italy road trip cost

How Much Does A Trip to Italy Cost in 2024: Detailed Budget Breakdown

Written By: ThePlanetD Team

Italy , Travel Planning

Updated On: April 5, 2024

Italy is one of our favorite destinations in Europe. After visiting the country multiple times over the years we always get the same questions – is Italy expensive? How much does the average trip to Italy cost? Italy is a brilliant destination to travel to, whether you are a solo traveler or a family looking for a special holiday. But it is safe to say that the actual costs of visiting Italy vary depending on your travel style.

Table of Contents

How Much Does It Cost to Visit Italy?

In this guide, we’ll break down the average trip to Italy cost and show you how, where possible, you make it more cost-effective.

Italy is often associated with luxury – stunning villas, fine dining, archaeology, and the arts. But that doesn’t mean you can’t tailor your trip to Italy to suit different budgets. Is Italy expensive? After all our trips to the different regions of Italy we are going to fill you in on how much a trip to Italy costs.

When we have visited Italy, we always rent a car. We love having the freedom to go off the beaten path and to stop whenever we like. You can check car rental comparisons here.

Airfare is the first bridge you’ll likely come to when booking a trip to Italy. The good news is that Italy has regular flights to all its major cities, so finding a round-trip ticket is neither problematic nor massively expensive if you visit from a nearby destination. The average budget traveler can find the best deals and cheap flights to Italy. This is simply because flight demand isn’t high – there are so many options when flying to Italy. The country has a staggering 77 airports and hosts dozens of airlines. One thing is for sure: you will always find flights to Italian cities, and the average price is low, so it won’t be one of your main trip costs.

Of course, airfare prices do vary depending on your departure date and destination. As a general rule, flights to Italy from Europe are the cheapest. Flights from the US to Italy are slightly more expensive due to budget-spiking transatlantic crossings and fewer charters. However, that doesn’t mean you are doomed for cheap flights.

The cheapest times of year to fly to Italy are out of season and in shoulder seasons. The shoulder seasons are March to May and September to October. The official ‘off-season’ is over winter, from November to February. You can also save money on flights by booking in advance, using VPNs to adjust your network, and using airline loyalty programs. There’s always a way to maximize budgeting opportunities. Another essential thing to consider for those flying from the US is value for money.

Can you take advantage of cheaper European flights by taking a longer holiday period? This way, you might spend more flying to Italy, but once there, you could add a few extra destinations cheaply. For instance, taking flights for as little as $15 to Germany, Greece, or Turkey.

• Return Flight Cost from Europe: $60 to 200
• Return Flight Cost from US: $400 to 7000

Accommodation in Italy Costs

Your next significant cost after airfare is accommodation. Accommodation is a double-edged sword when calculating your trip to Italy cost. In fact, looking at the price tag of a luxury Italy trip is likely what has got you questioning, ‘Is Italy expensive?’. The reality is that Italy does luxury, and it does it well. Like the south of France, Italy has a reputation for Riviera beauty and luxury hotels that attract A-list celebrities.

You can indeed find hotel rooms that cost tens of thousands a night. Of course, the flip side is also true; you can comfortably backpack it in a hostel dormitory for as little as $40 a night. There are a few factors to consider, so let’s take a closer look so you know what sways it so much.

Choosing Accommodation in Italy

The biggest decider in Italian accommodation is whether you want budget, mid-range, or luxury accommodation. With budget accommodation, you can choose dormitory-style accommodation, or B&B-style stays.

Most hotels offer a mid-range experience, with moderate prices and occasional luxuries like swimming pools that can hone your Italy itinerary and experience. Luxury hotels come in two categories: average luxury and celebrity-style luxury. You can pick up five-star hotel stays for €250 per night, but equally, some five-star hotels charge upwards of €1,000 per night – the real decider is location, hotel brand, and your hotel room choice. For the most part, most travelers pick the middle road with mid-range hotels, which average around €100 a night.

What to Consider When Booking a Trip to Italy

When considering what goes into accommodation pricing, consider location and time of year. Summer is the peak season, so you should avoid summer in Italy if you prioritize saving money. If you want a more affordable hotel room, look at shoulder season travel, where you find the same room up to 50% cheaper.

Location also plays a massive role in your trip budget. For instance, an entire apartment in an Italian city center versus a secluded VRBO property or hotel in the Tuscan countryside can vary greatly in price. If you can get out of touristy areas, like Rome city center or Venice, accommodation prices naturally fall.

Vacation rentals are also a great idea to save money, especially if you are flexible on location – rolling hills don’t always come at a sky-high price. If you are willing to stay remotely and in vacation rentals, it can save money on your Italy trip.

• Budget Hotels: $40-80 per night
• Mid-Range Hotels: $100 per night
• Luxury Hotels: $250 per night
• Vacation Rentals: $50 upwards per night

Transportation Cost

Transportation in Italy can be a make or break when calculating an Italy travel budget. The country is brilliantly connected by public transportation, with a train travel trend carried by low ticket prices and high-speed connections. If you want to save money, train travel is the way forward as long as you book in advance.

Booking up to a month in advance can give you access to fantastic train travel deals – great for budget travelers. Just be sure you purchase tickets for train travel, as Italy has notorious laws on fining fare hoppers. Trust us: skipping fares in Italy is not the way to go for budget travel.

Italy also has ferry and bus services, which are used far less frequently than the train travel routes. The ferries are most popular in areas like Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast, where many coastal towns are less accessible by road. You can typically book tickets in advance for ferries or take local, smaller shuttle boats on the day. Buses are simply less popular for comfort reasons.

We love renting cars when traveling in Italy. Check car rental prices here. We have found some great deals that work out to be cheaper than train travel if booked at the right time.

While the bus may be the holy grail for the budget traveler in most countries, in Italy, train travel usually rivals bus prices if you book in advance. And for the same cost, it makes sense that you’d want a faster and more comfortable journey. Buses are the budget option for last-minute public transport journeys – usually $2 per ticket for inner-city travel or around $35 for long-distance buses.

Finally, one of the most popular ways to get around Italy is by car rental. Car rentals   can  be really effective. If you are travelling in a group, for instance, as a family or group of friends. This can quickly rack up public transport costs and make spending an upfront fee (usually between $10 and $30 a day) more effective on a car rental plus any additional fuel costs.

If you plan on taking many day trips or staying remotely, a rental car can be a lifesaver. Remember any additional parking costs you might incur at your accommodation, and know that Italy has many toll roads.

If you stay in a city center where you can find most things within walking distance, you won’t need a car rental. You can always book private transfers from the airport if you travel at unsociable hours or head to the metro station or train station for a day trip.

• Transport Budget: $30 per day with a car rental

You can’t visit Italy without a solid food budget, and that’s from no fault of its own. Italy has one of the world’s most famous – and arguably delicious – cuisines. We’ve already got  an entire guide  dedicated to the top dishes you should try when you holiday in Italy. If you are in the stages of forming your Italy itinerary, just know food will undoubtedly make up a significant proportion of it. So, with all that said, what does a trip to Italy cost when discussing a food budget?

The average restaurant meal in a major city center is around $70 per person; this is more like $20-30 per person outside of popular areas. Takeaway dishes cost around $10-15. It is important to remember that the coperto (aka the extra cost for sitting down) is added onto most bills in centrally located restaurants and calculated per person.

It is customary to tip around 10%. However, the Italian tipping culture is much more relaxed than the tipping culture in the US. When questioning ‘Is Italy expensive?’, you need to consider whether, and if so, when and where you will eat out. We’d suggest dining out at least once just for the Italian food experience. However, a compromise for a week in Italy might be two sit-down meals, a food tour, and then takeaway or street food for lunch and cooking other meals at your accommodation.

Food is the number one reason people choose Italy, so try to set aside a generous budget. Think of it as cultural immersion or an investment in activities. Everyone deserves to experience fine dining on the Amalfi Coast with air conditioning and stunning ocean views – just set aside around $100 to comfortably budget. And if you can, find accommodation with kitchen facilities to cook your own meals and save money.

• Food Budget: $20 a day without sit-down restaurants or $100 a day with sit-down restaurants

Tours and Activities

Finally, what about tours and activities? It goes without saying that part of what makes Italy so fabulous is its array of things to do.

There are Roman ruins to tour, sunset cruises, and museum tours – and that’s not to mention the abovementioned food tours. Your trip to Italy cost will be massively dictated by your entertainment choices, but it shouldn’t be any other way. Adding to your Italy trip cost with lifelong memories is worthwhile. Just keep in mind your tour and activity expectations when planning a budget: will you tour the Amalfi Coast on your trip to Italy, or are you backpacking in Rome?

One thing to know about Italy is that it does luxury and ‘exclusive experiences’ really well. You need to evaluate what is on your to-do list. Is a gondola ride in Venice catching your eye, or are you looking at budget day trip destinations and museum entry fees? There’s no denying that a gondola ride is one of the  best things to do in Venice , but if you want to splurge on special experiences, you will have to budget more.

We’d recommend narrowing down your ‘exclusive experiences’ to a select few if you want to keep to a reasonable budget. You can then bulk up your itinerary with low-cost and free tours and activities. For instance, the Vatican Museums, Colosseum, or a boat trip. You can also plan tourist attractions like stopping to see the Trevi Fountain, which costs nothing.

Independent Travel or Group Tour in Italy

When it comes to your itinerary in Italy, you have the option to book guided experiences and the option to travel solo. Traveling solo can cut your upfront costs, while guided experiences provide peace of mind. For instance, a day trip from Milan to Lake Como costs as little as $4 by public transportation ,  yet around $100 for a  guided tour.

You could cut costs by taking the day trip or save stress and time by spending extra money on a guided day trip. As a side note, if you visit attractions rather than destinations, many attractions in Italy have options for self-guided audio tours when you actually enter. We’d recommend downloading audio tours if you are visiting solo as you’ll will gain a much better appreciation of the monuments you are visiting/

When considering guided tours, an important consideration is whether they are private. A group tour versus private tours vary massively in cost. So, if you’d like to save money but still have a guided experience, we’d suggest shopping for group tours. Keep in mind a single supplement for solo traveler visitors, though, which applies for both group and private excursions – frustrating, we know. You should always check specific policies per tour company.

• Tours and Activities Budget: $300 per week

Overall Trip Cost

With all that in mind, what is the total trip to Italy cost? What exactly should you budget? You see tons of average price statistics floating around and various Italy vacation packages, so it is essential to have a concrete number reflecting the ‘real’ cost of a holiday in Italy.

We’ve broken down the ‘big’ Italy budget into all the factors (airfare, food, tours, etc.), so let’s quickly review them before we give you our final figures.

Regarding flights, budget around $1000 return from Europe in shoulder seasons and $1500 from the US. You can find flights priced above and below these rates, but as a general rule, these are the average prices to expect.

Accommodations

Accommodation prices in Italy is pretty simple: the more stars, the more expensive the hotel. And the more central the location, the higher the fees. Budget approximately $60 per night for a central budget hotel, $100 for a mid range, and $250 for a luxury. Vacation rentals are anything upwards of $50 per night.

For the vast majority of people who go for mid-range hotels, $700 – $1000 is a reasonable rate to budget and expect for a week’s accommodation in Italy.

Transportation

Transportation is tough to calculate because it massively depends on where you are staying. If you are staying in the city center, you should budget as little as $40 for a whole week on public transportation. You can walk to all the main tourist attractions, which costs nothing. Even if you go on a day trip or catch a local bus or tram, public transport should cost as little as $2-30. A $40 weekly transportation budget should allow you to take a day trip, use public transport for airport transfers, and get around occasionally by inner-city transport to take a break from walking.

If you hire a car, this price will increase. If you hire a car, budget around $30 daily for rental car fees, petrol, and parking. In a week, this totes up to $210.

For food, it does depend on your travel style. You can easily spend $20 a day on food if you just purchase takeaway or street food style meals for lunch and cook your own meals for breakfast and dinner. Whereas, if you want to eat out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you should budget $100 daily. To get the best of both worlds, we’d suggest a weekly budget of $300 or $400 if you want to try fancy cocktails and aperitifs. This should allow two days of dining out and five days of cooking meals and getting takeaway lunches.

For tours and activities, you should budget approximately $300 per week. This budget considers one guided tour of up to $100, one luxury experience of around $80, plus up to six standard $20 entry rates for tourist attractions. With $300, it is safe to say that you are comfortably within budget to enjoy a couple of significant bucket list experiences and get an excellent insight into the tourist attraction scene. You’ll be able to have at least two tourist attractions a day.

• Per-Day Budget: $240 if you fly from Europe and rent a car, and $295 if you fly from the US and rent a car
• Total Italy Trip Cost: $1660 if you fly from Europe and rent a car, and $2060 if you fly from the US and rent a car

Money Saving Tips

It is all well and good knowing the average trip to Italy cost. But what about learning how to reduce the average cost of an Italy trip? An average price is just that – an average. That doesn’t mean that you can’t reduce it further and make some serious reductions. Even a tiny compromise, like taking public transport, not private transfers, can significantly reduce the cost of visiting Italy.

This section will reveal the top tips and tricks for lowering Italy’s budget. Here’s how to save money on your trip to Italy.

1. Avoid Sit Down Restaurants or Cook at Home

A huge factor in your trip to Italy cost is sit-down restaurants. This might seem oddly specific, but it is a famously price-boosting thing in Italy. You instantly get charged more when you sit down at a city center restaurant. There’s even a name for this: the coperto. The coperto is a flat rate cover charge that is calculated on a per-person basis. But this is where it gets even more expensive – it is the same whether you order a drink and bread or a four-course meal. This means that if you want to sit down, you’ll have to pay an extra cost, even if you dined on a budget.

Not all restaurants and cafes have a coperto. However, a safe rule of thumb is that if you are in a ‘competitive’ area, like the center of Rome or Venice, you should expect an additional charge for sitting down. The coperto acts as insurance for the restaurant or café business, meaning no matter how much you spend, they will be compensated for not having an empty table for a different guest. It would help if you always aimed to buy takeaway food or street food in these busy areas. Or if you are desperate to dine sitting down, then head out of the city center and into quieter suburbs.

Similarly, you can save money by cooking at your accommodation. Self-catered accommodation with your only kitchen is a real travel hack for cutting costs and avoiding things like the coperto.

2. Travel in Shoulder Seasons

You don’t need us to tell you that traveling at different times of year bags you different prices. The peak season is notoriously bad for budget, no matter where you go. Peak season just means the time when the destination is deemed ‘most impressive’ by mass tourism. This is summer for Italy since it is primarily a beach holiday and al fresco dining destination. June to August is the peak season for Italy, when you will be competing amongst other tourists for everything from tickets to accommodation, and local vendors and business owners hike up the prices to meet the rise in demand.

If you want to play your Italy budgeting tactically, you could book to visit in winter. Contrary to popular belief, the country gets cold, especially in northern Italy. You can expect an average temperature of between – 5 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius, with southern Italy warmer than the north and its mountainous regions. This idea is excellent if you don’t care about beach days and want to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s in Italy. It is also the perfect time to visit museums and galleries, which are much more enjoyable without overheating.

However, you don’t need to go as extreme on budgeting as that if you still want beach days and warm weather of low to mid-twenties. The best way to budget while sticking as close to peak season is with shoulder seasons. March to May and September until October are the optimum seasons to experience Italy well and cheaply. These months have cheaper accommodations and tours, pleasant temperatures, and fewer crowds.

3. Take Local Transportation

Visiting Italy can get expensive if you constantly spend on private transfers and even a car rental- especially concerning petrol, toll roads, and parking fees. One really effective way to save money is with local transportation. Italy has a fabulous train system, with a train station in all major cities and most significant towns. In fact, tickets can be as little as $9 for a regional journey. Booking train tickets in advance can be a brilliant way to take day trips or an alternative to road-tripping or flying between cities.

Italy also has a fantastic ferry system and buses. You will be able to navigate the country by public transport. On the other hand, private transfers and taxis can get expensive. For instance, when booked in advance, a train ticket from Milan to Rome costs as little as $35. Milan to Rome by rental car costs a minimum of $104 for fuel. A private transfer from Milan to Rome costs as much as $190 one way.

Ironically, public transport is also often much quicker. Milan to Rome takes just over 3 hours by train, yet 5.5 hours by car. Snag the better deal and get there faster. Taking local transportation is one of the best ways to cut costs when visiting Italy.

4. Avoid Major Cities and Tourist Hotspots – Off the Beaten Path

This one might sting, but if you  really  want to save money on your Italy trip, avoid major cities and tourist hotspots. These cities and hotspots are like vampires for your Italy budget. Everything from food to accommodation and even water bottles get hiked up in price in these places.

If you aren’t too fussy about where you stay, think outside the box and get creative. Head off the tourist track, and you’ll find much more reasonable rates. And you’ll be pioneering more authentic and sustainable travel – a moral boost and a budgeting tip.

There is a small ‘but’ to this top tip. You can always stay outside of a major city. This way, you can take advantage of local transport and cheap rail prices for day trips into the city. You can benefit from the city’s tourist attractions without spending extra on accommodation and food.

5. Know Your Discounts

Lastly, you should know your discounts when trying to lower your trip to Italy. Simple things like a student ID or pensioner card can prove you are eligible for discounts. You should always carry some form of ID if you qualify for discounts, and similarly, do your research before entering an attraction or venue where you think you could be eligible. You could even learn a basic phrase in Italian that you can use to respectfully enquire about discounts. One example of an attraction you can save on with a student ID is the Vatican museums, which knock off approximately 7 euros ($7.42) if you display a student card. Every little helps, right?

Researching discounts and rates before you go is also a healthy practice when sticking to a budget and a great rule to live by if you are a budget traveler. Many museums have free days or cheaper times, while bars and restaurants might have happy hours. And you can adjust your visit to attractions and venues to get better deals. It is a win-win.

Trip to Italy Cost: FAQs

So, now you have an overview of a general trip to Italy cost, what do you think: is Italy expensive? As you can see, the average cost of a trip to Italy does vary depending on factors like travel style, when you travel, and where you go in Italy. Lots of small choices can massively impact your overall Italy budget.

Are you ready for some FAQs? These answers will give you the snapshot information you need to transform your trip for the better. Consider this section the cherry on top of your Italy budget planning.

How much is a trip to Italy for 7 days?

If you fly from Europe and rent a car, it costs approximately $1660 to travel to Italy for 7 days. If you fly from the US and rent a car, it costs around $2060.

Is Italy very expensive to visit?

Italy can be expensive if you opt for luxury hotels, private tours, fine dining, and popular peak-season areas. This is entirely down to travel style, though, and you can easily do Italy on a budget if you cook your own food, backpack, and take public transport. Small compromises and budgeting decisions go a long way in Italy.

What is the cheapest month to go to Italy?

The cheapest months to visit Italy are over winter, with November as the absolute cheapest. Most people visit Italy in the summer and use March to May and September to October as the slightly more affordable, yet still warm, shoulder season. If you visit between November and February, you can find the absolute cheapest prices to visit Italy.

How much does it cost to go to Italy for a weekend?

Visiting Italy for the weekend costs around $550 if you fly from Europe and $950 from the US. This budget factors in public transport costs, a budget of $100 for tourist attractions, flights, and mid-range accommodation in a city center location.

To Conclude

Now you have as accurate as possible an idea of what your trip to Italy will cost, you can answer the question for yourself: is Italy expensive? You can use some of our top tips to save money when visiting Italy. You don’t have to visit Italy for a luxury trip, although if you do, you will undoubtedly go to the right place. Italy is incredible – no matter your budget. With the right attitude, you can find some fantastic accommodation choices, tours, food, and flight deals. Read next: Is Greece Expensive to Visit

There are so many amazing  things to do  – including sailing on Lake Como, visiting remains of Roman cities and amphitheaters where gladiators fought, and just kicking back with cocktails on stunning beaches that a trip to Italy is a must for any travel lover. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Italy today.

Looking for more inspiration? Just check out these  facts about Italy to make you smile.  Or get some inspiration on  hiking in the beautiful Cinque Terre  region, which should already be on your bucket list.

Plan Your Next Trip To Italy With These Resources

• Best Things to Do in Piedmont, Italy
• 15 Most Beautiful Cities in Italy for Travelers
• 16 Best Things to Do in Lake Como, Italy
• 14 Remarkable Towns in Tuscany, Italy
• 28 Best Things To Do in Milan
• 23 Best Things To Do In Sicily, Italy in 2024
• The Ultimate One Day in Rome Itinerary: How To Maximize Your Visit

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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23 Best Things to Do In Sicily, Italy in 2024

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1 thought on “How Much Does A Trip to Italy Cost in 2024: Detailed Budget Breakdown”

Thanks guys for sharing this some many useful tips and cost of ITALY also superb attractions, sceneries too guys.

The Ultimate Bucket List Italy Road Trip

This post may contain affiliate links, from which we earn an income.

Road Trip Italy Planner & Itinerary

The gorgeous country of Italy is perfect for a road trip! Compact and with all the best bits in the middle, you’ll be blown away by the landscapes, architecture, and local food in this sublime country. Take a bucket list road trip to Italy and see it for yourself!

A road trip in Italy opens up the sweeping landscapes, historic cities, and some of the most picture-perfect seaside towns in Europe, like no other way to travel does.

This visually arresting country will have you stopping regularly for Insta-worthy images, and along the way, you’ll find fantastic adventures to try like wine tastings, volcano trekking, exploring historic UNESCO sites, and the real Italian dolce vita !

In this Italy travel guide, you’ll find a list of all the top sights in Italy to visit on your road trip adventure, with Italy travel tips and information to help you plan and prepare. Come with us as we share our unmissable Italian road trip itinerary.

Is this your first time visiting Italy? Get all the information you need in our Italy Travel Guide , including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there, and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

Getting to Italy

Fly into Milan Malpensa   Airport,  a good starting point for your roadtrip in Italy. With direct international flights from North America, the Middle East, Europe, and  UK , we recommend booking through  Skyscanner  for live deals and the best prices.

Alternatively, switch up the itinerary a little and start your Italy trip in beautiful Rome, the historic capital city. There are so many things to do in Rome , we recommend allowing a couple of days for your visit before heading off on your Italian road trip!

Driving to Italy from UK

If you’re planning to drive to  Italy from the U K, then you’ll find everything you need to know, including the best, fastest, and cheapest routes, as well as driving tips, in our UK to Italy driving guide .

Are you planning to rent a car in Italy? As one of the largest rental car aggregator companies in the world, we recommend Rentalcars.com because they have massive purchasing power which enables them to secure the best rental prices, which benefits you when you’re planning a road trip.

For a real adventure, hire a motorhome or campervan in Italy . We recommend Motorhome Republic , an aggregate booking site who pull together all the best deals from a number of rental agencies, to offer you a wide choice of options alongside an excellent English speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

Use the Park4Night app to find overnight spots and campsites as your travel around Italy, and sleep on a high mountain pass, next to a beautiful lake, or in a wildflower meadow.

Driving in Italy

Lots of people will tell you that renting a car in Italy is madness, that driving through Italy is dangerous and the roads are dreadful.  

It is true that some routes can be challenging to drive in Italy, and in big cities, Italian drivers see it as a badge of honor not to give way. Isn’t that the same in most big cities nowadays though?

Don’t let your fears about traveling Italy by car put you off taking Italian road trips. Take your time and be prepared for the differences in driving styles and roads from back home when you follow our driving in Italy tips .

You’ll also find helpful information regarding driving requirements in Italy, such as international driving permits, age limits, and tips about renting a car in Italy .

Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when visiting Italy . We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices, and excellent service.

Italy Itinerary & Map

• Get the Travel Guides
• Lonely Planet Italy
• The Rough Guide to Italy
• DK Eyewitness Italy
• Italy Road Trip Itinerary

Milan – Portofino – Cinque Terre – Pisa – San Gimignano – Siena – Montepulciano – Rome – Spoleto – Assisi – Florence – Bologna – Venice – Lake Garda

• Distance: 1670km
• Duration: 2-4 weeks
• Drive Time: 23 hours

How to use this Italy road trip map – Use your fingers (or computer mouse) to zoom in and out. Click or touch the icons to get more info about a place, and click the arrow in the box top left to open the index. To add to your own Google Maps account, click the star next to the title of the map.

Make your road trip across Italy flexible…

Italy road trip 1 week.

Fly into Pisa instead, skip San Gimignano, Spoleto and Montepuciano. Head home from Pisa once you’ve seen Florence.  

Italy Road Trip 2 Weeks

Skip Pisa, Spoleto, Venice and Lake Garda…these are tough choices, but you can always come back for a second trip.

Italy Road Trip 3 Weeks

You have enough time to complete our suggested itinerary, but you will be busy! You’ll have one day in most places, and up to 36 hours in Rome and Florence.

Italy Road Trip 4 Weeks

Enjoy the time and spend longer in Rome and Florence. Maybe add Arezzo and Verona to your itinerary or check out the Amalfi coast.

Want to print this itinerary? Download and print a text only version with no ads or images. Includes space for your trip planning notes and a packing list for Italy!

Italy Road Trip Route & Destinations

Milan is the best airport to fly in and out of for your perfect Italy road trip itinerary. As one of Italy’s major cities, Milan enjoys direct international flights from all the world’s continents, it’s accessible, has great car hire options and it’s a pretty kick-a** city to visit too!

If you didn’t already know,  Milan  is a global capital of design, and the famous Italian fashion brands that call the city their home deliver sleek and simple Italian style at every turn. Milan’s creativity and design flair are not a recent phenomenon though.

The city center has been at the forefront of the arts throughout history and this can be seen in the spectacular Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’. 

If you fancy a bit of shopping in this city of designer boutiques and couture labels, then visit the spectacular Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest shopping mall, and unlike any other shopping mall you’ve visited before!

Stay at the Moxy Milan Malpensa Airport , the best of Milan’s airport hotels, and get the train or bus directly into the center of Milan. It will take around 30 minutes and cost €10-15. If you’re splashing out, get a cab for around €100.

If you decide to spend a night in Milan, save money, and delay your car rental pick-up until the following day, then hit the road for the best road trip route in Italy!

RELATED POST: Northern Italy Road Trip: Itinerary, Map & Tips

Don’t forget your road trip essentials! Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks , podcasts , and road trip songs for the journey!

Head south to Portofino, a gentrified fishing village on the Italian Riviera coastline of the Ligurian Sea. Pastel-painted houses line the picturesque harbor, mixing effortlessly with stylish bijou stores, seafood restaurants, and cool bars.

The charming Piazzetta, a small cobbled square, overlooks the harbor of the coastal town, which is lined with super-yachts in the summer and more traditional craft in spring and autumn. 

Spend a day soaking up the atmosphere and people-watching. Grab a slice of delicious focaccia con il formaggio (focaccia with cheese) from nearby Recco and meander along the winding backstreets, whilst indulging in a bit of window shopping.  

Head to San Fruttuoso, a stretch of the Mediterranean coast which you can only get to by boat or on foot. Enjoy lunch at a cantina on one of the beautiful terraces, where we ate one of the best tomato salads we have ever experienced. 

Spend some time on the warm turquoise water in a kayak or on a paddle board; make sure to take a snorkel and mask with you too, as the water here is crystal clear.

Head back to dry land and enjoy dinner at one of the many seafood restaurants in the harbor, for a perfect end to your first full day in Italy.

• Where to Stay in Portofino

Upmarket: Splendido, A Belmond Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Piccolo Portofino – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Albergo Annabella, Santa Margherita Ligure – Booking.com | Agoda

Cinque Terre

You could easily spend a week or more in this wonderful national park, especially if you enjoy hiking, water sports, and outdoor activities.  Cinque Terre  is a group of five historic seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline and a real  bucket list destination .

Pretty and brightly colored houses cling to dramatic terraced streets, harbors are filled with traditional fishing boats bobbing on clear azure waters and trattorias serve up everything with homemade pesto (basil, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and pine nuts), the traditional sauce of the region.

The Sentiero Azzurro cliffside hiking trail links the five little towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Riomaggiore, and Manarola. The trail offers incredible sea views and easy walking.

If you’re more of a water baby, see the Cinque Terre villages from a kayak, or take a boat trip and avoid the inevitable crowds in the towns.

Like driving the Amalfi Coast , going to Cinque Terre in a car can be challenging and you should read this  Cinque Terre guide  before you decide how to visit.

If you do decide to stay or park in Cinque Terre, head for delightful Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the Cinque Terre towns, and start your amble along the hiking route from there. Otherwise, stay in La Spezia and get the early train the next morning to make the most of your day.

• Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

Upmarket: Sesta Terra – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Ca’ D’Andrean – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: La Taverna del Metallo Rooms – Booking.com | Agoda

Looking for the best SIM card deals in Europe for your trip? Check out our guide to the best data SIMs in Europe and get the best deal for your trip to Italy.

There’s  more than you think to do in Pisa , even though much of the town was sadly lost during the WW2 bombings. Head for the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) where you’ll find the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of Italy’s most famous landmarks, the fine Romanesque duomo, Gothic baptistery, and  camposanto  (cemetery).

This beautiful quartet of creamy-colored historic buildings sits on an open and grassy area, enabling the infamous Instagram shots of people seemingly holding up the infamous tower.

If you’re on a deadline, the best way to enjoy Pisa is to take this excellent  two hour guided tour  of these important monuments, as you pass through on your way to the next stop.

• Where to Stay in Pisa

Upmarket: Palazzo Cini – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Di Stefano – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel La Pace – Booking.com | Agoda

San Gimignano

As you approach this most archetypal of Tuscan hill villages, you’ll see its thirteen towers dominating the skyline.

Historically, this beautiful place was on the main pilgrim route from Northern Europe to Rome and the towers were built by merchants to show the world their power and wealth.   

San Gimignano is now beautifully preserved and perfect for an afternoon meandering the atmospheric narrow cobbled streets and piazzas of the historic center.

Make sure to visit the ancient Torre Grossa, the only one of the thirteen towers open to visitors.

Other must-sees are the stunning frescos in the 11th century Collegiate and the ornamental Rococo interior of Sant’ Agostino church. Otherwise, grab a gelato or a coffee and stroll to your heart’s content.

As with all Tuscan hill villages, if you’re in a motorhome or anything bigger than a car you will need to identify parking at sea level and walk up, or take public transportation – often provided by the municipality in the summer months.

When you leave San Gimignano, you’ll have time to make a quick stop to visit Monteriggioni , a fine example of a beautiful medieval walled castle and village.

RELATED POST: The Complete Guide to Touring Italy by Motorhome

• Where to Stay in San Gimignano  

Upmarket: Agriturismo Mormoraia – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Bel Soggiorno – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Relais Cappuccina – Booking.com | Agoda

Siena is gloriously Tuscan, its warm colors beckoning you into the medieval streets and towards the jewel in Siena’s crown, the famous Piazza del Campo.

The prettiest of  Tuscany’s must-see towns  is not only home to one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares but a wealth of stunning religious and civic buildings and a busy shopping area packed with interesting galleries and boutiques.

Any  visit to Siena  has to include the Piazza del Campo, an extraordinary site as you enter from Via di Citta to fully appreciate the symmetry, layout, and beauty of the square.

Lined with fine buildings that will grab your attention, don’t miss the tiny Fonte Gaia on the northern edge of the piazza, whose water is still supplied by a 500-year-old viaduct.

Take a  walking tour of Siena  and the Duomo to fully appreciate the city’s turbulent history and breathtaking architecture.

Stop for lunch at one of the many lively restaurants lining the streets around the main square and sample delicious Ribollita, a traditional Tuscan soup made with beans, vegetables, and bread, before heading off on one of the best drives in Italy.

• Where to Stay in Siena

Upmarket: Palazzetto Rosso – Art Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Athena – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Palazzo di Valli – Booking.com | Agoda

Val d’Orcia

Driving in Tuscany is one of the greatest pleasures as you road trip through Italy. As you leave Siena for Montepulciano, you’ll be motoring through some of Italy’s most iconic and stunning scenery.

Head south, setting your sat nav for the Val d’Orcia, and enjoy one of Europe’s best driving routes and Italy’s most scenic drive.

This journey will take you past small villages, vineyards, and olive groves, and you’ll pass row upon row of majestic cypress trees lining the roads and on the skyline. This is Tuscan countryside at its very best.

If you pick up the SP146 between San Quirico d’Orcia and Montepulciano, you might even spot the famous house from  the film ‘Gladiator’, some of which was shot in Tuscany .

Montepulciano

Famous for the classic, rustic wine of the same name, the gorgeous medieval town of Montepulciano is nestled into the chalky hills at the meeting point of the Val d’Orcia and the Vall di Chiana.

Surrounded by the classic Tuscan landscape of rolling green hills and golden fields dotted with cypress trees, this is your picture-perfect Tuscany road trip destination.

The old town itself is a masterpiece of cobbled streets, charming piazzas, restaurants, and gift shops which can easily draw you in for a deliciously pleasant afternoon and evening.  

Enjoy a meal of wild boar ragu, followed by local cheese and honey washed down with the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

The town is also one of the best spots in this itinerary for a  wine-tasting tour of a local vineyard , to understand the history and process of  making wine in Italy .

You cannot park within the town walls and need a permit to park in one of the numbered car parks on the outskirts, which your hotel will provide for you.

The car parks are around a ten to fifteen minute walk from the center of the town, so maybe pack a small bag for an overnight stay.

• Where to Stay in Montepulciano

Upmarket: Palazzo Carletti – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Il Rondò Boutique Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Albergo Duomo – Booking.com | Agoda

Italy Road Trip Ideas

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The center of a vast empire and capital of the Christian world for centuries, Rome is full of the works of the artists and architects who gathered here to work for the Popes and their wealthy families.

This magnificent legacy has assured the eternal city’s position as one of the most important historical places in the world. Even if you just have one day, you should see the most important of Rome’s ancient architecture like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Roman Forum, and the slightly more modern historical sites like the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps.

As you walk, you’ll take in a handful of light and airy piazzas, perfect for stopping and enjoying a coffee or ice cream as you people-watch.

Our Rome in one day itinerary has all the information you need to visit the city and get a real flavor of why Rome is a must-visit place in Italy.

RELATED POSTS: The Best of Rome in 36 Hours | Rome in a Day – Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide

If you have four weeks or longer for your driving tour of Italy, one of the best road trips from Rome is to head south for around three hours to the Amalfi Coast .

This stunning stretch of gravity-defying road from Sorrento to Salerno passes by the beautiful beaches of Positano, the romantic village of Ravello and authentic Vietri sul Mare, and is considered the best Italian coast road trip of them all.

The road south to the Amalfi Coast will also take you past Mount Vesuvius (one of Italy’s three live volcanoes – the others are Mount Etna on Sicily and Stromboli, its own small island in the Tyrrhenian Sea), and the magnificent Pompeii Archaeological Park.

Both Vesuvius and Pompeii can be seen in a day , meaning you could visit three major Italian attractions, adding just two extra days to your roadtrip Italy – be prepared for an early start from Rome though!

RELATED POST: Southern Italy Road Trip: Discover the Best 33 Places To Visit

Driving from Rome to Florence you’ll find Spoleto, often overlooked in favor of its famous neighbors but a true hidden gem.

Nestled in a beautiful wooded setting in Umbria, the town is famous for the Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds) held in June and July annually.

Outside of this time, tourists are welcomed, but not thick on the ground like they are in next-door Assisi.

Spoleto’s independent nature has allowed it to thrive and progress as a town in its own right, rather than a tourist hot spot.

Come to Spoleto to enjoy a slow day, sipping coffee in the square, taking the travelator (an experience in itself) up to the mighty fortress of La Rocca Albornoz, which dominates the skyline, and wandering around the many beautiful churches and religious buildings in the town. 

• Where to Stay in Spoleto

Upmarket: Palazzo Leti Residenza d’Epoca – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel dei Duchi – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Vecchio Forno – Booking.com | Agoda

The birth and final resting place of St Francis of Assisi, this beautiful medieval hill town, with its geranium-filled narrow streets, charming piazzas, and panoramic views is a must-see on your Italian road trip itinerary.

Wreathed in history and religion, the magnificent Basilica di San Francesco draws pilgrims and tourists from across the globe – think of  Italian novels  like ‘The Name of the Rose’ and you’re imagining Assisi.

Clinging to the side of a craggy outcrop and visible for miles, the Basilica dominates the town and surrounding landscape.  Spend the day wandering between here and Assisi’s main square, Piazza del Comune, where the Roman columns of the Templo di Minerva still stand.

There are many other religious buildings of note, a  walking tour with a private guide  will help you understand the importance and history of each.

• Where to Stay in Assisi

Upmarket: Nun Assisi Relais & Spa Museum – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Le Silve di Armenzano – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Cladan – Booking.com | Agoda

If you’re all eaten and drunk out at this stage, consider giving Bologna (the stop after Florence) a miss and heading up the east coast of Italy from Assisi, before cutting back inland to Florence.

This route takes in the best of Le Marche, a remote corner full of beautiful scenery that is sandwiched between the Apennines and the Adriatic.

The coast is home to a number of seaside resort towns with long sandy beaches and the stunning Conero Peninsula, which makes a welcome relief from the almost uninterrupted beach which dominates the coastline.

Inland are lots of beautiful and historic towns, less visited and the better for it. For a real punch of medieval architecture, check out Urbino and Ascoli Piceno, the highlights of the region.

Whilst you’re there, pop into San Marino, said to be the world’s oldest surviving republic and the fifth smallest country in the world!

Florence is a vast and graceful monument to the Renaissance, the period of cultural and artistic rebirth following the Middle Ages. Many famous artists such as Michelangelo and Botticelli contributed to Florence’s heritage, making it one of the artistic capitals of the world. 

Historic Florence is compact and walkable and could be seen in a day if you’re ruthless in your selections.

Better to spend two days here and visit the must-sees of the exceptional Duomo, the stunning Palazzo Vecchio, the sublime Uffizi Gallery, and the ancient church of Santa Croce.

Across the River Arno, via the Ponte Vecchio, lies the vast and imposing Pitti Palace and the Santa Spirito church.

Book everything in advance, whether that’s tickets, tours, or guides; this city never sheds itself of tourists, all clamoring to see the same things as you!  

RELATED POST: One Day in Florence – Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide

• Where to Stay in Florence

Upmarket: Hotel Spadai – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Soprarno Suites – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Perseo – Booking.com | Agoda

One of the best medieval cities in Italy and the foodie capital of Emilia-Romagna (and possibly the whole of Italy) Bologna will surprise and delight you. Follow our self-guided foodie walking tour of Bologna to sample the best food and architecture the city has to offer. 

If you have time, pop across to Modena to sample the famous Balsamic vinegar made there, and then Parma for the ham of the same name.

RELATED POST: Self-Guided Food Tour of Bologna

• Where to Stay in Bologna

Upmarket: Grand Hotel Majestic Gia Baglioni – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: PHI Hotel Al Cappello Rosso – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: The Social Hub Bologna – Booking.com | Agoda

Ahh, Venice. This unique city has survived against all the odds; built on a series of mud banks, and in the tidal waters of the Adriatic, Venice regularly floods.

Despite this, little of the essential fabric and infrastructure of Venice has changed in 200 years, and more than 20 million visitors a year fall in love with the beguiling city of water.

Trying to see Venice in a day will not do it justice, and leave you feeling frustrated. If that’s all you have, either come back another time or take a  private full day trip  so you can be whisked around and see all the best bits, without getting lost.

Whenever you visit and whether you choose to see the religious and historic buildings, the famous glass island of Murano, the lace-making island of Burano, and haunting Torcello, or take a gondola along the Grand Canal, Venice will be crowded.

Park at Garage San Marco Venezia , (book well in advance) a five minute walk from the hotel. There is no free parking in or around Venice, expect to pay at least €25 per 24-hour period.

RELATED POST: One Day in Venice – Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide

• Where to Stay in Venice

Upmarket: Sina Centurian Palace – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Palazzo Veneziano – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Saturnia & International – Booking.com | Agoda

Lake Garda is your final stop before heading back to Milan to drop off your hire car.  Lake Garda, the most well-known and largest of the beautiful Italian lakes , borders three regions; Trentino, Lombardy, and the Veneto.

The further north along the lake you go, the more dramatic the landscapes become, as you head towards the snowcapped Alps of the South Tyrol.

There are  many beautiful towns around Lake Garda , all offering opportunities for water sports, hiking, and relaxing at the end of your epic road trip around Italy.  

Our pick is Bardolino on the east shore, a lively town with easy access to the lake and lots going on, as well as spectacular sunsets over Lake Garda to end your day.

From Bardolino, it’s a few hour’s drive to Milan Airport, perhaps via Lake Iseo, Lake Como, and Lake Maggiore if you have a few extra days to explore.

• Where to Stay in Lake Garda

Upmarket: LLAC Living Nature Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Resort Casino di Caccia – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel La Terrazzina – Booking.com | Agoda

Want to plan your own road tri p? Get our step-by-step road trip planning guide to help you organize the perfect trip, or get inspiration from our favorite European road trips .

Italian Road Trip Resources

Here are the websites and services we personally use and recommend for trips to Italy.

• Search for affordable flights to Italy with Skyscanner
• Search for availability and book hotels and accommodation in Italy with Booking.com
• Find and book the best campsites in Italy with Eurocampings
• Book the cheapest and most reliable hire cars in Italy with Rentalcars.com
• Find and hire your perfect motorhome or campervan with Motorhome Republic
• Get highly rated, reliable, and trustworthy travel insurance with True Traveller
• Check if you need a visa and arrange your documents with Visagov

Are you looking for more road trip inspiration? Check out these top posts…

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The Ultimate Italy Road Trip Itineraries: Routes, Sights, Guides, Maps And More

From the stunning scenery of Lake Como and the culture, art and beauty of Florence and Rome, to the epic views along the Amalfi Coast and traditional Italian towns of Puglia, this Italy road trip has it all!

Road tripping past vineyards, dramatic coastlines and historic cities sounds like a pretty perfect holiday doesn’t it? When it comes to European holidays, Italy is always one of my top recommendations. I love the views, the buzz, the people. And don’t get me started on the food – I mean, delicious Italian cuisine for brekky, lunch and dinner? That’s enough of a reason to visit in itself! 

Whether you’re interested in art, architecture, history, food or fashion, a trip to Italy will no doubt appeal. Spend leisurely days floating beneath the Rialto Bridge in Venice on a gondola, window shopping in Milan’s boutiques, standing where gladiators once fought in the Roman Colosseum or staying in a traditional Trulli house in Puglia.

And the best part about an Italy road trip? The freedom! You don’t have to stick to the obvious routes. While I’ve created an Italy itinerary on the maps below, I’d encourage veering off course from time to time. That’s when you’ll find the hidden gems, the towns the tourists don’t know about, and no doubt some delicious Italian food too.

It’s also worth remembering that some of the interior parts of the country are as pretty as the coasts, with vineyards, sunflower fields and gorgeous hilltop towns. Going on a road trip means you’re pretty much guaranteed to see some of the most beautiful landscapes in Italy too.

So, rather than create one epic Italian road trip, I’ve divided it into a northern Italy road trip and a southern Italy road trip. That way you can just pick one and break the country up into manageable chunks. Got a while? Join the two up and continue down the coast from Rome to Milan.

Click through to take a look at each itinerary, and figure out which one is right for you…

The Ultimate Italy Road Trip Itinerary

From driving along the Amalfi Coast and enjoying traditional pasta in Puglia, to enjoying lake views in northern Italy and the incredible canals of Venice, it's time to plan the ultimate Italy road trip! 

The Ultimate Northern Italy Road Trip: Routes, Sights, Guides, Maps And More

From the stunning scenery of Lake Como, dramatic coastlines of Cinque Terre and the canals of Venice, to the culture, art and beauty of Milan, Florence and Rome, it’s time to plan the ultimate northern Italy road trip!

The Ultimate Southern Italy Road Trip: Routes, Sights, Guides, Maps And More

From the vibrant city of Naples and the awe inspiring views of the Amalfi Coast, to the traditional Italian towns of Puglia and Sicily’s beaches, volcanoes and cuisine, it’s time to plan the ultimate southern Italy road trip!

When Is The Best Time To Visit Italy?

Italy has a Mediterranean climate and is a lovely destination to visit all year round.

Temperatures vary by region, but as a quick example, you can expect average temperatures of around 0°C in around Cortina (a ski resort in the mountains) in January, and as high as 37°C in July in cities such as Milan and Venice. Temperatures in the south remain mild in winter, making destinations like Puglia and Sicily great options for a winter holiday.

If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Italy, I’d suggest planning a trip between April and June, or in September or October, just after the peak summer season.

The weather tends to be consistent in these months, but isn’t too hot. Plus, as you’re missing peak season, you should benefit from lower prices and fewer people.

What to pack for your road trip

If you’re wondering what to pack for your trip, this guide to road trip essentials has you covered. From portable chargers to ways to stay entertained on long journeys, it’ll help you create your road trip packing list.

I hope you’ve enjoyed checking out my Italy road trip itineraries! Let me know where you decide to go and what your highlights are…

Enjoyed this post? Pin it for later… 

Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

2 thoughts on “The Ultimate Italy Road Trip Itineraries: Routes, Sights, Guides, Maps And More”

I am obsessed with Italy! I really want to visit Milan and Lake Como so I think that will be my next trip! xoxo Jess

Hey Jess – that’s a great route to take and super easy! I’ve just got back from Trentino which is also stunning!

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15 Incredible Italy Road Trip Itineraries (with Driving Tips)

By: Author Kate O'Malley

Posted on Last updated: June 3, 2023

Home >> Europe >> Italy Travel Guide >> 15 Incredible Italy Road Trip Itineraries (with Driving Tips)

A road trip through Italy is the trip of a lifetime. We have enjoyed numerous Italian road trips and never tire of exploring one of Europe’s most charismatic countries by car.

Italy offers glorious road trip possibilities with beautiful historic cities, stunning countryside, majestic lakes and mountain regions, and quaint coastal towns and islands. And, of course, such varied regional cultures and cuisines to explore.

Whether it’s an extended road trip from north to south or one region of Italy, we’ve rounded up some fabulous itineraries for each area – from a few days to four weeks to help you plan the perfect Italian road trip.

Table of Contents

Tips for Renting a Car and Driving in Italy

• Always take photos when you pick up your rental and when returning it. Some agencies may try to accuse you of damaging the vehicle after you have returned it.
• Read your rental contract, and be aware of the excess fees and type of insurance.
• If possible, rent a small car . Streets can be narrow in small towns, and parking garages in cities and larger towns can be very tight.
• Collecting your rental car from an airport is always less stressful than in a city.
• Download the Parclick App to pre-reserve parking all over Italy (and Europe). It can save you up to 50% on parking fees . Select the garage that suits you, book for the required days, and show your reservation (or use the license plate recognition) on arrival. You can come and go from the garage as much as you like during your booked time. We have used it all over Europe and saved ourselves so much stress and money when parking in cities and larger towns.
• Be careful not to drive into any restricted zones in historical centers . They are called ZTL zones (Limited Traffic Zones) and are monitored with cameras. You can check for the zones online before arriving in a city. Unauthorized vehicles will automatically be issued hefty fines.
• When it comes to speed limits in Italy, while many people don’t seem to respect them, you can get hefty fines if caught on camera, and there are a lot of speed cameras in Italy.
• The same goes for parking. It can be difficult to work out where you can or can’t park sometimes but never risk it – In Italy; you will either get a huge fine or worse – they just tow you away. Always look for the ticket machine or park in a paid garage.

Find the Best Car Rental Deals for Italy

When we travel, we always use Discover Cars for car rental as they aggregate the best local deals, have no hidden fees, and offer free cancellation.

Tip:  Always check if you have car rental insurance included on your travel insurance or with your credit card company before paying any additional to the rental car company. 

Search for the Best Car Rental Deals in Italy .

16 Fabulous Italian Road Trip Ideas

Northern italy to southern italy-south tyrol to bari.

• Recommended Duration : 3-4 Weeks
• Distance : Over 1400 Kilometres
• Destinations : South Tyrol – Venice – Bologna – Brisighella – San Marino – Perugia – Sorrento – Amalfi Coast – Naples – Capri – Pompeii – Ischia – Matera – Bari

For the ultimate Italy road trip, head from north to south. This Italian road trip itinerary starts at the border with Austria, visiting South Tyrol and ending in Bari in the south, where it is possible to head over to Croatia if you choose.

Covering over 1400 kilometers and traveling through many regions of Italy, you need to allow 3-4 weeks for the optimal experience.

The best time of year is spring – May/June and autumn – September/October for great weather without the summer crowds. However, this itinerary is great at any time – winter is especially good in South Tyrol for skiers.

