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5 Days in Italy
20
items Exploring Rome, Pisa, Pompeii, and Florence on your own!
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(This list contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you purchase through them. This is at no cost to you)
Map
Sections
7
Transportation
Accommodation
Rome Attractions
Florence
Pisa
Visiting Pompeii
Transportation
Airport, taxis, trains, and buses (Rome, Florence, Pisa, Pompeii)
Visited Italy in April 2025. Due to the Pope's funeral earlier that day, security was high, the airport was packed, and it took over 3 hours to exit the airport!
By then, I had already cancelled by pre-booked taxi and was wondering how I was going to make my way to my hotel in Ostia di Lido.
What I found is that Italy is very tourist friendly. Even if you know no Italian, you can easily find your way around because the main cities are geared for tourists and people are helpful.
By then, I had already cancelled by pre-booked taxi and was wondering how I was going to make my way to my hotel in Ostia di Lido.
What I found is that Italy is very tourist friendly. Even if you know no Italian, you can easily find your way around because the main cities are geared for tourists and people are helpful.
Rome Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" Airport
I found getting a taxi in Rome to be surprisingly easy.
I had already cancelled the pre-booked taxi from the FCO airport to Ostia di Lido so I followed the taxi signs to the exit. Outside the airport, there were already a few taxis waiting for passengers.
Taxi waiting areas in Rome are clearly designated and are conveniently located outside the airport, train stations, and sometimes every few hundred meters, so you rarely have to wait.
The taxis are metered and operate late into the night, which had been especially convenient when the trains had stopped running to Ostia di Lido
I had already cancelled the pre-booked taxi from the FCO airport to Ostia di Lido so I followed the taxi signs to the exit. Outside the airport, there were already a few taxis waiting for passengers.
Taxi waiting areas in Rome are clearly designated and are conveniently located outside the airport, train stations, and sometimes every few hundred meters, so you rarely have to wait.
The taxis are metered and operate late into the night, which had been especially convenient when the trains had stopped running to Ostia di Lido
Taxis in Rome - Rates, taxi companies and numbers
The Rome public transport system, including the metro, is very efficient and super simple to use.
Tickets can be purchased from several places, but I found it simplest to get my ticket from the ticketing machine just before the train platform.
You can choose how many days you want your ticket to be valid for, and the ticket covers the local train and bus routes.
I only needed line 1 and 2 routes which were between Ostia di Lido and Rome Termini Station, and I only changed trains once on my route at Rome Termini.
FYI…If you are planning daytrips by train, you can board the Trenitalia high speed trains and the regional trains at Rome Termini Station.
Tickets can be purchased from several places, but I found it simplest to get my ticket from the ticketing machine just before the train platform.
You can choose how many days you want your ticket to be valid for, and the ticket covers the local train and bus routes.
I only needed line 1 and 2 routes which were between Ostia di Lido and Rome Termini Station, and I only changed trains once on my route at Rome Termini.
FYI…If you are planning daytrips by train, you can board the Trenitalia high speed trains and the regional trains at Rome Termini Station.
Rome Public Transportation
The high-speed and regional trains are a blessing and make it easy to do multiple day trips from Rome, or whichever city you are using as your base.
Whether you plan to head to Pompeii, Florence, Pisa, or even Venice, there is a train heading your way. I booked the trains through the online app only 24 hours in advance with no issues with availability in March.
Whether you plan to head to Pompeii, Florence, Pisa, or even Venice, there is a train heading your way. I booked the trains through the online app only 24 hours in advance with no issues with availability in March.
Explore Italy with Trenitalia trains
I think the best way to ensure you take in all the sights in Rome is with the hop-on hop-off bus service. These busses cover most of the major attractions are clean, efficient, and run every 15-20 minutes.
You can buy your tickets for one or more days in advance which would make it easier to plan your route. Alternatively, you can find tickets for sale at kiosks or through the bus provider's employees at the stops near the major attractions.
You can also opt to use the metro trains. For example, there is a train stop in front of the Colosseum, another near Trevi Fountain, etc.
I purchased my hop-on hop-off ticket from a salesperson about 50 meters from the Colosseum entrance. It was one of my best decisions during this trip.
You can buy your tickets for one or more days in advance which would make it easier to plan your route. Alternatively, you can find tickets for sale at kiosks or through the bus provider's employees at the stops near the major attractions.
You can also opt to use the metro trains. For example, there is a train stop in front of the Colosseum, another near Trevi Fountain, etc.
I purchased my hop-on hop-off ticket from a salesperson about 50 meters from the Colosseum entrance. It was one of my best decisions during this trip.
