3 Weeks In Italy: 3 Itineraries

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Italy is a destination all kinds of travellers could enjoy. Regardless if you only have a few days, a week, or even about a month. If you are looking for a beach holiday, hiking trip, food getaway, or cultural trip – Italy should be on your list. If it’s your first time here, I highly recommend you check out these fantastic books about Italy.

Italy is only of the few places on Earth where you can experience so many things in a short period of time. Due to its location, wherever you are coming from, you know there’s always a fast way to reach Ital

. In this article, I will show you three different -weeks in Italy itineraries. One for the northern part, second for the southern region, and third for the all-over Italy trip. Some of the places and attractions might be repeated.

ALSO READ: Europe in 3 weeks on a budget

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO ITALY

colosseum, venice boat - 3 WEEKS IN ITALY

It’s pretty easy to travel to Italy. But to make things easier for you, I list quick travel tips for your visit to Italy.

Best time to go to Italy

Depending on what you want to do, basically, all year round is an excellent time to visit Italy. The busiest time for hiking and summer activities is from June until August. For winter activities like skiing, visiting northern Italy from December until February is best.

If you want to avoid the crowd, Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September-November) are great times to explore Italy.

Are 3 weeks enough for Italy

3 weeks in Italy is perfect whether it’s your first time here or you’re exploring less-known areas. The country has pretty okay public transportation, but the high-speed train really makes a difference. You can even rent a car and drive on your own, although it will take a little more time.

Getting around Italy

I once had a 6-hour layover in Rome, and I didn’t want to spend all those hours at the airport. So, I tossed my luggage at the airport luggage storage, took the train to the city and had a nice local lunch, walked on Spanish steps, and of course, my favourite, a couple of spoons of gelato.

Italy, in general, has a fantastic train system. Although some people may argue about its punctuality, it is reliable and affordable.

The best way to travel around Italy is by using the trains or trams to cities, planes, driving, then buses. Almost all towns are connected by trains. Big cities to big cities (Rome to Florence for example) take only 3 hours by train.

You can always take a domestic flight if you want to go faster. Most major cities are flights to all other major cities within the country.

On the other hand, if you prefer the freedom of movement – rent a car. Just remember, most cars are in manual transmission. IDP (International Driver’s Permit) are valid in Italy. But double-check this one because some countries will give international driver’s licenses to their citizens, but then Italy might not acknowledge or accept these.

Lastly, you can use buses. Most young people will use the buses for affordability. However, the price difference between bus and train is not much. At least on trains, you can walk around and stretch.

CAR RENTAL PRICES IN ITALY

Visa and COVID-19 policy

Italy is part of Schengen, which is a policy under the EU. This means that the Italian immigration office follows the same visa rules as other Schengen State members when it comes to allowing tourists to enter and travel in the country.

Travellers with passports from most Americas, most of Europe, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and some Middle East can enter and travel to Italy for 90 days (EU/Schengen Members have freedom of movement). The rest of the nationalities not on the list must apply for a Schengen visa.

Italy opened their international border to foreign tourists in 2021 to vaccinated travellers. However, due to Omicron, the restrictions have changed. The government announces changes every month, which you can check here.

Average cost of spending 3 weeks in Italy

This can vary a lot depending on your style of travelling and preference. If you don’t mind staying in a shared dorm room, a budget of $1,000 will be doable. You can mix up eating street food, dining at the restaurant, and checking some food at the grocery stores.

If you can spend a little bit more, $1,700 will be more ideal. You get your own private room and try out local restaurants. a $2,300 budget for three weeks in Italy will be very comfortable, perhaps even the option to spend a few nights in a luxury hotel and dining out most of the time. All these prices exclude the cost of your flight to and from Italy.

Other basic travel tips

Here is a list of sites I use for travel services, such as accommodations, tour sites, car rentals, and even travel insurance. I prefer booking some things in advance, such as hotels and flights. Most hotels allow free cancellation at the last minute, and the same goes for some tours.

HOTELS
VISA
CAR RENTAL
TOURS
FLIGHTS
BUS (EU/US/CA)
TRAINS EUROPE
TRAIN/BUS (ASIA)
TOUR OPTIONS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
RETURN TICKET
HOSTELS
AIRPORT PICK UP
CRUISES
BIKE RENTAL

PINNED MAP OF MUST-SEE PLACES IN ITALY

Click the logo on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: Map Data: Google

3 WEEKS IN ITALY ITINERARIES

From the eyes of an outsider, I’d say the north of Italy is so different from the south. It has this older European vibe, and everything feels more intimate. I love exploring this region because the train lines here are just great.

