Italy’s must-see cities and coastlines: Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Milan, and Venice.
When I went back to Italy, I deliberately planned a packed schedule to make the most of my time and see as much of the country as possible. If you’re comfortable with a fast-paced schedule and brief stays in each city, this 2-week itinerary is ideal for you. I chose to fly non-stop from Los Angeles to Rome, the most convenient option for my Italian adventure. In this guide, you’ll experience the best of Italy in 2 weeks, visiting Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Florence, Cinque Terre, Milan, and Venice, with convenient train and ferry connections. To make the most of your trip, I suggest booking your train and ferry tickets in advance to ensure a smooth transition between destinations. I secured my train tickets via RailEurope and ferry via FerryHopper a month in advance, which allowed me to enjoy a cheaper cost.
Day 1-2: ROME
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but you can at least see some of the best spots within 24 hours. It was my second visit to Rome. This time I only had one day to explore this amazing city. Rome has one of the most colorful histories in the world and it’s a top tourist destination in Europe. If you plan to visit Rome, or just stopping by for a short while, here are some great spots you can visit within a single day:
- Colosseum and the Roman Forum
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
- Castel Sant’Angelo
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- St Peter’s Basilica
- Vatican
Day 2-4: AMALFI COAST
Following a day of exploration in Rome, I took a train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale station, where I boarded a ferry to Positano. Plan ahead and allocate plenty of time between your arrival in Naples and your ferry departure to Positano to avoid any travel hiccups. I experienced a delay of 2 hours on our train from Rome to Naples, due to an employees’ strike that was happening at the time. Luckily, I found an alternative train company that was operating normally and purchased tickets from them.
Upon arriving at Napoli Centrale station, take a taxi to the port, arriving at least an hour before your scheduled departure time. Naples to Positano by ferry (via Ferryhopper) takes around 2 hours.
With 3 days to spend on Amalfi Coast, I set out to plan a perfect itinerary to make the most of my short time there.
Don’t miss these must-see spots!
Positano
- spend time at Spiagga Grande Beach
- visit the church of Santa Maria Assunta
- dine at Hotel Buca di Bacco for an amazing view
- drinks at Franco’s Bar for sunset view
- shopping around Positano
Capri
- visit Spiagga Libera Marina Grande Beach
- take Phoenician steps (921 stone steps from where to admire the island of Capri)
- explore the town of Anacapri
- visit Gardens of Augustus/enjoy the view of the iconic Faraglioni rocks
Amalfi
- visit Duomo di Sant’Andrea (Cathedral of Amalfi)
- spend time at Spiagga Grande Beach
- check out Coastal views of Amalfi town from Cimitero Monumentale
Following a leisurely day on the Amalfi Coast, its time to head back to Naples for your train to Florence. You’ll arrive in Florence in less than 3 hours by train.
Day 4-5: FLORENCE/PISA
With only one day to spare, I chose a hotel in the heart of Florence’s historic center for easy access to top attractions. Piazza Duomo’s grandeur is just a short walk away from La Terraza Terrazza Sul Duomo Firenze, and its beauty can be admired from the hotel’s rooftop. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) is a breathtakingly beautiful landmark that cannot be missed on your first visit to Florence. Despite our limited time, we managed to squeeze in some shopping for leather bags and souvenirs in the area. A day in Florence is just a taste of what this incredible city has to offer – there’s so much more to see and do. Check out some of the top attractions below for more.
Other top attractions to visit in Florence:
Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi): A world-renowned museum housing Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and other Renaissance masterpieces.
Ponte Vecchio: A medieval stone bridge lined with shops and boutiques, offering stunning views of the Arno River.
Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia): Home to Michelangelo’s iconic sculpture, “David.”
Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens: A grand palace and beautiful gardens, once the residence of the Medici family.
Santa Croce: A stunning Gothic church housing the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and other famous Florentines.
San Lorenzo Market: A bustling marketplace offering leather goods, souvenirs, and local food.
Palazzo Vecchio: A historic town hall and iconic landmark, featuring a striking clock tower.
Oltrarno Neighborhood: A charming area on the other side of the Arno, known for its bohemian vibe, local artisans, and authentic trattorias.
