Italy is one of the few countries in the world where you can spend one entire month traveling and you won't get bored of it one bit. The diversity across each region in Italy from the Dolomites to Sicily is incredible, not to mention all the natural wonders, picturesque cities, and towns steep in rich history, you can see along the way as you travel across the country.
Within this backpacking travel guide, I will take you across the entire length of Italy from Milan all the way to Sicily through some of the most stunning regions in the country like the Dolomites, Tuscany, Rome, its beautiful coasts, both on the west and east, Puglia, and so much more. If you have always wanted to backpack around Italy for a month, you are in the right place.
Without further ado, here is a complete one-month itinerary to Italy for solo travelers with all the information you need to plan a great trip around one of the most picturesque countries in the world. Let's begin by taking a look at this itinerary on the map below:
- One Month Italy Itinerary Map
- One Week Backpacking Italy Itinerary
- When to Visit Italy?
- How to Get to Italy?
- How to Get Around Italy?
- How Much Money Do I Need for one month in Italy?
- Is it Safe in Italy?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Italy?
- What to Pack for Italy?
- Further Reading for Italy
One Month Italy Itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1-2: | Milan |
| ☀️ Day 3-4: | Lake Como |
| ☀️ Day 5: | Venice |
| ☀️ Day 6-8: | Bolzano, the Dolomites |
| ☀️ Day 9: | Toblach |
| ☀️ Day 10: | Hike Tre Cime Trail |
| ☀️ Day 11-12: | Florence |
| ☀️ Day 13: | Pisa |
| ☀️ Day 14: | Siena |
| ☀️ Day 15-16: | Cinque Terre |
| ☀️ Day 17-19: | Rome & the Vatican City |
| ☀️ Day 20-21: | Amalfi Coast |
| ☀️ Day 22: | Pompeii |
| ☀️ Day 23: | Bari |
| ☀️ Day 24: | Matera |
| ☀️ Day 25: | Alberobello |
| ☀️ Day 26-27: | Palermo |
| ☀️ Day 28: | Cefalu |
| ☀️ Day 29: | Agrigento |
| ☀️ Day 30-31: | Syracuse |
| ☀️ Day 32: | Noto |
| ☀️ Day 33: | Catania |
One Week Backpacking Italy Itinerary
Day 1 - 2: Milan (2 nights)
Our one-month backpacking journey across Italy begins in Milan, a world-renowned art and fashion capital of the world, home to some of the most iconic monuments and landmarks in Italy from the incredible artwork of famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci to all the historical churches and architectures that have stood the test of time for centuries.
With 2 nights in Milan, you can dedicate an entire day to exploring all the highlights of Milan by beginning in the city center and visiting Duomo di Milano, the largest cathedral in the country featuring over 135 adorned spires, thousands of statues, all intricately sculpted to perfection, and a beautiful interior adorned with dark and gritty Gothic decors. No wonder why it took over 600 years to complete!
The best part about visiting Duomo di Milano is the fact that you can also climb up to the top of the cathedral's roof and you will find a terrace with sweeping panoramic views of Milan's stunning cityscape. You will also be able to see all those statues up close on the roof. The views are especially beautiful at sunset when the city is bathed in a golden light.
- Walking the Amalfi Coast (8 days)
- The Best of Italy (11 days)
- Italian Escape (5 destinations) (7 days)
While you are in the city center, be sure to check out the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an open-air mall housed in this stunning glass-vaulted arcade as high as a skyscraper that is home to a wide variety of high-end stores, restaurants, and cafes that will test the depth of your wallet.
If you like museums and you want to learn a bit more about Milan and the surrounding areas, you can also visit Palazzo Reale di Milano or the Royal Palace of Milan, which has a long and rich history, dating back to the 14th century, and house several museums inside.
If you are interested in seeing artworks from all the famous Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci you can also check out Pinacoteca di Brera, one of the most important art galleries in Italy founded in 1809 by Napoleon Bonaparte himself, who wanted to create a collection of art that would rival the best in Europe.
Another highlight of visiting Milan is seeing one of the greatest artworks of the Renaissance, the Last Supper, a mural painting of the last supper of Jesus with the twelve apostles before one of them betrays him, created by the famous Italian High Renaissance artist, the great Leonardo da Vinci himself.
It was originally painted on the walls of the refectory using a technique known as fresco, which is a method of painting on wet plaster. Unfortunately, over time, the painting has undergone significant deterioration and requires a ton of restoration work as well as protection from the elements, which is why the painting is only open to visitors who book their visits in advance.
When I say in advance, I really mean in advance. When I was there in August, all the time slots were booked for 7 days straight and there was only 1 slot left on the 8th day, so if you really want to see the Last Supper, I highly recommend you book the time slot from their official website prior to your visit to Milan.
For the most fun museums in Milan, I have to give it to The Leonardo da Vinci's Museum of Science and Technology, a museum dedicated to all the works and inventions, both the awesome and the weird, of the famous artist, scientist, and inventor Leonardo da Vinci
From inventions like the bizarre triangular parachute to the medieval turtle-shaped tank that was designed to be the ultimate killing machine of war, you are sure to be both intrigued and bewildered by his creations.
Other notable attractions you should visit in Milan are The Roman Columns of San Lorenzo, a group of 2nd Century ancient Roman columns, Basilica Di Sant'Ambrogio, one of the oldest structures you can see in Milan, Sforzesco Castle, a massive 15th Century castle complex full of museums and beautiful parks and gardens, and so much more.
For more information on things to do in Milan, you can check the link below. After spending an entire day exploring Milan, it is time to continue our journey and visit one of the most popular lake destinations in Italy, Lake Como.
Getting from Milan to Lake Como
From Milan to Lake Como, you can take one of the many trains from Milano Central Train Station to Varenna, in the heart of Lake Como. There are many trains running this route starting at 6:20 AM all the way to 9:20 PM every day. The journey should take about 1 hour and it can cost around 8 EUR. You can get your train ticket online from here.
Day 3 - 4: Lake Como (2 nights)
Nestled in the foothills of the Italian Alps, Lake Como is a beautiful lake set against the backdrop of the Italian Alps and it is known for its picturesque towns, stunning old villas, and beautiful lakeside views that is straight out of a fairy tale.
With a train from Milan, you will be arriving in the heart of Lake Como at Varenna in just under an hour and you can hit the ground running and explore the beautiful charming town of Varenna, walk its stunning promenade at sunset, and explore the colorful crisscrossing streets before you retreat for the night.
The next day, you can take the ferry early in the morning and explore Bellagio, or as it is sometimes referred to as the pearl of Lake Como. Bellagio is another cute charming little town located right at the center on a peninsula that protruded into the lake, essentially creating the lake's iconic inverted y shape.
The town is known for its picture-perfect backdrop of the Alps as well as its colorful narrow streets that are popular among influencers, crisscrossing up the hillside, surrounded by stunning architecture, cafes, and restaurants you can indulge yourself in.
Spend at least 2 hours visiting all the notable attractions in Bellagio like Villa Melzi D'Eril, a picturesque botanical garden, and beautiful lakeside paths, Punta Spartivento, a beautiful observational promenade with a great view of the lake, and Basilica of St. Giacomo, a beautiful church located in the town's center before catching another ferry across to the western shore of Lake Como and to our next destination, Menaggio.
Menaggio is another small charming town located on the western shore of Lake Como and it is known for its beautiful narrow streets, hillside town, and beautiful promenade full of lovely cafes and restaurants.
There is a nice walking trail in Menaggio you can take that will take you from the shore of the town uphill through the charming hillside area along narrow colorful cobblestone streets until you reach Menaggio Castle, a castle that dates back to the 11th century and located on a hill overlooking the town.
Other notable tourist attractions in Menaggio include Lido di Menaggio, a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing in the summer months, St. Stephen's Church, a beautiful church of architectural and historical significance, and Percorso salute Parco Val Sanagra, a beautiful park set against the Italian Alps. Or you can just relax here and have lunch before we continue our journey.
After spending 2 hours in Menaggio, it is time to visit the highlights of Lake Como, Villa Carlotta, and Villa del Balbianello, some of the prettiest lakeside villas you will see in Italy. To get there, you can take bus #C10 from the bus terminal and get off at Tremezzo and you will be right at the entrance of Villa Carlotta in less than 15 minutes.
Villa Carlotta is a historic villa built in the late 17th century, known for its elaborate garden design, the incredible view overlooking the lake, and one of the most beautifully decorated villas here.
The garden inside Villa Carlotta is incredible. Located right at the entrance of the villa, you will have to walk through it before you can get inside the villa. The garden features a wide variety of plants, flowers, and sculptures that will make you feel like you are walking around a medieval castle instead of a villa.
Inside the villa, you will also find a museum dedicated to preserving the history of the villa, beautiful art collections, and exhibitions you can enjoy. Inside you will also have a chance to glance over the balconies of the villa and see the beautiful garden of Villa Carlotta set against the backdrop of the lake and the Italian Alps.
Once you are done with the villa, catch the same bus #C10 from the Tremezzo bus stop in front of the villa to go to our next destination, Villa del Balbianello. You should be done at Villa Carlotta by 2:30 PM - 3 PM.
Villa del Balbianello is probably one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Lake Como. This villa is the very place where they shot some of the Naboo scenes in the prequel Star Wars movies, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones as well as 007: Casino Royale.
Villa del Balbianello is an 18th-century villa that has been used for various purposes, including as a monastery, a hospital, and a private residence. It is now owned by the National Trust of Italy and is open to the public for tours as well as occasionally open for wedding photographers and film crews to shoot scenes.
Getting to this villa requires a bit of effort but I guarantee you, it will be worth your while. From Tremezzo, it will take about 10 minutes before you have to get off at Lenno, the closest town to the villa. Once you are here, you will then have to walk along the shoreline for around 30 minutes until you arrive at the entrance of the villa.
One of the best features of this villa is its terraced gardens that feature a variety of plants, including rare and exotic species like Holm Oak or the Umbrella tree so be sure to check that out while you are there.
The villa is open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day EXCEPT Monday and Wednesday which is rather random. Be sure to plan your visit accordingly if you want to go inside Villa del Balbianello. The entrance fee is 22 EUR per person. After you are done, you can catch the ferry back to Varenna and call it a day.
Getting from Lake Como to Venice
From Lake Como to Venice, you are going to have to catch the one-hour train back to Milano Central Train Station and from there, you should be able to find a train to get to Venice.
There are several direct trains connecting both cities starting at 7:15 AM to 8:45 PM. The journey should take about 2.5 hours and cost 45 EUR. You can get your train ticket online from here.
Day 5: Venice (1 night)
Ah... Venice, the city of art, culture, and picturesque canals, the birthplace of the Renaissance, and home to some of the most unique-looking architecture you will see in Italy.
