collage of amalfi caost and rome landmarks

Italy Itinerary: 10 Days in Rome & Amalfi Coast – The Perfect Primer

Byacalvane

You’re planning your Italy trip. You’ve got 10 days. And now you’re staring at 37 tabs open to different blogs, each with conflicting advice on whether Capri is “worth it” and the real best carbonara in Rome.

Cool.

Here’s the thing:
Most “10 day Italy itineraries” online are either written by someone who went once and filled in the blanks with Google… or they try to cram all of Italy into a week and a half. You end up exhausted, sweaty, and wondering if you even saw Italy—or just hustled from place to place with a phone in your face.

This post won’t do that.
I’m giving you the basics: where to land, where to go, how to move around, and how to keep your days intentional without being rigid.

If you want the full day-by-day breakdown, the restaurants I actually go back to, my hotel picks, transport tips, and everything I’d send to a friend—you can grab the full mobile-friendly itinerary here:

👉 10-Day Italy Itinerary: Rome & Amalfi Coast

First, the Structure

This 10-day itinerary focuses on two icons: Rome and the Amalfi Coast.

Why these two? Because they’re the perfect Italy primer. Rome hits you with ancient ruins, piazzas, and food that ruins all other Italian restaurants for life. The Amalfi Coast slows you down with seaside views, lemon groves, hikes, and tiny villages that feel like movie sets.

Here’s the high-level flow:

  • Day 1–3: Rome – Land, shake off jet lag, eat cacio e pepe, see the classics, and avoid the worst tourist mistakes.
  • Day 4–7: Amalfi Coast – Take the train south, base yourself in Vietri sul Mare (my budget-friendly favorite), explore Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, and hike the Path of the Gods.
  • Day 8–9: Back to Rome – Return for a final night or two, staying in a different neighborhood to see a new side of the city.
  • Day 10: Fly home – Full, happy, and wondering how soon you can come back.

What Makes This Work

This isn’t one of those “wake up at 6am, sprint through every museum, collapse by 9pm” itineraries.

It’s structured, but breathable. Here’s what I’ve built in:

✔️ Smart Train & Transit Tips – How to buy tickets, when to book, and what not to stress about.
✔️ Daily Anchors – Each day has a central focus (Ancient Rome, Vatican, Amalfi boat day) so you’re not zigzagging everywhere.
✔️ Real Recs – No vague “try seafood” suggestions. I give you names of trattorias, gelaterias, and casual spots I’ve personally eaten at (some so good I moved here after my first trip).
✔️ Stay in the Right Places – Trastevere for your first Rome leg. Monti for the second. Vietri sul Mare on the coast. If you know, you know. If not—you will.

Why Not Just DIY It?

You absolutely can.

But if you want to save time, skip the trial-and-error, and feel confident that your trip is grounded in experience—not copied content—you’ll want the full guide.

I made it mobile-first, so it’s easy to use on the go. It’s also got my “Anthony’s Tips” section that covers the kind of stuff guidebooks don’t—like why WhatsApp matters, how dinner actually works in Italy, and why train stations are where pickpockets thrive.

👉 Grab the 10-Day Italy Itinerary here
Built for travelers who want their trip to flow.

Who It’s For

This guide is for people who:

  • Are planning their first trip to Italy and want a smart, realistic plan
  • Don’t have time to become an expert, but still want a trip that feels intentional
  • Want a local-ish experience, even if it’s just for a few days
  • Hate wasting time on logistics and bad meals

TL;DR

If you’ve got 10 days and want someone who’s lived it to show you what actually works—I’ve done the hard part.

You book the flights. I’ll handle the rest.
👉 Get the Italy itinerary here

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