With two weeks in Italy, how do you maximize your time? We are able to’t all journey the world indefinitely and spend limitless time on vacation in Italy. Concerning any Italian itinerary, there isn’t a excellent plan, and everybody has their very own pursuits. So we wished to assemble this wonderful two-week Italy Itinerary anybody can steal.
Italy is the one nation that we’ve got repeatedly returned to. This subsequent winter, we are going to make it our fifth time touring round Italy! One thing concerning the tradition, historical past, and meals warrants deep exploration. If it’s your first time within the nation, you’ll wish to hit all the principle vacationer locations comparable to Venice, Florence, and Rome.
We recommend stepping a bit off the straightforward route, and I’ve recommended a number of smaller cities which can be effectively well worth the journey. The best way we plan journeys is to select the locations we discover of curiosity and go from there. You gained’t hit every thing right here in only a two-week journey to Italy, however hopefully, it evokes you to return! This information has some must-see locations in Italy, so pack your luggage and choose what you want on your journey.
A Two Week Italy Itinerary
Venice
Love or hate Venice, there isn’t a denying its reputation. It could be probably the most lovely historic cities on the planet, however it is usually besieged by vacationers who wreak havoc on town’s crumbling infrastructure.
The sinking metropolis is a community of 118 islands linked by bridges. Buildings listed here are previous, and in the event you handle to flee the crowds, it feels such as you’ve stepped again 5 centuries. It’s surreal, and we do have a love for Venice.
One in every of our high suggestions for Italy is that Venice is finest within the shoulder and off-seasons. The canals of Venice are infamous for harboring a whole lot of waste; in the summertime, the scent can get fairly unhealthy; nevertheless, within the cooler months, there are fewer vacationers, much less waste, and the scent is at bay.
Venice is a must-see place in Italy, besides in the summertime months.
What to do in Venice?
Piazza San Marco
This is among the focal factors within the metropolis and the principle sq.. You’ve doubtless seen numerous images of this iconic sq. lined by cafes, outlets, and museums. You may also sip a espresso at Cafe Florien, which claims to be the oldest cafe on this planet (however can be loopy costly).
The Grand Canal
The central artery to town and infrequently filled with boats. It has some lovely buildings alongside the canal and probably the most well-known views in Venice.
Ca’ Macana
Masks outlets rule the streets of Venice, however most of those are low cost imports advertising to vacationers. Ca’Macana is a wonderful real masks store in Venice that makes all its personal merchandise. You possibly can even discover masks utilized in Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Broad Shut, because the store produced the masks for the movie. The store house owners will let you costume up and have enjoyable!
Spritz & Cicchetti
Having fun with a day of spritz and Cicchetti is a should in Venice. A Spritz Veneziano is an aperitif in Northeast Italy, and Cicchetti are bite-sized entrees just like tapas, typically on a slice of bread. Our favourite Spritz is at Bacareto Da Lele for a cool €1.50, and it’s proper across the nook from Osteria Al Squero, a great spot for Cicchetti. There’s little to no seating room, so come ready to face and chill out alongside the canal.
Florence
Florence (Firenze) is the capital of Tuscany and a spotlight of any tour of Italy. Even in the event you solely have two weeks in Italy, Florence must be in your two-week Italy itinerary. It’s important to add this metropolis to your Italy itinerary if it’s not already.
The town is known for its world-class delicacies, museums, artistic endeavors, and the encircling countryside. The structure in Florence pulls you in and begs you to get misplaced in its historic coronary heart.
Florence is understood for being the birthplace of the Renaissance and stuffed with historical past. Strolling the slender, cobblestone streets, little has modified with marble basilicas, darkish chapels, fuel lanterns, and enchanting frescos.
What to do Florence?
Duomo – Santa Maria del Fiore
It’s probably the most lovely cathedral in Italy. The scale and scale of the inside, together with the frescos housed inside, will humble anybody. It’s breathtaking with its white, pink, and inexperienced marble exterior. We love that regardless of being world-famous, the Duomo stays free to the general public.
Mercato Centrale
In the event you’re seeking to eat, head to the Mercato Centrale. You possibly can eat improbable bites with counters and some tables. The vitality solely provides to the atmosphere, and the gorgeous meals merchandise of Tuscany are on full show.