Suggested Itinerary

• Start in South Tyrol for stunning mountain scenery and a mixture of Austrian and Italian culture. The German-speaking towns add a very different feel to this slice of Italy. Hike Lago do Baies to see the best of this area.
• Next, head to Venice for the quintessential Italian bucket list experience. Take a gondola ride, walk over the Rialto Bridge, and experience the unique ambiance of Venice. We have a fabulous Venice itinerary if you can allow at least a few days in the magical city.
• On your way south, stop in at Bologna . Bologna is renowned for its fantastic food, so indulge in the region’s typical dishes while exploring the atmospheric Old Town.
• Brisighella is the perfect rural stop to enjoy the Italian countryside. This gorgeous town has the must-visit Rocco Manfrediana fortress.
• Pop out of Italy for a moment with a stop on your way south at San Marino . One of the world’s ten smallest countries at 61 sq km, this tiny republic is the world’s oldest surviving sovereign state with glorious views and a beautifully preserved medieval walled town.
• Soak in the history of Perugia. The center is gorgeous, with interesting museums and many historic churches.
• Next up is Rome . There is so much to do in Rome (we have a great 3-Day Rome Itinerary to help you plan your stay). From the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Vatican City , Rome is a highlight on any Italian itinerary. If you need a budget-friendly Rome itinerary, there are many great things to do in Rome for free .
• It’s now time for southern Italy with a week in the Sorrento/Amalfi coast area – one of the most romantic places in Italy for couples . Make a day trip to Naples and Capri , explore the towns of the Amalfi coast by sea, and head to Pompeii and Ischia . There is so much to do in this region, so spend as much time as you can spare. For those that like walking and hiking, see our Amalfi Coast hiking guide .
• Finish up with a final stop at Matera before getting to Bari . Matera is famous for its cave dwellings which have been inhabited for 9,000 years. It’s amazing to walk around.

Recommended by Sharon Gourlay – Dive Into Germany

Northern Italy Road Trip Itineraries

Road trip through piedmont italy.

• Recommended Duration : 7-10 days
• Distance : 290 Kilometres
• Destinations : Turin – Bra – Barolo – Alba – Asti – Biella – The Sanctuary of Oropa

The  Piedmont region of Italy  is situated in northwest Italy, bordering France and Switzerland. Backdropped by the majestic Swiss Alps, its rolling hills and vineyards eventually give way south to the Ligurian sea.

Piedmont has everything a traveler could want, from welcoming small towns, unique cuisine, and amazing wine, the most famous of which is Barolo, the King of wine.

Highlights of the Trip:

• Turin, the Imperial capital of Piedmont
• Bra – Birthplace of the Slow Food movement
• Barolo – Taste Barolo wine and local cuisine
• Alba – Home of the rare white truffle
• Asti – Much more than Spumante wine
• Biella – Famous wool town supplying the fashion capital of Milan
• The Sanctuary of Oropa
• Start your 290 km road trip in Turin , a large but walkable city with dozens of Savoy Royal Palaces to tour, loads of historical attractions, decadent chocolate, and the outstanding Egyptian Museum.
• Drive 74 km south of Turin to Monforte d’Alba , a hilltop town with many enotecas, restaurants, and historic sites. It’s a perfect base to explore the surrounding wine towns of Bra, Barolo, and Alba .
• Spend a day in Asti drinking the sweet Moscato wines for which the town is named, then head north to Biella , 125 km north of Asti.
• Biella is known for producing wool and exquisite cashmere, surrounded by rambling rivers and mountain scenery. Be sure and visit the Sanctuary of Oropa , one of the many sacred mountains in the region.
• Sixty kilometers north of Biella on the eastern shore of Lake Orta is the quaint medieval village of Orta San Giulio and a great place to end your road trip. Tour the Sacre Monte of Orta and Isola San Giulio just offshore. You can stay at the centrally located Hotel Rocco San Giulio and walk anywhere in town.

Travel to Piedmont in late Spring through Fall to avoid wintery road conditions.

Recommended by Lori Sorrentino – Travlinmad

Northern Italy’s lakes

• Recommended Duration : 10 days or more
• Distance : 700 Kilometres. Circular route starting and finishing in Milan.
• Destinations : Milan – Lake Garda – Lake Como -Lake Maggiore – Cannobio – Lake Orta

An easy circular route from Milan’s airport,  a road trip through northern Italy’s lakes  is a must-try bucket list experience. You’ll cover approximately 700 km in one week, though extending the itinerary to 10 days or more is easy.

• The first four days must be dedicated to Lake Garda , the largest lake in Italy. Boasting enchanting coastal towns and beautiful natural scenery, you’ll want to stay forever.

Focus each day on another part of the lake – visit the unique Lemon orchard of Limonaia del Castèl in Limone sul Garda, take a morning stroll around the turquoise Lake Tenno, roam the colorful Malcesine, enjoy wine tasting near Bardolino, climb the Scaligero Castle in Sirmione.

• Continue to the luxurious Lake Como for one day. Visit the picturesque towns of Varenna and Bellagio and the stunning Gardens of Villa Melzi.
• Next, spend a day on the lovely Lake Maggiore . Base yourself in the city of Stresa , and opt for a boat tour to the nearby Borromean Islands, one of the most beautiful islands in Italy . See the picture-perfect centuries-old villas and gardens still owned by the noble Borromeo family.
• Have a relaxed last day with a visit to the serene town of Cannobio and a final cup of coffee in the medieval Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta before returning the car to Milan.

Late spring or early fall are the ideal times for this road trip in terms of weather and crowds. Also, many attractions in the area are only open from April to October.

Recommended by Or – My Path in the World 

Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and Piedmont. Bologna to Milan and Turin

• Recommended Duration : 7 -14 days
• Distance : 370 Kilometres.
• Destinations : Bologna – Modena – Parma – Milan – Turin

This fantastic road trip through historic Northern Italy is perfect if you want to taste some of the best ingredients and dishes produced in the country.

The entire distance of this Italian road trip itinerary is only 371 Kilometers, which means you will have plenty of time for small side adventures if you spread it out over two weeks. You could, of course, stay to the major stops and complete it comfortably in a week.

One thing is certain; there is no way you will finish this road trip hungry. You will wish you had just a bit more time to try just one more dish.

• The trip starts in Emilia Romagna, where you will make stops in Bologna, Modena, and Parma for a whirlwind culinary tour of the region. 

Some must-experience stops include learning how Parmigiano Reggiano is made in Parma and tasting 100-year-old Balsamic in Modena . 

Bologna is a highlight of the road trip, with historic sites like the Piazza Maggiore, its Renaissance buildings, the city’s incredible food scene, and charming cafes.

• From Emilia Romagna, head northwest toward the Lombardy region for a stop in Milan , the world’s fashion capital and home to the famous Risotto Milanese. 
• The road trip then continues to the city of Turin in the heart of the Piedmont region . You will want to take some time to go truffle hunting or take a day to taste some Barolo or Barbaresco.

The best time for a road trip through these regions is during truffle season in the late fall – you will experience fewer crowds and accommodation, and car rental prices are lower. It is also a great time of year for food festivals after the harvest season.

Recommended by Gabriel – Chef Travel Guide

Pisa to Genoa

• Recommended Duration : 2-7 days
• Distance : 330 Kilometres.
• Destinations : Pisa – La Spezia – Cinque Terre – Portofino – Genoa

One of Italy’s best coastal road trips is from Pisa to Genoa. This road trip starts in Pisa in the region of Tuscany, tracing the Ligurian Coast to the capital of Liguria, Genoa.

It is possible to complete this road trip in two days, with an overnight stop in one of the Cinque Terre Villages.

However, this itinerary would be lovely spread over a week, allowing for at least one night at each destination between Pisa and Genoa. We have a fantastic two-night Cinque Terre itinerary to help you plan extra time in the famous five villages.

• See the Leaning Tower of Pisa and climb to the top
• Visit the Technical Naval Museum in La Spezia
• Enjoy the viewpoints and  Instagrammable places in Cinque Terre .
• Go to Castello Brown in Portofino
• Taste focaccia in Genoa
• On the first day, you’ll discover Pisa and the remarkable monuments in the so-called “Square of Miracles, including the iconic leaning tower.
• Head to La Spezia , the second largest city in Liguria and the gateway to the famous Five Villages. The pretty coastal city of La Spezia is also home to a major Italian naval base and the Technical Naval Museum.
• Head north to Cinque Terre to stay in one of the five villages for a night or two. Make sure you try tasty bruschetta at Nessun Dorma in Manarola and catch the sunset from one of the villages.
• Visit one of the prettiest fishing towns on the Italian Riviera, where the colorful village clusters around a small harbor. Since the late 19th century, Portofino has attracted European aristocracy and the celebrity jet set to its pristine shores, high-end restaurants, and glitzy boutiques. You never know who you might see in Portofino.
• You can spend an evening (or two) in Portofino or head directly to the final destination, the capital of Liguria, Genoa .

This road trip is best in the shoulder seasons to avoid summer traffic and crowds. However, if you plan to take advantage of the stunning coastal beaches, try for early or late summer. Avoid August if possible.

Recommended by: Dymphe Mensink – Dymabroad

Sanremo to Cinque Terre

• Recommended Duration : 3-5 days
• Distance : 260 Kilometres.

Embark on a memorable Italian road trip from Sanremo to Cinque Terre. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Italian Riviera as you drive along the Mediterranean Sea. This road trip itinerary can be completed in as little as 2-3 days or stretched over a week.

• Sanremo is a charming and animated town right next to the French border. It’s a perfect starting point for an Italian road trip after exploring the south of France . You will find good restaurants and bars to get a first taste of the culinary talent and kindness of the locals.
• Drive along the Ligurian Coast from Sanremo for two hours until you reach Genoa , the capital of Liguria. Spend the afternoon visiting the Royal Palace Museum, Piazza De Ferrari, or Cattedrale di San Lorenzo.
• For the second day of your road trip, head to the marvelous Portofino, less than one hour from Genoa. You will be mesmerized by the colorful waterfront houses that line the harbor of the beautiful coastal town.
• You can spend the rest of the day (or overnight) in Portofino or head to the world-famous cliff-side fishing villages of Cinque Terre . 
• You should spend at least two days in Cinque Terre to see it all. Explore each colorful village, from Monterosso al Mare to Riomaggiore, making unforgettable holiday memories while savoring some of Italy’s best seafood dishes. 

Recommended by: Soline Le Page – On the Road Diary

Central Italy Road Trip Itineraries

Rome to pisa along the tyrrhenian coast.

• Distance : 350 Kilometres.
• Destinations : Rome – Cerveteri – Santa Severa Beach – The Tarot Garden – Argentario Peninsula – Elba Island – Pisa

A road trip along the Tyrrhenian Coast from Rome to Pisa is especially pleasant in summer. Traveling between the cities along the ancient consular road Aurelia allows you to discover beautiful beaches and small villages off the beaten path.

• Start in Rome, where the city’s historic center is dense with things to see. Aside from the main attractions – the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, there are wonderful piazzas, such as Piazza Navona and Piazza del Popolo, to explore.
• From Rome, head to Cerveteri . One of Rome’s most popular day trips , it is home to a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site, the Etruscan Necropolis of Cerveteri—a fascinating city of the dead with thousands of tombs carved into the rock.
• Santa Severa Beach is the most beautiful beach near Rome. The beach is home to a well-preserved medieval castle and is washed by a clear sea.
• The Tarot Garden is a contemporary art park a few kilometers from the town of Capalbio . The park is home to 22 fascinating sculptures representing the tarot’s major arcana. The creator is French-American contemporary artist Niki De Saint-Phalle .
• Visit the peculiar Argentario Peninsula linked to the mainland by three narrow strips of land. The perimeter of the Argentario peninsula hides small bays bathed by crystal-clear sea, accessible by fairly steep walking paths. Cala Gesso is the most picturesque of these bays.
• Visit the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, Elba Island . Take one of the regular ferries from the port of Piombino to explore the island’s unique and glorious beaches, such as Fetovaia Beach, and discover Elba’s rich history and the legacy of its most famous resident, Napolean Bonaparte.
• Finish in Pisa . The small city full of artistic treasures can be toured in a day. Its heart is the Piazza del Duomo, which houses the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, and the Baptistery.

Tip: Pay attention to the speed limits along Aurelia road, as there are many speed cameras.

Recommended by Lisa –  Travel Connect Experience

Siena Region of Tuscany

• Recommended Duration : 2-3 days
• Distance : 70 Kilometres. Siena and Florence are the possible start and finishing points.
• Destinations : Montalcino – Pienza – Montepulciano – Cortona

One of the quintessential Italian experiences is a Tuscany road trip. The  Tuscan region of Siena  borders the province of Florence in the north, the province of Arezzo to the northeast, Umbria and Lazio to the south, and Pisa to the west. 

You can complete this road trip as a loop, starting and finishing in Siena. Or as this region is one of the most popular and accessible day trips from Florence , you could start or finish in Florence.

• You can start from either Siena or Florence.
• First, head for the tiny hilltop village of Montalcino , famous for its delicious Brunello wine. Visit the wine-tasting room in the fortress of Montalcino, where you can sample most of the local producers in one place. 
• Next, head to Pienza , the hilltop UNESCO-designated town, arriving through the sublime landscape of cypress trees and gently rolling hills. On the way, stop at Cipressi di San Quirico d’Orcia, a scenic viewpoint. Pienza, known for its Pecorino cheese, is a well-preserved Renaissance town that has remained untouched since the 15th century. Linger over a long meal at La Terrazza del Choistro or Osteria Sette di Vino. 
• Visit the pretty village of Montepulciano . Sip on some of the village’s finest wine in one of the cozy wine-tasting cellars dotted throughout the town.
• The last stop is Cortona , the town made famous by the book  Under the Tuscan Sun  by Francis Mayes and the subsequent movie. The town’s buildings span the 11th to 15 centuries.  Grab a gelato from the delicious Gelateria Snoopy and lose yourself in Cortona’s endless winding alleyways and epic views of the Tuscan countryside. 
• Return to either Siena or Florence.

For a relaxing road trip to this part of Tuscany, plan for 2 to 3 days and enjoy a lovely stay at  Siena House , a charming boutique B&B or explore some of Tuscany’s best wine hotels in the region.

Recommended by Renee – Dream Plan Experience 

Tuscany-Round Trip from Florence

• Recommended Duration : 7 days
• Distance : 471 Kilometres. Starting and finishing in Florence
• Destinations : Florence – Lucca – Pisa- Siena – Cortona – Arezzo – Val d’Orcia – Chianti

A road trip through one of Italy’s most famous regions, starting and finishing in one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, Florence.

Spring, summer, and fall are particularly beautiful in Tuscany. The hills will be green in the spring, and poppies will bloom in the countryside. In the summer, sunflower fields are a draw, and the golden, bare rolling hills look stunning after the autumn harvest. 

From a weather perspective, spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures, with fewer crowds than in the summer. 

Highlights of a  road trip through Tuscany  include:

• Charming hilltop towns that offer historical landmarks, local cuisine and culture, and charming ambiance.
• See the world-famous art in Florence.
• Wine tasting at some of the renowned wine-growing areas in the region, including Chianti and the Val d’Orcia.
• The opportunity to photograph one of the most picturesque regions in Italy, with its rolling hills, stately cypress rows, and picturesque farmhouses.
• Taste the region’s cuisine with its pasta, cheeses, meats, and the famous  ribollita  soup.
• Driving in a loop, you’ll start and end this Tuscany road trip in Florence. You can find our guide on what to do in Florence here .
• Head west of Florence to the city of Lucca , famous for its well-preserved Renaissance walls encircling the cobbled maze of the historic city center.
• On to Pisa , a small city best known for its leaning tower in the Piazza del Duomo. The so-called “Square of Miracles” is a treasure trove of remarkable landmarks, including the cathedral, baptistery, and the  camposanto (cemetery).
• Make your way south toward the stunning medieval city of Siena to explore the city’s 17 historic districts that extend outward from the unique fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo. Visit Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and the 14th-century Torre del Mangia for sweeping views of the city.
• Continue on to the Val d’ Orcia region for stunning landscapes and local wine – Plan some tastings in Montepulciano and Montalcino in the Val d’Orcia, where you can also taste the local pecorino.
• Head east to visit Cortona . The walled hilltop town, one of Tuscany’s prettiest towns, is famous for its beautiful medieval center and the Etruscan museum.
• Continue on to Arezzo in the east, an elegant city with an easy-going atmosphere often bypassed by tourists . Yet, the beautiful city is rich with monuments, parks, archaeological remains, churches, and historic squares.
• Make your last stop in the famed wine region of Chianti just south of Florence before heading back to the city.

If you have more time, you can add many small picturesque towns along the route to your itinerary.

Make sure you book at least one stay at an agriturismo. They capture the region’s essence and allow you to appreciate the countryside.

Recommended by Dhara – It’s Not About the Miles

Chianti Region Tuscany

• Distance : 100-150 Kilometres.
• Destinations : Montefioralle – Monteriggioni – San Gimignano – Radda in Chianti

One of Italy’s finest short road trips is a 2-3 day drive around the Chianti region of Tuscany. Chianti is situated between the tourist hotbed of Florence and the stunning medieval city of Siena .

A road trip between the two cities through Chianti only covers about 100-150 km, but there are so many beautiful places to see along the way that you won’t want to cover more ground. 

A region of rolling hills covered in vineyards and stone masonry villas, Chianti is what many people think of when they imagine Tuscany.

Chianti is mostly known for its wine. The region produces some of the finest wines in the world, especially the local specialty Chianti Classico . Vineyards are scattered throughout the region, mixed in with fairy-tale Tuscan villages and ancient castles.

Plan your road trip to avoid the motorways. While driving the winding back roads, be sure to include the following towns and villages in your itinerary:

• Montefioralle
• Monteriggioni
• San Gimignano
• Radda in Chianti

Most importantly, stop by some of Italy’s best wineries. Just be sure there is a sober driver in the group, as the local wineries can be generous with the pours.

Some of the top picks for Chianti region wineries are:

• Castello di Verrazzano
• Pogglio Amorelli
• Azienda Agricola Campocorto
• Fattoria di Montemaggio

Be sure to contact the wineries before visiting to arrange tours or tastings. Most of the more popular wineries require reservations. For a true Tuscan experience, spend the night at a castle vineyard like Castello Vicchiomaggio . 

A road trip through Chianti will leave you longing for more time in the Tuscan hills.

Recommended by: Chris Heckmann – Around the World with Me

Val d’Orcia Tuscany

• Recommended Duration : 4-7 days
• Distance : 350 Kilometres Starting in Florence or Siena.
• Destinations : Florence or Siena – Pienza – Montepulciano – Monticchiello – Bagni San Filippo thermal baths

The charming  Val d’Orcia in Italy  is a true jewel of Tuscany and a fantastic Italian road trip destination.

Most start their tour in Florence (approximately 1.5 hrs from Val d’Orcia), but you can also start or finish in Sienna (approximately 1.20 hrs from Val d’Orcia). You can plan around 350 kilometers for the entire route and 4-7 days.

On a road trip through Val d’Orcia, you will discover Tuscany you only know from movies. Endless hilly landscapes, breathtaking viewpoints along the panoramic roads, and the typical cypress avenues conjure up a picture-perfect ambiance. 

The stunning landscape dotted with small medieval villages and Renaissance towns is considered so unique it was given UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014.

• Explore the numerous small, charming Renaissance villages, where you can stroll through medieval alleys and discover Tuscany from its most beautiful side.
• Pienza is considered the cradle of the Renaissance. Make sure you try the local pecorino di Pienza cheese.
• The medieval walled town of San Quirico d’Orcia is considered one of the prettiest villages in Tuscany.
• Montepulciano . The stunning medieval hilltop town is a paradise for wine lovers. Make sure to try the delicious local red Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
• Montalcino is another beautiful town for wine lovers. The town’s vineyards produce some of Italy’s most famous and delicious wines, Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello di Montalcino.
• The beautiful village of Monticchiello, with its famous winding road, becomes an open-air theatre in summer with performances by the local inhabitants.
• For the onward journey, it is best to choose the Strada Provinciale 146 between Pienza and San Quirico , considered one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the region with its numerous viewpoints.
• visit the Bagni San Filippo thermal baths – beautiful natural hot springs in a peaceful forest setting. The water is loaded with calcium, giving the water a milky blue/white color like milk, and leaves white calcium deposits on the rocks, creating a stunning setting to bathe in.

You will find lots of lovely agrotourism accommodations to stay overnight, which will add to the Tuscan experience. A road trip through Val d’Orcia is a wonderful mix of landscape, culture, and wine, which should not be missed on any trip to Tuscany.

Recommended by Martina – PlacesofJuma

Southern Italy Road Trip Itineraries

Puglia road trip.

• Distance : 580 Kilometres.
• Destinations : Bari – Manopoli and Polignano a Mare – Alberobello – Locorotondo – Ostuni – Lecce

A Puglia road trip is the best way to explore one of Italy’s most charming regions. The ideal time for this road trip is around seven days in spring, early summer, or early autumn.

Visiting Puglia, you can fly into one of two airports, Bari or Brindisi (in the South). Both airports have car rental options to begin your 580 km road trip around Puglia’s best sights.

Suggested Itinerary for Puglia

• It’s worthwhile beginning your Puglia road trip in the historic city of Bari , Puglia’s capital. Bari has beautiful architectural sights, including the Basilica San Nicolo and Bari Cathedral.
• From Bari, head to Manopoli and Polignano a Mare , where you will find the region’s best beaches.
• Head inland to see the famous trulli houses of Alberobello . The white cone-shaped houses of Alberobello are a recognized Unesco World Heritage Site.
• Locorotondo , a picture-perfect town (often missed by tourists), is a real treat. Visit during holidays such as Easter and Christmas when the locals adorn the town in traditional decor.
• The white city of Ostuni is a maze of white-washed buildings, sitting below a hill-topped citadel with ancient fortified walls.
• Before heading back to Bari, if your Puglia road trip itinerary allows, stop at Lecce , known as the ‘Florence of the South,’ with exquisite baroque architecture, including the Piazza del Duomo.
• It’s also worth stopping in Gallipoli : an old fishing village with a stunning port backed by ancient walls and pretty beaches.

Recommended by: Jasmine – The Life of a Social Butterfly

Calabria in the Toe of Italy’s Boot

• Recommended Duration : 7-9 days
• Distance : 153 Kilometres.
• Destinations : Costa degli Dei and Costa Viola – Pizzo – Zambrone – Marinella – Michelino – Tropea – Costa Viola – Bagnara Calabra

Often overlooked by visitors to Italy, Calabria is a fabulous region in Italy’s south. If the idea of visiting picturesque villages perched in the Pennine mountains, the glowing sun, and relaxing at the beach sounds like your type of road trip, Calabria is perfect.

If you find yourself in cities such as  Venice  or Rome, you can take an internal flight to Lamezia Terme Airport. Your road trip will start from here and ends in Scilla.

Taking between seven and nine days, you can drive 153 kilometers down the Costa degli Dei and Costa Viola.

• First, stop in Pizzo , where you can taste the delicious Tartufo (a gelato based dessert).
• Visit the beaches in Zambrone, Marinella, and Michelino, then the last stop along the Coast of the Gods, Tropea. The tourist town of Tropea is worth visiting for its lovely old city set on high cliffs overlooking the sea. Don’t miss trying the typical Calabrian pasta dish, Fileja alla Tropeana, when in Tropea.
• Continue towards the Costa Viola with Bagnara Calabra, known for its long stretch of sandy beach and Scilla.
• In Scilla , you can spend some time snorkeling in some of Italy’s most crystal clear waters and visit Chianalea , the charming fishing village. Make sure you try a swordfish sandwich in Scilla.

The best time of year to be in Calabria is in June or July, right before it gets too busy in August.

This Calabria road trip is an alternative way to explore the Tyrrhenian coast and includes popular places and lesser-known villages.

Recommended by: Maddalena Visentin – Venice Travel Tips

• Recommended Duration : 2 weeks
• Distance : 600 Kilometres.
• Destinations : Cagliari – Villasimius- Cala Goloritze – Gorrupu – Orgosolo – Cala Luna – Cala Brandinchi – Olbia – La Maddalena – Alghero – Bosa

A Mediterranean island road trip through Sardinia offers some of the world’s finest beaches, picturesque hikes, breathtaking natural beauty, and charming towns. 

A trip to Sardinia is an incredible Italian road trip experience.

A suggested 600 km, two-week itinerary would be to start in the capital city of Cagliari and end in Bosa. The best stops are Villasimius, Cala Goloritze, Gorrupu, Orgosolo, Cala Luna, Cala Brandinchi, Olbia, La Maddalena, and Alghero. 

• Once you have explored the capital Cagliari , drive along the coast to Villasimius , where you can enjoy the famous Sardinian beaches.
• Another must-see spot is Cala Goloritze , where a hike leads to one of the island’s most spectacular beaches with crystal-clear water.
• Gorropu , an impressive canyon, is a reminder that Sardinia has more to offer than just beaches. Inland villages such as Orgosolo , known for its street art and political graffiti, also provide a glimpse into the “real Sardinia.” 
• Another highlight includes the stunning La Maddalena Island . While there, visit Caprera Island, Cala Coticcio, the Garibaldi Museum, and Cala Napoletana.
• Finally, back on the mainland, visit the charming city of Alghero, Neptune’s Grotto, and the colorful town of Bosa. 

The best time for a road trip around Sardinia to avoid the crowds and enjoy milder weather is the shoulder season from May to June and September to October. It is still warm enough to go to the beach, but there are fewer crowds to battle – Sardinia is extremely busy in the summer months. See here for more tips on visiting Sardinia .

Recommended by: Rachel – Average Lives

Western Sicily

• Recommended Duration : 10-12 days
• Distance : 580 Kilometres. Starting and finishing in Palermo
• Destinations : Palermo – San Vito Lo Capo – Trapani – Marsala – Caltabellotta – Agrigento – Enna – the Parco delle Madonie.

Sicily is the ideal setting for an Italian road trip. This efficient itinerary starts and ends in Palermo and makes a tidy loop around the western part of the island.

We also have a 10 day Sicily road trip looping the entire island.

Covering both the coast and the lush interior, stops include San Vito Lo Capo, Trapani, Marsala, Caltabellotta, Agrigento, Enna, and the Parco delle Madonie.

This road trip covers a distance of approximately 580 km and requires a minimum of 10-12 days to complete.

The best time of year to explore this part of Italy is early autumn when temperatures are pleasant, the summer crowds have dissipated, and harvest festivities sweep through the vineyards.

• Embarking on a street food tour of Palermo
• Swimming and snorkeling at San Vito Lo Capo
• Exploring the salt flats near Trapani
• Shopping for traditional Sicilian souvenirs at the carpet ateliers in Erice
• Doing a fortified wine tasting in Marsala
• Getting lost in the ancient streets of Caltabellotta
• Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Valley of the Temples
• Touring the incredible Cathedral of Enna
• Hiking in the Madonie Regional Natural Park
• After a few days in Sicily’s biggest city, pick up your car and depart Palermo . Follow the coastal road to San Vito Lo Capo, where gorgeous white-sand beaches and ultramarine waters await.
• Continue along the coast to Trapani , the ‘City of Salt and Sail’, to explore the crystal pans before continuing to Marsala , a picturesque city of honey-colored stone known for its fortified wines. For a unique experience, tour the cellars at Cantine Florio.
• Detour inland to spend a night in the tiny village of Caltabellotta before making your way down to Agrigento , the departure point for exploring one of Sicily’s most important archaeological sites, the Valley of the Temples.
• Turning inland, make a quick stop in medieval Enna before spending a few nights on the fringe of Madonie Regional Natural Park , where you can enjoy the area’s hiking trails before returning to Palermo.

Recommended by Emily – Wander-Lush

Italy is such an incredible country to explore leisurely by road. With so many incredible and diverse experiences, it’s hard to choose just one Italy road trip itinerary.

• Travel Planning Guide

Italy Travel Budget - Visit Italy on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Italy Costs

• Is Italy Expensive?
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• Italy On-Your-Own Itineraries
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• Italy Hotel Prices
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• Best Hotels for Skiing in Italy
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• Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Italy
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• The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy
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• The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy
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• Cinque Terre
• How much does it cost to travel to Italy? (Average Daily Cost)
• Italy trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

How much do package tours cost in Italy?

Is italy expensive to visit.

• How much do I need for a trip to Italy?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Italy?

You should plan to spend around $180 (€167) per day on your vacation in Italy. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $49 (€45) on meals
• $29 (€26) on local transportation
• $184 (€169) on hotels

A one week trip to Italy for two people costs, on average, $2,526 (€2,332) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 180 € 167
• One Week Per person $ 1,263 € 1,166
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 2,526 € 2,332
• One Month Per person $ 5,413 € 4,996
• One Week For a couple $ 2,526 € 2,332
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 5,052 € 4,663
• One Month For a couple $ 10,825 € 9,992

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Italy cost?

A one week trip to Italy usually costs around $1,263 (€1,166) for one person and $2,526 (€2,332) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Italy on average costs around $2,526 (€2,332) for one person and $5,052 (€4,663) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Italy will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Italy on average costs around $5,413 (€4,996) for one person and $10,825 (€9,992) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.

The average price for an organized tour package in Italy is $298 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.

• Cycling in Sardinia 8 Days - 11 Destinations $ 1,360
• Italian Indulgence 13 Days - 21 Destinations $ 4,419

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Italy is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Italy is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Andorra or the Netherlands.

For more details, see Is Italy Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Italy?

The average Italy trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Italy travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Italy

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Italy is $92 (€85). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Italy is $184 (€169). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 92 € 85
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 184 € 169

Hotel Prices in Italy

Looking for a hotel in Italy? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Italy based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $108. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• Stunning Farmhouse In Passignano With Swimming Pool Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 163
• Grand Hotel Billia Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 273

Local Transportation Budget in Italy

The cost of a taxi ride in Italy is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $29 (€26) per person, per day, on local transportation in Italy.

• Local Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 29 € 26

Recommended Services

• Transfer package from Trapani airport to Favignana (transfer + hydrofoil ticket) Viator $ 94
• Transfer from Civitavecchia cruise port to Rome or FCO Viator $ 125

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Italy are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Italy, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Bus € 4.00
• Train to Naples € 14
• Taxi € 15
• Train to Lecce € 44
• Bus Ticket € 1.60
• Local Bus Ticket € 4.20
• Bus From Airport € 6.00
• Ferry to Capri (Round Trip) € 35

Food Budget in Italy

While meal prices in Italy can vary, the average cost of food in Italy is $49 (€45) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Italy should cost around $20 (€18) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Italy is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 49 € 45

Recommended

• Sicilian Cooking Class Viator $ 100
• Small Group Positano Cooking Class Gnocchi Tiramisù with Drinks Viator $ 146

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in Italy are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Italy, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Espresso € 2.00
• Dinner € 58
• Bread € 1.00
• Coffee € 2.00
• Snacks € 4.00
• Cheese and bread € 10
• Dinner € 25
• Dinner € 35

Entertainment Budget in Italy

Entertainment and activities in Italy typically cost an average of $28 (€26) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 28 € 26

Recommended Activities

• Visit in Pompeii - Pompeii Private Tour with Ada Viator $ 206
• Group Bike Tour: Onno & Ghisallino (E-bikes and Road bikes) Viator $ 117

What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Italy are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Italy, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2) € 12
• National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2) € 12
• Food Tour (for 2) € 31
• Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2) € 67
• Wine Tasting Tour (for 2) € 115
• Juliet's House Entry € 4.00
• Verona Card € 10
• Chair & Umbrella at Beach € 10

Tips and Handouts Budget in Italy

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Italy is $14 (€12) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Italy is 5% - 15% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 14 € 12

Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Italy

Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Italy is $48 (€44), as reported by travelers.

• Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1 $ 48 € 44

Alcohol Budget in Italy

The average person spends about $18 (€17) on alcoholic beverages in Italy per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 18 € 17
• Barolo & Barbaresco Wine Tour with a Sommelier Viator $ 299
• Brunello Wine Tour and Val D'Orcia Landscape Viator $ 239

What did other people spend on Alcohol?

Typical prices for Alcohol in Italy are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in Italy, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Beer € 10
• Beer € 2.00
• Beer € 4.00
• Wine € 6.00
• Bottle of Wine € 11
• Bottle of Limoncello € 16
• Beer € 2.56
• Glass of Local Wine € 2.90

Water Budget in Italy

On average, people spend $4.55 (€4.20) on bottled water in Italy per day. The public water in Italy is considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 4.55 € 4.20

Related Articles

Italy on a budget.

At A Glance

• Train travel can be expensive in Italy. Costs are generally comparable to what you will find elsewhere in Europe. You'll usually get the best prices if you book your tickets in advance. There are discount passes available, but these passes usually come with limitations and requirements, so they are rarely worth the deal.
• Southern Italy is less expensive than northern Italy. It's also less touristy. If you're looking to save some money and get off the beaten path, head to the south where your money will go farther and you'll see a whole different side to the country.
• You'll save money on food if you have a filling lunch in a restaurant and then prepare a picnic for dinner. There are many great markets where you can pick up Italian cheeses and breads as well as regional wine for a good price. Even if you don't have access to a kitchen, you can turn these items into and excellent meal.
• Most people visit Florence, Rome and Venice during their trip to Italy. Pick at least one small town to visit that is off the beaten path. Spend a day or two exploring its streets and neighborhoods and you'll leave with a whole new perspective on this country.
• Avoid doing a tour. Italy is easily visited independently. Transportation is excellent and the tourist infrastructure is well established. There is really no need to visit this country as part of a package tour.

Top Tourist Attractions

Popular foods, more related articles.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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• Activities, Day Trips, Things To Do, and Excursions

The Perfect 10 Day Italy Road Trip Itinerary

Road trips can be a really cost-effective way to travel in a country and you get to set your own pace which is awesome. Many people don’t think right away of a Europe road trip, but it’s a great way to experience a country and get to know even better. Here is the 10-day Italy road trip itinerary I used for my summer trip.

Italy is one of my absolute favorite places in the world. I love the history, food, and nature in this country. It’s impossible to see everything in ten days and this road trip was actually my second time visiting.

Table of Contents

This 10 day Italy road trip itinerary is a trip I took after a few different visits with a friend who had never been. We wanted a great mix of exploring and relaxing, making this my favorite trip to Italy I’ve taken.

When I visited in high school, I got the chance to see most of the important historical places in Italy and so when I started thinking about planning a trip this past summer, I wanted to visit some of the more picturesque places in Italy and discover the unique places I had heard others love. That’s how this Italy road trip idea came to be.

There’s so much to see and do while in Italy; you’ll need some  tips for Italy  and some help along the way. I’m lucky enough to have friends who love to travel, and she definitely helped me plan this one out. One of the reasons this trip was so much fun is because I got to go with a good friend of mine from here in DC. Traveling is always fun when you’ve got a good friend by your side! Thanks, Elissa, for coming with me and putting up with all my craziness.

• Flight : $410
• Car Rental : $180 ($90 per person)
• Hotels : $845 ($422.45 per person)
• Food:  ~$30 a day per person (~$210)
• Activities:  ~$300 per person
• Total Per Person:  $1473

Tips for a Road Trip in Italy

Planning a road trip in Italy can be an exciting adventure, given the country’s diverse landscapes, rich history, and delicious cuisine. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your road trip and tips for  renting a car in Italy .

Ensure you have navigation options:

• Use GPS navigation or smartphone apps to help you navigate. Make sure to have a physical map as a backup.
• For the most part, if you get an international data plan, your phone will work well in Italy, but I always recommend a backup just in case.

Driving Regulations:

• Familiarize yourself with Italian driving regulations and road signs. Speed limits, parking rules, and other traffic regulations may differ from those in your home country.
• Be aware of the ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) zones in some cities where only authorized vehicles are allowed.

Renting a Car :

• Choose a  reliable car rental company  and book in advance to secure the best rates.
• Consider renting a smaller car, especially if you plan to navigate through narrow streets in historic towns.
• The default for car rentals is a manual transmission. Automatic transmissions will likely be at least double the price. Make sure you look at the selection when reserving online.

International Driving Permit (IDP):

• Americans are required to have an International Driving Permit. You can get one at AAA.

Fuel and Tolls:

• Be aware of fuel prices and fill up when needed. Some rural areas may have limited gas stations.
• Italy has an extensive toll system on highways. Keep some cash on hand for toll booths, as not all accept credit cards.
• Parking in city centers can be challenging. Look for public parking lots or garages.
• In smaller towns, you may need to park outside the city walls and walk to the center. I give suggestions in cities throughout this itinerary.

Traffic and Driving Style:

• Italian drivers can be assertive, and traffic in cities can be hectic. Stay alert and be patient.
• Be prepared for narrow roads, especially in rural areas and historic city centers.

Cultural Etiquette:

• Familiarize yourself with Italian traffic customs, such as the use of roundabouts and yielding to the right.

Emergency Services:

• Save emergency numbers in your phone and know the location of nearby hospitals and pharmacies.

Weather and Season:

• Check the weather forecast and be prepared for varying conditions, especially if traveling in mountainous regions.

Essentials to Pack

• Foldable Backpack :  Carry essentials like maps, snacks, water, and a  first aid kit  in a day pack or this awesome backpack for Europe  you can easily grab in your car. You don’t want to have to unpack your whole bag looking for something.
• Reusable Water Bottle  : Good for the environment and means you stay hydrated at all times! Most places in the US will have an easy place to fill up your water bottle on a trip.
• Portable Charger with Fast Charging Technology :  Even if you think you don’t need it because your car has a plug, I still recommend bringing an additional charger. You want to make sure you have the ability to navigate and get help if needed.
• Sunglasses : While you might think that drinking into the sunset sounds romantic, it’s not easy on your eyes. Get some good sunglasses!
• Collapsible Cooler : Keep drinks, snacks, and leftovers cold with a collapsible cooler for easy storage and setup when needed. It fits easily in a suitcase!

Subscribe  to access my editable  road trip packing checklist !  Discover  what to pack for an international trip here, too.

10 Day Italy Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Day in Rome

Tour $50 – $150 USD or pay individually for entry $80

Rome  has so much to do and see. If it’s your first trip to Italy, you’ll want to spend more than one day in Rome. I had already seen the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and museums in Rome. I did not get to go into the Colosseum or Forum when I was there previously, so I spent the day  exploring the Colosseum and Forum with Walks  and saw the things I missed.

I highly recommend  their tours , whether it’s your first time there or your third. It was a fun way to spend the day, and I got all the insider tips/skipped the lines. When you’re only in a city for a few days, these things are key!

If this is your first time in Italy, consider spending  two days in Rome instead of two days in Cinque Terre. My friend arrived a day before me so she could spend a day exploring more of Rome and not miss the must-see spots. Even two days is a short amount of time, but you can make it happen if you are prepared to do lots of walking. Most of the historical things in Rome are in two main areas—near the Vatican and near the Colosseum.

Spend your first day seeing the sites with a tour through Walks. Their  Rome in a Day Tour  will let you see all of the major sites!

I actually just went on this full-day tour with my now husband, and it was an amazing and effortless experience. We got to see the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Vatican, and more. They took care of everything on the tour, and we skipped the line for everything, so no time was wasted. If you have just one day and want to see the major sites, this is the tour for you.

Vatican : The Vatican is a huge tour and takes a lot of time to get through. Even after hours here, there’s more to explore. Our tour guide took us through the museum and into St. Peter’s Square. There, the tour ends around 4 pm but you still have time to see more of the museums and inside St. Peter’s Basilica once the tour is over.

Walk around St. Peter’s Square and go inside the Basilica. It’s the largest one in the world and spectacular to see. While you’re here, you can send a postcard from the Vatican (it’s technically it’s own country/province!). Stop at the post office before leaving!

Don’t forget to spend some time walking around Rome after dark. This is a city that seems to always have something going on and dinner is done late in the city, usually after 8:30. So the city stays alive after dark! There’s lots to do in Rome at night that you won’t want to miss.

Pro-tip: It’s super cheap to rent a car in Europe and pretty easy in Italy! You’ll need an international driver’s permit in Italy if you are coming from the US or many other countries. They are super easy to get at AAA or another similar service. Check your country’s rules before booking a car!

Consider using RentalCars.com to compare pricing; it’s pretty seamless. Look up companies before booking because many listed are actually partnered with American companies, so you need to be careful when you book.

Where to Stay in Rome

There are a lot of amazing places to stay in Rome with a view . Consider staying somewhere extra special on your trip! A few I’d highly recommend are:

Mercure Roma Centro Colosseo

Overview : 200 m from the Colosseum and from the metro station, not far from the Eur business district and from the major archaeological sites, monuments, and museums. The hotel offers 160 rooms, some boasting views of the Colosseum. Outdoor swimming pool and panoramic terrace (open from the end of May till September). Swimming with a view of the ancient Roman sites is amazing!

Relais Fontana di Trevi

Overview : The Relais Fontana di Trevi puts guests deep in the cobble-stoned heart of Renaissance Rome, with other landmarks such as the Spanish Steps and Piazza Barberini within easy walking distance. The ideal accommodation for an unforgettable romantic break with one of the best views of the Trevi Fountain.

Day 2: Pisa and Hot Springs to La Spezia/Cinque Terre

5 hour drive total free

We took our rental car and got out of the city. We made a stop at some really awesome hot springs in Saturnia. Parking and entry are free, which makes it really easy to walk around! Saturnia can get extremely crowded during the day.

People get incredible pictures who go really early in the morning, but the experience is the same whether there is a crowd or not. We found that most people were not tourists or were very relaxed there. We saw very few kids and just relaxed along the really interesting terraces.

Pro-tip: The ground is tough to walk on around Saturnia. If you can bring water shoes – do it! Your feet will thank you.

After this stop, we kept driving and made it to Pisa. We found parking very close to the Leaning Tower and Cathedral, just in time for sunset. It was absolutely stunning and a great way to experience the city.

Pro-tip 2: If you want to go inside the Leaning Tower and Cathedral, you’ll need to get there earlier in the day. We arrived around 5:30 and things were already closing. We only got to walk around

Day 3/4:  Cinque Terre

We spent three nights and two full days in Cinque Terre, and it was just incredible. We had the cutest little  Airbnb  with the nicest host that I just couldn’t recommend enough. The view was beautiful, and our host left us limoncello and pastries to try. It was such a great spot!

Cinque Terre is probably my favorite place that we visited when I was in Italy this past time. It was so beautiful and unique. It offers everything that you could want – history, beautiful buildings, beaches, adventure, and delicious food.

We drove from Pisa to La Spezia that evening and spent time walking around town and grabbing a late dinner after we arrived. We chose to stay in La Spezia instead of in one of the five Cinque Terre towns for a few different reasons.

La Spezia is cheaper to stay in than the towns in Cinque Terre and easier to park a car in. It’s basically impossible to park in any of the five towns in Cinque Terre. It provides a good starting point for your trip, and there is a train that takes you into town.

If you are there over the summer, you can park at the school near the train for free or in the commuter parking in town. If you are there during the school year, you’ll have to park in a garage or along the street. Street parking was just $6 for the day, so it really is not a big expense! The garage would be about $20.

While in Cinque Terre, there is tons to do! I’ve got two posts about Cinque Terre where I go into more depth about everything you need to know . Spending two days here was awesome. A lot of people spend one day here as a day trip from Florence, but with a car, we felt there was more time we could spend here, and I think it’s a great idea to take more time to enjoy this beautiful area.

Things to do in Cinque Terre include:

• Cinque Terre hike (pass required)
• cliff jumping in Manarola
• Swimming in Vernazza
• Visiting cathedrals
• Sunset Rides

It was my favorite part of the road trip, for sure!

Pro-tip: Getting a Cinque Terre pass is the best way to easily get around Cinque Terre. Trains run until 10 pm back to La Spezia, so you don’t have to feel like you are rushed even if you don’t stay in one of the five towns of Cinque Terre.

Day 4 Driving

You will drive from La Spezia to Florence, a 2 hour drive.

Day 5: Florence

We spent two nights but one full day in Florence. The hotel we chose was about $100 a night and included breakfast but not parking. We chose it because it had a more central location, making it easier to walk around, and we didn’t even have to take public transit.

The hotel was definitely outdated and while it was fine, we paid far less for other hotels on our stay and found them to be much nicer. Book far in advance for hotels in Florence. I’m choosing not to link it here as I do not think it is worth staying at honestly!

As I said, I’ve been to Florence before, so this was a recap for me. If this is your first trip to Italy, I highly recommend spending another day here if you can and cutting a day, possibly from Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast .

Florence is known for all the museums and some of the most famous painters in the world residing there. There’s tons to do in Florence, so below, I’ll list some of the must-visit things to do that I really loved!

If you have been like me, consider skipping some things that have long lines and spending more time wandering the streets. One of the best things about this city is that they recently outlawed cars in many downtown areas unless you have special permits. This means that there are no cars on the roads as you walk through the historic Renaissance streets. It’s pretty magical!

On my one day I went to Pitti Palace, the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio. Below you’ll find all the top things to do.

Some of the must-see spots in Florence include:

• Florence Cathedral
• Uffizi Gallery
• Piazza della Signoria (open-air gallery)
• Galleria dell’Accademia
• Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (known simply as the Duomo)
• Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
• Ponte Vecchio Bridge

We didn’t have to drive once while in Florence! Everything is so close together and easy to get to. You also can’t go wrong and should just enjoy this city!

Planning out what to do in Florence is important because there’s so much to see! I definitely recommend booking things you want to do in advance and being prepared to stand in lines quite a bit!

PS Did you know there are a ton of amazing outlets in Italy ? Many are located right near Florence and, with your car, easy to get to. If you’re a fashionista, then you’ll want to add this stop.

Pro-tip: There are tons of new road closures in Florence because of high tourism volume. All of the road closures in Florence are not listed on Google maps yet. This means that you’ve got to plan ahead and ask your hotel for specific directions if you plan to drive. We ended up driving around for over an hour trying to figure out how to get to our hotels because Google kept telling us to go down illegal roads!

Day 6: Tuscany to Amalfi

Drive Through Tuscany to Amalfi Coast, 6 hour drive

This is the longest driving day so it’s important you build in a few stops! There are tons of things to see in Tuscany – mostly awesome wineries. We chose to spend a day enjoying Tuscany on our way back down past Rome on the longest drive of the trip. What is a good road trip if you don’t get to spend some time enjoying the countryside?! We loved seeing the amazing rolling hills of Tuscany and all the cute little towns you go through.

We drove along some really awesome and windy roads as we went through the country side. The Chianti reason felt like the best place to stop because that’s one of our favorite types of wine. Chianti is just one of the regions you can visit in Tuscany along your drive back. If you have a specific type of Italian wine you love make sure you look it up!

Visiting wineries in Italy is different from the US and some other countries. You cannot go up to most wineries and simply enjoy a wine tasting. Most tastings must be booked in advance and reserved space is limited. It will typically include tastings of several wines, a tour of the winery, and light food to accompany the wines. They do sell out and most do not have wine tastings on a Sunday. It takes some planning and research to figure things out.

If you want beautiful views, consider more time on a  road trip through Tuscany.

Initially, we thought we would just find a winery to go to, but after looking some more, we realized we couldn’t actually visit one with that method. We even looked some up online that said you don’t need a reservation and tried to go to one only to find out it was closed. Long story short, book in advance!

Reach out to wineries before you go. Some take a while to get back to you as they are mostly family owned businesses. We were messaging wineries up to the last-minute and got lucky finding one that would take us the day before and almost completely missed out on the experience.

Fattoria Veticcio is a family owned winery with beautiful scenery overlooking the town of Greve. It was $40 for the tasting, tour, and light food. Our GPS took us around the back causing us to get lost for a bit, but after a phone call to the winery, we found it with ease. They were so kind and helpful.

I imagine that it would be amazing to stay at this winery because there are two awesome pools there and several tasting rooms. The wine was so good we ended up buying three bottles each to bring back to the US with us! I haven’t gotten the courage to again drink this wine yet because I don’t want to waste it!

Amalfi Coast is one of those places that I heard so much about before visiting. I had really high expectations and wanted to love it. That being said, I did really like it but it didn’t live up to expectations. It was crowded, overpriced, and the driving was really scary! Also, I do not recommend driving past Sorrento unless you are an extremely confident driver. It can be really difficult to drive along the winding roads.

Pro-tip:  The closest thing I can think to driving in Amalfi Coast is driving  Route 1 in California . It’s a drive with beautiful views, but will cause the average driver anxiety. I chose to drive slowly and carefully despite many people whizzing past me. Be confident and careful on the roads, and you will be fine!