There is no doubt that Venice is one of the most popular destinations for tourists to visit in Italy. I went there expecting as much and that is what I experience. Overcrowded streets, long queues, and just about any cliche you can come to expect from an overtouristic city like overpriced restaurants and cafes.
What I didn't expect to experience was how easy it was to escape the crowds and how easily it was to lose oneself in the crisscrossing narrow streets of Venice for hours without seeing a single tourist.
If you start your journey from Milan early, you should have some time to explore some of the highlights of Venice in the afternoon and evening like St. Mark's Square, a vast public in the heart of the city where most journeys in Venice begin.
The square has a long and rich history as being one of the most important social hubs in the city. It is a place where people have been gathering, meeting, and hanging out with one another for centuries.
While you are at the square, you might as well go and climb St. Mark's Campanile, a 98.6-meter-tall bell tower built in the 11th Century, offering one of the best views over Venice and its incredible Venetian lagoon.
There will always be a long queue waiting to get up to the top, which is very typical of most places in Venice. You can either wait in the sun and follow the queue as I did or you can get a ticket online from here which will allow you to skip the line without having to queue up.
Once you are at the top, you will have sweeping panoramic views of the entirety of St. Marks Square on one side and the Venetian lagoon and all its islands on the other. It sure was quite a sight to behold.
Another important landmark at St. Mark Square is Saint Mark's Basilica, a grand cathedral that is considered to be one of the most important examples of Byzantine architecture in the world.
One of the most iconic and stunning features of the Basilica is the golden mosaics that adorn the facade and the interior, which depict scenes from the New Testament, including the life of Christ and the saints. The mosaics were added between the 12th and 15th centuries and are considered a masterwork of medieval art, something you definitely want to see when traveling in Venice.
The basilica is open from 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM with the last admission around 30 minutes before closing time and the ticket should cost around 3 EUR with an option to go up the second level for an extra 5 EUR if you do not mind queuing to get in. If you want to skip the line, you can check out some other online tickets here.
There are many iconic landmarks in Venice that you should definitely check out while you are here like Doge's Palace, a magnificent palace and the residence of the Doge, the elected leader of the Republic of Venice and served as the city's government headquarters, as well as a symbol of the Republic's independent, power, and prestige.
There are also many bridges in Venice that are worth visiting like the Bridge of Sighs, a famous covered bridge connecting the palace to the New Prison (Prigioni Nuove) across the Rio di Palazzo, which shows what the justice system of Venice was like back then.
Rialto Bridge is another iconic bridge in Venice you shouldn't miss. The bridge has been connecting 2 sides of the city together since the 12th Century when it was constructed with wood and rebuilt again with stone in the 16th Century, making it the oldest grand-canal-crossing bridge in the city.
For the bridge that offers the very best view of Venice, I have to give it to Ponte dell'Accademia, another grand-canal-crossing bridge, this time, made out of wood located near Gallerie dell'Accademia art museum, hence the name "Ponte dell'Accademia", or Academy Bridge.
Other notable landmarks and attractions in Venice are Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, a palace in Venice, known for its unique design, unlike anything you've seen before, Libreria Acqua Alta, a beautiful vintage bookstore built around a small courtyard that features a canal running through it, and many more.
To get the most out of your visit to Venice, I highly recommend you get Venice Pass so you can get easy access to all the main attractions in Venice without having to wait in a queue. That should be it for a day in Venice. Next up, we will visit the Dolomites!
Getting from Venice to Bolzano
From Venice to Bolzano, there are a handful of trains you can take from Venice Train Station to Bolzano Train Station from 5:40 AM to 8:10 PM every day with a single transit in Verona.
The journey should take about 3.5 hours and cost 50 EUR. It is a long journey so be prepared for your trip. You can get your train ticket online from here.
Day 6 - 8: Bolzano, the Dolomites (3 nights)
Bolzano/Bozen is a charming city located in the heart of the Italian Alps which makes it a great base for those who are looking to explore the incredible mountainous region of the Dolomites, one of the most beautiful places in the world.
The journey from Venice to Bolzano can be quite long but if you arrive in Bolzano early, be sure to check out some of the city's best attractions like Bolzano Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic church, hang out at Waltherplatz, a 19th Century plaza set against the Dolomites, or visit the South Tyrol Archeological Museum.
South Tyrol Archeological Museum, also known as the Ötzi Museum, is a museum dedicated to the "Iceman", a 5,300-year-old mummified corpse that was recently discovered in the region in 1991, thanks to global warming 🥲.
The museum displays the remains of the Iceman, mummified and all, as well as artifacts, and other items that were found with him. They were many speculations as to how he was trapped in the ice for centuries, but the ongoing theory that seems to have the most legs is that he probably got mugged and left for dead up in the mountains. Poor soul!
The museum is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in archaeology or the history of the region. It is one of the top attractions in Bolzano and I highly recommend you check it out while you are in Bolzano.
Also, be sure to visit the Tourist Information in town and grab your Mobilcard, a tourist card that will allow you to take as many buses and trains as you wish for free for a period of time. Since we will be spending 2 days in the Dolomites, I highly recommend you get the 3-day one which should cost about 23 EUR per person.
Once you are done exploring Bolzano, you can retreat for the night and prepare yourself to visit some of the most beautiful parts of the Dolomites, Secada, and Alpe di Siusi tomorrow.
On your first full day in the Dolomites, we are going to visit the stunning Secada in the morning and Alpe di Siusi in the afternoon so be sure to get up as early as you can to catch the bus to Ortisei/Urtijëi, where the cable car stations to these places are located.
To get from Bolzano to Ortisei, you will have to go to Bolzano Bus Station and catch bus #350 to Ortisei. The journey should take about an hour and you can use the Mobilcard you got yesterday, tap on the card reader machine, and off you go.
Once you arrive in Ortisei, you can then make your way up the escalator to the Seceda Cable Car Station where you can then buy a roundtrip ticket for 38 EUR, and it should take about 30 minutes until you reach Seceda.
The moment you walked off the cable car station, you will be greeted with an expansive panoramic view of the Odle mountain range, which is known for its distinctive jagged peaks.
To get to the iconic Seceda Ridgeline, you just have to turn left when you exit the cable car and follow the trail along the ridge, you will be in sight of the jagged peaks of the mighty Seceda mountain.
From the ridge, you will have a 360° view of the breathtaking scenery that truly shows just how magnificent the Dolomites are. There are a ton of hiking trails you can do here.
You can hike along Seceda Ridge and get up close and personal with the mountain or you can hike downhill and visit some of the mountain huts located down the valley.
You can spend half a day exploring all the beautiful viewpoints Seceda has to offer before you take the cable car back to Ortisei and stop there for lunch. There are many restaurants here but not as cheap and so if you want to save some money, I highly recommend you pack your lunch the day before in Bolzano.
After lunch, you can make your way to St.Ulrich Cable Car Station located just across the main road on the other side of the valley, buy a roundtrip ticket to Alpe di Siusi for about 24.9 EUR, and off you go to our next destination.
Alpe di Siusi is a high-altitude plateau that is known for its stunning alpine scenery and it is a popular destination for hikers, skiers, and nature lovers, with an incredible view over the valley and its surroundings. It is completely different from Seceda with its own beauty and charm.
With a short hike, you can get to Belvedere dell'Alpe di Siusi, a breathtaking viewpoint located at an altitude of about 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) in the middle of the valley and offers an iconic view of Alpe di Siusi and its golden rolling hills.
Supposedly, this viewpoint is one of the best places to see the sunset in the Dolomites but due to our limited time and the cable car operation hours, we only have time for a few hikes and that is it. Of course, if you really want to see the sunset at Alpe di Siusi, you can opt to stay overnight but it won't be cheap.
With the itinerary, you should have until 5:30 PM before you have to take the cable car down and catch the 7 PM bus #350 back to Bolzano and end your first full day in the Dolomites.
On our second day in the Dolomites, we are going to have our first proper hiking experience by hiking the Adolf-Munkel-Weg hiking trail, a 10 kilometers (6 miles) long trail that takes about 4-5 hours to complete.
Since you will be spending the entire day hiking, I highly recommend you pack your lunch in Bolzano the day before and start as early as you can. Go to Bolzano Bus Station and catch the train to Brixen, a beautiful small mountain with a German heritage we will be exploring in the evening.
From Brixen Train Station, you can catch bus #330 from the bus station right in front of the station and it will take you towards to Adolf-Munkel-Weg trailhead. Along the way, there is an optional stop at Ranui bus stop where you will be able to take photos and visit the iconic Church of St. John but you are going to have to wait another hour to catch the next bus to Adolf-Munkel-Weg.
I did stop here for a bit and spent an hour exploring the area. Not much to do except the church, to be honest, but I was there super early in the morning and I had plenty of time to catch the next bus to Adolf-Munkel-Weg trailhead.
If you choose to go all the way to Adolf-Munkel-Weg trailhead, the bus will drop you off at Rifugio Zannes, and then you can start hiking the Adolf-Munkel-Weg trail.
This 10 km hiking trail is one of the most photogenic hiking trails out here and it will take you as close to the jagged peaks of the Odle mountain range, the mountain you saw in Seceda, as you can get without needing mountaineering gear.
The trail's difficulty is quite moderate with a lot of ups and downs in the beginning and towards the end respectively. Most of the time, you will be on a flat trail along the foothills of the mountain which will allow you to catch your breath while hiking.
The trail will take you to the picturesque Gschnagenhardt-Alm, a mountain hut located right in the center of a natural amphitheater, formed by the towering cliffs of the Odle mountain range, which rise up to over 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above the valley floor.
This incredible natural amphitheater was quite a sight to behold as you will find yourself in a vast green field of rolling hills, surrounded by the beautiful jagged peaks of the Odle mountain range, set against the beautiful blue sky. It is a worthy reward for a long hike such as the Adolf-Munkel-Weg trail.
I started hiking at 10:30 AM and arrived at Gschnagenhardt-Alm by 12:40 PM (2 hours). I was up there for about an hour until 1:30 PM before I started making my way down, arriving back at Rifugio Zannes by 3 PM (1.5 hours). Bus #330 to Brixen runs every hour between 9:43 AM and 6:43 PM so I was able to catch the bus at 3:43 PM to get to Brixen.
And that is it for the Adolf-Munkel-Weg hike. If you still have enough energy, I highly recommend you spend the evening in Brixen and explore its cute little town before heading back to Bolzano.
All in all, the Adolf-Munkel-Weg hiking trail is not particularly difficult but it is long and it can take you about 4 - 5 hours to complete the loop. The last train from Brixen to Bolzano is at 10 PM so plan accordingly. The next day, we are finally visiting the famous region of Tuscany starting with the wonderful city of Florence.
