If you are planning your first trip to Italy, this Italy itinerary is a great place to start. With two weeks in Italy, you can visit the highlights…Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, and the Cinque Terre. Visit ancient historical sites, cruise the canals in Venice, dine on Italian food, go wine tasting in Tuscany, relax on the beach, walk through the heart of Rome, and watch the sunset from the Cinque Terre. It’s the trip of a lifetime.
14 days may sound like a long time, but if you want to see Italy’s three big cities (Rome, Florence, and Venice), plus visit both the Amalfi Coast and the Cinque Terre, you will need 14 days to do it.
If you have two weeks in Italy, this itinerary is perfect for your first visit.
Two Weeks in Italy Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Rome
- Day 2: Rome
- Day 3: Rome
- Day 4: Sorrento
- Day 5: Capri
- Day 6: Amalfi Coast
- Day 7: Florence
- Day 8: Florence
- Day 9: Day trip to Tuscany
- Day 10: Travel to Cinque Terre
- Day 11: Cinque Terre
- Day 12: Travel to Venice
- Day 13: Venice
- Day 14: Venice
Two Weeks in Italy Map
Two weeks in Italy map | Map adapted from Google
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 1
Arrive in Rome
If you arrive in Rome on a red-eye flight, this first day can be challenging. Get settled into your hotel and do your best to adjust to the time change. I do not recommend making big plans today simply because you may be exhausted.
Spend the afternoon walking through the heart of Rome. This short, easy walk is a great introduction to Rome. On this walk, see some of Rome’s most famous sites, such as the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon.
Here is a walking map of the route. It’s about 2 miles long, starting at the Spanish Steps and ending at Campo de’Fiori. With stops along the way, this walk takes about two hours.
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Start at the Spanish Steps and then walk to the Trevi Fountain. This can be a very crowded spot, so be prepared for tour groups and lots of other tourists. Continue on to the Pantheon, a building that has been standing in Rome since 120 AD. It is free to visit and one of Rome’s amazing, ancient historical sites. The walk ends at Piazza Navona and Campo de’Fiori, two of Rome’s famous piazzas.
Piazza Navona | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
Trevi Fountain | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
Where to Stay in Rome
For hotel recommendations in Rome, take a look at our Rome Hotel Guide. This covers the best hotels and apartments in Rome, organized by location and budget. On this Italy itinerary, you will stay in Rome for 3 nights.
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 2
The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Altar of the Fatherland, Trastevere
The Colosseum
The Colosseum is one of New 7 Wonders of the World and the largest amphitheater that was ever built. It was constructed almost 2000 years ago, completed in 80 AD. In its heyday, between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators would watch gladiator contests, executions, animal hunts, and the reenactments of famous battles.
The Colosseum | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
We have a detailed guide about how to visit the Colosseum, but here are a few tips.
On your visit to the Colosseum, you can either wander through it on your own, take the audio guide tour, or join a guided tour. Most visits last 1 to 3 hours.
You must purchase your entrance ticket in advance (you cannot just show up and get in line for a ticket). It costs an extra €2 per ticket for the online reservation fee, but this is worth it to avoid standing in long lines.
If online tickets are sold out for your dates of travel, I recommend joining a guided tour of the Colosseum. You will spend a little more money than purchasing your tickets directly from the Colosseum website, but at least you will get to visit the Colosseum.
Hours: Hours vary by season. Click here to get hours for your dates of visit.
Cost: €16 (+ €2 online reservation fee) for the standard ticket that gets you in to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum; there is also a Full Experience ticket that also includes a visit to the Colosseum arena and underground area for €24
Website: Get updated hours and pricing and purchase your ticket here.
Roma Pass: If you have the Roma Pass, you must make your reservation to visit the Colosseum in advance. There is a €2 reservation fee. Click here for more information.
Getting Here: The closest metro stop is Colosseo. When you exit the metro station, the Colosseum will be right in front of you.
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are a short walk from the Colosseum. They are both included on your entrance ticket into the Colosseum. If you are on a guided tour of the Colosseum, most tours will continue to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
The Roman Forum is the historical center of Rome. This is ancient Rome, a complex of government buildings, temples, and marketplaces from 2000 years ago.
Palatine Hill sits next to the Roman Forum. It is a complex of archaeological excavations, the remains of temples and palaces, and a museum. During the time of the Roman Republic, many imperial palaces were built here, including palaces for Augustus, Tiberius, and Domitian.
Roman Forum (view from Palatine Hill) | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
You can visit the Roman Forum on your own, take an audio guide tour (2 hours, €5), or take a guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (these are usually combined with the Colosseum).
Lunch
Just a short walk from the Roman Forum is La Prezzemolina. This highly rated restaurant serves Italian street food and pizza at budget-friendly prices.
