The Perfect Two Week Italy Itinerary

The Perfect 2-Week Italy Itinerary

Italy is one of those places that you absolutely have to visit at least once in your lifetime. While you may have seen the ancient landmarks of Rome, the rippling canals of Venice, and the high-end fashions of Milan on TV, that’s nothing compared to experiencing the same places in person.

Italy’s landscape is so diverse that you’ll swear you’re traveling across different countries during your Italy trip. From sun-dappled vineyards that stretch on for miles and undulating fields of lush green grass to colorful villages perched on the sides of cliffs and urban catwalks lined by impressive architecture, Italy is a phenomenal place of beauty. 

There are so many dynamic cities and charming villages just waiting for you to explore. Whether you want to spend your vacation uncovering the country’s remarkable history, indulging in some of the most delicious cuisine in the world, lounging on sun-kissed beaches, or shopping for beautiful designer clothes, Italy ticks all the boxes.

Putting together your own 14-day Italy itinerary can be a serious challenge. There are just so many must-see places in Italy that it can feel completely overwhelming just getting started. 

To help you out, we’ve done all the hard work for you and created a fun-filled travel guide you can use to explore the very best that Italy has to offer. As an added bonus, we’ve also included some tips to ensure your adventure gets off to a great start! 

Two Weeks in Italy

Preparing for Italy

As long as you’re planning to spend less than 90 days in the country, you don’t need a visa to get into Italy. All you need is a passport that’s valid for a minimum of 3 months after your departure date. It also needs to be issued within the last 10 years. 

These rules are accurate for most countries, including the US. But to avoid any unwanted hassle, it’s always worth checking official sources to determine the paperwork you need according to your nationality.

Italy’s currency is the euro. It’s possible to exchange your money for euros before you leave home, but it’s a better idea to wait until you land before getting euros. All you have to do is find an ATM and withdraw euros directly using your debit or credit card. This method is reliably cheaper than using money exchanges.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to use cash at all, you really don’t have to. Pretty much everywhere in Italy, from big attractions to tiny minimarkets, accepts all major credit cards. However, you’ll sometimes find American Express cards are the exception and are not accepted.

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Things to Know Before You Go

Preparing for Italy: Perfect Two Week Itinerary

If you’re planning on using Google Maps to get around, make sure you download an offline version. In some parts of Italy, particularly Venice, the buildings are really tall and made from super thick bricks. GPS can be really hit or miss in these areas, and if you get lost in Venice, you’ll be spending the rest of your 2 weeks in Italy trying to find your way back to your hotel!

Using public transport is the best way of getting around Italy. But if you ever travel by train, it’s essential you validate your ticket before you get on. To do this, look around the station for a green and yellow machine. 

When you see it, place your train ticket below the scanner to have the date and time stamped before you get on the train. A lot of people don’t know about this, and you could end up with a hefty fine if you get stopped.

Forget about buying bottled water. Carry a refillable bottle with you and be on the lookout for drinking fountains in town squares. Venice, Florence, and Rome all have free drinking water available for everyone from these fountains.

Book your tickets in advance. A lot of tickets for the best places to go in Italy sell out days, weeks, and sometimes months in advance. When you’ve decided on an itinerary, buy your tickets as soon as possible online and start getting excited! 

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Getting Around Italy

The airport you’ll arrive at depends on where you’re traveling from. Fiumicino (FCO) Airport in Rome has the best connections and is the one you’ll most likely land at. You can reach your first destination via train, metro, cab, rideshares, or bus, whatever you feel most comfortable with.

The cheapest, easiest, and most convenient way to explore the best places in Italy is to travel by train. Some trains go as fast as 185mph, which is way faster than you could ever achieve in a car. Train stations are plentiful throughout Italy, and you’ll find them located in the centers of cities and towns across the country. 

Exploring individual cities and towns is best done via metro, bus, and on foot. While a speedy ride on the metro will get you to your destination super fast, you won’t see much. By taking a bus ride or walking there, you’ll get to see a lot more of the area that you otherwise would have missed.

