Ahh, the land of pizza, pasta, and gelato – what’s not to love about Italy? This boot-shaped country boasts so much to see, that it’s difficult to plan an itinerary for a limited amount of time. So, in an effort to take the guesswork out of it for others, I’ve put together this epic two week Italy itinerary for fourteen glorious days in Italy, now that I’ve visited multiple times. It hits all the main sights – Rome, Florence, and Venice – plus some extras so you can come back home seeing more than the bare minimum.
This guide (prices, links, and all other details!) was last updated in March/April 2024.
Now, I have to warn you. This two week Italy itinerary is super detailed. Like, how-the-hell-do-you-have-time-to-write-all-this detailed. And I did that on purpose. You can go to any old website to get a vague “two nights in here” and “one night here,” bare-bones itinerary for Italy. But those itineraries don’t tell you what to do in each place, or how to get from each city to city. You’d have to go look that up after. But not with this itinerary.
Basically, what I’m trying to say is: get ready for a long article! (About a 30 minute read.) You might definitely want to save this for later right now by bookmarking it or saving it on Pinterest, just in case you don’t finish all in one go. Then, grab a cuppa, sit back, and let’s get to it!
Pssst! Debating a shorter trip to Italy? Definitely skim through my detailed itineraries for ten days in Italy or one week in Italy.
The Perfect Two Week Itinerary
Let’s start off with an overview of this epic, fourteen day Italy itinerary, so you can have an idea what to expect.
Days | City | Overnight In |
Days 1 – 3 | Rome | Rome |
Days 4 – 6 | Pompeii & Amalfi Coast | Amalfi Coast |
Day 7 | Capri | Florence |
Days 8 – 9 | Florence | Florence |
Days 10 – 11 | Pisa & Cinque Terre | Cinque Terre |
Day 12 | Milan | Milan |
Days 13 – 14 | Venice | Venice |
If you’re the average traveler with limited vacation days, I suggest breaking it down like below. This way, you only need to use ten vacation days, but you get fourteen actual days in Italy.
Pssst! Be sure to check out my hotel and hostel guide to match this itinerary’s stops!
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Italy?
The absolute best time to visit Italy is definitely the shoulder seasons of April – May and September – October. This allows you to see everything in comfortable weather, but to avoid the extreme crowds (And heat! And prices!) of the summer. If you plan to swim, aim for September – early October, so that the water has had all summer to get warm.
That being said, I’ve traveled to Italy in the middle of August and still had a wonderful time. So if July and August are the only time you have available, you’ll still have a great trip. Just come mentally prepared for the crowds.
Winter in Italy is generally warmer than winter in central Europe. However, I would avoid winter if possible for this itinerary. There are places that practically shut down out of peak season (Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast). If you can’t stand large crowds, I would also avoid Easter in Rome. Other than that, any time in Italy is a great time to visit Italy!
And finally, just know that Venice is prone to flooding during rain!
If you have more specific questions about your trip timing and what I think, definitely leave a comment at the bottom of this page. I’ll get back to you with my advice. Think of me like a free travel agent…!
Best Way to Get Around Italy?
One of my favorite things about Italy is how ridiculously easy it is to travel Italy without a car. This country gets a lot of slack for being inefficient and disorganized, but you have to admit, they do public transport just fine! This itinerary is completely car-free, relying solely on trains, buses, and ferries.
In my opinion, trains are the best way to travel Italy. This is especially true for your first time in the country. I do have dreams to one day complete a grand Italian road trip. But that is only because, after multiple trips, I now have places on my list that are remote and therefore easier to reach by car. All the more-typical destinations are much easier to visit without the hassle of Italian driving, filling up gas, finding and paying for parking, etc.
One very important tip for train travel in Italy is to always validate your ticket! Otherwise, you will be fined, and the fines ain’t cheap. (Like, truly. The fines are low-key high-key ridiculous.) How do you validate your train ticket in Italy? Simply stick the paper ticket into the machines before you enter the train. It’ll make a noise and time-stamp your ticket. These little validation machines are typically at the entrance to each platform. If you have trouble locating them, just ask a train station employee. If you buy your ticket online or via the mobile app – no need to stress!
In this itinerary, I include all the details and prices for each time you’ll use public transport to move around. I’ve got you covered!
Free Printable 2-Week Italy Itinerary E-Book
But once actually in Italy, you definitely don’t want to be walking around on your phone all trip trying to get to each next spot. So, I’ve made a printable, condensed version of this post with every important detail from this fourteen day Italy itinerary you’re about to read. Just download the PDF, print it double-sided (so four pages total), and you’re good to go for your trip. It even has a map to help you visualize! Click below to get it.
(Finally) The Actual Two Week Itinerary for Italy
Beforehand, I just want to let you know you can do this itinerary in the order I have it or the reverse. Just look up flights and see which direction is cheaper. Also, at the very end of this page, I have a section on how to adjust this itinerary if you need to. Ready?!
Rome
Rome. The Eternal City. This place needs no introduction, since I’m sure you learned plenty about it in school. As the former capital of the Roman Empire and the current capital of Italy, Rome is a mix of old and new like you’ve never seen. Huge, crumbling ruins from 2000 years ago contrast against beeping Vespas zipping through the cobblestoned streets. Try to ignore the street vendors with no regard for personal space selling selfie sticks and whizzing gadgets, and I’m sure you’ll fall in love with Rome as I have.
How to Get to Rome
This is the start of your trip, so you’ll need to fly in. Rome has two airports, so be careful you fly into the correct one. The main international airport in Rome is Fiumicino (FCO). This airport is the further out one. To get to the city center from FCO, you have two options.
- Option 1: Take the train. Follow signs in the airport to the train platform. From FCO, take the Leonardo Express train to Roma Termini train station. This costs €14 (or €40 if bought for a group of four!) and will take 30 minutes. The train departs every 15 minutes, so you shouldn’t need to wait too long. From Roma Termini, you can either walk to your accommodation, or use the Metro to take the subway if your accommodation is further away. Be very careful of pick-pocketers in this train station! Do not accept or ask help from anyone except official employees, and wear your backpack facing your front.
- Option 2: Take a taxi. Taxis from FCO into central Rome are a fixed fare of €50. Make sure you get into an official taxi (they’re white with a sign saying “TAXI” on top) at the taxi pickup line. They should accept card, and you can double check this as well as fare before getting in. This will take 30 minutes, just like the train.
- Option 3: Take a bus to Roma Termini train station. Terravision offers a €6 ticket, and the ride takes 45 minutes.
Rome’s other airport is Ciampino (CIA). This smaller airport is actually slightly closer to central Rome. However, it is only used for budget airline flights within Europe, like RyanAir and EasyJet. If you’re flying here (or anywhere!) with RyanAir, definitely skim through my guide on how to not get ripped off! Once again, you have two options on how to get to central Rome from CIA airport.
- Option 1: Take a bus to (right near) Roma Termini train station. There are multiple options you can explore here. Some include SITBusShuttle for €6 one-way, or Terravision for €6. This ride takes 40 minutes.
- Option 2: Take a taxi. Taxis from CIA into central Rome are a fixed fare of €31. Again, make sure you get into an official taxi at the taxi pickup line and confirm the fare before getting in. This ride takes 30 minutes.
What to Do in Rome (Three Days)
Three days in Rome is the minimum amount of time to “see everything.” Below is exactly how to see Rome in three days. Take it easy on day one, since it’s the day your flight gets in. But feel free to interchange days two and three as works best for you. If you get in way too late on day one, you can tack it onto day three.
Day One
Walking straight through this route as I have it below is 30 min (2km or 1.25 miles), just to give you an idea of total distance on day one. Start at whichever end is closer to you.
- Scalina Spagna: Otherwise known as the Spanish Steps, this beautiful staircase gets busy at night as a popular hang-out spot.
- Trevi Fountain: This is Rome’s largest and most-famous fountain. Prepare for major crowds, and start practicing major patience needed to get your perfect pic!
- Pantheon: Built in 120AD as a Roman (pagan) temple for all gods, it was transformed into a church in 609 AD. Still, everyone calls it the Pantheon, which means “honor all Gods” in Greek. Entry will set you back €5. You can purchase tickets in advance by visiting this site, typing “Pantheon” in the left-hand search bar, and clicking the result.