City Sightseeing Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Accommodation
Rome, Ostia di LIdo
I opted to use Ostia di Lido as our base for two reasons. One, I love beach hotels, and two, I only needed to take one train to get to Rome Termini Station which was my connecting station for all my train trips, local and regional.
There are numerous beach hotels to choose from but we stayed at a small hotel called Hotel Sirenetta in a sea view room. The hotel is within walking distance of the trains station, and getting into Rome by train is a breeze.
The trains can get very full because of commuters heading to and from work and school, Expect full trains, with barely any standing room on the weekend as well.
If you decide to stay in Ostia di LIdo, make sure to keep an eye on your return times as the trains do not run all the way to Ostia in the evenings on some days. This is not an issue, though, as taxis are everywhere.
There are numerous beach hotels to choose from but we stayed at a small hotel called Hotel Sirenetta in a sea view room. The hotel is within walking distance of the trains station, and getting into Rome by train is a breeze.
The trains can get very full because of commuters heading to and from work and school, Expect full trains, with barely any standing room on the weekend as well.
If you decide to stay in Ostia di LIdo, make sure to keep an eye on your return times as the trains do not run all the way to Ostia in the evenings on some days. This is not an issue, though, as taxis are everywhere.
Hotels.com: Book Homes, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals Worldwide
Rome Attractions
I think I could have spent the entire 5 days in Rome - it is so packed with history.
This was an attraction that I was not expecting when I exited Flaminio station.
It is about 3.5 km from Flaminio station to the Colosseum. The plan had been to start at Flaminio station and walk to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and the Colosseum. The take a taxi to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon.
It was a blistering hot day and I felt, and probably looked, like a wilted daisy by the time the salesperson for the hop-on hop-of bus crossed paths with me near the Colosseum.
It is about 3.5 km from Flaminio station to the Colosseum. The plan had been to start at Flaminio station and walk to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and the Colosseum. The take a taxi to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon.
It was a blistering hot day and I felt, and probably looked, like a wilted daisy by the time the salesperson for the hop-on hop-of bus crossed paths with me near the Colosseum.
viator Piazza del Popolo
We were greeted by the azaleas on the Spanish Steps that were in full bloom.
The mainly pink blooms, with a sprinkling of white, divided the path up the stairs.
It was a beautiful and very tranquil setting.
At the foot of the Spanish Steps, on your left when you are facing the Steps, you will find the Keats-Shelley Memorial House. We were unable to visit as it was closed on the day of our sightseeing, but it is definitely worth a visit.
The mainly pink blooms, with a sprinkling of white, divided the path up the stairs.
It was a beautiful and very tranquil setting.
At the foot of the Spanish Steps, on your left when you are facing the Steps, you will find the Keats-Shelley Memorial House. We were unable to visit as it was closed on the day of our sightseeing, but it is definitely worth a visit.
Tickets & Tours - Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna), Rome
This Baroque masterpiece is a must-see. It looks smaller, but more beautiful, in reality.
This is another site that gets very crowded people just standing around enjoying the ambiance.
The area is also a great place to grab breakfast or to buy some pastries from the bakeries in the area. We got some amazing fruit from a street vendor that ended up travelling with us to Paris for the next leg of our holiday.
This is another site that gets very crowded people just standing around enjoying the ambiance.
The area is also a great place to grab breakfast or to buy some pastries from the bakeries in the area. We got some amazing fruit from a street vendor that ended up travelling with us to Paris for the next leg of our holiday.
Trevi Fountain
Definitely, definitely book a ticket for the Colosseum. It is also sold as a combined ticket for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
These attractions are next to each other, and you will have enough time to visit all the sights at your leisure.
Be prepared for crowds, queues, numerous stairs, steep inclines, and loads of walking.
These attractions are next to each other, and you will have enough time to visit all the sights at your leisure.
Be prepared for crowds, queues, numerous stairs, steep inclines, and loads of walking.
Tickets & Tours - Colosseum, Rome
The Vatican City and Sistine Chapel are still on my bucket list because I was unable to visit it.
I arrived in Rome on the day of the Pope's funeral. This impacted access to the sights, with the Sistine Chapel being closed as it was being used for the conclave to elect the new Pope.
I just dove by in the hop-on hop-off bus and left the visit on my bucket list for my next trip to Italy as I still want to visit Venice and the Amalfi Coast.
I arrived in Rome on the day of the Pope's funeral. This impacted access to the sights, with the Sistine Chapel being closed as it was being used for the conclave to elect the new Pope.
I just dove by in the hop-on hop-off bus and left the visit on my bucket list for my next trip to Italy as I still want to visit Venice and the Amalfi Coast.
