Packed with famous and lesser-known historic sites, one day in Pisa isn’t enough to explore thoroughly, but it’s enough to start planning your next trip.

Find out here what to see in Pisa in 1 day, how to save time, how to get around and some tips on where to eat and where to stay if you want to spend one night there. Whether you are taking a day trip to Pisa from Florence, even a Rome to Pisa day out or just visiting Pisa for a day and also staying one night, it’s one of the most popular destinations in Tuscany and you won’t regret coming.

Things to do in one day in Pisa

Torre Pendente

The Leaning Tower is the city’s most famous attraction and the main landmark of the Campo dei Miracoli complex so impossible to miss even in only one day in Pisa. Located right close to the Duomo, it was used as the cathedral’s bell tower.

Its leaning construction is what makes it so popular and a favorite subject for the most different and bizarre pictures. Since you only have 1 day in Pisa you might want to see the tower from outside only and prefer entering the cathedral and the baptistery. However, if you wish to climb it, our suggestion is to book your skip-the-line ticket online to make things much faster.

Il Duomo di Pisa

A stunning building both outside and inside, the cathedral is one of the best things to see in Pisa in 1 day. An example of Roman-Gothic architectural style, the church was built between the 11th and 12th centuries.

Admission is free of charge and we haven’t even found a very long queue so you have no excuses. Inside, it’s impressive; you won’t regret making time for it. Although you won’t pay for the entrance, you will still need a ticket that you can collect at the ticket office when you purchase tickets for the other attractions.

Book your Best of Pisa Tour with Optional Leaning Tower Climb

Il Battistero di San Giovanni

Considered the largest historic baptistery in Italy and one of the largest in Europe, St. John Baptistery will amaze you with its outside structure and won’t disappoint you inside either. It doesn’t take long to visit so we totally recommend you include it in your Pisa 1-day itinerary.

Campo Santo

This is also an attraction within the Campo dei Miracoli complex, and if you plan your one-day Pisa tour properly, you can totally include it. The large grass-covered land is said to have been brought from Palestine during the Second Crusade.

You can add the ticket to Pisa’s monumental cemetery when you buy the entrance to the other landmarks of the piazza.

Orto Botanico

This is a bit of a stretch and probably in only one day in Pisa, but if you do have some time and would like to spend some time in nature, the local botanic garden is a great stop.

Founded in the 16th century, this is the first university botanic garden in the world. With a size of some 3 hectares, it houses species of plants and trees from the five continents, including plants from the African deserts, herbs from the Mediterranean basin, and even century-old trees.

Head to Piazza dei Cavalieri

The rearranging of this piazza was commissioned to Giorgio Vasari by Cosimo I De Medici in the 16th century. The political and administrative hub of the city in medieval times, this is one of the main landmarks to visit in one day in Pisa. Easy to reach with a pleasant stroll from Campo dei Miracoli and close to several other historic sites, Piazza dei Cavalieri is a must.

Today, this important square is framed all around by important historical buildings like Palazzo della Canonica, Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici and Palazzo dell’Orologio, and churches like San Rocco and Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri.

Walk along Borgo Stretto

Borgo Stretto, the Italian for “narrow quarter”, is a medieval narrow road lined with shops, workshops and arcades that give the area a yesteryear atmosphere.

Starting from Piazza Garibaldi, it ends in Via Oberdan where Borgo Largo (large quarter) starts. Its shops and also the central position make it one of the favorite roads by the locals for shopping or taking a walk.

See Lungarno Mediceo

Among the places to see in Pisa in 1 day is the Lungarni, meaning the roads along the Arno River. One of the most historically important is the Lungarno Mediceo because of the presence of the palace of the Medici family, where even Lorenzo Il Magnifico lived, and San Matteo church. If you have the time to visit even only one Lungarno, it probably should be this one.

Santa Maria della Spina church

If you still have some time left in your Pisa 1-day itinerary, try to include a quick visit to the Gothic-style church of Santa Maria della Spina, the Italian for Holy Mary of the Thorn, named after the relic preserved inside a thorn of the crown worn by Christ when he was crucified.

The church is pretty small, so your visit would be very quick. Perfect if you are staying in Pisa also for the night, or even if you are going to the station to catch the train and are done with your original plan earlier than expected.

See the other leaning tower in Chiesa di San Nicola

Take the Lungarno Pacinotti and head to San Nicola church, where you will see the other leaning tower of Pisa. Even if you have to leave, one of the things to see in one day in Pisa is the bell tower of this church.

How to get around

This itinerary to see Pisa in 1 day can be done fully on foot, each attraction being less than 10 minutes from the next one.

If you are staying in Pisa overnight and your hotel is far from the city center, or if you are taking the train and want to get to the station quickly, I suggest using public transport managed by CPT. It’s pretty efficient and you won’t have to wait for the bus for too long.

Check out my guide for the best hotels in Pisa

Where to eat

Some good restaurants close to Pisa’s historic center are La PergOletta (Via delle Belle Torri 40) for traditional Tuscan dishes and Ristorante Da Mario (Via Luigi Bianchi 19), close to Campo dei Miracoli.

If you don’t want to spend too much time on lunch and you prefer having your meal on the go more street-food-style, try L’Ostellino (Piazza Felice Cavallotti 1), a favorite sandwich place also near Piazza Duomo.

Where to stay

While Pisa is one of the favorite day trips from Florence, the city has so much to offer both during the day and in the evening after the sun sets that you might want to stay overnight.

Some of the favorite accommodations in the city center close to the main attractions are B&B di Camilla, Il Giardino dei Semplici and Retrò B&B.

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Many things make Italy famous. From the art to the food, from the architecture to the nature. Recently, some of the spots that have been becoming increasingly popular and a favorite holiday destination are the Italian lakes scattered around the country.

From north to south, without forgetting the central regions and the islands, the Italian lakes are a great stop for photographers, nature lovers, but also history buffs and art and architecture enthusiasts due to their proximity to historical palaces and archaeological sites.

These are some of the lakes in Italy I like to include in my customised vacation packages and tailor-made itineraries for my clients.

Lake Garda

Spanning over three regions, Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige, Lago di Garda is Italy’s largest lake. It’s also one of the most famous Italian lakes because, apart from being very large, it’s also incredibly scenic, nestled as it is in the heart of Alpine peaks.

Lake Garda is surrounded by beautiful towns to stay in for your activities and experiences, whether you want to bike around it, hike, or book a boat tour. Quaint hamlets like Riva del Garda, Sirmione, Limone sul Garda, and Malcesine are only some of the wonderful places you can visit or make your base for your holiday.

Lake Como

Como is a lovely town in the Lombardy region and is known mainly for its lake. The high season starts in spring and runs through the summer, even to the beginning of fall, and when it’s high season, it gets really packed, both the town and the lake shores.

What are the best things you can do when visiting Lake Como? Exploring surrounding towns such as Bellagio, Varenna and Cernobbio, visiting the local villas and wonderful gardens such as Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello, and for sure doing a boat tour to enjoy the view from another perspective!

Lake Maggiore

Nestled between the northern regions of Piedmont and Lombardy, Lake Maggiore is extremely scenic and romantic. Despite its name (“bigger”), Lake Maggiore is not Italy’s largest but still one of the most famous and popular with tourists, both Italian and foreign.

Lago Maggiore is a triumph of beautiful islands and beautiful towns all around the lake. In this natural corner of northern Italy, you can enjoy peaceful walks along the lake shores, visiting noble villas and lush gardens, and going on boat tours with bike and even horse riding.

Iseo Lake

Not the largest in Italy, but so charming, Lake Iseo in Lombardy can be admired and enjoyed from different viewpoints. You can tour the lake by car (you would need around two hours), by bike in around four hours or more, depending on how many times you are going to stop, and by boat so you can change perspective and also visit Monte Isola island: it’s in the middle of the lake and it’s populated!

Make sure you don’t miss a stop in Lovere, nominated one of Italy’s prettiest towns, a maze of narrow alleys nestled between the lake and the mountains and home to a sanctuary and 15th-century Santa Maria in Valvendra Basilica.

Along with visiting other towns such as medieval Iseo, Pisogne and Sarnico, join a trekking day out along Antica Strada Valeriana, an ancient pilgrim road.

Lake Tovel

We have been to Lake Tovel in Trentino-Alto Adige in the low season, so it was very quiet and we could enjoy the lake and the nature around it calmly, in silence, and at our own pace. Even though it’s gorgeous year-round, fall is probably the best time to visit because the warm hues of the falling leaves create a wonderful atmosphere.

One of the jewels of the Adamello Brenta Natural Park, Lake Tovel offers fantastic opportunities for hiking all around and towards traditional and historical places such as the local Flavona mountain hut and the beautiful San Romedio sanctuary. We absolutely loved visiting the sanctuary of San Romedio and totally recommend it if you enjoy nature, history, and places steeped in spirituality.

Braies Lake

Lago di Braies is probably the most famous lake in the Trentino-Alto Adige region. While the area is a true green paradise, in the high season it becomes quite crowded. The place is wonderful and a must-see, whether you are a nature lover or a culture enthusiast.

Lake Trasimeno

I feel that Lake Trasimeno in the beautiful Umbria region doesn’t get the traction it deserves. It’s located in an absolutely dreamy countryside and the whole area is steeped in history. Drawing its name from the romantic and tragic myth of Agilla and Trasimeno, this lake is surrounded by fantastic towns such as Castiglione del Lago, Città della Pieve, and Magione.

A great attraction in this Italian lake is its many islands, but those that you can actually visit are two (and totally worth it): Isola Polvese and Isola Maggiore.

Lake Omodeo

Granted, this is not one of the most famous lakes in Italy tourist-wise, but Lake Omodeo in Sardinia is quite famous among experts in the field because, for a long time, it has been Europe’s largest man-made lake.

Created in the early 20th century with the building of the dam of Santa Chiara where even the king of Italy came for the inauguration. This lake has a bizarre history, the reason why, under its water, are the remains of a town that was moved uphill and fully submerged to give space for this artificial basin.

It’s surrounded by lovely towns such as Sorradile, Bidonì, Tadasuni, and Ula Tirso, but also ghost towns where people live only nine days a year during the festival devoted to the local saints.

Lake Bracciano

Lake Bracciano is one of the most famous lakes in the Lazio region and is easy to reach from Rome. From the city, in fact, you can reach Bracciano and Anguillara by train but while Anguillara lies right on the shores, Bracciano requires a hike to get to the lake or a local bus. Nevertheless, Bracciano is a beautiful town and worth a stop to visit the famous Odescalchi Castle and walk around its cobbled alleys.

Lake Bolsena

Lake Bolsena, too, is in the Lazio region, more precisely in the Tuscia area not far from Viterbo.

Of volcanic origins, it’s surrounded by the Volsini hills and beautiful towns like Marta on the very shores, offering a great walk, Montefiascone, a historical town known for its wine and as the belvedere on the lake due to the fantastic view, Capodimonte, and medieval Bolsena itself.

If you are a sports person, you will love joining canoeing tours, horse riding excursions, fishing, and hiking along the Via Clodia and Via Francigena.

Do you need help planning your Italy holiday?
Check out my travel services: whether you need a vacation package, a Rome tailor-made itinerary or an itinerary to discover the island of Sardinia, I’d love to help!

Planning a 2-week trip to Italy sounds straightforward. You have enough time to see the highlights, move at a reasonable pace, and still feel like you’re getting good value for the effort.

In reality, this is where most Italy trips start to fall apart.

Two weeks is long enough to allow space for a thorough itinerary, but short enough that every structural decision matters. How many places you choose, where you base yourself, and how you move between regions will shape the entire experience. A generic itinerary won’t show you those trade-offs. It will only show you what fits neatly on a map.

