2 Weeks in Italy: Ultimate 14-Day Itinerary by Train
Italy has something for every traveller; ancient historical sites, artistic treasures, timeless hilltop towns, dramatic coastal scenery, majestic mountains and fabulous food and wine. So how do you decide where to go and how to allocate your time when you have just 2 weeks in Italy?
That’s why I am sharing this “classic” 14-day Italy itinerary to help you plan your trip. It takes in the must-see cities of Venice, Florence and Rome, and the spectacular Amalfi coast.
Two weeks is the perfect length of time to see the best of Italy at a relatively relaxed pace. My itinerary deliberately focuses on just a handful of cities and regions of Italy. This is a country to be savoured, not a case of “it’s Tuesday so it must be Florence.”
And as you are exploring Italy by train, you don’t need to worry about car rental and parking (unless you want to).
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How I Created This 2-Week Italy Itinerary
This is an itinerary firmly rooted in first-hand experiences. I have travelled the length and breadth of Italy on multiple occasions and have visited all of these destinations, some many times over.
This has given me clear insights into how to structure this itinerary and how to make the most of your precious time in each place without feeling frazzled. As I use public transport for all of my Italian travel, I know what works when getting from A to B.
I’m a massive fan of a hub and spoke model. Changing hotels every one or two nights is unnecessarily stressful and eats into your valuable vacation time.
I chose hubs that are well connected by train and use these as bases to visit other towns and cites in that region. For example, Florence is a good base for exploring Tuscany by train. From Venice, you can take day trips to Verona and Padua.
This is a point-to-point itinerary from Venice to the Amalfi Coast. Both Venice and Naples (for the Amalfi Coast) have major international airports. Of course, you can travel in the other direction if you prefer.
Importantly, this is a realistic itinerary. You’ll never be able to “do” Florence (or Rome or Venice) in two days, and neither should you try. I always work on the assumption that I will return (and frequently have).
With this in mind, I have allowed enough time at each stop to cover the best places it has to offer, but there will always be a museum or landmark that remains to be seen.
Tips for Using This Itinerary
Ultimately, only you can decide how you spend two weeks in Italy.
Any itinerary involves balancing the must-see highlights with time to relax and soak up the local culture. What those highlights are and what this balancing act looks like will depend on your interests, whether you have visited Italy before and your preferred pace of travel.
Think of this itinerary as a framework on which to hang your interests and experiences, tweaking it where this makes sense. I provide a few suggestions for changes to the itinerary later in this article (here).
Throughout my website, I have detailed information on many of the destinations and attractions recommended in this itinerary. For further information, click on the links in this article or browse my archives.
On a practical note, the main attractions in many Italian towns and cities are closed on one day of the week (usually a Monday or Tuesday). Check this in advance to avoid disappointment.
Finally, whilst it’s good to have a plan, it’s also important to have some wiggle room. Building flexibility allows you to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and linger in places that take your fancy.
A Suggested Itinerary for 2 Weeks in Italy
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN VENICE
Venice’s Marco Polo Airport is six miles north of the city. The cheapest way to get from the airport to the city centre is on the fast and frequent airport bus to Piazzale Roma, close to Venezia Santa Lucia train station.
Pricier options are the Alilaguna airport boats, land taxis offering fixed fares between the airport and Piazzale Roma, and water taxis.
DAY 2 & 3: VENICE
Although you can hit the highlights of Venice in a busy day, I recommend taking it slower, exploring the city’s back canals and maybe taking a vaporetto to Murano or Burano (or both). To get you started, I’ve written this 2-day Venice itinerary and shared my top Venice tips.
Three days is a good choice if you want to see Venice at a slower pace. My guide to how many days in Venice explains what you can fit into one, two, three or four days.
If you are itching to experience another city, some of Italy’s finest are within an easy train journey.
The Best of Venice
A gondola ride – This quintessential Italian travel experience has inspired many poems and quotes about Venice. Fares are set officially and at the time of writing this itinerary (December 2025) a 30-minute gondola ride will set you back 90 euros (110 euros after 7 p.m.).
A vaporetto along the Grand Canal – Save your holiday euros and take to the Grand Canal on a vaporetto. Passing piazze and palaces, bridges and churches, Vaporetto #1 is one of the most scenic boat rides on the planet.
