2 Weeks in Italy: The Ultimate Itinerary
Contents
- Route overview
- Key transport connections
- Days 1–3: Rome
- Where to stay
- Day 1 — Ancient Rome
- Day 2 — Vatican and Trastevere
- Day 3 — Borghese and historic centre
- Days 4–6: Naples and the Amalfi Coast
- Where to stay
- Day 4 — Naples and Pompeii
- Day 5 — Amalfi Coast: Positano and Amalfi
- Day 6 — Ravello and departure
- Days 7–9: Florence and Tuscany
- Where to stay
- Day 7 — Arrival and Duomo
- Day 8 — Uffizi and Oltrarno
- Day 9 — Tuscan day trip
- Days 10–11: Cinque Terre
- Where to stay
- Day 10 — Arrive and explore
- Day 11 — Hiking and swimming
- Days 12–14: Venice
- Where to stay
- Day 12 — Arrival and Grand Canal
- Day 13 — San Marco and Dorsoduro
- Day 14 — Islands and departure
- Budget summary for 2 weeks in Italy
Two weeks in Italy allows a complete itinerary that covers the capital, the southern coast, Renaissance Tuscany, the Ligurian coastline, and Venice. This route runs south to north: fly into Rome, fly out of Venice, and travel primarily by high-speed train with a rental car for Tuscany.
Route overview
| Days | Destination | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Rome | 3 |
| 4–6 | Naples + Amalfi Coast | 3 |
| 7–9 | Florence | 3 |
| 10–11 | Cinque Terre | 2 |
| 12–14 | Venice | 3 |
Key transport connections
| Route | Method | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome → Naples | Frecciarossa | 1h 10min | From EUR 19 |
| Naples → Sorrento | Circumvesuviana | 1h 10min | EUR 4.40 |
| Salerno → Florence | Frecciarossa | 3h | From EUR 29 |
| Florence → La Spezia | Regionale | 2h 30min | EUR 14–18 |
| La Spezia → Venice | Frecciarossa via Milan | 4h total | From EUR 35 |
Days 1–3: Rome
Where to stay
Budget: Hotel Lancelot — Via Capo d’Africa. From approximately EUR 90/night as of 2026. Mid-range: Hotel Raphael — Largo Febo, behind Piazza Navona. From approximately EUR 180/night. Luxury: Hotel de Russie — Via del Babuino. From approximately EUR 450/night.
Day 1 — Ancient Rome
Arrive at Fiumicino. Leonardo Express to Termini (EUR 14, 32 minutes).
Afternoon: Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill (approximately EUR 18 combined, open 9:00–19:15 in summer as of 2026). Allow 3–4 hours.
Dinner: Roscioli (Via dei Giubbonari 21). Exceptional pasta, curated wine list. Mains from approximately EUR 16–22.
Day 2 — Vatican and Trastevere
Morning: Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel (approximately EUR 17, open 8:00–19:00). St Peter’s Basilica (free, dome EUR 8). Allow 4 hours total.
Lunch: Bonci Pizzarium (Via della Meloria 43) — pizza al taglio, approximately EUR 3–5.
Afternoon: Castel Sant’Angelo (approximately EUR 15). Walk to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon (approximately EUR 5).
Dinner: Da Enzo al 29 in Trastevere — mains from approximately EUR 10–14.
Day 3 — Borghese and historic centre
Morning: Borghese Gallery (approximately EUR 15, 2-hour timed visits). Book ahead.
Afternoon: Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps. Lunch at Armando al Pantheon (mains from approximately EUR 14–18).
Dinner: Nonna Betta in the Jewish Ghetto — Roman-Jewish cuisine, mains from approximately EUR 13–18.
Days 4–6: Naples and the Amalfi Coast
Where to stay
Naples (1 night): Hotel Piazza Bellini from approximately EUR 75; Grand Hotel Parker’s from approximately EUR 150. Amalfi Coast (2 nights): Hotel Lidomare (Amalfi) from approximately EUR 100; Hotel Marina Riviera (Amalfi) from approximately EUR 200; Le Sirenuse (Positano) from approximately EUR 800.
Day 4 — Naples and Pompeii
Take the morning Frecciarossa to Naples (1 hour 10 minutes). Visit Pompeii via the Circumvesuviana (40 minutes to Pompeii Scavi, EUR 3.60). Entry approximately EUR 18, open 9:00–19:00 as of 2026.