Italy doesn’t reward rigid planning or highlight-driven schedules. It rewards travelers who understand its rhythms, geography, and friction points. That’s why there’s no single “best” 2-week Italy itinerary, and why copying someone else’s route often leads to rushed days, missed moments, and quiet regret.

Instead of offering a fixed plan, this guide breaks down how a 2-week Italy trip actually works, what most travelers underestimate, and how to think about structure before locking anything in.

If you’d rather have a professional design it for you, check out my custom itinerary service.

Planning a 2-week trip to Italy isn’t as simple as it looks

On paper, two weeks in Italy feels generous. There’s enough time to visit multiple regions, move at a comfortable pace, and still feel like you’re getting value from the effort and expense.

This is where many travelers get caught off guard.

Italy isn’t difficult because there’s too little time. It’s difficult because the country doesn’t operate as a single, uniform destination. Each region has its own rhythm, infrastructure, and expectations, and those differences start to matter as soon as you move beyond one base.

But that’s the beauty of Italy: always different landscapes, different skylines, different history, different dishes!

What looks efficient on a map often isn’t. Distances don’t reflect travel time. Train frequency doesn’t guarantee smooth connections. A move that seems minor can quietly take half a day once packing, transfers, and check-ins are factored in.

Two weeks also introduce a planning paradox. You have just enough time to make ambitious choices, but not enough time to recover from poor ones. Add one stop too many, underestimate one transfer, or choose the wrong base, and the entire trip starts to feel compressed.

This is why so many travelers return from Italy saying they loved it but felt constantly rushed.

Why there’s no such thing as a perfect 2-week Italy itinerary

The idea of a “perfect” 2-week Italy itinerary assumes that Italy works like a checklist. Choose the right cities, put them in the right order, and the trip will fall into place.

In practice, every good Italy trip is built on trade-offs.

Do you prioritize depth or variety? Do you prefer cities that concentrate experiences or smaller places that spread them out? Do you want flexibility, or are you comfortable with a tighter structure? Each answer changes what makes sense for the trip.

Italy also resists standardization. Regions that sit close to each other geographically can feel completely different in pace, transport, and daily flow. What works beautifully in one part of the country can feel frustrating in another.

This is why copy-paste itineraries often disappoint. They flatten those differences and assume that what worked for one traveler will work the same way for another. They rarely account for seasonality, personal energy levels, or how often moving actually interrupts the experience.

A strong 2-week Italy trip isn’t about finding the perfect route. It’s about choosing the right compromises and building the trip around them deliberately.

Once you accept that there’s no universal solution, planning becomes less about chasing an ideal itinerary and more about designing a structure that fits how you want to experience Italy.

If you’d rather have someone design it for you, check out my custom itinerary service.

The 2-week Italy planning framework I use and what I pay attention to

Why most 2-week Italy itineraries feel rushed

Many travelers return from Italy feeling like they were constantly on the move, even when their itinerary didn’t look aggressive on paper. This disconnect is one of the most common frustrations I hear from people planning longer trips.

The issue usually isn’t how much they tried to see. It’s how the trip was structured.

Travel time miscalculations

Italy’s transportation system gives a false sense of efficiency. High-speed trains, short distances, and frequent connections make travel days look simple.

What itineraries often ignore is everything that surrounds the train ride itself. Packing up, checking out, navigating stations, waiting for connections, and getting from the arrival station to your accommodation all add up. A two-hour train ride can easily become a half-day transition.

When multiple moves are stacked into a 2-week trip, these lost hours quietly compress the rest of the itinerary. Days start late, afternoons disappear, and travelers feel like they’re always catching up.

One-night stops

One-night stays are one of the biggest contributors to rushed itineraries.

They look efficient because they allow travelers to “fit in” more places. In reality, they create a cycle of constant arrival and departure that leaves little room to settle into a place.

In Italy, where daily rhythms matter, one-night stops are especially disruptive. By the time you’ve oriented yourself, found your footing, and adjusted to the pace of a town or city, it’s already time to leave.

Over the course of two weeks, too many one-night stops turn the trip into a series of transitions rather than experiences.

Overloaded regions

Some regions in Italy concentrate an enormous amount of sights, history, and cultural experiences into small areas. This density makes it tempting to pack days with museums, landmarks, and excursions that all feel “close.”

The result is often a string of full days with no margin. There’s little space to linger, change plans, or simply absorb where you are. Even when everything goes smoothly, the pace feels relentless.

Overloaded days don’t always feel stressful in the moment. The fatigue usually shows up later, when travelers realize they’ve spent more time moving between experiences than enjoying them.

Underestimating logistics

Logistics are the invisible layer of an Italy trip, and they’re easy to underestimate when planning from afar.

Small details like accommodation location, station access, local transportation, and regional quirks can turn simple days into complicated ones. Add seasonal crowds, weather, or local holidays, and even well-planned itineraries start to fray.

Most generic itineraries assume ideal conditions. Real trips rarely operate that way.

This is why so many 2-week Italy itineraries feel rushed, even when they look reasonable. The pressure doesn’t come from the length of the trip. It comes from plans that don’t leave room for how Italy actually works once you’re on the ground.

The three structural decisions that shape every 2-week Italy trip

We are not all the same, and even if you are planning your first trip to Italy, it doesn’t mean you want to have the same experience everybody has on their first trip.

Depth vs coverage

Seeing fewer places usually creates a better experience. Why? Because you don’t feel like you have to rush to avoid missing the next entry.

When they try to “fit it all in”, travelers lose authenticity and that “Italian dolce vita” they traveled thousands of miles to experience. Instead, they get dragged by the crowds (been there, done that!), stuck in hours of queues, and end up with limited visibility in key landmarks.

Depth means staying longer in fewer places, allowing daily life, meals, and unplanned moments to become part of the experience. Coverage means sampling more locations at the cost of time and energy.

Neither approach is inherently right or wrong, but knowing which one works better for you is crucial. Trips that try to move quickly and feel immersive usually end up feeling rushed and superficial.

In Italy, depth tends to reward travelers more consistently than coverage. The country reveals itself slowly, and many places don’t offer their best moments on a tight schedule.

Base-driven travel vs constant movement

I get it, it’s your first trip and you want to see as much as you can. But changing hotels too often breaks the trip flow. Checking in, checking out, navigating new places and accommodations, and getting familiar with new neighborhoods.

While this might sound adventurous, it actually makes you waste time, especially if you don’t have much of it.

How often you change accommodations matters more than most people expect.

Base-driven trips prioritize staying put and exploring from a central location. Constant movement relies on frequent hotel changes to maximize geographic reach.

Frequent moves fragment days. They introduce repeated packing, check-ins, and orientation time that don’t always show up in itineraries. Over two weeks, this adds up quickly.

Choosing the right base, rather than more bases, is often the difference between a trip that feels settled and one that feels perpetually in transit.

Pro tip: Study an itinerary and pick a base that aligns with your travel style. This way, you can make the most of the time you have with day trips and meaningful excursions.

Geography over attractions

I’m not sure how it looks on the map but when I see huge city and country itineraries, it seems to me that the distance on paper doesn’t reflect travel reality.

Italy rewards geographic logic, not highlight lists. Why? Because you can’t see everything anyway!

Italy trips fall apart when they’re built around “must-sees” instead of geographic logic.

Two places may look close on a map but operate in completely different travel ecosystems. Transportation options, travel times, and daily flow vary significantly by region.

When geography leads the planning, attractions fall into place more naturally. When attractions lead, logistics tend to fight back, especially when you need to combine travel time, public transportation schedules, and landmarks’ opening hours.

This choice doesn’t limit what you see. It changes how much effort it takes to see it.

Tip: Think about your interests and passions and plan accordingly: this will result in a better trip than just a list of places to tick off.

Common 2-week Italy itinerary mistakes I see

After reviewing and designing countless Italy trips, certain patterns come up again and again. These mistakes aren’t obvious when planning, but they’re easy to spot once the trip is underway.

Planning around highlights instead of passion and local pace

Many itineraries focus on what’s famous rather than how days actually unfold.

Italy has strong daily rhythms, from meal times to afternoon slowdowns, especially in non-touristy areas. Ignoring them leads to days that feel disjointed, even when all the major sights are included.

Trips planned around the local pace and way of life tend to feel calmer and more immersive, even with fewer headline attractions.

Treating travel days as neutral

Travel days are often treated as empty space between destinations.

In reality, they’re some of the most draining parts of a trip. Packing, navigating stations, and settling into a new place all take energy. When these days are stacked too closely together, the entire trip feels compressed.

Well-designed itineraries acknowledge this and build around it.

Assuming trains solve everything

Italy’s rail system is efficient, but it’s not universal.

Not every region is well connected, and not every journey fits neatly into a high-speed schedule. Overconfidence in train logistics often leads to unrealistic timing and unnecessary stress.

Transportation should support the itinerary, not dictate it.

Underestimating seasonal pressure

Seasonality changes how Italy works.

Crowds, heat, limited availability, and local events all influence how long things take and how enjoyable they feel.

A route that works well in one season can feel overwhelming in another. At the same time, the low season might result in closed restaurants, changed attractions’ schedules, and fewer open hotels.

Generic itineraries rarely account for this, which is why they often disappoint.

What changes when a trip is professionally designed

The difference between a DIY itinerary and a professionally designed trip isn’t luxury. It’s structure.

Travel designers don’t start with destinations. They start with how the trip needs to feel, then build the structure to support that.

This usually means:

• Fewer moves, chosen deliberately
• Bases selected for flow, not popularity
• Buffer time built into key transitions
• Daily rhythm considered alongside logistics

Professional planning also anticipates friction. Delays, fatigue, crowds, and weather aren’t treated as exceptions. They’re part of the design process.

The result isn’t a rigid schedule. It’s a trip that holds together even when things don’t go exactly as planned.

For travelers investing two full weeks in Italy, that kind of structure often makes the difference between a trip that looks good on paper and one that actually feels good to experience.

Example planning paths for a 2-week Italy trip

There’s no single way to structure two weeks in Italy, but there are recurring planning paths that work well when they’re aligned with the traveler, the season, and the country’s rhythm.

These examples aren’t itineraries. They’re structural approaches that show how different priorities shape very different trips.

A culture-first north and central Italy flow

This planning path works well for travelers who want museums, historic centers, and layered cultural experiences without constant movement.

The structure usually balances one larger city with smaller centers that offer contrast and breathing room. Instead of hopping between major destinations, the focus is on staying long enough to experience daily life, not just landmarks.

The challenge here isn’t deciding what to see. It’s managing density, pacing, and geography. Popular cities in north and central Italy concentrate a lot of sights into small areas, which makes days feel deceptively full even without long transfers.

This type of trip works best when:

• Bases are chosen strategically to reduce backtracking
• Time is built in for slower days between heavy cultural visits
• Travel days are treated as part of the experience, not obstacles

When done well, this approach feels immersive rather than exhaustive. When planned poorly, it becomes a checklist.

A slow southern Italy approach

Southern Italy rewards patience more than precision.

This planning path favors fewer bases, longer stays, and a more relaxed rhythm. The focus tends to be on place over productivity, with time built in for meals, local routines, and unplanned moments.

Logistics here are less forgiving than in the north. Transportation options vary widely by region, distances don’t always reflect travel time, and seasonal factors play a much bigger role.

This approach works best when:

• Travel is designed around regional realities, not expectations
• Movement between places is minimized
• Flexibility is prioritized over tight scheduling

Southern Italy can feel effortless or frustrating depending on how the structure is designed. This is one of the most common areas where travelers underestimate the planning required.

A food-driven regional trip

This planning path is built around what’s in season, where it’s produced, and how far you’re willing to travel for it.

Rather than covering multiple regions, the focus is usually on one area explored in depth. Days are shaped around markets, local producers, and meals that take time, rather than sights that can be rushed.

The complexity here isn’t finding places to eat. It’s aligning geography, timing, and availability so the experience feels organic instead of forced.

