The best 2 week Italy itinerary

If you are the bucket list type and want to check off a vacation to Italy from your list, here is the best 2 week Italy itinerary.

Before we get to that, be sure to read our tips for flying to Italy.

Now, here is where you should go for a 14 day trip to Italy.

Start in Venice

You’ll want to start in Venice and then head south.  Venice has its own international airport, so it is easy to fly there from North America and Europe.

The main attractions in Venice are Piazza San Marco, Basilica di San Marco, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Grand Canal, Ponte di Rialto, the Guggenheim Collection, and the islands of Murano and Burano.

You won’t really need more than two full days to explore Venice.

Stop #2 on the best 2 week Italy Itinerary

Your next stop on this 14 day Italy itinerary should be one of the most overlooked cities in Italy… Bologna.

Known as the food capital of Italy, it is similar in population to Florence and far less crowded.

The main attraction in Bologna is Piazza Maggiore, but you will also just want to take a couple days to stroll around the historic center of the city to sample its cuisine.

Stop #3 – Florence

The next stop on this epic journey to Italy is Florence.  There is plenty to see and do in Florence so be sure to check out our guide.

Absolute must things to see in Florence include…

• Duomo di Firenze (climb to the top if you are in shape!)
• Accademia Gallery… home of The David sculpture
• Uffizi Gallery
• Ponte Vecchio
• Mercato Centrale
• Piazza della Repubblica

To see most of Florence, you will want to spend at least two full days, particularly if you are interested in shopping.

While in Florence, consider a day trip to Pisa, Siena and Arezzo.

Pisa and Arezzo are easy to reach by train, while the best way to get to Siena is by bus.

Next Stop – Rome

About 2 1/2 hours to the south from Florence by train is Rome.

Unlike Venice, Bologna and Florence, Rome is not exceptionally walkable.  However, if you find accommodations near the Pantheon, most of the major attractions are within a reasonable distance.

You will want to spend a solid three days in Rome to see the major attractions including…

• The Colosseum and Forum
• The Vatican
• Trevi Fountain
• Piazza Navona
• Piazza del Popolo
• Via del Corso
• Campo de’Fiori
• Museo Nazionale Romano

Last Stop – Amalfi Coast/Naples/Pompeii

And last, but not least on this 2 week itinerary to Italy is Amalfi Coast.

From Rome, you can take the train to Naples.  Naples is a massive city, and worth exploring on its own.

The main attractions in Naples include the centro storico (historic center), the Museo Nazionale, and the Lungomare Caracciolo, a stunning waterfront promenade.

To visit the Amalfi Coast and other nearby areas, we recommend staying in Sorrento.

From there, you can visit the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and catch a ferry to Capri, Positano and other towns along the Amalfi Coast.

If the weather is good, a ferry ride is the best way to get from Sorrento to the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Among these towns, we recommend visiting Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.

When you are ready to fly home, Naples has a sizable international airport with easy connections throughout Europe and then back to North America.

How much time to spend in each destination

The amount of time you spend at each destination is based upon your own priorities.

First of all, don’t try to see much when you arrive in Italy if you are traveling from North America.

The best thing to do when you arrive in Venice is to simply get settled and explore your immediate surroundings.

In Venice, we suggest no more than two full days, given its small size.  In fact, you can probably see most of you want you want to see within a full day if you start early.

The direct train ride from Venice to Bologna is about an hour and a half.  Give yourself two days to explore Bologna.

The train ride from Bologna to Florence is then just 40 minutes.

You can see much of Florence in two days, but if you want to explore any nearby towns, you’ll need an extra day.  Among these towns, Siena is our top recommendation.

Rome requires a solid three days of exploring to hit the major attractions and enjoy strolling the neighborhoods.

If you are done with visiting the cities, then consider skipping Naples and head straight to Sorrento.

The train ride from Rome to Naples can take as little as just over an hour, but Sorrento requires a regional train from Naples so it will take at least 2 1/2 hours to get there from Rome.

Here is our recommended 2 week Italy itinerary…

• Day 1 – Fly to Venice
• Days 2 and 3 – Venice
• Days 4 and 5 – Bologna
• Days 6, 7, 8 – Florence
• Days 9, 10, 11 – Rome
• Days 12, 13, 14, 15 – Naples/Amalfi Coast
• Day 16 – Fly home

Not including your flying days, you will have a solid 14 days to visit some of the best destinations in Italy.

When you are ready to consider booking your flight, we recommend Cheapoair to find the best rates.

When to enjoy the best 14 day Italy Itinerary

With the exception of Bologna, expect a huge number of tourists at each of these destinations throughout the year, even during the winter months.

Therefore, you will probably want to go when the weather is best and that would be in Spring and Fall.  Florence and Rome are notably very hot during the summer months, and crowded.

If you go as late as mid-October, you will still have the opportunity to get in the water on the Amalfi Coast if that is one of your goals.

Once you have your trip booked, be sure you have decent luggage for the journey!

We recommend this travel backpack if you are taking a laptop with you.

Have a great trip!