Day in Capri  $80 per person

This was my favorite part of Amalfi Coast! The whole day was incredible and I see it as a must if you’re headed this way. We chose to do a full day trip with a boating/snorkel experience around the entire island. We did this because while there are affordable ways to get to Capri, they won’t take you all the way around the island and are still 30 Euros a person. Also, food on Capri can be very pricey and we wanted to make sure we got there and really relaxed.

We chose the first day of our time in Amalfi Coast to do a day trip to Capri because we didn’t want to be rushed when we got back or try to drive after spending all day in the sun and on a boat. It ended up being the best decision!

We got up the next day whenever we wanted and we enjoyed Capri stress-free. The only complaint I have about the tour was us trying to find it. The directions were not clear and it was very difficult to get there. We never got a confirmation from them or an email.

We ended up calling them multiple times before we were able to speak to someone. It was not ideal. The harbor we met them in was in Sorrento and it was easy once we were there to know what to do. We drove to Marina Grande and were able to park for $12 for the day. 

When there, we asked where the tour companies were and were immediately directed to the right place. We just didn’t hear from the company to know if we were going the right way.

Day in Sorrento

Sorrento is an awesome city with lots to do, I recommend it as your home base, especially if you are trying to visit  Amalfi Coast without a car . I was surprised how much we loved our little hotel and place along the water. We stayed in Sorrento and I was so impressed! For just $80 a night we had a great breakfast, free parking (on the street), and a fabulous view from our hotel. Seriously worth staying here with everything it has to offer at the price.

Start by visiting a limoncello factory, I Giardini di Cataldo. Sorrento is known for its giant lemons, they are used to make all types of delicious lemon infused things! Limoncello is a classic and the factory does free tastings! Out back you’ll find tons of lemon trees that make a perfect setting if you decide to buy some and want a place to enjoy a drink. Walkthrough the cute streets and enjoy your time looking into the many shops that are found throughout the town.

Pro-tip:  You will find lemon flavored things all over Amalfi Coast. They almost all sell the same products or type of products. Try getting something from the factory if you want it to be the freshest!

From there we went to spend our afternoon at one of the famous docks located on the water. We chose to hang out at one of the many decks/restaurants that are in the small port in downtown Sorrento called Delphino. The food was delicious and the view was perfect!

Eating lunch there gets you access to their deck where you get lounge chairs, changing stations, and places to jump in the ocean. Unfortunately, while we were there the deck area was closed due to high winds. Instead, we hung out on the beach and rented chairs for just 4 Euros. It was cheap and lots of fun to hang out there!

From here, we went back to our hotel and headed off to Amalfi for a fancy day on the coast.

1 1/2 hour drive to Amalfi

We arrived around 5 pm in Amalfi. We stayed at a hotel with a beautiful view called  Holiday House Le Palme . While it had an awesome view, it was not ideal. You had to drive up a cliff side for over 1 1/2 from Sorrento to get there. Then once there, you have to park along the side of the cliff and walk down 300 stairs to get to the place. There is no food there and the closest place to walk to is 30 minutes away.

Otherwise, you have to drive back down the cliff for about 2o minutes to get to town and try to find parking. The hotel was beautiful, but there were tons of mosquitos. Also, there was loud music all night long, and roosters woke us up early in the morning. It was the worst night’s sleep of the whole trip!

We went to dinner here from our hotel on Amalfi and spent an evening relaxing in Atrani, mostly because the place we were staying at would drive us there and I could handle no more driving those tiny streets that day. They have a huge beach area that is cheap to rent a chair from if you have time during the day. This town is quieter than others.

Pro-tip:  There are ferries that go between all of the towns on Amalfi Coast. They are an easy and hassle way to get from town to town. They also give you great views of every town. I actually recommend staying in just Sorrento if you can and taking ferries instead of doing a night in Amalfi or Positano for a road trip. The driving was stressful and what you can get for even $250 a night is not ideal.

Day in Amalfi/Positano

We started off the day by spending the morning in Amalfi. It is actually a town as well as the name of the region. This confused me when I looked it up at first! It is a really gorgeous town and has a very resort feel to it. The beaches are long and there are two large harbor areas where boats are docked. There is also an incredible cathedral located in the middle of town that you can see.

From Amalfi, we took a ferry to Positano for 20 Euros round trip (16 if you  visit Amalfi in the fall ). It was the perfect way to see Positano because it’s not a cheap city! We walked from the lower part of town to the top to get the iconic view and grab lunch. In the afternoon, we walked around and spent some time on the beach.

I saw more pictures of Positano than anywhere else along the Amalfi Coast. Positano is a beautiful and picturesque town but it is overpriced. While here, eat some awesome food and enjoy the incredibly cute streets! Walking around the small streets, exploring shops, and seeing the cutest spots was worth it.

The private beach areas were much more expensive here than other areas. There were spots almost taking up the entire beach there with chairs. You’ll pay 24 Euros for the day (compared to the free ones we had on Capri and 4 Euro chairs we had in Sorrento) and that won’t even get you an umbrella or towel. The beach area here was not impressive and I feel like there are spots that are a better choice.

Day 10 Drive to Airport & Fly Home

(I flew on to  Lisbon !)

This day speaks for itself a little bit but just know that this drive is a little scary and much faster if you do not take the coast. It’s about a 2 hour drive back to Rome and you’ll want to plan for traffic depending on what time you leave. Give yourself plenty of time as you get back into the city!

Ideas for Extending your Italy Road Trip:

• Venice  – there’s  so much to do in Venice
• Milan – the cathedral there is gorgeous
• The Dolomites and explore the mountains
• Lake Como is beautiful and would be an excellent addition
• Continue your drive through Southern Italy for gorgeous towns and beaches. 

Related posts

Amazing Vienna 2 Day Itinerary

Amazing Munich 3 Day Itinerary

Perfect 4 Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary

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7 Phenomenal Italy Road Trip Ideas (+ Driving Tips!)

There’s a lot to love about taking an Italy road trip, from admiring beautiful countryside views along the open road during the day to stopping at whatever hilltop village or seaside vista looks lovely, to spending evenings in small countryside inns or perhaps even a Tuscan farmhouse.

This guide will show you where to find the best road trips in Italy to help make those dreams a reality, while also providing plenty of practical advice along the way.

It’s no secret that Italy is one of our absolute favorite countries to explore, nor that we have taken more road trips in Italy than in any other country that isn’t our own–but at the same time, we fully believe that most popular, first-time-in-Italy itineraries are not best experienced as a road trip.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

While traveling in Italy is absolutely amazing, most of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations–Rome, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre, and Milan, just to name a few–are not well suited to an Italy road trip. 

On the contrary, if you ask us, a rental car is more of a liability than an asset in every single one of those destinations!

But that being said, there are some truly phenomenal road trips in Italy that are easily among the best in the world.

If you’re looking to plan an Italy road trip, here’s what–and where–we recommend.

Table of Contents

Is a Road Trip in Italy Right for You?

Renting a car for your road trip, the best italy road trip destinations, italy road trip tips.

Italy is home to some fantastic road trips, but whether or not a road trip is right for you depends a lot on both your personal travel style and what your dream trip to Italy looks like.

If you decide a road trip isn’t right for you, we highly recommend checking out some of our more classic Italy itineraries instead– this 2 week itinerary is a great introduction to the country, and this one week guide is packed full of Italy trip ideas!

An Italy road trip might be the right choice for you if…

… you’re hoping to focus on small towns and countryside destinations..

As I mentioned above, Italy’s biggest cities, while absolutely fantastic places to visit, are not well-suited for road trips.

If your dream Italy trip looks something like Rome, Florence, Venice, and Cinque Terre, you’re bound to have an amazing time–and you definitely shouldn’t experience it as a road trip.

This 2 week itinerary will get you started on your planning, though!

… you’re not intimidated by driving in a foreign country.

While driving in Italy is far from impossible, it does have an intimidating reputation for a reason: if you’re not a regular driver and/or are not confident behind the wheel, you may want to reconsider driving in Italy, or at the very least, be very careful to choose an easier road trip destination.

… you want to maintain maximum flexibility.

Want to duck into roadside cafes, randomly detour to check out a small town you spotted on the map, and wake up each morning unsure of what adventures it will hold?

If so, an Italy road trip might be the right vacation for you! 

… you’re willing to trade a few logistical challenges for a chance to get off the beaten path.

From finding the right parking spot to keeping an eye out for toll booths to getting lost along the way, taking a road trip in Italy definitely comes with its own set of challenges–but if that sounds like a worthy trade for an open-ended adventure and a chance to see a side of Italy that most of its visitors don’t, then it’s absolutely worth it.

For most people, of course, taking an Italy road trip will require renting a car.

We’ll cover some tips and tricks for renting a car later in this blog post, but here’s the short version: we recommend renting a small car in Italy through Discover Cars , which will allow you to compare prices and inclusions of multiple companies at the same time and choose the best car for you from there.

We’ve rented a car in Italy more times than we can count, and we’ve used a different rental car company almost every time: the variations in prices depending on time of year, availability, and rental inclusions will vary dramatically, and you’ll want to make sure you arrange for the best combination of price and inclusions before arriving to start your road trip in Italy.

Check rates & book your rental car with  Discover Cars  today!

The Italy road trips outlined here aren’t just destinations that are doable as road trips–they’re destinations ideally experienced as one!

The freedom of the open road, beauty of the countryside, and delights of traveling Italy independently are all easily felt on these sublime Italy road trips.

Arguably the most classic Italy road trip of them all, the idyllic Tuscan countryside lives up to expectations!

From the beautiful hilltop villages to the seemingly endless rows of grapevines and olive trees, from the delights of Tuscan hot springs to the majestic beauty of Brunelleschi’s Dome erupting from the center of Florence’s skyline, the reality of Tuscany definitely lives up to the legend.

Consider starting your road trip from Florence (though you won’t need to pick up your rental car until you’re ready to leave the region’s capital), and visiting charming Lucca , stunning Siena, and famous Pisa along the way.

Of course, since half the fun of a road trip is going where the trains can’t easily reach, you’ll want to mix in even smaller towns as well– Volterra , Cortona, Montepulciano , and San Gimignano are all excellent options.

Be sure to visit the famous Val d’Orcia for those classic Tuscan views, and if you’ve ever wanted to stay in an Italian villa or at a vineyard, a Tuscany road trip is definitely an excellent opportunity to do so!

You can check out our full guide to taking a Tuscany road trip here .

Suggested Road Trip Length

A roughly 10-day road trip, plus a couple of days spent in Florence at the beginning and/or end of the trip, will provide an excellent overview of Tuscany while still leaving plenty of stones left unturned that will have you already dreaming of your next trip back by the time you say goodbye.

However, Tuscany is also well-suited for a mini road trip, so if you only have 3 days or so to spare, you can still get a delightful taste of Italy by car!

The Amalfi Coast

Despite being a mere 43 miles long, the dramatically curving road along the Amalfi Coast just may be the most famous–and challenging–Italy road trip of them all!

There’s no denying that the views of the Amalfi Coast along the drive are absolutely sublime and deserve their status as one of the most picturesque places on the planet.

From the shimmering sea visible far beyond the opulent villas of Ravello to the colorful houses climbing improbably up the cliff in Positano, the Amalfi Coast is positively packed with beauty at every turn.

Road tripping the Amalfi Coast has distinct advantages over a more traditional visit, including a chance to escape the crowds, discover offbeat vistas and coves, explore lesser-visited villages, and find (comparatively) inexpensive lodging by staying outside of the most popular towns.

On the flip side, though, the driving is intense: an Amalfi Coast road trip will take you along a very narrow road, perched on a very steep cliff, and demand that you repeatedly navigate around gigantic tour buses that have very little patience with cars clogging up the road–in other words, it’s quite challenging!

If you are a confident driver, there’s no reason to skip it–the Amalfi Coast truly is home to one of the most scenic road trips in Italy–but if you aren’t comfortable behind the wheel, it may be best to pick a different road trip (or simply visit the Amalfi Coast without driving, which is very doable!).

While you can easily drive the Amalfi Coast itself in less than a day, we recommend spending roughly 3-5 days in the area. 

You won’t necessarily want (or need) to change accommodation each day, but you can take incredible day trips via car each day along the Amalfi Coast.

If you’d like, you could also add on a (long) day trip to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and/or Mount Vesuvius by car as well!

The Great Dolomites Road

The Great Dolomites Road–in Italian, the Grande Strada della Dolomiti–runs from Bolzano in South Tyrol to Cortina d’Ampezzo in Veneto, offering positively jaw-dropping views of the Dolomites along the way.

If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind mountain vistas, sweeping valleys, epic lakes , and charming villages that leave you a bit uncertain as to whether you’re actually in Italy at all or if you accidentally wandered into Austria, then this is the Italian road trip for you.

Be sure to leave plenty of time in your road trip itinerary to stop and check out Carezza Lake and the vistas along the Passo Pordoi!

Although not technically part of the route, nearby popular stops in the Dolomites include Sella Pass and Passo Gardena, and you can easily expand your Italy road trip to include the ever-popular Seceda and Val di Funes as well.

While summer is the most popular time for a Dolomites road trip, if you’re visiting in September or October, you can enjoy not only the grape harvest but also memorable local events like Almabtrieb .

The Great Dolomites Road can easily be driven in a day, but we recommend taking your time and soaking up the views–this isn’t a region you’ll want to rush through.

For the bulk of your time in the Dolomites, you can easily base yourself in either Bolzano or Cortina d’Ampezzo (both offer excellent nearby mountain hikes and villages to explore as part of your trip to the Dolomites), but you can also choose to spend part of your time at one of the countryside hotels that exist along this Italy road trip.

The largest island in the Mediterranean has long been a source of mystery and intrigue: loomed over by the enormous Mount Etna and covered in the scattered remnants of a half-dozen empires, from the Ancient Greeks to the Byzantines to the Moors to the Normans and beyond, Sicily an intensely beautiful and historically fascinating island, and easily one of the best places for an Italy road trip!

While exploring Sicily, be sure to visit the incredible Mount Etna, take in the views from Taormina, enjoy the phenomenal beach towns (we’re partial to Cefalu, but there are plenty to choose from!), admire the Baroque towns of the Val di Noto, and check out the incredibly well-preserved Greek ruins at Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples.

And, of course, I have to acknowledge that if driving in Italy has a reputation for being challenging, Sicily has a reputation for being home to the most challenging driving of all. 

Our opinion is only one among many, but I will say that after driving all over Europe and Italy both, we didn’t find the driving in Sicily to be significantly different.

We have lots of region-specific driving tips in our detailed Sicily road trip guide .

Roughly 10 days to 2 weeks in Sicily will give you a chance to hit up most of the island’s highlights, but you’ll need to move quickly!

If you have 5 days or less in Sicily, we recommend concentrating on only one portion of the island–the east coast, from Taormina to Syracuse, with a possible detour over to the Val di Noto, is a great option.

Emilia-Romagna

Emilia-Romagna is often overlooked in favor of Tuscany when it comes to planning a road trip in Italy, but Tuscany’s less-famous next-door neighbor also makes for an incredible road trip destination!

The region is the original home of many of the most beloved foods of Italian cuisine, including Parmigiano-Reggiano , tagliatelle al ragu (what’s known outside of Italy as spaghetti bolognese), mortadella (also known as bologna), and traditional (and decadent) balsamic vinegar, just to name a few!

A road trip in Emilia-Romagna will mean a chance to explore each of these cuisines in their natural settings.

In addition to the region’s capital city of Bologna , Parma and Modena should both be on your radar, as well as unique features of the region like Ravenna’s 1500-year-old mosaics and Rimini’s laid-back beaches.

Visiting Emilia-Romagna via car also provides an opportunity to visit a unique destination that’s technically not even in Italy at all!

T he stunningly beautiful country of San Marino is entirely surrounded by Italy and is easily accessible as part of a road trip in Emilia-Romagna.

A week-long road trip in Emilia-Romagna can cover a lot of what makes the region special.

If possible, we highly recommend adding a couple of days in Bologna, the capital of the region, to one end of your road trip!

The Lakes of Northern Italy

Northern Italy is positively packed with stunning Alpine lakes that are a delight to visit, and a northern Italy road trip is the perfect way to experience them!

Most lake-focused Italy road trips focus on some combination of the large and beautiful lakes of Como, Garda, and Maggiore, mixing in stops and lakeside small towns, along beautiful hiking trails, and sometimes in nearby cities like gorgeous Verona.

By visiting this part of Italy by car, you’ll be able to avoid crowds of day-trippers at hotspots like Bellagio, instead concentrating your days on harder-to-reach corners while saving the most popular places for the beautiful (and less crowded) evenings.

If you’d like to visit all three lakes, possibly mixing in lesser-known spots like Lake Iseo along the way, we recommend setting aside 7-10 days for this Italy road trip.

However, if you’d like a taste of exploring Italy’s beautiful lakes by car but only have a couple of days to spare, you could also have a fantastic trip by narrowing in on just one lake.

If you’d like to significantly extend this trip, you could head west to the beautiful (and comparatively less touristy) northwestern corner of Italy to explore Piedmont (its major city, Turin , is beautiful but off the beaten path), or even into France!

In the southeast corner of Italy–or, more colloquially, in the heel of Italy’s boot–sits the region of Puglia, a beautiful place laden with white-washed Italian beach towns , craggy cliffs, unique architecture, tasty seafood, and plenty of sunshine.

If you’d like to get off the beaten path on your Italy road trip while focusing on the sun and sea, Puglia is the perfect place to land: while it has a growing tourism scene and is popular with Europeans, Puglia is still a bit under-the-radar for those of us coming from further afield, and it feels miles apart from the crowds of, say, the Amalfi Coast.

While you’re there, be sure to check out the unique trulli houses of Alberobello (these unique cone-shaped buildings can be found throughout the region, but are most highly concentrated in this village), the stunning beach at Polignano al Mare, and the gorgeous villages of Ostuni and Otranto .

Though not technically in Puglia, as it’s located in the region of Basilicata to the west, the ancient hilltop city of Matera definitely belongs on any Puglia road trip itinerary !

You can see the biggest highlights of Puglia in under a week, but as a destination that is more about ambiance than sightseeing, you can also easily extend it–especially if you’d like to include several beach days as part of your road trip in Italy.

Consider picking a base or two and traveling from there.

Just because you’re on a road trip doesn’t mean you need to move hotels every day!

Some of our favorite road trip experiences in Italy have been renting a villa in Tuscany for a week with family and then driving throughout the region to different nearby destinations each day.

Take advantage of agriturismos and rental homes during your Italy road trip.

Part of the joy of taking a road trip in Italy is experiencing the countryside–so take advantage of it!

Agriturismos–essentially Italian farms that operate as small inn-and-restaurant combos in the countryside–are incredibly fun to experience, and there is no shortage to the number of hotels and villa rentals available.

Not only can you often find better prices than in the cities, waking up in the morning to watch the sunrise over the Italian countryside without another soul in sight is definitely a bucket-list-worthy experience.

Stick to 1-2 regions at a time.

Driving large swaths of Italy may be tempting when looking at a map, but large, sterile highways pretty much look the same wherever you go–that’s not where you’ll find the best Italy road trip experiences.

By narrowing your focus and sticking to a smaller geographic region, you’ll end spending far less time looking out the window at generic highways and far more time discovering the quiet corners that make traveling in Italy so very special.

Don’t feel like your Italy road trip has to last the length of your vacation.

Want to take a Tuscany road trip, but also to spend some time in Florence? Want to cruise the Amalfi Coast, but also spend several days in Rome? 

No worries–that’s actually an incredibly fun way to structure a trip!

Don’t fall into the trap of feeling like you need to pick up a rental car at the airport the second you land: there are rental agencies all over Italy’s cities and towns, and there’s no reason you can’t spend part of your vacation on a road trip in Italy and another part focused on its incredible cities.

Make sure you have access to a GPS for your Italy road trip.

This is absolutely imperative, in our opinion, and can make the difference between an extremely stressful road trip and a fairly laid-back one.

Whether you purchase an international cell phone plan through your carrier before leaving for Tuscany or you purchase an Italian SIM card on the ground, you’ll 100% want to make sure you have cell phone data–and therefore GPS–with you as you drive.

Buy the extra insurance–you won’t regret it.

Ultimately, this is up to you–I know some people prefer not to buy additional CDW insurance (aka the insurance that covers damages to the actual car you’re driving, as opposed to your liability to anyone else) on trips–but we buy it every. single. time. when driving in Italy and have no regrets.

I don’t want to overstate things, because driving in Italy isn’t exactly like driving in the Wild West–but let’s just say that the roads are often tiny, the buildings very close, the parking lots cramped, and the other tourists’ rental cars parked nearby are frequently scratched and dinged in a way that while not horrendously damaging, is definitely something a car rental company would love to charge you for if it happened on your watch.

The peace of mind is absolutely worth it to us–you can price it for yourself when shopping on  Discover Cars , or purchase a travel insurance policy that includes car rental insurance (but be sure to double-check the policy, because only some policies cover it).

… and note that your typical car insurance may not cover your rental car in Italy.

Be sure to double-check what coverages you have, if any, before renting a car–and make sure that they cover Italy specifically, not just Europe.

You’ll need an international driving permit to rent a car in Italy.

Technically, you always need an international driving permit to rent a car in Italy.

You can pick this up before you leave home from AAA, and it’s very easy and cheap to do–just a bit annoying, as it’s one more thing to add to your to-do list before leaving for your Italy road trip.

Now, that being said–will your rental agency always ask for it? No. Will the police always ask for it? No.

Is it worth the risk of being refused a rental car or getting a ticket over what amounts to $25 USD and a bit of hassle? Not in our opinion.

Rent the smallest car you can.

Not only is it cheaper, which is always excellent, but a smaller car is also much  easier to drive in Italy.

While the highways in Italy are pretty standard, this-could-be-anywhere highways, the small country roads, parking lots near villages, and dirt roads leading to vineyards and villas can be incredibly narrow.

However, this naturally does not stop them from being used for two-way traffic (you’ll probably end up pulling over to let someone maneuver past you at least a couple of times during your Italy road trip).

Be sure to account for how much space you’ll need for luggage, especially if you have three or more people in your group, but other than that–the smaller, the better.

Be militant about avoiding ZTL zones.

ZTL zones are restricted access zones that dot most of Italy’s historic city centers, including both world-famous cities and smaller towns.

If you drive into one, even accidentally, you’re risking a  big  ticket (and we’ve definitely had to call tiny Tuscan police stations to help some of our family members pay them off months after the fact).

Avoid them by parking on the outskirts of historical centers and by doing your research on where to park ahead of time.

You will encounter toll roads, so carry cash.

Most toll roads in Italy do take credit cards, but it’s always best to have a little cash on you–just in case.

Most cars in Italy are manuals.

Rental car agencies do tend to keep a few automatics on hand for tourists, but you’ll likely pay less and have more selection when renting a car for your Italy road trip if you can drive a manual instead!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

9 thoughts on “7 Phenomenal Italy Road Trip Ideas (+ Driving Tips!)”

Thank you for your amazing posts – wonderful details! We are headed to Italy in Sept/Oct 2023 and want to finish our trip with a 2 or 3 day driving tour of tuscany. Would you stay in one town and make day trips, say from Siena? Or move every night to a new town as we make our way back to Rome?

Ah, the perfect time of year to be in Italy. 🙂 You guys will have an amazing time!

I’d definitely recommend picking one town and making day trips from there. Since you’ll have a car, you may even want to consider staying at an agriturismo just outside of a town for easier parking and then driving to various towns/cities each day.

I would love to talk to you about making a special trip to my great grandfather’s hometown of Bagnaturo, and Pratola Peligna, near Sulmona in the Abruzzo region. I know it’s off the beaten path, and want to know the best way to get there. It is a trip of a lifetime.

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

We haven’t been there, but you’re definitely on the right track with taking a road trip. GPS directions are reasonably reliable in Italy, so I’d recommend renting a GPS if you don’t want to use the one on your phone.

And, while it’s definitely far off the beaten path, you’re also less than a 2 hour drive from Rome, so I’d recommend starting there unless you’re already going to be visiting somewhere else in Italy.

Hi Kate, my wife and I will be traveling to Italy in October of this year for two weeks. it is our first time and we will be spending time in Rome, then Sorrento, The Tuscany, Florence and then the Rome Airport. I will be renting a car for the Tuscany part of the trip and taking high speeds trains from Rome to Naples and then Naples to Florence what suggestions do You have for the trip?…We will be staying in B&B’s and Botique hotels and a Tuscan Villa for the two weeks….We want to see as much as possible but we also want to enjoy it as a vacation as well.

Sounds like you guys have a wonderful itinerary outlined!

From Sorrento, of course you’ll be able to reach Pompeii, Herculaneum, Mount Vesuvius, Capri, the Amalfi Coast, etc. I definitely recommend a guide at Pompeii–we didn’t use one the first time we visited and I regretted it.

I’m not sure how long you’ll be in Tuscany, but here’s our recommended road trip (it can of course be shortened and adapted): https://www.ourescapeclause.com/tuscany-road-trip-itinerary/

I have quite a few driving tips in there, too.

If you have even an afternoon to set aside for Naples itself, it’s a very memorable place. Get a pizza (L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is the most famous, and Pizzeria Brandi is another favorite of ours), a coffee and sfogliatella from Cafe Gambrinus, and enjoy the chaos.

Hope you guys have an incredible time in Italy! October is probably our favorite month to be there. 🙂

Thanks so much for your help Kate….stay safe in your travels.

Kate Can you suggest any places to stay south of Rome as we road trip down to Taormina for the Bocelli concert on Sept 2 ? We land in Rome on the 27th of August and will head to cassino and the where would you suggest ? When we Taormina on the 5th we thought we would hang out in Sicily and then make our way back to Rome for sept 9 to our departure day of sept 12. We have seen Rome on a cruise 11 years ago but want to see a bit more. Any suggestions for accomodation in Rome . It is just 2 of us btw Thank you for your help Pattie

Sounds like quite the journey! I’m assuming you’re choosing this route because you’re confident drivers and want the adventure of the journey–if not, you may want to consider other options, as you don’t really need a car in either Rome or Taormina.

As far as the journey, though, you’ll be passing close to many incredible places along the way, including Naples, Pompeii, if you’re open to going out of the way, of course the Amalfi Coast. None of those are the easiest places to drive in Italy, but they’re all worth visiting!

Paestum, a lesser-known but incredible Greek ruin site, is a short detour as well.

Further south, the resort town of Tropea isn’t too far out of your way.

As far as accommodation in Rome, we have several suggestions in our itinerary posts: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/4-days-in-rome-itinerary/

Enjoy the drive!

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An Epic 2-Week Italy Road Trip Itinerary: Milan To The Amalfi Coast

By Jessie Festa. This Italy road trip guide contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

For the past two summers, my boyfriend Andy and I have chosen countries in Europe to road trip through, taking our time to just enjoy the scenery and have adventures along the way.

Last year we explored the South of France , while this year we chose Italy , beginning in Venice and ending in the Amalfi Coast .

Table of Contents

Our Italy Road Trip Route

Okay, so in reality we actually flew round-trip NYC -> Milan as flights to and from Milan seemed to be much more affordable than other cities. We didn’t really spend any time there, though, so for the intention of this post I won’t really be mentioning it.

As soon as we arrived into Milan we hopped on a pre-booked Trenitalia train to Venice.

After Venice we pre-booked an Italo train to Florence where we picked up a car and began our Italy road trip.

The full 2-week Italy road trip itinerary included Milan – Venice – Florence – Tuscany – Perugia – Amalfi Coast – Ischia.

Psst, Don’t forget to pin this post for later!

Booking Ferries & Trains In Italy

For train and ferry travel we booked in advance, using Omio ’s easy interface and reliable booking system.

We also found Omio often had cheaper prices than booking directly with TrenItalia and Italo.

Note: You’ll want to book in advance! The earlier you book your train and ferry tickets, the cheaper it will be.

For example, our train tickets from Milan to Venice were 60.80 Euros for two tickets (one-way) booked in advance.

When we arrived at the train station early from the airport and asked if we could switch our ticket to an earlier train, they said we would have had to pay the difference in price: 160 Euros.

We were glad we booked early.

Renting A Car In Italy

Ugh. So the truth is we booked our car through Hertz.

I hate Hertz. I’ve had so many problems with them over the years, and their customer service just is not good.

Typically I’d book with Enterprise, but they didn’t have a car rental office in the city in Florence (only the airport).

We tried to book with EuropCar, but they didn’t have automatic cars in the city (only the airport).

In short, if you don’t mind renting from the airport — such as if you’re flying into Florence anyway — book with Enterprise . In my experience they are the best and have great customer service.

If you’re desperate for an automatic car in Florence and don’t want to trek to the airport, Hertz has what you need.

Here is another option that I sadly didn’t know existed before this trip:

Use a comparison site like Discover Cars .

You can save up to 70% on your rental just by comparing your options!

Use their widget here and try it out for yourself: 

Best Hotels In Italy

We booked almost all of our accommodation through Airbnb. You can stay in everything from gorgeous countryside wineries to historic palaces-turned-city hotels.

Accomodation Links:  We loved all our accommodations aside for Amalfi Coast, so I’m leaving that one out of the list.

• Milan Airbnb
• Venice Airbnb
• Florence Airbnb
• Montepulciano Airbnb (extra special!)
• Perugia Agritourismo (extra special!)
• Ischia Airbnb (extra special!)

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Italy Road Trip Video

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Italy Road Trip Highlights

Wow! Where to begin. There were so many amazing experiences to be had on the trip, from the wine travel to the scenic adventures. Here are 12 highlights from our journey — truly one of the best road trips we’ve ever done!

Quick tip: download these 6 amazing apps before your road trip.

1. A Floating Apertivo Hour

While we did the whole gondola thing — hey, you gotta! — we also booked a Canal & Aperitivo Experience with Urban Adventures .

Full disclosure:

I work with Urban Adventures in NYC as one of their guides, so when coming to Venice I reached out to their Italy manager and they set Andy and I up with this awesome experience.

We took a private water taxi down the Grand Canal and beyond, seeing everything from the city’s ancient palaces-turned-hotels to outer islands like Murano and Lido .

Along the journey we learned fun facts about the city — like that Venice invented the Aperol Spritz — while sipping Prosecco, munching on tasty finger sandwiches and clinking glasses with new friends.

While the gondola was fun, this felt like a much more local experience. It was definitely an Italy travel highlight, and would be a great social experience for those traveling solo in Italy too.

2. Explore The Art

For an inspiring afternoon, wander the sculpture gardens at  Giardino Della Marinaressa  (public park) —  Carole Feuerman ‘s sculptures were on view when we visited — before boarding a ~10-minute  vaporetto (ferry taxi) to Murano.

Here you can drink an Aperol Spritz on the water before wandering the many Murano glass shops.

Within the stores, you’ll see gorgeous glass sculptures, jewelry, and housewares. Additionally, walking around the small island introduces you to giant al fresco glass works.

Burano is another island nearby — though a bit farther at about an hour away from Venice. Here the houses are in crazy bright colors, with the shops introducing you to artisanal lace products.

3. Lido Beach

While you can’t swim in the Grand Canal — both because there are so many boats and because it’s full of sewage — you can head less than 10 minutes by vaporetto to Lido Beach.

It’s about a 15-minute walk from the dock to the shell-gowned shoreline, with tons of gelato shops offering a snack for the stroll.

Once there, walk along the sand or jump in for a swim.

It’s seriously beautiful, not to mention their beach cafe serves tasty Aperol Spritz cocktails.

Can you tell what my favorite cocktail is?

Check out my full article on responsibly exploring the city for more things to do in Venice .

4. Take A Fresco Class

Sadly, the art of fresco in Florence is dying out. In fact, there are only three fresco artists left in the city, and you can take a workshop with one through Context Travel .

We had the pleasure of creating our own frescos with Dr. Alan Pascuzzi in his San Frediano studio.

The neighborhood is known for its artisan studios and introduced me to the city beyond the Duomo.

True fresco refers to applying natural pigments to freshly laid (wet) lime plaster.

There are no binders — like oil — in the paints, just water, and when the hues hit the limestone a chemical reaction takes place that leads to a truly lasting piece of art.

The tough part is having to complete your painting (and tempering!) before the plaster dries.

A truly creative race against time that leaves you with a deeper cultural appreciation and an authentic souvenir to take home!

This was one of a few great art experiences in Florence that we did!

5. Dinner In A Local Home

This was our second dinner through BonAppetour  and as usual, it was a pleasure.

We opted for a traditional Tuscan dinner in the home of a local man named Andrea and his wife Giovanna , savoring a delectable spread.

On the menu: Tuscan tomato & bread salad (Panzanella), Tuscan onion soup (Carabaccia), spinach with baby squid in squid ink (Seppie al Nero con Spinaci) and cold chickpeas with tomato and sage (Ceci all’uccelletto) — all paired with wine of course. This meal made me seriously want to volunteer to do vineyard work in Italy and immerse myself in the vino culture!

We ended with a chestnut tart called Castagnaccio that’s typically eaten in mountain communities, paired with locally made dessert wine. Yum!

6. Wandering San Niccolo

We loved this Florence neighborhood! Walking around Florence we noticed a few recurring styles of street art.

One was the work of Blub , who painted small square portraits of cultural icons like Salvadore Dali and the Mona Lisa as scuba divers.

There was also Clet , who added stick figures in interesting situations to typical street signs.

Both of their studios are in San Niccolo — along with other Florentine artists — and you can purchase a creative gift.

7. Sips & Sculptures At Belvedere Fort

Okay, so there are MANY attractions offering a view over Florence. Andy and I first visited Boboli and Borelli gardens…and were unimpressed.

Maybe in other seasons there is a lot to see, but in late August there were not many flowers, especially after paying 10 Euros each to get in.

While wandering around the gardens, we stumbled upon Fort Belvedere next door, which was just 3 Euros each to get in.

Not only were the views stupendous, but the historic fort houses an indoor art museum and outdoor sculpture garden.

It’s pretty interesting to look out over a massive 79-foot skeleton with a Duomo backdrop.

The Aperol Spritz cocktails and pizza were delicious!

While TripAdvisor said it would be expensive, we thought $55.50 USD for two meals, two cocktails, and two coffees was very affordable, especially for what we got.

8. Drinks On Ponte Santa Trinita (Bridge)

Of course, the Ponte Vecchio is a must, though expect tons of tourists eating gelato and perusing the impressive amount of jewelry shops.

Once the sun goes down, grab a bottle of wine — might I suggest some Chianti — and head to the Santa Trinita Bridge .

It’s beautiful to see the reflections of buildings at night on the Arno River , and there are many people on the bridge also sharing some wine and taking in the peace.

Montepulciano (Tuscany)

9. take a scenic bike ride.

If you’re active, I highly recommend a scenic bike ride with Cortona Wine Tours   through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Val d’ Orcia.

The valley is known for inspiring Renaissance painters and being landscaped in a way that led to locals living in harmony with nature.

You’ll cycle through cypress-lined paths, olive groves, medieval towns and endless rows of sangiovese, the predominant grape in the famed Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine.

While challenging — it’s those steep rolling hills that make Tuscany so beautiful — it’s worth it for the views.

The 21-kilometer ride ends with a delicious farm-to-fork Podere Il Casale .

Clinking glasses of homemade wine while sharing plates of house-made pici (a local chickpea-flour pasta) and suckling pig laced with goat’s milk and ginger, the tastes and company were enhanced by a gorgeous aerial view of the valley.

If you’d prefer not to exert so much energy, Cortona Wine Tours also offers private wine tours by car, as well as Vespa tours, truffle hunting excursions and custom experiences.

Perugia (Umbria)

10. stay at an agriturismo (with pets).

While we stayed at some amazing accommodations, our favorite was Agriturismo La Fonte , a gorgeous farm stay accommodation in Perugia .

I was shocked to learn that not many Americans visit Umbria , skipping over it for the nearby Tuscany.

Which is a shame, because Umbria — known as the “green heart of Italy” — is so breathtakingly beautiful.

As soon as we drove onto the property and saw our apartment backed by endless rows of olive bushes and chestnut trees, we were in heaven.

Inside, a table showcased a spread of homemade and farm-sourced goodies:

Fresh eggs, lemon cake, tomatoes, olive oil, preserved eggplant and zucchini, jam, bread and a bottle of red wine — which quickly got poured into our glasses as we ducked out onto the patio to take in hillside views.

On property, we hiked, lounged by a pond, napped in hammocks, played with dogs and cats, swam in the pool, played ping pong and foosball, and just enjoyed the feeling of complete peace and quiet.

This is a must-stay in Italy! Also, if you’re looking for weekend getaways from Rome , Perugia is a popular option.

Amalfi Coast

11. trek the “path of the gods”.

The 5-mile “Path Of The Gods” — also known as “ Il Sentiero degli Dei” — sits beautifully embedded into the slopes of Monte Peruso .

It begins in Bomerano and ends in Positano , taking you along the hillside towns and ancient ruins.

According to The New York Times , the Path was “carved out by Greek settlers in the eighth century B.C. and was later used by those living in secluded monasteries.”

Not only are you traversing history, but the views over the sparkling Gulf of Salerno and of Naples as you wind your way up and down the terraced hillside are absolutely jaw-dropping.

What’s really neat is you have a view of chic Positano and its pastel-colored houses most of the time, so your eye is literally on the prize as you hike.

This was one of the most stunning, interesting hikes I’ve ever done.

Bonus: it’s free!

12. Have A Heavenly Island Getaway In Ischia

Just a 90-minute scenic ferry ride from Naples port sits Ischia , an island settled by the Greeks in 770 BC that’s shrouded in mythology .

In fact, it’s said that after an altercation with Zeus, a monster named Typheus was banished to live under the island, which is why it’s filled with volcanoes and thermal pools.

For the perfect itinerary stay in Ornella’s Airbnb in the island’s Campagnano neighborhood , a true slice of heaven on earth.

The accommodation has both a lush garden terrace and 360-degree rooftop, both offering gorgeous views of the medieval Aragonese Castle, the Gulf of Naples, and the adjacent islands of Procida and Vivara.

On the island also don’t miss a hike to the top of Mount Epomeo , the highest point on Ischia at 2,589 feet.

Follow the adventure with a wander through Sant’Angelo , a pastel-hued village full of artisan and clothing shops.

One favorite:

NaturIschia , where Andy and I sampled free tastings of local limoncello, locally-made liqueurs laced with melon and pistachio, and delicious chocolates filled with limoncello.

From there, walk down to the sandy Chiaia di Rose Beach , secluded Cava Grado Beach or the steamy  Le Fumarole Beach .

Deal:   Click here for $40 off your first Airbnb stay !

Travel Insurance

While you hope everything runs smoothly, sometimes travel just doesn’t go according to plan.

This is why I recommend always purchasing travel insurance. The scary truth is it only takes one bad accident to lose everything — or be thankful you were covered.

Personally, I use SafetyWing, as they’ve got a large network, offer both short-term and long-term coverage (including limited coverage in your home country), are budget-friendly, and offer $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

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Have any Italy road trip tips to add or questions to ask?

Logistics: Stay: Get $40 off your first Airbnb with this link ! Route:  Milan -> Venice -> Florence -> Montepulciano (Tuscany) -> Perugia (Umbria) -> Amalfi Coast -> Ischia -> Milan. Note: We spent very little time in Milan, but flew round-trip from there as flights to and from NYC were signficiantly cheaper than other airports. Car Rental:  We used train travel until we reached Florence. Sigh.  I’ll admit we rented from Hertz, my least favorite car rental company in the world , but they were the only ones we found who didn’t require us to go to the Florence airport to pickup an automatic car (instead we simply walked 10 minutes from our Airbnb to pickup). Of course, when we got our final receipt we’d been charged ~$75 USD for fuel — even though we’d filled up the tank before returning — and I had to spend time getting the charge removed. Can you tell I looooove Hertz? Nope! I’d recommend using Enterprise or another rental company instead. You can use Discover Cars to price compare, and save up to 70% on your rental booking ! Getting Around: We loved our Italy road trip! The only difficult area to drive on our itinerary was the Amalfi Coast (definitely scary, though not impossible if you’re comfortable with driving). Also big cities like Rome and Naples will be challenging, too (we avoided those). Additionally, train travel in Italy is phenomenal. For the few trains we did take we loved Omio’s prices and interface. Actually, we found Omio to be cheaper than booking directly with Italo and Trenitalia, the train companies we used. Safety Essentials:  I never leave home without: Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments Vigiliant Personal Alarm Currency: Euro Dining Tips: Understand that in many places there will be an extra charge for sitting at a table. Note that you do not need to tip — service is typically included — though you can leave 5-10% if you wish. While in the US if a restaurant serves a snack that was not asked for, like bread or peanuts, it’s safe to assume it’s complimentary. In Italy though we were often charged a few Euros for these. If you don’t want them, say so. Language: While many locals speak English, it’s helpful to know some Italian. At least know a few common words and phrases . Accommodation:  I found Airbnb to be really affordable with tons of great options — many with views, gardens and patios. Get $40 off your first Airbnb with this link . SIM Cards: While you can buy your SIM card from the airport, I recommend purchasing it within the city of your first stay. This way, if there’s a problem you can go back to the place you actually purchased it to get help. I sadly purchased mine from the Milan Airport, and wasn’t told you’re supposed to *not* use your phone until you receive a certain text message (which is in Italian). I used up my entire 40-Euro package — which should have lasted my entire 10-day trip — in less than an hour due to this error and had to re-purchase one, because the Vodafone representative in Venice (the first city visited on the Italy trip after landing in Milan) told me the airport wasn’t affiliated with his shop.

Road Trip Through Italy Travel Video

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Italy Road Trip Travel Infographic

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14 Comments

I actually have that on my bucket list: road trip in Italy! I want to go from North to South and visit Sicily as well. I only know a bit of the north, but Italy is such a beautiful country I need to know more one day! Thanks for sharing such fine article:)

Great itinerary, nice to see you included Umbria!

Great post with lots of details! Makes me want to leave now!

Your photos are brilliant they really make you want to organise a road trip through Italy. I have never heard of Bon Appetour it sounds really interesting, Is this only found in Europe?

@Sarah: I believe in other places, too!

This post got me yearning for Italy and Europe (I’m in Thailand at the moment). Going back to Finland for the summer but not sure about my finances. I’d so want to do a road trip in Italy now!

Goodness me this is a thoroughly informative post!! DEFINITELY saving this for a future return to Italy! #blogpostsaturday

Italy has so much to see! You are brave to drive there. One of the few places i felt a bit…timid. LOL

I have booked twice with Hertz here in France and they are the WORST! I’m glad I’m not the only one, haha. I love Italy and am actually planning a roadtrip in Tuscany soon! Thanks for your post.

This is my dream trip! Good to know its well worth it to book early. That’s a huge price difference!

I travelled Italy by car last year but you definitely have be jealous with everything you got up to!! We couldn’t hike the path to the gods because of wild fires Next time ❣️

This whole itinerary is awesome. Great photos, so much cool stuff. Looking forward to Italy!

the links for the AIRBNB don#t seem to work anymore. Can you please reshare

@Andreea – If they don’t work it may mean that those listings aren’t live right now. I’ll try to see if I can find new links as soon as possible!

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6 beautiful road trips in Italy: drive the country's best routes

Nov 16, 2023 • 7 min read

Explore the best of Italy with these scenic road trips © Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

The drive along Italy 's Amalfi Coast, preferably in a vintage Alfa Romeo Spider, is the stuff of travel legend.

And it's just one of dozens of epic road trip routes in this fascinating, richly layered country. Don't be put off by stories of impatient local drivers – the countryside here was made for exploring by road (and stopping every few hundred yards to take another photo).

With an extensive network of well-maintained roads that weave between snow-capped peaks, trace plunging coastlines, and meander through rolling farmland and vineyards to scenic lakes and historic towns, pretty much every journey in Italy is a scenic odyssey, but some road trips stand out as being particularly memorable.

To set the scene, we've chosen six classic road trips ranging from gentle Tuscan jaunts to hair-raising mountain adventures. Some are a little challenging, but they all make for unforgettable experiences! Here are the best road trip routes in Italy.

1. The Amalfi Coast

Best classic Italian coastal road trip Salerno–Sorrento; approx 75km/46 miles, 1 day

Experience Italy's most spectacular coastal scenery on this white-knuckle drive along the Amalfi Coast . From Salerno , the main southern gateway to the coast, strike west to Vietri sul Mare , a small town famous for its ceramics and the start point of the coastal road proper. From here, the driving becomes more challenging as the road narrows, the curves become tighter, and the views become ever more dramatic.

After about 20km (12 miles), you'll arrive in Amalfi , the coast's main hub. Stop here to look around the landmark Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea and then head up to Ravello in the hills above. Pause for lunch here, perhaps at the Ristorante Pizzeria Vittoria , and enjoy heady panoramas from the town's lush gardens.

Next, push on to Positano , a chic, near-vertical town where colorful, steeply-stacked houses cascade down the precipitous hillsides. Beyond Positano, the route leads inland, up and across the hilly interior to Sorrento , a lively tourist hot spot overlooked by the dark, brooding bulk of Mount Vesuvius.

Planning tip:  It's a popular drive, so try to come out of season to avoid the traffic. With another day to spare, you can continue north to Naples via the ruins of Pompeii .

2. The Tuscan tour

Best road trip for art and architecture  Florence–Orvieto; approx 210km/130 miles , 2–3 days

Taking in two of Italy's great medieval cities, the wine treasures of Chianti  and swathes of classic Tuscan scenery, this two-day route leads from Florence to Orvieto in the neighboring region of Umbria . Whet your appetite for the road ahead by feasting on fine art and Renaissance architecture in Florence before striking south to Chianti wine country.

Stop for a tasting at the Enoteca Falorni in Greve and to sample the region's celebrated bistecca (steak) at L'Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano. From here, follow the backroads to Siena , a stunning medieval city centered on an awe-inspiring Duomo and a 12th-century square, the famous Piazza del Campo . Recommended overnight options here include the Pensione Palazzo Ravizza .

In the morning, head to Montalcino to stock up on Brunello di Montalcino, one of Italy's most revered red wines. A short drive to the east, the Val d'Orcia provides quintessential Tuscan landscapes with its billowing green hills, cypress trees and hilltop towns. Lunch in Pienza, then continue through Montepulciano to Orvieto, a striking hilltop town famous for its remarkable Gothic Duomo .

Planning tip:  While you could easily do this route in two days, consider adding an extra overnight stop to explore the region in more depth.

3. Southeastern Sicily 

Best road trip for exploring Sicily's charming towns Catania–Ragusa; approx 165km/103 miles , 2 days

Hunt UNESCO-listed baroque treasures on this two-day tour of Sicily 's rugged southeast. Start by investigating Catania's grandiose historic center and brilliant fish market. After a seafood lunch, hit the road and make for Syracuse where you can trawl through ancient Greco-Roman ruins at the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis and stroll elegant baroque streets in the Ortygia district. Overnight at the stylish Hotel Gutkowski .

On day two, continue to Noto , home to what is arguably Sicily's most beautiful street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, which is dotted with churches and charming cafes. Once you've digested this masterpiece of urban design, turn inland to Modica , a bustling town wedged into a deep canyon. Stock up on the town's famous chocolates before pushing on through the rocky hinterland to Ragusa and the handsome historic center known as Ragusa Ibla.

Planning tip:  To round the trip off on a high note, book ahead and treat yourself to dinner at the Ristorante Duomo , one of Sicily's top restaurants with meals prepared by chef Ciccio Sultano.

4. The Great Dolomites Road

Best road trip for stunning mountain vistas Bolzano–Cortina d'Ampezzo; approx 125km/78 miles; 2 days

The Grande Strada della Dolomiti provides some of Italy's most exhilarating driving. Running from Bolzano to Cortina d'Ampezzo, it boasts superb scenery as it snakes past craggy, saw-tooth peaks and over lofty mountain passes in the Dolomites.

From Bolzano , head eastwards toward Ponte Nova, where you'll get your first sight of the Dolomite's mighty granite peaks. Continue to Val di Fassa, a magnificent valley framed by forested slopes and gigantic rock summits, and up to the 2,239m (7,345 ft) Passo Pordoi. The descent from here is slow going, but you'll be rewarded with stunning views as you corkscrew down to La Villa in the spectacularly sited Val Badia.

From here, you could push directly on to Cortina d'Ampezzo , the chic resort that marks the end of the road, but for a more relaxed trip, stop for the night at the Dolomit B&B and take some scenic detours around La Villa on day two.

Planning tip:  This is serious country for outdoor activities with superb winter skiing and wonderful summer hiking .

5. The southern shore of Lake Como 

Best springtime road trip Como–Bergamo; approx 112km/70 miles; 1 day

Surrounded by Alpine peaks and wooded hills, Lake Como (Lago di Como) is the most picturesque of Italy's northern lakes. This leisurely one-day drive takes in elegant art nouveau villas and lush waterfront gardens along the lake's southern shoreline.

