Italy Express: the 7 Days Essential Itinerary

Only have one week to spare? With this itinerary in Italy of 7 days, you can enjoy a condensed adventure through some of the country’s most incredible wonders: art, history, culture and, of course, a touch of style.

We’ve created an express guide for those who want to experience the very best of Italy in just a short time. Discover unmissable stops, iconic cities and dreamlike landscapes, with relaxing shopping breaks that let you bring home a true piece of made in Italy.

An intense, well-balanced adventure designed for those who don’t want to miss a thing, even when time is tight. Shall we go?

A week in Italy gives you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich history, incomparable art, and exquisite cuisine of this country.

Imagine waking up to the smell of freshly baked pastries from a Neapolitan café, shopping at a charming McArthurGlen Designer Outlet – an outstanding destination where the elegance of design meets fashion at competitive prices – or basking in the golden sunset at the Colosseum in Rome.

Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome, and Naples: a truly special journey through Italy, an itinerary of 7 days that unveils the essential stops among the most beautiful cities of the Peninsula, finding the perfect balance between exploration and relaxation.

A true express guide designed for those who want to discover the best of Italy in a short time:

• day one in Venice, among the beauty of St. Mark's Square and the Grand Canal;

• day two in Milan, among the majesty of the Duomo and Da Vinci's Last Supper;

• day three and four in Florence, among Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery, and Santa Maria del Fiore;

• day five and six in Rome, among the monuments of the Empire, picturesque neighborhoods, and the best of Italian cuisine;

• day seven in Naples, among the streets of its historic center part of UNESCO Heritage, and a delicious pizza in the shadow of Vesuvius.

Let’s start from beautiful Venice, an ideal gateway to begin our 7 days Italy itinerary and explore artistic masterpieces and magical places. Even with only an essential one-day visit, Venice offers so much to see and do.

Take the opportunity to take a gondola ride on the Grand Canal, one of Venice's most romantic and iconic experiences, to see the city from a privileged vantage point. The gondola will glide between the most beautiful bridges and palaces in Venice while you can observe the exquisite architecture of this romantic city.

Then you should spend a few hours in St. Mark’s Square. Visit the awesome St. Mark's Basilica, with its golden mosaics and Byzantine architectural style. And don’t forget also the Doge's Palace and the historic venetian cafès.

After a day of sightseeing, indulge yourself in some relaxing shopping. Not far from Venice you can find the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Noventa di Piave, easily accessible by car (A4 motorway) and well connected to Marco Polo airport.

Venice Recap:

• Gondola Tour on the Grand Canal

• St. Mark's Square (Basilica, Doge's Palace, historic cafès)

• Shopping at the Designer Outlet Noventa di Piave

Continue your journey to the fashion capital of the world, Milan, which is about a 3-hour drive and 2.5 hours by train from Venice. Enjoy the city (and its vibrant nightlife) by staying for a night. Here are some tips on the best neighborhoods to stay in.

You will admire the beauty of Milan Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic-style sacred buildings in the world, famous for its sharp spires and extraordinary stained glass windows. Do not miss also the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a spectacular 19th-century architecture, where to find some of the city's best-known fashion stores and top restaurants.

You can continue by visiting the Sforza Castle, an imposing 15th-century fortress that hosts numerous museums and art collections. And if you love arts, don't miss the opportunity to admire Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper", one of the world's most famous masterpieces, housed in the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

If you feel in the right mood for shopping but want to stay out of the city’s hustle, then visit McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Serravalle. Here you'll find more than 200 stores, and a wide range of high-end brands, and a setting inspired by classic Italian architecture.

Milan Recap:

• Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

• Sforza Castle

• Da Vinci's Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie

• Shopping at the Designer Outlet Serravalle

Next, let's head to the beautiful city of Florence, considered one of Italy's artistic and cultural treasures. From Milan, you'll need about 4 hours by car to reach it, while by high-speed train, you'll arrive in the historic heart of Tuscany's capital in just 2 hours.