Sistine Chapel, Vatican City | Book Now Tickets, Tours & Experiences
Florence
The city of bridges, known for its art and architecture
Florence is a place of bridges and museums. One could spend days in Florence lost in its museums and architecture.
I only had 6 hours, so I went to the Uffizi Galleries, Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze, and I took a walk along the Arno river before heading to Pisa for a couple of hours. Because I did not know how long I would be in Florence, I purchased my ticket to Pisa at the train station before departure without any issues.
Remember to buy your museum tickets in advance and stick to the entry times you are given. This makes it easier to navigate the crowds and will substantially lessen your wait time.
Stay over in Florence if you can, as an extra day or two will make this Florece-Pisa experience a lot more relaxed while allowing for different daytrip adventures.
I only had 6 hours, so I went to the Uffizi Galleries, Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze, and I took a walk along the Arno river before heading to Pisa for a couple of hours. Because I did not know how long I would be in Florence, I purchased my ticket to Pisa at the train station before departure without any issues.
Remember to buy your museum tickets in advance and stick to the entry times you are given. This makes it easier to navigate the crowds and will substantially lessen your wait time.
Stay over in Florence if you can, as an extra day or two will make this Florece-Pisa experience a lot more relaxed while allowing for different daytrip adventures.
THE TOP 10 Museum Tickets & Passes in Florence (w/Prices)
Pisa
Famous for its leaning tower, you only need a few hours for visit the main square
The leaning tower of Pisa is a must-see.
It is a short train ride (about 45 minutes) from Florence plus a leisurely walk from the train station to the tower.
It can get very crowded, so be prepared to wait to enter the Duomo di Pisa. Thankfully, you can distract yourself with gelato and my favorite strawberry granita while you wait.
My purpose for going to Pisa was purely to visit the leaning tower of Pisa and Duomo di Pisa.
If you are staying in Pisa or Florence, there are a number of other tours and excursions that you could partake in from a 4x4 marble tour or horse riding to pasta-making or an organic wine farm tour.
It is a short train ride (about 45 minutes) from Florence plus a leisurely walk from the train station to the tower.
It can get very crowded, so be prepared to wait to enter the Duomo di Pisa. Thankfully, you can distract yourself with gelato and my favorite strawberry granita while you wait.
My purpose for going to Pisa was purely to visit the leaning tower of Pisa and Duomo di Pisa.
If you are staying in Pisa or Florence, there are a number of other tours and excursions that you could partake in from a 4x4 marble tour or horse riding to pasta-making or an organic wine farm tour.
THE TOP 10 Pisa Tours & Excursions in 2025
Visiting Pompeii
Standing in the shadow of a volcano - a Roman city frozen in time
It was amazing to see what has been uncovered at the archeological site, from cooking utensils and earthenware to wall murals and floor and roof tiles.
We were also shown storefronts and cooking areas and were allowed to walk across elevated ramps to get a bird's eye view of the excavations and restorations that were taking place.
It was quite easy to get to Pompeii from Rome. I took a Trenitalia train from Rome Termini station and changed to the regional train to Pompeii Station at Napoli Centrale station. If you can wave down a person and show them your ticket, they will point you in the right platform.
Upon arriving at Pompeii Station, the bus that was supposed to take me to the archeological site had not arrived, so I took a shuttle for EUR2 to the archeological site. The shuttle operator said that there was no need to purchase a bus ticket as shu...
NOTE: There are several tour operators that offer day trips to Pompeii with Sorrento or Positano, travelling by bus or minivan. You can opt for this if you want a more structured experience.
We were also shown storefronts and cooking areas and were allowed to walk across elevated ramps to get a bird's eye view of the excavations and restorations that were taking place.
It was quite easy to get to Pompeii from Rome. I took a Trenitalia train from Rome Termini station and changed to the regional train to Pompeii Station at Napoli Centrale station. If you can wave down a person and show them your ticket, they will point you in the right platform.
Upon arriving at Pompeii Station, the bus that was supposed to take me to the archeological site had not arrived, so I took a shuttle for EUR2 to the archeological site. The shuttle operator said that there was no need to purchase a bus ticket as shu...
NOTE: There are several tour operators that offer day trips to Pompeii with Sorrento or Positano, travelling by bus or minivan. You can opt for this if you want a more structured experience.
THE BEST 20 Tours & Excursions in Pompeii, Italy (Prices from $30)
Essential Travel Gear
Best travel essentials to ensure an amazing travel experience
Keeping your bag organized is super important, especially when you are doing multi-city or, like I did, multi-country trips.
