Rome and the Amalfi Coast in 10 Days: The Ultimate Itinerary
From the food and wine to the ancient sites there is no shortage of things to do and experience in Italy. So, how do you know where to start when planning a trip?
When selecting your dream Italian destination you should consider a few things:
What sites do you want to see? (ex: the Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Trevi Fountain, etc.)
Do you want a laid-back feel for your trip or high speed, with action packed days?
How do you want to get around — bus, car, bike, metro, or walk?
This 10-day itinerary begins and ends in Rome, but spends some quality time west in the Amalfi Coast. You will find time to walk through the halls of the Colosseum, toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, taste local limoncello in Sorrento, and soak up the sun in Capri. Regardless if this is your first time traveling to Italy or you are a seasoned globetrotter you are in for a trip of a lifetime!
Language: The national language in Italy is Italian (Italiano).
Currency: The currency in Italy is the Euro. Physical cash is still a very popular form of payment in Italy so we recommend planning to take some Euros with you on your journey.
Electrical Plugs: There are 3 associated plug types for 230V. The plug types used in Italy are C, F and L. We recommend a universal adapter to prepare you for any outlet type that you come across.
Best Time to Visit Rome and the Amalfi Coast
Now, let us first say there is not a bad time of year to visit Italy, but there are several factors that you should consider when planning your visit. The summer is considered to be the peak tourist season in Italy, this lasts from June to August and tourists tend to flock to Rome and the Amalfi Coast around this time. To mitigate large crowds try to aim for May, September, or October when the weather is quite moderate and it is much easier to travel around. For this trip we went in early to mid-October and the weather was still fantastic and warm enough to even swim in the ocean!
10 Day Itinerary for Rome and the Amalfi Coast
Rome, the capital of Italy, is the country’s beating heart of Italy. Located in the Lazio region it’s the country’s largest and most populated city with 2.9 million residents. Formerly the home of the Roman Empire, Rome possesses the highest concentration of historical, archaeological, and architectural heritage in the world, with over 16% of the world’s cultural heritage and 70% of the Italian heritage. So, if you are planning on visiting each of these sites you have to strategize your trip to Rome to fit everything in.
Rome Highlights:
Trevi Fountain
Pantheon
Colosseum
Catacombs
Roman Forum
The Vatican - Sistine Chapel
St. Peter’s Basilica
Piazza Navona
Spanish steps
Day 1: Arrive in Rome
We hope you packed your walking shoes!
Once you’ve arrived at the airport which will likely be Fiumicino Airport (FCO) take the train to Rome Termini, the center city. You can pre-purchase tickets through Omio or buy tickets at the train station. The train ride is about 30 minutes nonstop from the airport to the city. Trains run every 15-minutes to a half hour depending on the travel season.
If traveling to Rome has been a time adjustment for you, it’s best to try to acclimate to the the current time zone right away. For this reason we recommend sightseeing by foot (if possible) on your first day.
Here are some incredible landmarks to checkout as you familiarize yourself with your surroundings:
Spanish Steps: A true iconic landmark in the heart of Rome, 135 stairs separate the Piazza di Spagna at the base and the Trinità dei Monti church. The Spanish Steps are the longest and widest staircase in Europe.
The Pantheon: One of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome. This definitely is a can’t miss when visiting Rome.
Piazza Navona: One of the most beautiful squares in Rome, home to famous fountains the Four Rivers and the Fountain of Neptune.
Trevi Fountain
Rome’s best known fountain and considered a late Baroque masterpiece. According to legend, those who toss coins into its waters will return to Rome. Arrive early or late in the day to avoid the largest crowds.
Tip: To the right of the Trevi Fountain is the Kissing Fountain, known as "Fontana delle Api" or the "Fountain of the Bees." It’s not as famous as the Trevi, but it allows for a great photo op.
Dinner tonight is pasta and wine! Where do we begin with the food in Rome. Great restaurants are plentiful in this city. Pasta is an important element of Roman cuisine. Famous Roman pasta dishes include cacao e pepe, spaghetti carbonara, and amatriciana. Alfredo is famous abroad, but not considered traditional and mostly unheard of in Rome. A traditional meal in Rome is accompanied by Italian red wine. Cincin!