St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) – Once described by Napoleon as ‘Europe’s finest drawing room’, St. Mark’s Square is now filled with tourists and pigeons, and lined with elegant cafes serving outrageously overpriced cappuccini.
Basilica di San Marco – St. Mark’s Basilica was the holy shrine of the Venetian state and a riot of domes, columns and statues, its dazzling interior glowing with gold mosaics and glistening with coloured marble.
Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) – Built as a statement of the power of the Venetian Republic, this dreamy slice of Venetian history was the most powerful half-acre in Europe for more than 400 years.
Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) – The Bridge of Sighs is one of Venice’s most famous bridges and links Palazzo Ducale to the old prison cells.
Galleria dell’Accademia – The Accademia is dripping with artistic treasures, including paintings by Titian, Tintoretto, Canaletto and Veronese.
Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Realto) – Completed in 1591, the famous Ponte di Realto is Venice’s geographical heart.
Cannaregio district – The crumbling yet charming Cannaregio is one of my favourite corners of the city and a welcome refuge from Venice’s tourist hordes.
Day trips from Venice
Whilst you can easily spend a couple of days exploring Venice, Padua and Verona are my favourite options for day trips by train.
Padua is one of the most rewarding day trips from Venice. In a single day, you can visit the Scrovegni Chapel to marvel at the frescoes that foretold the Renaissance, walk in the footsteps of Dante and Galileo, sip an Aperol Spritz in a shaded portico or take time out in the botanical garden.
Or spend a day in Verona. It has a wealth of Roman ruins, including the Arena di Verona, and hopeless romantics beat a path here to visit Verona’s Romeo and Juliet sites.
If neither of these tickles your fancy, consider exploring Bologna (especially if you are a foodie) or visit Ferrara if you are a history buff. UNESCO-listed Vicenza, with its outstanding Palladian buildings, is one for architecture fans.
DAY 4: TO FLORENCE
The high-speed train from Venezia Santa Lucia to Firenze Santa Maria Novella station takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. If you make an early start, the rest of the day in Florence is yours.
DAY 5 & 6: FLORENCE
You will need at least one full day to see Florence’s top attractions. Give yourself two days if you are an art fangirl or fanboy.
The Best of Florence
Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia – Crafted from gleaming white Carrara marble, Michelangelo’s buff biblical shepherd never disappoints.
Duomo complex – The ground zero of the Italian Renaissance, this complex comprises the Duomo, the Duomo Museum, Giotto’s Tower and the Baptistery.
Piazza Signoria – Florence’s political and social heart since the Renaissance and home to many of Florence’s most famous sculptures, including the monumental Fountain of Neptune.
Palazzo Vecchio – This magnificent building dominates Piazza Signoria and was Florence’s town hall until Cosimo I de Medici (1519 – 1574) turned it into a lavish palace for his personal use.
Uffizi Galleries – Home to the greatest collection of Italian art in the world, including masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Titian, to name but a few.
Ponte Vecchio – One of Florence’s most famous landmarks, the best-known of the bridges across the River Arno.
Piazzale Michelangelo – Experience Florence as a living postcard from Piazzale Michelangelo on the opposite side of the Arno River (Oltrarno). Although this is undeniably one of the best Florence viewpoints, I prefer the more tranquil Rose Garden next door or San Minato al Monte, five minutes further uphill.
Day Trips from Florence
Florence is a great base for day trips to some of Tuscany’s most famous hilltop towns.
Siena was once Florence’s arch-rival and is one of my favourite Italian cities. Visiting Siena Cathedral is a must.
Lucca is an easy day trip from Florence and is famous for its remarkable city walls and stunning churches.
Arezzo is the best of Italy wrapped up in a picturesque package of medieval streets and squares, and churches laden with artistic treasures.
Another day-trip option is wine tasting in the sensational Tuscan countryside. Other travellers have highly rated this organised excursion.
If you are itching to visit the Cinque Terre, you could squeeze this in as a day trip from Florence, but I don’t recommend doing so. Unless you are prepared to take the faster, direct early-morning train (1 hour 45 minutes), it is a long journey, and this super scenic spot deserves more than a hurried day trip.