- Piazza Navona: I’m pretty sure this square is just popular because it’s beautiful! Lots of cafes line the edges of the piazza, which also has two impressive fountains, and a church in between them.
- Largo di Torre Argentina: This is where Roman senators assassinated Emperor Julius Caesar by stabbing him 23 times (dramatic much?) to death in 44 BC.
Day Two
- Colosseum: Gladiators. Need I even say more?! Though it is now in ruins, back in its heyday, this thing sat 50,000 guests and even had retractable shades. Tickets are €16 for this plus the next two sites, plus €2 if purchased online from the official site. This price quote is the highest price, but those 25 years and younger get discounts!
- Roman Forum: These are the ruins of numerous important government buildings during the ancient Roman Empire. It’s so cool walking around, seeing how huge the ruins are, and wondering how it must have been back then – almost 2000 years ago!
- Palatine Hill: This is where all the cool kids lived during the Roman Empire – the aristocrats and emperors and all that jazz.
- Arch of Constantine: This arc, built in 302 AD and the largest surviving one of its kind, is right outside the Colosseum.
- Via dei Fori Imeriali: This street is my favorite part of Rome, especially at dusk! You can look down on the Roman Forum from above on one side and view other incredible ruins on the other. It connects the Colosseum to the next attraction below.
- Vittoriano: This huge, marble building almost doesn’t fit in with its ancient surroundings. But I love it, nevertheless. It is a memorial to Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the united Italy as we know it today.
Day Three
- Vatican City: Technically, this area isn’t Italy! It’s its own country – the smallest country in the world – and it’s ruled by the Catholic Pope. There are basically three things to see while here: St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Museums. St. Peter’s Basilica is free to enter, but dress code is very strict. Make sure your shoulders and knees are covered. This goes for all genders and ages. There is a slow moving-crowd-slash-line to get in, but I found it moved quickly enough when I went. Once in the basilica, you can climb up to the dome for iconic views. To the right from the entrance, there should be a “Cupola” sign. Follow the sign until at the ticket office, where you can purchase a ticket to either climb the whole way for €8 or one to take an elevator partway up for €10. As far as I know, you can only buy tickets (that aren’t with a guide) in person. The Vatican Museums house the world-famous Sistine Chapel. You’ll pay €20 for entry, plus a €5 online booking fee if you book in advance on the official site, which I highly recommend you do. Entry to the Museums is free on the last Sunday of every month. Seeing Vatican City should take up a whole morning.
- Castel Sant’Angelo: Emperor Hadrian originally commissioned this as a mausoleum for himself and his family, but it’s since been used as a fortress, castle, and currently a museum. I didn’t enter the museum, so I can’t recommend entering, but I think this castle over the river just looks so cool!
- Wander: Explore on your own! Get lost! You’ve checked off all the “can’t miss” things everyone else does, but who wants their trip to be just the same as everyone else’s? If you just run around ticking off attractions, I’m not sure you’ll like Rome. But wandering it’s less-crowded streets, strolling along the river, popping into a random church – these are the things that will leave you loving Rome.
What to Eat in Rome
Food in Italy is good just about everywhere. But each region is known for something different, so why not try all your favorite Italian dishes (and some new ones!) right in the specific regions or cities that they were invented? So throughout this guide, I will be listing and explaining some must-try foods from each place you will be overnight-ing. To start, here are some traditional Roman foods to keep an eye out for while in Rome!
- Spaghetti alla Carbonara: This famous Roman dish actually arrived on the Italian scene relatively recently, in the mid-1900s. It is made by mixing whisked eggs and grated cheese into cooked spaghetti, then adding in cured pork, and topping with black pepper and, of course, some more cheese.
- Cacio e pepe: The name of this Roman dish translates literally into “cheese and pepper,” and that’s a pretty good description of what it is!
- Pizza al taglio: While pizza itself was not invented in Rome (don’t worry – you’ll stop by the city where it was born later on in this Italy itinerary!), pizza by the slice, or pizza al taglio, was. But it looks far different to the triangularly-sliced pizza you may be used to back home. Here, the slices are rectangular, and they often come piled high with meats and/or vegetables. It’s considered street food, so it makes the perfect quick lunch if you don’t have enough time for a sit-down meal as you explore the attractions in Rome.
- Supplì: These are another perfect Roman snack to grab while on the go! They are fried, breaded balls of seasoned rice with cheese and sometimes meat inside (essentially, croquettes).
- Bruschetta: This beloved Italian appetizer does not hail from Rome itself, but its origins date back to the Roman Empire, or perhaps even the Etruscans who preceded it. Regardless, as the capital of the Roman Empire, Rome makes a pretty good place to try some authentic bruschetta alla Romana, which is grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil. Of course, no one will blame you if you get the version with tomatoes as well!
Pompeii
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city, famous now for coming to its demise after a tragic volcano eruption. The city, along with nearby Herculaneum, was preserved under all the ash. It has since been excavated, which allows visitors to see a frozen-in-time snapshot of Roman civilization almost 2000 years back!
How to Get to Pompeii from Rome
First, take an early train from Roma Termini train station to Napoli Centrale train station. This takes either one, two, or three hours, depending on what type of train you take! Naturally, the costs are different, too. If you are buying a ticket for the next morning, you can expect to pay €13 for a 3-hour Regional train, €27 for a 2-hour Intercity train, or €48 for a 1-hour Frecciarossa train. If you are buying one month out, the prices for the faster trains drop to €20 for a 2-hour Intercity train, or €25 for a 1-hour Frecciarossa train. And if you buy three months out, the 2-hour Intercity train drops to €15.
Moral of the story? Always buy your long-distance train tickets online as soon as you know your schedule to save money in Italy! If you are taking regional trains, just buy them at the station on the day of, to allow flexibility in case plans change.
OK! So once you arrive at Napoli Centrale, follow signs to the connected underground station called Napoli Piazza Garibaldi. From here, take the Circumvesuviana train for 40 minutes to Pompeii Scavi Station for around €4. (This part was honestly very confusing for me! I accidently went to the Metro 2 area instead of the Circumvesuviana area. So my tip to you is to ignore the Metro 2 signs, and ask for help from staff if you need to.)
At Pompeii Scavi train station, there is a luggage storage service. Drop your bags off here for around €8 per bag. From here, it’s a 5-minute walk to the Pompeii site.
What to Do in Pompeii (Half Day)
The only thing to do in Pompeii is…tour Pompeii! Entrance to this historical site costs €18, and you should plan to spend 2 – 3 hours here. You can buy tickets at the gate in person or online (for an additional €1 fee) at the official ticket site. Entry is free the first Sunday of every month. You can also check opening hours for the month you are visiting on the site.
If there is any place in all of Italy where you need a tour, it is Pompeii! Otherwise, you’re really just staring at a lot of old rocks with no idea why. There are a few options on how to actually know what’s going on in Pompeii.
- You can join a tour group by paying around €12 in cash on the day of. Guides hang out near the entrance, and the ones certified by the region of Campania have official ID badges. A private guided tour will, of course, cost more.
- You can buy an official audio guide set at the Porta Marina entrance for around €8 and tour at your own pace.
- You can get an audio tour for free by downloading Rick Steve’s audio guide for Pompeii. I did the live tour while in Pompeii, but I’ve used his guides for other Italian sites, and I was satisfied! It’s a great way to save money while still getting info.
While Pompeii is the more-popular site due to its much larger size, Herculaneum is actually the site that is better preserved. Personally, I only toured Pompeii, due to time constraints. But if you are a history buff and don’t mind a busy day, consider trying to squeeze both in!
Sorrento
Sorrento is a perfectly charming place, and it boasts seriously beautiful views over the Bay of Naples and Mt Vesuvius (that really destructive volcano way back when). However, its purpose in this itinerary is as a convenient jumping-off point for the Pompeii-Amalfi Coast-Capri area. I recommend using this as a base for the three nights to limit dragging your luggage around. However, if you prefer to be in the heart of the action, you can head straight to Positano (or Amalfi) after getting to Sorrento from Pompeii.