This type of trip works best when:

• The region is chosen for depth, not name recognition
• Timing reflects seasonal food culture
• Movement is planned to support, not interrupt, daily rhythms

When designed thoughtfully, this approach creates a strong sense of place. When improvised, it often turns into long drives or missed opportunities.

Who this kind of trip planning isn’t for

As I mentioned earlier, this is simply not possible. Not only if you are planning two weeks in Italy, but even if you are staying for two months.

Italy is packed with historical landmarks, artwork, festivals, quaint towns, and cobbled streets. It’s up to you to decide whether you are a landmark-marathon type of traveler or you prefer to adapt to the local way of living and take it all in.

Not every traveler approaches Italy in the same way, and not every trip benefits from a professionally designed structure.

Clarity here helps set the right expectations from the start.

If you enjoy figuring things out as you go, don’t mind frequent changes, and see logistics as part of the adventure, you may not need outside help. Some travelers genuinely prefer a looser, more improvised experience.

Finally, this kind of planning isn’t designed for trips built around strict budgets with no flexibility. Thoughtful pacing and well-chosen bases often mean making trade-offs that aren’t always the cheapest option, even when they offer better value overall.

Travel design suits travelers who want their time in Italy to feel purposeful, not improvised, and who see planning as a tool for preserving the experience rather than controlling it.

If you wish to travel independently, check out my classic two-week Italy itinerary to plan your own trip.

When it makes sense to work with an Italy travel designer

Not every trip to Italy needs professional planning. Some travelers enjoy the process, have flexible expectations, and are comfortable adjusting as they go.

Other trips carry more pressure.

Working with an Italy travel designer makes the most sense when the cost of getting the structure wrong feels higher than the cost of getting help.

When time is limited but expectations are high

Two weeks may sound generous, but it doesn’t leave much room for error. When travel time, accommodation choices, and regional flow aren’t aligned, even small missteps can affect the entire trip.

This is especially true when:

• You can’t extend the trip
• You want to avoid feeling rushed
• You’re balancing multiple interests or travel styles

Professional planning helps prioritize what actually fits, rather than what looks good on a list.

When you want depth, not just coverage

Travelers who value meals, daily rhythm, and local context often find generic itineraries unsatisfying.

Depth-focused trips require different decisions about pacing, bases, and movement. These aren’t obvious from online guides, and they’re difficult to piece together without on-the-ground context.

This is where design replaces research.

When logistics start to feel heavy

Italy planning becomes overwhelming when logistics begin to dominate decisions.

If you find yourself stuck choosing between:

• Multiple bases that all seem similar
• Transportation options that don’t clearly align
• Routes that look efficient but feel uncertain

That’s usually a sign the structure needs refining.

Travel designers handle these layers so travelers don’t have to manage them in isolation.

When seasonality and crowd pressure matter

Traveling during peak or shoulder season adds complexity.

Crowds affect timing, availability, and energy levels in ways that aren’t always obvious during planning. A well-designed trip accounts for this upfront, rather than reacting to it on the ground.

This kind of foresight often changes where and how long travelers stay, even when destinations remain the same.

When you want confidence, not just information

Most travelers can find information about Italy. What’s harder to find is confidence that the plan will actually work.

Working with a travel designer replaces uncertainty with clarity. Decisions are made deliberately, trade-offs are understood, and the trip has room to breathe.

For travelers investing two weeks in Italy, that confidence is often what turns a good trip into a great one.

Conclusion and key points

A 2-week trip to Italy can be deeply rewarding, but only when it’s designed with intention. The biggest mistake travelers make isn’t choosing the wrong places. It’s building the trip around assumptions that don’t hold up once they’re on the ground.

Italy looks simple from afar. Trains run frequently. Distances seem manageable. Destinations feel interchangeable. In practice, small decisions about pacing, bases, and timing have an outsized impact on how the trip feels.

Some travelers enjoy working through those trade-offs themselves. Others would rather not risk getting the structure wrong, especially when time is limited and expectations are high.

This is the kind of trip I design for travelers who want depth without burnout and clarity without overplanning. If you’re at the stage where the options feel endless but none of the itineraries quite fit, that’s usually the moment when professional guidance makes the biggest difference.

Two weeks is more than enough time in Italy. The key is not trying to do more with it, but designing it better.

Do you need a custom Italy itinerary? Work with someone who designs Italy trips for a living!
Check out my Italy travel planning services

It’s not surprising that 10 days in Italy are not enough to explore the country. But it can be quite enough to have a taste of it, and a delicious one. Find out how to plan a perfect 10-day Italy itinerary and enjoy every bit of it.

While probably a 2-week Italy itinerary gives you more room to dig deeper and go off the beaten path, also ten days are a good start to experience the country’s dolce vita, eat its delicious food, and visit important historic sites and soak in its immortal art masterpieces.

To learn about the country and organize your trip, you can refer to our comprehensive Italy travel guide, while if you would rather delegate the burden of the logistics to an expert guide, you can book one of the best private tours to Italy.

Dreaming of Italy but not sure where to start planning your trip?
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Three 10-Day Italy Itineraries

These itinerary ideas are tailored to different types of travelers. If it’s your first trip to Italy, then itinerary #1 is for you because it’s all about exploring classic destinations like Rome, Florence and Venice.

The second itinerary will take you to beautiful places in central Italy, while in the third one, you will explore the north, including the Dolomites of Trentino Alto Adige. When you want to explore northern Italy, you can either directly land in a major airport like Milano Malpensa or start more central if you want to include some art cities too. In this case, I would suggest you prefer Florence vs Rome because it’s closer to the northern Italian regions.

All these itineraries can be done by train or by car. Probably the first one is the easiest to run by train as it mainly includes the biggest cities, while the others include also destinations that you can only reach by car. In case you are driving, for each itinerary, I provide a map with all the destinations and the directions to get there.

If you’d rather have someone design it for you, check out my custom itinerary service.

Italy 10-Day Itinerary #1 – The Classics For First-Time Visitors

If it’s your first 10-day trip to Italy, you can’t skip the classic highlights of Rome, Florence, and Venice. To explore them all in-depth you would need a longer holiday, but with what you have, you can still see enough to appreciate what each destination has to offer.

Classic Italy Itinerary – Easy Map

Step-By-Step Rome-Florence-Venice Classic Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Rome

Whether you arrive in the morning or in the evening, the first day is to settle in your hotel and get familiar with your whereabouts. If you arrive in the morning, you can plan half a day of sightseeing and a relaxing evening in a traditional trattoria for a hearty Roman meal.

As the first day in Rome and of your 10-day Italy itinerary will likely be half a day, I suggest you take a walk in the Centro Storico and visit all the beautiful piazzas such as the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, where you can get in if still open.

Day 2 & 3 – Explore Rome

Day 1 – Ancient Rome & Trastevere

I would kick off your second day in Rome to explore the vestiges of imperial times such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. If you have some time left, visit also the fascinating Baths of Caracalla not far from the Colosseum. After so much sightseeing, you might want to relax. I suggest you do this in the Trastevere neighborhood, which is also a must on your Rome bucket list.

Here, you can take a lovely evening walk, and duck into local attractions such as Santa Maria in Trastevere Basilica, Santa Cecilia in Trastevere Basilica, and Villa Farnesina for Raphael’s frescoes. In Trastevere, you can also enjoy a traditional meal in restaurants such as Da Enzo al 29 or a delicious pizza at Pizzeria Seu Illuminati, or a great gelato from Otaleg, Fiordiluna, or Fatamorgana.

Day 2 – Vatican

Start your second day in Rome early morning at the Vatican Museums. Here, the queue is always long. If you want to make your entrance faster, you can either book your skip-the-line ticket online or book a private tour that includes the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

After the Vatican Museums, head to St. Peter’s Square and visit the gorgeous basilica. The entrance is free and although you will find a queue, it goes pretty fast through the metal detector. Inside, you will stay for about an hour. If you feel you can squeeze it in, go down the crypt of the popes, it’s also free.

For the second part of the last day in Rome, you can either head to the city center to see Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps if you couldn’t do it on the first evening, or head to the lovely Jewish Quarter that offers some of the best traditional foods in Rome.

Where to stay in Rome:

• High-end: Portrait Roma – Lungarno Collection.
• Mid-range: The Liberty Boutique Hotel.
• Budget: Vatica B&B Roma.

Day 4, 5 & 6 – Visit Florence and Tuscany

While you are in Tuscany, I suggest 2 days in Florence and one day out to explore the region. There are several day trips from Florence you can easily take by train to visit only one city such as Pisa, Siena or Lucca. Or you can also visit more areas including the countryside and more than one town either by renting your own car or booking a Tuscany tour.

Some of the highlights I recommend not to miss in Florence for first-time visitors are:

• The Santa Maria del Fiore complex. The number 1 attraction in Florence where you can see Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, climb Brunelleschi’s dome and Giotto’s bell tower, and duck into the stunning Baptistery of St. John.
• The Uffizi Gallery. Art lovers can’t possibly miss the Uffizi Gallery and soak in thousands of masterpieces from the most famous Italian and international artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Botticelli, Giotto, Cimabue, Caravaggio, Bernini and more.
• The Accademia Gallery with Michelangelo’s David. See the gorgeous David sculpture in the museum with the highest number of Michelangelo’s artwork in the world.
• Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. Large mansion of the Pitti family later acquired by the Medicis. You can visit the different areas of the palace and then also the beautiful Boboli Gardens.
• Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio. Formerly Palazzo della Signoria named after the Signoria di Firenze, the ruling body in Florence, this is the city’s town hall and an important place to visit right beside the Uffizi Gallery.
• Mercato Centrale. Try regional Tuscan and other Italian dishes in the charming and crowded central market.
• San Lorenzo Basilica. The basilica of the Medici family with a historical library, a rich treasure museum, and close to the tombs of the powerful Florence dynasty.

Where to stay in Florence:

• High-end: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze.
• Mid-range: Plaza Hotel Lucchesi.
• Budget: Hotel Alba Palace.

Day 7 – Hike the Cinque Terre

Before heading far north, stop in the Liguria region for one day to hike in the Cinque Terre. These are five scenic villages perched on hilltops that plunge directly into the Mediterranean Sea.

The Cinque Terre is a favorite day trip from Florence, but if you like hiking and the season is pleasant, I suggest staying at least one night here. You can easily reach the Cinque Terre by train from Florence and move from town to town either with the local train or directly on foot.

The towns are Vernazza, Monterosso sul Mare, Riomaggiore, Manarola and Corniglia. There is plenty to hike in and around the Cinque Terre towns. Even though it’s very safe, I always suggest you have travel insurance to cover eventual injuries or getting sick on the road.

Where to stay in the Cinque Terre:

• High-end: Park Hotel Argento in Levanto.
• Mid-range: Oasi Hotel in Levanto.
• Budget: Locanda Ca Dei Duxi in Riomaggiore.

Day 8 & 9 – Explore Venice

How to miss the beauty and romance of Venice? If it’s your first trip, even if you have only 10 days in Italy, the beautiful city on the lagoon is a must. Venice deserves much more than two days, but if your holiday can only allow you 10 days in Italy, you can optimize your time to visit as much as you can.

You can save much time if you book some skip-the-line ticket or some private tours that gather several places in a few hours. Some of the highlights not to miss are:

• Palazzo Ducale. Doge’s Palace is one of the main highlights in Venice, gorgeous to visit inside and an important historical palace.
• Piazza San Marco. Famous all over the world for its beauty, it’s one of the most important piazzas in Italy.
• San Marco Basilica. St. Mark Basilica is the iconic cathedral in Venice with gilded domes.
• Bridge of Sighs. A must in Venice, while its name sounds pretty romantic, the history behind it is sad as it was the bridge where the prisoners walked on their way to the harsh local jails.
• Jewish Quarter. A traditional and historic quarter that’s absolutely a must in Venice for first-timers.

