When planning a trip to Italy, it's essential to have access to reliable advice and information to maximize your experience in this culturally rich country. For comprehensive travel guidance and insider knowledge, delve into the articles below from our local Italian experts, whether you're arranging a quick city break or an extensive tour of the country.
Kimkim recommends dedicating at least a week to experiencing the blend of history, art, and cuisine in Italy's key cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice. If you have more time, consider extending your stay to explore the lesser-known but equally captivating regions, such as the rolling hills of Tuscany, the rugged coastline of Cinque Terre, or the historic trulli houses of Puglia. Our diverse itinerary suggestions are tailored to various durations and preferences, ensuring you can fully embrace your Italian journey, whether it lasts a few days or spans several weeks and whether you're after romance, luxury, or family-friendly adventures.
Continue reading to uncover the perfect mix of renowned attractions and hidden treasures, cultural immersion, and scenic beauty that Italy has to offer.
Italy has 20 regions, each with its own identity. Landscapes, cuisine, and dialect differ greatly from one to the next, and each merits its own visit. If your time is limited, you'll be able to see Italy's highlights in a matter of days—but spending two weeks or more means you'll get to explore multiple regions and fall in love with authentic Italy.
If you have five days in Italy, it's best to focus on one city or region—otherwise, you'll likely feel like you're spreading yourself too thin. On these five unique itineraries, you'll discover northern Italy's food scene, explore a corner of Sicily, road-trip between coastal villages on the Amalfi Coast, cycle through Tuscany's wine roads, or get to know the Eternal City.
If you have six days in Italy, it's best to keep things simple and focus on one or two destinations. Divide your time between Rome and the Amalfi Coast, spend a few days sipping wine or cycling through country roads in Tuscany, hike through the villages of the Cinque Terre, or enjoy the luxury of private tours in Venice and Florence: find out how with these five unique itineraries.
With one week in Italy, you can visit 2-3 culinary regions. Wine lovers and honeymooners will enjoy sipping reds in the Chianti Hills and sampling white varietals in Cinque Terre. Aspiring chefs can join a pizza workshop in Naples, prepare a farm-to-table meal in Sorento, go truffle hunting in Alba, and make cannoli in Taormina. History buffs will appreciate the castles of Piedmont and a VIP tour of Rome, and those eager to experience Sicily can visit the ruins of Agrigento and try street food in Palermo.
Bring your whole brood abroad to experience Italy's delicious food, ancient history, and glittering coastlines with these week-long itineraries. The country has something for everyone, even your smallest party members. With a week to explore, you can set forth on scavenger hunts through Rome and Venice, take a road trip through the lakes of Northern Italy, adventure along the Amalfi Coast, or stroll with a stroller through Sorrento with these seven-day itineraries.
With one week to explore Italy, you can focus on the country's must-see highlights while hopping between Rome, Florence, and Venice. Or, swap in the Amalfi Coast and a day trip to Capri if you're eager for a slice of idyllic coastline. If you're a traveler who enjoys the freedom of a rental car, you'll find Tuscany the ideal road-tripping destination, while Sicily and hiking in the Italian Dolomites are a great fit if you're seeking a more specialized trip.
If you have eight days to spend in Italy, you don't have to limit yourself to one region. Take a classic tour of Venice, Florence, and Rome, cycle the clifftop roads of Sardinia, boat around Lake Como, discover Sicily's antiquities, and sip wine in Chianti. Here are five unique itinerary suggestions.
With nine days to spend in Italy, travelers have enough time to see three major cities and add an additional region to explore—or, have a truly immersive experience in one area. On these five unique itineraries, you'll wander medieval towns in Tuscany, enjoy the beaches of Puglia, hike past craters on Mt. Etna, and share pizza and gladiator classes on a family-friendly tour of Rome.
With thousands of years of cultural and culinary history, Italy offers plenty to take in. In 10 days, you can choose to go deep on a particular region or hop between the high points. If you prefer the latter, check out our spin through Venice, Florence, and Rome ideal for school-age children, or take babies and toddlers to Rome and Sorrento with the help of private tours. If you'd rather specialize, try a road trip through Tuscany and Lakes Como and Garda or an adventure trip that will see you sailing over Tuscany and Veneto via bike, hot air balloon, and more.
Thanks to the ease of train travel, you can indulge in food and wine in 3-4 regions of Italy in 10 days. Aspiring chefs can perfect their skills in a pasta-making workshop in Andrano and a pizza masterclass in Naples, while wine lovers can take a tasting tour in Tuscany and sample Prosecco on a sommelier-guided trip to Treviso. Archaeology enthusiasts will appreciate a VIP tour of Rome's Coliseum and a hike among the archaeological wonders of Matera, and art fans will enjoy the galleries (and gelato!) in Florence.