Pont Vecchio
This was the primary bridge to cross the Arno River in 1348. It’s been standing since that day and is lined with outlets and buildings. Be sure to catch it from the riverside and cross the bridge on foot.
All’Antico Vinaio
Grabbing a panini from this well-known sandwich store is a should in Italy. All’ Antico Vinaio has even been named probably the greatest sandwiches on this planet. The unique store is just a storefront, and also you’ll need to take pleasure in an inexpensive glass of wine and a sandwich alongside the road. It’s an inexpensive eat that gained’t disappoint anybody.
Tuscany
Italy hardly has a extra famed area than the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside. It’s effectively price including the area to your two-week Italy itinerary. You possibly can take day journeys from Florence, keep in one of many quite a few cities, and luxuriate in a number of nice Italian highway journeys from the area.
The area is geographically various, with lovely seashores, islands, rolling hills, and the Apennine Mountains. Yow will discover a few of Italy’s finest merchandise, comparable to lovely wines, olives, mushrooms, cheese, legumes, and bread. There are complete journeys spent in Tuscany, and for good purpose.
The place to go in Tuscany?
Siena
It’s solely a two-hour prepare experience from Florence and every thing you possibly can hope for in a Tuscan city. That is the Italy romanticized in numerous motion pictures and books. It’s packed stuffed with medieval buildings and gives the Italian countryside at its doorstep.
Pisa
Be warned, Pisa is underwhelming. Many guests really feel drawn to return right here for its famed tower. Essentially the most entertaining a part of a cease in Pisa is watching everybody air 5 the tower whereas they faux to carry the 180 ft bell tower. Pisa is walkable and gives a fantastic place to seize a gelato and sit by the Arno River. Nonetheless, it’s not the prettiest metropolis.
Lucca
That is the walled Renaissance metropolis and the place I counsel heading as an alternative of Pisa in the event you’re quick on time. It’s stuffed with cobblestoned streets, pretty piazzas, and street-side cafes. Take a day to walk alongside town ramparts and hop from one cafe to the following.
Cinque Terre
Italy has many must-see locations, however Cinque Terre is near primary. It’s not technically in Tuscany, nevertheless it’s a straightforward day journey from Tuscany. It’s a photogenic assortment of 5 cities on nearly each traveler’s Italy must-see checklist.
The 5 cities are accessible by prepare from La Spezia. The cities are colourful and perched alongside a collection of cliffs. A path connects the 5 cities, and it’s a summertime favourite to hike.
Be ready for some steep descents and ascents. If the hike is an excessive amount of, all of the cities are accessible by prepare or boat. When questioning the place to remain in Tuscany Cinque Terre is a good possibility!
Umbria
The capital of Umbria doesn’t make sufficient traveler lists, nevertheless it must be added to a 2 week Italy itinerary. Nonetheless, it’s effectively price a cease. The area is stuffed with improbable meals and wine, identical to Tuscany, and was lengthy identified to vacationers as Tuscany’s little sister. It has wonderful hilltop cities, improbable meals, and half the vacationers.
It’s often known as the Inexperienced Coronary heart of Italy due to the wonderful countryside. To make all of it higher, the sights are straightforward to discover and solely require a number of days to see. It additionally saves you an extended prepare experience from Florence to Rome, making a pleasant cease in between.
The place to go in Umbria?
Perugia
That is the capital of Umbria, nevertheless it’s a manageable hilltop metropolis. The town is loaded with historic websites and buildings, making exploring enjoyable. The town heart is a maze of steps, cobbled alleys, and arched stairways. At its coronary heart, you’ll discover a number of massive piazzas and mansions.
Assisi
House of St Frances, the patron saint of Italy, and a web site of pilgrimage for Italians. It’s one among Italy’s most lovely hilltop cities, with Mount Subasio rising above the city with wooded valleys. Because the city’s cobblestone streets ascend to the Cathedral or “heaven,” you’ll move alongside the well-preserved constructing and listen to the clatter of footsteps from nuns and pilgrims.
Orvieto
You’ll be hard-pressed to discover a city extra lovely than the hill-topped Orvieto. As you method town, it’s breathtaking, and the cathedral is out of this world. As with all cities within the area, count on cobbled lanes, massive piazzas, church buildings, and plenty of historical past. There’s not sufficient time in any two-week Italy itinerary to discover all Italy gives. Not even a month would suffice!