Passport Partners Tip: If you’ve followed us for a while now you might know we are from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Pittsburgh residences love our local sports and it just so happens that there is a Pittsburgh Steelers (US Football) themed sports bar nestled behind the Pantheon close to Piazza Navona. La Botticella is a unique bar that blends American sports culture with Italian hospitality. Holding a reputation as Rome’s Steelers Bar, the pub attracts visitors of all ages and nationalities to experience NFL games while on holiday. You don’t have to be an American football fan to enjoy this fun, lively atmosphere! If you’ve got time - have a pint and enjoy the ambiance.
Day 2: Rome
Rise and shine! Today you’ll be transported back in time to an an era of grandeur and glory as you step foot into the Colosseum. Built around 72 AD the Colosseum was a gift to the Roman people. It was home to the gladiator games as well as hosting dramas, reenactments, and even public executions.
As you walk through the arches and corridors of the Colosseum notice the ancient stone walls. You can almost hear the roar of the crowd that once echoed through the amphitheater. An iconic symbol of Ancient Rome the craftsmanship and structure of the building is a true example and testament to ancient engineering. No trip to Rome can be complete without visiting the Colosseum.
The Colosseum, also named the Flavian Amphitheater.
Fun Fact: The Colosseum was erected as the “Flavian Amphitheater”, after Emperor Vespasian Flavian. Overtime it started to be referred to as the “Colosseum” after the colossal statue of Emperor Nero which stood nearby.
As you exit the Colosseum you’ll find Palatine Hill. Considered the birthplace of the Italian capital, it is believed to have been inhabited since the year 1000 B.C. Palatine Hill offers panoramic views of Rome, including the Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, and Colosseum. To this day, archaeologists continue to uncover new discoveries and layers of history while excavating here.
End your tour today exploring the Roman Forum. Located at the center of the ancient city of Rome and the location of important religious, political and social activities. This site sheds light on how people lived during the Roman Empire time period. You can spend hours walking these grounds, there is a lot to see.
Dinner recommendations for tonight! Try a traditional Roman dinner at a local trattoria. A trattoria is a family-run restaurant, typically serving classic Italian dish and are more casual in atmosphere.
Free time recommendations: Take a wine class! Wine workshops and tastings are very easy to find and there a plenty of options to choose from. Italian wine is our favorite variety of wine. Cincin!
Day 3: Travel from Rome to Sorrento
Say goodbye to Rome — for now! Today we head to the Amalfi Coast. Getting from Rome to Sorrento is easy. There are ample choices of buses and trains to choose from.
Known for its breathtakingly stunning views, Sorrento is perched on top of cliffs that overlook the Tyrrhenian Sea. From here you can also view the Bay of Naples and the famous Mount Vesuvius. A charming old town, tourists flock here for the natural beauty of the coast and the southern Italian city’s culture. Sorrento’s historic center is full of narrow streets and corridors.
Cuisine: The local cuisine is seafood pasta, fresh mozzarella, and limoncello. Sorrento is renowned for its seafood, the jewel in Sorrento’s culinary crown is shellfish. Limoncello is a digestif made from lemon rinds, alcohol, water and sugar is a common alcoholic drink served after dinner.
Restaurants we loved:
Porta Marina Seafood - The best fresh seafood you might ever taste.
Ristorante Da Filippo - Incredible food and service! They will arrange for a car to pick you up and drop you off.
Benvenuti in casa - Family owned and run, everything here was homemade and mouthwatering.
Ristorante 'O Parrucchiano La Favorita - The birthplace of Cannelloni. You will want to make reservations here in advance!
Day 4: Capri and the Blue Grotto
Ferries and boats make exploring the coast a fun and beautiful way to see the Tyrrhenian Sea. Today book a boat tour to see the Blue Grotto and have lunch in Capri.
A magical cave near the island of Carpi, the Blue Grotto is a hole at the bottom of a cave that filters in sunlight. When the light enters the cave it illuminates the sea and gives it a glowing effect. There is usually a line to enter the Grotto and it’s important you have exact change to enter. You will board a small gondola boat, 4 people to a boat plus your guide. When entering the cave you will lay down flat in the boat as your guide pulls you through the entrance using a chain. Once in the cave your guide will row you around and if you’re lucky might even sing you a local Italian tune. On days the tide is too high the Grotto can be closed because it’s impossible to get inside. This is a once in a lifetime moment and a can’t miss.
After you’ve docked in Capri take the bus or a taxi up to the main town of Capri. Spend the rest of your afternoon wondering the picturesque streets popping in and out of boutiques and cafes along Via Camerelle in Capri. If it’s a nice day wonder to the top of Monte Solaro and take the chair lift. It’s about 12 euros roundtrip for adults and gives you the perfect aerial view of the island.