Although it will still be a long day, a better bet is joining this organised day trip from Florence if you don’t want to miss out.
DAY 7: TO ROME
Frequent high-speed train services between Firenze Santa Maria Novella and Roma Termini take around 90 minutes. If you catch a morning train, you can dump your bags at your accommodation and start exploring this wonderful city.
DAYS 8 & 9: ROME
You’ll be able to cover a lot of ground in two days. Must-see sights in Rome include the Colosseum and Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Spanish Steps. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Borghese Gallery and the Vatican.
The Best of Rome
Colosseum – Make the most of your visit to this UNESCO-listed site by joining one of these fabulous Colosseum tours.
Roman Forum (Foro Romano) – The heart of civic and political life in the Roman Empire, this evocative site is filled with ancient ruins of temples, government buildings and monuments.
Pantheon – This Roman temple turned church is the final resting place of the artist Raphael and kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I.
Trevi Fountain – Guarantee a return visit to Rome by throwing a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. Well, maybe.
Spanish Steps – Linking Piazza di Spagna with the church of Trinità dei Monti, these monumental steps are another of Rome’s must-see attractions.
Piazza Navona – Rome’s loveliest Baroque square and home to the best Bernini fountains.
St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) – Traditionally believed to be the burial site of St. Peter, this vast basilica is the spiritual centre of the Catholic Church, renowned for its gravity-defying dome and art-filled interior.
Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) – Head to the Vatican Museums for a sumptuous artistic buffet, including Michelangelo’s Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel.
Borghese Gallery (Galleria Borghese) – Visit the Borghese Gallery to see some of Rome’s finest sculptures.
Day trips from Rome
If the city crowds become too much, jump on a train to visit Ostia Antica or Orvieto.
Ostia Antica is an easy day trip from Rome, just an hour’s journey on the Metro B / Metromare line (change trains at Piramide). This archaeological site offers a remarkable window into the everyday lives of Ancient Romans.
Getting from Rome to Orvieto takes around 75 minutes, and your reward for this journey is one of Italy’s dreamiest hilltop towns with a rich Etruscan history. Visiting Orvieto Cathedral – and sipping a glass of Orvieto Classico on its sun-drenched piazza – is worth the price of your train ticket.
DAY 10: TO SORRENTO
High-speed trains from Rome arrive at Napoli Centrale station in as little as 1 hour 15 minutes. For onward travel to Sorrento, jump on the ferry from Molo Beverello or Calata Porta di Massa (40 minutes) or the Circumvesuviana Train (1 hour 15 minutes). Both are super scenic journeys.
Start to relax in this gorgeous coastal town with its lemon groves and unbeatable Mount Vesuvius views.
DAY 11: POMPEII
Take the train to Pompeii on your first full day on the Amalfi Coast. This remarkably preserved archaeological site provides an unbeatable snapshot of daily activities frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
DAY 12: NAPLES
Naples is Italy on steroids. Its highlights include the glorious Duomo di Napoli, the UNESCO-listed Centro Storico and the Naples National Archaeological Museum (MANN). Don’t leave before trying the pizza for which the city is famous.
The Best of Naples
Historic Centre – The UNESCO-listed Centro Storico is a warren of old churches, small shops, cafes and bars.
Naples Cathedral – Dating from the 13th century, Duomo di Napoli is a glorious confection of golden Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.
Naples National Archaeological Museum (MANN) – One of the world’s greatest museums with an extensive collection of Greek and Roman antiquities and artefacts from Ancient Egypt.
Galleria Borbonica – A labyrinth of tunnels, caves, and catacombs lace their way under Naples.
Santa Lucia district – For unforgettable views of a smouldering Mount Vesuvius and home to restaurants and some of Naples’ finest hotels.
Castel dell’Ovo – Naples’ oldest and most picturesque castle, built by the Normans in the 12th century.
Piazza del Plebiscito – Home to Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) and Basilica San Francesco di Paola.
Castel Nuovo – A massive military castle with eccentric round towers, built by Charles of Anjou in 1279.
Galleria Umberto I – A light-filled shopping arcade decorated with elegant murals and sculptures.