Milan
Milan must be on anybody’s two-week Italy itinerary. Milan (Milano) is the world’s vogue capital and is house to greats like Prada, Valentino, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana. Nonetheless, most vacationers don’t store for these clothes manufacturers, which isn’t a purpose to go until you’re into high-class vogue.
In any case, town does pack a good quantity of sights, museums, and eating places price visiting, and basically, there are many issues to do in Milan.
It’s a metropolis full of favor and identified for being posh. This implies hip bars, well-dressed locals, and plenty of nice locations to eat. The town additionally serves as a fantastic base for exploring the Southern Italian Alps and well-known lakes like Como and Garda. That being mentioned, it’s our least favourite metropolis in Italy and simple to present a skip with solely two weeks in Italy or a restricted time.
What to do in Milan?
Santa Maria Delle Grazie
The historic church is a wonderful piece of structure, however it’s most well-known for what’s inside. The church homes one among Leonardo da Vinci’s final work, The Final Supper. Ebook your tickets prematurely in the event you’re touring in the summertime months.
Teatro alla Scala
We’re followers of opera and ballet, so having fun with a present on the Teatro la Scala was a should in our lifetimes. It’s famed for being probably the greatest theaters on this planet and has among the finest skills. Simply be warned, tickets are costly.
Duomo of Milan
It’s the most important cathedral on this planet. The muse was laid in 1386, and it took almost 500 years to finish the herculean process. It’s an architectural surprise and a sight in Italy and the world.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The well-known Galleria is a purchasing arcade linking Duomo Sq. with Teatro Alla Scala. The large glass roof is mind-boggling, and the inside tiles are beautiful. I wouldn’t plan on an excessive amount of purchasing because the Galleria homes high-end manufacturers.
Rome
All roads result in Rome. It’s the beating coronary heart of Italy and a metropolis that begs to be explored once more, and once more, and perhaps another time. It’s often known as the Everlasting Metropolis and one of many most romanticized cities in Italy – and the world. Historical past haunts its each nook, suffering from historic websites spanning a number of millennia. There isn’t any metropolis on earth like Rome.
Rome has amassed nice wealth through the years because the seat of energy of the Catholic church the result’s beautiful structure. Vatican Metropolis is unparalleled in its magnificence and scale. We’re not large metropolis folks or into museums and church buildings, however the Vatican will humble you.
The place Rome really shines is the flexibility for a vacationer to get misplaced and immerse themselves. Simply choose a course and hold strolling. It’s not at all times about ticking off the sights or previous buildings. Cease and luxuriate in “un caffè.”
Rome at sundown, a fantastic vacation spot for images lovers
What to do in Rome?
Trevi Fountain
Everyone knows the saying that in the event you throw a coin within the Trevi Fountain, you’re destined to return. Properly, we’ve finished that, and we’ve been again… 4 occasions. Till subsequent time, Roma!
Vatican Metropolis
Put together to spend a half-day or extra in Vatican Metropolis. Relying on the strains, coming into St Peter’s Basilica might take some time, particularly in the summertime. As soon as inside, you’ll wish to take the time to understand your environment. Carry a scarf to cowl your shoulders right here, the place you possibly can admire the Sistine Chapel. If you wish to keep away from strains, it helps to purchase tickets prematurely.
Discover Trastevere
Cross the Tiber river to Trastevere. The bohemian and hip neighborhood is lengthy identified for its working-class roots and distinctive vibe. Rome is consistently reinventing itself, for instance, you try a fantastic beer bar at Ma Che Siete Venuti A Fà. Loosen up, have a beer, watch a soccer match, and mingle with locals and expats.
Roman Discussion board & Colosseum
Exploring the Colosseum and Roman Discussion board will even tie up no less than half of your day. The excellent news is they’re near the subway station, and proper beside one another. These shouldn’t be missed!
Embrace Aperitivo
On the finish of the day Romans meet for aperitivo, it’s primarily the Italian pleased hour. Any respectable bar provides meals starting from easy snacks to full-on buffets or lovely Italian meals merchandise.