If shopping isn’t your thing you could also choose to relax on one of Capri's beautiful beaches, such as Marina Piccola or Faro Beach.
In the evening, return to Sorrento and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Admiring the views from the city center in Capri.
Day 5: Sorrento
Grab a hot drink at a cafe and appreciate the views.
Today visit the charming Piazza Tasso and tour a lemon grove. Known for it’s lemon groves, there is a plethora of places to check out. In the heart of Sorrento you can join a guided tour in a traditional lemon garden, where you can discover the oval lemon from Sorrento, grown only in the Sorrento peninsula.
In the afternoon, shop, eat, and drink everything Sorrento has to offer. If you’re interested in buying gifts that are unique to Sorrento, stop by the popular Tesori di Sorrento, a colorful market that sells limoncello as well as pottery donned with bright lemons.
The atmosphere in Sorrento is a lot more slow paced than a big city like Rome. Grab a bottle of wine and sit at a café or reserve a spot at a local beach club like Leonelli's or Bagni Salvatore and go for a swim.
Passport Partners Tip! When traveling souveniors can take up a lot of space in your suitcase. If you’re traveling light our favorite thing to collect when visiting a new country is miniature flags. Rather cheap in cost and light to carry, we display these in a vase in our home as a way to remember all of the incredible places we’ve been together.
Day: 7 Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius
Today travel to two of the biggest attractions you can see while in Italy, Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius. Take a guided tour of the ancient city of Pompeii, which was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. See the well-preserved ruins, including ancient streets, villas, and temples, and learn about daily life in ancient Rome.
The tour we chose to do here was: a guided tour of Pompeii with horseback riding at a vineyard on Mount Vesuvius and winery tour – Pompeii Ruins, Horses and Wine.
Inside the city of Pompeii.
How to travel: There are several trains and bus options to get to Pompeii from Sorrento. We like to try various methods of transportation and for this trip opted to travel via private hire car for our travel from Sorrento to Pompeii. After our tour of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius we did take the train, conveniently located right across the street from the entrance of Pompeii to head to Naples.
Luggage Storage: Because we were heading from Pompeii to Naples and eventually back up to Rome we needed to find somewhere to store our luggage. The train station does have some luggage storage lockers however they weren’t big enough for our roller carry ons. Bounce Luggage Storage had a quick and easy solution to this problem for us. If you’ve never used this app we highly recommend it! Bounce makes it quick and easy to discover, book, and store your luggage for those quick trips.
Dinner tonight — pizza in Naples! Commonly believed to be the birthplace of pizza. Known for Neopolitan style pizza aka Naples-style pizza, is a style of pizza made with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
If you’re a Julia Roberts fan stop by L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele. You may recognize this restaurant from her movie Eat, Pray, Love. This is a tourist destination so if you choose to stop here be prepared to wait in line.
Day 8: Naples
Explore the historic center of Naples. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this site dates back to 470 BCE and carries layers upon layers of civilizations. Admire the Royal Palace and Church of San Francesco di Paola. Stroll through the bustling streets of Spaccanapoli, filled with shops, cafes, and historic sites.
In the afternoon check out Castel Nuovo also known as Maschio Angioino. This is a medieval castle located in front of Piazza Municipio and the city hall. Its scenic location and imposing size makes the castle one of the main architectural landmarks of the city.
Pizzeria Brandi
Grab a pizza at Pizzeria Brandi — Birthplace of a classic pizza, Margherita. According to the restaurants history, the famous Neapolitan pizza made of tomato, mozzarella and basil was loved by and named for Queen Margherita.
In the evening walk along the seafront to the Castel dell'Ovo, enjoying the views of the sun on the Bay of Naples.
Tomorrow we take the train back to Rome!
Day 9: Vatican City
Today’s adventure requires a dress code. When visiting Vatican City there is a dress code that visitors should adhere to out of respect for the city’s religious significance. Here is what you should know: No hats, appropriate footwear (no bare feet), covered shoulders and knees, and no low cut tops or sheer clothing. The Vatican reserves the right to deny entry to anyone that does not follow the dress code.
Passport Partners Tip: Keep a scarf in your bag if you’re carrying one that can go over your shoulders if you’ve got a sleeveless top on that you think might not meet the dress code.
Tickets for the Vatican tours sell out well in advance. Be sure to plan ahead for this part of your travel.