Afternoon: Views of Rome
From La Prezzemolina, take a stroll along Via dei Fori Imperiali. This street runs between the Roman Forum and the Forum of Augustus and the Trajan Forum. Keep an eye out for Trajan’s Column, which was erected in 113 AD.
Via Fori dei Imperiali ends at Piazza Venezia. From here, you can climb the steps on the Altar of the Fatherland for one of the best views of Rome.
Altar of the Fatherland | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
For free, you can climb the series of staircases to the upper terrace and café. For the best view, ride the elevator (€12 in 2022) to the top of the monument for panoramic views of Rome. From here, you can see all of Rome’s major landmarks, including the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum.
The view from Altar of the Fatherland | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
After your visit to the Altar of the Fatherland, it is a short walk to Capitoline Hill and Campidoglio Square. To get here from the Altar of the Fatherland, it is a 3-minute walk along Via del Teatro di Marcello. You will walk up a series of steps to get to Campidoglio, which is the square on Capitoline Hill. This square was designed by Michelangelo.
The Capitoline Museums are located inside of Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo. These museums contain works of art by Caravaggio, Rubens, and Tiziano. Be sure to see the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (a copy of this statue sits in Campodoglio Square) and the original statue of the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, called the Capitoline Wolf (a replica of this statue sits next to the Senatorial Palace).
For the best viewpoint of the Roman Forum from Capitoline Hill, walk between Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Senatorial Palace along Via del Campidoglio to Terrazza sul Foro for another great view of the Roman Forum.
Roman Forum from Terrazza sul Foro | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
Evening: Aperitifi at Oro Bistrot
Oro Bistrot is a rooftop bar that has a spectacular view of the Altar of the Fatherland and the Trajan Forum. They open mid-afternoon and you can have a drink here and then move on or stay for dinner (dinner does not start until 7 pm). Make a reservation in advance for drinks and dinner.
The view from Oro Bistrot | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
Dinner
You have the option to spend all evening at Oro Bistrot, or you can go to Trastevere. This neighborhood is filled with some of the best restaurants in Rome and it is a lovely area to explore. We recommend Nannarella, Enoteca Trastevere, and Trapizzino (make your reservations in advance, we have links to these restaurants on our Rome Restaurant Guide).
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 3
Vatican City & the Borghese Art Gallery
This day exactly follows Day 2 of our 2 Day in Rome itinerary. I recommend referring to this itinerary for more details, lunch recommendations, and the walking route from Vatican City to the Borghese Gallery.
Morning: Vatican City
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. In Vatican City, there are three big sites to visit: the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
For more information about Vatican City, check out our detailed guide to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, where we cover what you need to know to plan your visit, including if a tour is worth it, how to avoid the lines, plus information about the “secret rooms” in the Vatican.
Inside St. Peter’s Basilica
The view from the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
Pinecone Courtyard in the Vatican Museums | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
There are several ways to visit Vatican City. You can take a guided tour or visit it independently. We have visited Vatican City independently and on a tour. Taking a tour is more expensive but has several advantages.
Taking a tour is much more educational, as a knowledgeable guide will teach you about important sights within the museums and concentrate on the most important things to see. Some tours take you right from the Sistine Chapel into St. Peter’s Basilica, which can save you a lot of time (you get to skip the line into St. Peter’s Basilica). Yes, a tour is more expensive, but skipping that line is well worth the extra money.
Here are three different ways to plan your visit to Vatican City:
BEST OPTION: Early morning guided tour of Vatican City. The Vatican Museums open at 9 am. On an early morning tour, you enter at 8 am, which allows you to see part of the museums with very low crowds. Some tours will take you directly into St. Peter’s Basilica via the tunnel from the Sistine Chapel, which bypasses the enormous line to enter the cathedral. An early morning tour is pricier (on average you will spend about €80 to €135 per person), but it is an all-around better experience. We recommend this early morning tour (it is with the same tour company we used).
CHEAPEST OPTION: At 8 am, go first to St. Peter’s Basilica. This early in the day, there should be little to no line to enter the cathedral. Once inside, do the dome climb first, then visit the rest of the cathedral (learn more about what to see and do in our Guide to Vatican City). After the basilica, visit the Vatican Museums (book tickets for a 10 am entry, and do this several weeks before your visit). You will tour the museums and Sistine Chapel on your own, without a guide. The museums will be busy so be prepared for some crowds.
GUIDED TOUR: The early morning tours of Vatican City are expensive, since you are paying for early access. You can save some money and still take a guided tour by choosing a tour that starts at 9 am, which is opening time of the museums. This tour gets nothing but stellar reviews and includes the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
GUIDE TO VATICAN CITY: In our Guide to Vatican City, we cover hours, pricing, and helpful tips for your visit. You also have the option to add on the “secret rooms” of the Vatican, such as the Cabinet of Masks, and we cover these as well.