The obvious starting point is the town of Como itself. Once you've explored the charming historic center and the nearby Villa Olmo , take the swooping road up to Bellagio . Stop at this charming lakeside village to explore the grounds of neoclassical Villa Melzi d'Eril and have lunch at Terrazza Barchetta .

Suitably refreshed, leave your car and jump on a ferry to Tremezzo, home of the 17th-century Villa Carlotta and its spectacular gardens. Back in Bellagio, pick up your wheels and strike southeast, following the scenic lakeside road down to Lecco and on to historic Bergamo , where you can rest up in style at the Hotel Piazza Vecchia .

Planning tip: Time your visit for April and May when the area is awash with spring color.

6. Highlights of Abruzzo

Best road trip for unspoiled landscapes Rome–Sulmona; approx 240km/150 miles, one day

Just over an hour's drive east of Rome , the little-known region of Abruzzo is a world apart from the big city, with wild, empty valleys and unspoiled mountain landscapes. From the capital take the A24 autostrada to Fonte Cerreto, from where it's a twisting climb up to Campo Imperatore, a highland plain overlooked by the Apennines' highest peak, Corno Grande (2,912m/9,553ft).

Continue on to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a remote, semi-abandoned village high in the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga. If you're traveling during the weekend you can lunch at the Locanda Sotto gli Archi ; otherwise, pick up picnic supplies in the village.

In the afternoon, push on to Sulmona, a graceful town set in the shadow of the Morrone massif. Famous for its delicacy confetti (sugar-coated almonds), Sulmona makes a good base for exploring the region's rugged southern reaches, offering good accommodation at the Legacy Casa Residencia and filling food at local restaurants such as Il Vecchio Muro .

Planning tip:  We strongly recommend spending a day or more in Sulmona, exploring the surrounding hills by car or on foot away from the tourist crowds.

This article was first published May 2019 and updated November 2023

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The Ultimate Italy Road Trip: 2 Weeks Itinerary (with Amalfi Coast)

by Drifter Planet | May 17, 2022 | Italy , Most Popular Blog Posts , Road Trips

How can anyone not fall in love with Italy? Not only it is picturesque, but there’s so much more to it that just the visual beauty. It is the feeling one gets when they visit this country which makes it special. Italy is romantic, culturally beautiful, and offers delicious food.

There is a reason why some of the most famous books and movies are set in a backdrop of famous Italian towns. Rome, Venice, Florence, Naples – some of the most famous historical cities and towns in the world are in Italy. Not just that, Italy also has the Italian Alps, the Dolomites, and a massive coastline on three sides! Yep, it has it all.

The first time I visited Italy, it was just North Italy. We landed in Venice and drove to Trentino in our rental car. The second time was in South Italy where we spent one entire month in Puglia. We actually drove from Germany to Puglia but realized it would have been easier to just fly to Bari or Brindisi and drive a rental car from there.

For the purpose of travel, it is important to understand what are the regions of Italy. You can pick and choose some of them or get a taste of them all. Here are the regions in Italy that you can visit –

• Northeast Italy, (the Dolomites,  Trentino , Venice and Bologna)
• Northwest Italy, (Cinque Terre, Milan and the Alps)
• Central Italy, (Tuscany region and Rome)
• Southern Italy, (Naples,  Puglia , Amalfi and Capri)
• The islands – Sicily and Sardinia.

If you ever see the list of the most visited countries in the world, Italy usually is in top 5 year after year. It is because there is so much to see & experience in every single region of Italy.

Keep in mind that to properly explore each region of Italy, you would probably need at least two weeks each. However, this itinerary focuses on the entire Italy, so I will help you move from one region to another and tell you the best of each. That’s the difference between a region-specific itinerary and a country-specific itinerary.

If you think you will get to visit Italy multiple times, then by all means pick just one region or maximum two for each trip. If you’re going to visit Italy just once or twice in your life then I suggest you visit more than just 2 regions because they all have something to offer.

Don’t try to cover it all , it isn’t possible to do so. Instead, pick a few destinations and spend some quality time in each place that you visit so that you don’t feel rushed or drained out.

Starting Point for Italy Road Trip:

So where should you start your epic Italian road trip? It depends on a few things. The starting points will change based on how you enter Italy – flying or driving.

Italy has many airports from the North to the South. If you want to start your trip in North Italy then I suggest you fly to Venice or Verona and  rent a car from there. You can also fly to Naples or Bari to start your trip from South Italy and make your way to the North. Or fly to the middle – Rome, Florence, or Pisa and just do the North or the South for your Italy road trip 2 weeks.

Alternatively, you can also pick a section of Italy and do a smaller road trip that focuses on just that area. For example, the North Italy road trip would include the top three points that I have mentioned below, the middle would include Tuscany and Rome and South Italy road trip would include Rome and below like Puglia and Amalfi Coast.

For ease of understanding, we have created this route that starts in Venice. It is very easy to rent a car from Venice airport and drive from there. We did that already!

Table of Contents

Circular italy or straight route for italian road trip.

If you’re driving to Italy, then it will make a lot of sense for you to follow a straight route. You can enter Italy from the North and move to the South. Or the other way around.

If you are able to rent a car from one place and return it to another, then I highly recommend you go for a straight route. It will save you a lot of time. However, this option isn’t usually available, so most of you will end up following a circular itinerary.

This is a fast-paced itinerary that includes a lot of destinations within Italy. Some of them are optional, so you can figure out which ones to leave and skip. For example, you can pick one out of the Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast and spend a long time in other destinations.

1) Venice (and Burano) – 2 Days – the Canals of Italy

You can’t drive inside Venice, so why is it a part of this itinerary? Because Venice is the most romantic city of Italy and it needs to be a part of this epic itinerary.

If you’re flying to Italy and renting your car, then I suggest you rent your car on the day you leave Venice to save money. You can check for prices here or book one  and pick it from Piazzale Roma. However, if you’re driving to Italy from another country then you will have to park your car in one of the below options.

In order to visit Venice, you will drive to the entrance of the city Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto , and park your car there. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of space and it is Europe’s largest car park. Yes, it is expensive to park here because it is EUR 30 per 24 hours.

[Box] Want to save some money? Park your car near Mestre Railway Station and take a 10-minute train ride to Venezia St.Lucia. This way, your parking costs, and journey will be less than 5 euros. [/Box]

There aren’t any roads beyond Piazzale Roma, so you will have to continue by walking or by getting on a boat.

I have included two days in Venice but if you want, you can take half a day to explore Burano. It is smaller, colorful, and very close to Venice. Here’s what to do in Venice:

Walking is the easiest way to explore Venice. The most popular spots in Venice are around St. Mark’s Square and Rialto Bridge. However, I suggest you get lost on purpose and explore the narrow alleys. Here you will find the best photo spots because of fewer tourists. If it gets sunny, cover your head and eat gelato to beat the heat.

Sunset Gondola Ride :

You can’t visit Venice and not do a Gondola ride. Yep, Gondola rides are super expensive so you make the most of it by doing it at the most romantic time – the sunset. The point of a gondola ride isn’t transportation but enjoyment.

You can save money by doing the Gondola ride with 1 or 2 other people and doing it before the sunset time. Here are the options I have handpicked for you:

• Gondola Ride with Commentary : Skip the line ticket for a Gondola ride. Duration is 30-50 minutes. Price in May 2022 is EUR 33.
• Gondola Ride with App Commentary : Skip the line ticket for a Gondola ride. Duration is 45 minutes. Price in May 2022 is EUR 28.

Find a restaurant with a view:

Most of the restaurants with nice views are going to be very expensive but I can help you find a moderately affordable one. To actually get a table with a view, you need to always book in advance. Once you’re here, try the squid ink pasta. Try one of the following:

• Trattoria Altanella in Giudecca,
• Gianni in Giudecca,
• Da Fiore in Campo S. Polo,
• Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti in Dorsoduro.

See Scala Contarini del Bovolo

Climb the spiral stairs and click a few photos of the view from the top. It is a famous building that was once a gothic palace.

Visit Rialto Food Market

Venice is touristy but visiting a famous food market will give you somewhat a local experience. The locals come here to buy fresh fruit, veggies and fish. It is best to arrive here early because the market hours are 7:30 am to 1 pm.

Campo Santo Stefano

Find an outdoor cafe on Campo Santo Stefano and enjoy your afternoon or evening with cicchetti & Spritz. Cicchetti is a small snack plate. You don’t need to order cicchetti, but the servers will bring it for you if you order your drinks (Spritz).

See Doge’s Palace

Doge’s Palace is an important historical landmark in Venice. This was once an official residence for the Doge of Venice (the elected leader of the historical Venetian Republic). It was originally designed to be a residential palace for Nepolean.

Doge’s Palace is an interesting spot for those who like history, but it is also a photographer’s dream because of its stunning interiors, especially in the Chamber of the Great Council. Believe it or not, the world’s largest canvas painting is located in this room. But remember, you can’t use flash when you photograph this.

While inside the Doge’s Palace, you should also walk on the iconic Bridge of Sighs, which is located here. You will also see St. Mark’s Square and Correr Museum.

I have handpicked two entry ticket options for you for Doge’s Palace:

• Doge’s Palace Entry Reservation Ticket : This is the official ticket and costs EUR 28 in May 2022. It is a “skip-the-line” ticket.
• Doge Palace with Terrace Access : This is also a “skip-the-line” ticket but it also includes an expert guide, who will not just take you to Doge’s Palace but also St. Mark’s Basilica. Please be aware that the entry to St. Mark’s Basilica is free but this tour includes the access to the terrace of the Basilica for the views. The cost is EUR 79 in May 2022.

Scuola grande di San Rocco

See the interiors of Scuola Grande di San Rocco . Your jaw will actually drop when you see the grandeur and the arty details.

Day Trip to Burano

Burano is a cute little canal-side town with stunning colorful houses. It has become popular over the recent years because of Instagram.

You can prebook your boat ticket for Burano for a day trip from Venice and the boat will also take you to the nearby Murano and Torcello.

• Murano, Burano and Torcello boat trip  – 6 Hours, EUR 25
• Murano, Burano and Torcello boat trip – 4.5-5.5 Hours, EUR 25
• Murano, Burano and Torcello boat trip – 4.5 Hours, EUR 20

How to save money in Venice?

Eat in Pizzeria ae Oche – a chain with affordable pizzas. Don’t eat or drink in the main touristy areas, head to Dorsoduro for cheaper eateries and buy your own supplies from bakeries and supermarkets to save money. Another way to save more money is by skipping the Gondola ride.

2) Cinque Terre – 2 days – the Colorful Fishing Villages

Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso are five colorful fishing villages that are collectively called the Cinque Terre. The entire Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In order to arrive at the Cinque Terra, you can drive to Riomaggiore, Manarola, or Monterosso and park your car there. If you’re nervous about driving in this hilly terrain, then park in La Spezia and take a train from there. In any case, if you want to move from one village to another, the best way to do it is by train.  It is easy and affordable.

Remember – don’t get your car inside the Cinque Terra. Leave it outside and take the train.

Five villages at on cliffs and little hills, so there’s a lot to do in the Cinque Terra. Don’t get overwhelmed by the list of things that you can do. Just pick 1-2 villages and enjoy your time there.

Here’s a bit of an introduction about the five villages, so that you can pick the one that suits you and book a room there.

Riomaggiore

It has a fun vibe for nightlife, unlike a few others on this list. Riomaggiore is closest to La Spezia so it can sometimes feel crowded. It has budget accommodation options. It is as stunning as Manarola.

There’s a lot to do in Riomaggiore – you can do cliff jumping, enjoy the bar scene or just go for a stroll and get lost. The main street is called Via Colombo, and that’s where you will find everything. You can also check out the ancient Castello, which is one of the monuments of the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre.

If you’re into hiking, then hike to Monte Nero, which is right above Riomaggiore. This hike takes around 50 – 60 minutes. Here’s some information about it.

You can also hike from Riomaggiore to Manarola – these two are actually the most famous villages of the Cinque Terre. This hike should take you normally 15 minutes but check the information because sometimes this path is closed .

Manarola is quieter and is normally visited by couples and photographers. Out of them, the one the most photographed one is Manarola because of the above-pictured sunset spot. But don’t underestimate the beauty of the other 4.

Make sure you click epic sunset photos while you’re in Manorala. No, I don’t mean photos of the sun when it is setting, but the golden hue on Manorala’s pastel houses on the cliff. You will find this spot as soon as you’re there. Photographers line up here with their fancy gear and tripods at sunrise and sunset time.

If you like swimming, then you can find some caves and swimming holes on the Blue Trail in Manarola. To access all of it, you will need a swimming pass. But there are some you can do without the pass too.

It is the highest village and is therefore famous for its views. You need to climb 365 steps in order to reach Corniglia – yes one for each day of the year. There’s a bus that’s run by the Cinque Terre National Park that takes people up to Corniglia and back. 

Corniglia is less visited as compared to the other four but is popular amongst hikers. It is possible to find budget accommodation here.

While you are in Corniglia, hike the Blue Trail, and you will find a stone beach with easy access to water. Doing the entire Blue Trail can be challenging but if you do, you will arrive in Vernazza.

Vernazza is often called the most beautiful of the five Cinque Terre villages. It is also visited by a lot of photographers and couples. If you visit Vernazza then spend some time enjoying the stunning views that this village is famous for.

If you arrive in Vernazza from Corniglia by hiking, then you will cross Prevo – it has a stunning viewpoint that overlooks Guvano Beach. At 208 meters above sea level, it is the highest spot of Sentiero Azzurro.

You will be surprised to know that Vernazza has a great bar scene. It also has a small sandy beach, which makes sense for family travelers to visit since it is comfortable for children. There are two clock towers in the town and the maze of small streets will be a delight to anyone who loves getting lost in small places.

While you’re in Vernazza, visit Franco’s Ristorante “La Torre”. It is in a castle on the trail to Corniglia.

Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso has a proper big sandy beach and fancy hotels. It is a bit flatter compared to the others so is a good option for those who have mobility issues and families with small children.

Monterosso is actually two towns – Old Monterosso and New Monterosso (Fegila). The big sandy beach is in New Monterosso. The new town is flatter but the old town has that typical Cinque Terre looks and vibes.

You can walk from one village to another – check the list of walking trails here + useful information .

Where to stay in Cinque Terra:

3) Tuscany – 2 days – Art, Culture, and the rolling hills

Tuscany is romantic, arty, historical, and naturally beautiful. But wait, isn’t most of Italy? True but Tuscany is special because the Renaissance art movement began and flourished before it moved on to most of Europe.

Being a nature lover, I’m also interested in the other side of Tuscany – the rolling hills. So, when you visit Tuscany, drive around here and see the small villages because here you can truly admire the natural beauty of Tuscany. Get yourself a nice villa, see the vineyards and castles.

Honestly, if I were visiting Italy for the first time and I wanted to just focus on one area, I’d do a Tuscany road trip. There’s everything in Tuscany that Italy is famous for – historical buildings, art, nature, castles, and vineyards. On top of that, Tuscany is a little laid back.

Here’s what you can do while you’re in Tuscany. You can pick and choose some of the activities that I have mentioned below.

Visit one of the Old Cities – Florence / Lucca / Siena

Tuscany’s old cities are stunning for art lovers because of the Renaissance art and sculptures. Out of all of them, I suggest you pick just one to keep your itinerary easy. For that purpose, I suggest Florence.

See the Statue of David by Michelangelo in Florence

Michelangelo’s Statue of David is a Renaissance masterpiece and shouldn’t be missed while you’re in Tuscany. This 17 feet marble statue is the star of Florence, the way Mona Lisa is to Paris.

Michelangelo’s Statue of Liberty is located in Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence. This museum also has some other pieces by Michelangelo and many other Florentine artists.

Art lovers would enjoy Leonardo Da Vinci Museum, Uffizi Gallery, and Museo Galileo

Val d’ Orcia – the Rolling Hills

Tuscany’s most famous landscape are the rolling hills and one of the best way to see them is by driving to Val d’ Orcia. The rolling hills landscape is not just Instagram famous but also depicted in many Renaissance paintings.

Val d’ Orcia is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a 2 – 2.5 hours drive from Florence. You can stay in Florence during the entire time of your time in Tuscany, or split your time between Val d’ Orcia and Florence.

Pienza is the place that you would want to check out in Val d’ Orcia. This village is situated very high so you can get a good view of the rolling hills from here.

Saturnia Hot Springs or Terme di Saturnia

While in Tuscany, visit the stunning thermal springs of Saturnia. They are actually 3 hours away from Florence city, so it makes sense to visit this place on your way out of Tuscany but before you arrive in Rome. Alternatively, if you decided to stay in Val d’ Orcia, then Terme di Saturnia is just 30 minutes drive.

Believe it or not, there is no entry fee and these thermal springs are open 24 hours a day every day. It can’t get better than this. Just find the parking spot and put it on your navigation system to arrive here. Spend half a day here or more, depending on how much you love being in the water.

The best time to reach Saturnia hot springs is before 9 am so that you can miss the majority of crowds.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Visiting the leaning tower of Pisa is on many people’s bucket lists because of the Leaning Tower. Yes, it is a very touristy thing to do and there’s nothing else to do in Pisa BUT that shouldn’t stop you from visiting it if you really want to. After all, it is just 45 minutes from Florence by car or train!

Pisa is a small city, and you can cover most of it by walking. Most of what you would want to see is situated in Campo dei Miracoli . It is a student town and as a result, the nightlife is fun.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is called Torre Pendente in Italian. Go ahead and click a super silly touristy picture here. Believe it or not, you can actually climb the tower but you need to reserve your tickets in advance.

If you’re in Pisa in the middle of June, you can actually stay to watch the stunning Luminara festival . Thousands of candles are lit at sunset time along the Arno River. Watch this spectacle if you can.

Hike to Lake Calamone

If you’re not visiting Terme di Saturnia, then you can consider visiting Lake Calamone. It is located in the TEA National Park, at the base of Mt. Ventasso.

To start your hike to Lago Calamone, park your car at Bar il Faggio. The walk from there to the lake is just one hour. For more information, check this page .

4) Rome – 1 day

Rome can’t be fully explored in a day, but also Italy can’t be explored in 2 weeks!

Honestly, it makes more sense to do Rome properly on an entirely separate trip. It isn’t the best Road trip stop because of the parking, so if you want to skip Rome, then you should. I just wanted to include Rome for those who would want to do it anyway, considering it is on the way when you move from Tuscany to Amalfi.

Rome is high-priced in terms of stay and food, therefore it gets expensive to stay here longer. But if you can afford it, extend your trip by all means. Did you know there are more than 900 churches in Rome?

Honestly, I wouldn’t even include the Vatican City and the churches in this itinerary because of time constraints. But just so you know, the most famous one is St. Peter Basilica. To enter this, one has to walk up to the Vatican and stay in a long security line.

Like many other famous cities ( Lisbon , Moscow, Porto , Pula , Istanbul , San Fransisco, Edinburgh, etc.), Rome is built on seven hills. It means, there are plenty of viewpoints that can be found. Also, unlike most touristy European cities, Rome is massive. The entire historic center of Rome is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also one of the fashion capitals of the world with an amazing shopping scene and buzzing nightlife.

If I were to spend just one day in Rome, I’d forget about the top things to do, and just walk around because there are interesting sights everywhere.

Trevi Fountain 

This is probably the busiest part of Rome and yet it is a legendary landmark. This fountain is in modern Rome, right next to the main train station. Walk around here but keep your belongings close to yourself because Rome has many pickpockets.

Explore the ruins of ancient Rome – Colosseo

The most obvious thing to do in Rome is to explore ancient Rome, it is the area around Colosseo. For this, get via dei Fori Imperiali Street and everything you would want to see is on both sides of this street.

Start with the Colosseum, then move on to Piazza Venezia. Next, you can check the Roman Forum, Trajan’s Forum, Arch of Constantin, and Flavian Palace.

Old Rome – Pantheon

Pantheon dates back to 125 AD. Of course, if you’re a Dan Brown fan then you would have probably read about all these places in the book called Angels and Demons. Yes, the book does make sightseeing more interesting but remember, it is just fiction.

There are other attractions that are nearby, like Castel Sant’Angelo – but I don’t want to include too much in the list because it will just overwhelm you.

You can skip South Rome but if you have time, then you can check out the Baths of Caracalla, Rome City Walls, and the Circus of Maxentius.

Viewpoints in Rome

Since Rome is built on seven hills, there isn’t a shortage of viewpoints. You can look for Janiculum hill in Western Rome, the Pincio at the end of the Borghese Gardens, Vittoriano in Piazza Venezia, and Zodiaco in Monte Mario.

Campsites Near Rome

Let’s face it, you shouldn’t enter Rome in your car because of parking problems. Instead, find a camping spot that’s just outside Rome and then explore the city by public transport. Here are two camping spots that I recommend:

• Happy Valley
• Camping Tiber

Check this post for a list of places to stay in Rome .

Optional: Stop in Naples for a pizza on your way

The Pizzas of Naples are world-famous. If possible, try to stop here for a meal or a snack on your way to the next spot to experience a legendary Neapolitan pizza. It is essentially Margarita Pizza that’s made with a particular kind of tomatoes and mozzarella.

The Napoli Pizza follows the guidelines of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. It has the protected status granted by the Italian Standardization Body.

I won’t go into the technicalities but keep your mind open and embrace the simplicity of this pizza. The beauty of the taste of this pizza lies in the best quality ingredients and an amazing base.

5) Amalfi Coast – 3 days – Positano

How can you visit Italy and not see the most praised coastal area – the Amalfi Coast? Keep in mind that it tends to get very busy even during the shoulder months because of its popularity. Amalfi Coast is an expensive destination because it attracts mostly high-income travelers.

The Italian road trip itinerary is designed in such a way that you can skip a part of it. If you think Amalfi Coast is blowing up your budget, then feel free to skip it because the other destinations are equally stunning too! Honestly, if you are visiting the Cinque Terre or Puglia, then you can safely skip the Amalfi Coast.

Ever seen pictures stunning coast with colorful houses, bougainvillea flowers, and low-hanging lemon trees all around? That’s Amalfi Coast. It actually is a group of 13 fishing villages, all of which are collectively UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Whether you decide to stay here or not, make sure you experience driving on the “Amalfi Drive”, which goes along the coast from Vietri sul Mare to Positano .

In order to explore the Amalfi Coast, we suggest you make your base in Positano. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to see even half the villages, just focus on one or two and enjoy your time there.

See my post about exploring Sorrento and Pompeii on a day trip from Amalfi .

Positano is situated horizontally on the face of cliffs that face the sea. It is a better idea to find a place to stay here instead of in Amalfi Town. From here, you can visit Amalfi Town by ferry.

The two beaches of Positano are Spiaggia Grande and Fornillo. Spend some lazy hours here to enjoy the landscape.

Do the Path of the Gods hike that is from Bomerano to Positano with stunning views. You can reach Bomerano on a bus from Positano to start the hike.

While in Positano, try the Limoncello. It is a locally-produced lemon liqueur.

Where to Stay in Positano?

Consider booking the picturesque Villa Rosa in Positano , which is 150 years old. This luxurious villa has epic views of the sea and lovely terraces.

Amalfi Town

Amalfi Town is the heart of Amalfi Coast. Take a ferry from Positano and spend a few hours here to see what the buzz is all about. The main Amalfi town beach gets crowded but you can spend some time here to enjoy the vibe.

Where to Stay in Amalfi Town

Amalfi is expensive but if you can afford it, then you should consider  Locanda Costa D’Amalfi , which is a seriously stunning hotel with a private beach.

This property faces the sea and some rooms also have a view of the water. The rooms feature terraces with panoramic views.

6) Puglia – 3 days – Bari, Matera, and Polignano a Maren

Having spent a month in Puglia last summer, I can claim that this is a place that you wouldn’t want to leave. There are stunning beaches, old cities, the Instagram-famous Alberobello village, and Florence of South – Lecce city . The seafood in Puglia is mind-blowing!

Puglia was once Italy’s secret but has come up with a bang in recent years. It has risen to prominence in popular culture.

The 2021 James Bond movie (No Time to Die) was shot in Puglia’s stunning Matera. Moreover, the Red Bull cliff diving championship took place in Polignano a Maren. Of course, people googled the location for the next days and Puglia went high in Google searches!

Honestly, 3 days are not enough for Puglia, but if you want to include it in your Italian road trip itinerary, then I will tell you exactly where to go.

You can’t do them all, but pick just 2-3 places and enjoy your time well.

Bari is Puglia’s largest city and it has a stunning old town. Sure, this itinerary already has many old towns but this one is very different because it is in South Italy.

Bari’s old town is called Bari Vecchia. It was the heart of the city even in pre-Roman times. Explore the maze of narrow streets here and enjoy the sights.

Many people make Bari their base as they explore the nearby destinations of Puglia. But I don’t suggest Bari as your base, check the next point.

Polignano a Maren

Instead of Bari, I suggest you make Polignano a Maren your base. It is a stunning beach town with historical buildings that are situated on the cliffs. You can just cover almost the entire city on foot because it is small.

Almost every restaurant or bar in Polignano a Maren faces the sea.

Alberobello

Alberobello is just 30 minutes from Polignano a Maren. It is a Trulli village and is a UNESCO world heritage site. So what’s a Trulli? It is an architectural feature of Puglia, a unique way of building temporary or sometimes full-time houses.

You won’t need a lot of time for Alberobello. Just arrive here and spend 1 hour walking around to see the Trullo. You can combine Alberobello with 1-2 other places that are in your South Italy road trip itinerary, like Matera or Lecce.

Alberobello is unique! You won’t see a place like this in all of Italy, so try to include this in your Italy road trip itinerary if you can.

If you thought Alberobello was unique, wait till you see Matera. It has rock-cut settlements and they are well-preserved. These settlements are a UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Matera’s cave houses are called Sassi, and they are dug into limestone rocks. Yes, a little like Turkey’s Cappadocia . They are believed to be some of the first settlements in the Italian peninsula because some of them date back to 7000 BC.

While in Matera, see Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano. This is where you will see the loveliest landscape. Matera was the main shooting location for the James Bond movie – No Time to Die.

Sant’Andrea

Drive to Sant’Andrea from Bari or Polignano a Mare to visit my favorite beach in Italy. The drive will take you around 1 hour 45 minutes so leave early.

Torre Sant’Andrea beach is stunning and it has many sections. There is a nice sandy part that’s perfect for families and several rocky parts that are super stunning.

Make a day trip here and spend a few hours here exploring this area. You can also cliff jump here.

Lecce is called the Florence of the South. It is an ancient city that I absolutely fell in love with! All the buildings here are beige and it is amazing to walk in Lecce’s old town. It definitely isn’t as busy as Florance.

Lecce has its own style of Baroque architecture, it is called Barocco leccese (Lecce baroque). Be sure to see Basilica di Santa Croce. It looks like it is right out of a Dan Brown book, and as per Marchese Grimaldi it looked like a lunatic was having a nightmare. Makes you curious to see it?

I have an entire post about visiting Lecce , be sure to check it out.

If you do end up visiting Lecce, walk around here and enjoy the stunning old town. Get a table outside in one of the restaurants and enjoy Lecce’s famous foods – Cozze Gratin, Frutti de Mare Pasta/risotto, or Pizza and Pasticciotto.

Tips for Italy Road Trip:

• Keep a small overnight bag ready in your car for places where you need to park your car and move further by train, like the Cinque Terre or Venice.
• You will find free water in designated water fountains in every single town or village in Italy. Make the most of it and drink this water.
• Parking can get very expensive in famous cities like Rome, Venice, etc – so feel free to skip them. More than just difficult, sometimes it isn’t possible to find a parking spot at all.
• Observe the traffic rules, even if the locals around you aren’t doing so. The fines are heavy and sometimes people also receive a 1-3 day driving ban.
• The alcohol limit is 0.50g/L and is zero for those who are under 21 or have a driving license that’s not older than 3 years.

PS: Drifter Planet  contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we will earn a little commission at no extra cost to you.   We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Related Posts:

Thank you for your in depth work and sharing your personal experience! This is our first visit to Italy and always like to drive where possible to give me the flexibility to change my itinerary where needed!

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed our Italy itinerary and I hope you include our suggested places in our road trip route.

Heyy, very excited to have come across your blog. My partner and I are planning on following your route this April/May.

I just wanted to ask as we are planning/booking things, with the car rental you linked. It’s the Discoverers.com site, did you find this site to be reliable easy experience? We have read mixed reviews, so wanted to double check.

Thank you, Carrie x

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Hello Travelers!

Namaste, Guten Tag! I'm Sonal from India, living in Germany and exploring Europe. I've been writing about my travels since 2015. I often travel alone (and sometimes with family of 3).

I love European city breaks, nature, adventure, hiking to viewpoints, Yoga, and road trips. I have a think for creating the most amazing travel itineraries and in-depth destination guides which will help you make the most of your trip.

Not sure where to start? Start with some of my most popular posts .

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Last Updated on April 18, 2024 by Drifter Planet

PERSONAL FINANCE, ELEVATED.

A 12-Day Road Trip Through Tuscany, Italy: Costs and Itinerary Ideas

* Our trip was six months ago, so this post is egregiously delinquent, but there always was another post that seemed more timely. Now that winter is around the corner, and the travel bug is starting to kick in, it feels right for a little spring dreaming. *

Our spring Italy trip was built around a deal and a hotel.

I saw a two-for-one flight sale from New York to Milan for $400 each. That put Milan on the map.

Then I read about an old palazzo-turned-B&B that shared the same renovation team as the Sistine Chapel. OK, so now we’re going to this sleepy town on the western coast of Italy. 

It had never occurred to us to visit either places. But they were pinned on the Google map and now we had lots of blanks to fill.

With Italy, the choices for where to go are endless. Like most people, I had my sights on the glamorous Amalfi Coast, but I’m built like a lizard and sadly the May weather just wouldn’t cut it for relaxing by the water.

So we did a deep dive through Tuscany instead, spending 12 days on a road trip that took us through a little bit of everything around the region: chic cities, hidden gem emerald coastlines, poppy-dotted hills, and fortressed medieval towns.

And while we never set foot in a museum, somehow there was design inspiration for days.

Here’s what we did and how much we spent.

12-Day Tuscany Road Trip Itinerary

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by The Luxe Strategist (@theluxestrategist) on May 19, 2019 at 5:02am PDT

Venice, Florence and Rome. Those are the big three hot spots everyone wants to know about. If that’s you, then this post might disappoint. My husband and I both happened to have visited the major cities before (but separately), so we only hit up Florence as a base for exploring small towns nearby. Our itinerary is better suited for a second-timer looking to explore, with no real agenda.

Our trip started in Milan, took us to the western coast in Orbetello, then east to the Tuscan countryside, and finally back up to Milan to fly back to NYC.

*Affiliate links below*

Here are the places we visited and where we stayed:

Day 1: Milan – Sheraton Diana Majestic

• A one-day sprint to see as much design and architecture as humanly possible

Day 2+3: Florence – La Maison Du Sage

• Crossing the Arno river to explore the Oltrarno area, and achieving our goal of not visiting a single museum(!)

Days 4-6: Orbetello – Casa Iris Orbetello (With day trips to medieval towns: Pitigliano / Capalbio / Magliano in Toscana)

• My husband’s Italian friend called Orbetello “The Hamptons for Romans.” A lesser-known coastal area for wild beaches and a little bit of glamour.

Day 7-10: Montepulciano – Limonaia Airbnb (With day trips to Montalcino and Pienza)

• Classic Tuscany straight out the postcards, with rolling hills, poppy fields and driveways lined with cypress trees

Day 11+12: Siena – Borgo San Luigi

• Indulging in stunning interiors at the famous Duomo

Note: If I don’t link a place, I probably don’t recommend it.

Thanks to the rental car, we were able to visit 10 places along the way!

How Much We Spent

Instead of trying to actively budget while we’re on a trip, we take a different approach: slashing costs by leveraging credit card points. I’ll share the exact strategies below.

The total cash value of the trip was  $5,259.97 , and we halved that by the magic of credit card rewards .

For a 12 days in Italy, we paid a total of $2,815.60 out of pocket, or $1,407.80 per person . This includes $300 for a cat sitter, which is an expense not everyone will have. Overall, I’d say we spent about 40% more than someone who’s actually trying to be frugal.

Looking at the chart, the numbers tell the story of how we prioritized our money:

Most important: Hotels and local transport . We spent more on getting around than food and flights! Least important: Shopping and activities

If you’re curious to know what we spent per day without flights and pre-trip expenses, it was around $172.13 per day, per person . So, we won’t be winning any awards for frugality, but it also wasn’t flat-out luxurious.

For the TLDR version, here’s the full breakdown .

Which Credit Cards We Used

Since I knew we were going to Europe again in a few months for a wedding, I didn’t want to drain all our points on this trip. I’d rather spread the points around to save 30-40% of the retail cost, so we can take more trips.

We didn’t use points for the flights since they were such a good deal already, but we did travel hack some of the lodging, the food, and the ground transportation by mixing and matching the rewards from five credit cards:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
• Barclays Arrival Plus (No longer available)

Besides credit cards, it can pay to be loyal. Whenever I’m not staying at a big hotel chain I try to book through Hotels.com to take advantage of their rewards program . If you book 10 nights in one year, you earn a free night. After lots of hotel stays on the Asia trip , I finally got to redeem a night for Florence.

Cabs, gas and tolls:

• Chase Business Ink Preferred

Car rental and trains:

• Bank of America Premium Rewards

The Barclays and Bank of America cards I signed up for in January, so about four-five months out. That gave me time to earn the signup bonuses.

Just like with your money, it pays to diversify your credit card points! Building up a cushion of points ahead of time gives you options, so you don’t have to scramble at the last minute.

Flights – $829.02

Through the free Scott’s Cheap Flights newsletter, I saw Emirates was having their annual sale from NYC to Milan. We paid $779.02 for two roundtrip, economy flights, and I also paid an extra $50 to choose our seats on the way over.

If you’re a longtime reader, then you know I waffled on whether I should spring for business-class seats . It was a two-for-one deal, you guys! But ultimately I decided the eight-hour flight wasn’t long enough to justify paying four times the price.

And man, if I had to do it all over again, it would have been a million times easier to fly out of Rome. But I guess that’s the price you pay for cheap flights.

Lodging – $1,149.92

With no major sights on the itinerary, our days were more relaxed. Which meant that the hotels mattered a little more than usual.

Italy is one of those places where picking the hotel is one of the funnest parts. Because you can stay in a castle! For $150 per night!

It sounds frivolous, but I like it when the hotel design matches the local vibe so I was going for “old-world charm with ornate decorations.” Think frescoed ceilings, velvet curtains, impossibly high ceilings and bed linens so over-the-top they might as well be for royalty.

My one indulgence was the Casa Iris B&B at $222 per night, because it was so thoughtfully designed and restored. The owner said they couldn’t find light switches that were accurate to the time (everything’s made of plastic nowadays), so he had them specially made. It was such a treat to wake up to a frescoed ceiling every day.

I normally don’t like the cookie cutter feel of chain hotels, so I was surprised that even The Sheraton in Milan had some old-world charm, with green carpets, high ceilings, and velvet curtains. And for a city room, it was big enough to do cartwheels in.

As for cost savings, for Milan I used my free annual night award from my Marriott Bonvoy card, saving $312 . Then for our Florence hotel, I used one Hotels.com award to save $76.

The cheapest lodging for us was the Airbnb in Valiano at around $180 per night , and the most expensive was $312 per night at the Sheraton in Milan.

However, I noticed decent lodging was aplenty and could be had for around $100 per night. Plus, breakfast is included at most non-chain hotels, so that saves money, too.

When we got to the countryside, the question was: do we want to stay at a much-recommended agriturismo or an Airbnb?

My husband wanted to cook, so that sealed the deal for an Airbnb close to Montepulciano. Here’s our little hobbit-esque house.

And this is the owner’s house and the pool, which we totally took advantage of.

For Airbnbs in the springtime, a pool was definitely a must-have . Although the house we chose wasn’t our first choice at all. I started looking at Airbnbs over three months out, waffled too long, and the best ones got snapped up immediately.

And a lot of the cute B&Bs only have eight rooms, so if you have your heart set on a popular place, then book well in advance.

Ground Transportation – $43.73

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by The Luxe Strategist (@theluxestrategist) on May 27, 2019 at 7:05am PDT

Trains would make our lives a lot easier, but who are we kidding? Complicating matters is completely on brand for me. Renting a car meant were were able to see so much more than we could by taking the trains.

But that came with a price. I found the cheapest car options through Auto Europe for a Siena pickup/drop-off for $425.55 . That included full insurance, because if the car ended up damaged, I knew I wouldn’t be in the mood to deal with overseas customer service.

We drove over 8 hours each way, and gas and tolls ended up at $143.87 .

Towards the end, we had planned to take the train back up from Siena to Milan, but then we decided it would be easier to just drive up ourselves. That tacked on a one-way rental fee of $143.18. I think it was worth it, though, because we weren’t tied down to inconvenient train schedules.

Add everything up: the car rental, gas and tolls cost almost as much as the plane tickets!

As for trains, everyone says it’s cheap and easy, and that wasn’t the case for us.

Prices were less expensive the earlier you book, but the downside is you lose out on flexibility. Even well over a month ahead, the price for a Trenitalia train ride from Milan to Florence cost around $100 for two people. For a sub-two hour ride, that seemed really expensive, so I shopped around and saved $40 by booking on Italo . Same exact stations, same destinations, and everything.

And all the cab rides to and from each city/town added up at 10-15 euros a pop, plus the laughably expensive NYC airport rides, and we ended up spending $143.88 on cabs alone .

If you look at the sub-head for this post, and compare the amount to all these expenses, you might be wondering: how did we manage to spend only $43.73 out of pocket then?

That Barclays Arrival card did the trick! I knew this trip was coming, so I earned the 70,000 bonus points for spending $5,000 in three months. I then redeemed those points for over $700 in value. For the leftover amount, I used a little bit of our Chase Business Ink Preferred points.

Food – $325.95

It sounds lame, but food wasn’t a huge priority on this trip like it was in Asia, so we weren’t making an effort to eat at Michelin-starred restaurants. 

I also found that there was plenty of room for mediocre, yet expensive meals, like $75 at Il Carpaccio in Milan . I don’t even remember what we ate.

But then you can also come across great values, like $35 at Bottega Conviviale in Florence. I’d say, if you try to keep dinner for two in the $35-$45 range, you probably won’t be mad.

I wasn’t eagle-eyed with food expenses, though, because I would be using the Bank of America Premium Rewards points to erase about $550 of it . So, $875 in food expenses went down to $325.95 out of pocket.

We also saved a little by cooking at home. My husband got inspired and made us a couple dinners in the Airbnb, like this store-bought ravioli, plus a cheap bottle of wine:

As for other meals, here were a few of my favorites:

Activities – $50.38

Per usual, we typically don’t spend much on organized activities. Not because we’re trying to be frugal, but because we value doing things on our own time. We spent most of our time walking and driving around, enjoying the scenery.

One of our main activities that cost $0 was walking through medieval fortressed towns that haven’t changed much in centuries.

Wandering through the crooked alleys, we discovered the most charming plant setups you’ve ever seen.

But there were a handful of actual sights and organized activities. One of the most memorable things we did was spend 14 euros each to tour Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan .

The architecture and design of this house was from the 1930s, but still somehow completely contemporary. This garden room was my absolute favorite, because everyone needs a serpentine sofa.

The bathroom was the stuff of dreams, and I may or may not have been influenced to buy a round mirror for my own bathroom immediately upon returning home.

As a day trip from Orbetello, we stopped by Saturnia di Terme , an outdoor natural hot spring, and it’s completely free. It poured that day, but it would have been fun on a nicer day.

And on one of our last days, we spent 5 euros each to visit the inside of the Siena Duomo, which was incredibly inspirational with its black and white stripes and marble carvings.

Shopping – $116.60

Italians do dental care better, right? Judging from the souvenir shopping, that’s definitely a yes.

My husband also insisted on buying linen kitchen towels in Montalcino, and a Moleskine phone case in Florence.

I sprinkled my favorite spots throughout the post, but here’s a list for easy reading:

Milan in general – Everybody totally undersold Milan! I normally don’t like visiting cities much, but I felt like I could have spent at least three more days there. If you like design, there is so much more to do there than meets the eye. I didn’t have time to see the Fondazione Prada or Leonardo di Vinci’s vineyard , or even venture out from the main areas.

Villa Necchi Campiglio – If you like interiors, this is a must. We did the first tour at 10am and I recommend going that early, since other tour groups won’t be around to cramp your style.

Pettinaroli – The store I regretted not buying anything from before I left Milan. I think buying leather goods in the hot spots cities is really tough, but this historic stationery shop clearly values craftsmanship.

Pegna Drogheria in Florence – On the way to the Duomo, stop here and pick up some chic Italian supplies. It’s where I bought the vintage-y toothbrushes from, and I never found another pharmacy that sold the same ones.

Bottega Conviviale – I thought this restaurant was a good value. We got great pizza, gnocchi, and a shot of limoncello for two for 35 euros total.

ORBETELLO / THE MAREMMA AREA

Casa Iris Orbetello – There are only two rooms at this wonderfully restored B&B, so besides the unique and thoughtful design (and the frescoed ceilings), the warm hospitality is a treat.

THE TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE

Buon Gusto Gelateria in Pienza – I ate a lot of gelato. They were all decent, because, is there such thing as bad gelato? But this one had a creaminess that was unbeatable.

Taverna del Grappolo Blu in Montalcino – I ordered the simplest dish here–shelled pasta that was then sautéed, topped with crispy pancetta and peas. But it was a surprisingly elevated twist on your basic heavy pasta. After eating here I immediately wanted to come again and try other dishes.

Practical Tips

When driving in Italy, do your research. Like way more than you ever thought possible. The people who seem to have a bad time driving here usually didn’t read up on all the rules ahead of time.

When deciding where to pick up a car rental in Tuscany, pick a place where the office is walkable from the train station. We had to cab it in Siena, but I’d recommend considering a rental in Pisa.

When visiting small towns, pick your home base in a centrally located area. Driving 20 minutes a day just to go to the grocery store gets kind of old.

Detailed Trip Costs for Two People

How much did a trip to Italy cost for two people? The total value was $5,259.97, but with credit card rewards, we were able to cut expenses by more than 40%! $1,407.80 per person for 12 days sounds reasonable to me, especially as we didn’t budget or sacrifice the experience.

Key savings factors:

• The flights could have easily cost us double. Capitalizing on the two-for-one deal saved us around $800.
• Getting creative with travel hacking. It’s not for just flights and hotels. Besides cards that earn you miles, it’s important to look for cash back cards to “erase” expenses in other categories. Cash back cards are lot more straightforward to redeem, too.
• Spend money on what you value…and almost nothing on what you don’t. We could have destroyed the activities category by signing up for cooking classes and things, but we get way more enjoyment by renting a car and driving around as we please.

The Barclays Arrival card below is no longer available, but a super similar card that’s still active is the Capital One Venture.

And there you have it, a 12-day Italian roadtrip where we travel hacked almost everything except for the flights.

Have you ever been to Italy? Which towns and spots were your favorite (because I’d love to return some day!)? Are you planning any trips next year?

Featured Image: The Luxe Strategist

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One Week Italy Road Trip Itinerary (Coast, Wine, History)

Follow this guide for an incredible one week Italy road trip through Cinque Terre, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. This road trip can also be done the opposite way, starting in the Amalfi Coast and driving up to Cinque Terre. In one week in Italy you can get a taste of a variety of areas in Italy.

Early fall is the best time for this one week Italy road trip. Tuscany is beautiful during this time and often this is when grapes are picked. The Amalfi Coast starts to get less crowded in September and the weather is cooler than in the Summer.

One Week Italy Road Trip Itinerary

Best sites for booking your accommodations in italy.

The best sites to book your accommodation for your one week in Italy is through Airbnb or booking.com . Airbnb offers many different options including apartments, houses, and single rooms.  Booking.com is a great option for booking hotels, guesthouses, or hostels in Italy.

Italy Road Trip Tips: Driving in Italy

• Renting a manual car is significantly cheaper than an automatic car. Book your rental car on Discover Cars where you can compare rates to find the best fit for your Italy road trip.
• There are a lot of highway fee stations so be ready to pay with cash or card.
• The roads can be very narrow and steep in Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast.
• You should get an Italian sim card so so that you can easily route to your next destination and keep in touch with your Airbnb hosts. The most common networks are TIM, Lycamobile, and Vodafone. Don’t buy the sim card at the airport because it will cost about twice as much. We purchased a TIM sim card from a technology store for 16 Euros that includes a prepaid plan with plenty of data for one month.
• Carry enough cash and small change for parking (especially in Tuscan villages).

Travel Medical Insurance for Your Italy Road Trip

Don’t forget to get a travel insurance policy for your trip! SafetyWing  offers affordable, flexible, and reliable travel medical insurance that can be purchased ahead of your travels or while you are already traveling.

Day 1: Arrive in Italy and Travel to Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is about 3 hours from Milan Airport and 2 hours from Florence Airport. As there are not many parking options within Cinque Terre the best option would be to park the car in La Spezia or Levanto and take the Cinque Terre train from there to the villages. There is a parking garage at the La Spezia Centrale train station. If you are basing yourself in Florence and don’t plan to rent a car, you could book this organized tour to Cinque Terre .

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

It is worth spending the money to stay in one of the villages for the experience and to save time. There are many Airbnb options in the villages where you can rent a room for a good price that only costs a little more than staying outside of Cinque Terre in La Spezia or Levanto. All five villages are beautiful, but I would recommend staying in Manarola. There are less stairs here than some of the other villages which makes it easier if you have a lot of luggage. This village is stunning at night and enjoyable to walk around. It is not as expensive as Vernazza and there are many Airbnb options, just make sure to book early!

How to Get Around Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre has a train that runs between Levanto and La Spezia, stopping at each of the five villages. It is about five minutes between each village, and about ten minutes from Riomaggiore to La Spezia. You can ask for the Cinque Terre train schedule at the information centers at the train sations. Buy the Cinque Terre Card to use the trains freely throughout the day. You can hike between some of the villages but note that not all of the trails are always open. To check which trails are open stop at the information centers at the train stations.

Another option is to explore Cinque Terre with a boat tour   where you can enjoy great views of the villages without the crowds.

Day 2: Explore Cinque Terre

Hike from corniglia to vernazza.

Trailhead: The trail begins in Corniglia center next to the church Time: 1.5-2 hours Difficulty: Moderate Tips : 1. Take the shuttle from the train station to Corniglia to save time and energy. The hike up from the train station to Corniglia has a lot of stairs and is very strenuous. 2. Wear comfortable walking shoes, preferably sneakers or hiking shoes 3. Bring plenty of water as a majority of the trail is in the sun

Walk Around The Villages and Explore Different Viewpoints

Riomaggiore.

This village has the most diverse colors. Most popular for its view from the harbor, this village is very enjoyable to walk around. This is the biggest village in Cinque Terre and has a lot of interesting streets and more to see and do. Best Viewpoint: 1. Climb up the stairs to see a view of the village from above and get a different perspective. 2. Walk down to the harbor opposite the red house. Walk down to the rocks to get this well known view of the village.

Manarola is the most tranquil and romantic village. It is beautiful at all times of the day and night, especially during sunset. The village is small but has several restaurants and is nice to walk around. This was one of my favorite towns during our one week in Italy. Best Viewpoint: Walk along the trail on the west side of the village beside the water to see this view.

This is a small village nested on top of a cliff. It is a very steep hike to the village from the train stations, but there is a shuttle that runs from the train station to the village and back. Best Viewpoint: The trail from Corniglia to Vernazza offers many beautiful viewpoints of this village

This village is the most popular with pastel colored houses and a small beach. It is the most expensive village to stay and eat but definitely worth a visit. Best Viewpoint: Follow the hiking trail from Vernazza to Monterosso Al Mare. About 20 minutes into the hike you will see this view.

Monterosso al Mare

This village is very different from the other four villages in Cinque Terre. This village feels more like a small beach town with a large stretch of beach and great gelato. This is a great spot to relax, but expect the beach to be busy. Best Viewpoint: Walk towards the end of the beach in the direction of Vernazza and you will see stairs that lead up to this view.

Sunset Boat Tour

Finish your day in Cinque Terre with a sunset boat tour from Monterosso. Sail across the coast and enjoy the views of the villages with wine and snacks. If you want you also have the option to swim.