How to Get to Sorrento from Pompeii
Head back to Pompeii Scavi train station and pick up the bags you dropped off. Then, hop back on the same Circumvesuviana train route and ride for 30 minutes and around €3 to Sorrento. It’s the very last stop on the route, so don’t worry about missing it!
What to Do in Sorrento (Half Day)
If you decide to stay in Sorrento overnight or even use it as a base, I recommend simply walking around town at your leisure. It’s a super cute place to window shop (or actually shop), eat, and enjoy views of the Bay of Naples and Mt Vesuvius.
Amalfi Coast
I know all of Italy is stunning, but get ready for some insane beauty over the next few days exploring the Amalfi Coast! Unsurprisingly, this area is filled with lots of couples and is popular as a honeymoon destination. Though the area is named after the town of Amalfi, it is the town of Positano that truly steals the show. This area is a really special place, and it’s impressive to think about how the Italians built the curvy roads and quintesential houses into the steep cliffs.
How to Get to the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento
There are a few options on how to do this. Two of them include an insanely curvy and crowded two-lane road, so keep that in mind as you decide, especially if you’re prone to motion sickness.
- Option 1: Take the bus. This is the most budget-friendly option. Board the SITA bus 5070 from Sorrento (map below for exactly where). It takes either one hour to Positano or 1.5 – 2 hours to Amalfi. Unfortunately, this bus is crazy crowded, even in shoulder months. You’re not guaranteed a seat, so you might have to stand. I actually had to sit on the floor of the bus and couldn’t even enjoy the views approaching Positano *tear*. If you do snag a seat, sit on the right side for better views. Bus tickets cost €10 for 24 hours unlimited rides and are sold at “tabaccherie” (cigarette shops) or newspaper stands in every town on the route. They can’t be purchased on board the bus! I recommend buying yours in Sorrento at the ticket booth at the Circumvesuviana station, since you’ll already pass through here after Pompeii. You can buy them ahead, but the 24-hours starts once you board the bus and validate your ticket. Check out the bus schedule here.
- Option 2: Take the ferry. This is definitely the most beautiful way to pull up to each town. From Sorrento, this is 40 minutes and €18 one-way to Positano and 1 hour and €19 one-way to Amalfi. Though it won’t happen often, ferries get cancelled if sea conditions are too rough, so allow some flexibility in your plans. Below is a map of the ferry station in Sorrento. You can’t tell from the map, but it requires walking down a staircase. Check out the ferry schedules here.
- Option 3: Hire a private car. This is not a cheap option, but might be worth it with a large enough group. You’ll have to search for price quotes online depending on the car size, company, and pick up and drop off locations. But as an idea, a private transfer from Rome to Positano or Amalfi might cost around €500. If you do hire a private car, I recommend including a stop in Pompeii between Rome and the Amalfi Coast. That way, you’re saving a good amount of hassle between all the train transfers, luggage holding, and buses!
What to Do in the Amalfi Coast (Two Days)
These days are totally interchangeable however you please. There aren’t a lot of “attractions,” per se, in the Amalfi Coast. The main thing to do is to just take in the beauty, whether by shopping in the tourist-geared shops, eating with a view, or taking a swim. You really can’t go wrong! But, if you like to have a plan, I recommend you split two days in the Amalfi Coast like below.
Day One
- Positano: This unreal village is the star of the whole area. You definitely want to get here earlier rather than later, if you can, to avoid midday crowds. For the best view, splurge on a meal at Le Sirenuse Hotel’s La Sponda Restaurant.
- The beach: After exploring during the morning, cool off from the midday heat by taking a swim. The easiest option would be the main beach right in front of the town, Marina Grande beach. If you have your own ride or are willing to bus back and forth 35 minutes each way, check out Fiordo di Furore beach. These two beaches are the most insta-famous ones in the area, but there are many more!
Day Two
- Amalfi: This is the town after which the area is named. It boasts a beautiful church, the Amalfi Cathedral, which you can enter for €3. It’s actually pretty cool inside, but the exterior is the main show-stealer, in my opinion!
- The Path of the Gods: I didn’t get to do this, but I really wanted to and had planned to! This hike between Amalfi and Positano takes you along the very top of the cliffs and is supposed to be ahhhmazing. Just Google “Sentiero degli Dei” and follow the route. It starts in Bomerano, which you can reach by SITA bus 5080 from Amalfi. It ends in Nocelle, the upper part of Positano. I definitely recommend doing it this direction, since it’s all downhill, and you’ll get better views. Definitely check out the official page for more deets if you’re interested.
- Ravello: This tiny little village high up in the mountains has the area’s most famous villa – Villa Rufolo. Entry costs €8, and you can take the SITA bus 5110 from Amalfi. The ride takes 30 minutes.
What to Eat in the Amalfi Coast (and Nearby)
These are some traditional Italian foods from the Amalfi Coast and Naples.
- Mozzarella di Bufala: This famous Italian cheese is made from the milk of the Italian water buffalo, instead of milk from cows, like mozzarella without the “di bufala” is. It hails from the region of Campania (the region where Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri are), but especially Salerno, a city just to the east of the Amalfi Coast. A great way to try this item would be in a caprese!
- Lemoncello: You will find this sweet, lemon liquor practically everywhere you look upon arriving in the Amalfi Coast.
- Pasta al Limone: With all the lemons in this area, it’s no surprise they found their way into the pasta dishes as well. This creamy dish with cheese and lemon is so unique and a must try when in the area.
- Anything Seafood: Since this area hugs the coast, get your fill of fresh seafood pasta dishes while in this region!
- Pizza: The birthplace of pizza is Naples, and while you won’t have time to stop for a bite when transferring from Rome to Pompeii, you might have time when transferring from Capri to Florence (covered in the next section of this itinerary). If not, the Amalfi Coast was part of the former Kingdom of Naples, so it’s the next best place to try the Italian staple. Authentic Neapolitan pizza is made in a wood oven (this part is crucial!) with only the simple ingredients of dough, tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, and a couple fresh basil leaves.
Capri
The celebrity-favorite island of Capri makes for the perfect final day in south Italy before your itinerary takes you up north. It’s known for yacht-studded waters, glowingly-blue grottos, and upscale shopping. Maybe just reading this hurt your bank account a little bit… but not to worry! I’ve got you covered with how to visit Capri on a reasonable budget.
How to Get to Capri from the Amalfi Coast
The only way to get to Capri is by boat (it’s an island – duh!). Ferries will be from Sorrento, from Positano, and from Amalfi. Expect €25.50 for a 50-minute ride from Amalfi, and less from the other two.
You’ll need to drop your bags off in storage while you explore.
You should be able to either near the main docks in Marina Grande on Via C. Colombo, to the left of Bar Grotta Azzurra, at a souvenir shop with a “deposito bagaglio left-luggage” sign above the door… or under the funicular station, past the signs for “toilette,” along the tunnel part of Via Acquaviva. This was my plan when I did this trip, but I couldn’t locate either storage place!
Luckily, an Italian waiter came to my rescue and offered to hold our bags in the restaurant all day if we ate at his place. Honestly, I’m sure you would have no trouble arranging the same.
But if you want to be more prepared, another baggage storage option (which I haven’t tried) includes Bounce. You can book in advance online for €5 a day. Just search “Marina Grande, Capri” and select an available location in the Marina Grande harbor.
What to Do in Capri (Half Day)
There is so much to do in Capri that you’d have trouble fitting it all into a single day, let alone a half day. So you’ll have to pick and choose what interests you most from the below. The island’s official site actually has a pretty good itinerary you can follow, too.
- Marina Grande: No need to even add this to your list. You’ll inevitably walk by this colorful harbor-front area after disembarking the ferry.
- Boat tour around the island: This is the best way to truly appreciate Capri’s magnificent cliffs. You’ll also go past Faragolioni, that ultra-iconic arch in the water. Boat tours can also include an add-on of the Blue Grotto. Without the Blue Grotto, expect €21 for an hour-long tour.
