Discover Italy in 2 weeks. Visit classical destinations such as Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Rome, Cinque Terre and the Amalfi coast.
Two weeks in Italy are probably the minimum time needed to give you a fair view and feeling about this wonderful country: you should be able to see many of Italy highlights and spend a decent time in each one of them.
This Italy in 2 weeks itinerary is based on my experience, personal tastes and on a tight 2 weeks schedule (reasonable days in brackets). I’m assuming you will purchase an “open jaws” ticket (meaning: landing and departing in two different airports), to save valuable time. A round trip would imply at least half a day more.
I tried to use train / public transportation as far as possible, and showed (in brackets) average transfer times.
However, you may wish to rent a car, especially to explore Tuscany at your own pace, and to discover beautiful hamlets off the beaten path. If this is the case, I recommend you have a look at www.rentalcar.com, and book your car as early as possible, to ensure availability and to get the best rates. It’s an aggregator, and allows you to compare offers from the main car rental companies.
These are just ideas, with optimized logistics. Days to be spent in the different places can be modified based on your tastes and interests. Feel free to mix everything up, it’s your Italy in 2 weeks very personal trip!
Destination 1: Venice – (2-3 days)
Ferry Boat in Venice + a lot of walking (and maybe a romantic gondola ride ). Of course Rialto, San Marco and Palazzo dei Dogi, but also fancy Museums like Punta della Dogana . If you are travelling with kids, have a look at a child oriented itinerary. On the third day visit Murano, Burano and Torcello (1 day, by ferry).
Venice main highlights, and especially San Marco church, suffer from very long queues. To skip the line and to know more about its masterpieces, a guided tour could be a clever option. Click here for a good San Marco guided tour.
Where to stay in Venice:
- The Foscari Palace: enjoy a room on the Canal Grande, just in front of Rialto market
- The Hotel Pausania: a charming hotel in the off the beaten path Dorsoduro Neighborhood.
Want more choice? Click here to find the best places to stay in Venice
Destination 2: Florence (1-2 days)
The length of your stay in Florence will depend on how much time you wantto dedicate to Florence Museums.
Key highlights are Uffizi, Michelangelo’s David (in Galleria dell’Accademia, the one in front of Palazzo Vecchio is a copy) , Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce, San Miniato, piazzale Michelangiolo, Via Tornabuoni, Palazzo Pitti, Boboli, Fiesole (20-30’ out of town). Have a look here for a one day walking itinerary.
You may consider a guided tour, to better appreciate Florence history and culture. If you would be interested in taking a guided tour, or to skip the line in the main museums, just follow the link.
Where to stay in Florence:
The Grand Hotel Cavour: lots of atmosphere and history for this fascinating hotel located between Santa Maria del Fiore and Palazzo Vecchio. The roof bar will seduce you with its fantastic views over the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral.
Want more choice? Click here to find the best places to stay in Florence
Destination 3: Florence >> Pisa (Lucca) >> Cinque Terre (1 day).
It takes a little less than 3 hours to go by train from Florence to the Cinque Terre area, via Pisa. Lucca is half an hour from Pisa by train. If you decide to visit also Lucca, you could consider spending the night in one of the two towns (I personally prefer Lucca).
Destination 4: Cinque Terre.
It’s worth spending 1-2 days at Cinque Terre, but should also visit Portofino and San Fruttuoso (convenient boat services/tour available). Sestri Levante, lovely little town located between Portofino and the Cinque Terre could be a good Base. Don’t use a car, parking is a nightmare. (2 days).
Destination 5: Cinque Terre – Siena / Tuscany country side.
Here you could consider renting a car, to provide you with all the freedom you want to explore this fascinating countryside. Tuscany country side >>> Rome. Chianti, Monteriggioni, Siena, Montalcino, Val d’Orcia, Pienza, Montepulciano >>> Rome. (1-2 days, even more if you like the countryside and the good food).
This itinerary assumes you rent a car, by far my suggested option. In case you didn’t feel comfortable driving on Tuscany country roads, then you can use Florence as a hub and join Tuscany country side guided tours. Here are my recommended ones.
Where to stay in Tuscany: Monteriggioni (Siena)
- The Hotel Monteriggioni: a charming and romantic hotel, located in a fortified medieval village
- The Castel Pietraio, a true medieval castle, now four star hotel, to treat yourself like a king
Destination 6: Rome (3-4 days or more).
You don’t want to have a car in Rome; walk + hop on – hop off buses (follow this link to reserve on line, no need to print the receipt). Bicycles or scooters, if you dare, are fantastic solutions! Spanish steps, Piazza Navona, Panteon, Fontana di Trevi, Campo dei Fiori, Old Ghetto, Trastevere. St Peter (consider climbing on the Cupola) + Vatican Museum (RESERVE! queues are terrible – click here if you wish to reserve your visit with Ticketbar).