Afternoon: Borghese Gallery
In the afternoon, visit the Borghese Gallery, one of the best art museums in the world.
To get here, you can ride the metro, take a taxi, or go on a scenic walk along the Tiber River and through the Villa Borghese Gardens. On this walk, you will pass Castel Sant’Angelo, several outstanding viewpoints of Castel Sant’Angelo and Vatican City, and of Piazza del Popolo. This walk from St. Peter’s Square to the Borhgese Gallery is 4 km/2.5 miles. Get the full details in our 2 Days in Rome Itinerary.
Castel Sant’Angelo and Ponte Sant’Angelo
Piazza del Popolo
The Borghese Gallery contains one of the best collections of art in the world. See works of art by Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian, and Bernini. Even the building is a sight to see.
Borghese Gallery | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
How to Visit the Borghese Gallery
You can only visit the Borghese Art Gallery with a reservation. Reservations can be made up to 3 months in advance. Reservations are made for two-hour time slots, starting at 9 am, and the last time slot is at 5 pm.
You can make your reservation online or call +39 06 32810. There is a €2 fee for making online reservations. Tickets can also be purchased through GetYourGuide, which includes a guided tour of Borghese Gardens. This is a great option if you want to visit the museum with a guide or where unable to purchase tickets on the official website.
Collect your tickets a half an hour before your time slot. For a 3 pm reservation, plan on arriving no later than 2:30 pm. If you arrive late, even 5 minutes late, they may turn you away. We saw this happen to other people who arrived late for their reservation.
Hours: 9 am – 7 pm
Closed Mondays
Cost: €13, prices can increase during special exhibits, +€2 reservation fee
Website: www.galleriaborghese.it
Nearest Metro Station: Barberini
Late Afternoon/Evening
After your visit to the Borghese Gallery, you can visit the Crypt of the Capuchin Friars (in several small chapels underneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappucchini are the skeletal remains of almost 4,000 Capuchin friars), visit another rooftop bar for pre-dinner drinks with a view, or visit Trastevere, if you did not do that yesterday.
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 4
Pompeii and Sorrento
Today, you will visit Pompeii while traveling between Rome and Sorrento. This is relatively easy to do.
From Rome, take the train to Naples (70 minutes) and transfer to the Campania Express train or the Circumvesuviana train. It takes 36 minutes to travel from Naples to Pompeii (get off at the Pompeii Scavi station).
While touring Pompeii, you can store your luggage in the luggage storage facility on the lower level of the Pompeii Scavi station. You can purchase an entrance ticket and visit Pompeii on your own, or you can visit Pompeii with a guide. When we visited Pompeii, we wandered around on our own, and I regret that now. We would have gotten a lot more out of our visit if we had hired an experienced guide. On this small group tour, you visit Pompeii with an archaeological guide and get skip-the-line-access.
After touring Pompeii, pick up your luggage and then take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento. Most likely you will arrive in the mid to late afternoon. After checking into your hotel (your home base for 3 nights), stroll along the marina, have dinner, and try the limoncello…it’s delicious!
Sorrento | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
For more information on how to visit Pompeii and travel to Sorrento, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast, read these articles:
How to Travel from Rome to Sorrento, Capri & the Amalfi Coast
Where to Stay
The best place to stay is Sorrento. This town has many hotels and restaurants to choose from. Plus, it has easy access to the ferry to Capri, the Campania Express and Circumvesuviana train, and to the buses the travel to the Amalfi Coast. Alternatively, you can also stay in a town like Positano or Amalfi. These smaller towns are beautiful but it will be more challenging to get here and arrange your day trip to Capri. You will stay in this area for 3 nights. For hotel recommendations, take a look at our Amalfi Coast Hotel Guide.
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 5
Day Trip to Capri
Capri is just 20 minutes away from Sorrento by boat. Once in Capri, take a boat tour around the island, enjoy the breathtaking view from Mount Solaro, visit the Blue Grotto, and go shopping in Capri town. For more information on how to plan your visit, read our article Best Things to Do in Capri.
Blue Grotto | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
Via Krupp, Capri | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 6
Amalfi Coast
From Sorrento, take a day trip to the Amalfi Coast. This is described as one of the most scenic drives in the world. Along the way, visit the towns of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.
Kayaking in Positano | Two Weeks in Italy Itinerary
The best way to get around the Amalfi Coast is by ferry or private driver. Parking can be a huge hassle (avoid self-driving the Amalfi Coast during peak season) and using the public bus system can be a nightmare (been there, done that, and we had a miserable experience). You can also take this highly-rated group tour from Sorrento. Alternatively, you can also tour the Amalfi Coast by boat.