- Blue Grotto: This cave is probably the most famous attraction in Capri! Unfortunately though, it’s a bit of a time-suck because of that. We were told we would have to wait on a small, bobbing rowboat for an hour before our turn to enter, so we skipped the grotto, even though our boat tour included it. The only way to avoid the long wait is to be the first ones out, but the best time for viewing is noon – 2pm, so it’s quite the dilemma. Tours departing from Marina Grande cost €18.
- Piazzetta: This is the island’s most famous square. Be sure to stroll down the Via Camerelle while in the area.
- Anacapri: The island of Capri actually has two towns; Capri and Anacapri. Anacapri is less crowded than Capri, and it has more artisanal shops, rather than just high-end boutiques. While here, definitely pass Piazza Vittoria, the main square. You can also ride the chairlift 12 minutes to Mount Solaro for a view (€12), or walk there in 30 minutes.
- Villa San Michele: Entry costs €10 for some spectacular views.
- Gardens of Augustus: From here, you get that classic Capri viewpoint of the Faraglioni. Entry only costs €1.50!
- Marina Picola: If you’d rather spend your half-day relaxing at the beach instead of running around the island, this beach is a classic.
Florence
As the birthplace of the European Renaissance, Florence is known for all things art. It houses world-famous masterpieces, such as the David statue by Michelangelo and The Birth of Venus painting by Botticelli. Personally, I was expecting a bit more from Florence than I got, since everyone and their mothers raaave about it in comparison to Rome. (For the record, I’m staunchly team Rome!) But maybe I’m just not into art enough? That being said, though, it’s definitely still a can’t-miss Italian destination with plenty to do.
How to Get to Florence from Capri
(Psst: You’ll actually be doing this transfer from Capri to Florence on the same day that you visited Capri. Then, the next day, you’ll wake up in Florence to start your two full days there. Just scroll back up to the itinerary summary at the top of this page if you’re confused!)
First, get back to Napopli Centrale from Capri. I recommend taking the ferry directly to Naples from Capri. This will be 1 hour 25 minutes for €12.30 or around an hour for €20 – €25. Then, take a taxi from the ferry station in Naples to Napoli Centrale. When I did this, the taxi cost me €20. I also stopped and picked up a pizza to go while in central Naples. After all, Naples is the exact birthplace of pizza! How could I not?!
Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Capri to Sorrento. This takes 20 or 30 minutes minutes and costs around €21. Then, go up those stairs to the Sorrento Circumvesuviana station, and ride the Circumvesuviana train to Napoli Piazza Garibaldi for 70 minutes and around €4. From there, walk the underground connection to Napoli Centrale. This is a little more hassle – hence why I recommend the ferry straight to Naples – but it’s cheaper.
Either way, once in Napoli Centrale train station, take a direct, 3-hour train to Firenze S. M. Novella train station. Since this is a long distance, don’t even think about taking one of the Regional or Intercity trains! These will set you back 2 – 4.5 hours. Trust me – just book the Frecciarossa train for this route as soon as you have your dates to get the cheapest price you can. As an idea, it will cost €86 if you buy the day before, €35 – €55 (depending on departure time) if you buy two weeks in advance.
What to Do in Florence (Two Days)
Many people recommend considering the Firenze Card, which covers a lot of attractions in the city. For two days in Florence (or even three days in Florence), the card is not worth it. Instead, I recommend purchasing the Brunelleschi Pass. This grants entry into the Duomo, a climb to the dome of the Duomo (the Cupola), a climb to the bell tower (the Campanile), entry into the baptistery, entry into the Duomo museum, and entry into the crypt beneath the church. It costs €30 if bought on the official website.
Now that that bit’s out of the way, here’s everything to do in Florence in two days! I haven’t split it out into separate days here, because I think it’s better if you decide. Do you like to visit one museum a day, or have one single day devoted to all the museums? Do you want to avoid climbing stairs twice in the same day, or do you not care? Do you prefer a viewpoint for sunset, sunrise, or can’t be bothered? These are the things that will determine what you do each day, so I can’t recommend that for you. But don’t worry – most sights in Florence are rather compactly located, so planning a route shouldn’t be an issue!
*Items with an asterisk are totally skip-able if you’re not interested, but I’ve included them since they’re included in the ticket I recommended above. If you want a more-detailed breakdown of the below, plus pictures, check out my full guide on everything to do in Florence.
- Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (aka, the Duomo): It’s the third largest church in the world, was instrumental in the Renaissance, and is the symbol of Florence. Entry is free, but prepare for a massive line at least an hour long.
- Cupola: Bruneschelli’s Dome, named after the architect who designed it, is actually the most impressive part of the entire church. Architecturally, it was the first of its kind. He literally had to invent new tools and architectural systems to do it! Definitely climb up the steps for the view from the top. You’ll have to select a specific time slot, though, when you buy your ticket! Otherwise, you will be turned away and asked to return.
- Campanile di Giotto: Yes you already climbed up the cupola, but there’s another viewpoint! This time, the view is the cupola itself.
- Battistero di San Giovanni: This is the building right across the main cathedral. The Byzantine-like mosaic inside was actually pretty cool in contrast to all the typical-Renaissance paintings. Everyone will be snapping pics of the gold doors outside, but those are copies. The real ones are in the Duomo Museum!
- Duomo Museum*: Since you already paid, it might be worth a quick visit. It will help you understand why all this Duomo stuff in Florence is such a big deal!
- Crypt of Santa Reparata*: This is included in the Duomo combo ticket, which was the only reason I saw it. But once I got there, it was actually much more than I expected! It’s basically church ruins from 405AD inside the main church. The unfortunate thing about the crypt is that you have to wait in the same line as for the free Duomo entry. So definitely time these two activities together!
- Piazza della Repubblica: One of the main squares in Florence.
- Piazza della Signoria: This square has a lot going on! The best part is definitely the Loggia dei Lanzi. It’s basically a free, open-air museum of dramatic sculptures that really should be in one of the museums. (Like really though, I’m super surprised these are just out there!) Also in this square is a copy of the David statue, for those of you who don’t pay to see the real thang.
- Palazzo Vecchio: I didn’t enter except for the free courtyard. But apparently it’s supposed to have a great view of the Duomo.
- Ponte Vecchio: This iconic bridge has become synonymous with Florence itself! It was originally a passageway so the Medicis (a super rich family that basically made Florence….well, Florence) didn’t have to walk with the commoners on their commutes from their palace. Since then, shops have been added and create the look it has today. Prepare for major crowds!
- Piazzale Michelangelo: The best viewpoint in all of Florence – hands down! I recommend trying to time your visit with sunset, but it’s gorgeous anytime. (I went three times in my visit….so I would know.) It requires an uphill walk and is the furthest out you’ll get from the city center. So make the trek worth it! Bring some snacks and hangout for a while like everyone else does.
- Accademia Gallery: Unfortunately, the only reason to enter this gallery is for one piece of art. The David.
Don’t at me, art fanatics.You decide if that’s worth it for you, but y’all know me! I have such FOMO that I had to pay €16 and see for myself. Pro-tip: avoid the lines AND the €4 online skip-the-line fee to book by visiting on one of the days they allow night visits! I got in lickety-split! No one really knows about it, which is why it’s so empty, so let’s try not to tell too many people? *wink* Confirm the night time hours, or book online, here. - Uffizi Gallery: Uffizi actually means “offices” in Italian, which makes sense, because this building used to be the Medici’s offices. Now, it’s a museum, and a world-famous one at that! Its most-famous art piece is the Birth of Venus painting. Entry costs €25, plus €4 for the skip-the-line online booking fee on the official site. Everything I read beforehand swore up and down that wait times are upwards of three hours. But when I went (mid September, early afternoon) there was no line in sight.
- San Lorenzo Market: This is Florence’s most-famous market. Stop by here to shop leather and eat in the indoor food stalls.
- Santa Croce: I didn’t enter this church, since admission was not free, but I do think it’s in a picturesque area and warrants passing by!
- Palazzo Pitti: Normally, palace equals royalty…not in Florence! This palace belonged to the Medicis (shocker). I personally have seen way too many European palaces at this point. So I forwent paying the €16 entry fee (€22 if seeing the gardens as well) and only observed from outside. But I did regret maybe not having arrived earlier in the day than I did, to buy just a Boboli Gardens ticket (€10)! You can purchase online in advance from the official site (the same site as for the Uffizi) for an additional €3 fee, but it was not very crowded at all when I was there.