Mercati di Traiano, Fori Imperiali (including Orti Farnesiani), Colosseum, Palatino are unmissable destinations, and for this reason may be crowded. Purchasing the ticket in advance is a clever way to skip the line and to save time .
Don’t miss Trastevere + Isola Tiberina (very lively area in summer time, funny & crowded). Appia antica + Catacombs (best by bike, you can rent one in via Appia), medieval Rome and its underground treasures. If you are a running fanatic, don’t miss Villa Borghese and the awesome Borghese Gallery. Villa Adriana and Villa D’Este, both in Tivoli (30 km from Rome) make a pleasant day trip out of town .
Where to stay in Rome:
- The Hotel la Lumiere, a delightful hotel hidden a few blocks away from the Spanish steps, in posh via Condotti. Great roof top, have your breakfast while admiring Rome century old roofs!
Want more choice? Click here to find the best places to stay in Rome
Destination 7: Rome >>Naples/Sorrento (2/3 days).
You can sleep in Naples or, better, in Sorrento. Visit Pompei, Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, Capri. Naples is also worth a visit. You can use public transports: boat service between Sorrento and Positano is very convenient, while buses, especially to Ravello, could be extremely crowded (consider sharing a taxi with fellow travelers). Renting a car could be an option in high season, but car parks are very expensive (and driving on the costiera is an experience on its own!).
Looking for a hotel? Click here to find the best places to stay in Sorrento
For more info about Amalfi coast visit my posts: Capri: breathtaking Faraglioni and Natural Arch walking tour and Best of Amalfi coast
Enjoy your Italy in two weeks itinerary!
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Thank you for the post and a wonderful blog! I am using your itinerary for our first trip to Italy.
Tks Phoenx, enjoy Italy!
I must state that yours is a very well written blog. We spent two weeks in Italy’16 and very much followed an itinerary similar to what you have proposed. However we added Milan as our flight out was from there. We did not include CT as we had read that cramming CT to a 2 week trip in Italy would have been rather hectic. We are middle aged and wanted to take things rather laid back. Mine was a complete DIY trip and I thought I should share my experience with other first- time would be travellers to Italy. So I have started a very hands- on kind of travel blog which is almost 75% complete.diytravelexperiences.wordpress.com. Glad if you can critique the same and hope that others will visit my blog and benefit.
Regards.
Dhiraj
Hi, nice blog. I particularly liked the hands on tips and the “myths about Italy”!
Hi grateful for visiting my blog and thanks a ton for your comments.
Good luck.
Regards.
Dhiraj
Hi- we are taking our 2 boys in 2018. My favorite is Venice and my husband loves the Amalfi coast. Is this doable in 2 weeks adding CT, Pisa, Pomeii and Rome?
How old are your boys? Children have their own pace, and need time to relax and play, on top of visiting. By the way, you are not mentioning Florence and Tuscany, unless you have already seen them you may probably wish to spend some time there.
So, coming back to your question: yes, you can do it:
Day 1: getting to Venice, check in, relax
Day 2-3: Venice and the lagoon (Murano, Burano)
Day 4: Venice >> CT (this will take close to one day, change train in Milan)
Day: 5-6 CT
Day 7: CT >> Pisa (visit the leaning tower, reserve in advance!!!) Sleep in Florence
Day 8: Florence >> Rome (1,5 hours) >> Check in, city center walk (look for my post for detailed itinerary)
Day 9-10: Explore Rome
Day 11> Rome – Sorrento Check in, relax (yu may squeeze Pompei in day 11 if you leave early)
Day 12: Visit Pompei (or Capri if you already seen Pompei on day 11)
Day 13: Visit Amalfi coast: Positano, Ravello, Amalfi (renting a car could be a good idea)
Day 14: Back to Rome & fly home
In my opinion, this is doable if your children are at least 8-9 and used to travel, otherwise too tiring.
Hi, thank you so much for this. It looks like your first flight coming in drops you off in Venice, but tell me at what point do you take another flight other than back home, is there one needed at all other than home?
Hi Arlene, you don’t need any additional plane for this itinerary, you can just use trains.
I’m available in case you need any help for your Italy trip planning.
You can also follow delightfully Italy Facebook page for additional travel inspiration https://www.facebook.com/delightfullyitaly/
Enjoy Italy!
Hi, we are headed back to Italy for our second trip. We will have 2 weeks and starting from London. We would like to spend a few days in Amalfi Coast and also Tuscany. Maybe Milan, CT, Lake Como, Naples. Not sure how to plan this. We will not be going to Venice or Pompeii or Pisa as we already did this. Would appreciate any help.
Sure Lydia, with pleasure. I will send you an e-mail with some suggestions.
Would love to see this itinerary!
Hello. We are planning trip to Italy beginning of June this year. I was thinking 2 weeks and would like to visit the following places Venice, Milan, Florence, Amalfi Coast, CT, Pompeii and Vatican. Is this doable in 2 weeks. I am flying from Tampa, FL and was thinking of arriving in Milan or Venice and then come back home from Rome or Naples. Or do it the other way around arrive to Naples or Rome and come back from Venice or Milan. Any thoughts?