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 7
Florence
This morning, travel from Sorrento to Florence. You can take the Campania Express train (1 hour, cheap) or take a private driver (1 hour, expensive) to the Naples train station (Napoli Centrale). From Naples it is a 3-hour train ride to Florence. It is a gorgeous journey, especially the final hour, as you travel through Tuscany.
Get settled into your hotel in Florence and then spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring the city.
A great thing to do on your first day in Florence is to visit the Duomo and climb the 463 steps to the top of the dome for one of the best views in Florence. This was one of our favorite experiences in Florence.
View from the Duomo | Two Weeks in Italy Itinerary
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Reservations are now mandatory to climb the dome. Without a time slot you will be unable to climb the dome. These time slots tend to sell out days in advance. As soon as you know your dates of travel, I recommend booking your time slot to climb the dome. You can also purchase a ticket online an advance here.
Spend the rest of the day visiting more sights in the Duomo complex (the Baptistery, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the museum, or Santa Reparata) and strolling through Florence.
Make sure you read our article 10 Things to do on Your First Visit to Florence. Get recommendations on where to stay, opening hours and prices of attractions, tips on how to avoid the crowds, and whether or not the Firenze Card is worth it.
Where to Stay
You will stay in Florence for 3 nights. Take a look at our Florence Hotel Guide for recommendations.
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 8
Florence
Today will be a busy day as you visit more of Florence’s long list of amazing sites. Art museums, scenic walks, tower climbs and shopping all make the list of things to do today. Florence is compact, so you won’t have to do a lot of walking, but it is amazing how much there is to do here.
For a full list of things to do in Florence, take a look at our detailed article about things to do in Florence. You can also get detailed recommendations on how to plan your time in our One Day Florence Itinerary and 2 Day Florence Itinerary.
If you toured the Duomo yesterday, you have just enough time to get to the rest of Florence’s main highlights, if you don’t mind a busy day. Make sure you book your tickets to the Uffizi and to Academia in advance so you don’t waste precious time waiting in line.
Florence | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
I recommend starting at the Accademia Gallery and then working your way to the Uffizi Gallery, visiting the San Lorenzo Market, Mercato Centrale, and Palazzo Vecchio on the way. Piazzale Michelangelo is the best place to watch the sunset in Florence and this is not to be missed. You also have the option to watch the sunset from one of many rooftop bars in Florence.
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 9
Tuscany Day Trip
Today, day trip from Florence into beautiful Tuscany.
Overlooking Tuscany from San Gimignano | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
There are several ways to do this. You can book a tour, hire a driver, rent a car and set out on your own, or visit one or two towns by bus. For ideas on where to go and how to get around, read our article Best Day Trips from Florence.
We toured Tuscany by bus and by rental car. The bus was a nightmare, at least when we did it in 2014. At several locations, the buses failed to show up, leaving us (and many other travelers) stranded at the bus stations for hours. Renting a car for the day was more expensive, but we had a lot more freedom and we could visit towns that buses do not travel to.
Traveling by a small group tour is a nice way to go. For a little more money, hiring a driver is a great way to tour Tuscany.
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 10
Cinque Terre
In the morning, take the train from Florence to the Cinque Terre. It takes between 1.5 to 3 hours to get to the Cinque Terre. Direct trains take less time but there are many more options that have a transfer in Pisa.
If you want to see Pisa, it’s easy to add on to today’s schedule. Take the train from Florence to Pisa and deposit your luggage in the luggage storage center in the train station. It takes about 2 hours to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Retrieve your luggage and take a second train to the Cinque Terre.
Leaning Tower of Pisa | Two Weeks in Italy Itinerary
Get all of the details about how to do this in our article Day Trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
When traveling by train from Florence and Pisa to the Cinque Terre, you will first arrive in La Spezia. From La Spezia, take the local train to one the five towns of the Cinque Terre. It takes just 9 minutes to travel from La Spezia to the first town, Riomaggiore, and trains run very frequently.
End the day with dinner and sunset views from one of the five towns.
Cinque Terre | Two Weeks in Italy Itinerary
Where to Stay in the Cinque Terre
Take your pick from the five towns of the Cinque Terre. All make great places to stay and since they are all connected by train, it doesn’t take much time to travel between them.
If you are traveling on a budget, consider staying in La Spezia. Hotels tend to be much cheaper here. You will spend a little more time on the trains but it can be worth the money you will save. We stayed in La Spezia and did not think it the extra time on the trains was a big deal.
You will stay in the Cinque Terre for 2 nights.
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 11
Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places to visit in Italy. Five colorful, gorgeous towns are perched on the dramatic coastline of Italy. Each town offers something a little bit different than the others, and part of the fun of visiting the Cinque Terre is picking your favorite one.