A luggage organizer goes a long way towards helping you find things easily, keep your clothing neatly separated, and saving you the hassle of digging through your bag looking for items that have rearranged themselves during your flight, especially wh...
In my attempt to keep things plastic-free, these were the best alternative that I could find. Unlike the conventional micro-plastic shedding varieties, the Coyuchi packing set is plastic free but smaller.
Made from organic cotton, each set consists of two 10 x 6 x 4” (25.4 x 15.24 x 10.16 cm) and two 11 x 9 x 4 1/2” (27.94 x 22.86 x 11.43 cm) and are perfect for organizing your bag.
A luggage organizer goes a long way towards helping you find things easily, keep your clothing neatly separated, and saving you the hassle of digging through your bag looking for items that have rearranged themselves during your flight, especially wh...
In my attempt to keep things plastic-free, these were the best alternative that I could find. Unlike the conventional micro-plastic shedding varieties, the Coyuchi packing set is plastic free but smaller.
Made from organic cotton, each set consists of two 10 x 6 x 4” (25.4 x 15.24 x 10.16 cm) and two 11 x 9 x 4 1/2” (27.94 x 22.86 x 11.43 cm) and are perfect for organizing your bag.
Coyuchi Conserve Organic Packing Cube Set
Quality sleep is important no matter where you are.
I have trouble with light creeping into my room when I travel, so my simple hack is a silk sleep mask.
Super soft and comfortable to use, it is a travel essential that will ensure sleep quality is not disrupted by unwanted hotel-room light.
I have trouble with light creeping into my room when I travel, so my simple hack is a silk sleep mask.
Super soft and comfortable to use, it is a travel essential that will ensure sleep quality is not disrupted by unwanted hotel-room light.
TheSleepGuard Pure Silk Sleep Mask 22 Momme
There is a lot of walking if you are visiting sites like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pisa, Florence, Vatican City, and Pompeii.
A good walking shoe, that supports the planet as much as it supports your feet, is a great investment.
The All Birds Tree Runners is a definitive choice for comfortable walking, especially in hot weather. Its upper is crafted from responsibly sourced eucalyptus tree fiber, a material renowned for its exceptional breathability.
The open knit design allows air to flow freely, keeping your feet cool and comfortable all day long. Lightweight and flexible, this shoe feels like a sock with support.
It wicks away moisture to keep you dry and is made by a certified B-Corp committed to sustainable innovation. It is a perfect fusion of intelligent design and natural materials.
A good walking shoe, that supports the planet as much as it supports your feet, is a great investment.
The All Birds Tree Runners is a definitive choice for comfortable walking, especially in hot weather. Its upper is crafted from responsibly sourced eucalyptus tree fiber, a material renowned for its exceptional breathability.
The open knit design allows air to flow freely, keeping your feet cool and comfortable all day long. Lightweight and flexible, this shoe feels like a sock with support.
It wicks away moisture to keep you dry and is made by a certified B-Corp committed to sustainable innovation. It is a perfect fusion of intelligent design and natural materials.
Women's Tree Runner Shoes
A reusable water bottle is a must.
There are taps for tourists to refill their water bottles at most of the major attractions.
If you run out of water, you can always buy more water but in the more remote areas like Pompeii, queues can be long.
Having a water stash when you are sitting in a train for an hour or two can be very helpful too.
Preferably opt for glass bottles with a protective cover for safety, hygiene and sustainability.
There are taps for tourists to refill their water bottles at most of the major attractions.
If you run out of water, you can always buy more water but in the more remote areas like Pompeii, queues can be long.
Having a water stash when you are sitting in a train for an hour or two can be very helpful too.
Preferably opt for glass bottles with a protective cover for safety, hygiene and sustainability.
PROBTTL Borosilicate Motivational Glass Bottle
The Italian weather can be unpredictable, from blistering sun to high winds.
Be prepared for anything with a windproof umbrella that also protect you from the sun.
Be prepared for anything with a windproof umbrella that also protect you from the sun.
REPEL Windproof Travel Umbrella - Compact & Strong
Memories matter. Take along a lightweight, digital camera to capture crisp and clear pictures and videos to preserve your memories.
Although a mobile phone camera can serve the purpose, it does not really match the crispness and clarity that you would get from a digital camera.
I opted to only take my phone with me on my trip, and I am still regretting it. There were so many sights that had deserved better equipment.
Although a mobile phone camera can serve the purpose, it does not really match the crispness and clarity that you would get from a digital camera.
I opted to only take my phone with me on my trip, and I am still regretting it. There were so many sights that had deserved better equipment.
8K 88MP Dual-Lens WiFi Camera w/16X Zoom