Going from city to city is no trouble (well, the train schedule is an extra challenge). It’s definitely the area I recommend for people who hate spending time at train/bus stations or even the airport. I also love that while it can be humid during summer, the greenery keeps the temperature cool and walking around isn’t too bad. Now, let’s discuss the best itinerary for 3- weeks in Italy.

I recommend you fly to Milan and start your adventure from there.

Itinerary #1: Northern Italy – Milan, Venice, Florence

david of michaelangelo statue, pasta, duomo idi milan - 3 WEEKS IN ITALY ITINERARY

This itinerary will take you to the northern part of Italy, where art is rich, wine is tasty, and fashion is part of the daily grind. The good thing about this itinerary is you can quickly get from one place to another.

If you land in Milan, you can train to Venice and Florence. From Florence, you can take a flight home. If you feel one week for each city is too long, add Bologna to your 3 weeks in Italy itinerary. It’s in the middle of these three great cities.

Week 1 – Milan

Milan is also known as a literature city. Even though Milan is now a modern city, you won’t get lost in the middle of skyscrapers. The city has managed to keep their historic buildings and charming streets while ensuring they offer convenience to the locals and tourists.

Must-see attractions in Milan:
Where to stay in Milan:

Week 2- Venice

3 weeks in Italy is incomplete without visiting the famous Venice, a trendy romantic destination in Italy. However, it’s more than a beautiful gondola ride. Venice holds historical sites and is pretty much the most popular floating city. Venice can be reached through a quick plane ride from Milan or a 3.5-hour train ride.

It is a small island city, so you can easily just walk around, remember there are many steps and small alleys. It’s so easy to spend 2 days in Venice or even a week. There are so many things to do and food to eat.

You can get to Venice from Milan in different ways: by bus, train, or plane. The bus is the cheapest, which will take around 3 hours. Taking the train to Venice will be more comfortable and can be faster. Taking a flight might not be the fastest since you’ll need to go through a connection. For those who rented a

Must-see attractions in Venice:
Where to stay in Venice:

Week 3 – Florence

Florence is probably known for Renaissance Art, architecture, and monuments. It is also the home of the most popular galleries. For art and history fans, this is a city you won’t want to miss. You can fly from Venice to Florence or enjoy a scenic 3-hour train ride.

If you have too much time in Florence, get on a day trip to Pisa or Bologna. From Venice to Florence is only a 2 hr and 30 min train ride. The bus can take longer, and the flight requires a connection, making the trip even longer. Driving is just a bit over 3 hours.

Must-see attractions in Florence:
Where to stay in Florence:

Itinerary #2: South – Rome, Naples, Sicily

The South of Italy offers stunning beaches and must-visit historical sites. There are also dozens of wineries to explore, castles to discover, and mountains to hike. This 3 weeks in Italy itinerary will start in the capital city of Rome, followed by the famous metropolitan city of Naples, and then to Italy’s biggest island in the south- Sicily.

The south of Italy is rich in history, outdoor activities, and enjoying the scenic Mediterranean Sea. Again, if you find that you have too much time on your hands, you can add Bari or hike the two best National Parks in this region – Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park and Pollino National Park

If you plan to rent a car, you might have to drop it off in Naples because getting from Naples to Sicily will take 18-20 hours. Unless you plan to stop in another town in between, it’s best to take a flight from there.

pompeii ruins, roman forum ruins - 3 WEEKS IN ITALY ITINERARY

Week 1 – Rome

Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history spanning 2,500 years. It has been a centre of politics, culture, power, and development. Vatican City, now an independent state, can be visited during your trip to Rome. Some of the places you could visit in Rome include:

Must-see attractions in Rome:

Note that many of these places have a long wait line. Either get a skip-the-line ticket or start your day early.

Where to stay in Rome:

Week 2 – Naples

Naples is the third-largest city in Italy and has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. It is full of squares, churches, historical buildings, modern amenities, nightlife, and adventurous activities.

To get from Rome to Naples, you have 3 options; bus, train, fly or drive. If you’re driving, it’s a 2 hour and 30 min trip. If you’re taking the train to Naples, that’s about 1 hr and 15 mins, while it’s a 2 hr and 30 mins by bus.

Must-see attractions in Naples:
Where to stay in Naples:

Week 3 – Sicily

Sicily is the biggest Italian island that’s why the places to visit here almost seem endless. It has numerous beaches, archaeological sites, islets, and archipelagos. It is also tourist-friendly all year round as it has a great climate, nothing too extreme.