Vernazza | Two Weeks in Italy Itinerary
You can tour the Cinque Terre by train, bus, boat, or by foot. Hiking from town to town is one of the best ways to experience the Cinque Terre. Exploring each of the towns is wonderful, but some of the best views of the Cinque Terre come from the hiking trails. And since the train also connects all five towns, you don’t need to hike the entire distance.
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 12
Travel to Venice
There are no direct trains from the Cinque Terre to Venice. You will either transfer trains in Florence or Milan. The quickest journey is 4 hours but it can take up to 6 hours to get to Venice.
To maximize your time in Venice, take the earliest train with the shortest travel time.
However, if you don’t mind giving up some time in Venice, you can visit Milan on a day trip to Venice. We did this and it was a great experience. We took an early morning train to Milan, spent the mid-part of the day in Milan, and in the afternoon took a second train to Venice.
The two main places to visit in Milan are the Duomo and Da Vinci’s Last Supper. If you take an early train to Milan, visit the Duomo and see Da Vinci’s Last Supper, you can take an afternoon train and get to Venice in time for dinner. If this interests you, read our post How to Day Trip to Milan for the details on how to do this.
The Duomo in Milan | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
Spend the late afternoon and early evening wandering the streets and canals of Venice.
Where to Stay in Venice
For hotel recommendations in Venice, take a look at our Venice Hotel Guide. This covers the best hotels and apartments in Venice, organized by location and budget. On this Italy itinerary, you will stay in Venice for 2 nights.
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Day 13 & 14
Venice
Spend the next two days exploring Venice. Tour the Doges Palace, climb the Campanile, visit St. Mark’s Basilica, and cruise the canals. A gondola ride is expensive and touristy, but it’s something we can’t resist when we visit Venice. A ride on the Vaporetto, the water taxi, is the best cheap way to cruise the Grand Canal in Venice.
Venice | Two Weeks in Italy Itinerary
View from Ponte dell’Accademia | Two Weeks in Italy Itinerary
How to Modify this Italy Itinerary
Doing this Itinerary in the Opposite Direction
If you want to do this itinerary but start in Venice and end in Rome, here’s how to do it.
Day 1: Arrive in Venice
Day 2: Venice
Day 3: Travel to the Cinque Terre
Day 4: Cinque Terre
Day 5: Morning train to Florence, afternoon in Florence
Day 6: Florence
Day 7: Tuscany day trip from Florence
Day 8: Travel to the Amalfi Coast
Day 9: Capri day trip
Day 10: Sorrento
Day 11: Amalfi Coast
Day 12: Morning train to Rome, afternoon in Rome
Day 13: Rome
Day 14: Rome
Alternative Route
We often get questions about flying into Naples rather than Rome. We picked Rome as the starting point because it is generally easier to get flights into Rome rather than Naples. However, if you are able to find a flight to Naples, you can start here, rather than starting in Rome. By starting in Naples, you do save a train ride from Rome to Sorrento, which takes about 2 to 3 hours.
Here is a 14-day Italy itinerary that starts in Naples and ends in Venice:
Day 1: Arrive in Naples, travel to Sorrento, explore Sorrento
Day 2: Amalfi Coast
Day 3: Capri day trip
Day 4: Visit Pompeii on the way to Rome, afternoon in Rome
Day 5: Rome: Colosseum and the Borghese
Day 6: Rome: The Vatican
Day 7: Florence
Day 8: Florence
Day 9: Tuscany day trip
Day 10: Train to Cinque Terre, optional visit to Pisa
Day 11: Cinque Terre
Day 12: Travel to Venice, optional visit to Milan
Day 13: Venice
Day 14: Fly home
With Less Time
If you only have 12 to 13 days, you can still do this Italy itinerary, but of course you will have to give up some time in one or two cities. I recommend taking a day from Rome or Florence or completely eliminating the Amalfi Coast.
On this itinerary, you spend three days in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Getting here, and then moving on to Florence, takes some time (roughly 3 to 4 hours each way by high-speed train) and can be a minor hassle. So, it’s only worth it if you give it at least three full days. I wouldn’t recommend trying to shorten it to just 2 days. However, if you eliminate this part of the trip, this becomes an 11-day itinerary.
You can also visit the Amalfi Coast on a day trip from Rome, which will save you a lot of time (2 full days to be exact). On this Amalfi Day Trip Tour, you will visit Pompeii, Positano, and Amalfi. What you will be missing is Capri and Sorrento, but that might be worth saving those 2 days.
Can you do this Italy itinerary in 10 days?
Yes, it’s possible, but that doesn’t mean that it is a good idea. You will get to “see” a lot but you will feel like you are in a race and you will spend most of your time on the train and checking in and out of hotels. It can be done but we don’t recommend it.