Day 3: Wine Taste in Chianti and Explore Tuscan Towns

On your third day of your one week Italy road trip, spend the day exploring Tuscany. If you don’t already have a car, rent a car outside of Cinque Terre in La Spezia in order to drive to Tuscany. If you are basing yourself in Florence for these days and don’t plan on renting a car, you could book an organized tour of Tuscany from Florence.

Albola Castle

Start the day by drinking a glass (or two) of wine at Albola Castle. They have a restaurant located in a courtyard in the castle which offers a relaxing place to try good food and Chianti Classico wine. You can then walk around and enjoy the vineyard surrounding the castle. If you are looking for a tour they offer tours twice a day which include a wine and olive oil tasting. You can also do a wine tasting separately from the tour. Make sure to email the winery to get updated tour times.

A quiet Tuscan town not far from Albola Castle and worth a quick stop. There is a pizza restaurant where you can get the largest pizza you might ever see and several small shops. Note that the shops and restaurants close very early.

San Grimignano

A very popular medieval hill town known for its fourteen watch towers, San Gimignano is a great place to walk around and experience a busy Tuscan town. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it gets very crowded in the main areas but if you walk away from the main squares you can find quiet streets and views of the surrounding countryside.

Walk around this quiet and romantic Tuscan town with beautiful views. Tip: Near parking number 1 pedestrian entrance there is an incredible view of the town and the surrounding vineyards (as seen in the above picture).

Where to Stay

Chianti is a good option for the first night in Tuscany as it is closer to Cinque Terre. In Chianti there are many Airbnbs where you can stay directly on a vineyard.

Day 4: Tour a Winery and Walk Around Tuscan Towns in Val D'Orcia

Tour ricasoli, castello di brolio.

Ricasoli is a winery in Chianti known for creating the Chianti Classico wine recipe (by Baron Bettino Ricasoli). There are several tour options which you should book ahead of time because they do sell out. The classic tour is a great option if you are interested in the history of the castle from the 11th century and Chianti Classico Wine. The classic tour is about 2 hours and allows you to tour Brolio castle as well as the wine facilities. This tour finishes with a tasting of three great wines in a private room.

Tip : There is parking right next to the castle but it is very limited. Get to the castle at least 15 minutes before the tour starts to make sure that you get parking and don’t have to hike up

A quiet Tuscan town in Val D’Orcia known for its Brunello wine. This is the perfect town to relax, drink wine, and have lunch (just remember to eat lunch early because almost everything closes at 3!)

A small town in the middle of Val D’Orcia, Pienza is worth a quick stop for a glass of wine and cheese with views of the rolling hills. You don’t need more than 30 minutes to see the entire old town, but you can always spend more time relaxing and enjoying the views.

Montepulciano

A dreamy Tuscan town perched on a hill, Montepulciano will steal your heart. This town is known for the delicious Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Rosso Di Montepulciano which you can enjoy at any restaurant or winery. With narrow streets, lots of local restaurants, small shops, and incredible views, Montepulciano is a must-visit. Walk to Piazza Grande, Montepulciano’s center, where you will find the Cathedral and the clock bell tower. A visit to Montepulciano is not complete without climbing the clock tower to get a view of the town and the Tuscan Countryside, with Val D’Orcia and Val Di Chiana on either side. If you want to spend a night in a Tuscan town this is the one that I would recommend. 

Stay in Montepulciano so you can experience the town at night when the streets are quiet and early morning as the town is waking up. It is a beautiful town and a great option if you want the opportunity to stay in a Tuscan town.

Day 5: Visit Pompeii and End the Day in Amalfi Coast

Leave Tuscany late morning and make the four hour drive to Pompeii. In 79 AD an eruption buried this large ancient city, preserving the roman ruins.

Tips for Visiting Pompeii

Arrive in the late afternoon after most of the big tour groups have finished. It is less crowded and also starts getting cooler at this time. When you purchase your tickets, rent a phone guide in order to better understand the stories behind the ruins.

Book an Airbnb or guesthouse using booking.com in Bomerano for the next 2 nights. Benefits of staying in Bomerano is that there are much cheaper options, many accommodations include parking, and the food prices are good. Bomerano is where the Path of the Gods hike starts which will make it easy the next morning to begin the hike.

Day 6: Hike and Visit Positano

Hike the path of the gods.

Your one week Italy road trip is not complete without hiking the Path of the Gods. Potentially the most beautiful hike you will ever experience, the Path of the Gods takes you along the cliffs from Bomerano to Nocelle (continue to Positano). Make sure you hike from Bomerano to Nocelle and not the other way around, or you and your legs will suffer. The views are incredible along the entire way: First you see cliffside vineyards, followed by Praiano from above, huge cliffs, and finally Positano from many perspectives. Follow the Path of the Gods guide to see the best way to do this hike and details on where the trailhead is located.

Explore Positano

You just hiked a long way to get here, so spend the rest of the day enjoying Positano. Note that all of the restaurants here are pricier, so go for the cheapest entree to save money. Positano get very crowded, especially at the beach and the boutiques near the beach.

Tip : If you want to get away from the crowds, climb up the stairs to the opposite side of the town from where you hiked to (towards Sorrento). Here you will get a different perspective of Positano than most of the photos you have seen and take a relaxing walk with views of lemon trees, the beach, and the colorful houses.

Note : There is no direct bus back from Positano to Bomerano. You will need to take a bus to Amalfi and then another bus from Amalfi to Bomerano.

Day 7: Amalfi Coast

Wake up early and drive to amalfi.

The benefit of a road trip through Italy is having flexibility and getting ahead of the crowds. If you want to see several of the towns in two days, you have to get up early. The Amalfi Coast doesn’t get busy until around 10:00 AM, which gives you plenty of time bright and early to explore before the crowds arrive. Get lost in Amalfi going up and down stairs and through narrow streets. Find different viewpoints by climbing up stairs as high up as as you can.

Parking in Amalfi: Luna Rossa is a good parking option. Located between Atrani and Amalfi, it has a tunnel that you can walk through to get to Amalfi. They require all passengers to wait for the driver to park, so don’t be surprised when they ask everyone but the driver to get out of the car before entering the parking.

By Bus: There is a direct SITA bus from Bomerano to Amalfi

Relax in the Cute Town of Atrani

Atrani is a short 10 minutes walk from Amalfi. This town is very similar to Amalfi but a lot smaller, and you can quickly get lost through the little streets, find your way back to your car, and drive off to the next town!

Enjoy the Views in Ravello

Ravello is a town higher up in the mountains with spectacular views. The atmosphere here is a lot more relaxing and less crowded than most of the towns down along the coast. Explore Villa Rufolo which offers some of the most beautiful views in Ravello.

Admire Ceramics in Vietri Su Mare

Known for its ceramics, Vietri Su Mare is a beautiful town to explore with ceramic walls and lots of little ceramic shops.

Cruise the Amalfi Coast

If you can allow yourself to spend a little more money, a cruise on the Amalfi Coast is an incredible experience! Don’t rent a boat in Positano- that would cost you hundreds of dollars. Instead, there are experiences on Airbnb that offer cruises along the coast.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase and the income goes towards maintaining this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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2 Weeks In Italy Itinerary, The Ultimate Italy Road Trip

Planning a trip to Italy for 2 weeks? You are at the right spot! I’ve been exploring Italy for decades. So I have all the hands on experience and tips to give you the best 2 weeks in Italy itinerary. 

Italy is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and is home to some of the most beautiful towns, cities, and experiences on offer in Europe.

Italy is probably my favorite country to travel in. You’re engulfed in history, can admire some of the world’s best art, and eat some of the world’s best food. What could be better?

Overview Of 2 Weeks In Italy Itinerary

This 2 week Italy road trip itinerary starts in Venice and ends in Naples. It’s a perfect itinerary for first time visitors to Italy.

Venice’s airport is terrific and typically inexpensive to fly into. The city’s Santa Lucia and Mestre train stations connect to just about everything south with high speed service. 

You can pick up your car leaving Venice or leaving Bologna. Alternatively, you can also do the entire 2 weeks in Italy by train.

With this Italy itinerary, you’ll have 5 bases: (1) Venice; (2) Bologna; (3) Florence; (4) Rome; and (5) Naples.

If you need a break from the city, instead of staying in Naples, you can base yourself on the Amalfi coast for 3 days and day trip from there.

The cliff top town of Sorrento makes a perfect springboard for visiting the Amalfi Coast. From there, you can day trip to Pompeii, Positano, Capri, and even Naples.

• Day 1 : Venice
• Day 2 : Venice
• Day 3 : Bologna
• Day 4 : Bologna, day trip to Parma or Modena
• Day 5 : Florence
• Day 6 : Florence
• Day 7 : Florence, day trip to Siena
• Day 8 : Rome
• Day 9 : Rome
• Day 10 : Rome, Vatican City
• Day 11 : Rome, day trip to Orvieto
• Day 12 : Naples
• Day 13 : Naples, day trip to Pompeii
• Day 14 : Naples, day trip to Amalfi Coast

Where To Stay With 2 Weeks In Italy

Here are my hotel recommendations for the cities listed as bases.

Venice : Gritti Palace , Hotel Danieli , St. Regis , Aman Venice (my favorite), Bauer Palazzo

Bologna : Grand Hotel Majestic Gia Baglioni (my pick) Il Portici , Art Hotel Orologio

Florence : Il Touranbouni ,  Hotel Brunelleschi , Portrait Firenze , Palazzo Vecchietti , Villa Cora (my favorite in the Oltrarno)

Rome : Li b ert y Boutique Hotel ,  H o t el  M aalat ,  De co  Ro ma ,  Hotel H a s s ler Roma , Pa lazzo Man fr edi  (my favorite)

Naples : Grand Hotel Vesuvio , Romeo Hotel , Hotel San Francesco al Monte (my pick)

2 Weeks In Italy Itinerary: 14 Days Of Exploring

Ok, let’s dive right into this 2 week Italy itinerary. If you’re landing in Venice, the easiest way to get to the city is via a private water taxi transfer .

Day 1: Venice

Kick off your 2 weeks in Italy in the magical floating city of Venice. Even though Venice is very touristy, there’s a reason for its popularity.

Venice is a natural film set. It’s like no other city in the world.

Start your day in Piazza San Marco. Visit the pink marble Doge’s Palace, which is the very symbol of Venice.

You can traipse up the famed Scala d’Oro, the world’s fanciest staircase, admire the Doge’s apartments, and see the world’s largest painting by Titian.

Click   here  to book a skip the line ticket to avoid a long queue. I also loved the Secret Itineraries Tour , which take you to secret spots in the palace you can’t see on a regular tour.

Then, move on to one of the world’s most unique and stunning churches, St. Mark’s Basilica. It’s absolutely essential to book a skip the queue ticket . You can also purchase an  after hours ticket  for fewer crowds and to get access to some places you can’t see during the day.

The basilica is famous for its almost blinding golden mosaics from the 5th century B.C. They blanket the walls, covering 90,000 square feet.

Then, take a ride along the Grand Canal. It’s one of the most iconic things to do in Venice. You can also hop on and off the Vaporetto yourself.

Along the way, you can check out Ca’Rezzonico, Ca’ Foscari, and Ca’ d’Oro. In addition to housing some great art, the palaces offer up great views of Venice.

You can book a  1 hour guided boat tour . You can also book a  3 hour guided tour   of the St. Mark’s area that comes with a boat cruise.

Day 2: Venice

On day 2 in Venice, take a stroll through the Rialto neighborhood. Snap a classic shot on the Rialto Bridge, check out the Fish Market, and myriad shops. You can also take a  lunchtime tour of the Rialto Market and other foodie hot spots .

Next, head to the Dorsoduro neighborhood. Stroll around the pretty streets, check out the shops and eateries, and then go to one of the neighborhood museums.

The two I love are the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Galleria Accademia .

The Guggenheim is for people who want to see some of the greatest works of modern art from the 20th century. It’s a star studded lineup compiled by the eccentric American heiress, who helped launch Jackson Pollock’s career.

This museum will be packed. Click  here  to purchase a skip the line ticket. Click  here  to book a private guided tour of this extraordinary collection of art.

The Galleria Academia is for travelers who love old masters. It houses the world’s best collection of pre-19th century Venetian painting. You’ll find works by luminaries such as Veronese, Titian, Tintoretto, Tiepolo, Bellini, Canaletto, and Giorgione. 

The museum is not usually crowded, so you won’t have to worry about buying tickets in advance. But, if you’re a fan of Renaissance art, you may want to book a 2 hour  guided tour of the museum .

If you want to see the “Sistine Chapel of Venice,” head to the San Polo district to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. It’s decorated wall to walk with dramatic paintings by Titian.

Then, spend some time in the Cannaregio district. you can escape the crowds, poke in and out of cute lanes, and grab some cicchetti , Venice’s version of tapas.

Cannaregio is an excellent neighborhood to sign up for a   f ood and  wine  tour . You can also book an  evening food tour and gondola ride .

For more information, you can check out my 2 days in Venice itinerary . It has detailed information on gondola rides, how to use the vaporetto, and how to get to the other Venetian islands in the lagoon.

Day 3: Bologna

On day 3, head to beautiful Bologna. This food-loving city is underrated and absolutely deserving of a spot on your 2 weeks in Italy itinerary. It’s sandwiched between 3 major cities — Venice, Florence, and Milan — and is often skipped.

Don’t skip it! To me, Bologna just oozes old world medieval charm.

It has all of the charm of Italy with none of the tourists! Bologna is filled with striking architecture, beautiful piazzas, endlessly photogenic streets, porticos, and a swathe of palaces and towers.

Most of the must see attractions are clustered in or around the city’s main square, Piazza Maggiore. On one end of the piazza is the massive Basilica of San Petronio, honoring Bologna’s patron saint. On the other is the swishy Palazzo dei Rei Enzo.

You can also climb Bologna’s leaning tower, Asinelli Tower, for views. Since it’s a rickety 500 steps to the top, you’ll deserve a gelato afterward.

Be sure to meander through shops in Bologna’s medieval Quadrilatero neighborhood. You can also visit FICO Eataly World . It’s part farm and part theme park, with 20 acres of food and livestock stalls, restaurants, grocery stores, and food labs.

There are lots of fun tours to take in Bologna. Naturally, most of them food related:

• classic food tour
• 3 hour FICO Eataly food and wine tour
• food tour with factory visits and a gourmet lunch
• history tour and learn food secrets
• e-bike tour with cheese and wine

Day 4: Bologna, Day Trip To Parma & Modena

On day 4, take a day trip from Bologna to either Parma or Modena. Both are foodie towns that are pretty and un-touristy.

Underrated Parma is just too cute for words. It’s one of Italy’s most beautiful cities , a foodie haven, and home to the greatest works of the famed Renaissance artist Correggio.

Parma has a gorgeous Romanesque cathedral and pretty pink octagonal Baptistery. The entire town is dotted with red, pink, and yellow walls. Purple flowers decorate the Ponte Verdi.

Parma is tailor made for art lovers. The town was home to Correggio, the opera composer Giuseppe Verdi, and the conductor Toscanini. In 2022, Parma was chosen as Italy’s Capital of Culture.

Precious frescos by Correggio literally blanket the city. There are art-filled palaces, a famous opera house, and a world class museum.

Parma will also appeal to traveling foodies. It’s home to some of Italy’s best known culinary products — parmesan cheese, prosciutto, fresh pasta, and other delicacies. All this goodness has led the town to be dubbed the heart of the “Italian Food Valley.”

You can easily spend one day in Parma just popping in and out of food shops, taking a food tour, and having some memorable meals. Check out these cool food tours in Parma:

• 5 hour prosciutto and parmesan tour
• 7 hour cheese, ham, and balsamic tour
• 3.5 hour traditional food tour
• 2 hour tour of parmesan cheese factory
• 2 hour tour of dairy and prosciutto factory

Modena is a hidden gem in Italy , an elegant little city that’s well worth a visit.

If you’ve heard of Modena, it’s probably because of its food. Modena is a foodie haven. It’s famous for hams, cheeses, and barrel aged balsamic vinegar. You can sample the dark elixir in shops around the town. 

But Modena isn’t just about food. Modena is beautiful and immaculate.

Piazza Grande is its eye catching main square. It’s home to several monuments, including a Duomo, town hall, a picturesque 15th century clock tower, and medieval relics.

The 12th century Duomo is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture. It comes complete with a slightly leaning bell tower called the “Ghirlandina.”

Modena was also the birthplace of Luciano Pavarotti. His titular museum,  Luciano Pavarotti Museum ,  is located about 20 minutes from city center on the estate where the famous tenor lived.

Since Modena is for foodies, you may want to book a  guided food tour , do a  balsamic vinegar tasting , or  tour Italy’s most famous cheese factory .

Modena is just a 45 minute drive from Bologna. You can also visit on an 8 hour guided day tour from Bologna.

Day 5: Florence

Ah Florence . It may be Italy’s most beloved city, even over Venice. The “Cradle of the Renaissance” is beautiful from every angle.

You can content yourself with just absorbing the beauty and street life. But there are so many amazing attractions in Florence, you won’t be able to resist them.

Start your day at one of Florence’s hotspots, the Galleria Academia . It’s home to the world’s most famous statue, Michelangelo’s David , and his prisoners.

The lines are epic here, so you should definitely pre-book a  skip the line timed entry ticket .You can also opt for a  1.5 hour guided tour with fast track ticket .

For even more Michelangelo, head to the Medici Chapels. Inside, you’ll see the over-the-top Prince’s Chapel and the New Sacristy with 7 Michelangelo sculptures.

You’ll need to  pre-book a ticket  with a time slot reservation. These fill up fast, so don’t delay. You can also book a  guided tour of the chapels . This isn’t a bad idea because there’s not much explanatory signage.

After lunch, it’s time to tackle the Florence Cathedral complex . This consists of 5 separate sites: Florence Cathedral, Brunelleschi’s dome, the Baptistery, the Duomo Museum, and the Giotto Bell Tower. 

If you buy the  Brunelleschi ticket , you have entry to all the sites. You can only enter each attraction once, but you have 3 days to use the pass. I suggest you visit them all this afternoon. 

There’s a lot to absorb at these wonderful attractions. You may want to  book a guided tour  to get the full scoop.

Go the Duomo Museum first. It’s the best cathedral museum I’ve ever visited. It’s chock full of stunning statues by Donatello and will give you a primer on how Brunelleschi built the iconic dome of the cathedral.

I would climb either Brunelleschi’s dome or the Giotto bell tower. It might be a bit much to do both in one day.

Giotto’s bell tower might offer slightly better views. But, if you climb Brunelleschi’s dome, you can admire the Giorgio Vasari frescos on the way up.

In the evening, take a stroll through Piazza della Signoria and admire the statues in the piazza.

If you want, you can visit the Palazzo Vecchio (right in the square) in the evening because it’s open late. Inside, you’ll find Medici apartments, a Michelangelo sculpture, and room after room of Vasari frescos.

>>> Click here to book a skip the line ticket for Palazzo Vecchio

Day 6: Florence

On day 6 of you 2 weeks in Italy itinerary, begin with a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce . It’s Florence’s most stunning church and a mausoleum for its most famous citizens.

The basilica opens at 9:30. You should arrive with a pre-purchased  skip the line ticket . You’ll have to dress modestly with knees and shoulders covered or you won’t be let in. They’re very strict on this score.

Click  here  to book a skip the line ticket for the basilica. You’ll need one in high season unless you can brave the lines. There’s so much to see that you may want to  book a guided tour of Santa Croce .

After Santa Croce, head to the  Uffizi Gallery . The gallery is Florence’s premiere museum and one of the best museums in the world. This is where you come to admire Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo.

The museum is huge and just stuffed with world famous masterpieces. You could spend hours there. The most popular rooms are the two Botticelli Rooms and the Raphael and Michelangelo Room.

You won’t be able to visit the Uffizi, almost in any season, without pre-booking a  skip the line timed entry ticket . Once inside, keep the ticket with you because they ask for it at several checkpoints.

You may want to book a guided tour of the museum. The last time I was there, I booked a  2+ hour private guided tour . My husband, who’s not an art lover necessarily, loved it!

After admiring the fine art, take a stroll through the Piazza della Repubblica and stroll over the iconic Ponte Vecchio. The bridge takes you to the Oltrarno neighborhood , which is a more authentic and less touristy part of Florence.

The main attraction here is the Pitti Palace . It’s another Medici palace stuffed with world class art. You’ll need to book a skip the line ticket in high season.

You should also hit one of Florence’s viewpoints for panoramic views of the city — Piazzale Michelangelo (or 10 minutes further uphill) San Miniato al Monte . I would opt for San Miniato. It’s less crowded and one of Florence’s most ancient buildings.

Have apertivo and dinner in the Oltrarno. I thought this neighborhood had some of Florence’s best restaurants. Check out my one day in Oltrarno itinerary for more details and restaurant ideas.

Day 7: Florence, Day Trip To Siena

It’s tough to leave Florence, I know, but Siena is also fabulous. It’s one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Italy and is effectively an open air museum.

Plus, Siena is full of first rate art and stunning architecture. It central square, Il Campo , is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. This is where the annual Palio horse race is held.

You can admire the city’s art-laden  Siena Cathedral , gaze at a famous fresco cycle in the  Palazzo Pubblico , and stroll the vibrant streets full of artisan shops and boutiques.

You should  book a ticket to the Siena Cathedral complex . Then, I would add on a  ticket to the Palazzo Pubblico . It’s worth it just to see the stunning  Allegory of Good and Bad Government  frescos.

If you can, try to stay for dinner in the evening. The day trippers will be gone and you can stroll the pretty lanes in peace.

Siena is just a one hour drive from Florence. You can also  book a guided day tour   to save you the hassle of arranging transportation. This tour also takes you to the gorgeous medieval town of San Gimignano .

Day 8: Rome

From Florence, it’s time to move on to Rome, the Eternal City, where you’ll stay for 4 nights. I’ve been to Rome many times and written dozens of articles on the city, which you can check out on my Rome page .

On your first day, I would tour the imperial ruins. That includes the Colosseum , the Roman Forum , and Palatine Hill . I’ve linked my article on each place, which describe everything you can see at each stop.

You can’t really visit these sites without a skip the line ticket . You’ll also need to make a separate timed entry reservation for the Colosseum. There are plenty of tour options as well.

• 3 hour guided tour and entry to all 3 sites
• tickets & tour of all 3 sites + underground Colosseum access
• 4 hour private day tour of Ancient Rome
• skip the line private guided tour with an art historian
• skip the line private tour of all 3 sites + the underground Colosseum

When you’re done touring the ruins, head to the nearby Monti neighborhood for a stroll and lunch. You can also pop into the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore .

Then, head to Piazza Venetia. You can admire the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and take an elevator up for views.

Don’t miss the Capitoline Museums . It’s surely one of Rome’s ancient art museums . It boasts a vast repository of ancient sculpture that’s just incredible.

>>> Click here to book a ticket to the Capitoline Museums

In the evening take a stroll in Trastevere, Rome’s most beautiful neighborhood. You can admire the ochre colored buildings and ivy clad facades. This is also a great place to book a food and wine tour .

Day 9: Rome

On you next day in Rome, take a classic  walk through central Rome . You might consider booking a  3 hour walking tour  or  private walking tour to get the full historical backdrop on all the sites.

Start at Campo de’ Fiori and end at the Spanish steps. Along the way, you can stop to admire some of Rome’s most iconic monuments — Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Piazza Colonna, and the Trevi Fountain.

Grab some lunch and then head to Rome’s best museums, the Borghese Gallery. It’s one of the world’s greatest small museums. You’ll find the most famous sculptures of the Baroque artist Bernini and paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, and Correggio.

Here’s my  complete guide  to the Borghese Gallery . You’ve got to  pre-book a timed entry skip the line ticket  to visit this magnificent museum.

When you’re done admiring the art, I recommend heading over to the west side of the Borghese Gardens, towards the Piazza del Popolo. The view from the Pincio Terrace is quite beautiful, particularly at sunset.

Consider ending your day with a food tour. There are a bunch of great options:

• a  food tour of the trendy Testaccio district
• a  food tour in the off the beaten path Pratti district
• a   food tour in the beautiful Trastevere district
• a  market food tour and pizza class
• a   food and wine tour in the historic center

Day 10: Rome, Vatican City

On day 10 of 2 weeks in Italy, it’s time to explore Vatican City. I’ve written a detailed one day in Vatican City itinerary . So won’t repeat myself too much here.

St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums are heart and headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.

St. Peter’s Basilica is the most famous church in Christendom. Designed by Bramante, Raphael and Michelangelo, it’s a true Renaissance masterpiece.

The basilica is the burial place of St. Peter and past popes. It houses the famous Bernini Baldachine altar, scads of sculptures, and Michelangelo’s tragically beautiful  Pieta .

For a panoramic view of St. Peter’s Square and Rome, you should climb the dome. Here’s my complete  guide to St. Peter’s Basilica , with tips for visiting. You can take a  guided tour  of St. Peters. You can only visit the  underground grottos on a guided tour .

The Vatican Museums hold one of the world’s greatest art collections. Some of the most famous art works on the planet are there, including Michelangelo’s frescos in the Sistine Chapel .

You absolutely must pre-book a  skip the line ticket  for the Vatican. Or else you’ll be stuck in line for hours unless it’s the dead of winter.

Here are some sample Vatican tours you might consider taking:

• a  2.5 hour overview on a skip the line small group guided tour
• a  3 hour no  w ait tour that also includes the Raphael Rooms
• a  3.5 hour tour Vatican visit with a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica
• a  3 hour Friday night tour of the Vatican
• a  Vatican tour that includes a climb of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

Day 11: Rome, Day Trip To Orvieto

Day 11 sees you day tripping to Orvieto, a hill town in southern Umbria . I personally just loved Orvieto and you can check out my one day in Orvieto itinerary for the full scoop.

Orvieto’s most famous attraction is its glamorous Duomo, Orvieto Cathedral . It has one of the most colorful and art-filled facades of any church in Italy. Inside, you’ll find one of the most famous fresco cycles in Italy by Luca Signorelli.

You’ll also want to take a stroll through Piazza della Repubblica and climb the Torre del Morro.

But part of the charm of Orvieto is just aimless strolling. Wherever you look in Orvieto, there’s a picturesque lane, quaint shop, or terrific displays of flowers.

Every once in awhile the medieval lanes part and you can glimpse a brilliant slice of the Umbrian countryside.

Last time I was in Orvieto, I booked a  2.5 hour guided private walking tour . My guide was Emma and she was excellent, making the cathedral and its beautiful art works come to life. 

You can also book a  3 hour small group walking tour  that includes the cathedral, the old town, and Orvieto’s underground.

Day 12: Naples

From Rome, venture on to Naples. It’s about 2.5 hours by car or 1:10 by train.

This Mediterranean capital is lorded over by the still-kicking Vesuvius volcano. Naples is unpretentious with chaotic streets, Baroque excess, and layers upon layers of history.

The historic center is brimming with striking architecture, fascinating museums, and lively piazzas.

Naples Cathedral has a 13th century Gothic church with Baroque frescos. The Santa Chiara Cloisters are simply gorgeous, with hand-painted Majorca tiles covering benches and columns. The Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore is chock full of Greco-Roman ruins.

Art lovers will want to take the shuttle to the Capodimonte Museum , which is one of Italy’s best museum s . It features works by Caravaggio, Correggio, Masaccio, Titian, Raphael, El Greco, Bruegel, and Sebastiano del Piombo.

History buffs should head to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale , which is truly one of the world’s best archaeological museums. 

You can see original mosaics and frescoes from Pompeii and Herculaneum. The most famous piece is the  Farnese Bull , which once decorated Rome’s Baths of Caracalla . In high season, you’ll definitely need a skip the line ticket .

Naples is famous for its cafe culture and as the inventor of pizza. One of the most exquisite cafes is Caffe Gambrinus. For pizza, the two most famous spots are Gino Sorbillo and Antica Pizzeria da Michele.

Naturally, in Naples, you can go on a street food tour , take a walking tour of the street markets , or take a pizza making class .

As an alternative to basing yourself in Naples, you could stay in the Amalfi Coast instead and day trip into Naples to see the museums and sample the pizza.

READ : One Day In Naples Itinerary

Day 13: Naples, Day Trip To Pompeii

On day 13 of your 2 weeks in Italy, head to Pompeii. The site is Italy’s most famous archaeological treasure. It’s a 2,000 year old living museum.

In 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the city in 60 feet of ash. The city was entombed and preserved for many centuries. Beginning in 1748, archaeologists began painstakingly excavating the ruins.

Today, you can see dazzling frescos in ancient abodes. The House of the Vet just opened to the public in January 2023 and the frescos in the Villa of Mysteries are newly restored.

It’s definitely easiest to visit Pompeii on guided day tour from Naples . I recommend this  guided walking tour with an archaeologist  to learn everything abut Pompeii. But if you can do it yourself, you’ll at least need to book a skip the line ticket .

I advise getting the longest and best tour possible so that you can see everything at Pompeii (the new frescos) and not just walk down the main drag, as some tours do.

For the complete scoop, here’s my complete guide to visiting Pompeii .

Day 14: Naples, Day Trip To Amalfi Coast

On your last day of 2 weeks in Italy, head to the Amalfi Coast. It’s a stunning 30 mile stretch of the Italian coast where cliffs tower above pebbly coves and villages cling to steep slopes.

One day isn’t much time to explore this area. And it isn’t easy to get to. You will drive down a precarious road and take ferries and buses.

With one day, if you take a guided day tour from Naples, you can more efficiently get a quick peak at Positano, Amalfi, and or Ravello.

Positano comes complete with sherbet colored cliffside homes, stunning beaches, and tiny cobbled lanes. It’s considered Amalfi’s most picturesque town, cut into a cliff with views galore.

Called the “mountain pearl,” Ravello is suspended between the sky and sea. Ravello is known for its stunning views. You can get them at the town’s two stunning medieval villas Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo.

Amalfi town is a lively port city. It’s known for the stunning Amalfi Cathedral , which is one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. You can visit the cloister, church, and the Diocesan Museum.

Positano and Sorrento are the most touristy towns. If you’d like to avoid crowds, you can try the towns of Ravello, Praiano, Maiori, or Minori.

Alternatively, you could visit the island of Capri from Naples. Capri is one of the most dazzling and seductive islands in the Mediterranean.

Capri is known for its soaring cliffs, shimmering emerald water, whitewashed towns, and historic landmarks. It’s a great place to hike. And it’s known for its natural wonder, the Blue Grotto.

You can take the ferry or get to Capri on a guided day tour from Naples .

Alternative 2 Weeks In Italy Itinerary

For a slightly different spin, here’s an alternative two weeks in Italy itinerary. This itinerary drops Bologna and gives you more time in southern Italy.

• Day 3 : Florence
• Day 4 : Florence
• Day 5 : Florence, day trip to Siena & San Gimignano
• Day 6 : Rome
• Day 7 : Rome
• Day 8 : Vatican City
• Day 9 : Rome, day trip to Orvieto & Civita di Bagnoregio
• Day 10 : Naples
• Day 11 : Naples, day trip to Pompeii
• Day 12 : Amalfi Coast
• Day 13 : Amalfi Coast, day trip to Capri
• Day 14 : Matera

Tips For Spending 2 Weeks In Italy

If you need tips for visiting Italy, you should check out some of my relevant articles:

• 40 tips for visiting Italy
• Tips for visiting Rome
• Tips for visiting Florence
• Tips for visiting Venice
• Tips for renting and driving a car in Europe

I hope you’ve enjoyed my 2 weeks in Italy itinerary. You may enjoy these other Italy travel guides and resources.

• 12 Ways To Spend 1 Week in Italy
• 5 Ways To Spend 1 Week In Sicily
• 10 Days in Southern Italy Itinerary
• 10 Day Tuscany Itinerary
• Tips For Visiting Italy
• 7 Day Road Trip From Venice To Milan
• 130+ Bucket List Experiences in Italy
• Historic Landmarks in Italy
• Most Beautiful Towns in Italy
• Best Museums in Rome
• Hidden Gems in Rome
• Best Museums in Florence

If you want to spend 2 weeks in Italy, pin it for later.

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Last Updated on October 17, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

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Ultimate Italy Road Trip (North & South)

Planning an Italy road trip? Here are itinerary ideas for Northern and Southern Italy, plus maps, route planner, best places to visit and more!

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Italy Road Trip

Italy has an interesting reputation when it comes to road trips. It’s infamous for crazy drivers doing reckless things on tiny roads… and those stories aren’t entirely inaccurate.

Driving in Italy CAN be challenging. There are indeed crazy drivers who refuse to give way. There are some difficult routes and roads can be poorly maintained, especially in the south of Italy.

BUT, before you give up the idea of an Italian road trip completely, it’s one of our favourite countries in Europe to drive around. The weather is often wonderful (MUCH better than the UK), the people are welcoming (unless they’re driving and refusing to give way!) and the food involves pasta, pizza and copious amounts of ice cream. Seriously, what’s not to love.

It doesn’t matter whether you are travelling Italy by car, motorhoming or campervanning in Italy or exploring by bike- there’s plenty here for you to start planning your perfect Italy road trip. We’ve provided road trip itineraries, places to visit and more to help you have an amazing adventure.

Ultimate Italy road trip Planner

Don’t forget to grab your FREE road trip planner- this helpful guide will allow you to make notes on the places you want to visit in Italy and keep it all organised so you can remember it all.

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Planning a driving holiday in Italy

Italian road trip basics.

Some quick tips for driving in Italy:

• Italy drives on the right
• Motorways are GREEN, dual carriageways are blue (opposite to the UK and much of Europe)
• The maximum speed for private vehicles under 3.5t is 130kph (81mph) on motorways but speed limits are lower for cars towing caravans and for motorhomes over 3.5t in weight.
• When on two-lane motorways, dipped headlights must be used.
• If driving through towns and villages, only use the horn in an emergency.
• Buses and trams have right of way.
• Seatbelts are compulsory
• In-car speed camera detectors and motorhome sat-nav systems warning of the presence of radars are illegal (whether they’re in use or not!)
• Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal, but you can use a hands-free unit.
• Minor traffic offences can result in on-the-spot fines.
• UK driving licences are perfectly acceptable to use and you probably won’t need an IDP (find out the changes made to driving in Europe after BREXIT )
• You will need a green card to prove you have insurance cover when travelling in Italy.

Speed limits in Italy

Speed Limits are as follows for cars and vehicles under 3.5t (unless otherwise signed!)

• 130 km/h (80 mph) on motorways
• 110km/hr (30mph) on major roads
• 90 km/h (50 mph) on minor roads (out of town)
• 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas

In rain or snow conditions, the limit is lowered to 110 k/h on motorways and 90 k/h on trunk roads- this WILL NOT be signposted- you’re expected to know it

Fuel Stations in Italy

Fuel prices are comparable to France. and slightly cheaper than the UK. Buy fuel anywhere apart from on the main roads- it’ll be cheaper.

There is a ‘two-tier’ payment system in Italy. A cheaper option if you fill yourself (self-service), and a more expensive rate if you get a forecourt attendant to do it for you. There’s often a symbol of a man with a pump, but ‘con servicio’ or servizio for service and ‘self’ for self-service.

Many stations close overnight and on Sundays. Chiuso means closed in Italian and Aperto means open.

Petrol (Unleaded) is Benzina senza piombo/ “Benzina verde”. It’s also called Normale (95) or Speciale (98) and will be green handles at the pump.

Diesel is Gasolio / Diesel and will be black or yellow at the pump.

Planning to take your motorhome to Europe?

GUIDE: Stop the overwhelm with our step-by-step guide. Contains eBook, checklists and more. Complete Europe Motorhome Travel Toolkit

CHECKLIST: Don’t forget to grab your FREE Europe motorhome travel checklist HERE

GEAR – If you need any motorhome gear for touring Europe, here’s what we recommend.

Low Emission Zones and ZTL’s in Italy

Many major cities and towns are trying to reduce pollution levels by restricting vehicles into the centre. This is a ‘Zone Traffico Limitato’ or ZTL. Most ZTLs are for residents only, so if you drive into a ZTL you will receive a fine through the post. Also, NO rented vehicles are allowed in a ZTL at any time.

Low Emission Zones are becoming more common throughout Europe. If you do decide to drive into a city with no ZTL, check if there is an LEZ or congestion charge to pay. Alternatively, park outside the city and use public transport to access the centre.

Hiring a vehicle for your Italy Road Trip

If you don’t want to drive or are planning to fly in, you can hire a car or campervan for your Italy road trip. If you’re flying into Italy, you’ll need to pick an airport near the area you want to explore. Then you’ll need to find a hire company with a base near there and plan how to get from the airport to the campervan.

If you’re driving and then hiring, make sure the hire company has somewhere secure to park your car whilst you’re off touring around Italy.

Want to rent a vehicle for your road trip?

These might help:

• Discover incredible deals for motorhome/ camper rentals
• Find the best deals for car rental

READ: 10 essential questions to ask before you rent a motorhome

Driving in Italy- what to do in the event of a road traffic accident

You should have a European Claim Form provided by your insurer before you leave. In the event of an accident, all parties complete and sign the form at the scene and then send a copy to your insurer for assessment.

What to do at the scene:

• Stop your vehicle immediately but safely- out of the flow of traffic if possible.
• If a vehicle is blocking the road, use hazard lights and put the red warning triangle 30 metres from the scene to warn approaching traffic
• Name and address of all the people involved in the accident
• Vehicle registration numbers of all parties
• Insurance company details of all parties
• Take photos of damage using a camera, GoPro or phone

For more details, read our step-by-step guide on dealing with a road traffic accident in Europe

Best time of year to do an Italian Road Trip

As with all European road trips , WHEN is almost as important as WHERE.

We’ve enjoyed several road trips in Italy, both in a car and in our motorhome. We’ve visited in every season- and when you go definitely does make a difference.

Italy Road Trips in Spring

Spring is a great time to road trip in Italy. The later you leave it, the better the weather will be. Try and avoid Easter if you can- many places are closed for religious reasons, but it also gets busy as schools are on holiday.

Italian roadtrips in Summer

Summer is crowded pretty much everywhere in Italy. Although the weather is generally great, having to queue for major attractions in the heat can make you wilt. Also, many hotels and campsites book up months in advance.

Roadtripping Italy in Autumn

This is our favourite time to road trip around Italy. We toured the Dolomites in early October and the weather was perfect. See all our favourite places in Europe in Autumn

Italy road trips in Winter

Don’t dismiss Italy in Winter – there’s still plenty to do. Northern Italy does get cold and there’s snow in winter, so you’ll want to make sure you have proper heating in your camper or motorhome.

Obviously, the further south you go the warmer it will be. Sicily is where the Italians go to escape the chilly temperatures in the north, so that can be busy. Of course, if you want to go skiing with your motorhome, stay in the Dolomites and enjoy some of the best slopes in Europe.

Snow continues in Northern Italy all the way through until March. We did a tour from Rome to Florence (via Pisa) in February and there was still snow on the ground, it was freezing cold, but the lack of people was wonderful- we practically had some of the museums and popular sites to ourselves! If that’s too cold for you, here are the warmest places in Europe in February .

Italy Road Trip Route ideas

If you have the time, there are countless places and routes you could take in Italy. To help, we’ve separated the country into regions and sections for you, as well as giving the best places to visit in each area.

Road trip to Italy from UK- route planner

If you’re driving to Italy from the UK, you need to allow at least one day to reach the Italian border. There are several routes you can take.

If you’re planning a road trip through France to Italy, we’ve put together some of the best driving routes for motorhomes, campers, caravans and cars (complete with estimated toll charges)

Tolls in Italy

Italy doesn’t have a vignette- it has tolls (pedaggio). You collect a ticket at the machine as you enter the road system and pay (either a person or machine) at the end in cash or on a card. Tolls are generally more expensive than Spain but cheaper than in France.

You can use a tollpass/ telepass (like e-Movis) or you can pay-as-you-go by cash or card (we always recommend carrying some cash- just in case!) Signs indicate the means of payment accepted on each lane.

You can calculate the toll cost of your intended route here

Italy Road Trip- How long to spend touring Italy

Italy road trip one week.

It is possible to do an Italy road trip if you only have a week for your holiday. However, you will need to plan your trip carefully to make sure you get the most out of it. For only one week in Italy, we recommend staying in Northern Italy (unless of course you’re flying in and then renting a vehicle)

If possible, going for at least 10 days will allow you to see much more, and be able to relax and enjoy it.

Italy Road trip 10-14 days (two weeks)

Obviously, the longer you have, the more you can see. As a guide, we’d suggest two weeks for road tripping around Northern Italy, and 10-14 days for Southern Italy.

Driving from North to South Italy

If you’re desperate to see as much of the country (and eat as many of the different regional Italian dishes ) as possible, it takes about 12 hours (1160km) to drive from Milan in the North to Catanzaro in the South- according to Google maps. Personally, I think this is VERY optimistic and you should allow at least 2 days driving.

For the purposes of this guide, we’re calling Northern Italy anything from Rome north, and Southern Italy anything south of Rome.

New to motorhome or camper travel in Europe? You might find these posts helpful:

See all our Europe motorhoming posts here

NEED GEAR? If you need any kit or essentials for motorhoming in Europe, here’s what we recommend and where to find it

Northern Italy road trip

There are some spectacular places in Northern Italy to explore by road. In fact, we prefer Northern Italy to Southern Italy- but that’s mainly because we love the mountains. Here are some ideas for your road trip.

Northern Italy Road Trip highlights and best places to visit

Some of our favourite places in Northern Italy include:

• Gran Paradiso
• Cinque Terre, Portofino and Portovenere
• The Italian Lakes (especially Lake Garda)
• The Dolomites

Stelvio Pass

Northern italy bucket list map.

Here’s a map of some of the places mentioned on our Northern Italy road trip itinerary, so you can find them easily.

You can find out more about each area below.

Italy North West Coast road trip

If you’re driving into Italy, especially if you’re driving from the UK, many people find themselves arriving in the North West- from France or Switzerland. If you are going motorhoming in Switzerland , remember you may need more than a vignette.

This is the perfect introduction to Italy. There are national parks, beautiful villages, amazing coastline and dramatic mountains. It can include Gran Paradiso National Park, Cinque Terre, Portofino and Portovenere, La Spezia and down into Tuscany.

Gran Paradiso National Park

The Gran Paradiso National Park was one of the first National Parks to be created in Italy and is popular for skiing, wildlife watching and hiking. 

Only 20% of the park is forest- the rest is scrubland, mountains or grassland, so if you want to see wildlife the forests are a great place to head to. You might even see the famous Ibex and Chamois.

The highest point is Gran Paradiso mountain, which stands at 4061m but there are plenty of other mountains and valleys to explore. There are many hiking trails and walks- and several guidebooks you can buy to stay on track. 

How long to stay in Gran Paradiso

You can get a taste of the park in a day, but if you’d like to do any hikes or see more of the highlights, stay in the area for at least 2 or 3 days.

Where to stay in Gran Paradiso?

If you’re in a campervan, be careful as wild camping is forbidden in National Parks, but there are plenty of campsites and Sostas around.

If you’re touring Italy by car or bike, here are some wonderful accommodation options for you .

We love the Bellevue Hotel and Spa – friendly, relaxing and right near the glacier.

Highlights of a road trip in Gran Paradiso National Park

Some of the best things to do in Gran Paradiso include:

• See Gran Paradiso- the highest mountain
• Drive the Colle de Nivolet- scenic mountain pass
• See the views at Serru Lake
• Drive Col Ferret- mountain pass
• Cascate di Lillaz- 3-tier waterfall

Cinque Terre and Portovenere

Cinque Terre is one of the most famous regions in Italy- and for good reason! It’s a series of 5 beautiful villages, all carved into the incredible coastal cliffs of north-west Italy. 

Cinque Terre literally translates to “five lands”, which are the 5 villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore . It has been designated a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Portofino is just outside the Cinque Terre protected zone, but is well worth a visit too.

Driving into Cinque Terre

NOTE: Do NOT try and drive into Cinque Terre, even with a car and ESPECIALLY not with a motorhome or campervan. The roads are tiny and not easy for tourists, plus there’s little to no parking. Some hotels in the area do offer parking- if you’re driving to one of them try to avoid arriving at peak times, so the roads will be quieter.

Alternatively, find somewhere safe to park your vehicle for a couple of nights (such as in La Spezia) and leave it there whilst you enjoy a stay at a hotel in the middle of one of the prettiest places in Italy.

How long to stay in Cinque Terre

We did Cinque Terre in one day and it is possible, but it was a LOT of walking. Staying for 2 days is better- 3 if you want to see Portofino as well.

Where to stay in Cinque Terre?

If you want to leave your vehicle safely somewhere and stay in the heart of Cinque Terre, you won’t beat the views from Il Sogno di Manarola by The First

See all Cinque Terre hotels and deals here

Highlights of Cinque Terre

Some of the best things to do in the area include:

• Enjoy the sandy beach at Monterosso
• Walking the trail from Monterosso to Vernazza
• Exploring Vernazza Harbour and Castle Doria
• Riomaggiore
• See the sunset at Manarola

Portovenere

Portovenere is further south along the coast. Whilst not technically a part of Cinque Terre, Portovenere is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town looks like something from a fairytale and is well worth a stop on your itinerary.

If you visit in August, you’ll find the Madonna Bianca Festival when hundreds, if not thousands, of Roman torches are lit at night. Also, each Monday there is a market in the town centre. 

Italian Lakes Road Trip

The Italian Lakes are like a warmer version of the UK Lake District- with more pizza instead of scones. They’re all pretty, but our favourite lakes are Maggiore and Garda.

How long to visit the Italian Lakes for?

We stayed for a week and only really explored Lake Garda and Maggiore properly. So you can easily spend two weeks in the area and still find things to do. Of course, you can just spend a day or two here and get a taste.

Where to stay in the Italian Lakes

There are plenty of incredible hotels, BnBs and campsites around the Italian Lakes (many with lake views!). One of our favourites is Hotel Spiaggia d’Oro Boutique Hotel , with an incredible pool AND views across the lake.

See all options and current deals for Lake Garda accommodation

Highlights in the Italian lakes

Some of our favourite places in the lakes include:

• Sirmione on Lake Garda. This picturesque town dates back to Roman times. The fortress is 12th century and is one of the most beautiful castles in Italy . You can book a tour around the inside if you wish- the views down the lake are even better higher up.
• Grotte di Catullo- ruins of a Roman Villa built over 2000 years ago! Get here as early as you can because it’s a huge tourist attraction and by mid-morning it will be very crowded. 
• If you are road tripping Italy in a car or motorbike (or want to rent one for the day), don’t miss the Strada Della Forra Gorge road on the west side of Garda- it’s spectacular. The road is literally carved into a gorge and it’s so steep and narrow that only cars and motorbikes are allowed up it. The tunnels through the gorge are so low that you couldn’t drive through in anything bigger than a large car- I think even a 4×4 might be too big! 
• If you like heights, there’s a zipwire near Lake Maggiore which has been on my bucket list for a while!

Milan to Lake Como Road Trip

This Italian Road Trip was driven by Jamie from Travel Addict

The drive between Milan and Lake Como is only 1.5 hours, but don’t rush north without taking a short break to Monza. This utterly charming Italian village is the halfway point between Milan and Lake Como. Most of the ancient buildings date all the way back to the 1400s, but the town is currently best known as a Formula 1 racing circuit

You can drive around the loop of Lake Como, or take a ferry tour. The most popular towns on the lake are Como and Bellagio, for good reason. Some of the smaller towns have their own unique charm – Varenna, Lenno, Tremezzo and Menaggio to name a few worth visiting. And no drive on the lake is complete without a stop at one of the famous villas, such as Villa del Balbianello or Villa Carlotta.

TOP TIP: The roads are doable with a motorhome, but some of them are VERY small, so try to go early in the morning or well out of peak season.

Afterwards, head west to Lake Maggiore for more of Italy’s lake region, or East to the incredibly beautiful city of Bergamo to extend your journey a few extra days. Bergamo has a rich and long history, incredible architecture that spans a hillside, and a wonderfully authentic vibe.

If you’re feeling brave on your Italian road trip, head north from the lakes and drive the Stelvio Pass.

The Stelvio Pass is a high mountain pass carved into the Italian Alps. It has a series of 48 hairpin turns and rises to an elevation of 2,756m (9,045ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest paved roads in Europe.

It’s not for the faint-hearted, but the views are phenomenal.

TOP TIP: Drive Stelvio Pass early in the morning- before the crowds arrive and the road becomes even more crazy!

(And yes, it looks a lot like Trollstigen Road in Norway !)