Return to Naples for the Archaeological Museum (approximately EUR 18, closed Tuesdays).
Dinner: Sorbillo (Via dei Tribunali 32) — pizza from approximately EUR 5–7. Queue early.
Day 5 — Amalfi Coast: Positano and Amalfi
Take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento (1 hour 10 minutes, EUR 4.40), then the SITA bus along the coast to Positano and Amalfi. Alternatively, take the ferry from Naples Molo Beverello to Amalfi (approximately EUR 20, seasonal).
Explore Positano — walk down to Spiaggia Grande, browse the ceramics shops. Continue to Amalfi and check in. Visit the Cathedral of St Andrew (approximately EUR 3 entry).
Dinner: Trattoria Da Gemma (Via Fra Gerardo Sasso 11, Amalfi) — seafood, mains from approximately EUR 16–24.
Day 6 — Ravello and departure
Morning: Bus up to Ravello (25 minutes, EUR 1.30). Visit Villa Rufolo (approximately EUR 10) and Villa Cimbrone (approximately EUR 8) — the Terrace of Infinity is one of Italy’s finest viewpoints.
Lunch: Cumpa Cosimo (Via Roma 44, Ravello) — family-run since 1929, mains from approximately EUR 12–18.
Afternoon: Bus or ferry to Salerno, then Frecciarossa to Florence (3 hours, from EUR 29).
Days 7–9: Florence and Tuscany
Where to stay
Budget: Hotel Perseo — Via de’ Cerretani. From approximately EUR 85/night. Mid-range: Hotel Davanzati — Via Porta Rossa. From approximately EUR 160/night. Luxury: Hotel Lungarno — Borgo San Jacopo. From approximately EUR 380/night.
Day 7 — Arrival and Duomo
Arrive from Salerno. Check in.
Afternoon: Duomo complex — combined ticket approximately EUR 30 (dome, baptistery, bell tower, museum as of 2026). Climb Brunelleschi’s dome (463 steps, timed entry on duomo.firenze.it).
Dinner: Buca Mario (Piazza degli Ottaviani 16) — bistecca alla fiorentina from approximately EUR 50/kg. Mains from EUR 15–20.
Day 8 — Uffizi and Oltrarno
Morning: Uffizi Gallery (approximately EUR 25 peak, open 8:15–18:30, closed Mondays). Book on uffizi.it.
Lunch: All’Antico Vinaio (Via dei Neri 65) — sandwiches from approximately EUR 5–7.
Afternoon: Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti (approximately EUR 16), Boboli Gardens (approximately EUR 10). Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo.
Dinner: Trattoria Sostanza (Via del Porcellana 25) — famous artichoke omelette. Cash only. Mains from approximately EUR 14–20.
Day 9 — Tuscan day trip
Rent a car for the day (from approximately EUR 40–50/day). Drive to San Gimignano (1 hour from Florence) — the medieval towers, Vernaccia wine tasting at Fattoria Poggio Alloro (approximately EUR 15 per tasting). Continue to Siena (30 minutes from San Gimignano) — the Duomo (combined ticket approximately EUR 15), Piazza del Campo, and the panoramic views from the Torre del Mangia (approximately EUR 10, 400 steps). Return car in Florence.
Lunch in Siena: Osteria Le Logge (Via del Porrione 33) — Tuscan cuisine, mains from approximately EUR 16–22.
Days 10–11: Cinque Terre
Where to stay
Budget: Ostello Corniglia — Corniglia. Dorms from approximately EUR 30, doubles from approximately EUR 80 as of 2026. Mid-range: Hotel Porto Roca — Monterosso al Mare. From approximately EUR 170/night. Clifftop, sea views. Luxury: Grand Hotel Portovenere — Portovenere (adjacent to Cinque Terre). From approximately EUR 280/night.
Day 10 — Arrive and explore
Take the regional train from Florence to La Spezia (2 hours 30 minutes, approximately EUR 14–18), then the Cinque Terre Express to your village (5–10 minutes between each village, EUR 4 per trip or Cinque Terre Card approximately EUR 16/day for unlimited trains + hiking trails).
Explore Riomaggiore and Manarola — walk between them on the Via dell’Amore path (check trail status, often closed for maintenance). Take the train to Vernazza for the harbour views and aperitivo.
