Robin and I spent two weeks traveling around Italy with two of our very close friends. Two weeks is a long vacation, especially if you are from the U.S. but it isn’t enough time to see all of Italy. You can however get a sampler plate trip. You’ll see enough to know what you liked and didn’t and where you will want to see more of the next time around. So let’s get into this fast paced two week Italy itinerary.
I would say some cities could’ve used a week or more alone to really see everything. Below I’ve outlined my suggested time in each city to get a feel for each one. This two week Italy itinerary will hit on all the big sights in each city without feeling overly rushed. It is husband approved because it allows for some downtime while still allowing you to see a lot.
Each of these cities or areas will get their own blog post going into more detail about what to do, favorite food spots, the best gelato and helpful tips for the area! Make sure to check them out to help you plan out your dream trip.
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Best Time to Visit Italy
High season is from about May – August. This is when the crowds are the biggest and also when Italy is the hottest! It can get up to 100 F in July and August which is miserable when you are walking and in lines all day.
Shoulder season is September – October and March – April. The crowd thin out a little, the weather cools off and in the spring you get gorgeous flowers! We went at the end of October and the weather was PERFECT. We did get lucky though because the rainy season usually starts mid-October and we didn’t get any. During this time you can typically expect temperatures to be around the 60’s and 70’s Fahrenheit.
Off season is November – February when the temperature really cools down.
Read More: What to Wear in Rome in the Fall
Two Week Italy Itinerary
Rome 3 x days
We had two and a half days in Rome and it was enough time to hit many of the big well known sights. It kept us very busy and moving which is hard not to do when there is so much to see. I would have loved another half day to an extra full day to see a few smaller sights and really just spend more time in this amazing city. It ended up being one of my favorites of the whole trip.
Amalfi Coast 3-4 x days
We had two days in Sorrento. There is not a lot to do in Sorrento itself but it is an amazing place for day trips with easy access to Amalfi, Positano, Pompeii and Capri. We spent a half day in Pompeii, a day trip out to Positano and stayed in Sorrento for a day. I would have loved another day to go further down the coast to Amalfi or go out to Capri.
Cinque Terre 2-3 x days
We had only two days in Cinque Terre which is enough time to see all 5 towns and get some hiking in. Since the towns are only separated by a 4-8 minute train ride you can easily hope around and pick and choose where you spend your time. I would’ve loved another day however to do more of the hikes and get to explore all 5 towns more in depth rather than getting a sampler.
Venice 2 x days
We had two days in Venice which was plenty of time for our two week itinerary. A very unique city there is a lot to see but it is all fairly close together. I felt two days was great to see all that we did and get a feel for life in Venice.
Florence 2-3 x days
We spent 3 days in Florence and we had plenty of time to see the sights and even took a day trip out to see the Saturnia Hot Springs. Another popular day trip out of Florence is Pisa which we did not go see. I personally would move the third day to Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast if I did it again. However, if you have three days to spend here there will be no shortage of things to do.
Blog Posts by City
I Rome I Sorrento I Cinque Terre I Venice I Florence I
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Italy Itinerary – Oh the Places You’ll Go
There are so many amazing places to visit in Italy that it would be impossible to see them all in only two weeks. Feel free to adjust where you spend your time by adding and removing places to best fit your travel style and what you want to see.
A great option would be to split Italy into two trips, a Northern trip and a Southern trip. We did not even touch Sicily, Milan, Lake Como, or the Dolomites to name a few. Deciding where to visit and what to cut out is by far the hardest part of planning an Italy trip.
A popular question I get is wether to visit Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre. They are both costal fishing towns, both UNESCO World Heritage sites and both stunning in their own right. Amalfi Coast seems to draw a wealthier crowd, is more of a typical beach getaway and very relaxing. Cinque Terre is cheaper to stay at, much more a backpackers scene, and although it has beaches the real draw for me was the hiking.
Seeing both if possible is great but if you only have time for one then the real deciding factor is wether you are traveling to the north or to the south. Cinque Terre fits in best with seeing Rome, Venice, and Florence.