Dolomites Road Trip

The Dolomites are one of the most breathtaking mountain regions in Europe. The incredible rock formations, combined with the beautiful lakes, valleys and incredible roads make this one of the best road trip destinations ANYWHERE, not just in Italy.

Where are the Dolomites?

The Dolomites are in Northern Italy, about an hour north of Lake Garda.

Venice to Bolzano (the start of the Great Dolomites Road) will take you about 2 and a half hours (the distance is 267km)

Milan to Bolzano is about 3 and a half hours (the distance is 278km)

How long to spend in the Dolomites?

We spent 4 days roadtripping around the Dolomites and feel like we barely scratched the surface. If you want to just drive and see the scenery, 2 or 3 days will give you a taste. If you want to hike and enjoy the outdoors, you need at least 5-7 (and still will want to go back!)

See our full Dolomites road trip itinerary

Highlights of a Dolomites Road Trip

Some of our favourite places in the Dolomites include:

• Tre Cime di Lavaredo (seriously, if you are doing an Italy road trip in a motorhome or campervan, you HAVE to stay up here for at least one night (we stayed for 2)
• Driving the Great Dolomites Road – this was magic and Lake Carezza is on it too.
• Lago di Braies
• Val di Funes
• Via Ferrata

Where to stay in the Dolomites

If you’re exploring the Dolomites by motorhome or camper, there are some wonderful campsites and aires with breathtaking views. Don’t miss a chance to stay at the top of Tre Cime di Lavaredo- it’s incredible.

If you’re not in a motorhome or camper, base yourself at one of these fabulous locations (many with views of the Dolomites!)

Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world- there’s a reason it’s one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in Europe . Avoid in high summer- it’s just too crowded to see anything.

You can’t go road tripping in Italy (especially Northern Italy) and NOT make a stop to see Venice. This incredible city has canals, history, stunning views- and it is utterly unsuitable for vehicles.

If you’re exploring Europe in February, don’t miss the Venice Carnival – it will be crazy busy but spectacular!

When is the best time to visit Venice?

We highly recommend visiting out of high season. Our favourite time to visit Venice is after summer- in fact, it’s one of the best places to see in Europe in October.

But no matter what time of year you go, do NOT try and drive into the city, especially with a motorhome or camper.

Where to stay in Venice

If you want to stay in the heart of Venice, the St Regis Venice has the most incredible views.

See all ideas and deals for Venice Hotels

East Coast Italy Road Trip

The east coast of Italy (The Adriatic Coast) has much to recommend it. You can actually drive from Venice to San Marino in about 3 hours, but the prettier route is using the coast roads and taking your time.

Where to go on the East coast of Italy

Some of the best places to visit on the Italian Adriatic Coast include:

• Trieste: up near the Slovenian border
• Comacchio: Don’t miss the Trepponti fortified bridge
• Po Delta Natural Park: UNESCO World Heritage site protecting around 54,000 hectares and many species of local flora and fauna
• Cesenatico: Don’t miss the Porto Canale, which runs through the historic city centre, or the Maritime Museum which houses several vintage boats.
• Rimini: can be crowded, but out of season is well worth a visit. Don’t miss Tiberio Bridge- the historic Roman bridge crossing the Marecchia River or the former fishing district of Borgo San Giuliano which now has colourful houses and a great atmosphere.
• San Marino- one of the oldest and smallest countries in the world!

San Marino is actually a totally different country. It’s totally surrounded by Italy, but is independent. San Marino is one of the oldest and smallest countries in the world- only 23sq miles and is mostly one city.

It was founded on September 3rd, 301. The people who live in San Marino are not “Italians” – they are referred to as Sammarinese. They are very proud of their independence from Italy.

NOTE: San Marino is not part of the European Union although they do use the euro as currency.

Spend at least a day enjoying San Marino. There are castles, museums and towers to explore- you won’t get to them all in a day!

Recommended by Pamela from the Directionally Challenged Traveler

Tuscany Road Trip Planner

This Tuscan Road Trip itinerary was driven by Martina and Jürgen from Places of Juma

There are many highlights of a Tuscany road trip- the landscapes, the historic towns and the pretty stone villages. Tuscany is also famous for art and delicious cuisine. The infro-structure isn’t bad in most places, and it’s not too crowded, except in high summer.

Some of the best places to see in Tuscany include:

• Siena- famous for the Piazza del Campo
• Arezzo- the antique market is legendary
• Val d’Orcia- UNESCO world Heritage and fabulous views
• Montalcino- famous for its for its Brunello di Montalcino wine

How long to spend in Tuscany

Plan at least a few days to explore Tuscany. Many people spend 2 weeks just in this area along!

Where to stay in Tuscany

There are many lovely agritourism accommodations all over the place, so you can stay at vineyards, farms or local producers for the night if you want to taste their produce. There are also plenty of hotels and BnBs in the region- here are some wonderful ideas for you.

If you’re looking for a beautiful city in Italy, you need to head to Florence. This picturesque city is famous for the culture, renaissance art, architecture and monuments. It’s full of art galleries and museums including the famous Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Pitti. 

The centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are plenty of churches, cathedrals- including the world-famous Duomo and idyllic streets to explore, as well as plenty of upmarket shops and unique boutiques to discover. 

As well as the galleries mentioned above, you should also visit the Galleria dell’Accademia, which contains the incredible marble sculptures by Michelangelo and others, notably David and Prisoners, Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabines and Botticelli’s Madonna and Child and Madonna of the Sea.

Another must-see is the Ponte Vecchio, one of the most historic bridges in Florence. As well as being picturesque, shops line each side of the bridge, including jewellers, artisans and souvenir shops. 

Where to stay in Florence

If you are visiting Florence while campervanning in Italy, there are plenty of great campsites near the city but if you’d like to stay in the centre, head for the Laurus Al Duomo hotel and be awestruck at the views.

See all ideas and deals for Florence Hotels

Rome is the capital of Italy and the most visited tourist destination- and for good reason. We’ve been to Rome many times and never get tired of the history, the ancient sites, the architecture or the incredible views.

When is the best time to visit Rome?

We highly recommend visiting out of season. Rome is always busy and always open, so no worries about missing the best parts. In fact, Rome is one of the best cities in Europe to visit in Winter.

Having said that, our favourite time to visit Rome is in October, when the colours of the changing leaves look AMAZING against the backdrop of the city.

How long to visit Rome for?

If you’ve never been to Rome before, stay at least 3-4 days. There’s so much to see, and if you don’t plan enough time, you’ll miss out.

TOP TIP: Don’t drive into Rome- use public transport.

Where to stay in Rome

There are several campsites on the outskirts of Rome, where you could leave your camper. If you’re in a car, or here are some great deals on hotels for any budget.

If you’d like a central location, the Otivm Hotel has incredible views and is right in the heart of the city.

Southern Italy Road Trip

So, you’ve made it to Rome and want to keep heading south? Ok, let’s talk about Southern Italy road trips.

You’ll notice a difference in southern Italy in terms of road quality, and also in how many service points and fuel stations there are- so make sure to make use of them when you find them.

It takes about 2 and a half hours to drive from Rome to Naples. The A3/E45 autostrada is the fastest route and is fine for motorhomes/ campers. From Naples, you can start exploring the famous Amalfi coastline and other historical areas, like Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.

Be careful- parts of the Amalfi Coast route are unsuitable for motorhomes and campers.

Highlights and best places to visit on a Southern Italy Road Trip

Some of our favourite places to visit in Southern Italy include:

• The Amalfi Coast
• Pompeii and Herculaneun
• Puglia and Alberobello
• Cilento National Park and Paestum -the ancient Temple ruins
• Sassi di Matera (Caves of Mattera)

Southern Italy Road Trip Map

Here’s a map of some of the best places to visit in Southern Italy. See below for more details on each.

Personally, we didn’t rate Naples at all, but we didn’t go into the city centre, which is apparently much nicer than the outskirts. Still, it is the home of Pizza, so I feel we need to return and give it a chance.

Pompeii and Herculaneam

Pompeii is the famous Roman city which was buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. It’s incredible to be able to walk the streets and see shops, temples, houses and even the local brothel! There’s a great motorhome campsite just across the street, Camping Spartacus

If you get chance, be sure to visit Herculaneum, which is closer to Naples than Pompeii, but much less well-known and therefore less touristy.

Amalfi Coast Road Trip

The Amalfi coast is one of the iconic Italy road trips. Be warned, some of the route from Sorrento to Salerno is impossible with a motorhome or camper, so you won’t be able to drive the entire thing unless you have a bike or scooter with you!

Larger than many  towns on the Amalfi Coast , but warm and full of character, Sorrento is fun. The old town is absolutely delightful and has a great choice of restaurants. As the sunsets, relax with a glass of Limoncello, the local lemon liqueur. There are often street musicians on the promenade overlooking the sea.

TOP TIP: Be sure to get chips from the ‘Queens Chips’- often voted the best in the area.

Agerola & Positano

Agerola is the beginning of the ten-km hike called Path of the Gods. The views are stunning and at Vallone Porto, near Positano, a tumbling waterfall and canyon, mark the end of the walk. Positano is an amazing town, built vertically on a rocky precipice.

Amalfi and Ravello

These are two of the larger towns. Amalfi has the Duomo di Amalfi with its mosaics in yellow and green and there are a number of boat trips to enjoy or the chance to slow the tempo and simply relax on the beach.

Ravello’s treasures include two stunning medieval palaces with amazing views of the bay far below.

The last stop on the route is Capri. Take a boat trip to the grottos, or a cable car from the harbour up to the town with its snazzy boutiques and romantic restaurants. 

This Italy road trip itinerary was driven by Chrysoula from Travel Passionate

Cilento Region Road Trip

Cilento is one of the undiscovered gems in Southern Italy. For some reason, it’s not as famous as the other regions- which makes exploring it even better, as it’s generally quieter.

There’s a national park here, which is wonderful to explore, but the two highlights for me are the INCREDIBLE beaches- and the Paestum ruins.

Paestum Ruins

Paestum used to be an ancient Greek city and is now famous for the ruins of thre ancient Greek temples, dating from about 550 to 450 BC, which are in a surprisingly good state. The walls and amphitheatre are largely intact, and the bottom of the walls of many other structures remain, as well as paved roads. The site is open to the public, and is well worth a visit.

Honestly, much of the coastline of the Cilento region looks similar to this, but this town is a great place to stop for a night or two on your Southern Italy road trip. Thre’s not a huge beach, but the water in unbelievably clear and wonderful to swim in.

Puglia- the heel of the boot!

Puglia is on the Adriatic coast in the south east of Italy and offers a wonderful mix of crystal clear sea and ancient history.

Some of the highlights include:

• Bari, the Capital of Puglia
• Polignano a Mare
• Alberobello- with the cone-shaped houses
• Lecce and Otranto
• The Cave of Poetry!

Puglia Road Trip itinerary

This Italy Road Trip idea was suggested by Ophelie from Limitless Secrets

You can easily spend one week exploring Puglia as there are many beautiful spots to visit! Start your Puglia road trip in Bari, the capital of Puglia.

Bari has an interesting Old Town that you might want to visit before taking to the road. Then head to Polignano a Mare, about a 30-minute drive away, which is a great place to enjoy the beach and some spectacular coastline views as it perched on top of cliffs.

The next stop is Monopoli, just 15 minutes down the coast. In this charming town you can wander in the Old Town- the Old Port is especially picturesque. 

After that, head inland to the beautiful town of Alberobello- famous for its trulli (cone-shaped) houses. It really does look like something out of a storybook. Alberobello is only 25 minutes from Monopoli.

Then head west to Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage built on the side of the Matera Gravine and full of caves (Sassi) which are amazing to visit.

Head south for 2 hours and visit Lecce- famous for the beautiful baroque architecture. If you want more beautiful coastline views, surprising rock formations and natural pools, be sure to visit the Cave of Poetry (Grotta Della Poesia), which is a natural swimming pool in Roca Vecchia village, just 30-minute drive east of Lecce.

Lastly, don’t miss Otranto. It doesn’t look much on the map, but the sea here is one of the clearest azure we’ve ever seen!

Where to stay in Puglia?

The best places to eat and stay in Puglia are the agriturismo: these are farms designed to also receive guests (for food or for accommodation). You will find plenty to choose from! 

Sardinia- another Italy Road Trip idea

This Italy road trip itinerary was suggested by Rachel of Average Lives

If you’ve explored enough of the Italian mainland, you can extend your Italy road trip to one of the islands nearby, such as Sardinia.

Sardinia is full of beautiful beaches, historic castles, and delicious food. You can enjoy. aroad trip in North Sardinia , from Olbia to Alghero, which will take around five days to a week, depending on your travel style.

Start by exploring the quaint streets and markets of the city of Olbia. After hop on an affordable ferry (with your car) to the nearby Archipelago of La Maddalena. In La Maddalena town, head to I Vittelloni for trendy vibes and the best aperitivo. Over the next couple of days, explore Caprera Island and visit Cala Coticcio, the Garibaldi Museum, and Cala Napoletana. You won’t want to leave, but you must follow the coast to Santa Teresa Di Gallura. First, eat breakfast, have a coffee, and then spend your day exploring the colourful streets, the Spanish Tower and watch the sunset at the nearby hippie village – Valle Della Luna.

The next morning visit Li Cossi for a swim in the emerald water before spending the evening in the medieval village of Castelsardo. After you have finished exploring, make your way towards Alghero and stop to cast your eyes on the ‘Elephant Rock’ and then enjoy the Catalan-style town. In Alghero, you can see sensational beaches and take a trip to Grotte Di Nettuno in Capo Caccia’s cliffs. Most importantly, you will have finished one of the most beautiful road trips in Italy and won’t want to leave the idyllic island.

How to get to Sardinia from Italy

It’s easy to reach the island by car or motorhome from mainland Italy because you can catch a ferry from Genoa to Olbia. Be warned- this ferry can be expensive, so book well in advance if you can, especially in the summer when it gets booked up quickly.

Other posts you might find useful:

• How to plan a Europe Road Trip
• Essential Kit you need to drive in Europe (with checklist)
• Unmissable Europe road trip ideas
• 15 essential tips for Europe road trips

See all our Italy road trip posts

See all our Europe road trip posts and tips

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

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10 day italy west coast road trip full itinerary – part 1 . ..

So here is PART ONE of our full itinerary for our Italy West Coast Road Trip! Here you’ll find a day by day breakdown of our journey from Genoa to Naples and all we got up to along the way. If you’re just after ideas for your potential road trip, to make it easier, we have done a round up of this trip, outlining the route, transport, accommodation and budget which can be found here . Otherwise, please stick around for our full plan below and as it really is impossible to put the beauty of Italy into words, please check out our travel video for this post here!

Of course, much of our itinerary is better spread across more days, (Cinque Terre would be great across even 2 days in order to be able to explore more!) however if you’re strapped for time like we were and eager to see the highlights of the west Coast, this is definitely the itinerary for you!

Our first day, was a travel day so we haven’t counted it below! We flew in to Genoa from Manchester with Easyjet and collected our hire car from the airport. Our first night’s stay was in a little town called Bracco, half way between Genoa and La Spezia, along the coast but up in the hills. An hours drive away, the Airbnb had incredible views of the sun setting over the valleys and the coast line in the distance, as seen in the photo above!

DAY 1 – CINQUE TERRE

The next day, we headed straight to La Spezia, where we parked for free at a car park 2 minutes walk away from the train station. We purchased a Cinque Terre day pass which was around €7.50 each. It was peak season in July, which meant for an abundance of other tourists doing the same so we would recommend sparing time to consider this. First, we got the train to Monterosso Al Mare, the furthest of the towns taking around 30 minutes and worked our way back over the course of the day.

Monterosso Al Mare is less compact compared to the other towns, and spreads across the coast with a long stretch of beaches, but the main town is a short walk from the station. Vernazza was the second town along, and the station is in the centre, with a nice walk through the market filled streets to the bay and the town square. There is a great view of the church above the sea here, along with plenty of restaurants and bars. Corniglia is the next town, and one we felt seemed the smallest. This town isn’t for the faint hearted and requires a long walk up a lot of stairs to reveal the beautiful town at the top.

Manarola is the next stop. This was by far our favourite town and a definite must see in Italy. This beautiful town is the token of Cinque Terre, the famous postcard image and it looks exactly how it does on the fantastic photos! We spent the most amount of time here, and you could easily spend hours wandering through the markets and exploring the bay. Our only regret from this visit, was that we didn’t bring any change of clothes to go paddling in the crystal clear waters in the dock as many other people were! This town also marked our very first (of many) gelatos of the trip. Iconic moment indeed!

We then stopped off at Riomaggiore, which again, we could have spent hours exploring. As with the others, the winding streets were filled with market stalls and we would definitely recommend taking a stroll along ‘Via dell’ Amore’ for stunning panoramic views of the coast. Also a great spot to stop for a refreshing drink with a view! That night, we stayed in a lovely B&B, called B&B Bellavista in the hills of La Spezia which we recommend for the views alone! The hosts were fantastic and gave us a truly Italian experience. The only issue we had in the suburbs of the cities, is that hardly anyone understands a word of English, but that was our bad, for not learning more Italian! After much poor pronunciation on our part, we enjoyed our first taste of delicious food with a view at a nearby restaurant that night and that marked the end of a very eventful but plentiful day one!

DAY 2 – PISA & FLORENCE

After enjoying breakfast with a view and some (extremely) strong coffee made by our host, we set off for another jam-packed day! From La Spezia, we made our way to Pisa, taking around 1h30 and through one of many toll roads, mentioned in our round up post . We parked in the city centre in a car park opposite to the Porta Santa Maria, Pisa – the entrance to the Tower and Duomo grounds. There are so many beautiful buildings surrounding the tower and, if we had the time, we would have loved to explore these more. Seeing the tower itself is surreal, as with many famous landmarks, it is something so legendary and to be stood in front of it is crazy. That topped with surrounded by people doing the obligatory pose, and many others going for a more adventurous ‘feet lean’, – such an amusing place to people watch! And of course, we couldn’t leave without trying (and failing) the pose ourselves, it would have been rude not to!

From Pisa, we headed to Florence for the afternoon, which was only 1h20 away. Florence was a bit trickier with parking, and you have to be wary of the permit only zones, as with most larger Italian cities. There are many car parks where you are required to leave your keys, however in a hire car, we thought best not to do this. We parked over the other side of the river as this was cheaper and there were more parking options. This also meant for a nice stroll over the bridges and through the narrow streets, and of course an excuse for another much needed gelato for all that walking!

Florence was our favourite out of the cities we visited on our trip. It just had everything you needed to really spend hours getting lost exploring and even shopping. It has so many beautiful buildings and landmarks for days, and the views from the famous Ponte Vecchio are stunning. Our favourite was the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore and we literally stood staring for so long at all the individual designs in the architecture. Definitely a must see! That night, we stayed about half an hour south of Florence in another hotel in the hills with yet another beautiful view of the countryside.

DAY 3 – SIENA/TUSCANY

By our third day, we had caught a glimpse of the Tuscan countryside, but were eager to see what Tuscany really had to offer! We drove down to Siena for an hour drive, and the scenery was a dream compared to the highways and toll roads we had seen plenty of by this point! We parked just outside the town and took an escalator straight up onto the streets. This town really was a maze to us, and we did get lost, but that’s definitely all part of the fun, I guess! Again, like Florence, there are many beautiful landmarks to visit here, we especially liked the Piazza Del Campo and the Cathedral, these are definite must see’s and similar in style to those in Florence.

After a long day exploring around the cobbled Siena streets, we made our way to our B&B for the night – one which we were very much excited about. It was tucked away in the middle of the countryside in Tuscany, 25 minutes from Siena. Our room was in a little chalet with views for miles out of patio doors, and probably our favourite part about our stay were the private hot tubs with those same beautiful views. This really was the life! Although, something we never managed to fit in on our trip, was to visit a vineyard – this would have been our perfect opportunity. The on site restaurant however, had a large wine cellar filled with local wines and terrace dining. All which made our night in Tuscany, one to remember. This is somewhere we would definitely love to visit again, as on our trip we only managed to see a snippet of Tuscany and we would love to visit for a more thorough experience here.

DAY 4 – Montalcino & Saturnia

On day 4, we headed to Saturnia, somewhere we had been very eager to see on our trip and made several stops along the way to admire the views. One of our stops was in Montalcino, a picturesque little town an hour south from Siena. We stopped at several places along the way, but this town was so quiet and endearing, we stayed for another strong coffee! The journey from Siena to Saturnia in total was about 2hrs but the short stopovers made it feel like no time at all. The scenery as we got closer to Saturnia just got better and better.

Saturnia Hot Springs or Terme Di Saturnia (not to be confused with the Thermal Parks which is an entirely different thing and 5 mins drive away!) is a collection of natural hot spring pools descended into the hills of the countryside. It is a sight to see and something pulled straight out of a glamourous travel brochure! There is lots of free parking on site and the site is free to use for as long as you wish (unbelievable I know!) and there are banks of clay/mud which everyone was rubbing into their skin, so of course we joined in! (Hence the photos – no we don’t usually go out like that!). There are also several waterfalls in the top pool which are great fun, although very hot up there. We spent hours just soaking up the Italian sun and floating in the hot pools, covered in mud. Again, this is a definite must do experience, although I can imagine this would be difficult to get to without a car, so bear that in mind!

We then ascended up a very winding road up into Sorano, dominated by a huge castle in it’s skyline – and we just happened to be spending the night in there! Hotel Della Fortezza was our favourite night’s stay across our trip, I mean it would be difficult to top staying in a castle after-all! The owner, Giovanni was a fantastic host, and we got a room with a view and a half! We had the restaurant to ourselves that night, and the chef cooked up a specialty menu of locally sourced food and wine and filled us in on where they came from and how it was made. And, as we previously mentioned, we were disappointed we didn’t manage to have a vineyard experience, but this experience and learning about true Italian cuisine was fantastic! We would definitely recommend a stay here, and it was reasonably cheap too!

And there’s really no better way to round off Part 1 of our Italian adventure Itinerary than sleeping in a castle! The first half of our trip was definitely eventful and always on the move, covering 400km, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. The two nights we stayed in Tuscany were real highlights of our trip, and if we ever got the chance to return for longer, we would in a heartbeat! Part 2 will be along soon, but in the mean time, make sure to check out the video for this post and also if you haven’t already, check out our Italy Round Up blog post!

As always, keep updated with us on our Instagram Page! – We have big things coming!

Sarah & mark

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Perfect 8-Day Italy Road Trip Itinerary

Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below, but these are all products or services I highly recommend. I won’t put anything on this page that I haven’t verified and/or personally used.

Now I want to preface this 8-Day Italy Road Trip Itinerary post with the fact that I’ve been to this country three times before this most recent trip. The first with EF Tours in 2008, the second studying abroad in 2011 and third a work trip in Milan in 2018. With a wedding in Tuscany, I knew I wanted to see more of the areas I had yet to visit. There were a lot of stops with packing and unpacking, but that also included medieval towns, daily pasta meals and wandering for hours. You really can’t go wrong anywhere you go, but I would recommend each and every place we came by.

As usual with any of my itinerary posts, let’s start with cost.

• While the flight says $750, it was actually paid with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card points so it didn’t cost a dime.
• The rest of the expenses were divided by 2 since I was traveling with my boyfriend. Therefore, the total cost per person was $840.
• The cost is a bit high, but we ate and drank quite a bit, which increases the total amount.

Best way to come up with an itinerary

I wanted to start this off with how I even plan our itineraries. However, here’s a more in depth post on how: Best Ways to Come Up With a Travel Itinerary .

It’s extremely difficult when we only have 8 days to fit in as much as possible, especially when the places we want to see are all over the country. So here’s what I did:

• Wrote down all the cities and sites we wanted to see.
• Boston to/from Florence
• Boston to/from Rome
• Boston to Rome, Florence to Boston (and vice versa)
• Boston to another European country, then to Rome/Florence
• Depending on which is the cheapest option (which was Boston to/from Rome), then I started planning from there.
• When it came to dates, google maps is a great tool because it shows you most of the airlines, and all the dates and pricing for each. We decided on a Wednesday to Thursday trip (8 days total).

So with all that research, I created our itinerary that I can’t wait to share with you.

Buckle up and get ready for the Italy road trip of a lifetime.

Don’t forget travel insurance.

This is one thing that slips many travelers minds. Travel insurance is extremely important when traveling somewhere new. If anything were to happen abroad, having travel insurance can save you tons of money, and keep you safe!

I used to be that person who would take the risk. However, my friend was traveling, and wanted to pet a cute dog. The cute dog bit her, so she was rushed to go get a rabies shot. Do you know how much that would have cost her out of pocket if she didn’t have travel insurance? A LOT. So, I prefer not to risk anymore.

My go to travel insurance is  World Nomads .  Not only are they extremely affordable, they offer comprehensive packages and are super easy to use. They cover things like your medical emergencies, lost credit cards, delayed luggage, or even stolen items. Trust me, it is worth the small cost! Click below link to get a quote!

Day 1: Rome

The Rome airport is one of the cheaper ones in the country to fly in and out from (at least from the States). It is about 30 minutes (without traffic) to Rome and around $48 one way by taxi. We had less than 24 hours in Rome, so we opted for a taxi instead of having a nightmare of a time driving in the city. We went back to the airport the next day to get a rental car. You can easily book a rental car through Auto Europe Car Rentals . I like booking through them to do comparisons for the different companies!

Your browser can’t load the needed module. Please click here for the best car rental rates.

We decided to make Vatican City our priority for the day. Whether you have a day or more, I would recommend doing the key tourist spots including The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon & The Roman Forum. While these prime locations will be busy, but they are incredible pieces of the world’s history that are worth seeing. Vatican City should be done first thing in the morning, or later in the afternoon. You won’t need a ticket beforehand, but be prepared to potentially wait in line. Make sure to check the timing of when and how long it is open as they fluctuate from day to day.

Where to stay:   Airbnb is a great option if you are on a budget. We found an incredible apartment near Vatican City with a view of the Vatican here .

If you haven’t used Airbnb before, use this code to get $40 off your first booking!

Where to eat:   Have lunch at Pizzarium Bonci near the Vatican, an app and martini at La Poccola Cuccagna  or take a cooking class for an authentic Italian cuisine.

Day 2: Capalbio

Once we go our rental car the next morning, we started our trip north. A small town just north of Rome on the coast, Capalbio is a perfect stop on your Italian road trip. It’s simple, quiet, a precious walk throughout castle walls and of course, amazing food. If you have some time, head to the beach, visit the Tarot Garden or splurge and watch sunset at one of the oceanside restaurants.

Where to stay:   Valle Del Buttero  was perfect location and a nice assorted free breakfast for a great price.

Day 3: Drive to Lucca

Heading up the coast towards Lucca will take about 4 hours. We stayed just 20 minutes outside in Borgo a Mozzano at an airbnb on a wine vineyard. While there isn’t much to do within the town, it is a central location to Lucca and other small medieval villages.

We took a drive to Barga , which is known to be the most Scottish town of Italy. We wandered through the streets, got some fruit at a market, and met the sweetest english couple who now lived there.

What I loved about this area is the little amount of tourists. Italy is filled with adorable small towns. I’d highly recommend fitting in some of them during your trip.

Day 4: Lucca

This may have been my favorite day of the trip. Lucca is so unbelievably charming. Just take a drive 20 minutes west to the underrated little town that most people pass by. Grab a sandwich and a cappuccino to start the day. Then rent a $3 bike to ride along the castle walls. Wander through the streets with gelato in hand. Lucca is magical and a day trip you won’t want to pass on.

Note : if you do drive, you will need to pay a parking fee. We had no idea what we were doing and ended up getting a ticket! You will need to pay to park when you arrive.

Day 5: Siena

To break up the long drives on our way to Abruzzo, I found cities that would be good options for day trips to explore. Siena was about halfway between Lucca and where we were staying in Abruzzo. The best part about Italy is pretty much every restaurant is going to be good. Wander the streets, eat food, pop in the shops and climb up the Torre Del Mangia for a 360° view of the city. There is so much to do in Siena, so a night or two is perfect.

Where to stay :  Airbnb about a 5 minute walk into the city center.

Day 6-8: Abruzzo

This was a difficult area for me to find information on as it is not a super touristy region like the rest of Italy. I didn’t have much to go off of, so it was a go with the flow experience with little planning.

Click here to find out why you need to visit Abruzzo Italy, NOW.

And if you need even more inspiration, check out these  20 Photos To Inspire You to Visit Abruzzo, Italy .

Where to stay: 

• We stayed at an Airbnb in Calascio , which was charming and romantic.
• Sextantio  hotel in Santo Stefano di Sessanio isn’t as budget friendly, but a great option if you are willing to splurge.
• Pescasseroli is a town in Parco Nazionale D’Abruzzo that is great location if you are looking to do lots of hiking.

What to do:

• Take a drive (or hike) through Strada Statale 17bis for gorgeous mountain views.
• Take a day trip to Parco Nazionale D’Abruzzo. There are over a hundred hikes, except it is very hard to find anyone to help you find them. I recommend heading into Pescasseroli to their tourist center to get a map.
• Visit Barrea, a picturesque town with hiking and the most beautiful landscape.
• Wander through the medieval towns of Calascio, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Ofena and Castel del Monte.
• Watch sunset at Rocca Calascio with a bottle of wine.

Where to eat:

• L’Elisir Del Poeta – Located in Santo Stefano di Sessanio and you need to make a reservation. This place is absolutely phenomenal.
• La Bettola di Geppetto – Located in Santo Stefano di Sessanio and a great location for lunch.

Italy Road Trip Helpful Tips

• Tipping : Tipping is not standard in Italy. While appreciated, don’t feel like it is something you need to do, especially if you are on a budget.
• Money : Get cash out/exchange your money (euros) beforehand or at the airport. A lot of places do not accept credit cards, so it’s good to have some money on hand.
• Transportation : The subway in Rome is a cheaper option for transportation, but you will need cash.
• You can use your credit card throughout all the Italy tolls. Don’t stress if you don’t have cash on you! Also, they can be very expensive.
• Learn how to do hello and thank you in Italian. They will appreciate the effort, as Italians are very proud – as they should be!

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15 Most Beautiful Road Trip in Italy Routes (with Distances)

Planning a road trip in Italy but not sure where to go? Here I share 15 most beautiful road trip in Italy routes that you can pick from . Duration, driving distance, the best time to go, what to see on the way, and where to stay as well as car rental in Italy tips are also included.

It is not a secret that everyone falls for Italy , making it one of the most visited destinations in Europe . The boot-shaped country is a perfect place to embark on a road trip. Beautiful from head to toe, Italy will seduce you with untamed landscapes, fairy-tale small towns , azure coastlines, architectural wonders, and, of course, food impossible to resist.

I have visited Italy countless times and my love for this country only grows stronger. In my experience, the best way to explore Italy is by going on a road trip . Once you hire a car in Italy , you will be able to travel at your own pace and explore beyond the famous destinations (such as Rome, Florence, or Venice).

Hence, in this post, I share not only classic routes ( Amalfi Coast or Tuscany road trip) but also less-known places in Italy to visit in a rental car .  From the stunning coastlines of Sicily to the misty mountain peaks of the Dolomites, to storybook medieval small towns and colorful coastal villages, pick the Italian road trip affair your heart longs for the most.

Disclosure :  This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may make a small commission at no extra cost for you if you make a purchase by clicking a link. It helps to keep my blog growing and filling up with detailed honest travel advice for you. 

Renting a car for a road trip in Italy

The first step before embarking on a road trip in Italy is renting a reliable and easy-to-drive car. I personally use the DiscoverCars search aggregator to find the best deal for car rental in Italy.

DiscoverCars offers car hire across international car rental companies at very competitive rates compared to many other car search sites online. You can filter vehicles by size, price, transmission type, etc.

A small deposit is always required to reserve a car. However, 48 hours free cancelation policy applies for the majority of the bookings. If you have to cancel, the deposit will be returned as a credit which you can use for your future booking. You can check the full terms & conditions HERE .

Look for the best rates for your rental car in Italy at Discovercars.

Documents you will need for hiring a car in Italy

• Valid driving license.
• International Driving Permit (IDP) if your driving license is not from the European Union or the UK. It also must be translated into English if it is not in English. Note that IDP is a supporting document and must be accompanied by an original driving license. More info here about IDP for US-Americans.
• A credit card in the driver’s name with enough balance to block a security deposit (it will be returned upon returning the rental car).

Quick tips for renting a car in Italy and driving rules

• The most convenient and often cheapest places to pick up your rental car from are the largest international airports. Whether you land in Rome, Naples, Venice, Palermo, or any other bigger airport, that is where you are likely to get the best deals.
• Most of the rental cars in Italy are in manual transmission and are cheaper than automatic ones. If you only drive the latter, filter automatic cars before booking. If the cost difference is not huge, automatic cars are much easier to use, and I would recommend going for automatic mode.
• Choose the smallest car possible that will fit all passengers and the luggage. Roads in Italian villages are narrow, and so are the parking spaces. Thus, having a small vehicle is a big advantage and will make driving in Italy much easier.
• Be aware of ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) zones- those are historic town areas where driving is only allowed for residents. There are cameras that catch violators and fines are quite steep (I personally got one and had to pay 200 EUR in fines for entering (unknowingly) a ZTL in Orvieto). The fine came a year later after my trip (this is pretty normal in Italy).
• Pick up and return the car to the same place. That being said, the majority of the suggested Italy road trip routes in this post are designed as a loop. Returning the car to a different location will add transfer costs which often double the total rental price.
• Some of the roads on the suggested road trips in Italy have tolls, however, they are not that costly (except the Dolomites), as in, for example, Portugal , or Greece . Make sure to always have some cash for tolls in case cards are not accepted.
• If you are traveling off-season in Italy (talking November, December, January, February, and March), DiscoverCars offers some dirt cheap deals for as low as 5-7 euros per day for a one-week car rental!
• If you are planning your Italy road trip in popular months like June, July, and August, make sure to reserve a car several months ahead to get the best rates.

What is driving in Italy like?

Don’t get intimidated by horror stories about driving in Italy- it is much easier than many people like to paint it. Yes, cities like Naples , Rome, or Palermo are hectic, but routes in this post are focusing on the countryside and coastal roads which are much quieter than city streets.   

Even driving in Sicily is pretty smooth once you are out of busy towns of Palermo or Catania.

• Driving in Sicily stress-free .
• Renting a car in Naples and driving in South Italy.

The only route suggested in this post that I consider challenging is Amalfi Coast because of narrow windy roads and lots of traffic during the high season and peak hours. If you are a novice driver, you might find mountain roads in Northern Italy a bit of a task as well. Nonetheless, go slowly and enjoy the romantic scenery of Italy with your loved one.

15 Best Road Trip in Italy routes: from North to South

1. along the tyrrhenian sea- naples to calabria road trip.

• Route: Naples -Rivello- Maratea- Grotta dell’Arcomagno -Pizzo- Tropea – Scilla – Naples .
• Distance and driving time: 980 KM, 12.5 HRS.
• Pick up your rental car in Italy at Naples International Airport .
• How many days? 10-12 days.
• Where to stay: suggested base towns are Naples , Maratea , Tropea , and Scilla .
• Highlights: authentic off-the-beaten-path Italy, romantic coastal villages, white sand beaches with impossibly blue waters, nature escape, vibrant city of Naples, and the best pizza in the world.
• Best time to go: the end of April, May-June, or September for great weather and fewer people.

This road trip in Italy takes you from Naples in Campania, through the coastal side of Basilicata, all the way south to the tip of the boot in the Calabria region.

Start your South Italy road trip in, at first glance, not so romantic rough around the edges and chaotic Naples. Yet, the charms of Naples lie in its rigid personality. Give it a day or two, and your heart will eventually melt like mozzarella cheese on the best Naples pizza. This culturally rich town is well worth exploring before you and your loved one embark on a road trip south to wonderfully authentic and often overlooked Calabria, Italy .

ALSO READ: 17 Must-Know Tips for Renting a Car in Naples and Driving in South Italy

This less-known road trip in Italy route further follows the coastal road along the Tyrrhenian Sea with stops at several small quaint coastal villages. The route offers stops at wonderful wild beaches like Capo Vaticano and the spectacular cove of Grotta dell’Arcomagno.

The first stop on the Tyrrhenian coast is the colorful hilltop village of Maratea known as the Pearl of Tyrrhenian. It is the only town in the Basilicata region that has access to the coast.  Impossible to miss is a giant marble statue of Christ situated at the highest point overlooking the village. Maratea is relatively unknown to foreign visitors and seems to stay suspended in time. It is worth a night or two to relax at its rocky beaches, or get active hiking the surrounding hills.

Just a short drive from Maratea, Rivello is a byzantine town scenically set on the verdant hills, and worth the visit for the views alone.

Venturing south you are bound to swim in some of the most beautiful azure waters in the region. A unique Tropea is the Pearl of Calabria . It not only offers some of the best beaches in the area but it will also awe you with the view of pastel-colored houses “growing” off the cliffs.

ALSO READ: The best things to do in Tropea, Italy

Meanwhile, Scilla , the southernmost and most charming fishing village on this road trip, is known for its velvety coast and the houses built on the shores of the sea. Its historic district of Chianella is a treat to wander around and experience Italy as authentic as it gets.

ALSO READ: A Guide to Visiting Scilla & Chianalea- the most beautiful seaside towns in Calabria, Italy.

Don’t miss a brief stop in Pizzo- another nice coastal town close to Tropea. Make sure to try tartufo – an ice cream with chocolate filling- it is a local specialty not to be missed.

Travel Tip: for this road trip, I recommend picking up your Italy rental car once you are ready to leave Naples, as driving in this city and parking situation is a nightmare. The airport car rentals are conveniently located just 15 minutes away by public bus from central Garibaldi station.

ALSO READ: How to spend 1 day in Naples: an easy Naples itinerary .

2. Matera to Castelmezzano – hidden gems of Basilicata road trip

• Route: Matera-Pisticci-Rotondella-Craco-Castelmezzano-Pietrapertosa-Matera.
• Distance and driving time: 305 KM, 5 HRS.
• Pick up your rental car in Italy at Bari or Naples .
• How many days? 4-5 days.
• Where to stay: base towns Matera and Castelmezzano or Pietrapertosa .
• Highlights: cave towns, ghost towns, incredibly beautiful mountain villages, hiking Dolomiti Lucane mountains, off-the-beaten-path Italy.
• Best time to go: April-June, September-November.

One of the most beautiful road trips on this list winds through the often-overlooked Basilicata region. The only famous stop here is the cave town of Matera (thanks to social media).

To embark on this road trip in central-south Italy you will have to pick up your rental car either in Naples or Bari international airports- both are located almost the same distance from the start of the route. If you arrive from Bari, then start this road trip route from Matera. If you are arriving from Naples, then start in Castelmezzano.

This Basilicata road trip focuses on unique mountain towns and experiencing the local south Italian countryside lifestyle.

First on the list is the impressive brown-hued cave town of Matera, with Sassi di Matera being the main attraction and a UNESCO heritage site. Your best bet is to use Matera as a base and do a day trip to picture-perfect Pisticci and the nearby ghost town of Craco. You can also visit Rotondella- a weirdly shaped hilltop town that reminds me of Gangi in Sicily. All 3 towns can be visited in a long full day trip from Matera.

Following is the best part of this road trip- the otherworldly Castelmezzano and its twin town Pietrapertosa . Located in the Dolomiti Lucane mountains, these towns are like nothing you have seen before (refer to the images above). Stay in either of them for a couple of nights, explore the tiny streets, admire panoramic views, go hiking, and take a romantic zip line ride connecting two mountain towns (two people can fly together).

Read more about visiting Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa in my travel guide .

3. From Sorrento to Salerno – Amalfi Coast road trip in Italy

• Route: Salerno-Vietri Sul Mare-Erchie-Atrani-Rovelo-Amalfi-Fiordo di Furore-Positano-Sorrento.
• Distance and driving time: 57 KM, 2 HRS 7MIN.
• Where to stay: base towns Salerno , Atrani , alternative Agerola (located higher in the hills), Sorrento .
• Highlights: beaches, beautiful coastal towns, hiking, and boat rides.
• Best time to go: April, May, mid-September-October, for perfect weather and fewer crowds, winter (off-season) with a minimum number of tourists.

The Amalfi Coast road trip will take you to some of the most captivating and romantic places in Italy. Although it is a famous romantic destination in Italy, “La Dolce Vita” of the Amalfi Coast is undeniable. The landscapes are of unparalleled beauty with movie-like scenery at every turn. 

Be warned though that Amalfi Coast drive via a narrow windy road sandwiched between the cliffs and the sea is not for the faint-hearted. However, it is Italy’s most iconic road trip worth taking at least once in a lifetime.

The distance from Salerno in the east to Sorrento in the west of Amalfi Coast looks deceivingly short- just below 60 kilometers. Hence, it is a slow yet very scenic drive ( ideal for a romantic ride in a vintage convertible car ).

Start your romantic Amalfi Coast road trip at the easternmost Salerno which serves as a great base for one night before embarking early to nearby Vietri Sul Mare , known for colorful ceramics, and one of the less touristy towns on this list.

Moving forward drive to Amalfi , the coast’s main hub. On the way, there are a few small lesser-known coastal villages like Cetara and Erchie you may want to stop by.

Pick your next accommodation in a more picturesque and much less touristy, Atrani town (just 10 minute’s walk from Amalfi town). Atrani is a good base for a couple of nights to explore close by mountain town of Ravello, visit Fiordo di Furore, or go on a hike to the Sentiero degli Dei (The Path of Gods) trail.

The next is Positano -the star and the postcard child of Amalfi Coast. The view of sherbet-colored cliffside homes is what attracts an unbearable number of tourists. That being said, Positano is best to be observed from the boat (also you get a better view of it) or admired from the top of the hill while hiking.

The final stop is Sorrento – the town of sirens and unbeatable sunsets. Sorrento is a lively resort town with a beautiful old town. It is also a great jump-off point for visiting the famous island of Capri (although I would recommend going to a less touristy candy-colored Procida instead).

Travel tip: Amalfi Coast together with Venice is possibly THE MOST popular romantic destination in Italy on this road trip list and both barely see an off-season time. To enjoy this beautiful romantic place in Italy with fewer crowds, choose to come in April or October. The weather will be pleasant for swimming and hiking. If you do not care about suntanning, you might even consider coming in March or November.

Accommodation tip: Amalfi is extremely pricey. Booking in advance is necessary. For cheaper alternatives in Amalfi Cost, you can pick Agerola – a village situated in the hills. It is located midway on the Amalfi coast and it takes less than 20 minutes to drive down. Also, the trailhead of The Path of Gods- one of the best things to do in Amalfi- will be within walking distance.

Don’t miss the boat: one of the most romantic things on this road trip is, ironically, to park your car and take a boat ride along the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast.

• Related article: 2 Day Amalfi Coast itinerary .

4. Palermo to Trapani- west coast of Sicily road trip

• Route: Palermo-Cefalù-Castellammare del Golfo-Lo-Zingaro Nature Reserve-Erice-Trapani with Favignana Islands
• Distance and driving time: 355 KM, 5 HRS 30 MIN.
• Pick up your rental car in Sicily at Palermo or Trapani International airports.
• How many days? 8-10 days.
• Where to stay: base towns Palermo , Cefalù , Castellammare del Golfo , Trapani .
• Highlights: unspoiled beaches, street food, hiking coastal trails, medieval hilltop towns, coastal villages, islands, and Sicilian culture.
• Best time to go: mid-April to May, and September to mid-October.

Sicily is one of the most charming and unique places in Italy to visit on a road trip. Although many myths surround driving in Sicily , I found road-tripping around the island one of the most rewarding experiences.

On this Sicily road trip , you will explore the West coast of the island. It has the best beaches with the most spectacular scenery (I have been all around Sicily , thus I can confirm it to be true).

Start your visit in charismatic Palermo , the capital of Sicily, famous for unbeatable street food (don’t miss arancini and cannoli), chaotic and colorful Ballaro market, spectacular cathedrals, and pallazi . Just like in Naples, you do not need a car to explore Palermo, which is very walkable (base yourself in the city center).

Start your road trip after spending at least 2 nights in Palermo. Before heading west side, pay a visit to Cefalù , located on the east coast of Palermo.  Cefalù is a historic port town and postcard child of Sicily. For less touristy beach towns on the way to Cefalù or back, stop in Aspra , and Santa Flavia .

Continuing further, the best is yet to come. Book a place to stay in Castellammare del Golfo – a local beautiful harbor town. From here you can easily drive to Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve – an unmissable piece of paradise in Sicily. Pull out your hiking shoes, sunscreen, and through a towel in your backpack. In Lo Zingaro you will have a wonderful day in the wilderness hiking along one of the most beautiful coasts and stopping at pretty pebbly coves along the way.

The final base of this road trip is Trapani – the west port town in Sicily. From here you can visit the medieval fairy-tale-like hilltop town of Erice and take a day trip to Favignana island . Monte Cofano Natural Reserve and a lively San Vito Lo Capo located northeast of Trapani make a great day trip from Trapani as well.

• Read my detailed guide to hiking Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve in Sicily .
• Check how to get to Favignana island and the best things to do .
• Extend your trip and find more places to visit in Sicily with my 2-week Sicily Road Trip Itinerary.

5. Sicily southeast- exploring baroque gems and conquering volcano

• Route: Catania-Syracuse-Ortygia-Noto-Modica-Ragusa- Caltagirone-Piazza Armerina-Mount Etna-Taormina-Catania.
• Distance and driving time: 346 KM, 5 HRS 30 MIN.
• Pick up your rental car in Sicily at Catania International Airport .
• Duration: 7-10 days.
• Where to stay: base towns Catania , Siracuse , Noto , Ragusa , Piazza Armerina .
• Highlights: culture, street food, baroque architecture, hiking volcano, charming mountain towns.
• Best time to go: April, May, late September, or October.

If architectural wonders are your cup of tea, the East of Sicily is abundant in Baroque masterpieces. Start your journey in Catania, the second largest town in Sicily. The city of lava is rival to Palermo for its renowned street food. Meanwhile, the morning fish market is not so romantic but one of the best local experiences in town, especially for street photography.

Just as in Palermo, driving in Catania is not the best idea, thus if you are planning to visit the city, it is better to pick up your rental car a day or two later once you are ready to hit the road.

Driving southeast of Catania, your next stop is Syracuse with adjacent Ortigia (Ortygia) island- a gem of Sicily. The architecture in Ortigia is exemplary and dates back to Greek times. Surrounded by the sparkling Ionian sea, Ortigia is one of the most romantic places in Sicily.

Meanwhile, some of the most culturally rich experiences await moving inland to explore Baroque wanders in Val di Noto- a complex of UNESCO-protected towns. Unmissable are Noto and Ragusa, the latter being my absolute favorite of all of the towns on this East Sicily road trip list. You can base yourself in Ragusa for 2-3 nights and visit Noto and Modica as day trips.

Heading up North, stop in Caltagirone -the town of ceramics, famous for its colorful- tiled staircase. Meanwhile, Piazza Armerina is a pretty mountain town, known for Villa Romana del Casale holding some of the best preserved and largest collections of Roman mosaics in the World.

If you are adventurous souls, then the mighty volcano of Etna will be the highlight of this trip. Visiting one usually requires joining a tour . Navigating Europe’s most active volcano independently is only recommended to expert hikers.

If you don’t mind touristy places, I must mention Taormina – the most famous hilltop town and resort in Sicily. We skipped it because it is very touristy (think Positano on Amalfi Coast). We prioritize places off-the-beaten path. Yet, Taormina is considered as one of the most beautiful must-visit places in East Sicily.

• Read my complete guide to visiting Ragusa in Sicily .
• Check my post about the most beautiful places to visit in Sicily .
• Extend your trip and find more places to visit in Sicily in my 2-week Sicily Road Trip Itinerary.

6. Puglia (Apulia)- the heel of the boot

• Route: Bari-Poligano a Mare- Monopoli-Ostuni- Martina Franca-Locorotondo-Alberobello-Parco Nationale del Gargano-Vieste-Bari
• Distance and driving time: 557 KM, 8 HRS.
• Pick up your rental car in Italy at Bari International Airport .
• How many days? 7-10 days.
• Where to stay: base towns Monopoli , Ostuni , Martina Franca for budget option close to Alberobello , Vieste .
• Highlights: beaches, charming white-washed villages, local food, Trulli stone houses, and south Italy culture.
• Best time to go: mid-April to June, and September to mid-October.

On this road trip in Italy, you will explore the heel of the boot- the Puglia region and a slice of less-known but very romantic Gargano Peninsula . Chalky houses and crystal-clear Adriatic Sea water, olive trees, delicious local food, and characteristic houses of trulli are some of the gems you will find in this rustic corner of South Italy.