Museo Galileo: A science museum showcasing Galileo’s inventions and scientific discoveries.
To truly experience the best of this stunning city, I recommend a minimum stay of 2-3 days to explore its top attractions.
Following my stay in Florence, I embarked on a train journey to Pisa, where I made a quick transfer to a train heading to Cinque Terre. Pisa is only a one-hour train ride away from Florence. By carefully planning my schedule, I had ample time to catch the train to cinque terre and even managed to squeeze in a brief photo stop at the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a timeless bucket list experience, but be prepared for crowds and a challenge to capture perfect photos. If you’re traveling with luggage, Pisa Centrale train station provides a secure storage option for a charge.
Now, it’s time to catch another train to Cinque Terre. You’ll arrive at La Spezia station in Cinque Terre in an hour.
Day 5-8: CINQUE TERRE
Cinque Terre is a unique Italian destination that will blow your mind! Exploring 5 beautiful hillside villages; Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore is so much fun. These 5 villages are connected by hiking trails. You will need a Cinque Terre card if you want to hike in Cinque Terre. My favorites among these 5 villages are Manarola and Vernazza.
Curious about these 5 villages? Click here to explore and learn more!
From La Spezia centrale station in Cinque Terre, board a train to Milano Centrale, arriving in about 3 hours & 8 minutes.
Day 8-10: MILAN
No trip to Milan is complete without visiting the Duomo Cathedral – the great icon of the city and the largest cathedral in Italy. For maximum convenience, I opted staying in a hotel just across from the Duomo cathedral and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, making it easy to explore these famous landmarks.
The rooftop of the Duomo also offers one of the best views of Milan. You can visit the rooftop by stairs or lift pass tickets. I decided to take the stairs (250 stairs) for close views of gargoyles, stunning aspires, and majestic Madonnina overlooking the city. Purchasing tickets online in advance is highly recommended for visiting the Milan cathedral (Duomo di Milano). While some tickets are available for purchase onsite, booking in advance enables you to bypass the lengthy queues at the ticket counter.
Although a limited number of tickets are still sold onsite, buying in advance allows you to skip the long queues at the ticket office. You’ll only need to join a fast-moving queue for a quick security check. You can find the ticket office on the south side of the church or within the Duomo Museum.
In Milan, we took a break from our fast-paced travels, spending 2 days taking in the sights of the Duomo Cathedral and Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II, shopping, and dining out, allowing us to recharge after an exhausting series of city-to-city travels.
Next stop, Venice! Board a train at Milano Centrale and arrive at Venice’s Santa Lucia Station in just 2 hours!
Day 10-14: VENICE & BURANO ISLAND
The last but not least stop on our Italian itinerary: the enchanting city of Venice!
Getting lost in Venice is likely if you don’t have a phone with internet access. The city’s winding canals and streets have gotten us lost more times than I can count. But, losing your way is all part of the charm, as every nook and cranny of Venice is incredibly photogenic. If you’re short on time, it’s better to pinpoint the top spots you want to explore and plan an efficient route.
I’ve put together a list of the most famous spots in Venice, so you can make the most of your visit – click here to learn more!
Burano Island
Visiting Burano Island is one of the highlights of my trip to Venice. It’s colorful houses, rich history, and delicious seafood make it a must-visit spot in the Venetian Lagoon. The houses were painted in vibrant colors to distinguish one family’s property from another. In addition to its vibrant houses, Burano is famous for its exquisite lace-making tradition. Early morning is the best time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and have a more relaxed experience. A half day visit offers the perfect amount of time to explore the canals, colorful houses, churches and bridges.
How to get there
Burano is easily accessible by using the water bus (Vaporetto) from Venice and a one-way ticket costs 9.50 EUR (10.43 USD). The water bus ride from Venice to Burano takes approximately 40-45 minutes. Keep in mind that this travel time includes a short stop in Murano along the way.
Tips and Essentials
- Wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring sunscreen and a hat, as the sun can be strong.
- Don’t forget your camera to captures the island’s beauty.
- Try to visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
- Be prepared for some cobblestone streets and uneven pavement.