Hi Ana, would fly to Venice and come back from Rome, or the other way round, depending on the air rates. Will send you additional details on your mail.
thank you for your blog it is very helpful. few questions, what is the best way for transportation between the 7 destinations? is renting a car for the whole trip possible or you recommend taking the train? also flying back the last day from Naples or Rome what you suggest. thank you!
Hi, I recommend to use the train, and hire a car only to visit specific areas such as Tuscany. The reason is taht trains are much faster and taht you are not allowed to use private cars in city centers such as Rome or Florence (and of course you don’t need a car in Venice!).
If you can find a suitable flight from Naples (meaning: good time slot and not too expensive) then a flight from Naples makes a lot of sense.
Hi Jean, thank you for the blog – very helpful!! Would love to get your recommendation on a 14 day travel with 2 kids, 3 & 11 in July. We love the beaches and would like to visit few historical sites. We are flying into Milan. I was thinking about renting a car, driving down to CT, Pisa, Florence, train to Rome/Naples/Amalfi Coast. Any recommendations? Kids love train rides. I thought a car would be convenient to do things at your own pace. Thanks!
Hi Brian, thanks for your appreciation! I’ll send you a separate mail with my views and suggestions
Hi Jean, I wish to also have the same trip plan exactly like Brian. Flying into Milan and flying out from Rome for a 14 days travel, but in December. Appreciate your advice as well. Thanks.
Hi, I just answered to Brian specific points, I didn’t design a bespoke plan. For a 2 weeks itinerary you can get inspiration from my “Italy in 2 weeks” post or subscribe to my Italy Trip Planning” service.
Hi Jean love your Blog , I’m flying in to Rome with my Husband and meeting my Brothers . We have 4 days booked in Rome and then 10 days who knows , I really like to be organised my Brothers want to wing it . What’s your thoughts on this and best places to go .. thank you Karen
Hi Karen, the needed level of organization and pre-booking depends on three factors:
A) when you are planning your trip: if you are planning to come in low season (ie, winter), not much need to plan ahead, in July and August you may hardly find decent accommodation and trains availability
B) Were you are planning to stay, mainstream destinations: Venice, Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Amalfi coast get overbooked long ahead, while off the beaten regions (Apulia,marche, …) are less crowded
C) Your visiting ambitions: if you want to limit your visit, say, to Rome, Tuscany and Umbria, then you have a reasonable amount of time to decide day by day where to go and stay, also based on availability. On the other side, if your plan is to squeeze the mainstream destinations in 14 days (Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Venice, …), then you need to design an optimized itinarary and make sure the logistics is fixed much ahead.
Hope this is useful. Enjoy your visit and don’t hesitate to contact me should you need some help on your trip planning.
We are planing for three weeks in Italy in either may or September. Starting in Milan and ending in Sorrento and fly to back to the US from either Naples or Rome . the second week of our trip we plan on staying in Greve in Tuscany for a week and travel from there. Any suggestions.. Thanks.
Hi Mike,
I would rather choose September, weather should be nicer and it’s a better period to visit the vineyards.
Milano deserves 1, max 2 days, from tehre you can get to Como Lake in one hour by train (train to Varenna, then ferry to Bellagio)
You may want to have a look at my post about Chianti, there’s lots of information about what to do, where to sleep…and where to wine taste!
Once you are finished with Tuscany, take a high speed train to Naples, and start your Amalfi coast exploration from there. Try to dedicate one day to visit Naples, it really deserves it. Do spend a night in Capri (avoiding the week end), it’s a magical place and for a real off the beaten path experience the island of Procida will seduce you (no tourists there, just colored housed and a lost in time feeling). Even though Sorrento is a perfect hub to visit the area, in my view it’s not the most beautiful place to stay, I would rather select Positano.
These are the first things that come to my mind. If you wish help on your Italy trip planning (select best accommodations, optimize logistics, select the unmissable experiences) don’t hesitate to contact me, I’ll be more than happy to help.
Thank you for your quick response. We travel to Italy almost every year and rent an apartment in a small town just south of Florence. (Qurco)..The name of the place is Le Torri. This coming trip we are going to rent a car and drive from Milan down south and visit friends in Rome and Lake Bomba In Abruso.. then on to Sant Agata del golfi near Sorrento. then depart either from Naples or Rome depending on the flights.
I would like to know if you know a good route and any good bed and breakfast places on the way. We come there to visit the people and and and enjoy your beautiful country and try not to stay at large hotels. Thanks again. Mike
Thanks for a great itinerary, am using it as a foundation for our first trip to Italy!
Hi Douglas, apologies for the late reply. I’m glad you liked my suggested itinerary. In case you need any further help for your trip planning don’t hesitate to contact me.