northern italy itinerary

An Epic Northern Italy Itinerary (2 Weeks)

Looking for a northern Italy itinerary?

Northern Italy is beautiful and diverse and extensive, with many different places to visit.

Putting together an itinerary to see all (or at least the majority of the places in northern Italy) isn’t easy, as there are so many amazing places to consider.

places to visit on a northern italy itinerary - venice, dolomites, lake como, milan, genoa, cinque terre, pisa, florence, bolonga

Since Northern Italy is a huge chunk of land mass, you’ll need to be prepared to stay in a few different places, rather than choosing just one home base.

Some places you’ll simply pass through, and see them in a few hours, and other places you should spend 2-3 nights (or more, depending on how much time you have and your preferneces.)

You can spend as much or as little in each place as you want; but in total – you should expect to spend a total of 2 weeks exploring Northern Italy, give or take.

So, let’s jump in – a 2-week itinerary for Northern Italy.

2-Week Northern Italy Itinerary: A Snapshot

Here’s how much time you should be prepared to spend in each place.

  • Florence (3 nights)
  • Pisa (pass-through)
  • Venice (2-3 nights)
  • Dolomites (3 nights)
  • Lake Como (2-3 nights)
  • Milan (pass-through)
  • Genoa or Cinque Terre (2-3 nights)

Keep in mind, you can spend more time or less time in each place, depending on your preferences. The above is what I’d recommend if you only have around 2 weeks.

If you can stretch your trip to 2.5 or 3 weeks, then I’d recommend adding a day or two in some of the places.

northern italy itinerary

In addition to the above, possible day trips in Northern Italy could be Verona from Venice, or Bolonga from Florence.

Spending 1-2 nights in Verona or Bolonga is worth it too, depending on how flexible you are for time.

Many of these places have suffered from over-tourism in recent years. This means that you should book accommodations and tours well in advance, to be sure that you’re able to secure a spot.

Things to Keep in Mind about this Northern Italy Itinerary

  • ✅ This entire itinerary budgets about 2 weeks in Northern Italy, but you can adjust that as you see fit by adding to or reducing the amount of time in any of the places that we visit. (You may want more time in a certain place or possibly less time than I suggested.)
  • ✅ This itinerary can be done with all ages. If you’re travelling through Italy with kids, then I recommend taking it a bit slower (spending a minimum of 3 nights in each stop rather than 2)
  • ✅ You can do it either by a road trip, or via public transit. Italy’s rail system is very developed, reliable, and affordable. In high season, taking public transit may be the easier way to see some of the sights, as parking as limited (especially in the Dolomites.) I will be providing tips/instructions for both driving and public transit
taking the train in Northern Italy
Taking the train in Northern Italy

2-Weeks in Northern Italy: In Detail

A Northern Italy trip can start in either Venice or Florence. I’ll be starting it in Venice, since it has a major international airport and its also probably the busiest place to visit so I want you to get it over with first. However, you can choose to do this trip in reverse to – Florence first, rather than Venice first.

Say what you want about Venice; it’s highly worth a visit at least once in your life – especially if you’re exploring Northern Italy.

  • Fly into the Marco Polo International Airport, and get to Venice by either taxi, ATVO Express Bus (takes 30 minutes, and costs 8 euro.) Both these options will drop you off at Piazzale Roma; from there you will need to walk to your accommodation if you’re staying right in Venice
venice
Taken from a boat in the Grand Canal in Venice

Where to Stay in Venice

Mid-range is about $300-$500 per night, which is average for Venice. The prices for all of these places will fluctuate with the season – summer is the priciest of course.

  • Budget: Hotel Moresco Boutique hotel that offers free continental breakfast. Short walk from the Piazza Roma
  • Mid Range: Hotel L’Orologio Right on the Grand Canal, serves a fabulous breakfast
  • Luxury: Ca’di Dio-Small Luxury Hotel  5 star hotel which is like a little quiet, tranquil oasis within Venice

If you’re looking for more of a budget, then consider:
-staying in a nearby town (such as Mira) and take the train into Venice
-stay on a nearby island (Murano, Burano, Torcello or Lido) and take the ferry to Venice
-selecting an apartment in Venice, rather than a hotel, which tend to be pricier

A random street in Venice.
A random street in Venice.