If you only have 10 days, there are many ways to put together a great Italy itinerary. We have a post with five different 10-day Italy itineraries…5 wonderful trips to choose from. This article is so popular, and we get so many questions about how to visit both the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast in one trip, that we published this 14 day Italy itinerary.
We also have a detailed 10 day itinerary that includes Rome, Florence, Venice and the Cinque Terre. It is very similar to this 14 day itinerary, with the exception of the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento.
With More Time
If you have more than two weeks in Italy, you have two options. You can either extend your time in one of the cities on this Italy itinerary or add an additional destination. If you choose to extend your time, I recommend adding another day or two to Tuscany, the Cinque Terre, or Venice.
If you want to add another destination to this Italy itinerary, here are our recommendations.
San Marino
San Marino | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
San Marino is one of Europe’s most underrated destinations. This tiny country is completely surrounded by Italy and to get here it is a relatively short drive from Tuscany.
Verona
Verona | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
Verona is another underrated destination in Italy. One day and one night is all you need to experience the best of Verona. Add it before Venice…from the Cinque Terre, take the train to Verona (skipping Milan), spend the rest of the day exploring the town, spend the night, and the following morning continue to Venice.
Lake Como
Lake Como is a slice of Italian paradise, and for many people, and a visit to Bellagio is the highlight.
Bellagio | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
Lake Como makes a great day trip destination from Milan. To add Lake Como to this Italy itinerary, you need 2 extra days. From the Cinque Terre, travel to Milan and spend the afternoon exploring Milan. On day 2, day trip to Lake Como. The following day, take the train from Milan to Venice.
Go Hiking in the Dolomites
Dolomites | 14 Day Italy Itinerary
The Dolomites are one of our favorite regions in the world to go hiking. Adding one day to this Italy itinerary gives you enough time to hike one trail and take a scenic car ride through the mountains. If you have two or three extra days, base yourself in a small, alpine town, go hiking, and enjoy this beautiful place.
How to Get Around Italy
To get from city to city, we recommend taking the train. Trains in Italy are fast, cheap, and very convenient. The train stations are located right in the city centers, so you can quickly and conveniently travel from city center to city center. Trains are faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than planes.
To check train schedules and to book your trains online, Italiarail.com is the easiest website to use. Just be aware that they charge a €5 booking fee to use their website. You can avoid the €5 fee by using Trenitalia.com, but this website is more difficult to use.
In our experience, we have found it to be cheaper to book our tickets individually rather than purchasing a Eurail Pass.
Designing Your Own Italy Itinerary?
This Italy itinerary is a great starting point for designing your own custom itinerary. For more tips and tricks to help you plan the perfect trip, consider reading this article:
7 Things to Know When Planning Your First Trip to Europe
More Information for Your Trip to Italy
ROME: For a list of the top experiences in Rome, read our article Best Things to Do in Rome. Learn how to put these together in our 2 Day Rome Itinerary and 3 day Rome Itinerary. And don’t miss our guides to the Best Views of Rome, best Rooftop Bars in Rome, and our Rome Restaurant Guide.
ROME: Don’t miss our detailed guides about How to Visit the Colosseum and How to Visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.
TUSCAN HILL TOWNS: Check out our detailed guides to Siena, Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino, San Gimignano, Lucca, Volterra, Arezzo, and Cortona.
VENICE: Learn more about Venice in our article Best Things to Do in Venice. We also have guides about How to Visit St. Mark’s Basilica, where to get the Best Views of Venice, and how to spend Two Days in Venice.
AMALFI COAST: Pick out which towns you want to visit in our article about the best towns to visit on the Amalfi Coast. If you are active and adventurous, one of the best things to do on the Amalfi Coast is hike the Path of the Gods. We also have a 3-day Sorrento Itinerary, best things to do in Capri, and where to stay on the Amalfi Coast.
If you need more information about traveling to Italy, check out our Italy Travel Guide which has links to all of our articles about Italy and advice to help you plan the perfect trip.
For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, check out our Travel Itinerary page.
Comment below if you have any questions about this 14 Day Italy itinerary or how to spend two weeks in Italy.
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Comments 236
Hi Julie,
We are visiting Italy from September 18 through October 4. Flying in and out of Rome. The plan was to spend a few days in Rome, and then travel to Positano, and then up to Siena. From Siena. We plan on taking day trips to Florence, Umbria, Pisa, Lucca.
Do you think day trips from Siena to the other locations are the best way to do it, or should we move hotels?
We plan on taking buses or trains to the other locations.
Thank you!