Getting from Bolazano to Toblach
To get from Bolzano (Bozen) to Toblach (Dobbiaco), you can take one of the many trains that connect these 2 cities together. There are multiple trains running this route daily from 5:27 AM to 8:02 PM and most of the trains will have you switch trains at Franzensfeste-Fortezza. The journey should take about 2 hours and costs 16 EUR. You can book the train ticket here.
Day 9: Toblach (2 Nights)
As we are heading east, we are going to use Toblach as our base of exploration. Unlike, Bolzano, Toblach is not as big and as lively but it is still quite beautiful and offers a great base to explore other parts of the Dolomites such as Tre Cime and Pragser Wildsee.
Once you arrive in Toblach, spend the day of your arrival exploring the town and pack some snacks and lunch for tomorrow as you will be going on another full-day hike, this time we hike Tre Cime, one of the best hikes you can do in the Dolomites.
Where to Stay in Toblach?
Getting From Toblach to Tre Cime Hike
To get to Tre Cime, you are going to have to reserve a spot on the shuttle bus the day before. You can reserve a spot from here. Be sure to pick the earliest time slot so you will get the best light and be there before the crowds. The shuttle service to Tre Cime should cost around 16 EUR per person.
The shuttle service leaves from Toblach Train Station so be sure to be there on time. The journey should take about 45 minutes before you arrive at the Tre Cime trailhead.
Day 10: Hike Tre Cime Trail (Day Trip)
Tre Cime is one of the best hikes you can do in the Dolomites and the trail leads to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, a group of three distinctive peaks that rise up to over 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) above the surrounding landscape.
For the hike, I highly recommend you wake up early in the morning and catch one of the first shuttle services from Toblach Train Station at around 6 - 7 AM and you should be at the trailhead an hour later. Please make sure you reserve the spot the day before.
The Tre Cime hike is a moderate to challenging trail that takes about 5-6 hours to complete, depending on your pace and the route you choose. The trail begins at Rifugio Auronzo and follows a circular route through the beautiful alpine landscape of the region.
Along the way, you will pass by several interesting landmarks and rest stops, including Cappella degli Alpini, Rifugio Lavaredo, and Dreizinnenhütte where you can rest, fill up your water, or even have lunch.
The trail circles the entire Tre Cime di Lavaredo with a bit of up at first and then it goes down to the valley in the middle before you have to hike all the way back up, around the peaks, and merge back where you began.
Despite the trail's popularity, I often find myself hiking in solitude, enjoying the view without anyone around me most of the time. It was an incredible experience to have in the Dolomites and I highly recommend you do it if you can.
Once you are done with the hike, you can catch the bus at this bus stop and you will be back in Toblach in no time. Spend the evening relaxing and enjoying yourself. You deserve a rest!
Getting from Toblach to Florence
To get from Toblach to Florence, you are going to have to make your way back to Bolzano first via the same trains you took to Toblach but in reverse. You will likely have to transit in Franzensfeste-Fortezza before you arrive in Bolzano. The journey should take about 2 hours and costs 16 EUR.
From Bolzano Train Station, you can catch a train to Florence Train Station between 5:00 AM and 5:10 PM every day with a direct train taking around 3 hours and costing between 46 - 60 EUR.
You can also get the one that transits via Verona which is only slightly cheaper but takes almost 6 hours to get to Florence. It is another long journey so please prepare accordingly. You can get your train ticket online from here.
Day 11 - 12: Florence (3 nights)
Florence is the stunning capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany, home to world-renowned art, delicious cuisine, and probably one of the most iconic churches in the world, Duomo di Firenze, a structure that will completely blow your socks off the moment you see it in person.
Since we will have 2 full days in Florence, I highly recommend you hit the ground running and check out the iconic Duomo which is located in the historic square of Piazza del Duomo, a piazza with a long and rich history that dates all the way back to the Roman era, a perfect place to begin your journey in Florence.
You can admire the beauty of the Duomo from the outside, trust me, the scale and the amazing details of the cathedral's exterior will blow you away, or you can get inside the duomo to see its beautiful Brunelleschi's Dome.
In addition to the Duomo, the piazza is also home to the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Giotto's Bell Tower (an attraction we will be discussing next), and the Opera del Duomo Museum. These historic landmarks offer visitors a chance to learn more about the city's rich history and cultural heritage.
Accessing the Duomo is free but if you want to see Brunelleschi's Dome, the bell tower, the Baptistery, the museum, and the crypt, you will have to buy a ticket to get in. You can get the Duomo ticket from here with free cancellation or from the official website. It should cost between 30 - 40 EUR per person to get access to all the attractions around the piazza.
No matter what you choose to do here, I highly recommend you climb Giotto's Bell Tower, an iconic medieval tower standing at over 84.7 m (277.9 feet) tall, offering breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. It is hands down, the best viewpoint you can get in the city especially if you want to see the massive dome of the Duomo up close.
You can climb to the top and take in the stunning views of the city given you don't mind ascending the 414 steps to get there. There is no elevator, unfortunately so there is no easy way out for this, but trust me, the effort is well worth it for the breathtaking panoramic views of Florence that await at the top.
There are also other viewpoints around the city as well that will allow you to see Florence from afar and really witness just how massive the Duomo is against other buildings in the city. One of the viewpoints to check out is Piazzale Michelangelo, a public square located on top of a hill overlooking Florence and it is one of the most popular sunset spots in the city.
The square offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding Tuscan countryside and it attracts a ton of people from across the world who want to witness the golden hour under the Tuscan sun.
Due to how popular the square is, the place can get extremely crowded at times, especially at sunset during peak tourist season. However, the views from the square are well worth the visit in my opinion.
If you are looking to avoid the crowds, you can also go a little further uphill and check out Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte, a beautiful Benedictine abbey founded in the 10th Century located on a hill offering another great view of Florence
Getting to the abbey takes a bit of effort as you will have to walk around 2 km from the city center and you will be climbing uphill for at least 20 minutes to reach the top. In the summer heat, this can be extremely challenging so please take your time and pace yourself while you walk. You can also visit the abbey in the evening to avoid the hottest time of the day.
For art lovers, Florence is also home to some of the most comprehensive collections of artworks from famous artists like Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, the Florentines, and Raffaell, most of which are housed in the incredible Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest and most famous art museums in the world.
The museum was founded in the mid-16th century by the Medici family, who was a powerful and influential dynasty in Florence at the time. The museum was originally intended to house the family's art collection, which included a number of important works by Renaissance artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli.
Over the years, the collection has grown to include a wide range of art from different periods and styles, and today the Uffizi Gallery is considered one of the finest art museums in the world with the most impressive collection of art you will ever see.
In addition to its impressive collection of art, the museum is also known for its beautiful architecture and design. It is housed in a series of connected buildings that were once the offices of the Medici government, all beautifully decorated, and they are designed to be filled with natural light, which is perfect for art viewing.
Things to note is that, if you want to visit Uffizi Gallery while you are in Florence, you are going to have to book the ticket and choose a time slot, weeks in advance so that you do not have to queue up at the gate while you are there. You can also go on an organized tour if you want to learn more about all the artworks you see here.
Another incredible art gallery you shouldn't miss is Accademia Gallery, an art museum best known for its collection of Renaissance art, which includes some of the most famous and iconic works in the world, such as Michelangelo's "David" sculpture.
Here at the museum, you will be able to gaze eyes upon one of Michelangelo's best works, the real 5.17 m (17 ft) marble statue of the Biblical figure David, in all its glory.
Getting into the Accademia Gallery can be quite tricky if you don't plan ahead. If you want to see David with your own eyes, I highly recommend you get the ticket online and book the time slot weeks in advance as the queue to get inside can be extremely long.
You can also go on a guided tour through Accademia Gallery if you want to dive deeper into the history of the masterpieces you see in the museum.
Other notable attractions in Florence you shouldn't miss are Basilica di San Lorenzo, one of the first churches built in the city, Palazzo Vecchio, an iconic town hall considered one of the city's most famous landmarks, Ponte Vecchio, another historic landmark of the city, famous for its picturesque appearance, and Pitti Palace, the original residence of the Medici family.
With so many things to do in Florence, there should be enough things for you to occupy your entire day here. If you are looking for more things to do, be sure to check out the complete Florence travel guide below.
Getting from Florence to Pisa/Siena
From Florence, it is pretty easy to get to Pisa or Siena via trains. They are both around an hour's train ride away from Florence and you should be able to easily catch one of the main trains from Florence Train Station.
The train runs from 6 AM to 11 PM every day and should cost around 9 - 10 EUR. You can get your train ticket online from here.
Day 13: Pisa (optional day-trip)
With a free day in Florence, you can choose to visit Pisa and see the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa or Siena, an incredibly beautiful medieval town full of houses with reddish brown roofs which is where the color "Sienna" got its name from.
Both are worth a visit but I prefer Siena more as it gets fewer tourists and there are more things to do there. Pisa is almost like a zoo with people running around, posing the cliche force-perspective shots that have been done to death.
All the attractions are also concentrated in one area and can easily be done in half a day. That said, Pisa is home to the iconic Leaning Tower, and that in itself might be enough of a reason to choose Pisa over Siena. All in all, no matter which one you choose, you will still have an incredible time here.
For those who choose Pisa, your journey will begin at the train station in Pisa where you will have to walk around 30 minutes through town to get to Piazza del Duomo, where all the attractions are concentrated in.
At Pisa, you can spend the day visiting Cattedrale di Pisa, go up to the top of the Leaning Tower for an incredible view over the city, and learn more about the history of the place from all the museums around Piazza del Duomo.
If you want to go up the Leaning Tower, you are going to have to buy the ticket and book a time slot before you can visit. The time slot gets booked out very fast and you might be looking at waiting around 3 - 4 hours before you can get up there.
In order to avoid wasting time, I highly recommend you buy the ticket online prior to your arrival and book a time slot in advance. The cathedral, the Leaning Tower, and the museum are open from 9 AM - 8 PM every day and you can easily reach Pisa from Florence via one of the many daily trains connecting to 2 cities.
You can also go with an organized tour which will save you a ton of time and will often include visiting other places as well like Siena, a place we will be discussing next, and San Gimignano which is not easy to reach via public transportation. This is the perfect option for those who do not have a lot of time in Florence.
Day 14: Siena (optional day-trip)
For those of you who are not interested in Pisa, you can also go on a day trip from Florence and visit Siena, one of the most beautiful medieval towns that will make you feel like you just traveled back in time as you walk through its crisscrossing streets.