Once you arrive to Vatican City spend some time marveling at the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo's masterpiece, the Pietà. Walk through the Vatican Museums, admiring art and historic artifacts collected throughout history. Here is where you will find the famous Sistine Chapel. Visited by millions of tourists from all over the world each year this famous fresco was was painted by the incredible Michelangelo.
Options for tonight:
Hire a professional photographer. While we all take pictures we will cherish for a lifetime on our phones, we have found that booking a photographer to capture our memories is a great way to minimize our phone time during travel. Finding a photographer can be easy and quite affordable and the quality of the photos you get is usually better than using a selfie stick!
Head back to the Piazza Navona to take in the street performers and beautiful Baroque fountains. Grab dinner or an Aperol Spritz at a nearby restaurant and enjoy the sights and sounds of Rome.
Day 10: Farewell Rome
Enjoy your final day in Rome and catch a late night flight.
If there are any last minute things you want to do or see now is the chance. You’ve had a busy trip, but there is always time for a last minute adventure. Store your luggage at your hotel or using a Bounce Luggage Storage Location and hit the town.
Today check out the Roman Catacombs. The catacomb tours are the best way to explore the hidden side to a city so famous for its historical, religious and artistic landmarks. Get underground to see the darker spookier side to this ancient city. If you’re interested in Ancient Rome, this is a great way to learn about how the Romans handled death and burial.
Optional Alternative: Visit Castel Sant Angelo — The exterior beauty of the monument and the grandeur of inside is breathtaking. When you enter inside Castel Sant’Angelo you will get an idea of how Rome has changed over a period of 2000 years.
It’s time to go home! Head to the airport via train, taxi, or ride-share. Spend some time reflecting on this amazing adventure.
Safe Travels!
Passport Partners Pro Tips!
State owned museums in Rome are free on the first Sunday of each month.
Bring a water bottle! Fresh water is available at drinking fountains around the city. There are over 2000 ancient water fountains called nasoni that constantly run and good to drink.
Don’t dine at restaurants overlooking major monuments. We found these restaurants to be tourist traps and better food can be found at restaurants off the beaten path.
Getting Around in Rome
There are so many options for getting around in Rome. There’s something about knowing you’re traveling down the streets filled with history that can be so exciting. Here are several ways to navigate the city:
Walking: Rome is an incredibly walkable city. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes! If you’re visiting the Roman Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain walking allows for an enjoyable way to see the sights.
Metro: For those interested in public transportation, Rome has 3 metro lines and an extensive bus network. Tickets can be purchased at stations or newsstands. If choosing to take the metro be aware of pickpockets! Crowded places allow for more opportunities to lose your belongings.
Taxis: Official taxis with meters can be found near many of the major attractions. If you are near a hotel you can also use their taxi stand or call a reputable taxi company for a ride.
Ride-Share: Apps like Uber and Free Now are available in Rome.
Bicycles: Bike rentals can be found throughout the city and even at some hotels. Be sure if you are renting a bike to stick to the bike lanes.
Car Rentals: Best for day trips out of the city, we don’t typically rent cars when public transportation is an option, but it’s good to know all of your options!
Trains: Booking tickets in advance for high-speed trains can save you time. The main translations are Termini (central hub), Tiburtina, and Ostiense.
How to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast
From rental cars, trains, buses even taxis there are a lot of options for traveling inside Italy. So, when deciding on how to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast really depends on your budget and how much you want to spend. The most expensive option being a rental car and the most affordable option being travel by bus. We chose to travel by bus to save money to spend on other experiences during the trip.
Passport Partner Travel Tip! If booking train tickets, make sure to book tickets in advance. These tend to get booked up well in advance of the actual date.
Stay Safe: Essential Tips for Traveling with Confidence
Pickpocketing is always a concern in crowded tourist areas. In Rome you should be particularly aware of your belongings when visiting the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Vatican City, and Colosseum.
Anti-theft measures you can take is to use crossbody bags or objects that secure your belongings with buttons or zippers and avoid displaying valuables openly.
You should also be aware of the “bracelet scheme” while visiting Italy. This scam is so common and it seems so innocent but you need to avoid this scenario. What will happen is a person that seems friendly will approach a tourist and try to tie a friendship bracelet around their wrist. Once the bracelet is tied the once friendly individual will demand a payment for the bracelet they have just “gifted”. The scammer’s actions will immediately turn aggressive or they may try to intimidate you for not offering payment. You will see this scam happen in tourist-heavy areas and travelers should politely decline any attempts to be entered into this scam.
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