Murano is known for Murano Glass of course. Can you visit two islands in four hours? Yes, but it’s wise to book a tour if you just have an afternoon, as the timing just works. 

You can visit the islands on your own as well, taking a vaporetto, which is like a water bus if that makes sense. No, it hasn’t got wheels. It’s a regular public transport boat service. Lines 4.1, 4.2, 12 and 13 go to Murano. Line 12 takes you from Murano to Burano.

Visiting the islands by public transport takes a bit longer and gets busy, so you might have to wait for the next vaporetto. If you don’t feel like booking a tour and rather go on your own, I would advise to just visit one island. Between the two, Murano would be my choice. The glass-blowing is cool to see and there are more vaporetto services back to Venice.

Back in Venice, have dinner at RistoPub Rossini. This restaurant has a great vibe and really good burgers and steaks. I know, I know, it’s kind of wrong not to eat Italian food in Italy, but the burgers (and beers!) are a nice change from pasta and pizza.

Day 7 Summary

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Positano is known as the “vertical town” and it’s oh so colorful!

Day 8: Arrival Amalfi Coast – Positano

  • Today you’ll travel from Venice to Positano, on the Amalfi Coast.

Have breakfast at Pasticceria Rosa Salva. Why change a good thing, right? Plus, there are always new pastries to try.

An early start today, as you will travel a lot. Goal is to get to Positano on the world-famous Amalfi Coast. You really can’t come to Italy without seeing this stunning coastline. If you think of the map of Italy as a long boot, then Positano is where you would lace them up – well, depending on how tall the boot is of course. Or be complicated and look at a map if you like. 

A long journey, but it’ll be worth it. It’s about 5 and a half hours from Venice to Naples by train, after which you have to take a ferry that will take you to Positano in around 1.5 hours. It will be a restful journey though, with a direct train service to Naples that costs around $100.

If you want to speed things up, you could opt to fly from Venice to Naples. The flight time is an hour and twenty minutes. Ryanair flies here for ver low prices, but you need to pay extra for large cabin bags or to check-in luggage.

To get from Naples to Positano, I prefer to take the ferry. It costs around $37 and takes around 90 minutes. It sits in between taking the bus, which takes 2.5 hours but is slightly cheaper, and taking a taxi, which takes an hour but costs between £250 and £300. It all depends on your preferences and how many people you’re with.

Take it easy upon arrival. Check in to your hotel and enjoy being on one of the most beautiful coasts in Italy, perhaps even in Europe. The Amalfi Coast is famous for its pebbled beaches, deep blue water and colorful towns nestled in green hills and cliffs. All the towns on the Amalfi Coast are beautiful, but Positano is absolutely stunning and it has everything you need. And then there’s the food! Think amazing Italian cuisine, but with fresh sea-food. It’s breathtaking to be here!

If you want to have some time to relax by the sea, I can really recommend walking down to Marina Grande Beach. It’s the most famous beach in Positano. This is where you need to take your Instagram photo, with Positano nestled on the hill in the background. Don’t forget you have to walk up again. There’s a reason they call this ‘the vertical town’. 

Tonight is the perfect evening for a slow dinner, with southern Italian food and a good glass of wine. The kind of five-course dinner that takes hours, like only the Italians can enjoy. Ristorante Da Constantino is a great place for it. Perched on top of a hill, you can enjoy traditional Italian seafood dishes with amazing views of the sea.

Where to Stay in Positano

Even though Positano is not too big of a town, you have to remember it’s built on a cliff. It’s good to be near the town centre, so you don’t have to walk too far (back up). Villa Palumbo is a great place to stay. It offers simple but comfortable and nicely decorated rooms with balconies with a view. A lovely breakfast is served to your room in the morning, so you can enjoy it on the balcony!

Day 8 Summary

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sorrento almalfi coast 10 day italy itinerarysorrento almalfi coast 10 day italy itinerary
A view of Sorrento with boats in the distance… which you’ll take to explore the Almafi Coast! (Photo Credit)

Day 9: Positano

  • Today you’ll take a full day boat tour of the Amalfi Coast!

Start with a lovely dolce vita breakfast on your balcony.

Today you’ll go on a full day boat tour along the Amalfi Coast. Why? Because staying in Positano, or any of the other towns is amazing, but you can only fully appreciate this stunning coast looking at it from the water. Plus, there’s nothing more ‘dolce vita’ than cruising the Amalfi Coast in a small boat, sipping wine and eating snacks. It is the best way to experience the Amalfi Coast in one day, while being looked after and having everything taken care of!

This boat tour starts and ends in Sorrento, which is about half an hour by taxi from Positano. During the tour you will sail along the Amalfi Coast, with beautiful stops for a swim in the crystal-clear sea. You also stop in Amalfi and…Positano. The boat and the guides are amazing. They make you feel completely at ease and know a lot about the Amalfi Coast. Prosecco and snacks are included too. You have time for lunch at one of the stops and the guides can recommend some fantastic restaurants.