Many travelers with 10 days to spend in Italy choose to explore two to three cities or regions—you can easily see the top sights in Venice, Florence, Rome, adding the Amalfi Coast for good measure. Or, take a food-focused trip that includes detours to Chianti and Parma. Another option? Immerse in the culture and nature of one region with a tour around Sicily or a hiking adventure in the Dolomites. Read on for five unique itineraries.
Ten days may seem like a short time to see both Italy and Greece, but you'll still get to experience all the main destinations, with enough time for a beach day or two. Focus your trip on a particular theme—like history, wine, or family—to fully immerse yourself in your favorite day-to-day adventures. Regardless of which itinerary you choose, it's easy to modify any of these trips to give you a bit more time in your favorite places.
With 11 days in Italy, you could focus your time on a single region, like Sicily or Tuscany. Or you could take advantage of the country's high-speed train network and visit several destinations. See the art and architecture of Florence, cruise around Lake Como, climb to the top of Mount Etna, take a pizza-making class in Rome, or sample locally produced cheeses and wines on a food-focused tour of Italy: find out how with these five unique itineraries.
Travelers with 12 days to spend in Italy have plenty of options—you can hit multiple major cities or enjoy an in-depth tour of one region like Sicily or the Italian Lakes. Trek through the scenic coastal villages of the Cinque Terre, see the lakes and mountains of the north, explore the quiet side roads of Sicily, or go on a grand tour that takes you to Rome, Venice, and Florence: these five unique itineraries show you how to make the most of your stay.
If you have 13 days in Italy, the sky's the limit. Take a grand tour around the country to hit the top sights, delve into a specific region, like Tuscany or Sicily, or do a bit of both. Divide your time between Rome and the laid-back Amalfi Coast, tour the islands around Venice on a boat, or focus on northern Italy and its lakes and mountains with these great itineraries.
With two weeks in Italy, you can see many of the country's top sights in one trip—Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast—or spend your time exploring a particular region in depth, like Tuscany or Sicily. On these four unique itineraries, you'll take a pizza-making class in Naples, road-trip around Sicily, explore the wine-growing region of Chianti, or get a taste of several Italian cities, moving quickly between destinations on the country's network of high-speed trains.
Two weeks in Italy and Greece is enough time to get a feel for the Mediterranean culture and experience the best of what interests you, especially if you choose a focus to guide your trip: highlights, family-friendly, beaches, history, or food and wine. Although you can opt to spend more time focused on your favorite activities, each itinerary includes a well-rounded set of experiences: historic sites, bustling city markets, quiet neighborhood cafes, and sunny beaches, perfect for soaking in the sunshine.
Whether you're hiding behind a Carnival mask, crafting your own gelato flavor, or cruising around Lake Como, Italy has a new experience for your family waiting around every corner. With two weeks to explore, you've got plenty of time to design your ideal itinerary. Hit all the highlights, take it easy on a road trip, go for a more active path down the coast, or slow down with a sling-bound baby with these options that will have you gesturing wildly with excitement in no time.
With 15 days in Italy, you can easily see many of the country's highlights, or slow down and get to know one or two regions. Take advantage of the city's high-speed trains to see Venice, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast, or take your time exploring Sicily or Tuscany. Sip wine in Chianti, hike the Cinque Terre, cruise around the Lakes Region, or take the family to Rome: these five unique itineraries have something for everyone.
Three weeks in the Mediterranean gives you enough time to see the main highlights — Rome, Athens, Tuscany, and Santorini — as well as to dive deeper into the regional culture. Plan your trip around food and wine as you eat and drink your way through the best cuisine Italy and Greece have to offer, or opt for a classic road trip to get off the beaten path and explore sleepy coastal towns at your own pace. Read on for unique itineraries spanning some of the top destinations in Europe.
You can explore far and wide in three weeks, returning home with memories of many of the top Italy destinations you visited. Maybe you want an experiential tour focused on one destination, such as Northern Italy. Or spend time soaking in the classics, such as Rome, Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast. And if you love to drive, then combine an exploration of Sicily with the sister Italian isle of Sardinia.
Sicily can be experienced in as little as three to five days if you are short on time and interested in a quick coastal retreat. However, it's much better to spend at least a week discovering this Mediterranean paradise. If you have seven days, you can explore a meaningful section of the island. Lucky travelers who have two weeks for their trip to Sicily can comfortably drive around Italy's entire coastline, experiencing the island's colorful clash of amazing flavors, ancient ruins, medieval villages, beaches, and volcanoes.
Around five days should be more than enough time to soak in the wonders of the Amalfi Coast, one of Italy's most beautiful destinations, but even if you have a day or three to spare, you'll be able to see just why this region has been captivating visitors since Ancient Roman times. The Amalfi Coast isn't a place you rush through, and with a little planning, you'll be able to relax on its beaches, explore its secluded coves and grottos, wander its dreamy towns, and enjoy some incredible meals.