Where to stay in Venice:

• High-end: The St. Regis Venice.
• Mid-range: Canal View San Marco Luxury Rooms.
• Budget: Hotel Abbazia.

If you think you can’t make it to all the main cities, here is my quick guide to help you choose between Florence and Venice.

Day 10 – Fly out from Milan

Milan is the last leg of your 10-day trip to Italy and ideally where you will take your flight home as it has a large international airport, Malpensa. You are not going to have much time, but spending one day in Milan is enough to visit the highlights in the city center and around the famous Duomo.

Some of the places I suggest not to miss even in a short time are:

• Milan Duomo. Gorgeous Gothic-style cathedral that you can visit inside and on its rooftop terraces.
• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. The city’s parlour, stop here for a nice coffee and some window shopping.
• The Last Supper. Here you need to book to be admitted and you should do it quite in advance to find a spot. This magnificent mural painting by Leonardo Da Vinci is a must-see in Milan.
• Castello Sforzesco. The residence of the powerful Sforza family, you can decide to visit this castle inside where they host several museums and exhibitions, or its large courtyard (free of charge) if you are short in time.

Where to stay in Milan:

• High-end: Château Monfort – Relais & Châteaux.
• Mid-range: Best Western Plus Hotel Galle.
• Budget: 43 Station Hotel.

Variation for this Italy 10-day itinerary

If you arrive in Rome in the morning and you can spend your first day sightseeing, you can stay only 2 days in Rome and head south to Naples first to visit also Pompeii. For a first trip to Italy, this is very much recommended, but if you stay at least two days in Naples, you will also need to cut one day in Tuscany.

You can take the train from Naples to Florence (about 3 hours) and spend two days in Florence before heading to the Cinque Terre, or also one day in Florence and in the Tuscan countryside or in another town.

Italy 10-Day Itinerary #2 – Central and Northern Italy From Rome

The Tuscany countryside, the hidden gems of the Umbria region, and the delicious and hearty food of Bologna are the stars of our second itinerary idea for ten days in Italy. This trip is best for those who have visited already Italy’s classics or if you are a fan of more quiet and less crowded destinations.

Central and Northern Italy Itinerary – Easy Map

Step-By-Step Central And Northern Italy 10-Day Itinerary

Day 1, 2 & 3 – Arrive and explore Rome

As for the first itinerary for 10 days in Italy, you arrive in Rome and then you have two extra days to explore the city. If it’s not your first time, you can stray further from the historic center and visit neighborhoods like Testaccio and Ostiense, both of them former working-class districts with a fascinating modern history and plenty of things to see and great restaurants to try.

Day 4 & 5 – Explore the Umbria region

Umbria is worth visiting in your 10 days in Italy both for its countryside dotted with soft-rolling hills and some of its famous cities, including its picturesque capital.

As the first stop from Rome, I suggest at least one day in Perugia, where you can also stay overnight before driving off the next day to Assisi. Some of the places to visit in Perugia are:

• Palazzo dei Priori. Important medieval building that hosts the Umbria National Gallery where you can view masterpieces of local artists such as Pinturicchio, il Perugino, Beato Angelico, Piero della Francesca and Benozzo Gozzoli.
• Historic town. Wander Perugia city center and its highlights such as Piazza Italia, Corso Vannucci and the stunning Piazza IV Novembre with the 12-century Fontana Maggiore fountain in the middle.
• San Lorenzo Cathedral. A must in Perugia, this important cathedral is also in Piazza IV Novembre.
• Arco Etrusco. Called Etruscan Arch, this is one of the monumental gates of the ancient Etruscan walls later restored by the Romans.

Where to stay in Perugia:

• High-end: Sina Brufani.
• Mid-range: Locanda Della Posta Boutique Hotel.
• Budget: Locanda Stella.

The Hometown of St. Francis, Assisi is an important tourist draw in the region, so I suggest you carve out some time to pay a visit. You can visit Assisi in one day, so it can be a perfect day trip from Perugia. These are some of the highlights in Assisi:

• San Francesco Basilica. The most important church in Assisi, this 13th-century Basilica is a must and the very first place to visit.
• Santa Maria degli Angeli in Porziuncola Basilica. The second most important church linked to St. Francis in Assisi, it’s located a bit far from the city center but a must as it’s where the saint died in the 13th century.
• Temple of Minerva. A perfectly preserved temple from the 1 century BC that was used for multiple purposes such as prison, residence, and workshops, and finally adapted into a Catholic church.
• Santa Chiara Basilica. The church where St. Clare of Assisi, a noble local woman and one of the first followers of St Francis, is buried.
• San Rufino Basilica. Church with a Roman cistern that was used to baptize St. Francis and St. Clare.

Day 6 & 7 – Explore the Tuscany region

If you have been to Florence, in this itinerary you can skip it altogether and enjoy the Tuscan countryside, its world-class Chianti wine region, its medieval towns such as San Gimignano, Siena, or Lucca, and its wonderful hot springs.

Since you are skipping the big cities, I highly recommend you pick your hotel or agriturismo near any of the Tuscan springs such as San Giovanni Terme Resort or Agriturismo Villa Buoninsegna, or in the Chianti region such as Relais Vignale & Spa and Palazzo Leopoldo Dimora Storica & Spa, and from there drive to the other places.

Some highlights in Tuscany are:

• Siena. Beautiful walled medieval town with a gorgeous cathedral and rooftop city view.
• Chianti region. Famous for its wines and wine-tasting tours, Chianti is also a great place to explore quaint towns and fairy castles.
• Val D’Orcia. The untouched landscape of this piece of the Tuscan countryside clothed with sunflower and wheat fields is dreamy.
• San Gimignano. A picturesque medieval town famous for its many towers.
• Hot springs and thermal baths. Some of the best thermal baths in Tuscany are Bagni San Filippo, Terme di Montepulciano, Terme di Chianciano, Rapolano Terme and San Casciano dei Bagni.

Day 8 & 9 – Visit Bologna

Not always included in first-time trips, Bologna does deserve at least one or two days if you are staying 10 days in Italy. In this Italy itinerary, we suggest two days in the area and you can choose to either stay two days in Bologna or one day in the city and one on a day trip to the beautiful Ravenna, home to eight UNESCO heritage sites.

Some of Bologna’s top things to see and do:

• Try traditional food. Lasagne, tortellini, tagliatelle, ragù sauce, mortadella cold cut. All this goodness is from this region and in Bologna, you can really tuck into some pretty delicious (and heavy!) dishes.
• Piazza Maggiore. The religious and secular pulsing heart of the city, Piazza Maggiore is famous for its Neptune Fountain surrounded by historical buildings.
• San Petronio Basilica. The most important church in Bologna, 14th-century San Petronio Basilica is located in Piazza Maggiore and is the last Gothic masterpiece made in Italy.
• Santo Stefano Basilica. This is a complex of sacred buildings made of churches, a cloister, a museum, and a courtyard.
• Torre degli Asinelli and Garisenda. These are the main two towers in tower-clothed Bologna. The only one that you can visit inside is the 12th-century Torre Degli Asinelli, which is also the tallest.
• Archiginnasio. If you have some time left, head to the beautiful Archiginnasio, the former building of Bologna university, the world’s oldest.

Where to stay in Bologna:

• High-end: Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni.
• Mid-range: Art Hotel Commercianti.
• Budget: B&B Lame 87.

Day 10 – Fly out from Milan

This is the last stop of your 10 days in Italy and while I recommend staying longer, also a day or half a day can be enough to see the major highlights, especially if limited to the city center. Just like for itinerary #1, some of the places to visit in Milan in a short time are the imposing Duomo, the elegant Vittorio Emanuele Gallery, the Sforza Castle, and, if you managed to plan and book in advance, Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

Italy 10-Day Itinerary #3 – Northern Italy

Nature-lovers, hikers, mountain bikers as well as history buffs will love this 10-day trip to northern Italy. Visiting regions such as Lombardy with Milan, Piedmont with two days in Turin, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto with Verona and possibly Venice is the recipe for a perfect blend of all sorts of Italian experiences. Trying delicious food, hiking the Dolomites and discovering the local history are only some of the things to do in northern Italy in ten days.

Northern Italy Itinerary – Easy Map

Step-By-Step Northern Italy 10-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Milan

Milan’s Malpensa is the busiest international airport in northern Italy and the one with the highest number of flights and airlines. Whether you are coming from the EU or another Continent, your flight will likely land in Malpensa or sometimes Linate, the other Milan airport.

Day 2 – Explore Milan

If you arrived in the morning, on the first day you would have ideally started to look around the most famous highlights. Apart from historical highlights, this trendy northern Italian city treats its visitors with a huge offer of restaurants and great window shopping.

In 2 days in Milan, you can also cruise along the Navigli canals, the perfect spot for a nice dinner or aperitif, and take a tour of the Scala Opera House.

Day 3 & 4 – Head to Turin

A trip to northern Italy can’t miss a stop in Turin, the beautiful first capital of unified Italy. There are so many things to do in Turin that I suggest staying for more than two days, but if that’s all you can afford, you can maximize your time to visit the most important sites.

Some of the places to visit in two days in Turin:

• Palazzo Reale. Located in Piazza Castello, Turin’s Royal Palace is the well-preserved former residence of the Savoy family.
• Palazzo Madama. Built in Roman times, Palazzo Madama was used as the residence for the ladies of the Savoy family.
• Duomo di San Giovanni. This is Turin’s cathedral where the Holy Shroud is kept.
• Museo Egizio. The best Egyptian museum in Italy, second only to the one in Cairo to explore ancient Egyptian history and culture.
• Mole Antonelliana. A rich cinema museum in Turin’s tallest building from where you can have a 360-degree view of the city.

Where to stay in Turin:

• High-end: Royal Palace Hotel & Spa.
• Mid-range: NH Torino Santo Stefano.
• Budget: Blunotte Torino – Piazza Castello.

Check out our article to decide whether you should devote more time to visiting Turin or Milan.

Day 5 & 6 – Explore Venice + Verona day trip

From Turin, you can take a train to Venice. Usually, you will need one or two train changes for this route, and depending on which combination you choose, it can take between 3 and a half to up to 6 hours.

If you have never visited the city, you should stay at least two days in Venice and from here take a day trip to spend one day in Verona. As I mentioned in itinerary #1, some of the highlights in Venice are Piazza San Marco, Doge’s Palace, San Marco Square and Cathedral, and the Bridge of Sighs.

An easy day trip from Venice is to the beautiful Verona. Like most of the Italian big cities, also here there are many things to see, but if you are short on time, one day in Verona is enough to appreciate its most famous highlights such as the Arena, Romeo and Juliet’s houses, Piazza delle Erbe, and San Zeno Maggiore church.

Since you are short in time, you can visit Verona on your way to Trento, instead of going back to Venice. This applies whether you are driving or traveling on the train. In this case, you can leave your luggage at the Verona Porta Nuova luggage deposit for the day.

Day 7 – Visit Trento

The capital of the Trentino Alto Adige region, Trento can be your base for several day trips. There are many things to do in Trento, but since you are in Italy for only ten days and visiting more than one region, you can explore the city in one day and see other places in Trentino.

Some of the top places to visit in Trento are:

• Castello del Buonconsiglio. The former residence of the local Prince-Bishops, this is the most important castle in Trento and in the whole Trentino region.
• Duomo di Trento. 13th-century cathedral devoted to San Vigilio built on top of an earl-Christian basilica.
• MUSE. The Natural Science Museum of Trento is very famous and well-organized. Divided into floors, each studying a different topic, and everywhere you will find interactive stations that kids will love.
• Santa Maria Maggiore Church. The important church where they gathered to prepare for the Council of Trento in the 16th century.