DAY 13: POSITANO OR CAPRI
Capri is a popular day trip from Sorrento, famous for its upscale shopping and the Blue Grotto. The ferry from Sorrento takes about 25 minutes to get there (I recommend making an early start to beat the crowds).
However, I prefer Positano with its colourful cliffside houses and stunning coastal views. It’s an easy and scenic bus ride from Sorrento.
DAY 14: DEPART SORRENTO
How to Tweak This 14-Day Itinerary
But perhaps you have visited some of these cities before or don’t fancy the schlepp down to the Amalfi Coast? The possibilities are endless, but here are a few ways to adjust this itinerary.
#1 Turn it into a round trip – as flights into one city and out of another are often more expensive, you can save money by booking a return flight to a single airport. Consider a return flight to the major international hubs of Milan or Rome, and start and finish your trip in either of these cities (I would plump for Rome, but it depends on your final itinerary).
#2 Skip the Amalfi Coast and spend longer in Venice / Florence / Rome – this will allow you to see more of these cities or build in time to visit other places as day trips.
#3 Ditch Rome and the Amalfi Coast for Milan and Lake Como – hit the highlights of Milan in one day before taking the short train ride to Como. Make this lovely lakeside city your base for relaxing boat trips on Lake Como.
#4 Swap the Amalfi Coast for the Cinque Terre – this fits nicely into your itinerary between Florence and Rome. The frequent trains from Santa Maria Novella station to La Spezia in Liguria take between two and three hours. From here, all five Cinque Terre towns are connected by train.
#5 Concentrate on the fabulous cities of Emilia-Romagna – this is one of my favourite regions of Italy, slightly off the main tourist trail yet rewarding. From your base in Bologna, you could visit the dazzling mosaics in Ravenna, take a day trip to Modena (the home of balsamic vinegar, spend a day in Parma, or take in the rich history of Ferrara.
If You Have Less Than Two Weeks in Italy
Life isn’t always perfect, but don’t worry if you are short on vacation time.
If you have ten days in Italy, I recommend cutting one of these cities from your itinerary. Don’t try to shoehorn them all in. Less is more, as they say.
In a perfect world, the places that make the cut will be based on geography, cutting down on travel time –Venice / Florence / Rome, for example. But the final choice is likely to boil down to your preferences and past experiences.
You will have to be more brutal if you have just one week in Italy. I recommend limiting your itinerary to a maximum of two base cities. You could even stay in one city for your entire stay, using this for day trips.
Take a look at my suggested 1-week Italy itineraries.
Getting Around Italy by Train
Train travel in Italy is easy and, for the most part, inexpensive.
State-run Trenitalia is Italy’s largest train company and operates high-speed and regional services across the length and breadth of the country.
Its high-speed Frecce (“Arrow”) trains link major towns and cities. Fares for these services are dynamic and vary depending on demand and when you book. You are likely to save money if you book in advance.
Regional trains are the workhorses of Italy’s local railway network, covering local routes, as well as connecting cities. As regional train prices are fixed, there is no advantage in buying your ticket in advance.
You must validate your regional train ticket before your train departs. Failure to do so will result in a fine, and trains are patrolled by guards.
Validate paper tickets in the green machines at the station; mobile tickets are validated in the app. You do not need to validate tickets for high-speed trains in Italy.
Italo, a private operator, runs high-speed trains between major towns and cities. Much of Italo’s network is concentrated in Northern Italy, using Milan and Bologna as hubs, but its services do go south to Naples and Salerno via Rome.
I use Omio to search for the best deals across both rail operators. You will pay a small surcharge to book through them, but the website is more user-friendly, especially compared to Trenitalia.
For a detailed view of riding the rails, take a look at my guide to travelling by train in Italy. I have also written this comparison of Trenitalia and Italo and an Italo Prima Business Class review.
Where to Stay
VENICE
Dorsoduro is a great choice for first-time visitors. It’s a relaxed yet central neighbourhood with art galleries, museums, and a vibrant nightlife. Other travellers love Palazzo Veneziano and Palazzo Keller.
I am also a fan of the Castello district. It’s away from the main tourist paths and has a more residential, local feel, yet within easy walking distance of San Marco. Take a look at the lagoon-view rooms at Hotel Bucintoro or Hotel Palazzo Priuli.