Siena has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the Middle Ages. The city is known for its medieval architecture and is home to a number of important landmarks and historical sites, including the Piazza del Campo, the city's main square and my favorite place out of all, the Palazzo Pubblico, or the city's town hall, and the Torre del Mangia, a tall tower that offers panoramic views of the city.
Siena is also home to a number of museums and art galleries that showcase the city's rich cultural heritage, as well as the impressive Duomo di Siena, a 13th Century cathedral famous for its facade and its marble stripes in symbolic black and white pattern.
You can easily visit Siena from Florence with a 1-hour train ride which you can find from here or you can visit the town as part of an organized tour which will often include other places as well like Pisa, perfect for those with not much time in Florence.
Getting from Florence to Cinque Terre
From Florence to Cinque Terre, you can catch a train from Florence Train Station to one of the 4 famous coastal towns of Cinque Terre (Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) depending on where you stay along the Cinque Terre Coast.
You will likely have to transit via Pisa and it should take about 3 hours and cost around 25 EUR to reach Cinque Terre from Florence. The train runs from 4:30 AM to 9:54 PM and you can get your train ticket online from here
Day 15 - 16: Cinque Terre (2 nights)
After many days spent inland and in the mountains, it is time to explore the coast of Northern Italy and there is no better place to do so than Cinque Terre, a beautiful coastline known for its picturesque colorful villages you often see on Instagram.
Cinque Terre is made up of five small villages that are located along the Italian Riviera. The 4 best places to stay are Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. No matter where you are staying in these villages, you should spend the first evening when you arrive and explore the town where you are based in.
For the next day, I highly recommend you start early in the morning from the southern end of Cinque Terre in Riomaggiore, and then we will make our way up the coast as the day goes.
Riomaggiore is one of the 3 most beautiful towns in Cinque Terre where you will be able to see the iconic colorful houses Cinque Terre is so famous for, and it is a great place to visit first thing in the morning as it can get extremely crowded during the day.
Riomaggiore is also the town where you will have to walk the most to get from the train station to the dock area where it is most photogenic and requires you to walk uphill for at least 10 minutes.
Since the Italian summer heat is no joke, this is another reason why I recommend you visit Riomaggiore first thing in the morning when the heat is still bearable. That way, you won't have to suffer the walk under extreme heat as I did when I was there mid-day.
While you are in Riomaggiore, be sure to check out the view from this platform where you will be able to see the colorful houses in Riomaggiore in all their glory as well as Castello di Riomaggiore, a 13th-century stone castle perches above the sea with an incredible view, Church of San Giovanni Battista of Riomaggiore, a 14th Century Catholic church with beautiful Gothic features, and Riomaggiore Town Hall.
After you are done at Riomaggiore, you can take the train towards Genoa and get off at the next station in Manarola, another of the 3 most beautiful villages in Cinque Terre.
By the time you are done at Riomaggiore, you should be in Manarola by late morning which is when the crowd is starting to form although it should be too much and you should be able to have some time to enjoy the scenery of Manarola and its hiking trails.
Manarola is probably the prettiest town of them all with the grandest viewpoint that runs along a cliff nearby and you will be able to capture that postcard-perfect shot of the colorful houses of Cinque Terre.
There are also several walking trails you can do here with awesome views of the town from above as well as beautiful surroundings. The Parco giochi Paradiso is a great spot for joggers and morning people to come out and enjoy the beautiful morning air before the day trippers arrive. I highly recommend you spend some time walking along the cliff and up to the park for a great view over Manarola.
After spending a few hours in Manarola, you can continue your journey up north via trains and get off at Vernazza, which is another beautiful charming coastal town, known for its colorful houses and the iconic Ruins of Doria Tower.
Although the houses in Vernazza aren't as colorful as Manarola and Riomaggiore, they are still extremely photogenic and definitely feel less clamped, chaotic, and more spacious than the other 2 towns.
While you are here, you should also check out the view from the Ruins of Doria Tower, a beautiful hilltop castle dating to the 10th Century, which offers a sweeping view over Vernazza and its mountainous surroundings. To access the castle, you will have to pay around 2 EUR which is pretty cheap considering the view you get.
You can also visit the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, which is a small 14th Century catholic church known for its octagonal tower overlooking the Ligurian Sea.
For the best view over Vernazza, I highly recommend you walk to this spot that runs along the famous Cinque Terre's hiking trail connecting all the towns together. You should be able to access the trail for free if you have the 24-Hour Cinque Terre Train Pass. Probably, the best viewpoint in the entire town in my opinion.
If you have been looking forward to spending some time at the beach in Cinque Terre, I am happy to tell you that we have now arrived at one of the best places to do just that. Monterosso is the beach town of Cinque Terre with access to a long strip of white sand beach you can enjoy.
The long strip of beach at Monterosso can easily be accessed by a platform that connects the train station to the beach area. When you are there, you will find plenty of sun beds and umbrellas, perfect for those who do not mind paying a little for a reserved spot at the beach with amenities like drinks, shower access, and more. It should cost around 35 EUR for 2 sun beds for the entire day which is not bad if you are planning to spend the entire day here.
While you are in Monterosso, be sure to check out Scoglio di Monterosso, a beautiful rock formation, and Statua del Gigante a beautiful giant stone statue carved out of the cliff nearby. You can also have a late lunch or spend the rest of the evening, enjoying the sunset in Monterosso.
If you are short on time and you don't want to spend an extra night here, I highly recommend you go with an organized tour from Florence or Milan which will take you to many of the places I mentioned here without spending a night, saving you 2 days of travel.
Getting from Cinque Terre to Rome
From Cinque Terre to Rome, you are going to have to take the train from one of the train station in Cinque Terre (depending on where you choose to stay) and there should be many trains to Rome transiting via La Spezia Centrale.
There is a ton of train between Cinque Terre and La Spezia and the journey should take no more than 20 minutes. From La Spezia, there should be several trains going directly to Rome between 6 AM to 6 PM every day.
The train between La Spezia and Rome should take about 5 - 6 hours depending on the speed of the train and it should cost you around 30 EUR for a ticket. You can get the train ticket online from here
Day 17 - 19: Rome & the Vatican City (3 Nights)
As we continue our journey across Italy, we have finally arrived in the Eternal City of Rome but before we start exploring the city right away, I recommend you spend the first half of the day in Rome and visit the Vatican City, the smallest sovereign state in the world and is located entirely within the city of Rome, surrounded by walls. Be sure to get there as early as 7:30 AM to avoid the long queue.
In case you do not know, the Vatican City is the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church and it is the residence of the Pope himself. You can also meet him in person as he often conducts the General Admission on most Wednesdays so if you wish to meet the Pope, be sure to plan ahead and visit the Vatican City on Wednesdays.
One of the highlights of visiting the Vatican City is checking out St. Peter's Basilica, one of the largest catholic churches in the world, and climbing to the top of its massive dome for incredible views of St. Peter's Square and the surrounding Rome cityscapes. The view from up here has got to be the viewpoint you can find in both the Vatican City and Rome itself.
Another highlight is to visit the Vatican Museums and explore all the wealth and prosperity the Catholic church was able to acquire over the centuries from the great frescoes and artworks of the Sistine Chapel to an extensive collection of all sorts of artifacts from Egyptians to Romans to Greeks and beyond.
There are so many artifacts in the museum, they have to be housed in several buildings that will take you at least 2 hours just to see the highlights of the museum, so be sure to plan your time carefully.
The Sistine Chapel is also located inside the Vatican Museums and it is probably one of the most famous chapels in the world, known for its incredible ceiling fresco painted by Michelangelo which is considered to be a masterpiece of Renaissance art depicting scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the creation of Adam and Eve and the story of Noah.
To get inside the Vatican Museum, you will have to buy a ticket online and book a time slot in advance. You can no longer buy it at the entrance so be sure to prepare your visit accordingly. You can also go on an organized tour to learn more about the history of the artworks you see in the museum.
Spend the first half of your day in the Vatican City and visit these attractions to really understand how important this unique city-state is to Rome. Again, the place gets extremely crowded during the day every day so if you do not want to be in line for hours to get inside St. Peter Basilica, be sure to get there right before the opening time of 7:30 AM.
Once you are done with the Vatican City, on the same day, it is time to explore Rome proper. We start off right out of the gate of the Vatican City at Castel Sant'Angelo, a fortress, and mausoleum originally built as a tomb for the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD before it was later used as a fortress, and prison by the Popes, hence why it is so close to the Vatican City.
The fortress played an important role in both the Vatican and Rome's rich history. During the Middle Ages, the fortress served as a refuge for popes during times of danger, and it also played an important role in the defense of Rome during the Renaissance and the Napoleonic Wars.
If you are interested in history, art, and architecture, Castel Sant'Angelo is definitely worth a visit but do not use the free admission perk of your Roma Card as we will be saving them for the Colosseum and the Roman Forum later the next day. Use the Roma Pass to get a discounted ticket to get in instead.
Just across River Tiber, you will find Piazza Navona, a magnificent public square located not too far from Castel Sant'Angelo, known for its three beautiful Baroque-style fountains, as well as its numerous restaurants and cafes where you can have lunch and enjoy the beautiful Rome atmosphere. It shouldn't take long to get from the fortress to the square on foot.
My favorite fountain in the square is the Fiumi Fountain which has incredibly intricate sculptures that pay homage to the 4 rivers of Rome and it features a striking obelisk right at the center of the fountain. The details of this fountain will truly blow you away.
As you continue to walk east from Piazza Navona, you will find one of the oldest landmarks in the city, The Pantheon, one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of ancient Rome that have stood the test of time for more than 2000 years.
To this day, the dome is still considered to be the largest unsupported dome in the world which goes to show just how incredible the ancient Romans were at building massive structures.
And of course, you can't travel to Rome without checking out the famous Trevi Fountain, a beautiful Baroque-style fountain known for its legend that whoever threw a coin into the fountain, will surely return to Rome.
From the Pantheon, you can continue east even further through narrow crisscrossing streets before you stumbled upon a wall of people. That is when you will see the Trevi Fountain. This place is so popular among tourists that it is almost impossible to see it empty unless you are willing to wake up as early as 4 AM to get here before sunrise.
Just north of the Trevi Fountain, you will find another popular landmark of Rome, the Spanish Steps, a famous set of 138 steps that lead up to the Piazza di Spagna where you can get an incredible view of Rome.
The steps were built in the 18th century in order to connect the Spanish Square below to the French Church up in the hills, hence the name Spanish Steps. The place has been popular among visitors to Rome for Centuries especially for the writers and artists of the 19th Century to gather and exchange ideas.
Climb all the way up to the french church of Trinità dei Monti located at the top of the Spanish Steps and check out the view before we continue our exploration around Pincio Hill.
As you continue north from the top of the Spanish Steps, you will find Passeggiata del Pincio, a famous promenade at the top of Pincio Hill that offers an incredible view of the city.