What to Eat in Florence
These are some Florentine and general Tuscan traditional dishes to try while in Florence.
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina: You will have no trouble finding Florentine-style beefsteak to try in a restaurant in Florence. Keep in mind that since it’s a pretty thick cut, getting the inside well done would be difficult without ruining the outside of the steak!
- Gelato: Yep – everyone’s favorite frozen Italian dessert made from milk, cream, and sugar is from the city of Florence! Now, that absolutely does not mean you should wait until arriving in Florence to try authentic gelato (after all, if you’re not having gelato at least once a day, are you really even on vacation in Italy?). But, maybe it does mean taking a gelato making class at the Carpigiani Gelato Museum?
- Biscotti: These dry, crunchy, oblong-shaped almond cookies are traditionally called cantucci. They originally come from the Tuscan city of Prato, which sits just north of Florence.
- Crostini Neri: Also known by the names of crostini di fegatini and crostini Toscani, this typical Tuscan appetizer is toasted bread with a chicken liver paste spread atop.
Pisa
Is there anything more quintessential Italy than the image of the leaning tower of Pisa? It’s funny how such a famous Italian landmark is from the most random of Italian cities! Luckily, Pisa is a necessary transfer station on the route between Florence and the Cinque Terre, so you lose almost no time making a couple-hour stop to get out of the station, snap your cliché photographs, and get right back on your way.
How to Get to Pisa from Florence
Take a regional train from Firenze S. M. Novella train station to Pisa Centrale train station. This is a 1.25 hour ride and costs €9.30. Once at the train station, head to the luggage storage in the station, and drop off your things for €5 per bag. Check out the storage website. Two other storage options near (but not inside) the station include this and this.
What to Do in Pisa (Half Day)
Personally, because this two week Italy itinerary is so jam packed, I recommend you head straight to the leaning tower, snap your pics, and head back to the train. The walk is about 30 minutes each way, plus I expect you’ll spend about 20 – 30 minutes trying to get that perfect leaning picture. So budget 1.5 – 2 hours for your stop in Pisa. The reason I recommend this is so that you can have as much time as possible in Cinque Terre.
But, if you want more than just a photo, there actually are a decent amount of things to do in Pisa.
- Climb the leaning tower: It’ll cost you €20 and you’ll need to choose a time-slot! The line looked long as I passed by.
- Go inside the Duomo (for free!): You still have to get a ticket, though, and time slots do book out. Do this at the building with all the signs, right by the leaning tower.
- Visit the Baptistery: I didn’t enter, but pictures do look very pretty! This alone will set you back €7, or you can pay €10 or €27 for a four or five-monument combo, respectively. See the official website to understand!
- Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina: I actually know nothing interesting about this church, but I think it looks super cool. Try to walk by it by using Ponte Solferino bridge on your way back to the train.
Also, Pisa is a really pretty Tuscan city! So there’s absolutely no harm in sticking around longer and actually seeing the city of Pisa. You can just budget extra time to walk around before heading back on the train, or even stop for a meal.
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre translates literally into the “five lands” in Italian, representing the five villages that make it up. The villages are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. I highly recommend not choosing Corniglia as a base, only because there is a 350+ step staircase from its train station to the actual village. (Psst: Check out my guide on alternative, cheaper Cinque Terre bases.)
How to Get to Cinque Terre from Pisa
Take a regional train from Pisa Centrale train station to your preferred Cinque Terre village of choice. All journeys will require a train transfer at La Spezia Cenrale station. You might consider using La Spezia as your base, since it might be cheaper, saves some train hassle, and is included in the Cinque Terre Rail Pass (more on the pass later on – don’t worry!). Train times and prices are below.
- Pisa to La Spezia: 75 minutes and €8.40
- Pisa to Riomaggiore (the southern-most village): 1.5 – 2 hours, because it requires a transfer at La Spezia, and €9.45
- Pisa to Monterosso (the northern-most village): 1.5 – 2 hours, because it requires a transfer at La Spezia, and €10 – €12, depending on the time
What to Do in Cinque Terre (One & a Half days)
The main things to do in Cinque Terre are visit all five villages and hike between them. Unfortunately, the iconic trail is susceptible to landslides, which cause parts of it to be closed for reconstruction. So always check here for updates before your trip, so you can have the latest update. The most beloved part of this trail is the part from Riomaggiore to Manarola, called the Via dell’Amore. (It was closed for twelve years due to an avalanche!)
To hike it, you’ll need to pay (unless it’s winter when there’s apparently no one checking). For this itinerary, get the Via dell’Amore + 2-day Train Card. Depending on what date you purchase for, prices are €44 – €69*. This grants you unlimited access to the paid trails – including the Via dell’Amore – and unlimited train travel between Levanto and La Spezia. It also allows you free public toilet usage in the villages and free WiFi at the village train stations. You can buy in person at any train station or information desk, or online. Tickets can sell out, so buy in advance!
* If walking the Via dell’Amore is not worth it for you, consider just purchasing the two-day Cinque Terre Trail and Train Card. It costs €34 – €59 (so €10 less). You get all the other perks – just not entry to the Via dell’Amore. You get all the other perks – just not entry to the Via dell’Amore. You can purchase this ticket on your mobile phone for an additional €1.22.
Besides the hikes, there is no real to-do list of attractions for each village, so just stroll around at your leisure, swim when you feel like it, and enjoy the beauty! If you’re looking to get off the beaten path (literally), I wrote about the free Cinque Terre hikes you can do instead of the paid ones. The views are better, too, in my opinion!
Day One (Half Day)
Riomaggiore and Manarola: After settling in from Pisa, I recommend splitting the remainder of this day relaxing and hanging out in Riomaggiore and Manarola. Start at Riomaggiore. After finishing, head out on the Via dell’Amore towards Manarola. This walk is a little over half a mile (a little under one kilometer). Leave Riomaggiore with enough time to be in Manarola for sunset, to get that cliché Instagram view. That café you see everyone take their pics at? It’s called Nessun Dorma.
Day Two
Hike Monterosso to Vernazza to Corniglia: Finish up the last three villages, and get some hiking in! You can do the hike either direction you please. I highly recommend hiking with your swimsuit underneath, because there is nothing you’ll want to do more after a hike, than jump into that water!
What to Eat in the Cinque Terre
These are some yummy traditional foods to try while exploring the Cinque Terre.
- Pesto alla Genovese: This beloved pasta sauce made from crushed garlic, pine nuts, salt, basil leaves, olive oil, and cheese hails from the region of Liguria (the region where the Cinque Terre are located). More specifically, it comes from Genoa, as the name implies. But anywhere in Liguria is an authentic place to try a pesto dish!
- Focaccia: A warm slice of this fluffy, oily goodness makes for the perfect snack while zipping from village to village, or even a quick breakfast alongside some coffee before heading out for the day. It is made from flour, water, olive oil, salt, and rosemary, so it’s a great option for vegans as well.
- Farinata: Another delicious vegan food to try, farinata is a flat pancake-or-crepe-like food made from chickpea flour. You can pick up a slice as a snack on the go.
- White wine: Especially if you hike the trails between the Cinque Terre, you’ll notice a lot of white grape vineyards scaling the cliffs of this area. So it’s no surprise Liguria is known for its white wines!
Milan
Milan is known as fashion capital of Italy…and honestly not much else! It’s a city many aren’t enthused by, and I wouldn’t recommend it if you only have one week in Italy. But for a two week Italy itinerary, I really do think it’s appropriate. It’s home to the world-famous Last Supper painting, an iconic Duomo…and not a whole lot else! Which, in my opinion, makes a perfect, not-too-hectic stop towards the end of your epic, two week tour di Italia.
How to Get to Milan from Cinque Terre
Take a train from La Spezia Centrale to Milano Centrale. I recommend taking the direct, 3.5 hour InterCity train. Expect to pay around €20 if you book a month out, around €25 if you book two weeks out, and around €29 the day of.