Where to stay in Trento:

• High-end: Grand Hotel Trento.
• Mid-range: Hotel America.
• Budget: Lainez Rooms & Suites.

Day 8 – Take a day trip to Bolzano

While it’s a great city for your holiday, you can see much in only one day in Bolzano. This is why I suggest you plan it as a day trip from Trento instead of changing hotel again.

Bolzano is a German-speaking city and the main town of the Alto Adige sub-region. Very scenic because surrounded by the Dolomites, there are plenty of places to visit and delicious foods to try.

Some of the top things to do in Bolzano:

• Piazza Walther. Beautiful piazza in the city center named after a local poet.
• South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. An absolute must, it hosts the Neolithic mummy called Ötzi the Iceman and a large exhibition about his life, clothes, and tools.
• Duomo di Bolzano. Gothic-style Bolzano’s cathedral will immediately stand out for its green roof.

Day 9 – Enjoy the Dolomites

From Trento, you can also arrange a fantastic day trip to the Dolomites in Trentino Alto Adige. You can visit the Dolomites from many cities in Trentino, but since you are based in Trento, you can take a day trip to the mountains from here.

If you are using public transport, you can inquire about routes and timetables at Trento’s main train station. In this case, you can probably visit only one place in a day, while if you are driving, you should be able to squeeze in at least two destinations. Below, you can find a little map pointing to the three Dolomites’ destinations.

Some of the top places in the Dolomites to reach from Trento are:

• Madonna di Campiglio. Very famous ski resort in the Brenta Dolomites, Madonna di Campiglio is a perfect place for hiking and enjoying gorgeous views in all seasons.
• Molveno Lake. Stunning lake surrounded by lush greenery, the town close to Molveno Lake is Andalo. If you visit in summer you can also swim or rent a boat in the lake.
• Val Di Fassa. Another favorite Dolomites destination in the region and a great viewpoint for the Marmolada peak.

Day 10 – Fly out from Milan

From Trento, you can take the train to Milan if you have some time and wish to explore the city. Otherwise, you can go directly to Malpensa airport from Trento with a change of train at Milano Centrale station. This way, you can stay in the Trentino region for longer or stop in some other places on your way back to Milan.

Variation for this Italy trip

If you have already been to Venice and are not interested in exploring more of it, you can skip it altogether and from Turin, head directly to Riva del Garda in the Lombardia region. You can stay here for one or two days before settling in Trento and get on with your trip.

Do you need a custom Italy itinerary or full tour package tailored to your interests?
Check out my Italy travel planning services!

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One of the most popular destinations in Europe and pretty much always included in a classic Italy itinerary, especially for first-time visitors, 2 days in Florence are just enough to give you a taste of the most important historic and artistic landmarks.

With such a long history, Florence is packed with things to see and do, which is one of the reasons that make it one of the favorite cities in Italy to live in. Even though the historic center is pretty compact, if you are planning to explore all its sites, you will definitely need more than two days in Florence.

But we understand that it’s not always possible to devote more time to a single city. This guide is aimed at helping you plan a trip to Florence optimizing your time to see and enjoy as much as possible.

We have included a visit to Palazzo Pitti after the Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Vecchio. If you feel your art intake is about enough, you can replace either the Pitti Palace or Palazzo Vecchio with a stop in the gorgeous Santa Maria Novella Basilica.

Florence in 2 Days – Day 1

Start early at Giotto Bell Tower

The Giotto bell tower is one of the must-see landmarks in two days in Florence. It’s part of the Santa Maria del Fiore complex and in theory, you can do it any time. I suggest ticking this off your list first thing in the morning because you are going to find a shorter line.

You don’t have to book the climb to the bell tower top, but if you are doing it at a time when you know the queue will be long, it’s the most convenient thing to do. We did it early morning as soon as it opened and there was almost no queue, leaving us almost all day available as the visit doesn’t take much time.

Climb Brunelleschi’s Cupola

Climbing Brunelleschi’s dome is one of the top things to do in Florence in 2 days, or even if you are only staying one day. For this, booking is mandatory. You can choose the day and time but I suggest doing it online well in advance otherwise your slot of choice might not be available. You can choose a tour with only the dome climb or Take Walks’ Early Accademia Tour & Skip-The-Line Dome Climb.

Duck into Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral

Heavily damaged by the 1966 flood that hit the city and drew thousands of volunteers from around the world, today Florence’s Duomo is pretty empty. Most of its artwork is kept in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, also one of the places worth including in your Florence two-day itinerary if you can save some time.

The entrance is free and usually, the line is smaller than for the dome. Once inside the cathedral, go also down to the crypt to see the relics from the ancient church such as the altar and mosaics, and the tomb of Filippo Brunelleschi.

We took the Alone in the Duomo tour with Walks to enjoy the cathedral without the crowds, an after-hour climb to the dome, and private terrace access!

Visit the Battistero di San Giovanni

The last sight you can’t miss in the Santa Maria del Fiore complex is the 11th-century Baptistery of St. John. Here, too, you will find some queues and there is no need for booking.

This is really a beautiful sight that sometimes visitors skip because of a lack of time. I really recommend including this in your list as it’s not only stunning outside but also the interior and the dome is covered with mosaics depicting scenes from the Bible.

Step inside San Lorenzo Basilica

3 minutes on foot from the Baptistery

Under the rule of the Medici family, this was their private worship place. The city’s oldest cathedral, San Lorenzo Basilica is something worth finding time for in your 2 days in Florence.

In the underground, visit the Museum of the Treasure of San Lorenzo, a rich collection of sacred artwork donated mainly by the Medici family.

Once you are done with the church, you can step inside the historic Biblioteca di San Lorenzo right beside the basilica. And for 8 euros extra, you can also visit the tomb of the Medici dynasty behind the basilica.

See the Medicis’ Chapels

1 minute on foot from San Lorenzo Basilica

I had tried a few times to enter the burial chapels of the Medici family but I either got the day or the time wrong. Finally, on my recent trip to Florence, I managed to enter and I was stunned.

It’s a large burial place of one of the most important families in Florence’s history. Think polychrome and white marble, countless sculptures, and artists such as Michelangelo and you will understand why it’s worth visiting.

They are very close to San Lorenzo Basilica, literally behind it, and if you are around for lunch, right in front is Sergio Gozzi trattoria, famous for its Florentine steak and traditional dishes.

Duck into the Galleria dell’Accademia

6 minutes walk from San Lorenzo Basilica

This is often referred to as “Michelangelo’s Museum” because it’s the gallery that displays the highest number of artworks by the famous Renaissance artist. In fact, the masterpiece that attracts thousands every day is Michelangelo’s David sculpture.

You will easily spot it because it’s huge, well-exposed all by itself and surrounded by nothing but a huge crowd. The best way to skip the crowd and save time is to book a Florence private tour. There are tours that include several attractions and others only to the Galleria dell’Accademia.

Book your VIP After Hours Tour to Galleria dell’Accademia With David

Take an evening food tour or stroll along the Lungarno

Round off your first, super busy day in Florence with a well-deserved evening food tour that includes plenty of food and wine tastings and ends with Florentine steak for dinner. We ate so much during the Oltrarno at Sunset food and wine tour with Devour Tours!

walk along the river. The sun will be set or about to, and you can enjoy the lights of the buildings reflecting on it as well as of the city’s bridges.

Among all, look out for the very central and famous Ponte Vecchio bridge, and if shops are still open, take a peek at the beautiful local jewelry and handicrafts.

Florence In 2 Days – Day 2

Start early at the Uffizi Gallery

A tour to Florence’s biggest and richest art gallery will take you hours and you won’t even manage to see it all. I suggest ticking this off your list first thing in the morning of your second day in Florence as it’s one of the most time-consuming attractions.

If you don’t want to queue for hours, I suggest booking online. You can book a private tour, which will make things even faster as along with the fast-track entrance, your guide will take you directly to the most important masterpieces.

If you prefer visiting by yourself, don’t miss the amazing Birth of Venus and Spring paintings by Botticelli, Woman With A Veil by Raphael, Bacchus by Caravaggio, Annunciation by Leonardo Da Vinci, and the large collection of ancient Roman art.

Visit Palazzo Vecchio

2 minutes on foot from the Uffizi Gallery

The 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio is in Piazza della Signoria, one of the most photographed squares in Italy. Florence town hall, the building has always been the symbol of the city’s civil power. Comprising Roman and medieval ruins and Renaissance chambers and artwork, a visit to the historic Palazzo Vecchio is a must in your two days in Florence.

Although quite big and packed with history and artwork, a visit here takes much less than the Uffizi, so I think you can stretch a bit of time before your next stop.

Make your way to Palazzo Pitti

10 minutes on foot from Piazza della Signoria

Crossing the river, you will get to Palazzo Pitti, the former residence of the Pitti family. This magnificent palace reeks of opulence and luxury at every corner. It was finally bought by the Medicis after the decline of the Pitti clan.

Pitti Palace is pretty huge and inside you will follow a route that will show you all the chambers and apartments of the noble families that once inhabited the mansion. This is the other big landmark on the second day of this two-day Florence itinerary. The queue here is also quite long but somehow it flows quickly. A visit to Palazzo Pitti is not complete without a tour of the adjacent Boboli Garden, which is your next stop.

Take a stroll in Giardino di Boboli

When you exit Palazzo Pitti, on your right you will see the entrance to the Boboli Garden, which is right behind the palace. The layout was commissioned by the Medici family and quickly became a model of Italian-style gardening.

All around, the garden is decorated with a fascinating collection of ancient and Renaissance sculptures as well as fountains and museums. A tour of the Boboli Garden will give you a complete grasp of court life in Renaissance Florence.

Enjoy the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo

30 minutes on foot from Giardino di Boboli or 15 minutes by bus

This is arguably the most stunning viewpoint in Florence and any time of the day it works for snapping a postcard picture. If during the day you are too busy visiting the landmarks and museums before they close, the skyline from Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset will equally give you an unforgettable experience.

Where to eat – Restaurant suggestions

The first day you are in Florence if it’s not Sunday, you can enjoy a traditional and cheap meal at Trattoria Sergio Gozzi. Famous for its Florentine steak, it’s right in front of San Lorenzo Basilica, so a great fit in your sightseeing schedule.

Especially because you are staying only a few days, we recommend you pick good Florence restaurants that are either in the city center or easy to reach. A great way to find the best places to find local delicacies is to join a great Florence food tour and have a local expert show you around the city’s food highlights.

Where to stay – Hotel suggestions

Especially in the high season, Florence accommodation is more expensive compared to other cities. If you can, our piece of advice is always to prefer the low season. Another ruse to find cheaper accommodation is to get out of the historic center.

We stayed at The Little Garden, and although it wasn’t our favorite place ever, we did like the area, well-served with local buses, a supermarket, the bank, a pharmacy and restaurants. It was in Via Luigi Boccarini, where you can find several other guesthouses and apartments like Il Piccolo Nido and Sweet Apartment in Florence.

If you’d rather stay in the city center to save as much time as you can and enjoy Florence also at night, some of the top places are Granduomo Charming Accommodation, Corte Guelfa, and Il Terrazzino Sulla Cattedrale.

Obviously, the city doesn’t lack luxury, so if you are looking for the best five-star hotels in Florence or a handy hotel in Florence city center, some of the top ones are the Four Seasons, Savoy Hotel, and St. Regis. But you can also find some pretty good cheap accommodation in Florence if you are traveling on a budget and don’t want to miss this Italian beauty.

How to get around Florence

The easiest way to get around Florence’s historic center is on foot. The area is pretty compact and crowded, so walking is the best way to get from one place to another admiring the buildings on the way.

If you want to move faster, you can rent a bike, a very common means of transportation in the city center. You can also join one of the popular segway tours to see more places and save time on the transfers.