If you’re used to getting around via ridesharing apps, you may struggle a bit in Italy. While Uber is available in major cities such as Rome, Milan, and Turin, it’s not available everywhere. It’s worth checking on the app where you can use it before you make solid plans. 

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Italy Itinerary: 2 Weeks to Explore the Highlights of the Country

Rome – 3 Nights

2 Weeks in Italy Itinerary: Rome

The first stop on your 2-week trip to Italy is Rome. Also known as the Eternal City, Rome is where you’ll find some of the most spectacular landmarks in the world that date back thousands of years. 

Combine ancient wonders with delicious pizzerias, cool rooftop bars, impressive art galleries, and marvelous monuments, and this city is an amazing place to kick off your trip. Check out our 3-day Rome itinerary

Rome Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour

Things to do in Rome

Take it easy on your first day and get used to the time change. Take a walk around the area surrounding your hotel, soak up the Italian atmosphere, and get a feel for the Roman city. When you’ve got your energy back, spend a day exploring the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. 

Priority Access to the Colosseum

With the rest of your time, take a walk down the Spanish Steps and make a wish at the Trevi Fountain. Check out the amazing work of art hidden inside the Pantheon and discover even more masterpieces inside the Vatican Museums. For a spooky end to the beginning of your journey, check out the Capuchin Crypt.

Get a Vatican Museums Ticket

Getting to Rome

2 Week Italy Itinerary: Rome Fiumicino Airport

The simplest way to get to Rome is to start your vacation by flying into Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). This airport has excellent connections to major cities across the world. No matter where you’re staying in the Eternal City, you’ll be able to reach your starting point at any time of day or night via train, metro, bus, taxi, or rideshare app.

Private Transfer from Rome Fiumicino Airport

Getting Around Rome

Despite being home to so many of the most incredible Italy attractions, Rome is a pretty compact city. Because traffic can be a nightmare, we don’t recommend you rent a car. Instead, we suggest you get around via the metro and bus.

If you’re feeling energetic, Rome is a pedestrian-friendly city, and you can work your way around a lot of the biggest attractions on foot. If you ever get tired, you can pop into a restaurant for a glass of prosecco and a slice of pizza.

Where to Stay in Rome

As you’ve only got such a short time in the city, we suggest staying as close to the center as you can afford. The area around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona is ideal, as you can walk to most of the major sites. 

Piazza di Spagna is also within walking distance of a lot of the city’s best attractions, and it’s where you’ll find some spectacular luxury hotels. Check out our picks for the best boutique hotels in Rome.

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Naples – 1 Night

2 Weeks in Italy Itinerary: Naples

Next up on your 2 weeks in Italy is Naples. This unique city has its own nitty gritty charm. Despite its crumbling buildings, narrow alleyways, congested traffic, and mismatched colors, Naples has a bizarre siren call that you won’t be able to ignore. 

No matter when you visit, this buzzing city is always brimming with life. But if you search hard enough, you’ll be able to find a peaceful lane with a cute cafe where you can enjoy a cappuccino and a cannolo or three!

Naples Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour

Things to do in Naples

2 Week Italy Itinerary: Castel Dell Ovo

You’ve got two main choices when it comes to what to do in Naples. You can stay and explore the city, or you can head off on a day trip. If you’re staying local, we suggest wandering down Christmas Alley, discovering the fascinating Galleria Borbonica, and checking out Castel dell’Ovo. Don’t forget to try some authentic Neapolitan pizza, too!

2 Week Itinerary in Italy: Neapolitan Pizza

Another option is to take a day trip to Pompeii. This journey takes just 30 minutes by train, giving you plenty of time to explore the remarkable area. 

Explore the Remains of Pompeii 

Getting to Naples

Italy Two Week Itinerary: Termini Train Station

Traveling from Rome to Naples couldn’t be easier. Simply head to the Termini train station in Rome and hop on a train to the Napoli Centrale train station in Naples. The journey covers 140 miles, but the high-speed trains take just 70 minutes to get from point A to B.