Cinque Terre is a collection of five seaside villages on a 2-mile (3 km) stretch of Italy's northwest coast. Known as the Italian Riviera due to its dramatic setting, it takes a mere day to visit each of these gems. Two to three days would allow you to enjoy its beaches and discover the culture via a cooking class. And with four to five days, you could get to know every inch of Cinque Terre on boat trips, hikes of the surrounding mountains, and even make an extra trip to historic Genoa.
Spend two to three days in Venice, and you'll be able to experience the city's many highlights and visit a few of the surrounding islands, like Burano and Morano. With up to six days, you can add more local experiences—try a cooking class in a Venetian palace or rowing lessons from a professional gondolier. If you only have 24 hours here, you can still cover the basics: stroll St. Mark's Square, hit the art museums and blown glass galleries, and toast an Aperol spritz as the sun sets over the canals.
Once the center of the Italian Renaissance, Florence has evolved into a sophisticated city that holds firmly to its cultural past. Filled with world-class museums and galleries, beautiful churches, and former palaces, this is a city where you'll want to spend at least two or three days—enough time to hit most of the essential landmarks, shop for quality leather goods, and stuff your face with delicious Tuscan food.
In Milan, all you need is a day to experience the highlights, whether it's visiting the Gothic Cathedral or shopping the high streets of the Quadrilatero della Moda. With more time, however, you can venture outside the city for a hike around the famous Lake Como. And with close to a week, there's the added adventure of visiting Turin and the wine-producing region of Piedmont, too.
Whether you have two days or two weeks, Tuscany is a wonderful destination. Travelers short on time should focus their energy on Florence and the wine region of Chianti, while those with five days can road-trip to medieval highlights like Siena and San Gimignano. With a week, slow down and take a pasta-making class—and with 10 days or more, spend some time exploring Tuscany's gorgeous coast. Read on for advice on how many days to spend in the region.
Italy’s southern half is full of treasures both artistic and architectural, historical and natural, with culinary delights you’ll want to taste again and again. You can get a sense of the country’s past and present with just five days in the capital—but with one, two, or three weeks, you’ll be able to branch out, exploring several different regions and seeing plenty of the island of Sicily, which has a culture, history, and even dialect all its own.
If you're heading to Italy, your first stop will likely be Rome. With its position halfway down Italy's western coast, it's a convenient travel hub and one of Italy's most appealing destinations in its own right. Spend at least a couple of days exploring, starting with Rome's most famous icons—the Colosseum and the Vatican—and stay for the fun neighborhoods, food, and excellent day trip opportunities. See our recommendations below for one night, five days, and everything in between.
Some of the best hiking, cycling, and skiing in the world can be found in the Dolomites, a portion of the Alps that crosses northern Italy. Even with 24 hours, there are great outdoor options, like day hikes in the gorgeous Ampezzo Valley. Come for three days and combine hiking with cycling for tours of remote prairies, glaciers, and limestone peaks. With a week you can cycle and hike from one side of the region to the other, stopping at high-altitude lakes, charming mountain towns, funky art installations, and relaxing day spas along the way.
Italy is a place you can spend a lifetime getting to know, while still feeling like you’ve barely scratched the surface. This country rewards long periods of time and repeat visits, but even if you only have a few days, you can still get a sense of its many rich and varied regions. In as little as five days (or as much as three weeks), you can cover Northern Italy’s elegant cities, sweeping mountains, and seaside towns, seeing some legendary works of art and architecture and enjoying more than a few good meals.
If you have a week in Sicily, it’s best to focus on one or two regions as opposed to trying to see everything. There's the wine country of the west, the medieval villages of the southeast and the giant Etna volcano in between. The following 7-day itineraries offer some of these attractions, plus incredible food, dramatic coastal views and a history and culture that stretches to time immemorial.
With three days you can encounter a slice of Sicily and its wonderful coastlines, culture and ancient ruins. We have brought together two itineraries that show off these highlights and more. One trip starts from the bustling city of Palermo and continues to the scenic wineries of western Sicily. The other takes you to the younger Catania, located in the shadow of Mt. Etna and close to quaint seaside resorts. Both itineraries will introduce you to Sicily's culture of wine, food and music that together create an unforgettable experience.
Given the small size of Tuscany, you can experience 3-4 destinations in five days. First-timers will enjoy Chianti wine tours, Florence's Il Duomo, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Art enthusiasts can learn about fresco painting at Studio Artemisia, while foodies can feast on Ligurian cuisine in the Cinque Terre and join a cooking workshop in Florence. Active travelers will traverse countryside trails and historic villages, overnight in farmhouses, and taste Tuscan fare on cycling and walking tours.
One week is enough time to experience three destinations in Tuscany. Art and architecture enthusiasts will appreciate Siena's medieval towers and Florence's piazzas and galleries. Aspiring chefs will enjoy making pasta in Lucca, and wine lovers can sample reds in the Chianti Hills, Sassicaia in Bolgheri, and white wines in the Cinque Terre. Active travelers can cycle the Eroica route or hike through Radda's vineyards and the Val d'Orcia—visiting historic sites and tasting Tuscan fare along the way.