The local public transportation system is managed by ATAF and is pretty efficient. You can buy a ticket or a 10-ticket booklet at the newsagent at the station or all throughout the city. This will give you more freedom of movement as you won’t have to look for tickets all the time. Plus, we stayed in Florence for 5 days and one 10-ticket carnet turned out to be enough.

If you are coming to Florence by train from Rome, you can purchase the bus tickets directly at Santa Maria Novella station. While if you are planning a multi-city Italy trip and the next stop is the capital, you might want to book your train ticket from Florence to Rome in advance to avoid a lack of seats and high rates.

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Even though a large city, there is plenty you can see and do in one day in Genoa, and we are here to help you plan your trip to the Ligurian capital.

If you are staying only one day in Genoa, I suggest you draw your itinerary carefully. Even though there is much you can squeeze in such a short time, keep in mind that the city is big so movements take time.

In Genoa in a day, I suggest you head to the old town and duck into the majestic cathedral first thing and also to visit one of the notable mansions that are around the historic center, whether it’s Palazzo Ducale or the royal palace. Of course being only one day in Genoa hardly allows you visit more than one palace, but if you plan properly, I think you can squeeze at least one in.

I totally recommend to take a stroll around the old town to admire the local architecture, even if it’s just while going from a landmark to the other. Genoa’s historic center is a lovely collaboration or noble palaces and simple homes.

Last but not least, give the right weight to the most important factor of the local history and society: the sea. Your 1-day Genoa itinerary should include some stops in the sea, whether it’s its famous aquarium or a visit to the gorgeous marine museum (or both!).

In my article, I give you all the suggestions I found useful when I spent one day in Genoa and what I managed to do myself, including what and where to eat, and what to try to make time for. A perfect destination on your way from or to the Cinque Terre, a stop in the Ligurian capital will add incredible value to your Italy trip.

What to do in one day in Genoa – Step-by-step guide + map

Visit San Lorenzo Cathedral

Start the day bright and early with a visit to San Lorenzo Cathedral. The city’s Duomo is always the first thing I suggest visiting if you have only one day in Genoa, especially if it’s your first time.

This 11-century cathedral won’t fail to impress you from its black, white, and pastel pink facade, as well as for its grand interior. Before leaving the church, see the exhibition of the treasure of the cathedral for some precious pieces the local clergy has gathered throughout the centuries.

• Where: Piazza San Lorenzo.
• When: Monday to Friday 8 am-12 pm and 3-7 pm. Saturday and Sunday closed.

See Palazzo Ducale

Palazzo Ducale is only 3 minutes on foot from the cathedral and visiting it inside would take you no more than an hour. It was founded when Genoa became a leading marine republic and later turned into the residence of the local duke Simon Boccanegra.

It later became the mansion of the powerful Doria family and it was given the luxurious look we can see now. Today, the palace is home to several exhibitions that you can visit together with the original building.

• Where: Piazza Matteotti 9.
• When: Every day 7 am-11 pm.
• How much: 12€.

Or the Royal Palace

If you are into palaces and the history of the local nobility, the royal palace is probably more interesting than the doge’s palace. You will stroll through luxury rooms and halls, parlors, bedrooms, and dining halls finely decorated with carvings and paintings.

In only one day in Genoa, I would pick one of the two mansions as it will take at least an hour in each of them and with limited time, you need to make a choice.

• Where: Via Balbi 10.
• When: Tuesday to Saturday 9 am-7.30 pm, on Tuesday from 1.30 pm. Closed on Sunday and Monday.
• How much: 10€.

Stroll around the old town

One of the coolest things to do in Genoa even if you have only one day is to get lost in the maze of its alleys known as “caruggi”. Winding backstreets, small local shops, and historical buildings make it a lovely experience.

If you head towards Via Garibaldi, you can explore the area known as “Strade Nuove”, new streets, and the system of the UNESCO-listed Palazzi dei Rolli, a series of private buildings of the 16th and 17th centuries, when Genoa was at the top of its seafaring power, that served also as public lodgings and to host state visits.

This cool tour by the local tourism board will explain the purpose of Palazzi dei Rolli by also givign you the chance of visiting some of the historical buildings.

Try traditional food

Just because you only have one day in Genoa, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t eat! For lunch, you can grab a table at a traditional restaurant (we enjoyed our meal at Sà Pesta in Via dei Giustiniani 16R) to try some local dishes such as fresh pasta dressed with delicious pesto sauce typical from Genoa.

If you prefer to eat on the go so that you don’t waste too much time, you can tuck into the local street food, so the famous farinata, their typical focaccia, and pizza by the slice.

Genoa’s Aquarium

Resume your afternoon sightseeing visiting what’s probably the most famous attraction of the city, what puts together adults and children: Genoa’s Aquarium. This is a wonderful exhibition of a huge number of marine species from the shark to the penguins to all types of luminescent and kaleidoscopic fish.

If you are traveling with your family, your kids will love it. For this landmark, I would set at least two to three hours as it’s really huge and you are going to have fun.

• Where: Ponte Spinola.
• When: Every day 10 am-8 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9 am. Last entrance 2 hours before closing time.
• How much: 20€. You can buy your ticket online to reserve your spot.

Explore Galata Museum of the Sea

Galata Museo del Mare is about 10 to 15 minutes on foot from the Aquarium along the coastline and towards the old port. It’s also a landmark that families enjoy but it can be extremely interesting for marine history enthusiasts. It will take you at least two hours to explore but if you are into the topic, I suggest you try to include it in your one day in Genoa itinerary because it’s very fascinating.

The huge exhibition displays the history and life of the marine republic, and how the proximity to the sea has shaped the local society. But it also gives a wider approach to the important role the sea has played in the world’s history with the tale of the main explorers and the waves of immigrants throughout the last decades for more than a century. A section is devoted to Christopher Columbus, the famous Italian explorer native from Genoa.

• Where: Calata Ansaldo De Mari 1.
• When: Every day 10 am-7 pm.
• How much: 17€.

Duck into the Nazario Sauro submarine

This is truly a one-of-a-kind experience that is part of Galata Museo del Mare. It’s located outside of the museum in the water and I suggest you don’t miss it even if you are only one day in Genoa because it might well be the only chance you will have to board on a real submarine.

We loved seeing what was the life and work of the crew of the Nazario Sauro, an Italian submarine operative until 2002 and today the only one open to visitors right in the sea. During your visit, you will hear the voices of the crew as well as sounds of engines, radar, sonar, and torpedo tubes.

Stroll around the old port

Renovated and revamped by Italian architect Renzo Piano, once you are done visiting the main landmarks, if you still have some time left off your 1-day Genoa itinerary, spend it by walking around the old port.

See the reproduction of a historical galleon and the Biosfera of Renzo Piano.

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Pretty much always included in a classic Italy itinerary, especially for first-time visitors, to explore Florence in a day you need proper planning. To be fair, spending only one day in Florence entails being prepared to sacrifice entering some landmarks and to skip some restaurants that maybe we wanted to try but that happen to be far when it’s meal time.

Florence has so many things to see and do that even two days, three days, or a week is not enough to delve deep into the local history and culture. However, if one day in Florence is all you can afford, we will do our best to get a taste of the art and beauty only the cradle of the Renaissance can show.

What to do in one day in Florence

So you have only 1 day in Florence and would like to see as much as you can without wasting time. We designed this easy Florence one-day itinerary just for this.

The most time-consuming landmarks are also the most popular and it can be difficult to visit them all if you are visiting Florence in one day only. We included all of them in this itinerary as it’s possible to see them all by booking online your skip-the-line ticket or with a private Florence tour. If you prefer to explore the city independently and haven’t pre-planned your trip, you might decide to skip some of them. It all depends on the queue you find at the entrance, which will be longer in the high season.

Start early climbing Santa Maria del Fiore dome

The climb in itself is not too hard and doesn’t require too much time either. With proper planning, you can even include it in your list if you are taking a Rome to Florence day trip.

The hardest part is to find a spot right at the time you need it. Booking the climb to Brunelleschi’s cupola is mandatory and you can do it in front of the cathedral itself in the ticket office or online prior to your arrival.

In general, but especially in the high season, we recommend reserving your spot online before arriving to make sure you can find some space first thing in the morning and then carry on with your Florence 1-day itinerary.

Booking the climb to the bell tower is not mandatory but is also recommended in the high season. However, since you are spending only 1 day in Florence, you might want to choose either the dome or the bell tower. And my choice goes to the dome so you can admire the gorgeous frescoes on the ceiling from close.

The same goes for Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, the crypt, and the museum. The cathedral itself inside is pretty empty as most of the artwork was moved to the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo after the 1966 flood. Since there is no need for booking, you can visit the other major landmarks first and come back here if you have some time left. Even though, with only one day in Florence, I doubt you can visit here, too.

Book your Early Accademia Tour and Skip-The-Line Dome Climb

Head to the Galleria dell’Accademia

6 minutes’ walk from Piazza Duomo

The Galleria dell’Accademia is the museum that displays the original copy of the famous Michelangelo sculpture David. One of the most popular galleries in Florence, you will quickly spot the small entrance thanks to its ever-present line.

This is the museum with the largest number of Michelangelo’s masterpieces, making it a must even if you are exploring Florence for a day only.

Also for this gallery, purchasing a skip-the-line ticket online is the best way to save precious time.

Explore San Lorenzo Basilica and its complex

5 minutes’ walk from Galleria dell’Accademia

Even though San Lorenzo Basilica is an important worship and historic place in Florence, you won’t find a long queue or any queue at all. This was considered the family cathedral by the Medici clan. Visiting also the Tesoro di San Lorenzo in the basilica’s underground you can see the rich donations the Medicis made.

Worth a quick stop is also San Lorenzo Library next to the church and the De’ Medici tombs behind it.

If it’s lunchtime and at the entrance of Trattoria Gozzi there is no line, you can grab a table and order here a delicious traditional meal spending very little. If it’s too busy (it’s only open for lunch), get to the next stop.

Stroll around the alleys of Mercato Centrale

3 minutes’ walk from San Lorenzo Basilica

Mercato Centrale is a picturesque stop where you can take plenty of nice pictures, do great food and souvenir shopping and try Tuscan and other Italian delicacies.

We tried pasta and ravioli dumplings as well as pizza and Sicilian cannoli. Everything was delicious. Mercato Centrale adds color and vibe to your itinerary if you are still wondering what to see in Florence in one day, and is often included in one of the many food tours of Florence.

Santa Maria Novella Basilica and Cloister

5 minutes’ walk from Mercato Centrale

Santa Maria Novella Basilica is a stunning church both inside and outside and includes a fascinating cloister. There is hardly a line to enter, so in this part you will go pretty quick and smooth.

Romanesque and Gothic style, inside the church you can visit its several chapels, the courtyard and the cloister. The paintings, decorations and sculptures are the artwork of artists such as Giotto, Brunelleschi, Botticelli and Masaccio among others.

To visit the church and the other areas of the complex, an hour would be enough.

Piazza della Signoria

11 minutes’ walk from Santa Maria Novella Basilica

A beautiful Italian piazza dominated by the view of the historically important Palazzo Vecchio, a stop in Piazza della Signoria is a must and also pretty easy as it’s on the way to several attractions in the city center, including the Uffizi Gallery.

We suggest stopping here to take some pictures. Since it’s close to your next stop, if you think you have an hour, duck into Palazzo Vecchio to see the rooms where much of the municipality decisions have been taken.

Uffizi Gallery

3 minutes’ walk from Piazza della Signoria

The tour of the Uffizi Gallery will take you some 3 hours. If you book a private tour, you can make it in about 2 hours and a half as the guide will take you directly to see the most important artwork. If you don’t want to book a private tour, we suggest at least buying a fast-track entrance ticket online as it will save you plenty of time.

Even though it requires a good couple of hours, the Uffizi Gallery is one of those must-visit places you don’t want to miss even if you are trying to make the most of Florence in 1 day.