Jayme
Author
Hello Jayme. Next week I plan to publish a Tuscany itinerary which will help you out. But here are a few things to consider. The easiest way to get around Tuscany is with a rental car, but there are a few towns that are easy to get to using public transportation (such as Pisa and Lucca). Tim and I visited Orvieto on the drive from Rome to Tuscany, so if you have a car, you could visit Orvieto on the drive from Positano to Tuscany (that will be a lot of driving that day). Siena is a good home base for day tripping to Tuscan towns such as San Gimignano, Montepulciano, etc. After you visit Siena, I recommend then staying in Florence (and drop the rental car…having a car in Florence is a nightmare). Visit the sights in Florence while you are here and it is super easy to combine Lucca and Pisa together in a day trip from Florence using the train. If you have any other questions, please let me know. And sometime in the next 10 days I should have the Tuscany itinerary published. Cheers, Julie
Dear Julie, your site is brilliant and so informative. Thanks so much for your shared insights.
We are a family of 6 and are travelling to Italy in winter (Jan 2024). We will have about 18 full days, and I’m thinking to ski for perhaps 4 days (not sure where yet), leaving 14 days for the rest of Italy. As some of these destinations, particularly the Amalfi coast, are most suited to summer, how would you alter your itinerary? Is there any value in visiting Amalfi in winter?
Many thanks.
Author
Hello Mark. If you plan to spend some of your trip skiing, one place to look into are the Dolomites. It’s an awesome skiing destination and the winter olympics will be held here in 2026. We have lots of info on the Dolomites but most of it is geared to a summer visit, but we have articles on where to stay and eat and things to do. The Amalfi Coast is not great in the winter. The majority of restaurants and hotels close and the weather can by gray and drizzly. I’d save the Amalfi Coast for a future visit to Italy (you could return sometime and do our Southern Italy Itinerary).
Here is a sample 18 day itinerary with the Dolomites (or take out the Dolomites if you plan to ski at another spot…Zermatt is also good): (1) arrive in Rome (2,3,4) Rome (5) train to Florence, Florence (6, 7) Florence (8, 9) day trips into Tuscany from Florence or spend 2 days in Siena or another hill town…a rental car is best for these 2 days (10) travel to Venice (11, 12) Venice (13, 14, 15, 16) Dolomites for skiing (17) travel to Milan, visit Milan (18) fly home. I gave you extra time in Rome, Florence, Tuscany and Milan. I put Milan at the end. If you want to take out the Dolomites, it is easier to travel into Switzerland from Milan, should you decide to go to Switzerland for skiing, you could put it here at the end of your trip. Or, start in Switzerland, go skiing, and do this itinerary in the opposite direction. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any questions. Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie, My daughter and I are planning 14 days (including traveling) in Italy in early November (flying in and out of Rome). We love your itinerary but would love to find a way to add the Dolomites, Lake Como and maybe San Marino to the itinerary. I think top priorities are Rome, Venice, Cinque Terre, Tuscany and maybe Dolomites, but not really sure. It’s so difficult to choose! We love to hike, love the outdoors, but also love history and art. Do you have any recommendations as to the top cities of your itinerary and the three we added on? Can you offer any recommendations as to how we might adjust the itinerary? Thank you! Sheri
Author
Hello Sheri. November is not a great time to visit the Dolomites. It is a transition time between the summer hiking season and the winter ski season so you might not be able to do much while you are here and I think it is best saved for a future trip to Italy (the Dolomites is best from June through early October). If you want to add more places onto this itinerary, without taking anything out, it gets to be very busy. So, I don’t know if you plan to swap out places or add on to this itinerary. Our favorite cities are Rome, Florence, the towns in Tuscany, Verona, and Matera and Alberobello (but these are in southern Italy and would be too far away to add to this itinerary).
With 14 days, start in Rome, spend 3 days here (following this itinerary), skip the Amalfi Coast (to give yourself time for other places), travel to Florence by train for 2 days, then spend 2 days in Tuscany (rent a car and base yourself in Siena or another hill town or take day trips from Florence), then spend 2 days in the Cinque Terre, then travel to Milan and visit Milan in the afternoon, then day trip to Lake Como from Milan, then travel from Milan to Venice by train (you can go right to Venice or visit Verona in transit), and finish up with 2 days in Venice, which gets you to 14 days. If you want to add on San Marino, you will have to swap out the 2 days in Tuscany for the 2 days for travel time and time to visit San Marino.
If you have any other questions about the details of what I just laid out, let me know. Cheers, Julie
We are planning a trip in August (2023!). Will we still be able to see everything even though parts of Italy may be shut down due to a holiday? Also, do you recommend flying into Rome and also flying out of Rome for this trip, or is it better to fly into Rome, then fly out of Venice back home? Thank you!
