Italy Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Weeks in Italy — The Complete Guide for Australians
Two weeks in Italy is just enough time to see the headline cities properly, add a coastal or rural dimension, and start to feel the rhythm of a country that operates on its own unhurried terms. Whether you're arriving fresh off a 22-hour flight from Sydney or building on a broader Europe trip, here's a complete 14-day Italy itinerary that works for Australian travellers, with the logistics to back it up.
Two weeks in Italy is just enough time to see the headline cities properly, add a coastal or rural dimension, and start to feel the rhythm of a country that operates on its own unhurried terms. Whether you're arriving fresh off a 22-hour flight from Sydney or building on a broader Europe trip, here's a complete 14-day Italy itinerary that works for Australian travellers, with the logistics to back it up.
Jump To ...
- Getting to Italy from Australia
- The Classic 2-Week Italy Itinerary: Rome → Florence → Cinque Terre → Venice
- Day-by-Day Italy Itinerary
- Alternative Routes: Amalfi Coast & Southern Italy
- Getting Around Italy: Trains, Driving, and What to Pre-Book
- Best Time to Visit Italy from Australia
- Frequently Asked Questions
Getting To Italy From Australia
Most Australians fly into Rome (Fiumicino/Leonardo da Vinci Airport, FCO) as their Italy entry point — it's the best-connected major Italian city from Australian departure points. Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Etihad (via Abu Dhabi), and Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) all serve Rome from Sydney and Melbourne, with total journey times of approximately 22–24 hours.
Flying into Milan (Malpensa, MXX) is worth considering if your itinerary is northern-focused — it saves a long train trip north. Consider an open-jaw itinerary (fly into Rome, fly home from Venice or Milan) to eliminate backtracking at the end.
Build in a recovery day: 22+ hours of travel followed immediately by sightseeing is a recipe for a ruined first impression. Rome is magnificent — see it when you've slept.
The Classic 2-Week Italy Itinerary
The most popular and well-tested two-week Italy route follows a north-south arc:
- Days 1–4: Rome
- Days 5–7: Florence
- Days 8–9: Cinque Terre
- Days 10–11: Tuscany (Siena, San Gimignano)
- Days 12–14: Venice
This routing works because the Italian high-speed rail (Frecciarossa) connects these cities efficiently — Rome to Florence is 1.5 hours; Florence to La Spezia (Cinque Terre gateway) is 2 hours; Florence to Venice is 2.5 hours. No domestic flying required.
Day-by-Day Italy Itinerary
Days 1–2: Rome — Arrival and Recovery
Fly into Fiumicino. If you arrive in the morning, push through tiredness and spend your first afternoon in the Trastevere neighbourhood — the winding medieval streets, neighbourhood restaurants, and relaxed pace are ideal for jetlagged arrival. No must-sees required today.
Day 2 is your first proper Rome day: the Colosseum and Roman Forum in the morning (pre-book tickets — queues are significant), the Capitoline Hill at midday, and the Jewish Ghetto's restaurants for lunch. Afternoon: Campo de' Fiori and Piazza Navona. Dinner in Prati.
Day 3: Rome — Vatican & Trastevere
The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are essential — and pre-booking is non-negotiable (same-day queues can be 3–4 hours). Book the first entry slot (7:30–8am if available) to beat the crowds. St Peter's Basilica is free and extraordinary; the dome climb offers Rome's best view. Afternoon: cross the river to Trastevere and explore properly.
Day 4: Rome — The Good Stuff
Pantheon (free, but timed entry now required), the Trevi Fountain at dawn before the crowds arrive, the Spanish Steps, and the Via Condotti for window shopping. Day 4 is Rome at its most cinematic. End the day with a proper Roman dinner — carbonara, cacio e pepe, or supplì at a neighbourhood trattoria.
Day 5: Rome to Florence
Morning Frecciarossa to Florence (1.5 hours from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella). Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon at the Uffizi Gallery (pre-book — this is non-negotiable; same-day entry is essentially impossible). Gelato from a proper gelateria (look for natural colours and metal containers, not fluorescent mounds). Dinner in the Oltrarno neighbourhood.
Day 6: Florence — Renaissance Depth
The Accademia in the morning to see Michelangelo's David (again: pre-book). The Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace for a long lunch hour. Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset for the best view of the Florence skyline over the Arno. The walk across Ponte Vecchio at dusk. Dinner in the San Niccolò neighbourhood.
Day 7: Day Trip to Siena or Chianti
Florence is an excellent base for day trips into Tuscany. Siena is 1.5 hours by bus or car — its Campo is one of Italy's great piazzas. The Chianti wine region is best by car (hire from Florence) — the SS222 road between Greve and Castelnuovo Berardenga is one of Italy's great drives, with vineyard stops along the way.
Days 8–9: Cinque Terre
Train from Florence to La Spezia (approximately 2 hours), then local train or ferry along the coast to your chosen village. Vernazza is the most beautiful; Monterosso the most beach-friendly; Riomaggiore the most accessible. The cliff trail between Vernazza and Corniglia (where it's open) is one of Europe's great short walks. Stay overnight in one of the villages for the extraordinary early-morning calm before day-trippers arrive.