Knights of Malta
An out-of-the-way literal keyhole to town. Excessive on the hills, you possibly can look by means of a small keyhole, that overlooks peaceable gardens and an excellent view of St Peter’s Basilica. You probably have additional time, this can be a sight price going to. Go to later within the day for extra peace and quiet.
Naples
This metropolis is the alternative of Milan, you both love or hate it. It’s gritty, it’s loud, it’s in your face, and it’s Italian. The electrical energy within the slender streets of Naples can’t be crushed. The town is filled with historical past, architectural treasures, palaces, castles, artwork, seashores, and church buildings.
Did I point out that town additionally has among the finest meals in Italy? Producing the world’s finest pizza, pasta, espresso, seafood, snacks, and sweets, Naples has all of it. That is because of the very fact fertile countryside, a bountiful sea, and a culinary perspective encompass town.
Naples is our favourite metropolis in Italy, and for good purpose. Overlook the hype about crime and soiled streets and study to embrace it. Naples’ flaws are what make it distinctive and exhilarating.
What to do in Naples?
Gino Sorbillo
If Naples has the very best pizza on this planet and Gino Sorbillo has the very best pizza in Naples, then the very best pizza could be discovered at Gino Sorbillo. Anticipate a large crowd across the pizza joint and loopy lengthy waits for a desk.
Nonetheless, there may be one trick: push by means of the throngs of individuals, stroll as much as the hostess, and order your pie take away. You will get a pizza in lower than 5 minutes, even with two-hour-plus waits. One of the best half is it’s €3.50 for a Margherita pizza.
Cafe Tradition
Espresso is a critical affair to Neapolitans. You possibly can’t stroll down a road in Naples that doesn’t have a restaurant bar. A espresso store in Italy isn’t any Starbucks. It’s standing-room solely, and the drinks are made to be drunk instantly. Go away the journey laptop computer within the resort room. In the event you’re searching for a charismatic bar, try Bar Mexico.
Castel Nuovo
It’s a focus of town and near the well-known Piazza del Plebiscito. The fortress dates again to 1282 and gives wonderful harbor views from its ramparts.
Nationwide Archaeological Museum
We’re not museum folks, however this museum boasts spectacular ruins.
Associated learn: Is Pompeii price a go to?
Prepare Journey in Italy
Touring round Italy by prepare is the simplest and finest solution to maximize your time there and full every thing in your Italy itinerary. Each vacation spot on this checklist is linked through prepare – a lot of them through scenic prepare rides! – they usually’re all simply accessible. If you wish to get monetary savings, you can even journey through bus.
There are two prepare corporations in Italy. Trenitalia is basically primarily based within the North, and their trains are typically nicer and costlier. NTV Italo is extra widespread within the South and cheaper than Trenitalia.
In the event you hyperlink all of the cities within the publish, you must take a prepare not than a few hours, with solely a handful of adjustments, if any. In order for you extra info on prepare journey in Italy, Seat 61 is a superb information.
There’s so A lot Extra to Italy!
I hope this information helped you out. It’s a basic publish overlaying a lot of Italy’s most important sights and cities. There’s a lot extra to Italy that isn’t on this starter checklist. We significantly love The Dolomites, Lake Como, and Sicily in Southern Italy! See the remainder of our Italian guides.
Transport To and Round Italy
Attending to Italy has by no means been cheaper, with price range airways like RyanAir working out of many Italian cities. In the event you fly from a distinct continent, the principle hubs are Rome, Florence, and Milan.
As soon as in Italy, one of the best ways to get round is through prepare. For long-distance routes, reserving beforehand with Trenitalia and reserving a seat is finest. If touring shorter distances, you can even present up on the prepare station and purchase a ticket there.
We’ve rented a automotive quite a few occasions in Italy, and it’s a good way to get round by yourself schedule. An computerized rental automotive can go for as little as €45 a day within the off-season and as much as €100 a day within the excessive seasons and can make sure you get to all the very best locations in Italy. Realizing methods to drive a guide automotive will typically get cheaper charges in Europe. In the event you’re touring as a gaggle, hiring a automotive on your journey is price your whereas.
We traveled round Italy for one week and paid about $300 for a automotive rental in Italy, which was a good deal! I test comparability websites to get the very best costs.
Italy’s attract is simple, and as your two-week journey ends, the recollections you’ve made will beckon you to return. Till then, carry the great thing about Italy with you. Arrivederci!