The promenade is known for its picturesque gardens and terraces, as well as its historic monuments such as the Obelisk of Monte Mario and an observational deck with a sweeping view of Piazza del Popolo, a historical square where the oldest obelisk in Rome is located, from above. This is a great place to watch the sunset over the city of Rome.
After a jam-packed day in Rome, it is time to retreat for the night and prepare yourself for the second day in Rome where we will be exploring the iconic landmarks of Rome such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and more. Be sure to book a time slot (make it in the morning for the best experience) for your Colosseum visit in advance, even if you have the Roma Pass, as they have a daily limit capacity.
For the second day in Rome, we are going to start early again and be at the Colosseum around 7:30 AM so you can stroll around the area and get some photos without the crowds.
Depending on which time you are able to book a time slot to get inside the Colosseum, you can either wait until the gate is open or explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill while you wait for your booked time slot.
Using the 2 free admissions of the 72 hours Roma Pass, you will be able to get access to the Colosseum for free as well as the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which is considered as one single attraction.
You can spend about an hour here and explore the 2 levels of the Colosseum as well as the museum inside which is more than enough to see just how impressive the Colosseum is.
With the Roma Pass, you won't be able to access the arena and the underground area unless you buy a separate ticket especially to get access to these areas.
Personally, I don't think the arena is worth it as you can also see the same view from the opposite side with the regular ticket. The underground is worth it if you really want to see the excavation site with your own eyes but you will still have to go with a guided tour as it is mandatory.
Next up, we visit the Roman Forum, an ancient Roman rectangular plaza surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient buildings located right by the Colosseum.
Walking around the Roman Forum is almost as if we have stepped back in time as you stroll past ancient sights like the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of Vesta, the Curia (Senate House), the Arch of Septimius Severus, and the Basilica Julia.
While you are inside the Roman Forum, be sure to spend some time exploring Palatine Hill, one of the Seven Hills of Rome, that played a significant role in the creation of Rome itself.
Around Palatine Hill, you will find all sorts of historically significant ruins like the Palace of Augustus, the House of Livia, the Palace of Tiberius, and the Flavian Palace, which was a luxurious palace complex that includes the remains of a palace, a stadium, and several thermal baths.
For the best viewpoint in Palatine Hill, I highly recommend you check out Terrazza Belvedere del Palatino, a beautiful terrace overlooking the Roman Forum where you will be able to get a sweeping view from the Colosseum all the way to the Altar of the Fatherland.
After you are done with the Roman Forum, continue walking the path towards the northern exit which is right by our next destination, Campidoglio or Capitoline Hill, one of the other Seven Hills of Rome, home to some of the oldest museums in the city.
Here you will find an impressive Renaissance square, the Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo himself way back in the 16th century, and the Capitoline Museums, one of the oldest public museums in the world that house a vast collection of art and artifacts from ancient Rome. You can check the museum out too if you are interested in history and art.
As we continue our journey north, you will stumble upon another important landmark of Rome, the Altar of the Fatherland, a massive marble monument dedicated to the first king of a unified Italy to commemorate the first anniversary of the king's death in 1900.
You can climb its 243 marble steps to get to the balcony on top of the monument and you will be rewarded by the amazing views of Rome's cityscape right at your fingertips, all for free.
Once you are done at the Altar of the Fatherland, you can then take bus #51 or #118 to Ara Coeli/P.Za Venezia bus stop and walk a little to get to the Baths of Caracalla, an incredibly well-preserved public bath complex and one of my favorite ruins in Rome, which I prefer even more so than the Roman Forum and the Colosseum themselves.
The bath complex was built during the reign of Emperor Caracalla between 212-216 AD covering an area of around 30 hectares. The place is considered to be one of the largest and most impressive public bath complexes of the ancient Roman world and you can really feel the true scale of the place as you stroll along the path passing through its giant arches and domes.
Since not many people know about this place, you won't see as many tourists here as in places like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum which I think were way too crowded for my liking. The Baths of Caracalla, on the other hand, is just perfect.
And that is it for our last day in Rome. You can spend some time and explore the area where your accommodation is located or check out some of the many awesome local restaurants in Rome like Il Cuore Di Napoli Ribelle Restaurant, one of my favorite family-run restaurants in the city.
They serve local dishes with a variety of seasonings and flavors from seafood pasta to original Napolitan pizzas at a very reasonable price. I tried their seafood pasta dish and I love it! If you are looking for a nice place to eat out in the evening, be sure to check them out.
Getting from Rome to Amalfi Coast
From Rome to Amalfi Coast, you are going to have to take a train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale first and from there, switch to an L1 train, which is operated separately from Trenitalia, and it will take you to Sorrento, our base on the Amalfi Coast, in less than an hour.
There are many trains running between Rome and Naples starting from 5 AM all the way to 11 PM every day. This leg of the journey should take about 3 hours and cost around 30 - 40 EUR. You can get your train ticket online from here.
From Naples to Sorrento, you can only buy a train ticket from the train station but don't worry, there is plenty of space on the train so you do not need to book it in advance. The train ticket should cost about 5 EUR and takes around 1 hour to reach Sorrento.
Day 20 - 21: Amalfi Coast (3 Nights)
Once you arrive at Sorrento Train Station, I highly recommend you find a travel agency near the train station, and buy the COSTIERASITA card, a 10 EUR transportation card that will give you unlimited access to the SITA bus, the bus system that runs along the Amalfi coast, for 24 hours after the first validation.
This way, you can explore the Amalfi Coast all day the next day without having to worry about bus fares. Unfortunately, you can't buy the COSTIERASITA card online just yet but there are plenty of travel agencies and the train station so you should have no trouble getting your hands on one.
After you got the card and settled into your accommodation, you can start exploring this holiday hot spot by visiting its beautiful old town and checking out some important landmarks like Chiostro di San Francesco, a tranquil 14th Century monastery, perfect for escaping the crowds, stroll around Villa Comunale di Sorrento and check out the ocean view from there.
You can also spend the rest of the first evening in Sorrento at one of the many swimming areas and beaches like Peter's Beach and Bagni Salvatore, swimming, sunbathing, and really enjoying the beautiful coastline of Sorrento before we explore the rest of Amalfi Coast the next day.
The next day, we will begin exploring the wonderful Amalfi Coast proper by starting our journey at Positano, the picturesque seaside town, known for its iconic colorful houses cascading down a steep hillside to the sea.
If you wake up early enough and was able to catch the first bus leaving from Sorrento to Positano, you might be one of the few people who have a chance to see Positano without tourists, which is not so easy to come by as this place is almost always crowded all the time.
Even way back in the Roman time, the city had been a popular destination for wealthy Romans, before it became a center of maritime trade during the medieval period, and eventually become a tourist attraction from the 20th Century to this day.
Traveling by bus, I highly recommend you get off at this bus stop so that you can walk through the most beautiful part of Positano first as the walking path zigzags its way along the cliff, overlooking the colorful cascading houses and the beach below.
As you continue to walk down the walking path, you will be passing through some of the prettiest parts of Positano that seem like they came straight out of a fairytale. From colorful houses and flowers to small markets selling fresh fruits and souvenirs, it is almost impossible to put into words just how incredibly breathtaking this place is.
Once you arrive at the beach, you will have the option to either pay to get into one of the many private beach areas and rent a sunbed for 25 EUR per day and get access to its facilities including toilets, bars, restaurants, etc.
Or you can go to the free strip of public beach which is very small and can get extremely crowded during the day. Unfortunately, this is a big problem in Amalfi Coast as well as the rest of Italy since more than 70% of Italian beaches have already been commercialized which makes it difficult for us backpackers to really enjoy nature for free, which is what it should be.
Despite that fact, you can still walk around the beach area for free and take photos so make sure you make it all the way to the beach before you head over to the next station. Also, there are many great viewpoints in Positano if you don't mind hiking around the area.
You can stroll along the narrow streets of Amalfi Coast and make your way to Costiera Amalfitana Positano along its winding coastal roads for an incredible view overlooking the sea. It is quite a walk through and with the summer heat, it can be quite difficult to tackle if you are not used to the heat so take it slow.
After you are done, you can walk back to the same bus stop you got off at and wait for the next bus to take you to our next destination, Amalfi, another old town since the Roman time which gave this coastline its name.
From Positano, it should take around an hour by bus before you arrive at Amalfi Town, another charming town known for its stunning coastline, historical architecture, and charming Mediterranean atmosphere, that you should definitely not miss.
Again, Amalfi is another important town with a rich history that dated back to the Roman Time but unlike Positano, there are many things to do here than just swimming and sunbathing at the beach.
While you are in Amalfi, be sure to check out Duomo di Amalfi, a beautiful 9th Century cathedral known for its iconic Norman-Arab-Byzantine-inspired stripe facade as well as the 1800s frescoes you can find inside. It's a nice walk from the bus stop and one of the first places you should visit while here.
You can also hike up to Torre dello Ziro for an incredible view over Amalfi and the coastline or if you are not much of a climber, you can just walk up to Belvedere cimitero monumentale which should give you a pretty nice view of Amalfi from above as well.
After you are done with Amalfi, go to this tunnel entrance located in the town square, walk through it for about 15 minutes, and you will arrive in Atrani, another picturesque town on the Amalfi Coast, known for its charming atmosphere and traditional architecture.
Other than its picturesque surrounding, Atrani is also known for its small tight-knit community, which gives it a unique and authentic feeling, unlike the other 2 towns we just visited.
While here, you can explore the town's winding streets, lined with colorful houses and traditional shops, and admire the beautiful views of the sea.
This place also has a much better public beach area than the other 2 towns boasting a significantly larger public beach with fewer people making it a great place to stop for a while and take a dip in the Tyrrhenian sea.
After spending the entire day exploring the Amalfi Coast, it's time to head back to Sorrento and call it a day. To get back from Amalfi to Sorrento, you just have to catch the same SITA bus back to Sorrento using the same COSTIERASITA card and you will be back at your accommodation in around 1.5 hours.
Getting from Sorrento to Pompeii
From Sorrento to Pompeii, you just have to take the train from Sorrento Train Station and get off at Pompei Scavi Villa Dei Misteri, and you should be right at the entrance of the archeological site. The train ticket should cost around 2.5 EUR per person per trip and it should take no more than 20 minutes to get there.
Since we will be visiting Pompeii as a day trip, you will also have to take the train back to Sorrento which follows the same instruction as above but in reverse. Just make sure to make your way back to the same exit on the western side of the park so you do not have to walk back outside.
Day 22: Pompeii (Day Trip)
After the Amalfi Coast, we are going to visit the famous ancient Roman City, Pompeii, the city that was almost wiped off the face of the planet by the gigantic volcano Vesuvius located not too far from the ruins.