What to Do in Milan (One Day)
- See the Last Supper: Book this is as soon as you can! Tickets to see Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece are available on the official site three-ish months in advance. They cost €15, plus a €2 online fee, and allow you a 15-minute viewing of the famous painting in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. On the first Sunday of every month, tickets are free, so all you would pay is the online booking fee. Unfortunately, official tickets tend to get scooped up on the first day they’re available by tour operators. So if you don’t get a ticket yourself, the only other way is to book a guided tour. These run for around €40 and above.
- Go to the Roof of the Duomo: Entrance to the roof costs €14 on foot or €16 by elevator, but €20 and €25 respectively if you add entry into the church itself. You can purchase tickets in advance on the official site. Remember to be dressed modestly to be able to enter!
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: It’s to the left of the Duomo, and it’s just way too glamorous not to walk through! It’s also Italy’s oldest active shopping gallery. If you fancy a rooftop view of the Duomo, apparently you can take a €12 elevator up to the top.
- Navigli Lombardi: This area of a couple canals is super cute to walk around or eat in the evening!
- Starbucks Reserve Roastery: I’m not even a coffee fanatic, but I just had to pop my head into the first Starbucks in Italy. Definitely the bougiest Starbucks I’ve ever seen.
What to Eat in Milan
- Risotto alla Milanese: No trip to Milan is complete without trying this famous dish! Its yellow color comes from the saffron used, which just so happens to be the world’s most expensive spice – more expensive than gold.
- Cotoletta alla Milanese: This veal cutlet is similar to the Wiener Schnitzel you might be familiar with from Austria, but it is cooked and served with the bone in.
- Panettone: This world-famous Italian sweet bread dotted with candied fruits and raisins hails from the city of Milan. It is especially popular during Christmas and New Years.
Venice
I was worried before getting to Venice that I would hate it. So many people complain about its crowds, its mosquitos, its flooding… The list of negatives seems endless! But after just my first hours in Venice, I really felt like people give it a bad rep. Yes it is way too crowded in the center. But honestly, the crowds are completely justified.
I would describe Venice as: so beautiful, it’s unreal. And can you really blame crowds for flocking to something like that? Try to knock out all the main sights at less-crowded hours. Then spend the middle of the day exploring the rest of the city, where it’s much, much less crowded, but just as beautiful. Do that, and you might just end up liking it!
How to Get to Venice from Milan
Take a train from Milano Centrale to Venezia Santa Lucia. I recommend taking the direct, 2.5 hour Frecciarosssa train if you book a month in advance, when it’s around €29 for the morning train. If you buy closer to the departure date, it’ll be €52. Otherwise, the regional train (the type that costs the same no matter when you buy it) is €21.95, and the transfer in Verona only adds an hour more to your journey.
Once in Venice, you’ll want a vaporetto pass. Trust me – you don’t want to be lugging bags up and down those bridges! If you are 29 years-old or under, I highly recommend buying the Rolling Venice Pass. I wish I knew about it earlier! It costs €6, but in order to buy it, you must also purchase (at minimum) an unlimited three-day vaporetto pass for €27. With the pass, you also get discounts on many attractions, like a €12 discount entrance to the Doge’s Palace! The one-day transport pass alone costs €20, and the two-day pass costs €30, so getting the Rolling Pass quickly pays for itself. You can buy these passes online or in person once in Venice.
What to Do in Venice (Two Days)
Assuming you take a reasonably-timed morning train from Milan, you can get to Venice in the late morning. Add some time for navigating the canals to locate your accommodation, and you basically have a little under two days in Venice. (If that sounds like too little, you can remove the Burano and Murano day trip from the suggested itinerary below. But honestly, you’ll be fine!) If you want a more detailed walkthrough plus photographs of each of the below, check out my article on best things to do in Venice.
Day One
- Piazza San Marco: This main square is where most of the (tourist) action is. Firstly, there’s the Basilica San Marco. It’s €3 to enter, but there can be a very long line most hours of the day, so be careful what time you go. I went in the middle of the day when I saw it was shorter, and was in and out in 10 minutes! If you’d rather not risk it, you can book your time slot online during high season for a €3 booking fee. Large bags are not allowed inside, but there’s luggage storage nearby that the basilica will tell you to use. Across from the basilica is the Campanile (the bell tower). You can take the elevator up it for €10 if purchasing in person, or pay a €2 booking fee to reserve online in advance. If you want to skip the line, it’s the same website as the basilica. There’s also the Doge’s Palace. Entry is €25 if booked over 30 days prior, but only €13 with the 29-year-old Venice Rolling Card I mentioned above. See the official site for more deets.
- Bridge of Sighs: Walk around the Doge’s Palace, making a left turn around the corner along the water. From the first bridge, you’ll see the famous Bridge of Sighs. It’s named so because it connects to the prisons, and prisoners sighed while taking one last look over beautiful Venice as they walked through the bridge to their dooms.
- Rialto Bridge: If you haven’t figured out by now, Venice has a lot of cool bridges!
- Accademia Bridge: This was my favorite bridge, because it has such an amazing view.
Day Two
- Take a half-day trip to Burano and Murano: Honestly, I did find this a little overrated, but maybe I’m just bitter because I got bad weather? I have an in-depth guide on how to visit the islands from Venice, as well as what each island is all about.
- Fondaco dei Tedeschi: This shopping center has free rooftop views of Venice, but you’ll need to book in advance (I recommend at least a day or two prior to get your ideal time slot). It’s located right at the edge of the Rialto Bridge on Calle del Fontego.
- The Grand Canal: The obvious way to float around Venice is on a Gondola. This will set you back €80 per gondola (six people max) in the daytime, or €100 sunset and later. Prices are fixed, so check current gondola prices, and don’t let anyone overcharge you. Alternatively, you can ride the vaporetto between San Marco and the train station, which is free since the vaporetto pass for the Burano and Murano day trip is still valid! I reeeeally recommend timing this during sunset. It’s SO pretty (and a lot less hectic).
What to Eat in Venice
These are some Italian favorites to try that come right from either Venice itself or the Veneto region.
- Tiramisu: This beloved Italian dessert made from coffee-dipped ladyfingers, whip, sugar, mascarpone cheese, and cocoa is not from Venice itself, but rather from the nearby city of Treviso to its north. Nevertheless, anywhere in the region of Veneto is an “authentic” place to try this yummy sweet.
- Risotto al nero di seppia: Some may find the black color intriguing, while others may find it offputting. Either way, squid ink risotto is a must try while in Venice!
- Aperol Spritz: Also called a Spritz Veneziano, you’re sure to spot this bright orange drink all throughout your two week Italy vacation. But this cocktail made from prosecco wine, Aperol, and soda water was actually invented in the Veneto region.
- Belini: Another famous Italian cocktail invented in Veneto – but this time from the exact city of Venice itself. In fact, you can have it right in the very bar where it was invented, Harry’s Bar, in San Marco Square. (But be warned – this is a very expensive way to have it if you sit down at one of the tables there!) This cocktail is made with Prosecco wine and peach purée or nectar.
- NOT PIZZA: If you are looking for an “authentic” Italian pizza, Venice is not the place to have it. As I mentioned above when explaining where you should try authentic pizza (Naples), pizza as it was first invented must be made in a wood burning oven. And Venice has none! Venice is built out of wood, and apparently wood burning ovens were banned after a pretty bad fire in the past. So if you fancy a pizza while in Venice, that’s fine, but know that it’s very far from “authentic” pizza!
How to Get Out of Venice
Alas, your epic two week Italy trip has come to an end! You’ll need to get out of Venice. Venice’s international airport is Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). There are a few ways you can get from Venice’s city center to VCE.
- Option 1: By bus. From the Venice Piazzale Roma ATVO bus stop, ride the bus for €10. The ride takes 30 minutes. Purchase tickets at the ATVO ticket office in Piazzale Roma, from the automated ticket machine outside that ticket office, or online.
- Option 2: By water bus. From any of Venice’s Alilaguna water bus stops at San Marco, Rialto, Fondamenta Nuove, or Guglie, ride the water bus for €15. The ride takes up to 1.25 hours. Purchase tickets onboard the water bus or online for a €1 discount. Private water bus rides are also an option.
