Photo: Jebulon / Wikimedia Commons · CC05 Days in Rome and Florence by Train: The First-Timer's Itinerary
Ancient Rome to Renaissance Florence by high-speed train: 3 days of Colosseum, Vatican and Trastevere evenings, then 2 days of Duomo, Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio sunsets. Designed for first-time couples, with where to stay and how to travel between cities.
Pick a style, a budget and a pace — the route and days below re-plan themselves.
16 stops · 10 meals · 2 hotels · 1 transferThis is the editor’s pick.
5 days, 2 cities
From Rome to Florence, with 1 move between cities. The map shows the whole route — pick a day to zoom in.
Rome
Centro Storico · Trastevere · Testaccio & Aventino
- Day 1Centro Storico: Spanish Steps & rowboats in Villa Borghese
- Day 2Trastevere: Janiculum Hill sunset views & Santa Maria in Trastevere
- Day 3Testaccio & Aventino: Orange Garden sunset & Pyramid of Cestius
- Train to Florence · 2h 30m
The iconic steps leading to Trinità dei Monti — beautiful but often crowded, best in early morning.
A trendy wine bar-restaurant with creative Roman dishes and an excellent wine list.
Rent a rowboat on the lake in Rome's most beautiful park — a peaceful escape from the city.
A beautiful Baroque piazza with Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers — perfect for evening strolls.
A beloved deli-restaurant serving exceptional carbonara and wine in a cozy, bustling setting.
A peaceful hotel in Trastevere with a beautiful garden courtyard and comfortable rooms.
Trastevere's golden mosaics and peaceful cloister make this one of Rome's most beautiful churches.
A peaceful botanical garden in Trastevere with exotic plants and quiet paths.
Trastevere's iconic trapizzino — triangular pockets of pizza bianca filled with Roman classics.
The best panoramic views over Rome, especially at sunset — with the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola.
A historic pizzeria in Trastevere with marble tables and excellent thin-crust pizza.
Stay put: it's a 1-minute walk to Santa Maria in Trastevere.
A vibrant local market in Testaccio with fresh produce, street food, and Roman daily life.
Discover Testaccio's authentic food scene, from the market to traditional Roman trattorias.
A romantic orange grove on the Aventine with a keyhole view of St. Peter's — perfect at sunset.
An ancient Egyptian-style pyramid built as a tomb — one of Rome's most surprising sights.
A seafood restaurant in Testaccio with fresh catches and a relaxed local atmosphere.
Stay put: it's ~12 min by taxi to Testaccio market.
Rome to Florence
231 km, rated for speed and cost. For a romantic trip on a comfortable budget at a balanced pace, take the Trenitalia Frecciarossa high-speed. It's the quickest way across, 2h 30m door to door.
Brunelleschi's dome dominates the skyline — climb it for the best views in Florence, then explore the cathedral interior.
Ghiberti's bronze Gates of Paradise are the highlight of this octagonal baptistery, Florence's oldest building.
A boisterous Florentine institution serving hearty Tuscan classics family-style since 1871.
Florence's grandest historic café on Piazza della Repubblica, serving coffee and pastries since 1733.
The iconic bridge lined with jewelry shops — cross at sunset for the most romantic views.
A stretchWorth the trip
Three-Michelin-star Tuscan fine dining in a historic palazzo — a once-in-a-lifetime splurge.
Closer: Ristorante del Fagioli, 3 min out of your way
A cozy family-run hotel in Oltrarno with artistic touches and a peaceful garden, away from the crowds.
A cozy family-run spot near Sant'Ambrogio serving honest Tuscan home cooking at fair prices.
A peaceful rose garden below Piazzale Michelangelo with sculptures and city views.
The panoramic terrace with the best views over Florence — go at sunset with a gelato.
A stunning Romanesque church above the city with incredible views and beautiful mosaics.
A gourmet grocery and lunch counter with exceptional prepared foods and wine.
Stay put: it's a 4-minute walk to rose garden with views.
Bases for how you travel
Ranked for romantic travelers on a comfortable budget. The places this plan sleeps in come first.
Rome
Hotel Santa Maria
A peaceful hotel in Trastevere with a beautiful garden courtyard and comfortable rooms.
Arco del Lauro
A charming boutique hotel in a historic Trastevere building with artistic touches.
Residenza Paolo VI
A simple, clean hotel near the Vatican run by nuns — excellent value and location.
Florence
Hotel Silla
A cozy family-run hotel in Oltrarno with artistic touches and a peaceful garden, away from the crowds.
Plaza Hotel Lucchesi
A refined riverside hotel with Arno views and a rooftop pool, perfectly placed between the center and Santa Croce.
Hotel Balestri
A classic hotel on the Arno with elegant rooms and a rooftop terrace overlooking the river.
Flights to Rome & Florence
Fly into Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
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