Italy in 8 Days: 4 Recommended 8-day Itineraries to Italy

- Ella Catterall
- From England
- Ella Catterall
- From England
- Emily Plimmer
- From England
- Maddie
- From Australia
Italy 8-day Itinerary Options
Itinerary #1: Highlights of Italy

Overview | Activity | Overnight | |
Day 1 | Start your trip in Venice. | Arrival | Venice |
Day 2 | Morning orientation walk of the city and free afternoon to explore Venice at your own pace. | City sightseeing | Venice |
Day 3 | Transfer to La Spezia. | Transfer | La Spezia |
Day 4 | Visit Cinque Terre by foot and train. | Exploration | Cinque Terre |
Day 5 | Transfer to Florence and local visit. | Transfer | Florence |
Day 6 | An extra day to visit the unique art and architecture of Florence. | Exploration | Florence |
Day 7 | Transfer to Rome and local visit. | Transfer and sightseeing | Rome |
Day 8 | Bid goodbye to Italy. | Departure |
This 8-day Italy trip gives you a chance to see the gondolas placidly carrying people from one side of Venice to the other, enjoy the view of the Mediterranean Sea across one of the main walking paths in the colorful sea towns of Cinque Terre, and explore the cradle of the Italian Renaissance, Florence. Marvel at the beauty of San Marco Square in Venice and see the work of the most famous Italian artists, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello, and Michelangelo, to conclude your Italy trip in Rome. Savor a gelato while sitting on the majestic Spanish Steps, enjoy the view of the world-renowned Trevi Fountain, and learn everything about ancient Rome while visiting the Pantheon and Colosseum.
Itinerary #2: A Journey Through Matera, Lecce, and Beyond


Overview | Activity | Overnight | |
Day 1 | Start your Italy tour in Matera. | Arrival | Matera |
Day 2 | Tour Matera and its Sassi district. | Exploration | Matera |
Day 3 | Visit the seaside town of Polignano a Mare and head to Alberobello. | Exploration | Alberobello |
Day 4 | Free day (optional to choose between a visit to Monopoli or Castellana Caves). | Leisure day | Alberobello |
Day 5 | Oil tasting experience and pasta-making demonstration in Ostuni. | Food toue | Ostuni |
Day 6 | Visit Otranto before heading to Lecce. | Exploration and transfer | Lecce |
Day 7 | Free morning followed by a guided tour of Baroque Lecce. | Sightseeing | Lecce |
Day 8 | Farewell to Italy. | Departure |
This 8-day tour in Southern Italy is designed to immerse you in the culture and natural beauty of this unique region. It includes visiting the Baroque city of Lecce, renowned for its majestic churches, such as the Basilica di Santa Croce, and its ancient Roman amphitheater. You will also get the chance to admire the beauty of the Mediterranean coast with visits to beautiful seaside towns such as Ostuni, where you will join an olive oil tasting experience. Also, see the beautiful trulli, traditional dry stone huts with a corbelled roof in Alberobello, and visit Polignano a Mare, located on the edge of a craggy ravine and renowned for its picturesque streets. The tour ends with a visit to the enchanted city of Matera, the 2019 European Capital of Culture renowned for its ancient houses carved into bare limestone. See all Italy tours.
Itinerary #3: Walking in Puglia & Matera

Overview | Activity | Overnight | |
Day 1 | Tour starts in Alberobello. | Arrival | Alberobello |
Day 2 | Enjoy a stroll over the Itria valley hills followed by a visit to the wine town of Locoronto. | Town exploration | Locoronto |
Day 3 | Morning visit to Ostuni followed by an afternoon walk through local groves and vineyards and a trip to Agnano Archeological Park. | Exploration | Locoronto |
Day 4 | Free day for a sightseeing tour. | Sightseeing | Locoronto |
Day 5 | Morning coastal walk and transfer to Matera. | Transfer | Matera |
Day 6 | Visit Matera’s Rock Churches Park, followed by a guided tour of the Sassi District and local wine and product tasting. | City sightseeing | Matera |
Day 7 | Enjoy a stroll on the Cammino Materano followed by a final visit to Matera. | City sightseeing | Matera |
Day 8 | Final farewells. | Departure |
This itinerary takes you to the stunning hilltop city of Locorotondo, renowned for its delicious wine. Get lost in the vineyards of the Itria Valley and head to Alberobello to see the ancient trulli huts. During this 8-day Puglia itinerary, you will also visit the town of Ostuni, popular for its centuries-old churches and the beautiful Agnano Archaeological Park. Next, head to Lecce, known as the Florence of the South, and popular for its unique architecture with over 40 churches and palaces. End your 8-day Italy trip in Matera, a charming town renowned for its ancient cave dwellings, which have been inhabited since the Paleolithic age. See all walking holidays in Italy.
Itinerary #4: Wine, Walks, and the Renaissance


Overview | Activity | Overnight | |
Day 1 | Tour starts in Pancole. | Arrival | Pancole |
Day 2 | Stroll on the famous Via Francigena followed by a local wine tasting. | Wine tasting | Pancole |
Day 3 | Walk in Radda in Chianti. | Walking tour | Chianti |
Day 4 | Visit Siena and join a learn everything about wines in a local wine school. | Wine tasting | Chianti |
Day 5 | Enjoy a free day and visit other Chianti villages or relax by the pool. | Relaxation | Chianti |
Day 6 | Visit the Italian Renaissance, Florence and take in the beauty of the city. | Exploration | Florence |
Day 7 | Walk to San Gimignano and afternoon wine tasting. | Wine tasting | Tuscany |
Day 8 | Farewell to Italy. | Departure |
If you are a wine lover, this tour is for you. Begin your 8-day Italy itinerary, with a walking tour of the famous Via Francigena, an ancient path connecting the town of Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano, renowned for its ancient towers resembling modern skyscrapers. Travel to the medieval city of Siena and visit its many museums and the stunning Cathedral, before heading to a local wine school to learn about Tuscany wines and try a few different varieties. This tour will also take tourists to several local hilltop villages, such as San Gimignano and Radda in Chianti, home to the delicious red Chianti wine, and Florence, renowned worldwide for its Renaissance architecture. See all wine tasting vacations in Italy.
Need help planning a trip to Italy for 8 days?
While you can easily spend a lifetime visiting Italy without getting bored, with a well-designed itinerary, you can see the top attractions of Italy in just eight days. Whether you want to visit the lesser-known region of Puglia with its trulli and spectacular seaside towns, head to Tuscany to visit Medieval hilltop villages and try delicious wine, or see the popular cities in the country, our 8 days in Italy tours can make that possible.
If you are looking for more Italy 8-day itinerary options, contact our travel experts for a customized trip to Italy. For a seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit Italy. For ideas, check out our guide on how many days to spend in Italy.
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