Things to Do in Venice

  • On day 1 of your itinerary, spend the day exploring Venice. Head to the Piazza San Marco first thing in the morning, as it just gets busier as the day goes on. Walk through the narrow streets, and simply soak up the views- take a boat ride. Venice is the most photogenic city in Italy. Find more ideas on my Venice post.
  • On day 2 of your itinerary, you can either leave Venice for the next destination OR (I recommend) take the ferry to Murano and/or Burano Island which are under an hour via boat from Venice. You can do this easily on your own or book this half-day trip to both islands ($60 per person, and take 5 hours.)
burano island
Burano Island

Other day trips from Venice, (if you have time to stay longer) are Verona or Treviso.

Treviso (39 km or 24 miles from Venice) is a great place for a wine tour, as its the largest wine-producing area in Italy.

The colosseum in Verona
The colosseum in Verona

Verona is much further from Venice (120 km or 74 miles) is a romantic, historic city, with its own colosseum called the Arena di Verona which dates back to 30 AD. Verona is also known for being the setting for Romeo and Juliet.

Head to the next destination – the Dolomites

The next destination on the itinerary is the Dolomites. If you’re doing this whole Northern Italy itinerary as a road trip, then you can rent a car and drive to the Dolomites from Venice in about 2.5 hours.

The bus, or the train from the Venice area to the Dolomites will take 3-4 hours. Make your way to the Venice Santa Lucia. You can book your ticket in advance on Trainline or ItaliaRail.

You’ll be taking the train from Venice Santa Lucia to the Calalzo-Pieve di Cadore-Cortina. From there, you’ll still need to get to your accommodation in the Dolomites.

ortisei italy
Ortisei, Italy in summer

I recommend staying in the Val Gardena area, specifically in a beautiful mountain village called Ortisei.(Pictured above.) Ortisei is a good place for a shorter stay in the Dolomites, especially without a car.

If you are travelling with a car, then you have more leeway on where to stay in the Dolomites. It’s a large area with many small towns. Read this article on where to stay in the Dolomites.

The Dolomites are likely the most breathtaking scenic place you will see in Northern Italy.

These mountains are a part of the Alps shared with Austria, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Things to do in the Dolomites over the course of 2 days:

  • Go hiking! If you’re staying in Ortisei like I suggested, then I recommend an Alpe di Siusi hike, there are different trails range from 4-14 km. If you’re driving around the Dolomites, then another option is a hike in Tre Cime di Lavaredo, which is considered one of the best hiking areas in the Dolomites and has similar length trails as Alpe di Siusi. See the hikes in Tre Cime di Lavaredo here.
  • If you’re staying in Ortisei, take the funicular up Alpe Resciesa
  • Visit Lago di Braies, which is far from Ortisei (3 hour bus ride) but may be close depending on if you choose to stay elsewhere. You’d need to arrive before 9am, as its VERY popular. There are restrictions on driving there in high season, due to over-tourism and environmental issues. For these reasons, they are discouraging you from driving but the choice is yours. Book your bus ticket to Lago di Braies here.

Travel to Lake Como

It will take 5-6 hours to get to Lake Como from the Dolomites area, depending on how you get there.

Basically, you’ll need to factor in an entire day just to get to from your accommodation in Dolomites to where you’re staying in Lake Como.

There are trains and buses between Lake Como and the Dolomites, or of course you could drive too if you’re doing a road trip.

lake como

If you take the train, it will arrive at the Como San Giovanni train station in a town called Como.

Como is lovely but probably isn’t the best place to stay for exploring the region because its far from a lot of the tourist towns and things you’d want to see.

I recommend trying to stay in the town of Bellagio, which is an idyllic, and one of the most iconic little villages of Lake Como.

Bellagio is just over an hour from Como, and you can take a bus from the train station. Details here.

A view of Lake Como from Bellagio

Places to stay in Bellagio, Lake Como

  • Budget: Hotel Fiorini Small hotel with beautiful panoramic views of the lake, serves breakfast, and is a short walk to the lakeshore
  • Mid-Range: Il Mirabeau outdoor pool in the summer months, but can be a bit chilly if you’re coming during off-season. Gorgeous views, and has a restaurant on-site
  • Luxury: Hotel Belvedere owned by the same family since the 1800s, this hotel has a spa, and outdoor pool, provides breakfast

Things to do in Lake Como area:

  • Explore, admire and take in the cute streets of Bellagio surrounded with mountain views. Bellagio is very walkable, with many streets being pedestrian-friendly.
  • Walk up the Via Giuseppe Garibaldi street for a view of the city and to get the best photo
  • Go inside the Basilica of San Giacomo church, which dates back to the Middle Ages
  • Head to the Melzi Gardens (Villa Melzi – pictured below) for more breathtaking views and photos
  • Rent Kakays to explore Lake Como in Bellagio
melzi gardens bellagio italy
Melzi Gardens in Bellagio, Italty

Pro Tip: While I would personally recommend staying in Lake Como for a couple nights, you may choose to head straight to Milan instead. Lake Como (including Bellagio specifically) is a VERY popular and common day trip from Milan, as its only an hour away. I’d rather be in Lake Como, but if you’re a city person or more interested in Milan then you could choose to stay there instead and then just do a day trip to Lake Como.

Take the train from Como to Milan, which you can book here. The trip can take under an hour or two, depending on which ticket you select (some trains are quicker.)

If you wish, you could stay overnight in Milan if it really interests you, but the city centre can also be seen in a few short hours.

Milano Centrale is centrally located in Milan, so you can easily get off the train to explore a bit of the city centre.

milan italy
the Milan Cathedral

The absolute must is to check out the Milan Cathedral; it’s the largest church in Italy – construction began in the 1300s, and final details were completed in the 1960s. It’s quite impressive.

Milan is the fashion capital of the world, and the main shopping street for fashion is Via Monte Napoleone, about a 10-minute walk from the Milan Cathedral. (It’s also said to be the most expensive street in the world.)

the inside of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Another street to check out is Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, which is attached to the Piazza Del Duomo, where the Milan Cathedral is. It’s pedestrian-only and there is some great window shopping there.

I also recommend going inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, a shopping mall with a beautiful glass ceiling.

Remember: there is no reason why you cannot stay overnight in Milan if that’s what you wish! With trying to squeeze all these amazing places into a short time frame of 2 weeks, I suggest passing through Milan. However, I think its worth it to stay at least a night if that’s what you wish

The Italian Riviera is also known as Liguria; it’s where the popular Cinque Terre is located. The area in between Genoa and Cinque Terre is all a part of what is called the Italian Riviera.

map of the Italian riveria, showing the rough area where Genoa, Portofino and Cinque Terre are located
map of the Italian riveria, showing the rough area where Genoa, Portofino and Cinque Terre are located

Part of the battle is choosing a place to stay along the Italian Riveria:

  • Genoa – the largest city on the Italian Riviera, of around 600,000 residents.
  • Cinque Terre – an area that makes up 5 different small towns with a combined population of 3,000. It has colourful buildings and dramatic seaside cliffs.
  • Rapallo, a small town with colourful buildings but less busy than Cinque Terre and Portofino
  • Portofino, a tiny town that is like the “Hamptons” of the Italian Riviera, it has typically attracted the ultra-rich. It has a beautiful colourful harbour. Cars are banned in the city centre
  • Camogli, a small village of 5,000 residents with hiking nearby
  • Santa Margherita Ligure a small village about an hour’s walk from Portofino

From Milan, take a train or drive to whichever place you choose to stay in.

Something to keep in mind – there are many day trips to Cinque Terre and Portofino from Genoa, but not so much the other way around.

If you prefer a quieter, small-town atmosphere, then choose one of the smaller towns rather than Genoa. Keep in mind that even the small towns can still get pretty crowded and touristy.

Genoa is better for having many things to do at your reach. If you want somewhere that isn’t too touristy, then I would choose Rapello, Santa Margherita Ligure or Camogli.

cinque terre italy
The colourful buildings of Cinque Terre

Things to do in the Italian Riviera

  • Walk from Santa Margherita to Portofino, which takes just over 1 hour. The views of course, are romantic and beautiful
  • Try or buy pesto sauce in Genoa or nearby. Peso originates from Genoa (that’s why it is called pesto al Genovese)
  • Taste focaccia bread, which also originates in the Linguria area
  • Visit the five Cinque Terre villages
  • Take ferries to and from different villages. One way to get around Cinque Terre is via ferry.

I found many great ideas for things to do on the Italian Riviera on this article by the Never Ending Voyage.

Make your way to Pisa

After a few days walking around, taking in the gorgeous views on foot and from ferries in the Italian Riveria, it’ll be time to head to Pisa to spend a day or so, before moving on to Florence.

Pisa is about an hour’s train ride from the Italian Riviera area. You can get a train from either Genoa or La Spezia.

Pisa Italy

Pisa Centrale Train Station is the main train station in Pisa, which you can easily get to from the Italian Riviera.