Pick up your car in Bari , the biggest town in Puglia, and drive along the coast to your base in Monopoli – an atmospheric medieval harbor town by the Adriatic Sea. Settle down for a couple of knights to explore the coastal area. One of the early mornings, go to Poligano a Mare – a scenic seaside town set on limestone cliffs.

Poligano a Mare is one of the two most famous destinations on this road trip. That being said, the most touristy. You might recognize Poligano a Mare from the picture of the busy pebble beach framed by the Ponte Borbonico di Lama Monachile bridge.

The next stop is the unmissable white city of Ostuni surrounded by a sea of olive groves. This picturesque town is planned like a labyrinth, making finding your way around a fun thing to do and also worth spending a night in. Driving up north into Valle d’Itria , you can choose Martina Franca as a base from where you can explore Alberobello – a town famous for cone-shaped trulli houses.

Tip: that insta-famous Alberobello is tiny and you better come very early to visit without the crowds.

Do not miss Locorotondo -one of the prettiest towns on this Italy road trip and in Valle d’Itria. As the name implies it is a crazy planning of white-washed houses stuck together in a circular manner. You can see it from the areal perspective.

At this point, if you have more time for your romantic road trip in Italy, I suggest heading to the less-known Apulia region , situated north of Puglia. Often overlooked by an ordinary visitor but mind-blowingly beautiful Gargano National Park offers an array of things to do. Base yourself in the scenic and romantic fishing town of Vieste . From here you can visit the Pizzomunno limestone monolith and the broad Spiaggia di San Lorenzo beach -some of the most impressive and definitive natural landmarks in the Apulia region.

• Related article: The most beautiful coastal towns in Puglia.
• Related article: Driving in Puglia, Italy: essential tips.

7. Road trip around Lake Garda

• Route: Sirmione-Malcesine & Mount Baldo-Riva del Garda-Tenno&Lake Tenno-Limone sul Garda-Gargnano-Salo-Sirmione.
• Distance and driving time: 150 KM, 3 HRS 20 MIN.
• Pick up your rental car in Italy at Milan , Bergamo , or Verona international airports.
• How many days? 5-7 days.
• Where to stay: suggested base towns Malcesine , Limone sul Garda , and Salò .
• Highlights: beautiful lake towns, incredible mountainous scenery, water activities, culture, relaxation, cycling, and boat rides.
• Best time to go: April-May, September-October.

Italy’s largest Lake Garda is a perfect place for a romantic road trip in Northern Italy. Straddling Veneto, Trentino, and Lombardy regions, Lake Garda will offer you an unforgettable drive along the scenic lakeside and through the rock-carved tunnels with plenty of stops in manicured waterfront towns. Visiting Lake Garda is also a more price-friendly but no less beautiful alternative to the fancier counterpart Lake Como. In a way, Lake Garda’s scenery reminds me of Boka Bay in Montenegro .

You can pick up your rental car at any of the bigger airports, depending on where you are landing in Italy. Milan and Bergamo’s airports are great for cheaper car rental deals, meanwhile, the closest place to Lake Garda is Verona International airport, but car rent there is more expensive.

On your route around Lake Garda, you will visit Sirmione – a classic and the most touristic stop on this itinerary. Jumping into the boat and seeing the town from the water perspective is a great idea.

Moving east-north of the lake, a great base for a couple of days is the picturesque town of Malcesine . Built at a higher elevation, this pretty town is characterized by a maze of medieval alleyways and is different from the rest of the towns on this list. The most prominent landmarks are the castle of Malcesine and Mount Baldo. To visit the mountain Baldo, you can either get active and hike or take a cable car to the top.

Riva del Garda – an unofficial capital of Lake Garda is a very popular water sports destination. The favorable windy weather conditions make it a perfect spot for windsurfing. The panoramic views of the hilly landscape are no less fantastic.

Once on the northern side of Lake Garda, why not take a side trip to nearby Lake Tenno? It is an off-the-beaten-path detour with the reward of beautiful lake scenery.

Limone sul Garda or simply Limone is a town proud of its lemon produce and is possibly one of the most scenic waterfront villages on Lake Garda . You can either choose to stay a night there or visit on a boat trip from Malcesine.

Circumventing further around Lake Garda, you will come across a smaller and less touristy but absolutely charming  Gargnano lakeside town.

Finish off your loop around Lake Garda in Salò- one of the bigger towns known for incredibly delicious cuisine. Salò is more peaceful and less touristy than a well-known Sirimone, therefore might be a great base for a night or two on the southern banks of Lake Garda.

Travel tip: windy 2 lanes only road around Lake Garda might get congested during peak times and summer. Allow yourself plenty of time to travel slowly and consider having several bases during your trip instead of trying to visit all the towns as day trips.

8. Italian Riviera- Portofino to La Spezia- one of the most romantic road trips in Italy

• Route: Genoa-Camogli-Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino-Cinque Terre—La Spezia-Portovenere-Lerici.
• Distance and driving time: 165 KM, 3 HRS 40 MIN.
• Pick up your rental car in Italy at Genoa .
• Where to stay: base town Genoa , Camogli or Santa Margherita Ligure , La Spezia .
• Highlights: colorful coastal towns of Liguria, sailing, hiking between Italian riviera villages, history, culture, and beaches.
• Best time to go: mid-April, May, September, or October.

One of the most romantic destinations in Italy, rivaling the famous Amalfi Coast is Italian Riviera located in the Liguria region. For the Italian Riviera road trip, you will pick up your rental car in Genoa , and drive down south along the Ligurian Sea coast. I suggest a couple of base towns to explore the region – Camogli, Rapollo, or Santa Margherita Ligure on the north side of the Riviera and La Spezia on the south side.

On this itinerary, the rich and famous playground of Portofino and the magnificent 5 coastal villages of Cinque Terre do not need an introduction. Those are the most touristy places in the Liguria region. Nonetheless, they are so pretty it is hard to ignore their charms. That’s why they top the most romantic places in Italy charts. Nonetheless, you will also have an opportunity to visit less-known yet very picturesque places on the Ligurian coast.

Start your trip in the multi-layered port town of Genoa. Untouched by mass tourism this a unique historical town to explore in a day or two if you have time. Otherwise, pick up your rental car and head south to Camogli – a beautiful pastel-colored seaside town.

A close by Santa Margherita Ligure is an enchanted waterfront town where you can spot lots of “trompe l‘oeil” (a highly realistic optical illusion of three-dimensional space and objects on a two-dimensional surface).

Tip: to visit a nearby luxurious Portofino take a long 1-hour walk along the stunning coast. Cars are not allowed to enter the center of Portofino, there is no train, and buses are always packed. If you do not want to return the same way, you can take a ferry back from Portofino to Margherita Ligure.

The next stop on your romantic road trip in Italy will be in La Spezia – a base jump-off town to visit Cinque Terre towns (  Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso) . It is not wise to try driving between 5 famous villages as parking is very limited. Thus, leave your car in La Spezia and take regional trains to those towns.

The most rewarding way to experience the beauty of Cinque Terre is to go hiking a well-marked trail between villages. Dedicate a full day with stops in each of the seaside towns. If you get tired, you can always jump on the train in any of the towns.

Close to La Spezia, another charming port town is Portovenere with its imposing castle. It makes a great half-day trip. If you want to get an even more off-the-beaten-path in Liguria, head to Lerici . Due to its beautiful bay, Lerici is also called a Poets Gulf and is a beloved place by painters.

9. Tuscany loop – Florence to Siena

• Route: Florence- San Gimignano-Siena- Val d’Orcia-Montepulciano- Radda in Chianti- Panzano in Chianti- Florence.
• Distance and driving time: 312 KM, 6 HRS.
• Pick up your rental car in Italy at Florence International Airport or Rome Fiumicino Airport .
• How many days? 6-8 days.
• Where to stay: base towns Florence , Siena , Montepulciano , and Panzano in Chianti .
• Highlights: Tuscany landscapes of rolling hills, vineyards, cypress grooves, medieval towns, Renaissance art, and local food & culture.

The cinematic Tuscany region is characterized by green rolling hills, cypress trees perfectly lining the dusty roads, mysterious medieval towns, and the beating heart of Renaissance – Florence . What can be more romantic than picking up a convertible and setting off on a road trip through the Tuscan countryside?

Tuscany is compact and easy to navigate, which makes it one of the most popular road trips in Central Italy.

Start your romantic vacation in Florence – the birthplace of Renaissance art. Spend a day or two soaking up all the magnificent artistic things. Then pick up your rental car (you won’t need it while in Florence), and head south to the medieval town of San Gimignano .

Famous for its well-preserved medieval tower houses, and thus referred to as a City of Fine Towers, and even “a Manhattan of the Middle Ages”, San Gimignano will take you back in time. The town view from the road with dozens of towers peaking is also impressive, especially at sunset and dusk. Although it gets quite busy during the day, San Gimignano streets are empty at dusk and are the quietest at dawn, making them perfect times to explore.

Only an hour away from San Gimignano, you will be wandering the maze of steep medieval streets and admiring one of the most beautiful plazas in Tuscany in the town of Siena .

As you may have noticed, I didn’t include Pisa in this itinerary, which I believe is heavily overrated. I still remember my Italian friends telling me about Siena and how it is much more exciting to visit than the Leaning Tower of Pisa . I consider Siena one of the most beautiful towns in all of Italy I have ever visited.

Heading south of Siena you will be driving through Val d’Orcia- the most iconic valley offering romantic scenery of Tuscany . Spend a night in Montepulciano – a stunning medieval town perched atop the hill. Finish off your road trip by heading back north following the roads winding through picturesque Val in Chianti valley all the way to Florence. Two stops along this way are Radda in Chianti are Panzzano in Chianti medieval towns. You can also detour to one of the local wineries for a wine-tasting experience in the area.

Tip: when you set your Google Maps departing from Florence, make sure to choose “avoid highways” so that navigation takes you through the beautiful countryside instead.

10. Umbria road trip- the green heart of Italy

• Route: Perugia-Gubbio-Assisi&Spello-Bevagna & Montefalco-Todi-Orvieto-Civita di Bagno Regio.
• Distance and driving time: 220 KM, 4 HRS.
• Pick up your rental car in Italy at Rome Fiumicino International Airport .
• How many days? 7-9 days.
• Where to stay: base towns Perugia , Assisi , Todi , Orvieto .
• Highlights: authentic Umbria region for Italy off-the-beaten path, medieval towns, green rolling hills, charming historical buildings, Renaissance architecture, local food, and culture.
• Best time to go: April, May, September, or October.

This itinerary in Italy follows the roads of Umbria . The green heart of Italy, and one of the most untouched regions, is often overlooked in favor of the more famous Tuscany. Being less visited, but just as beautiful and romantic as Tuscany, Umbria is a perfect region in Italy to experience the local lifestyle without crowds of tourists.

Pick your rental car in Rome Fiumicino Airport and head to Perugia – the capital of Umbria. Note that roads in Umbria are less well maintained than in Tuscany, thus the drive between towns can be slower at times.

Capital Perugia is a wonderful ancient city situated on a hill and characterizes by many steep staircases.

Gubbio is a trapped-in-time stone town that appears to be carved into the mountain. Spend a day in Gubbio and then continue your road trip to Assisi – a UNESCO-protected mountain town and possibly the most famous one in this itinerary.

Just 15 minutes away from Assisi, Spello is a charming village characterized by pink limestone buildings, terracotta rooftops, and flowers at every doorstep and balcony. Spello has been selected as one of the most beautiful Italian villages ( Borghi piu Belli del’Italia ).

Next on the list are Bevagna and Montefanco medieval towns which can be visited in one day. Montefanco is a walled city also called the balcony of Umbria due to its position high atop the hill and boasting splendid vistas over the Clitumnus Valley.

Continuing southwest of Umbria, the pretty town of Todi can serve as a great midway stop and a base for one night.

The best stops on this Umbria itinerary are left for the last- Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio . If you have less time to spare in Umbria, those towns should be at the top of the list. Orvieto is known for its breathtaking and one of the most beautiful in the world gothic cathedral. The first Etruscan town in Italy, Orvieto is over 3000 old. It is a marvelous place to wander around and admire its flower-filled ancient streets and noble palazzi.

Base yourself in Orvieto or around in the countryside not far from the town.

As a day trip from Orvieto, visit the mysterious and fascinating town of Civita di Bagnoregio, known as “a dying town”. Sitting atop steep tufa rock in a vast canyon, Civita seems to be suspended in the air. The town is accessible through a pedestrian bridge rising steeply to connect to the city walls.

Tip: be mindful of ZTL zones when in Orvieto, I entered the old town as I was not aware of the ZTL many years ago, and I did get a 200 euro fine (after one year of my trip).

11. Madonie mountains Sicily

• Route: Cefalù-Castelbuono- Gangi-Sperlinga-Agira-Gagliano Castelferrato-Petralia Soprana &Petralia Sottana.
• Distance and driving time: 200 KM, 4 HRS 40 MIN.
• Pick up your rental car in Sicily at Palermo International airport or Catania .
• Recommended number of days: 5 days.
• Where to stay: Cefalù , Gangi , Agira .
• Highlights: medieval Madonie mountain villages, hiking, nature, relaxation, local food and traditional Sicilian culture, authentic Sicily, charming seaside town of Cefalù.
• Best time to go: April, May, June, September, or October.

If remote mountains are a definition of romance to you, then the hinterlands of Sicily is where you should go on a road trip next. Madonie mountains in Sicily offer a secluded, authentic, and romantic escape into nature and back in time. A number of medieval Madonie mountain villages suspended in time make it for a perfect road trip. Hikes are also there if you crave to stretch your legs from the drive.

Pick up your rental car in Palermo, and before heading to the hinterlands, stop in Cefalù . Cefalù, mentioned in the West Coast Sicily itinerary, is one of the most well-known scenic old harbor towns in Sicily and is well worth a stop. It might get quite touristy though but you can’t blame it- it is just so romantic and a one-of-a-kind seaside town in Sicily .

The remaining of this road trip is focused on visiting authentic Madonie mountain villages. I recommend Gangi town as a base. Gangi is one of the most mysterious mountain towns in Sicily , famed for the 1 euro houses. It is scenically perched on a cone-shaped hill with numerous 2-story stone houses glued to each other like in a lego game. From Gangi, you can take a day trip to the sister towns of Petralia Soprana and Petralia Sottana . Next day, drive to Sperlinga – a cave town that is a very different and unique ages-old settlement.

The furthest town on this list is my discovery I am proud of- Gagliano Castelferrato , a town glued to the rock. It is a reminiscing of Castelmezzano in the Basilicata region , Italy.

You can also choose to stay in Agira , which is just 6 kilometers away from Gagliano Castelferatto. Agira is the mythological hometown town of tyrant Agyris. It is a lovely hilltop town with lots of tiny streets to wander around. Don’t miss trying Agirian cassatele – a pastry filled with chocolate and almond mix.

• Read my complete guide to visiting Gangi mountain town in Sicily .
• Get more inspiration in my post about 17 most beautiful mountain towns in Sicily .
• Extend your trip around Sicily with my suggested 2 weeks road trip in Sicily itinerary .

12. From Venice to Verona- the most romantic cities in Italy

• Route: Venice- Vicenza-Padua-Verona.
• Distance and driving time: 150 KM, 2 HRS 15 MIN.
• Pick up your rental car in Italy at Venice or Verona International Airport.
• Where to stay: base towns Venice , Verona .
• Highlights: romance, Veneto region in North Italy, gondola rides, incredible architecture, food, and culture.
• Best time to go: February, March-May, October.

I could not complete this romantic road trip in Italy list without adding a ride to the two most romantic towns in Italy- Venice and Verona.

Venice does not need an introduction- it is a masterpiece of romantic towns and a place like no other on the planet. It was the town I visited first on my very first trip to Italy and it was love at first sight, no questions asked.

Nowadays Venice is extremely touristy, yet still worth visiting at the right time. To me visiting in February was the best time- all crowds were gone, the town was sinking in fog, and the atmosphere incredibly mysterious and romantic. Moreover, visiting Venice during Valentine’s Day might be a perfect plan. Make sure to add colorful Burano and Murano islands to your Venice itinerary.

Note: you cannot drive inside Venice’s old town. Thus, if you are starting and ending your road trip in Venice, I recommend picking up your car either later or dropping it off early.

Before heading to Verona- the hometown of Romeo and Julieta, make a stop in Padua and Vicenza towns. Vicenza is known for its 16th-century elegant buildings and dramatic mountainous backdrops. Meanwhile, Padua is an old student town with many architectural monuments to explore.

Finish your road trip to Verona- the city of love in Italy. The famous Romeo and Julieta balcony is overrated, but the town of Verona is beautiful. Head to Giardino Giusti for a romantic picnic and sweeping views over the city (especially during sunset).

If you have more time than 4 or 5 days in Italy, you can look up for Lake Garda road trip (described above in this post) to extend your itinerary in Italy.

13. Northern Sardinia – the most romantic island road trip

• Route: Alghero-Porto Conte National Park—Stintino-Castelsardo-Costa Paradiso-Capo Testa-Maddalena Islands- Sassari-Alghero.
• Distance and driving time: 400 KM, 7 HRS.
• Pick up your rental car in Sardinia at Alghero International Airport , or Olbia International Airport.
• Where to stay: base towns Alghero , Stintino , Castelsardo , La Maddalena .
• Highlights: Secluded beaches, coastal hikes, colorful small towns, historic sites, island life, and local food.

Sardinia is the most romantic Mediterranean island in Italy. Surrounded by turquoise waters and paradisical beaches, the road trip around Sardinia is perfect for a romantic summer vacation in Italy. If you love countless untouched beaches, then Sardinia is your destination.

Although Sardinia appears pretty small at first glance, moving around the island is slow. Thus, this itinerary in Sardinia covers only the Northern side of the island. Start your journey either in Alghero or Olbia- both towns have international airports and are perfect locations to rent a car at.

I have been to Alghero twice and I recommend spending there a couple of nights enjoying the atmospheric coastal historical town vibes. City beach is there as well, but don’t rush to lay your towel just yet. The best awaits once you start driving North.

Porto Conte National Park is famed to be one of the most beautiful places on the island, thus you may want to spare a couple of nights in that area. The nearby fishing village of Stintino can serve as a base for a night or two.

Continuing up North of Sardinia, Castelsardo is a pretty small seaside town characterized by colorful houses cascading down the hill with the medieval castle of Doria overlooking the town. Recommended Castelsardo as a stopover before continuing beach hopping further up north.

Unmissable are Isola Rossa (pink rock beach), Costa Paradiso (paradise coast), and Capo Testa.

On this route, make sure to catch a boat to La Maddalena island. The ferry departs from the Palau harbor and can ship your rental car as well.

On the way back from Palau to Alghero, you can cut through the land with a brief stop in Sassasi, and visit the town’s handsome historic center.

Tip: make sure to book accommodation early if you are traveling during the summer season. Note that wild camping is not legal (according to my Italian friend who still does it regularly but packs up the tent early morning in order not to get caught).

14. Bologna to San Marino road trip

• Route: Bologna-Ferrara-Ravenna-San Marino-Dozza-Bologna.
• Distance and driving time: 345 KM, 5 HRS.
• Pick up your rental car in Italy at Bologna International Airport .
• How many days? 5 days.
• Where to stay: Bologna , Ferrara , Ravenna .
• Highlights: gems of Emilia Romagna region, Renaissance art, and architecture, mosaics, castles, a country within a country.

This brief road trip over the Emilia-Romana region in Italy includes 3 fantastic cities and a country within a country (yes, you read it right).

Start off your journey in Bologna , the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, a town of crooked towers and a university city. Bologna is filled with impressive sights, live and likable, and also less busy than Florence. Quite underrated, making Bologna keep its authenticity intact and streets less touristy. Thus, Bologna makes a great destination for a romantic city getaway.

You can also base yourself in Bologna and complete this itinerary by day tripping to other destinations on this route. Although, if you prefer not to drive back and forth, accommodation in Ferrara and Ravenna is available. I would suggest not staying in San Marino- a day trip from Ravenna or Bologna is a better idea.

On this route, Ferrara is one of the culturally most important Renaissance cities in Italy. At its golden age, Ferrara used to be a cradle for some greatest artists and writers.

Meanwhile, Ravenna is called the world’s capital of Mosaics. The fairly compact town is filled with architectural wonders and UNESCO-protected mosaic treasures dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries A.D. Ravenna is also a resting place for Italy’s greatest poet and philosopher Dante Alighieri.

Continuing to your final destination on this itinerary- San Marino . With a petite old town majestically enthroned on the top of Monte Titano, San Marino is a microstate surrounded by Italy. No surprise the beautifully unique San Marino is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Also, the oldest republic in the World, San Marino is a unique place to visit in Europe. A word of warning though, the old town of San Marino is heavily catered to tourists. Thus, the charm of this micro republic lies in the vistas opening up from the castle’s defense walls and three towers.

There are two ways to get to San Marino- drive up towards the old town and park in parking P9. Or park in the Municipality of Borgo Maggiore in P11 parking. Then take a funicular up to the old town.

Tip: there are no borders separating San Marino and Italy, but if you are a stamp collector, for 5 euros you can get your passport stamped validating your visit to San Marino.

15. Dolomites road trip

• Route: Bolzano- Lago di Carezza – Cortina d’Ampezzo -hiking Tre Cime di Lvadero – Lago di Braies-Paso Gardena -Ortisei- Hiking Seceda-Alpe di Siuzi & Val di Fune-Bolzano.-
• Distance and driving time: 300 KM, 7 HRS 30 MIN.
• Pick up your rental car in Italy at Bolzano , Venice , or Milan International Airport.
• How many days? 7 days.
• Where to stay: base towns Bolzano , Ortisei and Cortina d’Ampezzo .
• Highlights: Italian Alps, the best mountain scenery in Italy, nature, hiking, mountain lakes.
• Best time to go: mid-June-mid-October (except July and August).

Last but not least is the most epic road trip in Northeastern Italy winding through the Dolomites. The drive from Bolzano to Cortina d’Ampezzo via Granade Strada della Dolomiti is one of the most exhilarating and absolutely breathtaking . It will take you 3 hours in total between the two towns. On the way make sure to pay a stop at Lago di Carezza nestled in Val d’Ega Valley. Also referred to as a “rainbow” lake, in reality, an emerald green lake is one of the most beautiful in the Dolomites.

Cortina d’Ampezza is your base town for hiking iconic Tre Cime di Lavadero . An unmissable 10 kilometers loop of medium difficulty is a must on any Dolomites itinerary.

While in Cortina d’Ampezzo, you may want to include a half-day trip to the most intsagrammable lake in Italy- Lago di Braies . The famous lake is very touristy though and if you want to enjoy it in peace and quiet, go very early for sunrise. Renting a wooden boat to paddle around the lake is a nice activity in Lago di Braies.

The next stop is the alpine town Ortisei/St. Ulrich . Before reaching it, you will drive through Paso Gardena – another scenic high pass in the Dolomites of the South Tyrol. Make sure to put Gardena Pass on your google maps to follow the correct route.

Ortisei serves as a popular jump-off town to gorgeous Alpe di Siusi (or Val di Siusi) and Val di Fune with its famous little churches (Santa Maddalena and St. John in Ranui) as well Sucede ridge hike . Dedicate two to three days- one for the hike and one or two to visit both valleys.

Note: The most famous valley in the Dolomites is Alpe di Siusi. It is forbidden to drive through the valley unless you are staying in a hotel. To get to Alpe di Siusi, you can take a cable car which operates daily from 8:30 AM to 6 PM (also subject to the season). Alternatively park in Compatsch and hike for an hour to the famous viewpoint of the valley.

Before your road trip to the Dolomites , depending on where you land, you have options to pick up your rental car in Italy either at Venice International Airport, Milan International Airport, or Bolzano town.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post and got inspired to rent a car in Italy and go on a romantic road trip around this passionate, beautiful, and unforgettable country in Europe! If you have any questions regarding the routes or car rental in Italy, please do not hesitate to comment below and I will get back to you.

More blog posts on my Italy travel guide

• Browse all my blog posts about Italy HERE .
• Planning a trip to Calabria, Italy? Check my super handy  Travel Tips for Visiting Calabria, Italy .
• Thinking of extending your journey to Sicily? Plan an amazing trip with my   2-week Sicily road trip Itinerary .
• Get some inspiration for Sicily and check out  15 of the most beautiful small coastal towns in fishing villages in Sicily .
• Love mountains more? Get inspired or pick to visit some or all of  17 charming mountain towns in Sicily .
• Best of Naples in one day: An easy 1-day in Naples itinerary + map .
• Thinking of renting a car in Naples? Use my Must-Know Tips for Renting a Car in Naples and Driving in Southern Italy .
• Travelling to Calabria? Check my Travel Guide to Scilla and Chianalea – the most seaside beautiful villages in South Italy.
• Guide to Arco Magno Beach in San Nicola Arcella, Calabria.

Italy Travel Essentials & Useful Links

Here are links to essential travel resources and services I always use when organizing my trips.

• HIRE A CAR : The best way to explore Italy is by self-driving. Rent a car at the best rates at Discover Cars .
• CHEAP FLIGHTS: Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest and fastest flights to Sicily from your location.
• ACCOMMODATION: find your perfect stay in Italy on Booking.com .
• VISA: apply for a Schengen visa easily at iVisa . Use OneWayFly to reserve dummy flight tickets/hotels if required for your visa application.
• TRAVEL INSURANCE: get 5% off your insurance by using my link on Heymondo , a travel insurance provider. For the cheapest travel insurance on the market check SafetyWing .
• eSIM CARD: Stay connected before you land. Airlo offers an eSIM card with up to 20 GB (7 to 30 days) data packages for Italy and Europe for reasonable rates.
• GUIDED TOURS:  Find the best day tours in Italy on  GetYourGuide .
• PRIVATE TRANSFER: Book a private transfer to any location in Italy with GetTransfer .
• FLIGHT GOT CANCELLED OR DELAYED? You may receive compensation of up to 600 EUR. Consult and get support from AirHelp or Skycop .
• Learn Italian: take a fun interactive online course Rocket Italian , which will help you quickly learn spoken and written Italian. Study at your own pace either on a desktop or using a mobile app, lifetime access, and a free trial available upon signing up.

Hi! I am a freelance photographer & videographer as well the creator of www.theroadreel.com. Born in Lithuania, and currently residing in the UAE, I have been traveling around the globe independently for over a decade. I created The Road Reel to share my passion for travel and photography through detailed road trips and city itineraries, and hiking guides, along with regular and drone photogragraphy tips.

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Sicily Road Trip: Ultimate 2-Week Itinerary

Delicious Sicily: a fascinating island off the mainland of Italy with stunning architecture, rich culture, and staggeringly beautiful landscapes. Speed along the stunning coastline, sunbathe in tiny coves with clear turquoise water, explore ancient towns with steep streets, and feast on fresh seafood and crispy cannoli. The relaxed Dolce Vita lifestyle is in full swing here, so take your time to enjoy life’s small pleasures. Let your Sicily road trip begin!

Sicily Road Trip

Located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily differs from the rest of Italy with its unique history, culture, and language. A Sicily road trip is the best way to see the island and immerse yourself in its culture, giving you the ultimate freedom to pick and choose what to see.

Here are all your hotel options in Sicily.

Tip: Everything moves at a slower pace, so be prepared for unusual opening times, with many shops and attractions closing between 1-4 PM so families can enjoy a long lunch. Embrace the relaxed way of life with our 14-day Sicily itinerary.

Day 1: Catania

It’s the first day of your Sicily road trip! With a beautiful backdrop of Mount Etna and a lively local atmosphere, the port city of Catania is a great place to kick off your Sicilian adventure. Half a day is enough to explore the center and see the city’s top sights, so don’t worry if you arrive after midday. 

Here are all your hotel options in Catania.

Explore the city streets, admire its stunning palazzos and piazzas, and dive into a wine bar or two! To see the city from a different perspective, head to the peaceful Villa Bellini Gardens or climb to the top of Chiesa della Badia di Sant’Agata church for an eagle-eye view of Catania and the volcano. 

Tip: If you are here early in the morning, don’t miss a visit to the historic La Pescheria, one of the biggest fish markets in Sicily. It’s the perfect place to experience vibrant local life as you watch people negotiate for their favorites!

From the Airport

Catania is a great place to start your Sicily Itinerary (14 days), as you can take a short 10-minute train from the international airport to the center of town (1.90 EUR / 2.09 USD).

Alternatively, rent a car from here, although please note that finding parking in the city can be difficult.

We recommend to rent a car in Sicily through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Where to Stay in Catania

As you are only here for one night of your Siciliy road trip, it’s best to stay in the historic center. The best spot is close to the Cathedral or Via Etnea, where most of the main attractions are. Even though it’s very central, there are plenty of accommodation options for every budget.

Hotels in Catania 😴

Day 2-3: Taormina

Time to hit the road! An hour’s drive north from Catania is the stunningly picturesque clifftop town of Taormina – the next stop of your 14-day Sicily itinerary. Spend a few days exploring this idyllic town, home to atmospheric streets, gelaterias, ceramic shops, and island beaches with crystal clear water.

Read: Best things to do in Taormina, Sicily

Tip: One of our favorite things to do in Taormina was to take in the panoramic views at sunset from Piazza IX Aprile. Make sure to have a cold aperitivo in hand (an integral part of Sicilian culture!).

Here are all your hotel options in Taormina.

Visiting Mount Etna on your Sicily Road Trip

Taormina is also very close to the majestic Mount Etna, and you can do a half-day tour of the volcano from here. Many tours also include local food and wine tastings, as the volcanic earth makes it the perfect place to grow grapes.

How to get from Catania to Taormina

It is an hour’s drive from Catania to Taormina. However, please note that parking in the town is almost impossible. The best option is to park in the Lumbi parking garage just outside. The price is 5 USD for two days, including a free shuttle bus to the center.

Alternatively, if you don’t have a car, you can travel by train on your Sicily itinerary (14 days). There are frequent trains from Catania along the coast, which cost less than 10 USD and take approximately two hours.

Where to Stay in Taormina

Taormina has two main areas: the historic center on the clifftop and the beach. Choose your accommodation depending on where you want to spend most of your time. However, both are good options as a cable car connects the two.

Hotels in Taormina 😴

Day 4-5: Cefalù

Located on the island’s north coast is the beautiful old fishing town of Cefalù – one of the most picturesque destinations on your Sicily road trip! Summer is neverending in this ancient romantic town, home to sun-drenched squares, fantastic restaurants, and traditional ceramic shops. Cefalù is a place to relax and unwind, have late nights and lazy mornings, and enjoy the authentic ‘Dolce Vita’ lifestyle.

Here are all your hotel options in Cefalù.

Make sure to visit the beautiful pier, Molo di Cefalù’, where you can admire a rustic view of the beach backed by typical Sicilian houses. In summer, this is also the best place for sunbathing and diving into the harbor to cool off!

Also read: What to do in Sicily, Italy .

How to get from Taormina to Cefalù

It is a 2.5-hour drive along the stunning coastline to reach Cefalù, which lies right in the middle of the north coast of Sicily. Parking can be an issue here, but you can park for free in Porto Presidiana. From here, a shuttle bus takes you into town for 5 EUR.

Where to Stay in Cefalù

If you don’t feel like walking far, choose accommodation in the old town. However, please note that the new town (although not as pretty) is cheaper.

Hotels in Cefalù 😴

Cefalu, in general, is a touristy location (especially in the summer), so there are plenty of B&Bs and hotels to choose from.

Day 6-7 of your Sicily Road Trip: Palermo

No Sicily road trip would be complete without a visit to Palermo, the island’s capital. The city is full of energy, character, and contrasts, with an eclectic mix of Greek , North African , and Middle Eastern influences that can be seen in its people, culture, and food.  The Mafia has also left its mark, and although it is still a very real presence in the background of Sicilian life, there is now a strong anti-Mafia movement working hard to rebel against it.

Learn more about the anti-mafia movement on this popular walking tour

Palermo is also famous for its incredible street food and fantastic open-air markets. You’ll find many of the stalls selling traditional Sicilian delicacies, like hot chickpea fritters, crispy cannoli, and spleen sandwiches! Make sure to factor in time on your 14-day Sicily itinerary to also explore the charismatic neighborhoods with their tiny winding alleyways and the incredible architecture of the Norman Palace (one of the oldest royal residences in Europe). 

Here are all your hotel options in Palermo.

Tip: Don’t miss the spectacular view from the top of the Palermo Cathedral at sunset. From here, you can see the whole city with a backdrop of mountains behind it.

How to get from Cefalù to Palermo

It is a one-hour drive from Cefalù to Palermo. On the way, stop at Punta Sant’Elia, a stunningly scenic spot on the coast with a tiny cove great for swimming. This is a must-do on your Sicily road trip! 

You can also take a direct train to Palermo, which takes around an hour.

Where to Stay in Palermo

The historic center is the best place to base yourself, as you are within walking distance of the main sights and attractions. La Kalsa neighborhood is a good option for those on a budget.

Hotels in Palermo 😴

Day 8-10: Trapani

Next on your Sicily road trip is the beautiful port city of Trapani on the west coast. The town itself is home to charming streets, stunning stretches of golden sand, and tiny coves perfect for swimming. This is where your car comes in handy, as there are lots of beautiful places to discover in the surrounding area. 

Here are all your hotel options in Trapani.

Once you’ve explored the old town, head out to the Scopello area for a walk in the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro. This natural haven has an incredible view over the spectacular Tonnara di Scopello, which is one of the most beautiful coves on the island. Popular with locals, it’s an amazing place to spend a sunny afternoon swimming and sunbathing and a memorable destination on your 14-day Sicily itinerary.

Other nearby spots worth visiting are the medieval hilltop town of Erice or Favignana Island, which can be explored by bicycle. Alternatively, relax at the breathtaking beach at San Vito Lo Capo.

Tip: If you have enough time, make a quick trip to the fascinating ruins of the Temple of Segesta.

How to get from Palermo to Trapani

It is a 1.5-hour drive from Palermo to Trapani . On the way, stop at Baia di San Cataldo, an old bunker built on a clifftop with gorgeous coastal views.

Alternatively, there is a direct train from Palermo, which takes approximately 2 hours.

Book your train tickets in advance of your trip

Where to Stay in Trapani

Stay in the historic center of Trapani , or go for more rural accommodation in the countryside or by the sea.

Hotels in Trapani 😴

If you’re looking for something unique on your Sicily itinerary (14 days), this converted watchtower near Scopello is very special.

Day 11: Agrigento

Next on your Sicily road trip is the ancient town of Agrigento! This beautiful town is one of the oldest in Sicily, with stunning examples of Arabic architecture, beautiful churches, and palazzos.

We’ve added it as a stop on this 14-day Sicily itinerary because of its proximity to the extraordinary Valley of the Temples, an impressive collection of ancient Greek structures built on the hillside over 2000 years ago. 

Spend the late afternoon exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site , with ancient ruins scattered among a grove of lemon and olive trees. If you can, stay to watch the sun go down over the valley, which illuminates the temples before they are lit up as night falls.

See tickets and availability for a tour of the Valley of the Temples

Afterward, return to town for a relaxed Sicilian dinner, finished with the locally renowned pecorino gelato at Le Cuspidi !

How to Visit Valley of the Temples

The Valley of the Temples is open 8:30 AM – 7 PM. During the high season (July-September), it stays open until 11 PM weekly and midnight at the weekend. It costs 10 EUR to enter.

If you don’t want to drive to the Valley of the Temples, you can take the bus from Agrigento for 1.50 EUR.

How to get from Trapani to Agrigento on your Sicily road trip

It is just over 2 hours to drive from Trapani to Agrigento. On the way, stop at the Turkish Steps (Scala dei Turchi), a set of white limestone cliffs formed into natural steps that lead down to the sea. This is the exact location .

Where to Stay in Agrigento

There are many hotels and B&Bs in town. Alternatively, spend the night in an agriturismo to wake up to lovely views of the Sicilian countryside.

Hotels in Agrigento 😴

Day 12: Ragusa

The hilltop town of Ragusa, located in the beautiful Val di Noto area, is known as the birthplace of Sicilian Baroque architecture. The town is split into two parts, separated by a deep ravine. Because of this, we recommend starting from the upper town, where you can see incredible views, before walking down the steep stone steps to the historic center. 

Here are all your hotel options in Ragusa.

You can spend hours wandering around the small streets of the old city, admiring incredible buildings like the stunning Baroque Cathedral. Take plenty of breaks for plates of stuffed flatbreads, Ragusano cheese, and fresh seafood throughout the day.

In the evening, walk it all off with a traditional passeggiata (evening stroll) through the town. This Italian custom is best at the weekend when couples, families, and friends come onto the streets to socialize and flirt; it’s the best time for people-watching! 

How to get from Agrigento to Ragusa

This stretch of the Sicily road trip from Agrigento to Ragusa along the south coast takes just under two and a half hours. Unfortunately, the public transport options are more limited in this area. However, there are buses available. 

Where to Stay in Ragusa

Stay in the Ragusa Superiore, the newer area with fantastic views over the old city. Alternatively, choose the Ragusa Ibla, where you are surrounded by stunning architecture and the charming atmosphere of the old town. There are plenty of boutique hotels and lovely guesthouses to choose from in both areas.

Hotels in Ragusa 😴

Day 13-14: Siracusa (Final Days of your Sicily Road Trip)

As the end of your Sicily road trip draws near, embrace the true Dolce Vita lifestyle in the picturesque town of Siracusa. The old town is located on Ortigia Island, connected to the rest of Siracusa by two small bridges. There aren’t many cars here, so the quiet streets and tiny alleyways are perfect to stroll through at your own pace.

Here are all your hotel options in Siracusa.

Admire the ancient ruins of a Greek temple before browsing the Ortigia market for fresh fish, local wine, and heaped piles of herbs and spices. 

Spend the rest of your 14-day Sicily itinerary in Siracusa swimming off the rocky beaches and relaxing before returning home. Alternatively, squeeze in one last activity by cycling along the Rossana Maiorca coast path, and treat yourself to your last few plates of Sicilian pasta, creamy gelatos, and ice-cold granitas.

Tip: Close by is the Neapolis Archaeological Park, a collection of impressive Ancient Greek ruins. It’s well worth a visit to discover the fascinating history of this area of Sicily.

How to get from Ragusa to Siracusa

It is a 1.5-hour drive from Ragusa to Siracusa. On the way, you’ll pass through the town of Modica, famous for Aztec chocolate!

From Siracusa to the Airport

From Siracusa, it is a 1-1.5 hour drive (or train journey) to the international airport in Catania – and the end point of your 2-week Sicily road trip!

Where to Stay in Siracusa

Base yourself on the island of Ortigia, which is the most picturesque part of the town. Ask your hotel about where it is best to park before arriving.

Hotels in Siracusa 😴

How to Visit Sicily in a 2-week road trip

This Sicily road trip starts and ends in Catania, which has the main international airport on the island. However, there are five other airports in various cities. 

Alternatively, you can take a ferry from mainland Italy to any port city on the island. Best of all, most of these allow cars, making it the perfect option if you are planning an extended road trip around the whole country.

There is also a train from the mainland, which is transported over the Strait of Messina by ferry!

Book your transport to Sicily in advance here

Getting Around Sicily

The best way to follow a 14-day Sicily itinerary is by car! Having your own wheels gives you the ultimate freedom to explore at your own pace. It can also save you time in the long run, allowing you to visit those out-of-the-way destinations. 

In bigger cities like Catania and Palermo, it’s better to leave the car near your hotel while exploring, as busy roads make it difficult to navigate and park. 

Note: The historic centers of small towns often have limited parking. Because of this, it’s best to check with your hotel where it is best to park before your arrival.

By Train and Bus

If you’re not able to do a Sicily road trip, you can also travel around Sicily by public transport. However, this generally takes longer, and timetables aren’t always reliable. Trains run between most big towns, but days 11-14 of the Sicily itinerary may be more difficult as you will need to take buses.

See availability for bus and train trips in Sicily

Our Favorite Accommodations

Sicily has a huge range of accommodation options depending on your budget. Although there are not many hostels in the smaller towns, there are plenty of affordable guesthouses and B&Bs, beautiful hotels, rustic agriturismos, and luxury private villas. Here are our favorites from each destination on the Sicily road trip:

• Catania: Dome , Bed, Book & Breakfast Landolina , The Yard Hostel
• Taormina: B & B Teatro Greco 39 , Hotel Le Chevalier , Vilagos Apartments and Loft
• Cefalù: Al 33 Giri , Cortile Umberto I , Lirma B & B
• Palermo: Sui Tetti di Balarm Boutique Rooms , Family Affair , Canceddi B & B
• Trapani: Villa le Torri B & B , BADIA NUOVA Apart Hotel , Le Cupole Suites and Apartments
• Agrigento: Villa La Lumia Suites and Apartments , Casa Tita , B & B Triskéles
• Ragusa: Bed and Breakfast Terra del Sole Ibla , A.D. 1768 Boutique Hotel , Pura Vida Barocca
• Siracusa: Palazzo Alfeo Aparthotel , La Maison , La Residenza del Reginale

How Much Does a 2-week Sicily road trip Cost?

Sicily is a relatively affordable destination, with your most significant expenses being accommodation and car rental. It also depends on the time of year you visit. For example, the summer months are generally more expensive (with prices peaking in September). 

Costs of Traveling in Sicily

Travel on a budget in Sicily, from $370 − $430 USD weekly per person, mid-range $720 − $1690 USD, and high-end from $1690 − $2090 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $50 − $100 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $20 − $30 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $10 − $30 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $100 − $150 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $10 − $20 USD
• Activities: $10 − $20 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

Is Sicily Safe?

In general, Sicily is a very safe place to visit. Although the mafia is still active on the island, they have much less influence than before, and they don’t generally pose a threat to tourists. As in most places, keep an eye on personal belongings when out and about, and don’t leave anything in your car overnight. 

Travel Insurance Don't forget a travel insurance for your Italy trip! Heymondo covers medical emergencies, theft, delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and more, with 24/7 worldwide assistance and medical chat. As a Salt in our Hair reader, we've got you 5% off! Check Heymondo here

Tip: Mount Etna is an active volcano, so always follow local advice and guidelines and check government websites before traveling. 

Best Time to Visit Sicily for 2 Weeks

The best time for a Sicily road trip is during the shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall when the weather is warm and sunny, and there are fewer crowds. However, bear in mind that September is actually the busiest month and, therefore, the most expensive. 

June-August is extremely hot. However, there is a lively atmosphere, and it is fantastic if you are looking to spend most of your 14-day Sicily itinerary at the beach. 

Alternatively, you may want to base your trip around one of Sicily’s incredible festivals, like Carnival in February, lively Easter celebrations, or the many seasonal street food festivals known as ‘sagre.’

By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support. ♥️

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Sicily via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

12 Top Things to do in Bellagio, Italy (Lake Como)

Best things to do in montepulciano, italy, 8 best things to do in florence, italy.

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18-step Italy Adriatic Coast Road Trip Itinerary

This Italy Adriatic coast road trip itinerary was created to invite avid travelers to discover many Italian destinations that are still off the tourist radar.

The East Coast of Italy has always been there, yet you have always overlooked it, dazzled by snapshots of the West Coast. 

Nevertheless, the Italian Adriatic Coast is extraordinary and will also allow you to travel in Italy while saving a lot of money.

In this itinerary, I propose the 18 most interesting places on Italy’s Adriatic Coast that will make you explore Eastern Italy off the beaten path.

You will discover the east coast from north to south, starting from the city of Trieste and ending at the southern tip of Italy’s heel in Puglia.

I’ve included seaside towns, cities, and of course incredible beaches in Puglia and the other regions you’ll pass through: Marche , Abruzzo , Emilia Romagna , and Veneto .

If you’d rather travel the Adriatic Coast of Italy by train, know that most of the towns and cities I’ve listed are well connected by public transportation.

18-step Italy Adriatic Coast road trip itinerary

The city of Trieste is located almost at the extreme eastern edge of the Italian Adriatic Coast, very close to the border with Slovenia.

This border location, so close also to Austria and Eastern Europe, makes Trieste a unique city in Italy . 

Summer is the best time to visit Trieste. In winter, is always threatened by the dreaded “Bora” wind, which picked as its favorite destination this part of the eastern coast of Italy.

Instead, in the warmer months, many Italians choose to vacation in Trieste to enjoy the pleasant evening breeze, while in other Italian cities, one hardly leaves home because of the heat.

The city, which overlooks the Gulf of Trieste, is people-friendly and… pet-friendly ! You will be surprised to find so many walk-only areas in the historic center, so you will be comfortable walking around even with small children.

Four-legged friends are welcome in most supermarkets, restaurants, and public transportation, which is also quite rare in Italy!

Another attraction of Trieste is the historic cafes , which were born in the period of great cultural ferment between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

These include Antico Caffè San Marco and Caffè Tommaseo . These venues are large and have historic furnishings, and are far from typical Italian cafes and more like Austrian and Central European ones.

Trieste is the birthplace of Umberto Saba, one of the greatest Italian poets that there founded the bookshop Libreria Antiquaria Umberto Saba .

If you are looking for nice beaches near Trieste , just very close there are none. To take a dip and cool off in the summer months, travel along the coast for about 5 km and go to the area known as Pineta di Barcola .

There is no real beach, but it is here that locals go for a swim.

2 Lignano Sabbiadoro

Driving along Eastern Italy’s coast from Trieste in the direction of Venice, you will come across a beach that is very popular among locals, namely Lignano Sabbiadoro Beach.

It is named for the golden color of the sand ( sabbiadoro means golden sand ).

This well-maintained 7-km-long beach is a favorite place for locals to spend a weekend or the entire summer.

Beach clubs, children’s playgrounds ( Pirates Island ), places to have a drink, and seafood restaurants abound along the beach.

3 Lido di Jesolo

Moving slightly further south we enter the Veneto Region and reach the beaches of Venice : Lido di Jesolo and Cavallino.

If you wonder which are the most beautiful beaches near Venice, you can find them here. 

The sea is not as clean as in southern Italy, but still, it is safe for swimming.

This beach is long, sandy, and spacious, as well as equipped with all facilities.

If you travel with a dog you will surely know how to enjoy these 24 km of beach at the gates of Venice.

Lignano Sabbiadoro is also a pleasant place to use as a base for visiting nearby Venice , avoiding crowded hotels and the dizzying prices of the city on the water.

One of the most famous cities in the world you can visit just by taking a road trip on the Italian east coast.

If you are traveling in Eastern Italy with little money and a private car, it is best to stay outside Venice.

If you don’t want to stay in one of the small towns along the beaches near Venice we just mentioned, then consider the village of Mira .

Mira is located 20 km west of Venice and runs along the Naviglio del Brenta River, which then flows into the Venice Lagoon.

Near Mira, there are airbnbs, hotels, and a campground. From here you can reach Venice by bus in about 40 minutes.

You can then visit all the architectural wonders of Venice, such as Piazza San Marco, the Doge’s Palace, the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, the Scala Contarini del Bovolo, and back to the small off-the-tourist-track village.

The city of Padua stands 40 km from the Adriatic coast, and it would be a shame not to visit during your trip in search of Eastern Italy’s hidden gems .

From Padua, you can easily reach Venice by train in half an hour, and vice versa.

This small city in northern Italy has a historic center that you can get around on foot within 3-4 hours.

What will win you over about Padua is its architecture and youthful atmosphere (in fact, one of Europe’s first universities was founded here, in the Palazzo Bo building).

Along the alleys and small streets of Padua, you will see porticoes , which add charm to the houses and protect passersby from the rain, as in the better-known city of Bologna.

Padua is famous in Italy for its medieval frescoes , especially those by Giotto in the Scrovegni Chapel , but it also has other noteworthy historical landmarks, such as:

• Ragione Palace
• Piazza delle Erbe
• Basilica of San’Antonio
• Jewish Ghetto
• Prato della Valle Square
• Padua is also noted for its many pretty cafes and the monumental historic café “ Caffè Pedrocchi .”

Chioggia is a municipality in the metropolitan city of Venice, located about 30 km south of Venice.

It is also called “Little Venice ” precisely because of its characteristic and picturesque canals.

The historic center of Chioggia stands on a group of small islands connected by bridges.

The major points of interest in Chioggia are:

• The 17th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
• The Clock Tower or Tower of Sant’ Andrea, a 14-century bell tower 30 meters high that houses one of the oldest clocks in the world.
• Piazzetta Vigo, is the social heart of the city, with many bars and restaurants.
• The fish market, where 30 exhibitors display their catch under the shelter of a red marquee.