- Option 3: By taxi. The fare for this 30 minute ride from Venice Piazzale Roma is around €40. Make sure you get into an official taxi. They should accept card, and you can double check this as well as fare before getting in. You can also purchase online in advance (select “Town > Venice (P.Roma)” for Venice city center).
Hotel Recommendations to Match this Itinerary
It’s been my most-popular request, and I’ve finally completed it! I’ve created an Italy accommodation guide to match this itinerary. In it, I provide housing options that are perfectly located near each train and/or bus station that I use in this itinerary. That way, you don’t have to spend extra money on cabs but don’t have to drag your bag very far either. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Adjustments to this 14 Day Italy Itinerary
- Starting in Venice instead of Rome: You can totally do this two week itinerary in reverse order. However, when you get to Florence and head to the Amalfi Coast, keep the Amalfi Coast portion in the same order. That is, still start at Pompeii and end in Capri. Then, head from Capri to Rome to end the trip.
- Flying in or out of Milan instead of Venice: Venice and Milan can easily be reversed in the itinerary, in case you find a good Milan flight. You’ll just train between Venice and the Cinque Terre instead of Milan and the Cinque Terre. This will, however, add about 1.5 hours to the train journey.
- Visiting Siena instead of Milan: If you already know you have no interest in Milan, consider replacing that day with adding an extra night in Florence. From there, you can make an easy day trip into Siena (or any other town in Tuscany!).
- Visiting Lake Como from Milan: If you can add just one extra night in Milan to this fourteen day Italy itinerary, you can squeeze in a lovely day trip to Lake Como from Milan. I detail exactly how to do it without a tour group and on a budget here.
- Skipping Capri if it seems too hectic: If the half-day in Capri and evening train to Florence sounds too hectic, I don’t blame you. It might be more enjoyable to save Capri for a return trip to Italy. Use the extra day as another day in either the Amalfi Coast, or add an extra night in Florence or Milan for one of the day trips I mention above.
- Day-tripping into Cinque Terre instead of spending two nights: If you want to allocate some days away from Cinque Terre in order to add them elsewhere, but don’t want to forego seeing Cinque Terre entirely, then consider taking a day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence. I explain how to in complete detail in the linked guide. This would mean skipping the stop in Pisa, though!
Any Questions on These 2 Weeks in Italy?
I know that was A LOT! If you’re planning your own two week itinerary for Italy soon and want some personalized advice, drop a comment below with your questions. Whether it’s a two week Italy honeymoon or you’re backpacking Italy two weeks, I love playing travel agent for people!
228 Comments
jonathan
December 12, 2024 at 2:36 PMHi ! Any suggestion on where to spend a few days of rest if we have extra days ?
Thank you 🙂
That Travelista
December 12, 2024 at 6:51 PMHi Jonathan,
I’d say that it depends on your interests! If you’re more into history, perhaps Rome so that you can explore it more slowly. If you’re more into renaissance art and architecture, perhaps Florence for the same reason – so that you can explore it more slowly.
If you want to literally just rest and not move much, I think the two beach-y stops, Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre, would make sense. The Amalfi Coast is quite a bit of effort to get to and around, so adding an extra night or two there would make the trek more worth it and is probably what I would personally choose. This would also allow you to base yourself in Positano or Amalfi instead of Sorrento, if you want, because it would be more worth it if you have more nights than just the 3 in this itinerary. You could hang out at a beach club, hire a private boat one day/evening, just stay at your accommodation all day one day and take in the view if it has a nice balcony, etc.
Hope that helps!
– Em
Stephanie
October 29, 2024 at 1:59 PMHello, I am so glad I came upon your post! I have the two-week itinerary printed 🙂
We will be in Italy (for the first time) from the second half of March through the first half of April and wonder if the weather at that time would cause you to recommend skipping any part of the plan?
Thank you in advance!
Stephanie
That Travelista
October 29, 2024 at 5:15 PMHi Stephanie,
I’m glad to know you like the post!
For me personally, I would only want to experience Cinque Terre and especially Amalfi Coast in warm/dry weather, so I would save those two for another time if I could. As I mention in the “best time to travel to Italy” section of this post, seasonal places like those tend to semi-shut down in the off season, so you’ll also have less available in the way of eateries, accommodation, tours, etc. But, on the plus side, if you don’t care to swim and happen to get decent weather before and during your visit to those spots, you would at least get the benefit of fewer crowds, which both those spots are notorious for.
If you do decide to save them for future trips, you could still head south to Naples from Rome. You could see Naples if it interests you and use it as a base to visit Pompeii, hike the volcano if that interests you, and, if the weather is nice, you could even take a day trip to Capri if the sea is good and/or to Positano.
You could also tack on some extra days to Florence to do day trips to Siena, San Gimignano, Bologna, Pisa, and/or the Tuscan countryside by booking a tour or renting a car for a day. You could also leave Cinque Terre as a last minute option, like Positano from Naples, by doing a day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence, based on the weather while you’re based in Florence.
Hope some of that helps!
– Em
Edwin
September 28, 2024 at 7:50 AMThank you for such a detailed and helpful guide. It is so helpful for first time travellers to Italy and I will use your template for most of my 2 week trip!
Just a question: we (2 adults and 2 children) are arriving in Venice and leaving from Rome. We would like to visit Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre and Rome.
We would like to stay in Cinque Terre for 2 nights to experience there, so would you recommend to go to Cinque Terre from Venice, or go to Florence first then to Cinque Terre and then to Rome? I’m not sure if which option will be easier with the train ride.
Thank you very much!!!
That Travelista
September 28, 2024 at 7:27 PMHi Edwin,
I’m glad to know my guide has been helpful to you!
I’d personally choose Venice > Florence > CT > Rome. This is because there are direct options between La Spezia Centrale and Roma Termini, but going between La Spezia and Venice would require 2 transfers. You can play around with routes for your dates on the TrenItalia site.
Hope that helps!
– Em
Kaitlyn
September 19, 2024 at 11:26 AMHi! This is awesome- thank you so much for all of the valuable information! My finance and I are getting married next August (16th which is a Saturday). We were planning to go on our honeymoon for 2 weeks and use this itinerary, but we now have a wedding the 29th (Friday). We wanted to go to the Amalfi Coast. Do you think this is the one to skip (based on your 10 day itinerary) or is there anything else you would recommend cutting out instead? Thank you so much in advance!! 🙂
That Travelista
September 19, 2024 at 3:31 PMHi Kaitlyn,
Thanks for the kind feedback! And congrats on your engagement!
The way I went adding destinations to my 7 day vs 10 day vs 14 day itinerary is based on what I think is considered most must-see, what is convenient transport-wise, price (Amalfi Coast is the most expensive area in my itinerary), and what can makes sense as a return trip if someone isn’t able to take off 14 days.
But this is all for a reader that I know zero specifics about! And what to skip is dependent on each person.
My very thought when I first visited Positano was actually that it felt made for honeymooners. So I def think it makes sense to keep it in your itinerary, especially since you also say you want to see it. You can cut out Cinque Terre/Pisa + Milan, which would save 3 nights and bring this down to 11 days. That way you would see the 3 main sights (Rome, Florence, Venice) plus Amalfi Coast.
I’m not sure if that’s short enough for you between the weddings. If not, you could also just do Rome (3-4 days) + Amalfi coast the rest of whatever time you have. Then, you could return to the north on a return trip someday. That would let you go a lot slower between Rome (which is the biggest draw in Italy) and the Amalfi Coast (my itinerary is really just the minimum time to see the main things in the area).
Hope that helps! Let me know!
– Em
TT
September 17, 2024 at 5:06 AMHi again Em!
Can I run this by you real quick?
I am visiting Italy for the first time and it will be in the early part of December. Can the following work?
Venice – Milan – Rome – Florence – Siena – Florence
I’m afraid my flights are quite fixed.
That Travelista
September 17, 2024 at 11:13 AMHi TT,
Yes, you can definitely follow that route! You’ll do some backtracking (Florence is smack dab in between Milan and Rome, and Siena is between Florence and Rome). But with regards to trains (or bus in the case of Siena, since the train is further out from the center), they exist and you’ll have no problems following the route you have planned.