The challenge here is that it’s about a 25-minute walk to the main thing you want to see in Pisa- the Piazza del Duomo, where the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located. You can walk it if you want the exercise, or simply take a cab.

You don’t need very long in Pisa. I actually only stayed there for 2 hours, to check out the tower of Pisa.

If you want to spend more time in Pisa, there are definitely more things to do and there are many places to stay overnight. But, its not necessary if you’re limited on time.

Pisa with kids

The main thing to do would be to climb the leading tower of Pisa. Just be aware, if you’re in Pisa with kids that children under 8 cannot climb the tower.

We personally didn’t go inside the tower, because my daughter was only 5 at the time. But we enjoyed the walkwalk along the outside of the tower, and got many photos in front of it.

After Pisa, I recommend finishing off your Northern Italy adventure by continuing to Florence and exploring Tuscany. Another option from Pisa is to head to the Livorno cruise port, and take a ferry to Sardinia Island. You could spend a week or more in Sardinia, and then head back to Livorno and continue through Italy that way. Again, it depends how much time you have and what interests you the most. Sardinia isn’t considered to be part of ‘northern Italy.’

Head to Florence from Pisa

Florence is less than an hour from Pisa if you take the high-speed train.

Florence is the last home base of this Northern Italy trip. It’s an amazing city, that you should spend at least 2 full days exploring the city centre and all it has to offer.

Florence is almost as touristy as Venice, but it is more spread out and shouldn’t feel as busy.

Piazza del Duomo in Florence

Where to Stay in Florence

Finding accommodation in Florence can be tricky, as AirBnbs have been prohibited. but there are still make different styles of accommodation you can find.

I recommend staying in the Piazza del Duomo (pictured above) as it is VERY convenient and close to the train station, and many restaurants.

  • Budget:Residenza Conte di Cavour & Rooftop nestled in a quiet street, only a 2-minute walk from the art gallery where the David is located. At certain times of the year, you can snag this place for less than $200/night
  • Mid Range: Hotel Spadai, one of my favourites in Florence – just a 3-minute walk from the Piazza del Duomo
  • Luxury: Hotel Cerretani Firenze for a pampered experience, stay here. Beautiful views of the city from its spacious and stylish rooms, and a gourmet breakfast
uffizi in florence
Inside the Uffizi in Florence

Things to do in Florence

  • Visit the Uffizi, one of the most famous art galleries in the world
  • Go see the David statue, which is located in the Galleria Academia
  • Explore the café, library and food scene. Florence is so walkable, with so many cozy spaces
  • Take an Italian cooking class, which there are many of in Florence. Some even cater specifically to families or kids
  • Read my post on more unique things to do in Florence
florence italy

Part of the reason I think you need at least 3 nights in Florence is to do day trips.

Day trips from Florence are a good way to see more of northern Italy; specifically the Tuscany area.

  • Lucca – the art capital of Italy, and is enclosed by fortified walls
  • Bolonga – the food capital of Italy
  • Sienna – another gorgeous, historic city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
bolonga italy

Northern Italy Itinerary FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about planning a trip to the northern part of Italy; how long to spend, which parts are the prettiest,as well as the best times of year to go

How many days to spend in Northern Italy?

You need around 2 weeks to see all the highlights of Northern Italy. Many of the unmissable cities, towns, and breathtaking landscapes are located hours from each other, so you also need to be prepared to move around a little bit.

What is the prettiest part of Northern Italy?

The prettiest parts of Northern Italy are probably Cinque Terre, Lake Como and the Dolomites. These are some of the most breathtaking beautiful places

What is the best month to visit Northern Italy?

You can visit Northern Italy at any time of year, but spring and summer are the best times. The temperatures are cooler in Northern Italy than they tend to be in the south

What is the best base in Northern Italy?

Northern Italy is a very large area, and the places and there are several hours od driving distances located between all the places there are to see. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend having just one home base in Northern Italy. It’s worth it to book a few different accommodations and move from place to place.

venice italy

Final Thoughts on Planning an Itinerary for Northern Italy

I hope that you’ve found this Northern Italy Itinerary helpful and informative and that it has taken a lot of work off your plate in planning an amazing adventure.

Northern Italy is one of the most amazing places to visit, because it offers dramatic scenic beauty, as well as historical and cultural exploration. It makes a great honeymoon, family trip, girls trip or a mother-daughter trip.