Book your Florence Highlights Tour with Uffizi and Accademia tickets

How to get around Florence

The best way to get around Florence’s historic center is by walking. This is a strict ZTL so forget driving. You can rent a bike to go faster from one landmark to the next and since you have only 1 day in Florence this is a good idea.

Similarly, you can book a bike tour or a segway tour. They are very popular and definitely make things easier and faster to see more landmarks.

If you are staying also one night and your Florence hotel is not in the city center, rely on the local public transport as it’s frequent and very well-organized.

If you are taking the Rome to Florence train, you can purchase the bus tickets directly at Santa Maria Novella station as soon as you arrive. And if you are aiming to go back, I suggest you book your train from Florence to Rome early enough to find a good choice of seats and good prices.

Where to eat in Florence

Among the Florence restaurants for first-time visitors, we suggest Trattoria Gozzi for its traditional dishes and their very affordable fares. It’s right in front of San Lorenzo Basilica in the historic center so easy to reach during your sightseeing. This is also a great spot for meat eaters who want to try the traditional Fiorentina steak.

Another spot where you can eat well in the city center is Mercato Centrale. Plenty of options from both the Tuscan tradition and dishes from other Italian regions.

Where to stay in Florence

If you are staying only one night in Florence, it’s probably wise to stay as close to the historic center as you can. Public transport is very efficient, so if you prefer to save on accommodation and book a budget hotel in Florence, you can still rely on it. But since you are staying only one day in Florence, probably you will want to save as much time as you can.

If you are looking for accommodation in the city center, some of the top places are Granduomo Charming Accommodation, Corte Guelfa, and Il Terrazzino Sulla Cattedrale.

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Sometimes a quick stop for a layover, sometimes a day trip from Florence, many travelers are not sure what to do in Milan in one day. Even though the city boasts many things to do and see, it’s not too big, so if you have limited time, it’s possible to have a great time even if you can spend only 1 day in Milan.

If you can afford more time, check out our itinerary for two days in Milan.

The first time I went to Milan, I was on a layover as the next morning I had to catch a very early flight, so I spent in Milan really only one afternoon. The second time, I went with my husband and we stayed for two days but one day I was the speaker at a conference, so we really had only one day for sightseeing. It seems like I always get to see Milan in 1 day so I’m an expert in optimizing my time to squeeze in as much as possible.

My tips are from my first-hand experience of short stays in Milan, a city that probably at first won’t impress you except for the majesty of its most important buildings, but that can capture your attention once you get deeper into its soul.

Fast-paced and cosmopolitan, Milan can’t hide its commercial identity, yet, it’s a charming hub for history buffs and culture enthusiasts. Follow us as we show you how to make the most of Milan in 1 day.

What to do in Milan in one day

So you have only 1 day in Milan and don’t know what to do to make the most out of your short trip? Fret not, here we give you a simple guide to the top things to see and do in Milan in 24 hours. We’ll show you that it’s possible to visit Milan in one day and still have a great time enjoying its more important sights.

Enter the Duomo and climb up the Duomo Terraces

The majestic Gothic-style Duomo is possibly the first sight to include in your Milan one-day itinerary. You can enjoy the Gothic Duomo facade from the piazza, the majestic interior and the terraces.

The beautiful facade is one of the most photographed landmarks in Milan, but the church is impressive also inside. Colorful glass windows, large pillars, archaeological areas, and great artwork are all part of the cathedral’s interior.

To complete your visit, you can go up the Duomo’s terraces to have a beautiful view of the typical Gothic spires as well as of the city’s skyline. This is really a highlight of your Duomo visit and of your 1-day Milan itinerary. A close-up of the spires is stunning and will really make you appreciate the view also from below.

To save time, your best option is to buy a skip-the-line ticket that will give you access to the different parts of the duomo’s complex, including the terraces and the archaeological area. Click here to see prices and options.

Visit the Duomo Museum

In the same piazza, located inside the Royal Palace, you can visit the Museo del Duomo to trace the history of the cathedral through the work and masterpieces once part of the church.

The tour doesn’t take long and it’s the best introduction to the art and history of the Duomo, so ideally it should be done before visiting the church. But since you have limited time and are spending only one day in Milan, do it afterward when you are sure you can make it.

Explore Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Milan’s “salotto”, Italian for “parlour”, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele will allow you to feel the vibe of the bygone royal days. What can you do in the crystal-rooftop gallery built as a tribute to Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of unified Italy?

Have a drink in one of the historic coffee shops such as Camparino, stroll along the shops lined up inside, admire the beautiful dome, take a stroll on the gallery’s rooftops to enjoy a fantastic view of the Duomo. And do the ritual of the bull if you want to come back spinning around yourself with your heel on the bull’s genitals.

Visit Piazza della Scala

If you are exploring Milan in one day and following our, it will be difficult to visit also La Scala opera house and its museum. But you can still visit the beautiful Piazza della Scala facing the famous theatre.

Connected to the Duomo via Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the piazza boasts several monuments, such as the one dedicated to medieval Italian writer and poet Dante Alighieri.

The Last Supper

Seeing the magnificent fresco by Leonardo Da Vinci The Last Supper is a must for anyone on their first trip, even if it’s only 1 day in Milan. To see the masterpiece, you need to book in advance. If you book a tour with a guide, he or she will lay out all the history and facts behind the legendary mural painting and its creator.

To view The Last Supper, you need to enter on the left of the main entrance. It’s open every day except Monday. Once inside the room where is the painting, you are allotted only 15 minutes to enjoy it. When the time is over, the guardian will lead you to the next room to allow the following group of people to enter.

Finding a ticket for The Last Supper is not really an easy job. You need to book at least a month in advance from the official website. A single ticket costs 15€ and if you choose a guide, you need to add 3,50€ per person.

Another option, pricier but handier, is to book a guided tour. They will take care of all the booking and ticket purchasing. Click here to check out the price and availability.

Before moving on to the next landmark, visit also the beautiful church, the last renovation of which was commissioned to the Italian artist Bramante.

Sforza Castle

One of the city’s symbols, make sure you don’t skip Castello Sforzesco. Built in the 14th century by the order of the Visconti ruler of Milan, the castle was taken over and brought to splendor by Francesco Sforza in the 15th century.

Today, the impressive building houses several museums, among which is the fantastic Egyptian Museum, and they always organize temporary exhibitions. Obviously, if you are visiting Milan in one day only, you might want to skip these and only see the exterior of the castle.

Snap lots of pictures of its gates, towers, and courtyard before continuing your stroll to the rest of Sempione Park. Here, you can round off your long day in Milan with some relaxation, have an aperitif in one of the bars, enjoy a concert if it’s summer, or just have a walk in the green.

Do some window shopping

Milan is known for being Italy’s fashion capital, so if you have some time left, why not go on some window shopping. The fashion district revolves around San Babila square and the neighborhood.

Take in streets like Via Montenapoleone, Corso Venezia, Via della Spiga, Via Sant’Andrea and Via Manzoni to see the windows of some big brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Dior, Chanel and Tiffany.

Have dinner in Milan’s Navigli

The Navigli district in Milan is famous for its nightlife, pubs, and drinking and eating opportunities. If you are sleeping in Milan for at least one night, I suggest spending the evening in the Navigli to see what the local nightlife vibe is like.

Plus, the restaurants serve delicious food from pizza to traditional Milan dishes as well as some of the best pasta in Milan.

Where to eat if you are in Milan for one day

With only one day to explore the city, I’m pretty sure you are not going to spend hours sitting in a restaurant. For as much of a foodie, as you might be, time is precious and can’t be wasted. But don’t worry, in Milan, you can find pretty nice eateries where you can either grab your meal and have it on the go, or enjoy it inside as a street-food style.

A place recommended by locals is Pizza AM (Corso di Porta Romana 83). You guessed it, here the specialty is pizza, and one of the best in the city. Some other good restaurants for a casual meal are SlowSud (Via delle Asole 4), close to the Duomo, serving southern Italian dishes, and the popular Ravioleria Sarpi (Via Paolo Sarpi 27), close to the Arco della Pace, serving all types of dumplings.

Milan is also very famous for its aperitif, so if you are still there around 6 or 7 pm, check out some of the places that offer a delicious and affordable buffet. Try Deseo (Corso Sempione 2) close to the Arco della Pace, Bhangrabar (Corso Sempione 1) for a restaurant Indian-style, or La Hora Feliz (Via San Vito 5a) near San Lorenzo Maggiore Basilica.

Our hotel in Milan

In Milan, we stayed at Hotel delle Nazioni. We found it extremely convenient for a number of reasons. First of all, it’s close to the main train station Milano Centrale and easy to reach on foot. Also, it’s not far from many landmarks, is well-served by public transport and all around you can find plenty of restaurants.

Last but not least, the price was very reasonable for good service, a comfortable and clean room, and a great location. Click here for more info and to book.

READ MORE: Top things to do in Milan – A handy guide

Is 1 day enough in Milan?

Even though not as rich as Rome in attractions and historical sights, one day in Milan is still not enough to enjoy everything the city has to offer. However, featuring Milan a pretty walkable and compact city center, in one day there is a lot you can do to get an initial grasp of the vibe and life in Lombardy’s capital.

Our easy itinerary is a perfect summary of a diverse range of experiences you can have if you can only afford 1 day in Milan, from admiring the local artwork to getting to know its history to some tips on where to eat.

Our top tips to save time when visiting Milan

So you are only staying one day in Milan and want to visit as much as possible in such a short time. We hear you. Milan is a vibrant European city with a rich culture and an exciting lifestyle, so it’s only normal that you want to get as much as you can from your layover or short stay. Here are some of our tips to optimize your time in Milan.

• Stay central. Booking your hotel near the city center and the most important attractions will save you the time to reach them in the morning. Even if you don’t want to be right next to the Duomo, you can do as we did and book your hotel near Milano Centrale train station. From there, we easily walked everywhere.

• Use public transport. If you want to go cheaper with the accommodation and book your room farther away from the historic center, fret not, Milan’s public transport system is very efficient. You can rely on the metro and trams for faster transfers, but really also the buses are frequent and on time.

• Eat on the go. Instead of lingering too long in a restaurant, you can grab some street food and eat on the go at least for lunch. When dinner time arrives, you can round off a long day by relaxing with a restaurant dinner, maybe in the Navigli area.

• Buy your tickets online. Especially when it comes to the Duomo, which is one of the most popular sights in Milan, arriving with the tickets already in your hands will save you from doing a double queue as the ticket office is on the other side and not right at the Duomo’s entrance. You can purchase your ticket here.

• Join a tour. There are several tours that in a couple of hours show you the biggest highlights of the city, a sort of “welcome to Milan” type of experience. These are great if you don’t have much time and don’t want to waste precious minutes checking the map and how to get from one landmark to another.

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Not always included in classic Italy itineraries, many travelers don’t spend more than 2 days in Milan. Dubbed Italy’s Wall Street, often the city is a business destination. If you only have limited time, here is a full guide to how to enjoy 48 hours in Milan with suggestions on where to eat and where to stay.

At the end of the article, you will find our suggestions on where to eat close to the landmarks you are visiting and some hotels convenient for both price and location.

Less time available?
Find out what to do in Milan in 1 day only!

Is 2 days in Milan enough?

Two days in Milan is enough to visit all its most famous landmarks such as the Duomo, the Last Supper, and Castello Sforzesco. If you are into shopping, you can either stop in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele near the Duomo or take a short walk to popular shopping streets such as Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga, and Corso Venezia.

Is Milan worth visiting for a weekend?

Milan is a great city break for a weekend. Compact and vibrant, you can have a super exciting weekend in Milan.

Through its several airports, the city is very well connected with other European cities and capitals. You can find direct flights to Milan from cities like London, Edimburgh, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Madrid, Brussels, and other Italian cities like Rome, Naples, Palermo, Bari, and Cagliari.