Hope that helps!
– Em
Jill Stephenson
September 9, 2024 at 10:57 AMHi there!! Man, this article is the bee’s knees!! Thank you so much for all of the great suggestions and tips!! I’ll definitely have to add a day for Lake Como, otherwise George would never forgive me!! HAHA!!
I’m curious though, Is Sicily not worth visiting? I’ve always wanted to go, but it never seems to make the cut in any itineraries I see. What are your thoughts? If you feel it’s worth it, please suggest a point in the plan to include it – maybe after Capri?
That Travelista
September 9, 2024 at 12:32 PMHi Jill,
I’m glad you like the article!
The short answer is that Sicily is far away from the bigger destinations in Italy and it’s big. So it’s more than deserving of its own two week itinerary. I was actually supposed to spend 2.5 months going around the entire island this summer (which can provide an idea of just how much there is to see, lol!), but sadly had to cancel to come back to the States last minute. So I hope to finally explore it next summer!
From the planning I did for my own trip, I would plan to fly there and spend at least a week to make it worth it. So you can tack it onto the end, or wherever you want to add a flight in.
With just a week, I personally (based on my own interests) would probably fly into Catania and go straight to Syracuse for 2 nights. Then I would do Toarmina 1 day > Cefalu 1 day (can also be day trip from Palermo instead of overnight) > Palermo 3 nights (1 day as day trip to Valley of the Temples, 1 day as day trip elsewhere or as beach day). Then fly out of Palermo. OR the exact reverse. But this excludes the popular Mt Etna hike (day trip from Catania) and a visit to the Val di Noto (day/side trip(s) from Syracuse). So you could switch those in/out for other things.
Hope that helps!
– Em
Dianne
August 31, 2024 at 9:09 AMThis was terrific 👍🏼👏🏼 thank you for sharing so much information!
Would you be able to help me with an itinerary for Arriving Rome Departing Rome… I really would like to see Venice- Burano as my 1st destination then the following I just don’t know what the best order would be. Florence, Almalfi coast, Capri, Milan, Switzerland and Rome as my last destination before leaving. Please help.
That Travelista
August 31, 2024 at 1:28 PMHi Dianne,
I’m glad to know you liked the article!
Sounds like you should probably do something like: Rome > Venice (since you say you want to do it first) > Milan > Switzerland (you may have to add flights in and/or out of Switzerland depending on where in the country you want to see and how many days you have, because the land travel options are time consuming) > Florence > Amalfi Coast > Capri (either as day trip or overnight) > Rome.
I’d consider removing Switzerland as it inconveniences the transportation and it’s a whole country, so it’s worthy of its own trip in the future, if you are able to return to Europe to do that.
Hope that helps!
– Em
Dianne
September 2, 2024 at 9:49 AMHi Em,
Thank you for you quick response and suggestions, I am taking them into consideration and will postpone Switzerland for a future trip. So how would you suggest my travels if I start with Venice leaving out Milan and Switzerland? Again thank you for your insight and help!
That Travelista
September 2, 2024 at 12:28 PMHi Dianne,
Glad to be of help! 🙂
I’d recommend the same route, just leaving out Switzerland and Milan. So Rome > Venice > Florence > Amalfi Coast (Capri as day trip or overnight) > Rome. You can also keep Milan in there, between Venice and Florence. Milan doesn’t inconvenience things via train at all, only Switzerland does.
You can also switch the order of Rome and Amalfi Coast at the end to make it Florence > Rome > Amalfi Coast + Capri > Rome just for flight, if you are OK passing through Rome 3 times.
Enjoy your trip!
– Em
Joanna Daniels
August 27, 2024 at 10:41 AMI am just in the beginning stages of planning a trip for my family of 4 (kids 16 and 12) for our first trip to Italy next summer (early to mid June). I have been searching itinerary’s to mimic for weeks and truly feel as though I hit the jackpot with your site! The thought and detail you have put into this planning it wonderful and so appreciated. Thank you!
That Travelista
August 27, 2024 at 12:01 PMHi Joanna,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share that kind feedback! I’m glad to have been of help. 🙂 Your planning will pay off, and you and your fam will love Italy!
– Em
Samantha
August 25, 2024 at 7:49 PMLove this itinerary. You put so much thought and detail into it. So many great tips. There are a few days we want to make adjustments to. Do you have a version to the Itinerary that can be edited? Thanks!
That Travelista
August 25, 2024 at 8:39 PMHi Samantha,
Thanks for the kind feedback! I really did/do put a lot of thought into how I would recommend people maximize just 14 days in Italy, so I appreciate that. 🙂
I don’t have any editable versions of this article. But when I plan my own trips, I always do it in Google Sheets/Excel. For short trips, like two weeks, I make columns for each day and list out activities underneath in order of morning > evening, adding prices or details I want to remember. I like this because I can easily drag the cells around to reorder stops or even move things into different days as I edit it. So maybe you can do something like that, starting with what you want to take from my itinerary and then adding in what you want to add.
Sorry to not be of more help!
– Em
Samantha
August 26, 2024 at 4:52 PMWhat a fantastic idea thank you! And again this itinerary and details are amazing so thanks!
That Travelista
August 26, 2024 at 9:08 PMYou’re welcome! 🙂
Katie Warf
October 15, 2024 at 1:01 PMHi Em,
I love reading your itineraries in hopes of doing multiple of your trips in the future! You are so detailed which helps ease my overthinking mind!
You mention that you use Google Sheets or Excel to plan your trips, so I just wanted to let you know about Smart Sheets! Smart Sheets is what we use at work to track project plans. It is similar to excel but has many unique features. For instance, they have a project plan template that would be perfect for traveling! You can adjust the headings and subtasks in the template to mimic your travel plans. For instance, your heading could be the first stop on your trip and the subtasks could be the activities you want to do while you are there. Another unique feature of Smart Sheets is that you can also attach links, comments, and files to each row. So, if you wanted to link your hotel bookings, activity tickets, train times, etc. you could attach them directly to the Smart Sheet row! Also, with that specific template, it auto-generates a calendar schedule for you if you put the dates and times in! Smart Sheets are also “live” so you can easily share your Smart Sheets with people going on the trip, and they could have access to all the information and updates! I could also see Smart Sheets being a great way to do cost splitting while traveling since each person can track or see the cost of each item.
Hope this helps you or anyone in the comments with travel planning (or really any type of planning)!
-Katie W.
Conner
August 22, 2024 at 11:35 AMI am flying in to Rome on Oct 4th and will be departing back here to the US on the 19th — I want to take some info from this itinerary but we have decided that we would rather visit the Apulia region IF we decide to go south instead of visiting the Amalfi Coast/Positano. After visiting Puglia, we intend on heading back up north through regions of tuscany and Florence. My biggest questions are what would be the most efficient way to travel from rome to Puglia and how to get back to rome from Lake Como to catch a morning flight.
That Travelista
August 22, 2024 at 3:27 PMHi Conner,
You can take the train from Varenna to Roma Termini, which will require a transfer in Milan. The journey time is 4.5hrs. You can also fly from either of Milan’s airports to either of Rome’s airports. I personally would probably do this the night before.
As for Puglia, the main entry city is normally Bari. You can get there with a direct train from Roma Termini in 4hrs. You can then transfer to the other cities in Puglia with train stations, use buses for day trips to some of the inland sites, etc. You can just play around with the Puglia city names on the TrenItalia site and see what you think.
Hope that helps!
– Em
Dilshad Irani
August 20, 2024 at 4:17 PMSo impressed on this detailed itinerary! Planning trip for the first week of December. I know it will be chilly but that’s when I have time off. My neighbour went last year around Xmas and he said you just need a jacket. I am from Toronto so if its 12-16°C then it should be fine. I was planning the same itinerary as you suggested. But wanted to visit Lake Como. So if I opt out from Capri. How would I travel from Amalfi Coast to Florence. I saw your one day itineary for Lake Como. Will this be feasible if I opt out of Capri and do Lake Como from Milan instead using your same itineary?