Related Posts:
- Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre: Which Italian Coast Should You Visit?
- When to Pack Heavy vs. Light
- Customizable 2 Week Packing List
Getting Around Italy
The easiest, safest, and most affordable way to travel through most of Europe is by train. Italy is no exception! Renting a car is way more expensive, will take a lot longer and parking is an absolute nightmare!
If you are traveling through only Italy then I recommend getting an Italiarail pass for this Itinerary. Ticket prices vary so you may have to price it out when you go but it tends to be cheaper. Especially if you are under 27 which is considered youth.
If you are traveling through a couple different countries then I recommend the eurorail pass. This will allow you to travel on trains almost anywhere in Europe. They also offer cheaper prices if you are under 27.
The only exception to the trains is for day drips through the Tuscany country side where a lot of places are not easily accessible by train. This was the case for our trip to the Saturnia Hot Springs.
Helpful Tips for Italy
- It means a lot to the locals when you try to speak a little of the local language. Be sure to impress them by learning a few key phrases.
- Italy uses the Euro and there are still many many places that take cash only or have minimums before they take card. Be sure to bring cash with you.
- Download the google maps to your phone. This will allow you to navigate without service or WiFi which can be really helpful in a foreign country.
- Book sights in advance. Some places even weeks in advance. They will sell out or cause you to stand in lines for HOURS if you don’t.
- Eat gelato everywhere you go. Like pizza, even bad gelato is good. But to find real authentic gelato look for places where it is NOT pilled high. It shouldn’t be higher than the edge of its container. It should be kept in a metal container and places with lids have the best temperature regulation. Also if it is served with an ice cream scoop, just walk away.
4 Must Have Items for a Smooth Trip to Italy
Plug Adapter + Converter
Italy uses a F and L type outlet which is two or three pronged (one grounded, one not, either will work) with a 230 V output. Make sure you are prepared with the right plug adapter and converter to protect your devices. I have used this combo device for over a year and I love it! With three plug-in spots and 4 USB charging ports it also makes the most of limited plugin space. It has adapters for world-wide use too.
Portable Charger
You will be doing a lot of walking and sightseeing while you are out and about with this fast paced two week Italy itinerary. Using maps, taking pictures and looking up facts are all sure to drain your battery. Make sure you can find your way home at night with this portable charger. It will charge an iPhone 4 times before it needs to be recharged itself and has great reviews.
Backpack + Slashproof Purse
The unfortunate truth is that pickpocketing and theft happen and they happen a lot in crowded areas like tourist sights. Having a slash proof backpack or purse can save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
Comfortable Shoes
About halfway through this two week Italy itinerary your feet will be begging for good shoes. Between the fact that Italy is VERY pedestrian friendly and the cobblestone roads you are going to want comfortable shoes. You will most likely be walking and standing for hours at a time as you sightsee, ride the public transportation, and get lost. Don’t let painful shoes ruin your experience. I have these Dr Scholl’s shoes in the light grey and I love them! I got them off the recommendation of my favorite affordable fashion blogger @livingmybeststyle!
Fast Paced Italy Itinerary
As you can see this two week Italy itinerary will keep you busy but it also allows you to see five unique areas of a history filled country.
Italy is a truly unique country and wonderful country with so much to see and do! I loved getting the opportunity to travel here and hope you get to visit someday soon too! Let me know if you have any questions I haven’t answered here.
We tend to travel at a fast pace too so we can see as much as possible in our vacations. We went to Italy years ago back in 2011, but this will be great to use next time we head that way!
I can’t seem to travel at any other pace haha! There is just so much to see in so little time. Glad you found it useful! Italy is such a great place to visit.
What a great Italy itinerary and helpful tips! Italy is one of my favorite countries and you covered some great areas to see! 😁
It was my first time but we covered a lot of ground! I absolutely loved Italy. I have posts coming with more detail about each city that could be of help if you are ever planning a trip back!