Author
Hello Lisa. I recommend flying into Rome and out of Venice, since that will save you a lot of travel time. But you also need to weigh that against flight costs (sometimes it costs more to fly into one city and out of another). If you need to return to Rome, it will take about half of a day of travel time by train. And yes, you can do this itinerary in August. Some parts of Italy will be busier but in general, hotels and restaurants will still be open throughout Italy but just make your hotel and restaurant reservations in advance. Cheers, Julie
Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I appreciate it! We just booked our trip! We are flying in and out of Rome. Would you rearrange the itinerary in any way to make it more efficient due to us flying in and out of Rome? Also, would you make any changes if I’m traveling with just my teenager? I’ve previously been to Florence and Milan and I know she would love both of those cities.
Author
You will have to take some time away from something, to use that time to get back to Rome. Venice makes the most sense to me, so you could visit Venice the morning of day 14 and travel to Rome that afternoon (train or plane). Alternatively, you could take some time from Florence, but I think 2 full days here is ideal so I’d leave that alone, if it were me. A teenager should love this itinerary. She’ll get to see some very recognizable, famous places, visit the beaches, and see the best of Italy. Have a great time on your trip! Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie, Thank you so much for this great itinerary and blog. We are trying to finalize our plans to travel to Italy for 15 days in Aug. Is 3 days in each of the above cities enough time? Is it hectic to just have one full day in each city? Is Amalfi coast similar to Cinque Terre? Is Amalfi essential? Also what are your thoughts on taking a private transfer to the train stations from the hotels vs. taxis? Is it pretty easy to find taxis and travel to the train stations? Thanks so much in advance!
Author
Hello Dipa. I don’t think the Amalfi Coast is absolutely essential and in August it will be very crowded. We liked the Cinque Terre more, even though we have spent a lot more time at the Amalfi Coast. If you don’t mind skipping the Amalfi Coast and you have 15 days, you would have 4 extra days for this itinerary. With those 4 days, consider adding a day in Rome and another two days for Tuscany from Florence (you can day trip each day from Florence or stay in Siena or another Tuscan hill town for 2 to 3 nights and use this as a home base to explore Tuscany…it’s best to rent a car for this section if you choose to do this). With the 4th day, you could add more time to Venice or visit Verona in between the Cinque Terre and Venice. To do this, on the day you leave the 5Terre (day 12 of this itinerary), visit Milan by train for a few hours and then go to Verona. Sleep in Verona and spend the next day in Verona. The following morning, travel to Venice and spend the rest of your time here. You will have to adjust this itinerary a bit depending on what you want to do so if you have any other questions, let me know. Lately, we tend to use a taxi to get us from the train station/airport to our hotels, if it is not convenient to walk from the train station. Uber works in some places as well. And yes, we haven’t had any problems getting a taxi from train stations and your hotel should be able to call you a taxi to take you back to the station at the end of your stay. Cheers, Julie
Thank you so much for the feedback Julie! A couple of other questions – how far in advance do you need to book trains? Can you just pay for them the day of or do they need to be booked far in advance?
Author
Regional trains do not need to be booked in advance; purchase your ticket right before boarding. We purchase our high speed train tickets a month in advance, usually. You’d have to look up when the high speed train tickets get released (off the top of my head I can’t recall if it is 30 or 60 days in advance).
i really like this 14 day italy as a gift to my son for there honeymoon, wen should i book for may 2024
and could you send me brochures or more info on best way to spend two weeks in italy and prices in cdn dollars
Author
Hello Tom. We don’t run tours but you can share this itinerary with a travel agent and then can help you make the arrangements. For May 2024, I recommend making your bookings about 5 to 6 months in advance. Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie! Thank you so much for sharing all of your family’s travel experiences! You are adding ease and enjoyment to what would otherwise be a very stressful and overwhelming planning process. We have an extra day to add to our itinerary (15 days total) and would like to add another day to explore the Tuscany region. Would you suggest that we then stay just 2 nights in Florence and 2 nights elsewhere in the Tuscany region? If so, do you have any recommendations on good places or areas to stay? Thank you for your time and for all your valuable information!
Author
Hello Ali. Thanks for writing in. That’s a great question! I think 2 full days in Tuscany sounds wonderful. If you want to spend 2 nights in Tuscany outside of Florence, I have two options to share with you. #1 is Siena. This is one of our favorite towns in Tuscany and you can spend a day visiting Siena and a day day tripping from here (do Montalcino + Pienza + Montepulciano OR San Gimignano +/- Volterra). Option #2 is to stay in a villa in Val d’Orcia (we stayed in Villa Le Prata). From Val d’Orcia, you can take your pick from the day trips listed above. Definitely do Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano since they are so close to Villa Le Prata and other nearby villas. It is best to rent a car for your time in Tuscany. As for where to stay in Siena, we have some links to hotels at the end of our Siena itinerary. That article will be getting an update soon but I do highly recommend dinner at La Taverna San Giuseppe. It is a Michelin starred restaurant that serves great food in a casual atmosphere. Osteria da Divo is also very good. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers, Julie