Pompeii is known for its incredible preservation as the city was completely buried and preserved by ash and pumice following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Before the eruption, Pompeii was a striving city of around 11,000 people and one of the biggest cities of its time.
The eruption buried the entire city under meters of ash, which in turn preserved the city and its buildings, as well as the remains of its inhabitants, all of which remain intact to this day.
Within Pompeii, you will be able to get a glimpse of what life in a Roman city like Pompeii was like back in the day as you stroll around its cobblestone street, surrounded by houses and villas.
In between these well-preserved structures, you will also find some incredible features like preserved wall paintings or beautiful floor tiles that provide us with enough details to imagine what the Roman houses may have been like way back when.
In some places, you will also find casts of the bodies of the victims of the eruption, which give a unique insight into the lives of the people of Pompeii. Basically, the cast bodies allow us to literally see the last moment of their lives. It was both eerie and fascinating at the same time.
Pompeii is incredibly big and you can expect to spend around 3 - 4 hours to really see them all. Be sure to visit Villa dei Misteri, a villa with well-preserved colorful frescoes, the Sanctuary of Apollo, and the Amphitheater of Pompeii, a large well-preserved amphitheater that can hold over 10,000 people in it.
There is also another well-preserved Roman city nearby that you can visit called Herculaneum which some claim to be even more well-preserved than Pompeii and you can easily visit the area with a guided tour which will help organize transportation for you as well as guide you through each archeological sites in great details.
For those who want to visit Pompeii as well as other sights nearby like Herculaneum, and Mount Vesuvius, you can also check out one of these organized tours that will allow you to see these places without having to worry about the logistics:
- From Pompeii: Small-Group Pompeii and Herculaneum Tour
- From Sorrento: Pompeii & Herculaneum Tour with Skip-the-Line
- From Sorrento: Day Tour to Pompeii Ruins and Mount Vesuvius
Getting from the Amalfi Coast to Bari
From Sorrento to Bari, you are going to have to take the train to Naples first via the L1 train from Sorrento Train Station. The ticket can only be bought from the train station, costs around 5 EUR, and takes about 1 hour to reach Naples.
Once you arrive in Naples, you can catch a bus operated by Flixbus to Bari from Metropark Centrale only a few minutes walk from Naples Central Train Station. There are around 8 buses per day from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM every day and the journey should take about 2.5 hours and cost between 12 - 22 EUR. You can book the Flixbus ticket here.
Day 23: Bari (3 Nights)
Next up, we are visiting Bari, a seaside city located on the Adriatic Coast of Southern Italy that offers a ton of cool things to do as well as great opportunities for day trips to explore the surrounding beautiful Puglia area. We are definitely going off the beaten path now.
Traveling from the Amalfi Coast to Bari, you should arrive in the city a little bit before sunset, in time for a beautiful stroll around the city's old town and its stunning coastline. Once you arrive, I highly recommend you hit the ground running and go for a stroll along the Lungomare Araldo di Crollalanza to get some fresh sea breeze before we explore the old town.
As you make your way to Bari's Old Town, right at the heart of it, you will find Basilica San Nicola, one of the most sacred cathedrals in Bari and one that attracts Roman Catholic pilgrims for centuries since it was built in the 11th Century.
Other than being one of the most significant religious sites in the city, the basilica is also considered to be one of the greatest examples of Romanesque architecture in the region with its sturdy stone exterior and minimally decorated interior.
Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale San Sabino is another cathedral you should check out while you explore Bari's Old Town. The place is renowned for its beautiful facade, old-style stone interiors, and well-preserved wooden ceilings and to stands right at the center of the Old Town's Square, so it would be impossible for you to miss it.
Another impressive structure to see in Bari is Castello Svevo or as it is also called Swabian Castle, a historic castle located just outside of Bari's Old Town, built in the 12th Century by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and served as a military fortification, a royal palace, and a prison for the ruler of the city over the centuries.
At Castello Svevo, you can admire the well-preserved stone walls and its watchtowers as you walk around the castle to see just how massive it truly is. I wouldn't recommend you get in as the entrance fee is 9 EUR but there isn't a whole lot going on inside to justify the price.
After sunset, you can spend your time and explore the local cuisine here which Bari is also famous for. There are several restaurants you can indulge yourself in around the square in front of Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale San Sabino.
Or you can explore Bari's incredible street food scene by visiting L'arte della focaccia 2, a small street stall known for its delicious street food at an affordable price. Like really REALLY affordable!
The place serves 1.2 EUR Mozzarella e Pomodoro pizza, one of the tastiest, aromatic Mozzarella pizzas I have ever tried, and 1.5 EUR panzerotti, a savory turnover that looks like a small calzone, a delicious, and must-try snack while you are here.
Another street food you should try is the famous fried corn porridge from Maria delle Sgagliozze, a popular traditional-style street food that has been selling from this very stall for many years.
You can get 10 pieces of these fried corn porridges for around 2.5 EUR only. They are delicious but can get rather dull after you ate some so be sure to bring someone to share you with.
If you like street food as much as I do, you can also go on a street food walking tour while you are here to really see why Bari's street food is so famous across the country. Your local guide will also take you around to even more hidden gem places and go through many delicious street foods while telling you about the history of the city. Highly recommended for you foodies out there!
Where to Stay in Bari?
Getting From Bari to Matera
To get from Bari to Matera, all you have to do is catch a bus operated by Italbus from Bari Bus Stop in front of DEA Cafe which will take you to Matera in about 1 hour and cost around 10 EUR. The bus stop is located here which is pretty far and takes about 30 minutes to get to Matera old town.
Despite the distance, the walk is pretty straightforward and flat so no need to worry. There are ways to get closer to the old town from Bari but it requires you to take the L2 train to Bari's Airport, which does not run as often as regular trains, and from the airport, catch a bus to Matera via Pugliairbus which will eventually drop you off at Matera Central Bus Station. Since the bus and train do not run very often, it is difficult to align the time to match each leg so I do not recommend this way.
Going back, on the other hand, is a different story. Since you are no longer time sensitive, instead of walking all the way back to the further away bus stop, you can catch the Pugliairbus from Matera Central Bus Station to get to the airport and from there, you can either catch the L2 train or the airport shuttle bus which leaves every 30 minutes. Either or, going back have pretty much the same option as getting here but just in reverse. You can choose whichever method you feel comfortable doing.
Day 24: Matera (Day Trip)
The next day, we are going to go on a day trip and explore Matera, a city known for its unique cave dwellings, beautiful stone cityscape, and the place where they shot many scenes of the last James Bond movie with Daniel Craig, 007: No Time to Die.
Its unique cave dwellings, also known as the "sassi", were inhabited by the local population for the longest time until the mid-20th century when people were relocated into more modern homes due to intractable poverty, poor sanitation, meager working conditions, and rampant disease.
Today, the place has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the site has been converted into a tourist attraction filled with cafes, hotels, and restaurants we all can enjoy.
Despite the drastic transition, the stone cityscape remains well-preserved and it still retains its unique identity making it one of the best places to visit in Italy.
You can spend the day exploring the stone city's narrow streets and check out all the attractions in the Lower Town like Chiesa di Santa Lucia alle Malve, a beautiful church carved from the small mountain, Casa Grotta nei Sassi di Matera, a small museum that recreated what life was like living in the cave back in the days, and Church of Saint Mary of Idris, another Catholic church built into a rocky hilltop.
In the Upper Town, you can check out Belvedere Piazzetta Pascoli, the best viewpoint over the Lower Town, Basilica Cattedrale di Matera, a monumental 12th Century cathedral that dominates Matera's skyline, and Palombaro lungo, a preserved cistern carved from the rock beneath the main plaza of Matera.
After you are done, you can head back to Bari either via Italbus leaving from the bus stop here which is a 30-minute walk away from the old town or you can catch the Pugliairbus from Matera Central Bus Station to get to the airport and from there, you can either catch the L2 train or the airport shuttle bus which leaves every 30 minutes to Bari and retreat for the night.
Getting from Bari to Alberobello
To get from Bari to Alberobello, there are a handful of direct buses from 8 AM to 7:30 PM every day running between the 2 cities. The bus leaves from Bari Bus Stop at Largo Sorrentino just across from Bari Train Station and it should take about 1 hour and costs around 6 EUR. You can book the bus ticket from here.
Once you arrive at Alberobello Train Station, you will then have to walk about 15 minutes to reach the old town area and you will be right in the middle of all the actions. Make sure you remember where the bus drops you off as you will have to get back here to catch the bus back to Bari.
Day 25: Alberobello (Day Trip)
Another great day trip you can make from Bari is to visit Alberobello, another beautiful city known for its unique trulli, a small, conical-roofed home made of stone. The trulli were originally used as temporary shelters for farmers but now it has become the identity of Alberobello and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Puglia.
In the old town, you can stroll along and check out all these coned-shaped trullis, lined up along the narrow streets, admire the wonderful intricate stonework, as well as visit the many shops selling local crafts and products here.
While you are in Alberobello, be sure to check out the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, a historic church featuring the same trulli architecture that made Alberobello famous, Trullo Sovrano, a unique 18th-century conical hut housing a heritage museum, and Territory Museum "House Pezzolla", a great museum to learn more about the history.
This place is definitely more popular than Matera and gets a ton more tourists and so if you want to have the place to yourself, I highly recommend you visit Alberobello in the morning, as early as you can.
You can spend the entire day here before getting back to Bari the same way you got here but in reverse. It should take you around one hour to get back to Bari and from there, you can either spend the evening chilling out in Bari's old town or retreat for the night and prepare for a flight to Sicily tomorrow.
Getting from Bari to Palermo
From Bari to Palermo, this is going to be the only time we fly in this itinerary since there is no direct path to get from Bari to Sicily without having to go through several transits and waste a lot of time, especially on a ferry across from Italy's mainland to Bari.
In order to save time, we will be taking a flight from Bari to Palermo. In Bari, you can easily take the L2 train which leaves from a separate train station from this building (not the Bari Central Station but it's close by) to the airport, and you can catch a flight to Palermo, Sicily. The L2 trains don't run very often (around 1 - 2 hours between runs) so be sure to align your time carefully.
There are many direct flights between the 2 cities that go for quite cheap at around 60 EUR via Ryanair and it should take about 1 hour and 15 minutes. You can book the flight here.
Once you arrive in Palermo, there is an airport bus running every 30 minutes from the bus stop just outside the airport's terminal and it should cost around 6 EUR to get to the city. You can buy the ticket from the kiosk at the airport arrival terminal. It should take about 1 hour before the bus drops you off at Palermo Central Station.