There are also several airlines that connect Milan to non-European countries so you have direct flights from Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Tunis, Marrakech, Cairo, and Tel Aviv. These are obviously more expensive, but if you want to plan a cool weekend that combines trendy shopping, cool aperitifs, and cultural sightseeing, Milan is definitely your destination.

Visit Milan in 2 days – Day 1

Start early with Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper

Famous worldwide, the beautiful mural painting by Leonardo Da Vinci depicting the last meal Christ had with His Apostles is one of the best things to see in Milan in 2 days.

Located in the refectory of the UNESCO-listed Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, The Last Supper can be seen with prior reservation. Once there, you can only stay 15 minutes in the refectory where is the painting. After that, you will be led to the next room to carry on with your tour and let the next group in.

My suggestion is to book a guided tour so that everything will be arranged for you and your guide will tell you about the history behind the painting as well as the Dominican Convent where it is displayed.

Book your Best of Milan Tour with Last Supper Tickets and Milan Duomo Rooftop

Visit the Duomo

A stroll to the Duomo is a must for any first-timer planning their Milan 2-day itinerary. After you snapped the mandatory pictures of the cathedral’s facade, step inside and admire the grand interior.

You can also go up the rooftop and enjoy the city skyline from the beautiful terrace where once locals even used to organize their weekend picnics.

The ticket for the Duomo is 3€, to go up to the terraces 10 if you climb the stairs and 14 if you take the elevator. The fast-track ticket to the terraces with the elevator is 23€.

Go prepared and book your ticket online in advance!
Milan Duomo and Rooftop Ticket
or
Fast-Track Ticket Milan Duomo and Terrace Guided Tour

Stroll around Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Right next to the Duomo is the city’s “parlour”. Take a walk in the classic covered gallery, do some window shopping and grab a table at one of the historic coffee shops.

On the floor of the gallery, you will see a mosaic depicting a bull. According to the myth, making a rotation on top with your heel on the bull’s genitals will ensure your going back to Milan. This ritual is so appreciated by visitors that the mosaic is often under renovation.

Built between 1865 and 1877, the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is one of the world’s oldest shopping centers. Its charm and proximity to the Duomo make it a popular stop, so you are very likely to visit the gallery in your two days in Milan for a walk or a drink.

Duck into the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore

After visiting the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, you can make your way towards the Navigli canals either on foot or using tram n. 2, 3, or 4. Before reaching the Navigli, I suggest you stop at the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore.

The oldest church in Milan and one of the oldest in Italy, San Lorenzo Maggiore was built on the site of an early-Christian worship place and was consecrated in the early 5th century. It appears a fascinating mix of architectural styles from the Renaissance to the Baroque, even with Byzantine features.

Cruise the Navigli

The area of the Navigli, the canals that run along the Alzaia, Ripa del Naviglio Grande, Via Valenza up to Via Carlo Darwin, are a favorite area both day and night.

I suggest you get there in the afternoon so you can join a cruise along the canals or simply have a walk and enjoy the view, the shops and the bars and restaurants. The Navigli is famous for its nightlife, so you can stop here for an aperitif, dinner, and after-dinner drink.

Along the Navigli, you can also stroll around the stalls of the Mercato Comunale and shop for some local products. Or visit historic places such as churches and bridges.

Visit Milan in 2 Days – Day 2

Explore Pinacoteca di Brera

Start early at Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan’s main art gallery. It showcases important masterpieces such as The Dead Christ and Three Mourners by Andrea Mantegna, The Marriage of the Virgin by Raphael, Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio, The Virgin with Child, Angels and Saints by Piero della Francesca, and The Finding of the Body of Saint Mark by Tintoretto.

You can devote as little as an hour and then carry on with the other sights planned for the second day of your itinerary.

• Address: Via Brera 28.
• Opening hours: Every day 8.30 am-7.15 pm. Closed on Monday, January 1st, and December 25th.
• Admission: 15€.

Pay a visit to the Sforza Castle

The historic residence of the powerful Sforza dynasty, Castello Sforzesco is an interesting and central landmark to include in your Milan 2-day itinerary. Inside, it hosts museums and exhibitions, so you can visit the castle outside and inside.

Built in the 15th century by the order of Francesco Sforza, today it is one of Milan’s symbols. As soon as you arrive, enjoy the majesty of the exterior architecture made with imposing gates, towers and a large courtyard.

Don’t leave before paying a visit also inside the castle. The same ticket will buy an entrance to the different museums such as the Archaeological Museum which includes one of the most important Egyptian museums in Italy, after the one in Turin.

You can also view the paintings of artists such as Canaletto, Mantegna and Correggio in the Pinacoteca, or a collection of sculptures, objects and masterpieces from the Middle Ages and Renaissance in the Museum of Ancient Art.

Take a stroll in Parco Sempione

Who doesn’t feel like taking a break and enjoying some greenery? Parco Sempione is a favorite city park easy to reach by metro (line 1-Red and 2-Green), tram and several buses. But if you are coming from Sforza Castle, you are already in the park.

What can you do in Sempione Park? Plenty. You can go walking, jogging, biking, or even playing basketball and volleyball on the dedicated courts. If you decided to visit Milan in 2 days with your family, the kids will love their playground with castles and swings. The park includes also an area for dogs, perfect for those traveling to Milan with their pet.

But that’s not all. Every day there are volunteer guides that organize tours to discover the species of plants living in the park, in summer there are plenty of concerts, the evening you can enjoy an aperitif in one of the bars scattered around the park.

Along with the Sforza Castle, inside Parco Sempione, you can also visit the other historic monuments such as the Branca Tower, the Civic Arena, Palazzo della Triennale, Arco della Pace, and the large Aquarium.

READ MORE: Milan Travel Guide – What to do and how to plan your trip

Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo Da Vinci

Once you are done with the Sforza Castle and the park, visiting Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia is a nice way to complete your Last Supper visit the day before. An all-round genius, if you are into science, exploring Leonardo Da Vinci’s discoveries is always worth it.

This museum is a celebration of science and technology. If you are a fan, don’t miss it.

• Address: Via San Vittore 21.
• Opening hours: in winter every day 9.30 am-5 pm (Saturday and Sunday until 6.30 pm), in summer every day 10 am-6 pm (Saturday and Sunday until 7 pm). Closed on Monday, December 24th and 25th, and January 1st.
• Admission: 10€.

Go shopping

Milan is famous for being Italy’s fashion city, so if you are into the new trends, take a stroll to the famous shopping streets and get ready to fork out good cash.

What is the main shopping street in Milan? There are many, obviously. Head to San Babila square: from there, the most famous Milan shopping streets branch off. Enjoy the shops lined up along Via Montenapoleone, the most popular and luxurious, Via della Spiga, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Sant’Andrea and Corso Buenos Aires among others.

What is Milan famous for shopping? The first thing that comes to mind is certainly fashion, so clothes, shoes and accessories of all sorts. In Milan, you will find the most luxurious and expensive brands, especially on the main shopping streets. But if you don’t want to break the bank, you will also see smaller shops off the main roads selling beautiful and probably more unique pieces.

What else should you buy in Milan? If you are looking for a touristy gift, around the popular landmarks, you will find the typical souvenirs such as magnets, keyrings, etc. If you are visiting Milan around Christmas time, Panettone is the typical cake. Should you decide to buy one, prefer bakeries to mass distribution stores.

Spend an evening at the Scala Opera House

Visit the famous Opera House La Scala where legends like Pavarotti and Maria Callas performed and where operas by Verdi, Puccini and Rossini among others were played.

You can visit the interesting museum of the opera house to see objects and documents of the artists and orchestra directors that at some point worked there.

Obviously, if you feel like spoiling yourself with an exclusive evening of beauty, music and art, you can book your seat at one of the concerts and operas. Check out the official website for the calendar.

Book your Teatro Alla Scala guided tour

Where to eat on your two-day Milan trip

Nerino Dieci Trattoria (Via Nerino 10) is a favorite among locals and a 10-minute walk away from Piazza Duomo, so very handy. They serve local cuisine, which makes it a good choice if it’s your first trip.

Also close to the Duomo, some 15 minutes walking, is Pizza AM (Corso di Porta Romana 83), inexpensive and one of the best pizza in Milan.

For a quick and delicious sandwich on the go, give All’Antico Vinaio (Via Lupetta 12) a try. It’s located between the Duomo and the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore so easy to reach by walking and a handy alternative for a fast-food-style lunch.

If you want to treat yourself to some fine Italian and northern Italian cuisine, head to Nabucco (Via Fiori Chiari 10) and VUN Andrea Aprea (Via Silvio Pellico 3), facing Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

Between the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore and the Navigli is Milan’s venue of the famous Roman restaurant Felice a Testaccio (Via del Torchio 4). Serving great Roman dishes, this is a fantastic option for dinner if you are hungry and don’t have time to get to the Navigli, where you can go later for an after-dinner drink.

Where to stay in Milan on a 2-day trip

We very much enjoyed our stay at Hotel delle Nazioni, not far from Milan’s Stazione Centrale. It was central, well-served by public transport, very clean, and inclusive of all the facilities we needed. All for a reasonable price. Click here to see rates and availability and to book.

• High-end. For a 5-star stay, check out names like Château Monfort – Relais & Châteaux close to the exclusive shopping streets and Park Hyatt Milano right in front of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

• Mid-range. If you are looking for great accommodation check out Palazzo Cornalia near the main train station, Hotel Pierre Milano, and Antica Locanda dei Mercanti not far from the city center.

• Budget. An easy option for smart and budget hotels in Milan is Starhotels Ritz and Aparthotel Meneghino.

• Cheap. For cheap accommodation in Milan, you might need to get a bit far from the city center. Some options include Ostello Bello Grande hostel, Camere delle Rose near the Navigli, and B&B Giolì in the Porta Vittoria area.

• Apartment. If you prefer to book an apartment, some good options close to the city center are AHD Rooms and Casa 50.

Get around Milan

Since you are staying only 2 days in Milan, all the major landmarks are pretty much easy to reach on foot. More so if you book a hotel in the city center.

If you are staying out of the historic center or you don’t want to walk much, you can opt for the local public transport service, ATM. Milan has a pretty widespread and well-organized network of buses, metro, and trams. You can download their app and purchase and show the tickets from your smartphone.

For Milan city center, you can buy tickets covering the areas M1, M2, and M3. The single ticket for these zones costs 2€ and is valid for 90 minutes, the daily ticket is 7€, the 3-day ticket 12€, and the carnet with 10 single tickets 18€.

• Tip: Buy a Milan Pass City Card to enjoy discounted admissions and a 48-hour public transport ticket.

Is Milan a walkable city?

One of the best things about Milan that makes it a great destination for a short 2-day trip is that it’s very walkable. In only one day, I visited the Duomo, walk around the neighborhood, wandered around the Sforza Castle, saw The Last Supper, and enjoy an aperitif and a lovely dinner at the Navigli.

If you have two days and want to add more sites, you can always rely on public transport because it’s very efficient and will certainly help optimize your limited time.

READ MORE: How to plan a trip to Italy

Great tours and walks in Milan

Since you have so little time, you can consider taking some tours to see more places.

• Milan: Duomo and The Last Supper Skip-the-Line Guided Tour. This 3-hour tour will take you to Milan’s Duomo, to Santa Maria delle Grazie church to see Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, and to Castello Sforzesco.
• Fast-Track Milan Cathedral and Terraces Guided Tour. This small group tour lasts an hour and a half and includes a skip-the-line entrance to the Duomo and also access to the terraces and the archaeological area.
• Historical Walking Tour and The Last Supper Ticket. With this 3-hour tour, you will visit most of Milan’s historical landmarks including the Duomo, Da Vinci’s Last Supper, the Sforza Castle, La Scala opera theater, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

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