Most of the trains are direct and pass by Lazio and Campania. These are beautiful regions, so if you stay away, you’ll be treated to panoramas of the gorgeous Italian countryside.

Grab a Termini Train Ticket

Getting Around Naples

If you’re staying in Naples, the best way to get around is to walk. Some of the streets can be quite steep, but it’s better than renting a car or moving via public transport. The roads are always hectic at every time of day here. Traveling by road could easily take you more than twice as long as walking.

Where to Stay in Naples

The historic center is the best place to stay in Naples. Here you’ll find yourself just steps away from all the city’s major landmarks, as well as an excellent choice of cafes, bars, restaurants, and stores selling beautiful trinkets.

Traveling can be tiring, and if you don’t want to go any further than you have to, consider staying next to the train station. Centro Storico is the name of the area, and by staying here, you can easily zip off for a day trip anywhere in the surrounding regions.

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Sorrento – 2 Nights

2 Weeks in Italy Itinerary: Sorrento

The third leg of your journey is in Sorrento. One of the most beautiful cities in Italy, Sorrento lines the coast and is known for its opulent hotels, which boast dazzling sea views. This part of the country looks stunning at any time of year and provides an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding region.

If you feel like a break, you can pause and reenergize for a couple of days here. Or, if you’re ready to continue exploring, you’ll discover there’s plenty more to see here.

Things to do in Sorrento

2 Week Itinerary in Italy: Capri Town

Sorrento is perfectly positioned to explore one of the top places to visit in Italy – Capri. Hop on a boat, and in just 20 minutes, you’ll be on one of the most stunning islands you’ve ever seen. Here you can check out the Blue Grotto and wander around the gorgeous Capri town.  

The Amalfi Coast is also just a day trip away. Rent a car and follow one of the most scenic drives in the world to get there. It’s guaranteed to be a road trip you’ll never forget.

Capri Boat Tour with Blue Grotto

Getting To Sorrento

You can get from Naples to Sorrento by catching the Campania Express train or the Circumvesuviana train from the Napoli Centrale train station to the Stazione Ferroviaria di Sorrento train station. The journey takes just over 30 minutes and passes by some stunning scenery.

Getting Around Sorrento

The best way to get around Sorrento really depends on what you plan to do. If you take our advice, we suggest you take a boat trip to Capri and rent a car to drive to the Amalfi Coast. 

Parking can be a nightmare in Sorrento, so we don’t recommend you keep the car to explore locally. It’s also a wise move to avoid the local bus service, which can be just as erratic. Plan to explore on foot or hire a driver if you really want to be on the road.

Where to Stay in Sorrento

To stay within walking distance of almost everything in the city, we suggest booking a hotel in the center, close to Piazza Tasso. This part of the city is where you’ll find the best hotels, as well as cafes, bars, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. Almost everything is accessible on foot, and there are loads of great local sites to explore.

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Florence – 3 Nights

2 Weeks in Italy Itinerary: Florence

The best 2-week Italy itinerary absolutely has to include Florence. Known for its impressive Renaissance architecture, labyrinthine streets, and traditional whitewashed houses topped with terracotta roofs, Florence is one of those places that you can pick out instantly. 

Not only is it home to countless museums and galleries that you could easily lose yourself in, but it’s also a fantastic jumping-off spot to explore the nearby vineyards of Tuscany.

Florence Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour

Things to do in Florence

2 Week Italy Itinerary: Tuscany Vineyards

Make the most of your time in Florence by splitting it between the city and a day trip. Start by visiting the Duomo and climbing the steps to the top. From here, you’ll be able to see all over Florence and get your bearings. Other remarkable sites worth visiting include the Accademia Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, Piazzale Michelangelo, and Palazzo Vecchio.

If you’ve still got some energy left, use your last day to travel to Tuscany. Home of unparalleled beauty, Tuscany is one of the best places in all of Italy to sign up for a food or wine tour. Most of them include transportation, so you don’t need to worry about it yourself.