Day 26 - 27: Palermo (3 Nights)
After 3 weeks of traveling across Italy, we have finally arrived in Sicily and there is no better place to start your journey on this wonderful island than Palermo, the capital city of Sicily steeped in history, culture, and beauty, that is so unique it might feel like you are visiting a different country!
From its stunning Arab-Norman architecture to its bustling street food markets and stunning beaches that are reminiscent of those flea markets in Asia, Palermo is a city that will truly blow you away.
One of the greatest things to do in Palermo is to explore its vibrant food markets which is something that took me by surprise quite a bit. It's colorful, chaotic, and beautiful all at once and there is no better place to get your bearings in Sicily than the great markets of Palermo.
The markets in Palermo reminded me of the flea markets you often find in countries like Thailand or Taiwan with a variety of fresh foods being sold right on the street as well a ton of food stalls, huge crowded streets, occupied by both the locals, and tourists alike, and merchants singing, trying to attract customers.
On your first day in Sicily, I highly recommend you check out Mercato del Capo and Trh Palermo Ballaro, 2 of my favorite markets in Palermo with the former a little more proper with street food stalls whereas the latter is more random with all kinds of things being sold here from fresh produce to souvenirs.
Here, you can explore the famous Sicilian cuisine, grab a cup of fresh orange juice for 1 EUR, eat juicy watermelon, and try out all the seafood street food dishes that cost less than 10 EUR. Explore and indulge yourself in the diverse culture of Sicily to your heart's content.
You can also go on a street food walking tour to dive deeper into the unique cuisine as well as learn more about the history of Sicily as you explore the markets of Palermo with a local guide.
After you are done with the food, you can then spend your day exploring all the beautiful architecture in Palermo starting with the Church of San Cataldo and Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio, both are incredible little church of Norman origins that showcases the diverse architectural style that blends the Arabs, Normans, and Byzantine influences together perfectly.
Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio in particular has some of the finest Byzantine-style frescoes you will ever see here. The place looks and feels more like an Orthodox church than a Catholic church as you walk around its interior, covered with colorful frescoes from top to bottom.
Another church you should visit is Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, a grand catholic church located right at the center of Palermo where you can climb to the top of the church to see Palermo's incredible skyline and its surroundings from above.
The church is also famous for its stunning Byzantine mosaics, which adorn the walls and ceilings of the building as well as its courtyard, which is an oasis in the bustling city of Palermo.
Another landmark you should not miss in Palermo is Palermo Cathedral, a massive cathedral built in the 12th Century and a perfect example of Norman architecture, with a mix of Byzantine, Gothic, and Arab influences all of which had conquered Sicily at some point in time which goes to show just how diverse and rich the history is in Palermo.
Its interior is also very impressive, with a beautiful nave and elaborate frescoes and sculptures adorning the walls and ceilings. The cathedral is free to enter but for the price of 15 EUR per person, you will get access to a 10-minute walk on the roof which offers an incredible viewpoint, the crypt, and the museum across the street.
And of course, as you explore Palermo, be sure to check out the Norman Palace, a palace built in the 9th century and has served as a royal residence, a palace of justice, and a seat of the government over the centuries since the Normans to this day. It is a great place to dive deeper into the history of Palermo if you want to learn more about it.
Inside, you will find a range of stunning rooms, halls, and courtyards, including the famous Cappella Palatina, which is considered one of the finest examples of Byzantine art in the world and one that will truly blow you away from its sheer beauty and incredible details.
Every inch of Cappella Palatina is covered in intricately designed patterns and frescoes that resemble more of an eastern Orthodox church you often see in Eastern Europe than what you would come to expect in churches in Italy.
Inside the Palace, you will also find several museums and rooms all spread out across its 3-floor structure, each room with different functions and features ranging from a modern art museum to a Chinese-style decorated room used as a place to meet the delegates from China.
While you are inside, be sure to check out one of my favorite rooms in the Norman Palace, Sala di Ruggero, which is originally a bedroom featuring incredible Sassanian-inspired mosaics of Sassanian animals and hunting scenes animated by figures and stylized plants all across the walls and the ceiling of the room.
The mosaics covering the room are a rare example of the secular mosaic art of that time, which immerses its roots in the Persian East through Sassanian-Persian design and North Africa through its Arabic influences.
If you want to get off the beaten track a little in Palermo, you can also go out and explore other awesome tourist attractions outside Palermo's Old Town like the creepy Catacombe dei Cappuccini, an underground crypt with more than 8000 mummified remains on full display.
The catacombs are filled with thousands of mummies that have been perfectly preserved through the natural mummification process. Many of the mummies are dressed in their finest clothes and are displayed in glass cases, creating a unique and eerie atmosphere. Some of the mummies even have their hair and teeth intact, making the catacombs a fascinating and somewhat disturbing place to visit.
That should keep you occupied for the entire day in Palermo. In the evening, you can check out many of the family-run restaurants like Gusto Di Mare, one of my favorite restaurants in Palermo serving seafood dishes at affordable prices, and Pizzeria Polleria Zummo, another great family-run restaurant that serves delicious authentic pizzas. Once you are done, you can retreat for the night and prepare for our day trip to Cefalu the next day.
Getting from Palermo to Cefalu and Back
To get to Cefalu, you will first have to fly into Palermo Airport (PMO) and from there, you can catch one of the many daily trains from Palermo Central Train Station that runs between 5 AM to 9:30 PM every day and visits the city as a day trip.
To get back, you can use the same instruction above but in the reverse direction and you should be back in Palermo in no time. The train ticket should cost around 8 EUR and takes about 40 minutes to reach Cefalu. You can book the train ticket here.
Day 28: Cefalu (Day Trip)
On our second day, we are going to go on a day trip and visit Cefalu, a historic coastal town located in the northeastern part of Sicily, perfect for a day of sunbathing at the beach and hiking around old ruins.
The city is known for its stunning beaches like Cefalu Beach and clear waters, making it a popular destination for sun-seekers and beach lovers while the mountainous park of Parco della Rocca di Cefalu behind the city offers a great viewpoint over the coast and a day full of action for adventure-seekers out there.
I highly recommend you hike Parco della Rocca di Cefalu first thing in the morning after you arrive in Cefalu since the whole hike can take around 2 hours roundtrip and the weather can be extremely hot during the day.
While you are in the park, be sure to hike all the way up to Cafalu Castle for an even more incredible view of the city and its coastline. The hike is tough, especially in the summer months but the view is definitely worth every single drop of sweat.
One of the most notable landmarks in Cefalu is the Cathedral of Cefalu, which dates back to the 12th century and is considered one of the finest examples of Norman-Arabic architecture in Sicily.
Other notable attractions you should visit while you are in Cefalu are Bastione di Capo Marchiafava, a nice ocean viewpoint, Osterio Magno, a historic fortified palace considered to be one of the town's most important historical landmarks, and Lavatoio Medievale Fiume Cefalino, a 16th Century laundry house with laundry house, dating to 1514, with original stone wash basins and cast-iron spouts.
After the hike and exploring the old town of Cefalu, you can spend the entire day relaxing at Cefalu Beach, a beautiful stretch of sandy beach that stretches across the western coastline for over 1.5 km, and jump into the crystal clear water of the Tyrrhenian Sea at Porta Pescara.
For lunch, you can check out Pasta e Pasti, a nice local restaurant serving fresh homemade pasta, the best pasta you will ever try here, as well as other traditional foods you can indulge yourself in.
Unlike other restaurants in Cefalu, this is not a tourist trap and you will be paying a local price for local food which is not so easy to find nowadays. From seafood pasta that you can customize to your heart's content, to fresh seafood ala carte you can order, this place is truly one of the best restaurants you have to try in Sicily.
If you do not want to deal with the logistics, you can also visit Cefalu with an organized tour group which will take you to Cefalu and back as well as visits other tourist attractions like Monreale Cathedral, known for its incredible frescoes, all in one go which is an awesome deal since Monreale is not so easy to get to via the public transportation.
Getting from Palermo to Agrigento
To get from Palermo to Agrigento, you should be able to catch the train from Palermo Central Train Station that runs between 5:43 AM to 8:43 PM every day. The journey should take about 2 hours and costs around 11 EUR per person. You can book the train ticket here.
Day 29: Agrigento (1 Nights)
After 2 full days in Palermo, it is time to move on to our next destination, Agrigento, a nice quiet city near the southern coast of Sicily, home to the Valley of the Temples, some of the most well-preserved Greek ruins in the world and one of the highlights of visiting Sicily.
On the day of your arrival, you can spend the rest of the day and explore the charming Old Town of Agrigento starting from Porta Di Ponte, a historic gate, one of the few surviving parts of the ancient city walls of Akragas, the ancient Greek city that once stood in the area.
While you explore the crisscrossing streets of Agrigento Old Town, be sure to check out some of the most notable attractions in the area such as Monache cistercensi santo spirito, a beautiful church featuring incredibly detailed stucco sculpture, Chiesa di San Lorenzo detta del Purgatorio, a church with a beautiful facade, and all the small narrow streets with local houses decorated with flowers lined up the hill all the way to the top.
Right at the top of Agrigento, you will find Cattedrale di San Gerlando, a grand, historic Catholic church known for its elaborate, art-covered ceilings, and it is the highlight of Agrigento's Old Town.
Built in the 12th century, the cathedral is considered one of the finest examples of Norman-style architecture in the region. The cathedral was originally built as a mosque but was later converted into a Christian church after the Norman conquest of Sicily.
The highlight of the Cattedrale di San Gerlando is of course, right above you, on the ceiling where you will find an art-covered wooden ceiling that must be seen up close to really appreciate its fine details.
While you are at Cattedrale di San Gerlando, be sure to climb up all the way to the roof of the cathedral for an incredible view of Agrigento and its surroundings.
After you are done exploring the Old Town's attractions, it's time to explore the street foods of Agrigento! While here, you gotta try Panino Con Milza (schietto), a traditional street food in Sicily made out of soft bread stuffed with boiled, fried chopped veal lung, and spleen, from L'antica Panineria Restaurant.
The place is an old local restaurant that has been operating in the city since 1965 and the locals have frequented the place for decades. I know, I know! Spleen? Veal lung? Yuck! I also had that perception when I saw it at first but it is really delicious!
The spleens are well-cooked in a pot, so much so that you no longer smell the usual spleen adore and they sprinkle it with loads of grated cheese and lime, making it tasty and flavorful. And for 3 EUR! You can't go wrong with that price!
The next day, we are visiting the highly anticipated Valley of the Temples. There are so many ruins to explore at the Temples you are going to need at least 2 hours to do this place justice. Exploring the Valley of the Temples requires a lot of walking in mostly exposed paths so be sure to prepare for the heat.