Flying from Naples to Sicily is the best option. You can fly to Palermo or Catania, which is only an hour’s flight. Without further ado, here are some of the places you could visit while staying in Sicily:

Must-see attractions in Sicily:
  • Mount Etna is considered a UNESCO heritage site. It is accessible from 9 am to 4:15 pm during summer and from 9 am to 3:45 pm during winter
  • Mount Etna buggy tour
  • Zingaro Natural Reserve is open from 7 am to 7:30 pm
  • Taormina – a few places you could visit here include Greco Teatro, Castelmola, and Isola Bela, a tiny island designated as a nature reserve
  • Selinunte Archaeological Park is the largest in Europe. Tours last from 40 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the inclusions of the tour package you chose. It is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm
  • No Mafia walking tour
  • Cala Gadir is perfect for divers as the sea is clear on all occasions. It is open from 9 am to 7 pm
  • Palermo food tour – find more things to do in Palermo, Sicily
  • Catania City tour
Where to stay in Sicily:

Itinerary #3 All around Italy: Venice, Rome, Sicily

vatican city, rome - 3 WEEKS IN ITALY ITINERARY

There are tons of modes of transportation when travelling across Italy. For long distances, you can either ride trains or aeroplanes. You could reach your destination faster by plane, but it is more expensive. So, if you have ample time, and prefer to sightsee while travelling, then you could choose to ride a train instead.

You can take the bus, rent a car or hire a private driver for short travel. If you chose the latter option, aside from having a private driver, they could also serve as a semi-tourist guide and recommend places to visit. This 3 weeks in Italy itinerary will give all the best of Italy – historical Rome, stunning Venice, and the beaches of Sicily.

Week 1 – Venice

Even though it’s not one of the largest cities in Italy, Venice is among the most popular cities for tourism in the world. Some of their tourist spots draw millions of tourists per year, and here are some of them:

Must-see attractions in Venice:
Where to stay in Venice:

Week 2 – Rome

Rome is the most visited city in Italy and the 16th most visited city worldwide. You can easily spend a week in Rome exploring various sites and trying out local restaurants. If you have extra time, you can take a day trip or two. Head to Naples (Sorrento, Amalfi) or Pescara, which has fewer tourists.

You can actually take a bus from Venice to Rome, but it will take nearly 8 hours. Book a train to Rome instead, which is a 4-hour trip. For the fastest options, take a direct flight of only an hour. You can fly to Leonarda da Vinci Airport (FCO).

Must-see attractions in Rome:
Where to stay in Rome:

Week 3 – Sicily

Sicily is a fascinating place. Aside from being the biggest island in Italy, they also have a language recognized by UNESCO. Aside from that, Sicily has around 9 dialects. Besides their rich culture, there are also tons of places to visit in Sicily.

The travel time over land from Rome to Sicily is long. Although you can indeed take a train, taking a short flight is much better to save time. There are direct flights to Palermo and Catania.

Must-see attractions in Sicily:
  • Mount Etna is considered a UNESCO heritage site. It is accessible from 9 am to 4:15 pm during summer and from 9 am to 3:45 pm during winter
  • Mount Etna buggy tour
  • Zingaro Natural Reserve is open from 7 am to 7:30 pm
  • Taormina – Greco Teatro, Castelmola, and Isola Bela
  • Selinunte Archaeological Park is the largest in Europe. Tours last from 40 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the inclusions of the tour package you chose. It is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm
  • No Mafia walking tour
  • Cala Gadir is perfect for divers as the sea is always evident. It is open from 9 am to 7 pm
  • Palermo food tour
  • Catania City tour
Where to stay in Sicily:

SUMMARY OF 3 WEEKS IN ITALY

Italy is such a great destination to spend your 3-week holiday. Italy can offer everything if you love being outdoors, dining in, or visiting museums. The fact that they also have such an excellent train system and many domestic flights, makes travelling here so much easier even if you don’t speak the language.

I hope that you found this article about -weeks in Italy helpful in creating your own travel itinerary during your vacation. Enjoy your time there, and don’t forget to enjoy gelato!

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A 3-week trip to Italy can include exploring iconic cities such as Rome, Florence, and Venice, visiting historical sites such as the Colosseum and Pompeii, and indulging in Italian food, wine, and culture. Enjoy picturesque countryside, beautiful coastal towns, and stunning architecture. via @threeweektraveller

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