Secure a Uffizi Gallery Ticket

Getting to Florence

2 Weeks in Italy Itinerary: Train Station at Florence

Traveling from Sorrento to Florence is easy. You’ve got to go back on yourself a little bit, but it’s the only way to reach one of the best cities to visit in Italy. Head to the train station and catch the Campania Express train from Stazione Ferroviaria di Sorrento to Napoli Centrale. This journey takes around 60 minutes and is your cheapest option. You can also hire a private driver, but it takes the same time and it’s more expensive.

From here, you need to hop on another train and ride it directly to Firenze Santa Maria Novella in Florence. Although this part of the journey is comparatively long (it takes 3 hours), the scenery is beyond stunning – especially when you travel through Tuscany.

Getting Around Florence

We hope you brought your comfy shoes because the best way to get around Florence is by walking! Florence is a spectacularly walkable city, with pretty much all the major attractions accessible on foot. Walking also allows you to discover gorgeous hidden spots that you’d never get to see any other way.

Where to Stay in Florence

Because you haven’t got much time to spare, the best place to stay in Florence is the city center. This is the Renaissance heart of Florence, tucked in between the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. You can walk to all the best museums, galleries, landmarks, and attractions from here.

Santissima Annunziata, where you’ll find Michelangelo’s David, is another popular alternative. If you’d prefer something a little quieter and more local, we suggest staying in Santa Croce. This neighborhood is home to a gorgeous basilica and is much more peaceful than the main tourist spots.

Visit the Basilica di Santa Croce

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Milan – 2 Nights

2 Weeks in Italy Itinerary: Milan

Milan is one of those cities that has something for everyone. It may be known as one of the fashion capitals of the world, but there are plenty of other things that the northern metropolis has to offer.

From historical landmarks and highly acclaimed art galleries to an awe-inspiring cathedral and a world-famous opera house, Milan boasts some of the best places to visit in Italy. 

Milan Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour

Things to do in Milan

Duomo and Terraces Ticket

Start the Milan leg of your journey by checking out one of the city’s famous landmarks – the Duomo Cathedral. Swing by the Santa Maria delle Grazie to marvel at da Vinci’s The Last Supper painting, then watch a real opera performance at the Teatro alla Scala.

See the Last Supper on a Guided Tour

Take it easy the next day and soak in a bubbling hot tub at the QC Terme Spa hidden away inside a former tram depot and go on an eerie archaeological tour of the Crypt of San Sepolcro. End your second day by taking a relaxed walk around the Navigli District and enjoying a glass of local wine by the canal. 

La Scala Museum and Theater Tour

Getting to Milan

2 Week Italy Itinerary: Frecciarossa

Traveling between Florence and Milan is just as easy as moving between any other cities on this itinerary. Head to the Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence and catch a train directly to Milano Centrale Garibaldi in Milan. 

The journey takes 2 hours, giving you plenty of time for a nap if you need it. If you can get on one of the high-speed Frecciarossa or Italo trains, you’ll get to Milan in just 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Getting Around Milan

2 Week Itinerary in Italy: Metro

Milan has an excellent public transport system with plenty of ways of getting around. Metro is the most popular mode of transport because it’s quick, cheap, frequent, and efficient. Just try and avoid the hectic peak times. There are loads of bus connections throughout the city that allow you to do a little sightseeing on your way to your destination, as well as a number of trams.

Taxi drivers can be a little intimidating in Milan, especially if you don’t speak good Italian. If you’d rather avoid them, hop on one of the city’s free bikes. You can rent them for as little as €2.50 per day, and they’re a speedy, eco-friendly way to get around.

Where to stay in Milan

If you want to see as much as possible, stay in Centro Storico. The historical center of the city, here you’ll be immersed in a vibrant creative scene, surrounded by breathtaking buildings, and be spoiled for choice with things to see and do.