If you visit Chioggia in the summer, you should also drop by the Island of Sottomarina , where a large equipped beach will be the perfect place to spend a relaxing day, always far away from tourists.

The east coast of Italy is home to a city with an incredible historical heritage; it is Ravenna, one of northern Italy’s most stunning cities .

Ravenna, throughout its history, has been the capital of 3 empires:

• Western Roman Empire,
• Empire of the Goths
• Byzantine Empire

Eight of the city’s monuments are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site:

• Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
• Neonian Baptistery
• Baptistery of the Arians
• Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
• Archiepiscopal Chapel of St. Andrew
• Mausoleum of Theodoric
• Basilica of San Vitale
• Basilica of Sant Apollinare in Classe

The mosaics of Ravenna represent the richest heritage of mosaics in the world , dating from the 5th and 6th centuries.

Ravenna is therefore a highly recommended stop for all art lovers who are reading this itinerary for a road trip to the Adriatic coast in Italy.

If you are on a diet, it may be best to avoid visiting Ravenna. In fact, the cuisine of Romagna is irresistible.

You may have heard of the flatbread piadina , to be filled with cold cuts and cheese. You can try it at “La Piadina del Melarancio.” And then there are cappelletti and tagliatelle with meat sauce. You can try them at the Ca de Ven restaurant.

If you are traveling with children, you have the opportunity to make them happy by taking them to Mirabilandia amusement park , located about 15 km south of Ravenna.

8 Lido di Dante

The most beautiful beach near Ravenna is named after Dante, the famous poet who is buried in the city.

You get to this beach by driving along a dusty road bordered by fields.

Then you are faced first with a pine forest and then with a quiet free beach.

This beach is frequented by the locals, those who like peace and quiet and do not need beach clubs. An off-the-beaten-path beach. 

Take water, a sun umbrella, and something to eat with you, and you will feel in paradise for a day.

If you say the name of this city in front of an Italian friend, what he will immediately think of is wide beaches, the sea, and nightclubs.

It is for the summer recreation and vacation offerings that this city has made its name over the past 60 years.

But Rimini is much more than that. Rimini is home to some of the most interesting historical landmarks in Italy . Here are some of them:

• Surgeon’s Domus – An archaeological site that includes a villa where a surgeon probably lived, as suggested by the many instruments found and the theme of a beautiful mosaic that has been restored and can be admired.
• Tiberius Bridge – Emperor Augustus commissioned the bridge’s construction, beginning in 14 B.C. Emperor Tiberius completed it. The beautiful and functional Istrian stone bridge can be admired from the Piazza on the water at the foot of the arches, where there is also a trail telling the history of the bridge.
• 15th-century Rimini Cathedral -the facade is inspired by the Roman triumphal arch. The interior preserves masterpieces such as a crucifix by Giotto and a fresco by Piero della Francesca.
• Arch of Augustus – the oldest arch in northern Italy dates back to 27 BC. This is where those arriving in Rimini from the Flaminian Consular Way used to arrive.

Another jewel of Rimini is the Borgo San Giuliano district , which runs from one end of the Tiberius Bridge toward the sea. This area, an ancient fishing village, was chosen by the great director Federico Fellini for some of his films, such as Amarcord.

Here you will find murals inspired by Fellini’s films . The neighborhood is also a destination for fans of quiet aperitifs and candlelight dinners in restaurants with few tables.

The most buzzing nightlife in fact happens on the other side of town.

10 San Marino 

If you pass through Rimini, you can’t help but make a detour and visit the famous San Marino , the oldest republic in the world and also one of the smallest, with just over 30,000 inhabitants. 

Once you arrive, enter through the only gateway to the country , defended by guards in blue and orange uniforms, and you will feel like you have gone back in time.

Legend has it that San Marino was founded in 301 AD by Marino, a stone cutter escaping Christian persecution in Dalmatia. 

Marino gathered a small Christian community on Mount Titan, the highest of the 7 hills that make up San Marino.

The republic has maintained its independence ever since. Since 1992 it has been part of the United Nations.

San Marino is a picturesque destination with winding alleys filled with artisan workshops where you can buy beautiful souvenirs .

The heart of San Marino is Piazza della Libertà , where (if you pass through in the summer) you can watch the evocative changing of the guard that takes place every 30 minutes.

A must-do in San Marino is to walk along the “ witches’ pass .” This scenic route starts from the Castle at the highest point of the town and connects the three medieval towers (the ones featured on the republic’s coat of arms).

How to get to San Marino

The most fun part of the trip to San Marino begins after you park your car. In fact, there are two ways to get to San Marino by public transportation.

• The cable car , which leaves from Borgo Maggiore, will take your gaze over 200 kilometers of Adriatic Coast.
• There is also an electric train that connects Rimini and San Marino.

11 Cattolica 

Bet you’ve never heard of Cattolica, a beloved beach destination in Italy.

Beaches on Italy’s Adriatic coast stand out for the services offered to families with children, and Cattolica is at the top of the list.

This Italian coastal town repopulates from May to September when hotels and beach clubs begin to welcome back many local travelers in search of relaxation and vacation.

The food market is one of the liveliest spots in town, and here you will find local produce useful if you want to try to imitate the excellent cuisine of Romagna.

You could also head to Cattolica’s port in the early morning hours and buy fish directly from the fishermen.

Instead, if you prefer to eat out, sit down at the Osteria del Murè on Via Lungo Tavollo 2, near the port, it specializes in freshly caught fish dishes.

Children, in addition to the beach, will love visiting the Cattolica Aquarium and watching the spectacle of the fountains that are colored with different lights starting at sunset.

The hinterland also deserves attention. Five kilometers southwest of Cattolica is Gradara , one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy .

The village spreads within the perfectly preserved walls of the fortified castle, also known as Rocca Malatestiana.

Noble and powerful Italian families such as the Malatesta, Sforza, and Della Rovere families lived here.

The castle is accessed via a drawbridge that will take you back to the Middle Ages.

Of the castle you can visit rooms steeped in history:

• Torture Room
• Passion Room
• Lucrezia Borgia Room.

The absolute protagonists of this village’s past are Paolo and Francesca, whose tragic love story is recounted in Dante’s Inferno .

The city of Ancona, the capital of the Marche Region, is much underrated. One should pass through here if only because it overlooks the sea. 

And the sea is also clean despite the fact that it hosts a port from which ferries also depart for Croatia.

The city also features masterpieces of art and architecture, including contemporary ones. Mark these places:

• Cathedral of St. Cyriac – In the 4th century B.C., the Doric Greeks chose the top of a hill overlooking the Adriatic Sea to build a temple to Venus Euplea, protector of sailors. Centuries later the temple became an early Christian basilica and, in the 14th century, was transformed into a beautiful cathedral that combines Romanesque and Byzantine styles.
• Mole Vanvitelliana – In the first half of the 18th century, architect Vanvitelli (creator of the Reggia di Caserta), built at the behest of the Pope an artificial island with a pentagonal structure. This fortified structure functioned as a cargo warehouse and quarantine for those landing at the port. Today it hosts cultural events, art exhibitions, and the Omero Tactile Museum , the only example of its kind in Italy.
• Piazza del Plebiscito – Also known as Piazza del Papa, it is the social heart of Ancona. The square is overlooked by the Government Palace, the Clock Tower, cafes, and restaurants.
• Street art neighborhood – the Capodimonte neighborhood in Ancona has become famous for its murals. You can find them in the underpass that connects Via Cialdini to Via Astagno.

13 Conero Coast – better than the Amalfi Coast

From beautiful Ancona, driving south, you will come to a point where the coast has a promontory-it is the Conero Regional Park . This stop just cannot miss on your Adriatic Coast itinerary.

Conero is one of the most beautiful places to see in Le Marche. The main attraction of this region is the beaches surrounded by woods and washed by the turquoise sea .

Pin the most beautiful beaches in Le Marche from which to enjoy a spectacular sunrise:

• Mezzavalle Beach
• Due Sorelle Beach
• Urbani Beach
• Spiaggia del Frate

These are just some of the gems of the Conero region, but you will see that they are also among the most beautiful beaches on the Italian Adriatic Coast!

In addition to the beaches, it is worth visiting the small villages that have extraordinary sea views, such as Sirolo and Numana .

14 Trabocchi Coast Abruzzo 

The beauties of the east coast of Italy continue and multiply by heading even further south and entering the Abruzzo Region . 

We are officially in southern Italy.

Abruzzo is famous for genuine, flavorful food . Certainly, this quality combines well with relaxation on one of the region’s many blue-flag beaches . 

In fact, the Costa dei Trabocchi , which stretches 60 km from the town of Ortona to Vasto, boasts 100 percent blue flag beaches.

Here are my favorite ones:

• San Vito Chietino beach
• Fossacesia Marina beach
• Punta Aderci Beach (Nature Reserve).

Most of these are pebble beaches, and the sea is crystal clear.

The Costa dei Trabocchi is named for the presence of old wooden pilings on the sea from which fishermen lowered nets into the water. 

Today the trabocchi house mouthwatering seafood restaurants , such as Trabocco Punta Fornace.

The town of Ortona is also worth a visit, especially during a summer evening. Stroll along Corso Garibaldi, which has a beautiful view of the sea, and enjoy the best gelato in town , that of Giogoloso.

15 Gargano: best Beaches on the Italian Adriatic Coast

Now we have arrived in Puglia, world-famous for its beaches and picturesque villages built with white stone .

It is the white color of the cliffs overlooking the sea that will attract your attention as you travel along the Adriatic coast of Italy.

The Gargano is a promontory that is home to a national park . The greatest treasure here is the beaches, among the most beautiful in southern Italy.

I recommend that you first stop in Vieste , a picturesque coastal town, and explore the beaches to the north and south of the town. Your eyes will be filled with white and blue.

The most beautiful Gargano beaches are:

• Spiaggia del Castello in Vieste, home to the so-called Pizzomunno, a distinctive 25-meter-high limestone monolith
• Crovatico beach
• Baia dei colombi (Pigeon Bay)
• Baia delle Zagare
• Beach of the Arch of San Felice
• Baia della Pergola

The towns that line the Apulian coast are built on flat limestone boulders that plunge into the clear blue sea. Consider visiting, in addition to Vieste:

• Manfredonia

For lovers of nature walks, the Umbra Forest , a natural wonder home to monumental trees, would be worth adding to the itinerary. 

This forest is included in the UNESCO heritage site “Primordial beech forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe.”

The forest, which is rich in animal and plant biodiversity, is the perfect place to shelter from the scorching sun in July and August.

16 Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare is the most famous coastal town in Puglia . 

Like those you have just passed through on your road trip itinerary on Italy’s Adriatic coast, it spreads out on a limestone rock that dominates the coast.

This rock hides fascinating caves bathed by the sea that becomes increasingly crystal clear as we travel south.

Polignano is known in Italy as the “ town of poems .” In fact, in every nook and cranny of the houses in the historic center, a guy named “Guido il Flaneur” has transcribed original poetic verses or those of great authors, in agreement with the owners of the houses (and therefore the walls eh!)

The town is not very small. The part towards the hinterland has been inhabited since the 18th century.

The oldest part, the part founded by the Greeks, overlooks the sea, a maze of narrow streets to explore.

Historical landmarks to see in Polignano include:

• Aldo Moro Square, the social hub of the town
• 13th-century Church of Santa Maria Assunta (Polignano Cathedral)
• Clock Tower
• 19th-century Bourbon Bridge (from which to admire the narrow, long beach “Lama di Polignano,” a symbol of the town
• 10th-century Benedictine Abbey of San Vito.

Polignano is also a foodie destination. Try the special “ tiella barese ” with rice potatoes and mussels and the special coffee with cream, amaretto, and lemon zest.

Besides being the gateway to the most beautiful part of the Apulian coast, Lecce is in every way the most beautiful city in Puglia .

In Italy, Lecce is characterized as the “ capital of Baroque ,” as this style and period of Italian art, produced unique and unparalleled masterpieces here. 

So if you love architecture and open-air museums, this city is for you.

Enter through Porta Napoli , a 16th-century portal, and head to Via Umberto 1, where you will find two of the city’s iconic Baroque buildings:

• Palazzo Adorno
• Basilica di Santa Croce
• Other monuments you will enjoy photographing include:
• The Roman amphitheater and theater
• Castle of Charles 5
• Cathedral of Lecce

The typical food of Lecce is very tempting and very spiced with herbs.

• Rustici leccesi are small puff pastry buns filled with tomato, mozzarella cheese, and béchamel.
• Puccia is a typical soft bread to be filled with toppings as desired.
• Desserts include pasticciotto leccese , to be eaten hot, filled with lemon cream, ricotta, or chocolate.

The town is full of places to enjoy great food, such as Osteria da Angiulino for meat dishes and Osteria 203 for fish dishes.

The Salento Coast is said to have the most enchanting beaches in peninsular Italy, and it probably does.

This part of the East coast of Italy begins at Lecce and continues south to the point where the Adriatic Sea merges with the Ionian Sea.

Salento is taken by storm during the summer months, particularly by young people in their 20s and 30s, eager for the sea and sun and to dance to taranta and reggae music, which are widespread in this region.

It is believed that the hospitality of the locals is due to the fact that Salento has been a crossroads of different cultures. So, if you wish to learn about the character and culture of southern Italians , this is a very welcoming place to do so.

This is certainly reflected in the architecture of the villages and towns . They are well worth a visit:

• Marina di Castro

As for the sea in Salento, it is crystal clear. Some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy can be found in Salento. 

Some stretches of the coast are rocky and host striking caves .

Swimming and snorkeling here will be a blast. Remember to visit:

• Torre Specchia Beach
• Bay of the Turks
• Torre dell’ Orso
• Caves of Terrarico
• Cipolliane Caves

For this Adriatic Coast Italy road trip itinerary, I have chosen 18 of the stops that I feel are a must to get passionate about this wonderful part of the Mediterranean.

There are other towns and villages worth visiting, but I wanted to make a selection, partly because it will be difficult to see everything in one trip to the Italian east coast.

The best time to travel is between May and October .

In July and August you will meet many more local travelers, but never as many as the crowds that flock to the west coast and islands (except around Rimini and Salento).

During this road trip, you will make a true immersion in local Italian culture , amplified because, in many of these destinations, you don’t see as many foreign travelers, for example in Le Marche and Abruzzo. 

Always remember to explore the hinterland as well, for an even more off-the-beaten-path experience of the east side of Italy.

Let me know which destinations you have chosen to add to your itinerary on the Italian Adriatic coast Italy.

Related Articles from the Blog

If you liked this ItalyEast Coast road trip, I suggest you read some of my other travel articles.

• Top places to visit in Italy in the summer
• Best natural wonders in Italy
• A guide to visiting the Trabocchi Coast in Abruzzo
• The top undiscovered Italian beach town
• 22 Best Weekend Trips from Rome Italy in 2023

I’m Lisa, an Italian from Rome who one day discovered she finds incredible joy in traveling to new places. With this blog, I help you discover Italy (especially Rome and its surroundings) as a local would. Find out more about me here .

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2-Week Switzerland and Italy Road Trip with INSANE Hiking!

Please note that some of the links may be affiliate links , and at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products & companies I love and use, and the income goes back into making this little blog successful!

This 2-week Switzerland and Italy road trip, hiking through the Alps and Dolomites and relaxing on the famous Lake Como and Lake Garda, was one of my best trips through Europe so far!

In total, our Italy and Switzerland road trip lasted 14 days, and the breakdown for our trip goes like this:

• 4 days: Tyrol / Val di Funes / Ortisei (Italian Dolomites)
• 4 days: Lake Como / Lake Garda (Italy Lakes)
• 6 days: Lauterbrunnen / Lucern / Stoos (Swiss Alps)

In this post is my breakdown of the full itinerary, costs, lodging, and our thought process for how we made decisions on routes . There were a few lessons learned along the way – like how parking works or where cash vs credit card is available – but all in all, this was a very smooth road trip through Switzerland and Italy, and I wouldn’t change it one bit!

➡️ NOTE: Planning a trip to the Dolomites is a bit tough. I can plan a custom itinerary for you – suggest lodging and iconic hikes, and answer any questions. All you do is book it and enjoy it! ❤️

Switzerland and Italy Road Trip

Table of Contents

Road Trip Priorities

We spent quite a few hours planning the best route so we could maximize time in one location, minimize driving a huge amount in one day, and also see all of the beautiful spots we had on our highlights list.

We also tried to be budget-conscious when it came to rental cars and locations because we knew Switzerland was going to be a bit pricey. Here are our priorities in a nutshell:

✅ Best Scenery in the Italian Dolomites & Swiss Alps

We started this trip with the idea of visiting the cute towns we loved in a few Instagram posts from Switzerland and Northern Italy, and that was the theme of our 14 days – Instagram-worthy views!

✅ Spectacular Mountain Ridge Hikes

We were a bit ambitious on the hikes, having plans to do one big hike every other day, but this led us to some of the most iconically beautiful treks in the mountains:

• Adolf Munkel Hike to Geisler Alm ( Italian Dolomites )
• Cadini di Misurina Ridge Hike ( Italian Dolomites)
• Seceda Ridgeline Hike ( Italian Dolomites )
• Grutschalp, Murren, Gimmelwald Hike ( Swiss Alps )
• Oeschinensee Lake Loop Hike ( Swiss Alps )
• Stoos Ridge Hike ( Swiss Alps )

✅ Famous Lakes

In between the Italian Dolomites and Swiss Alps, we took a break for a few days on Lake Garda and Lake Como . Both of these lakes are tucked in between mountains in very different ways, and both have a charm that is unmatched in this world. And to top it off, we ended our trip around Lake Lucern in the Swiss Alps!

✅ Priority on Hiking, not Driving for Hours

Outside of beautiful views, we were set on being active! We prioritized hiking over traversing long distances of land in the car every day. And I think this focus made our route enjoyable because it didn’t feel like we were go-go-go on the road most of the time.

Switzerland and Italy Road Trip Itinerary

Let’s dive into the details of the day-to-day, including places to eat, where hikes begin and end, and how the heck the logistics of parking, tolls, and gondola passes work.

Day 1: Tyrol Mountains

My travel buddy arrived at the Munich Airport in the morning, and by lunch, we had our rental car and were on the road toward the Italian Dolomites.

The drive from Munich through Austria and into Northern Italy took about 3.5 hours (including a small speeding ticket and two snack stops along the way).

Once we arrived at our lodging, we splurged on a steak dinner in the little town of Fallerhof, drank a bottle of wine, and were in bed early for the next day’s hike.

Lunch & Dinner Recommendation : Restaurant Waldschenke , Restaurant Viel Nois

Where to Stay In The Dolomites

📍 Proihof Funes Lodge (4 days) – We prioritized the views of Proihof, Funes , for our lodging. The perks include free parking, close to a few of the hikes we wanted to do, close to a little town for dinners and a grocery store, and a delicious fresh breakfast. Oh, and not to mention sunrises and sunsets with the most spectacular view of the Val di Funes Valley and the Odle mountains ( picture below ).

Day 2: Val di Funes & Geisler Alm

Our first couple of easy hikes were around Val di Funes . A quick 10-minute walk from our Fallerhof lodging is the Santa Maddalena Viewpoint , and just a few minutes further up the trail is yet another spectacular trail and viewpoint . This is a great way to spend the morning and a phenomenal spot for pictures.

We did a more strenuous 4+ hour hike in the afternoon, the Adolf Munkel Hike . You can park here and walk 5 minutes to the trailhead leading to Dusler Alm (#36).

We did the hike counterclockwise because we read it offered the most impressive views of the Odle Mountains . We also recommend starting around 3 pm or later so you get the full effect of the mountains lit up by the afternoon sun!

Our favorite stop along the way was Geisler Alm , a great restaurant and viewpoint. This is where we went a bit photo crazy, met another hiking group from Serbia, and promised we’d meet back at Geisler Alm at the same time next year! Now that’s a promise I would hate to break! ❤️

• Hike | Adolf Munkel Hike & Geisler Alm
• Trailhead | Zannes/Zans in Val di Funes, South Tyrol (Paid Parking)
• Distance | 9.2 km circuit
• Time Needed | 3 – 3:30 hours
• Elevation   Gain/Loss | 378 meters
• Difficulty | Moderate
• Trails | 36, 35, ending on 6

Day 3: Cadini di Misurina Hike

Empowered by yesterday’s hike, we kept going on our mission for insane views. About 100km away from our lodging in Fallerhof is the Cadini di Musurina Hike. Because these are winding mountain roads, it took us about 2.5 hours to get to this part of the mountain.

The great thing is that Cadini di Misurina is quite a short hike, and the mountain gives you the option of a few other short and equally stunning hikes if you’re feeling up to it. So grab a good breakfast, pack a lunch and water, and get on your way.

When we arrived, there were police directing traffic away from the Rifugio, saying to come back in the afternoon or find parking at the bottom and take the bus up (which would add another hour to our logistics).

As you can imagine, we were devastated because we had just driven 2 hours, BUT we looped around until the police left and went up to the Rifugio anyway, where there was plenty of parking… when at first you don’t succeed!

PRO TIP: Arrive early at the starting point (9 – 10 am) as the parking lot gets full fast.

The starting point of the Cadini di Misurina hike is from Rifugio Auronzo at the foot of Tre Cime di Lavaredo . It will cost you €30 to enter the toll road and go all the way up to the Rifugio. From here, there are TWO amazing hikes I recommend that you can technically do in one day:

Tre Cime di Lavadero (best short hikes in the Dolomites)

• Start / End point | Rifugio Auronzo
• Hike distance | 10 – 11 km loop
• Time | 3 – 4 hours (+30 min photos)
• Elevation Gain | 300 – 400m

Cadini di Misurina Hike (the one we did this time)

• Hike distance | 4 km loop
• Time | 1 – 2 hours (+ 30 min photos)
• Elevation Gain | 150m
• Difficulty | Easy (+ a few scary height-related moments)

If you end up making a day of it and doing both hikes, I recommend doing the Tre Cime (Three Peaks) first while you’re fresh and because it’s the more popular one.

Then grab a sturdy late lunch and a cold brew at the Rifugio Auronzo before doing the Cadini di Misurina Hike in the afternoon while the sun is setting over the peaks.

If you’re going in the summertime, the sun won’t technically go down until much later in the day, so you have time to wander about at your leisure and take all the cute pictures you want without it truly being dark!

Day 4: Seceda & Ortisei

Feeling on a roll with our plan for hiking the most scenic mountaintops in the Dolomites, we headed to the town of Ortisei to take on the Seceda Ridgeline Hike. You can park right next to the cable car station (which is also a spa) for 8€/day or 1.50€/hour.

Cable car ticket costs:  Adults 25€ one-way, 35€ return. Children 13 € one-way, 17.50€ return. Dogs and bikes 5€.

To get to the top, you will have to first take the Ortisei-Furnes gondola and then the Furnes-Seceda cable car, which takes about 15 minutes.

The ticket allows you to use both the gondola and the cable car to get to the top of Seceda. If you don’t want to hike up or down, you should buy a return ticket because it’s more economical than changing your mind at the top and buying a return ticket there.

👉 What We Did: We bought a one-way ticket up, walked along the ridgeline, and hiked down, which took half the day (3 – 4 hours with pictures).

While I think downhill hiking is tougher on my knees, it was worth it because we had the mountains facing us the entire time. And you can see all of the Dolomites the whole way! The wildflowers were blooming, and a few grazing cows greeted us along the way, making for an epic day.

• Hike | Seceda Ridge Hike
• Start Point | Seceda Ridgeline (Top)
• End Point | Ortisei Town
• Hike distance | 8 km
• Difficulty | Moderate (steep downhill)

Day 5: Lake Garda & Girls’ Night Out

From the Dolomites and all our hiking, we headed to the lakes to relax the footsies for a bit. Our German friends highly recommended our first destination, so we headed to a town on Lake Garda called Limone Sul Garda .

Lake Garda is a huge lake in northern Italy, and about a 3-hour drive from where we were staying in the Dolomites. What’s more, each little town has its own personality and is favored by a group of Europeans.

So, Limone is popular with Germans , while other towns are super popular with Austrians, Russians, or generally more international because trains and other public transport arrive there.

Where To Stay on Lake Garda

📍 Hotel Limone (2 nights) – We stayed at Hotel Limone , which offered amazing views of the lake, air conditioning (which came in handy on the hottest of days), free parking (very important), a pool, and an AMAZING breakfast for a pretty decent price. To top it off, it was within walking distance of a little beach on the lake (5 min) and a 10-minute walk to the town.

Day 6: Lake Garda Beach Day

Today was all about relaxing at the beach, so we picked Cola Beach to post up. This is AFTER the insane breakfast at Hotel Limone, which I cannot say enough good things about! Literally, they have a chef preparing a fresh meat and cheese board fresh and custom just for you.

Happy hour drinks and a light dinner were at Scaloni 20 both nights because this is an absolute gem, and they have a killer Espresso Martini which both of us are absolute suckers for!

Day 7: Lake Como

From Lake Garda, we headed to Lake Como after breakfast. The drive was a couple of hours, and the most difficult portion of the drive was the one-car-at-a-time-only streets around the lake to get to our lodging in Moltrasio. Itlay driving is a whole adventure of its own!

A few lessons we learned in Lake Como about transportation:

• The lake is very large, and it’s worth staying close to the main ports (Bellagio, Como).
• It’s very important to plan out your ferry routes and transfer times for the day because the fast ferries only run to certain ports at certain times (and can take 2 hours to get from the town of Como to Bellagio).
• All ferries are crowded, queues are long for tickets, and lines take forever at some ports due to a lack of organization. This is very on-brand for Italy sometimes – love it or hate it, it’s the way it is!
• It’s worth renting a private boat if you’re wanting to get around quickly and without the stress of planning ferry logistics. If we were to do this again, this is how we would do it.

Where to Stay on Lake Como

📍 Borgo Le Terrazze Studios (2 nights) – This little spot is in Bellagio, one of the prettiest and most iconic towns on Lake Como, and great for a 1-2 night stay. I recommend getting lodging either in Bellagio, across the lake in Varenna, or in the town of Como itself. This will help eliminate the need for ferrying or driving back and forth to see the best of Lake Como.

Day 8: Bellagio & Varenna

These two towns are the most beautiful and renowned on Lake Como. I say this because we decided to play tourists on this day, but the reality of it is that all of the small hidden towns around Lake Como are incredibly charming, including our town of Moltrasio.

Because we opted to try our hand at the ferry system, we only had time to visit the town of Como and Bellagio in one day, including a 1-hour boat tour for $50 a person.

➡️ If you only have a couple of days like us, I recommend doing this Villa Balbianello and Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour

This will hit all of the highlights – including explanations of where George Clooney’s mansion is, how many celebrities truly live around Lake Como, and if Leonardo DiCaprio is in town or not.

Day 9: Lauterbrunnen & Fondue for Two

From Lake Como, it’s literally a 15-minute hop over to the border of Switzerland, where it seems everything switches over from unorganized to organized, from Italian to German, from Euro to Swiss Francs, from less expensive to more expensive.

Pro Tip: Make sure to fill up the gas tank at Lake Como / Italy because it’s a bit more expensive in Switzerland.

It’s a 3.5-hour drive from Lake Como to the famous town of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. We got there in time to enjoy a good sunset, a proper Swiss meal of fondue for two in town and hit up the local late-night bar at the lobby of Hotel Horner , full of foreign paragliders, base jumpers, and locals alike.

Where to Stay Near Lauterbrunnen

📍 Chalet Wäschhüsli near Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen ($$) – 2 nights – We stayed in a hostel, but if we were to do it again, we would stay in the bigger town of Interlaken (30 minutes away) and drive into Lauterbrunnen Valley hiking simply because there would be more lodging and food options. Lauterbrunnen is quite a small town.

Day 10: Grütschalp , Murren and Gimmelwald Hike

We started the Switzerland leg of our trip with an easy walking day through the Jungfrau region, where we were rewarded with the most beautiful iconic mountains in the Swiss Alps – Jungfrau (the virgin), Monch (the monk), and Eiger (the dude).

Local legend goes that Jungfrau is still a virgin because the big Monk sits between her and Eiger.

Note: These mountain towns are a no-car zone and can only be reached by a network of cable cars. They are basically cute little Swiss mountain towns tucked into the most beautiful mountain range in the Swiss Alps. Straight out of a postcard!

👉 Grütschalp to Murren Hike : This hike starts at the Grütschalp Railway Station, which you can get to from the Lauterbrunnen Station (get a one-way ticket to go up!). From there, it’s a scenic easy walk to Murren, about 45 minutes and 2 km.

👉 Murren to Gimmelwald Hike : From Murren, follow the yellow hiking signs to the town of Gimmelwald. You will mostly be walking on a small pavement road for this portion, and it’s another 45-minute easy walk.

We ended up meeting a Swiss grandpa with the loveliest Bernese mountain dog, who kept us company the whole way. We grabbed a beer and snacks together at the bar right past the Honesty Shop , Europe’s first unattended self-service village shop. Complete honor system and absolutely wonderful hospitality, not to mention incredibly fresh produce and top-quality goods!

PRO TIP: Along this route, signs point to little mini-fridges full of local meats, eggs, jams, and cheeses. This is like Amazon’s just-in-time delivery before Amazon. All you do is open the fridge, take what you want, and leave the appropriate cash in the box – each item is marked with the price.

👉 Gimmelwald to Murren to Birg : We bought another ticket in Gimmelwald to Murren, and then Murren up to Birg. There is an option to keep going up to Schilthorn, which is one of the tallest peaks in the region, but we wanted a bit of adventure and got off to do the Thrill Walk. And HOLY SH*T, it was insane!

👉 Getting down from the Mountains : From Birg, you can take the cable cars down to Gimmelwald, then back to Murren and Lauterbrunnen, or you can take the cable car down to Stechelberg. From Stechelberg, there is a frequent bus that goes back to Lauterbrunnen and beyond.

Day 11: Oeschinen Lake Hike

Today was a big full-day panoramic hike at Lake Oeschinen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

We drove about 1.5 hours from Lauterbrunnen to Kandersteg and took the cable car up to Lake Oeschinensee and the trail’s starting point ( cable car times & costs here ).

We read the best way to do this particular panoramic hike is counter-clockwise and thought the first bit of incline was tough, by the end, we were ‘team counter-clockwise’ all the way!

From the gondola, follow the high road (Trail 8) to Blumesalpe, then return to the banks of Lake Oeschinensee on the low trail (Trail 5). Be warned that the last cable car down to the parking lot in Kandersteg is at 6 pm!

• Hike | Oeschinen Lake Hike
• Start / End Point | Lake Oeschinensee
• Hike distance | 7.5 km
• Elevation Gain | 500 m
• Difficulty | Difficult (steep downhill)
• Trails : From the gondola, follow the high road (Trail 8), then return on Trail 5.

Day 12: Lake Lucern

We left Lauterbrunnen and headed northeast towards Lake Lucern and the last hike of the trip.

This was an easy-going travel day – we left the hostel after lunch, arrived at our little boutique hotel on the lake, spent some time swimming, and caught the sunset and some live music in town.

Where to Stay Near Lake Lucern

📍 B&B Hotel Mattli Übernachtung Frühstück (2 nights) – We ended up staying in a cute little B&B Hotel , but anywhere on the east side of the lake is a great spot, especially close to Schwyz , where a lot of the hiking we were going to do was centered.

Day 13: Stoos Ridge Hike

This is a half-day walk/hike, but it was pretty strenuous on the uphill, so we were glad for the rest day yesterday.

The ridge walk itself between Mt. Kingenstock and Mt. Fronalpstock offers views of more than 10 lakes and the Swiss Alps in all of their majesty. And it is one of my absolute favorite ridge hikes!

We started off around 10 am from the Schwyz parking lot and took the funicular to the village of Stoos. From there, we followed the signs towards the Kingenstock chairlift, which is about a 10 min walk up the hill.

FUN FACT: The Stoos Funicular is the world’s steepest funicular railway and it is insanely cool!

From Kingenstock peak, it will be a 2.5-hour walk to Mt. Fronalpstock. It looks closer, but the ups and downs and ridge walk itself are deceptive – we took the entire 2.5 hours and stopped halfway to admire the views and have a little picnic lunch.

Fronalpstock also has a cute little restaurant at the top just in case! From here, we took the gondola back down to Stoos, had ice cream to celebrate some more, and then back down to Schwyz.

• Hike | Stoos Ridge Hike
• Start Point | Mt. Kingenstock
• End Point | Mt. Fronalpstock
• Hike distance | 4.7 km
• Elevation Gain | 400 m
• Time | 3 hours
• Difficulty | Moderate (steep uphill)
• Trail | Stoos Hike #83

Day 14: Ebenalp Lunch & Head Home!

And we came to the last day of our Switzerland and Italy road trip, but hell if we were going to have a mediocre day! After breakfast, we headed towards Munich to return the car and get ready for our flights the next day.

This would normally be a 4-hour drive, but we decided to make a stop halfway at yet another stunning Instagram-worthy mountain location for lunch, Aescher !

Aescher is the famous restaurant on the cliff’s edge of the mountain Ebenalp , and National Geographic named it one of the world’s most amazing places a few years back!

👉 The gondola up to Ebenalp is located at the following address: Schwendetalstrasse 82, 9057 Wasserauen.

When you get to the top, take a left and head down the mountain on the trail for about 20 minutes. It’s an easy downhill, and even though we didn’t do any hiking today, we did have to go through some caves to get to the restaurant, so we recommend good walking shoes.

FUN FACT: The Prehistoric Wildkirchli Caves were used by Neanderthals as hunting quarters way back before man was even wiping his butt! 🙂

The restaurant has some amazing home-cooked meals and beer, tons of desserts, and lots of stunning mountain views. When we were there, we could see about 20 paragliders dotting the valley like colorful little birds.

From the Berghaus restaurant, we headed back up to Ebenalp and took the gondola back to our parking spot in Wasserauen. When we have more time, we promised to come back and paraglide and hike these mountains, and many more!

Switzerland and Italy Road Trip Map

Here’s a map of the route we took through northern Italy and Switzerland. We technically started our trip at the Munich International Airport and drove 3 hrs south to the Italian Dolomites to start our adventure.

This was because flights from the United States to Munich were better than to Milan or Zurich, but also because it was cheaper to rent a car from Munich compared to the other 2 cities by a few hundred dollars.

Road Trip Budget

We spent about $3,500 in total together , and this reflects a budget for 2 people on a 14-day Italy and Switzerland itinerary, prioritizing gorgeous hikes and great views.

Our Cost Breakdown

• Car Rental : $550 total (from Munich Airport)
• Cheapest : $30 per night Hostel in Switzerland
• Most Expensive: $200 per night boutique hotel in Switzerland
• Funiculars/Gondolas: $250 per person
• Most lodgings included a hearty breakfast
• We ate out half the time and cooked in / snacked the other half
• Good Times : Priceless!

Not going to lie, planning this trip took a longer time than I thought, especially as we had a specific budget and list of hikes we wanted to hit. If you don’t have the time or want to do something more unique than this itinerary, I can help you plan your trip .

Cost Saving Tips

We knew going into this road trip that Switzerland was going to be expensive just from its reputation. We also knew that we were going to be moving around every couple of days, so it didn’t make sense to cook as much as we would have liked to.

So here is what we did and what we learned to keep costs low:

• Try and get lodging with breakfast included. This is more common in Europe than you might think! So we would have a huge breakfast, and take some snackies from breakfast with us for lunch.
• We used the Booking.com app to get lodging for about $75 a night on average a night. We splurged on some views but tried to keep it to one room for the both of us, get the largest bed we could find, and just share. There were times when we slept in tiny hostel beds and other times when one of us took the pull-out couch, but all in all, we had plenty of space, and it was a comfortable arrangement.
• Be mindful of where you rent your car. This route gives you the flexibility to rent a car from Zurich, Milan, or Munich. We picked Munich because the rental cost came out to be the cheapest, by several hundred dollars.
• Map out the driving and/or boat logistics 2-3 days ahead of time to maximize time. In the mountains, a 2km distance can take an hour to traverse because of mountain roads. Similarly, when you are at the mercy of ferry schedules, it’s good to plan what you can and cannot see, so you’re not disappointed later.
• Read the travel blogs on the specific hikes you want to do for tips, tricks, and details of how to navigate the hike and how to plan. I tried to give the highlights and starting points of each hike we did, but these are big and popular treks that will need further diligence if you want to customize your trip.
• Buy your booze and snacks from grocery stores to limit the eating and drinking out .
• Travel with a buddy so you can split costs on this trip! Plus it’s more fun to hike with a friend and take actual pictures, not just selfies.

Renting a Car: Costs & Advice

If you’re doing this road trip around Switzerland and Italy, renting a car is the way to go so that you have the flexibility to do the hikes at your own pace . You also have to consider which airport is best for you.

Where to rent your car?

I usually use Discover Cars to review all the rental car company rates and pick what works for me – ie. a small, automatic, diesel, a cheaper city to start the trip ( ie. Munich is cheaper to rent compared to Zurich), and got a solid car for 2 weeks at about $500.

Check Prices for Your Dates Here: ▶️ DISCOVER CARS ◀️

I did have to pay a fee ($150) with the rental company because I was crossing borders with the car , which is standard, but as far as actually driving past any of these borders, it was seamless. We didn’t get stopped once at a border for COVID or Passport checks.

Pro Tip: It is worthwhile to map out distances and route the time it will take on Google Maps from one point to another because mountain roads are tricky, and it usually takes longer than you think.

Where can I park in each country?

✔️ Parking Rules for Italy: Free parking in any area marked with white lines. Parking lots are also useful. Just look for the big blue P sign for Parking Garages.

✔️ Parking Rules for Switzerland: You will have to pay either way, so try to get accommodations with free parking. Parking places with blue lines means anyone can park, but you will have to pay. All other colors are reserved for various reasons (ie. reserved for locals, reserved for businesses).

Parking App : EasyPark App saved our butt a couple of times because we could add time to our parking remotely if we were running long on a hike. Plus it’s all over Europe and in the mountains.

What to know about driving in each country?

No matter where you start your trip, you will need an International Driver’s Permit to rent a car, in addition to keeping in mind a few unique driving rules per country, so I’ve put together some useful links & rules: Driving in Europe .

Advice before you hit the road…

When it comes to a trip around Switzerland and Italy (and technically a bit of Germany), here’s what we learned:

• Be mindful of where you rent your car. This route gives you the flexibility to rent a car from Zurich, Milan, or Munich. We picked Munich because the rental cost came out to be the cheapest, but another option may make more sense for you
• Map out the driving and/or boat logistics 2-3 days ahead to maximize time. In the mountains, a 2km distance can take 1 hour to traverse because of the nature of winding mountain roads. Similarly, when you are at the mercy of ferry schedules, it’s good to plan what you can and cannot see so you’re not disappointed later.
• Drive times are usually about 3 hours, but if you get bored, check out: Unique Ways to Pass the Time on a Road Trip.
• Facts about Italy – The capital city is Rome , the currency is the Euro, the speed limit is usually 130 Km/H, but Italians drive a bit faster and more erratic than that, parking is a pain, a credit card is not always accepted everywhere, the espresso is fantastic , and the spirit of “la dolce vita” is very real.
• Facts about Switzerland – The capital is Zurich, the currency is the Swiss Franc, the speed limit is about 120 Km/H, and the Swiss respect that due to speed cameras everywhere, credit card is accepted almost everywhere, and German and English are spoken fluently.

FAQ: Switzerland and Italy Road Trip

Finally, here are a few more questions that might come up.

Can you drive from Switzerland to Italy?

Yes, but there are easier and faster ways to do it! Here are a few Great Ways to Get to the Dolomites , no matter your budget or starting location.

The border crossing from Switzerland to Italy was quite anticlimactic as the car informed us we had just crossed the river that is the natural border between Italy and Switzerland.

Sometimes there is border control where you have to show your passport and COVID vaccination, but we were not stopped once crossing to and from Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. Smooth sailing!

How do I get from Italy to Switzerland?

For this road trip , I recommend renting a car so that you have the flexibility to do the hikes you want at your own pace. If you’re smart about renting from a less expensive city and booking ahead of time, the price should be manageable.

Alternatively, you can also do a large portion of this trip by leveraging the train systems , which are great in Switzerland and in Italy. At this point, you would be backpacking of sorts and need to be mindful of where you book your lodging so that it’s close to the public transportation stations.

Is Switzerland expensive?

Yes. Partly because the Swiss Franc, the national currency is very strong compared to the dollar and Euro and partly because a meal is 30% more expensive in Switzerland than in any other neighboring country.

There’s no way around this topic; Switzerland is just more expensive to visit , on par with Norway and the Nordic countries.

South Norway Road Trip in 10 Days!

If you love Switzerland and the Dolomites, you’ll love Norway and its mountains! Here is the plan behind a road trip around southern Norway “a la Mariana” because there is nothing like doing it yourself to spark that little fire.

Do people speak English in Switzerland?

Yes, silly! Most people in Switzerland speak Swiss German and have a good grasp of English. After all, Switzerland has four official languages – German, French, Italian, and Romansh (dialect) . Each of them is spoken in different regions. We had no problems ordering food or asking for directions in English.

Do I need travel insurance?

This trip contains some intense hikes and lots of exploring in the wild, so you need to look into adding medical travel insurance, which is about $40-60 a month.

Travel insurance comes in handy as well if your luggage is lost or broken, which happened to us on this trip! Airlines are struggling to be ready to handle the summer travel traffic, and my travel buddy didn’t get her luggage until the last day of our trip . ( Thanks for nothing, Lufthansa! :))

This is what I use: ➡️ Safety Wing Insurance ⬅️

Bouncing in Europe for the last couple of years, I’ve done research on the  Best Medical Insurance for travel in Europe . See what fits your trip and make sure you’re covered.

When is the best time to visit the mountains?

We did this road trip from Italy to Switzerland in July , when the wildflowers were blooming and the sun was bright.

We got super lucky in that we only had one rainy day for the whole two weeks, and that’s the benefit of doing this in the summer.

I put together this list of  comfy road trip outfits  – use it as a checklist for your trip, especially the summer section.

Conclusion: Switzerland and Italy Road Trip

This was one of my favorite trips in Europe, especially great in the summer and fall. All of our hikes were easy to medium, we saw some of the most Instagram-worthy views in the Dolomites and the Swiss Alps, and the entire Italy and Switzerland 14-day itinerary did not break the bank!

The breakdown for our road trip went like this:

Being in nature is always rewarding, but being surrounded by these mountains takes it to a whole new level. I can’t wait to come back and explore more!

Mariana Barbuceanu is the owner and author of the Road Trip EuroGuide, a blog that inspires fellow travelers to explore Europe more authentically through slower travel and digging deeper into the culture of a place. When she isn't writing about her adventures, she is planning trips for her community and coaching people on how to take that next step towards a much-needed sabbatical.

AWW Media [US]

How Much Does a Family Trip to Italy Cost?

Posted: April 19, 2024 | Last updated: April 19, 2024

Planning a family trip to Italy involves considering various expenses that can significantly impact the overall budget. The cost of traveling to Italy with family members often hinges on several factors, including the duration of the trip, the time of year, the choice of accommodation, and the intended activities.

Our family of 5 went to Italy in 2019 for 10 days. We visited Rome, Florence, Pompeii, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Venice, and other small towns. We rented a car and drove, stayed in Airbnbs and generally ate out once per day. We flew for $330 round trip from New York City to Rome. The family trip to Italy cost us $6000.

Travel Planning for a Family Trip to Italy

When planning a family trip to Italy , selecting the right itinerary and timing is crucial to manage costs effectively.

Choosing Your Itinerary

Families should consider their interests, such as historical sites or coastal relaxation, to design an itinerary that maximizes their budget. Major cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence are prime destinations, but including lesser-known cities could offer savings.

• Rome: 3 nights – Colosseum, Vatican City
• Florence: 2 nights – Uffizi Gallery, Duomo
• Venice: 2 nights – Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Basilica

Alternative Destinations:

• Bologna: Known for its cuisine
• Naples: Gateway to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast

Timing Your Visit

Traveling off-peak can lead to significant savings on accommodation and attractions. Peak tourist season in Italy spans from June to August.

Our family visited the 3rd week in April for our Spring Break!

• Best Months for Value: April, May, September, October
• Avoid if Possible: December (due to holidays), August (peak prices)

Typical Price Range for a Family of Five:

• Off-Peak Season: Accommodation from €150-€250 per night
• Peak Season: Accommodation from €250-€500 per night

These values are based on a cursory search on booking.com

Choosing the right itinerary and timing can make a significant difference in the total cost of a family trip to Italy.

Transportation Costs

When planning a family trip to Italy, transportation is a critical expense to consider. From international flights to local public transit, each mode of transport comes with its unique cost structure. In general, it is easy to take trains and taxis to get from point A to point B in Italy, so your big expense is flights to and from the country.

International Flights

International airfare for a family heading to Italy can vary greatly depending on point of departure, season, and how far in advance tickets are booked. For a family of five traveling from New York to Rome, round-trip tickets might range from $2,000 to $4,000 in economy class during the off-peak season.

• Peak Season (Jun-Aug, Dec-Jan) : $4,000 – $6,000
• Off-Peak Season (Feb-May, Sep-Nov) : $2000 – $4,000

Prices are higher during holidays and school breaks due to increased demand.

Domestic Travel

Once in Italy, families might choose to rent a car, take flights, or use trains to traverse the country.

• Car Rental : $30 – $70 per day Additional costs : insurance, fuel, tolls (There a tolls on every major road and they can add up quickly.)
• In-country Flights : $60 – $150 per person, each way
• Train Travel : $45 – $150 per person, on major routes

These costs depend on the distance traveled and the type of service chosen (standard vs. premium).

Public Transportation

For day-to-day explorations, cities in Italy offer a range of public transportation options such as buses, trams, subways, and water taxis in Venice.

• Single Tickets : Approximately $2.50
• Day Passes : Around $10
• Week Passes : Estimated at $25 – $35

Families can save through passes valid for multiple rides or several days. Each city has its pricing system, so it’s worth checking local transportation websites for the latest fares.

Accommodation

Choosing the right accommodation greatly influences a family’s experience and the overall trip cost in Italy. Options range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels, each offering different amenities and price points.

Hotels and Resorts

Hotels and resorts cater to families looking for comfort and convenience during their Italian vacation. Average prices per night for a family room can range from €150 to €400 , depending on the city and season. Amenities often include on-site restaurants, concierge services, and sometimes childcare facilities.

Family rooms for 5 were very hard to find, so we chose to rent apartments through Airbnb and VRBO. If you are a family of 4 you will have a much easier time.

• Rome: €200 – €350
• Venice: €180 – €400
• Florence: €150 – €300

Rentals and Apartments

For families preferring a home-like environment, rentals and apartments are an ideal choice. They can typically cost between €80 and €200 per night for a two-bedroom apartment, depending on location and style. This option offers more space and a kitchen, which helps save on dining out.

• Milan: €100 – €200
• Naples: €80 – €160
• Tuscany countryside: €90 – €180

Dining and Food Expenses

Italy offers a delightful array of dining experiences, from high-end restaurants to casual eateries, as well as opportunities for self-catering. This can be a great place to save money by eating at your apartment and buying groceries.

Restaurants and Eateries

In Italy, restaurant dining ranges from affordable pizzerias and trattorias to luxurious fine dining establishments. A family can expect to spend on average €30-€50 per person at a mid-range restaurant for a three-course meal. Children’s menus are often less expensive, averaging around €10-€20 . Tips are appreciated, usually about 5-10% of the bill if not included.

Groceries and Self-Catering

Self-catering can be a cost-effective option for families, especially with local supermarkets and markets providing fresh produce. A weekly grocery bill for a family of four is typically between €100 and €200 , depending on food choices. Local markets also offer fresh produce and the experience of Italian food culture.

Attractions and Activities

When planning a family trip to Italy, one should consider the costs of various attractions and activities, as they can significantly affect the overall budget. These include entrance fees to museums and cultural sites, prices for tours and excursions, and expenses for recreational activities.

This was a big expense that we did not expect. Prepare to spend 15-20% of your budget on attractions and entrance fees. These prices were much higher than we expected, and every single place has an entrance fee!

The more you can buy tickets ahead of time at discounts, the better off you are!

How Much Does a Trip to Italy for a Family of 5 Cost?

Italy is an expensive trip, but you can make it cheaper by following these tips:

• Plan ahead and buy tickets before you go.
• You can wait for a great deal on flights.
• Choose to stay outside of the large cities to save on accommodations.
• Eat out sparingly (there is delicious homemade pasta at every grocery store!)
• Use public transportation.
• Buy souvenirs that you will actually use at home.
• Don’t climb every tower and visit every small museum; enjoy what matters most!

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