I can hear you thinking: why not stay in Sorrento and start the tour from there? Most tours start from Sorrento, because it is a better connected town in terms of transport. It’s a lovely town and if you’d stayed in this area for – let’s say – a week, I would totally recommend you to use Sorrento as your base to explore the Amalfi Coast, Vesuvius and Pompeii. But for two nights, nothing can beat staying in Positano, right in the heart of the Amalfi Coast. It’s much smaller, intimate and staying here feels like a special treat.

The boat tour leaves Sorrento at 9:30 AM, so plan your bus or taxi accordingly. Another option is to ask the organizers if they can pick you up in Positano (at an extra charge). 

Once you’re back in Positano, have dinner at Restaurant Il Tridente. I don’t know if the view or the food is better, but that’s a good thing when in Positano! Prefer to have a quick explore of Sorrento? I can recommend Restaurant La Locanda del Gusto, for delicious southern home-style Italian food.

Day 9 Summary

The legend goes that if you throw one coin, it means you will return to Rome.

Day 10: Positano – Rome

  • Today you’ll travel back to Rome to catch your flight home.

This will be your last breakfast of your trip, so let’s go for something special. I can’t let you leave Positano – or Italy even – without a breakfast at Posides. That’s how good it is!

Today is the last day of this amazing 10 days in Italy itinerary. Depending on your flight back home, make sure you leave on time. Traveling back to Rome Fiumicino Airport takes about 4-5 hours(ah, the bliss of being in a stunning but remote place). That doesn’t mean it will be boring. There are different ways to get back, but I found that taking a ferry to Salerno, then a train directly to Rome worked really well. Taking the ferry to Salerno, then the train to Rome is easy, cheapest and takes about 4.5 hours. 

  • Please note when you choose to take the ferry to Salerno, to take the one to Piazza Concordia, which is right by the train station. Molo Manfredi is the other ferry port, which is miles from the station.

That’s it, your 10-days in Italy itinerary! This is the perfect itinerary – or at least a guideline – to see Italy’s highlights in 10 days.

Day 10 Summary

  • Breakfast on your private balcony
  • Travel from Positano to Rome Fiumicino Airport for your flight back

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About Our Contributor: David Breeker loves visiting Italy. The mix of art, history, food and vibe makes Italy one of his favorite countries that he keeps coming back to. 


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Here are our favorite travel tips & resources for saving money and planning travel logistics! For more tips, check out our travel tips resource page or our guide to planning a trip.

  • Booking Flights: To score flight deals, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on only on a budget airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
  • Accommodations: We usually stay in budget-friendly vacation rentals, boutique hotels or private rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to book hotels (we love their flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld to book hostels (low deposit, easy change/cancellation, and excellent reviews). For vacation rentals, we prefer to book using VRBO because they’ve got lower fees and better support than Airbnb, and we’re not fans of Airbnb’s unethical track record. You can also book vacation rentals on Expedia and Hotels.com. We also use TrustedHousesitters as both hosts (for our home and our fur-child) and travelers!
  • Travel Insurance: We always, always, ALWAYS buy travel insurance for international trips, and we STRONGLY suggest it – visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find out why. We recommend either World Nomads or SafetyWing for international travel insurance. SafetyWing is one of the few policies that covers Covid-19, and they have excellent monthly policies that are perfect for Digital Nomads and long term travelers!
  • Travel Credit Card: We book all of our trips on our favorite travel credit card. Not only do we earn cash back that we can spend on more travel, but the card offers fantastic travel perks like travel insurance, trip delay and cancellation coverage, lost baggage reimbursement, and rental car coverage, which helps protect us on our travels. Learn more here.
  • Vaccines & Meds: We use the travel guides on the CDC website to research recommended medications and vaccines for international trips. We always recommend getting every vaccine recommended by the CDC! You can get them at your primary care doctor’s office or a walk-in pharmacy.
  • Tours: We love booking guided tours, especially food tours and walking tours, to get a local’s perspective and a history lesson while sight-seeing! We book our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.
  • Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to figure out how to get from place to place, and book local transportation online using Bookaway wherever we can. When we book a rental car, we use DiscoverCars to compare rental companies and find the best deal.
  • Luggage Storage: Whenever we’re checking out early or taking advantage of a long layover, we use LuggageHero to safely store our luggage while we’re running around. Use the code PRACTICALW for 2 hours of free luggage storage on us.
  • VPN Service: A VPN keeps your digital information (like website login details, bank info, etc) safe, even when you’re connected to an unsecured network while traveling. Plus, it lets you use Netflix & other streaming sites abroad! We use NordVPN. Use the code WANDERLUSTPROMO when you sign up!
  • What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we bring on every trip. We also have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and many more. Take a look at all of our packing guides!