I love staying in the Cannaregio. It’s less touristy and kinder on the wallet than other Venice neighbourhoods and close to Venezia Santa Lucia train station. Check out Carnival Palace or Palazzo Nani.
ROME
I usually stay with friends in Rome, but here are a few hotels I have stayed in and like:
This elegant 4-star hotel is a five-minute walk from Piazza del Popolo and Flaminio Metro Station and is my usual base when I am not staying with friends. Just give the “Economy Double” rooms a wide berth; they are tiny.
Hotel Canada, BW Premier Collection
I booked a room at this comfortable 3-star hotel near Roma Termini Station on a recent visit. Although this is not Rome’s nicest area, it is close to the city’s main transport hub and relatively cheap.
I loved my stay at this trendy 4-star hotel on a solo trip to Rome. It’s also near the main railway station and has a lovely rooftop terrace and shared laundry.
FLORENCE
I have written this guide on where to stay in Florence and curated my favourite Florence holiday apartments. But to narrow down the large list of choices, here are a few places I can recommend:
I loved my stay at this cosy bed & breakfast close to Palazzo Pitti in the Oltarno area of Florence. It was relatively inexpensive (for Florence!), and the owners couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful.
Run by an English-Italian family, this 3-star guest house offers air-conditioned rooms in the heart of Florence’s historic centre. Upgrade to a room with a balcony for a sensational view of Brunelleschi’s dome.
If you’ve ever dreamt of having a Room with a View, book a room at this 5-star hotel on the south side of the Arno River. Home to a Michelin-starred restaurant, Hotel Lungarno offers elegant rooms, the most expensive of which overlook the river.
SORRENTO
Splurge on the gorgeous Grand Hotel Ambasciatori in a beachside location in the heart of Sorrento.
Elys Suites is a more budget-friendly option. Breakfast is included in the room rates at this modern guesthouse in the city centre.
Other travellers love Palazzo Marziale. It is set in a restored 15th-century building and offers a range of rooms, some with a terrace.
When to Visit Italy
Italy’s tourist hotspots are busy year-round, but travel between April and June and September to October for comfortable sightseeing temperatures. Everything should be open during these months.
Visiting Italy in the height of summer is not a joy, trudging from one must-see attraction to the next when the mercury is nudging 90 degrees. The further south you travel, the steamier it gets.
Italians tend to take their holidays in August. Hotel prices at beach and mountain resorts will be high, and restaurants will be busy.
With a few reservations, I like travelling to Italy in winter. Daylight hours are shorter, the weather is unpredictable, and you need to be selective about where you visit, as beach towns effectively shut down. The wonderful plus is fewer crowds.
Typical Costs of an Italy Trip
Putting a figure on the typical cost of a two-week Italy trip is no mean feat. How much you pay is largely dictated by where you stay and when you travel.
Accommodation costs will make up the biggest chunk of your budget and are subject to the greatest variability. Prices are higher in the tourist honeypots of Rome, Florence and Venice in peak season.
These costs will drop if you travel off-season or stay in less touristy cities. Southern Italian destinations tend to be cheaper.
As a (very) ballpark figure you are looking at around 3,000 USD per person for a 14-day Italy vacation on a mid-range budget, excluding international flights and travel insurance. As accommodation accounts for the biggest chunk of your budget, this figure will be inflated if you are a solo traveller paying for sole occupancy of a hotel room.
Ready for your 2-Week Italy trip?
I hope that my ideas jump-start your itinerary planning. But ultimately, it is your itinerary and should reflect your interests and style of travel.
I’ll say it again because it bears repeating. As tempting as it is, don’t try to shoehorn more into these itineraries if two weeks is all you have.
Sightseeing and travelling from place to place can be hard work. Above all, you need to build in time to stop for an Aperol Spritz in that lovely piazza and work your way through the rainbow of gelato flavours.
Buon viaggio!
By Bridget
Bridget Coleman is an award-winning travel blogger who is an incurable Italy addict and has travelled its length & breadth on multiple occasions. Find out more here.
To get in touch, email her at hello@flashpackingitaly.com