Dinner: Ristorante Belforte (Via Guidoni 42, Vernazza) — seafood in a medieval watchtower. Mains from approximately EUR 16–24. Reserve ahead.
Day 11 — Hiking and swimming
Morning: Hike the trail from Monterosso to Vernazza (approximately 2 hours, moderate difficulty, the most scenic section). The Cinque Terre Card covers trail access.
Afternoon: Swim at Monterosso’s beach (the only sand beach in the five villages, sun lounger approximately EUR 25–30/day) or explore Corniglia, the hilltop village reached by 382 steps from the station.
Dinner: L’Ancora della Tortuga (Via Buranco 4, Monterosso) — seafood with sea views. Mains from approximately EUR 18–26.
Days 12–14: Venice
Where to stay
Budget: Generator Venice — Giudecca. From approximately EUR 110/night. Mid-range: Hotel Al Ponte Antico — Cannaregio. From approximately EUR 200/night. Luxury: The Gritti Palace — Grand Canal. From approximately EUR 700/night.
Day 12 — Arrival and Grand Canal
Take the train from La Spezia to Venice via Milan (change at Milano Centrale, approximately 4 hours total, from EUR 35). Buy a 72-hour vaporetto pass (EUR 45 as of 2026).
Afternoon: Take Vaporetto Line 1 down the Grand Canal. Walk to the Rialto Bridge and the fish market (mornings only).
Dinner: Cantina Do Spade (San Polo 860) — cicchetti (Venetian tapas) from approximately EUR 2–4 each.
Day 13 — San Marco and Dorsoduro
Morning: Doge’s Palace (approximately EUR 30, open 9:00–18:00). St Mark’s Basilica (free, skip-the-line EUR 6).
Afternoon: Gallerie dell’Accademia (approximately EUR 12) — Bellini, Tintoretto, Veronese. Walk along the Zattere waterfront.
Dinner: Osteria alle Testiere (Castello) — seafood tasting menus from approximately EUR 50–60. Reserve weeks ahead.
Day 14 — Islands and departure
Morning: Vaporetto to Murano (Museo del Vetro approximately EUR 10) and Burano (lace museum approximately EUR 5). Allow 3 hours.
Lunch: Trattoria Da Romano on Burano — risotto di gò, mains from approximately EUR 15–22.
Afternoon: Return to Venice. Alilaguna to Marco Polo Airport (approximately EUR 15, 60–90 minutes).
Budget summary for 2 weeks in Italy
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (13 nights) | EUR 1,100–1,400 | EUR 2,100–2,900 | EUR 6,000+ |
| Meals (14 days) | EUR 420–560 | EUR 700–980 | EUR 1,600+ |
| Trains + car + local transport | EUR 150–200 | EUR 220–300 | EUR 350–500 |
| Entry fees | EUR 200–240 | EUR 200–240 | EUR 200–240 |
| Total per person | EUR 1,870–2,400 | EUR 3,220–4,420 | EUR 8,150+ |
All prices approximate as of 2026.
Book ahead
Book the key experiences
Turn this itinerary into reality. Secure your spots — popular tours sell out 2–3 days ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is 2 weeks enough to see Italy properly?
- Two weeks covers the essential highlights — Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Florence, Cinque Terre, and Venice — with enough time to avoid rushing. You will not see everything (Sicily, Puglia, and the Dolomites require a separate trip), but you will have genuine depth at each stop.
- Do I need a rental car for a 2-week Italy trip?
- Only for the Tuscan hill towns segment (days 9-10). The rest works entirely by train, bus, and ferry. Rent in Florence, return in Florence — typically 2 days costs approximately EUR 60-100 plus fuel. Do not drive in Italian cities.
- What is the most expensive part of this itinerary?
- The Amalfi Coast and Venice. Budget accommodation on the Amalfi Coast starts from approximately EUR 100/night even for basic rooms, and Venice is consistently the most expensive city in Italy for hotels. Book both segments well ahead for the best rates.
- How much does 2 weeks in Italy cost per person?
- Budget approximately EUR 2,500-4,000 per person for a mid-range two-week trip, including accommodation, meals, trains, car rental, and entry fees. This varies significantly by season — July and August can cost 40-60% more than April or October.