Days 10–11: Return to Florence, then Venice
Optional: spend a second night in Tuscany (San Gimignano's medieval towers are one of Italy's great sights) before catching the Frecciarossa to Venice (approximately 2.5 hours from Florence). Venice on arrival in the late afternoon — the first view of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge as the light drops is one of the world's great travel moments.
Days 12–14: Venice
Venice rewards slowness. Day 12: San Marco and Doge's Palace in the morning (pre-book), the Frari church in the afternoon, aperitivo at a bacaro along a quiet canal. Day 13: the islands — Murano for glass-blowing demonstrations, Burano for the extraordinary colour-saturated fishermen's houses. Day 14: a final morning wandering the Dorsoduro neighbourhood before your transfer to Marco Polo Airport for the flight home.
Alternative Route: Amalfi Coast & Southern Italy
For travellers who've done northern Italy or want something less beaten, a southern-focused two weeks is equally rewarding:
- Days 1–4: Rome (as above)
- Days 5–6: Naples — chaotic, extraordinary, pizza capital of the world
- Days 7–8: Amalfi Coast (Positano, Ravello, Amalfi)
- Days 9–10: Pompeii and Paestum
- Days 11–12: Matera — the ancient cave city, one of Italy's great secrets
- Days 13–14: Puglia (Lecce, Alberobello's trulli houses, Ostuni)
This southern route requires a mix of rail and hired car — Puglia and the Amalfi Coast are best explored with your own transport. Fly home from Bari or Brindisi.
Getting Around Italy: Trains, Driving, and What to Pre-Book
Trains
Italy's high-speed rail (Frecciarossa and Italo) is excellent between major cities and strongly recommended. Book tickets on Trenitalia.com or Italo's website Italotreno.com. For Cinque Terre, the local Cinque Terre Card covers trains and trails.
Driving
Essential for Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Puglia, and rural areas. Avoid driving in Rome, Florence, or Venice (ZTL restricted zones). Book hire cars well in advance for summer travel.
What to Pre-Book (Non-Negotiable)
- Colosseum and Roman Forum — book weeks or months ahead in peak season
- Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel — essential; day-of queuing is hours
- Uffizi Gallery, Florence — virtually impossible to enter without a booking in summer
- Accademia, Florence — book at least a week ahead
- Doge's Palace, Venice — pre-booking recommended
- All high-speed trains — book 30–60 days ahead for best prices
Expert tip
Destination Specialist
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Best Time to Visit Italy from Australia
For Australian travellers, the timing question is flipped from the Northern Hemisphere norm:
- April–June (Australian autumn): Excellent. Spring in Italy — wildflowers, comfortable temperatures, pre-peak-summer crowds. Our recommendation for most Australian travellers.
- September–October (Australian winter/spring): Also excellent. Post-peak crowds, warm weather, harvest season in Tuscany. Outstanding food and wine experiences.
- July–August: Peak European summer. Hot, crowded, expensive. Book everything months ahead. Worth it if this is when your leave falls, but less enjoyable than shoulder seasons.
- November–March (Australian summer): Quieter and cheaper. Some coastal areas shut down. Rome and Florence are excellent in winter — fewer crowds at major sites.
Conclusion
Two weeks in Italy is enough to leave with a real sense of the country — the layered history of Rome, the Renaissance riches of Florence, the irrational beauty of Cinque Terre, and the unique otherworldliness of Venice. It's one of the world's great two-week trips, and the journey from Australia, while long, rewards every hour.
Ready to start planning? Talk to a Flight Centre Australia travel consultant about Italy holiday packages — we'll build your perfect 14-day itinerary from flights to accommodation to day trips.
Frequently Asked Questions: 2 Weeks in Italy
Is 2 weeks enough for Italy?
Two weeks is an excellent amount of time for Italy. It allows you to cover the key northern cities (Rome, Florence, Venice) properly, add Cinque Terre or Tuscany, and have time to slow down and enjoy rather than rush. It won't cover everything — Italy rewards repeat trips — but it's the right minimum for a first visit.
What is the best Italy itinerary for 14 days?
Should I visit Rome or Venice first?
What is the best time to visit Italy from Australia?
April–June and September–October are the best times — shoulder season means comfortable temperatures, lower prices, and manageable crowds. These periods align with Australian autumn and winter/spring — many Australians find Italy's spring and autumn ideal.
How do I get around Italy?
High-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Italo) between major cities. Local trains for Cinque Terre. Hire car for Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, and Puglia. Avoid driving in major cities — Italy's ZTL (restricted traffic zones) are heavily fined.
How far in advance should I book Italy from Australia?
Book flights 4–6 months ahead, particularly for peak season (June–August). Pre-book major attractions (Colosseum, Vatican, Uffizi) as early as possible — these sell out weeks or months ahead. Train tickets should be booked 30–60 days ahead for best prices.
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