If you prefer something a little more laid-back, consider Brera. This gorgeous neighborhood is quiet and colorful, with one-of-a-kind boutique stores, restaurants, art galleries, and cafes. Check our picks for the best hotels in Milan.

Walk through Milan’s Brera District

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Venice – 3 Nights

2 Weeks in Italy Itinerary: Venice

Last on your itinerary is Venice, one of the most spectacular places to see in Italy. A mesmerizing destination that looks even better in real life than it does on TV, Venice is the very best place to end your adventure! 

Eating in amazing restaurants hidden down side streets, enjoying romantic gondola rides while sipping prosecco, and admiring architecture almost too perfect to be real are just some of the things that await you.

Venice Hop-on, Hop-off Boat Tour

Things to do in Venice

2 Week Italy Itinerary: Gondola Ride

You’ll find one of the best things to do in Italy in Venice – a gondola ride! It may be really cheesy, but it’s one of those things you just have to do while you’re here. Avoid the main canal and ask your gondolier to take you down the quieter and more romantic streets.

Experience an Enchanting Gondola Ride

Exploring St. Mark’s Basilica and the piazza that surrounds it is another must. The bars and restaurants have incredibly high prices around here, so wait until you’re in a quieter back street before stopping for something to eat or drink. As you explore the city, be on the lookout for the Ponte di Rialto, Bridge of Sighs, and San Marco Campanile.

The Doge’s Palace is one of the most extravagant you’ll ever explore, and the separate San Giorgio Maggiore is worth checking out, too. End your amazing Italy vacation by wandering along the pretty streets of Murano before stopping somewhere to enjoy a glass of prosecco while the sun sets.

Visit St Mark’s Basilica

Getting to Venice

2 Weeks in Italy Itinerary: Santa Lucia Train Station

The fastest way to get from Milan to Venice is via train. Head to Milano Porta Garibaldi train station and board one of the many direct trains to Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia train station in Venice. This journey takes 2 hours and 30 minutes and is direct.

When you arrive in Venice, you’ll most likely need to take a vaporetto ride to get to your accommodation. There are new vaporettos every couple of minutes. So if one is too crowded and you can’t get on with your luggage, just wait until the next one comes along. 

Getting Around Venice

2 Week Italy Itinerary: Vaporetto Ride

There are two main ways to get around Venice – on foot and by vaporetto. Both of which are pretty unavoidable. Because of all the canals, you can’t access every part of the city on foot or by public transport.

Instead, you hop on a small motorboat that whizzes you to your destination. These boats are called vaporettos, and they operate all over the city. Just like a bus, each vaporetto follows a loop. You pay the same price wherever you get on or off. So if you feel like a cheap boat trip, stay on for the entire loop!

Where to Stay in Venice

2 Week Itinerary in Italy: San Marco

If you’ve done enough walking to last a lifetime, we suggest staying in San Marco. This part of Venice is in the middle of all the action, with all the best museums, galleries, restaurants, and attractions just steps away. But because of its prime location, it’s also one of the most expensive neighborhoods.

Italy Two Week Itinerary: Santa Croce

Santa Croce is an excellent alternative. It’s further out of the city, so you’ll find the prices much more affordable, and it has fantastic vaporetto connections to the city’s most important landmarks. If you’d rather stay on land, there are loads of traditional Venetian restaurants close by, as well as a number of art galleries and museums. 

There you have it! That’s our perfect 2-week Italy itinerary. Where will you be traveling on your trip to Italy?


Planning a trip to Italy? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!


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About the Author:

  • Nicola Quinn

    Nicola is a freelance writer with an insatiable hunger for travel. She swapped her home in the UK for the sunny Canary Islands when she was just 11 and she has been based there ever since.

    From crawling on her hands and knees inside pyramids in Egypt to swimming with baby sharks in Bali and searching (fruitlessly!) for the Northern Lights in Iceland, Nicola takes every chance she gets to explore new places.

    The incredible experiences she has around the world fuels her writing and inspires her to plan even more adventures for the future.

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