Once in Florence, prepare exploring magnificent Piazza del Duomo - marvel at Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral with Brunelleschi's monumental dome, climb Giotto's bell tower, and admire the Baptistery's famous bronze doors by Lorenzo Ghiberti. And don't forget Piazza della Signoria, the historic heart of Florence.

On your second day you can dedicate yourself to Florence’s greatest and most iconic art museums: the Accademia Gallery, where Michelangelo’s David will leave you speechless, and the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important museums in the world for Italian Renaissance painting, housing masterpieces by artists such as Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

Keep in mind that visiting the Uffizi, and admiring the top masterpieces, requires at least 3 hours to the experience. Finally, get to the nearby Ponte Vecchio and visit its characteristic jewelry and goldsmith artisan stores along the Arno river.

Florence Recap:

• Piazza Duomo and Santa Maria del Fiore

• Piazza della Signoria

• Accademia Gallery and Uffizi Gallery

• Artisan workshops by Ponte Vecchio

Continue your journey by leaving Florence early in the morning to reach Rome, the Eternal City, after a drive of just over 3 hours or a 1.5-hour train ride.

Rome is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, with a unique cultural and artistic heritage. To visit the Capital’s main attractions, you can start your tour by walking through the historic center, admiring the churches and buildings, before reaching the Colosseum, a symbol of the greatness of the Roman Empire.

Visit also the Roman Forum, the center of political and social life in ancient Rome, and Capitoline Hill. In the evening, relax in one of the typical trattorias in the charming Trastevere neighborhood, and try traditional and delicious Roman dishes like Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe, or Coda alla Vaccinara.

The next day, make a tour in the heart of Rome and discover the most spectacular places and monuments of the Capital, like Piazza di Spagna, the Trevi Fountain, or the Pantheon.

If you want to go shopping and treat yourself to an elegant and nice break, don't forget to pop into McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Castel Romano. This modern shopping plaza is an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city, a haven where you can indulge in a few fashion whims in an accessible and relaxed way.

If you have time left after shopping, continue to the Tenuta di Castelporziano. This majestic nature reserve, not far from the Outlet, offers a spectacle of natural beauty, including forests, meadows, and lagoons.

Rome Recap:

• Colosseum and Rome's historic center

• Roman Forum and Capitoline Hill

• Trastevere and local cuisine

• Shopping at the Designer Outlet Castel Romano

• Visit to the Tenuta Castelporziano

Finally, let's get to the bustling city of Naples, the birthplace of pizza and gateway to the beautiful Amalfi Coast. The drive takes over two hours, while the train takes just over 1 hour.

Start your tour from the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a labyrinth of narrow, crowded streets that holds architectural wonders such as the Sansevero Chapel, known for its stunning Veiled Christ, and the Duomo, with a chapel dedicated to San Gennaro, the city's patron saint.

History lovers can spend some time at the National Archaeological Museum, which houses one of the world's most important collections of Greek and Roman antiquities. Visit also the Virgiliano Park and Castel dell'Ovo, from which you can enjoy splendid panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

You can’t visit Naples without having an authentic Neapolitan pizza, a Margherita of course, a timeless classic with tomato, mozzarella, fresh basil, and olive oil.

And if you’re willing to go shopping before saying goodbye to Italy? Just 30 minutes away from the center of Naples you can visit the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet La Reggia, where you will find fashion shops for all tastes and amazing offers.

Naples Recap:

• UNESCO Historic center of Naples

• Sansevero Chapel and Duomo (Chapel of San Gennaro)

• National Archaeological Museum

• Virgiliano Park and Castel dell'Ovo

• Shopping at the Designer Outlet La Reggia

So what can one expect from this express tour of 7 days in Italy? Expect a sensory journey that transcends mere tourism and becomes an unforgettable experience.

Then, get ready for the unimaginable. This 7-days itinerary promises a short but comprehensive Italian experience, encompassing the country's most famous art cities and major tourist attractions. With the added benefit of McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, you can indulge in some well-deserved shopping therapy while discovering Italy's rich culture and history.

Now all you have to do is pack your bags and embark on a memorable journey through Italy's fascinating landscapes and most enchanting cities.