Within the Valley, you will find incredibly well-preserved temples like the Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Zeus, which were built over 2000 years ago. These ruins provide us with a glimpse of what it must have been like to be living in an ancient Greek city.
Temple of Concordia in particular, is one of the most well-preserved structures from Ancient Greece I have ever seen. Most of the temple's exterior is left pretty much intact except the roof, something not so easy to see in such a complete form.
Not too far from the temple, you will find a massive bronze statue of Icarus laying on the ground, legless and wingless, perfect for the metaphor Icarus represents.
Other notable attractions in the park you should see are Tempio di Giunone, an ancient Greek temple built in the 5th Century BC dedicated to the goddess Juno, Temple Of Heracles, an ancient Greek temple dedicated to Heracles, the Greek god of strength and courage, and the Temple of Zeus, a temple dedicated to Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology.
The park is divided into 2 sections with 2 entrances and if you plan to visit the archeological site by public transportation, the best way to do it is to enter the park from the East Entrance and exit from the West Entrance, that way you won't need to backtrack your way after you are done.
To get to the Valley of the Temples from Agrigento, you will have to walk 30 minutes from the city down to the East Entrance. There is no bus stop at this entrance so there is no way around it. Don't worry though as the walking path from the city to the park is going downhill most of the time so it should be a breeze.
Enter the East Entrance, explore the site, exit to the West Entrance, and right at the exit, you will find a bus stop where you can catch the bus back to Agrigento without having to walk up the hill again. The entrance ticket is around 10 EUR per person and the archeological site is open from 8:30 AM to 8 PM or 12 PM depending on the season.
If you start early in the morning, you should be done with the Valley of the Temples before noon. You can head back to Agrigento, grab all your things from your accommodation, and catch the bus to our next destination, Bari.
Getting from Agrigento to Syracuse
To get from Agrigento to Syracuse, you are going to have to catch the bus to get to Catania first and then you can catch the train to Syracuse as Catania is the largest travel hub on the east coast and there is no direct train between the 2 cities unless you don't mind transiting a few times which increases the risk of delays and missing your connecting trains.
Thankfully, Flixbus runs twice a day between the 2 cities at 6:10 AM and 4:35 PM and you can catch one of these buses to go straight to Catania in about 3 hours and it should cost you no more than 11 EUR for the ticket. The bus leaves from this Agrigento Bus Stop, in the parking lot and you can book the bus here.
Flixbus will drop you off at this bus stop which is perfect since it is only a few minutes walk away from Catania Central Train Station which is where you will have to catch the train to Syracuse.
There are several trains per day running between Catania and Syracuse so you should have no trouble catching as long as it is between 6 AM to 9:40 PM. The train should take about one hour and costs around 11 EUR. You can book the train ticket here.
Day 30 - 31: Syracuse (3 Nights)
Next up, we are visiting the beautiful coastal city of Syracuse with its charming old town, ancient Roman ruins, and picturesque coastline, there is no shortage of things to do and see in this Mediterranean gem.
Right out of the bat, you can spend the morning exploring all the tourist attractions in the city before we move over to the old town area. Attractions like Neapolis Archaeological Park offers a large green space for a nice morning stroll as you explore the ancient ruins of Syracuse.
It is an ancient Greek and Roman archaeological site located on the hills of Syracuse and it is home to a wide range of ancient structures and monuments, including a Greek theater, a Roman amphitheater, a sacrificial altar, and several quarries.
The highlights of visiting Neapolis are seeing the impressive Roman amphitheater, a well-preserved amphitheater built in the 3rd century AD as well as the massive greek theater that is considered to be one of the largest and best-preserved theaters in the ancient world that remain in use to this day.
Other notable attractions in the park are the Ear of Dionysius, a sinuous ancient cave with a legend claiming it was built by the tyrant Dionysius, a cruel, suspicious, and vindictive ruler of Sicily in the 1st Century BC, the ancient quarries of Latomie del Paradiso, and more.
Be sure to spare at least an hour here to really explore all the attractions in the area. Although the ruins here aren't as well maintained, and many areas are closed off due to renovations, the place does have potential and it is a great place to catch some fresh air before we dive deeper into what Syracuse has to offer.
When you are done at the archeological park, be sure to check out Catacombe di San Giovanni, a network of underground tunnels located under Syracuse with tombs with beautiful frescoes, sarcophagi, artifacts, and more.
You can only access a portion of the underground tunnels and it shouldn't take very long to see everything along the approximately 200-meter-long tunnel but since it is way underground, the temperature becomes a little cooler which makes for a great place to escape the summer heat of Sicily.
After exploring the all attractions in the city, you are going to visit the island of Ortigia next, ideally in the evening right before sunset.
Ortigia is a historic district in Syracuse that has a rich history dating all the way back to the Greek time period and despite its name, Ortigia is not some exotic island where you have to take a boat to get to. In fact, the island is connected to the mainland via a traffic bridge that connects the city to the old town.
As you enter the island of Ortigia, one of the first sights you will see from that period as you enter the island is the Temple of Apollo, a sizable Greek ruin that is considered to be one of the oldest Greek structures on the island, dating back to the 6th Century BC.
One of the most famous landmarks on the island of Ortigia that you should visit next is the Cathedral of Syracuse, a beautiful Baroque-style cathedral located right at the center of the island at the Piazza del Duomo, a large rectangular square surrounded by beautiful old buildings of the same style.
One of the most striking features of the cathedral is its impressive facade with two bell towers and a central dome. The exterior, like all the other architectures you find in Sicily, was built using volcanic lava stones which Sicily has plenty of.
Located in the same square as the Cathedral of Syracuse, just right around the corner, you will also find Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia, a Baroque church built in the 18th Century and known for its incredible facade.
Arethusa Spring is another cool place to visit and one that is probably the most unique attraction you will see in Syracuse. This natural spring is located on the southwestern side of the island and you can stroll around its shaded green space and escape the bustling city above.
The spring is surrounded by lush vegetation, including palm trees and papyrus, and is home to a variety of fish and other marine life. You can walk along the edge of the spring and enjoy stunning views of the water and the surrounding area.
And out of all the tourist attractions to see in Syracuse, no place is more epic than Castello Maniace, a medieval castle built in the 13th century designed to protect the city from attacks by sea.
The castle features many incredible structures like towers and battlements as well as a museum that showcases the history of the castle and the city of Syracuse which makes it a great place to visit if you want to learn more about the history of Syracuse.
Once you are done, you can find a nice restaurant and cafe here to enjoy the beautiful sunset on the island before you retreat for the night to prepare for your day trip to Noto tomorrow.
Getting from Syracuse to Noto and Back
To get from Syracuse to Noto, all you have to do is catch a bus operated by Interbus from Syracuse's bus station and it will take you to Noto in less than 1 hour dropping you off near Noto's old town. The bus runs every hour and it should cost you around 9 EUR. You can book the ticket online here.
To get back to Syracuse, you just have to wait for the bus at Noto's bus stop for about 30 minutes and the bus will take you back to Syracuse in no time. You can also take the train but it runs less often and the train station is a little further south from the Old Town which might not be as convenient as taking the bus.
Day 32: Noto (Day Trip)
On the next day in Syracuse, we are going to be visiting Noto, a charming little city known for its stunning baroque architecture, rich history, and its warm Mediterranean climate, a perfect destination for a day trip from Syracuse.
The Noto's Old Town is home to the stunning Noto Cathedral, probably one of the most well-known landmarks here and where I highly recommend you start your exploration in Noto. The cathedral was built in the late 17th century in the amazing Sicilian-Baroque architectural style with a beautiful facade comparable to those of the church of Notre Dame in Versailles.
Just across the cathedral, you will also find Palazzo Ducezio, another great Sicilian-Baroque style palace built in a style of a French palace of the same period that you should visit as well as other stunning structures in the area like Nicolaci Palace and the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi to the Immaculate.
If you are looking for a great viewpoint over the old town of Noto, you can't go wrong with the Bell Tower of St. Charles Church, an 18th Century church with a bell tower that dominates much of Noto's Old Town.
From the bell tower, you can see Noto Cathedral and its dome as well as the beautiful sandstone-colored roof-tops of houses, and the beautiful landscapes surrounding Noto. It is truly the best viewpoint you can get here.
Photos by Stefano Mortellaro.
For the best time to visit Noto, if you can choose when to visit Noto, I highly recommend you align your trip on the day of the Flower Festival of Noto, an annual flower event where the city is lit up with colorful flowers, spread out across the main street of the Old Town.
Several other notable attractions you should not miss in Noto are the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi to the Immaculate, a catholic church known for its beautiful Baroque architecture and intricate decoration, Nicolaci Palace, a palace that offers a chance for us to get a glimpse of what life was like for the nobles living here, and explore the flea market at Villa Comunale Noto.
Once you are done, you can take the bus back to Syracuse and spend the rest of the day relaxing in Ortigia and spend another evening, watching the sunset there before ending our trip to Sicily.
Getting from Syracuse to Catania
To get from Syracuse to Catania, simply take the train from Syracuse train station which operates several times a day between 5 AM to 7:25 PM back to Catania. It should take about one hour, and cost around 11 EUR. You can book the train here.
Day 33: Catania (1 Night)
From Syracuse, you can catch the same train back to Catania and either spend the night here or take the AMTS "Alibus" bus straight to Catania Airport from the train station bus stop before flying back home. The bus departs every 25 minutes and you can buy the ticket from the general shop at the entrance of the train station or with the driver.
Congratulations! You have finally made it to the end of our itinerary! You deserve a good rest and hopefully, you have made a lifetime of incredible memories here in Italy. Since this itinerary is around 28 days, you use the rest of the days left to add to whichever city you want to spend more time in.
Since one month is a long time to be backpacking, if you have a few days to spare, be sure to give it an extra 3 o 4 days for resting. The places I would recommend you spend more time in are Florence, Palermo, and Rome or you can spend more time here in Catania and explore what the city has to offer.
When to Visit Italy?
The best time to visit Italy is from late May - late September when the weather is nice and warm perfect for exploring the beautiful outdoors of Italy.
That said, it is also the hottest, most crowded, and most expensive time to visit but due to the fact that we are going to rely on public transportation for the entire itinerary, you are going to have to brace for the heat and the crowds as this period is when the buses run the most often which is especially important in remote places like the Dolomites if you do not want to rent a car.
Winter is not recommended since many restaurants and hotels in remote regions of Italy are often closed for the season except for a few guest houses and bed and breakfasts, so for this itinerary, I highly recommend you stick to the recommended period.
How to Get to Italy?
From the US, there are many direct flights from JFK that will take you straight to Milan in about 11 hours via Emirates, Delta, and American Airlines. You can browse through great direct flights from here.
From Europe, you have quite a lot more options here. You can either fly directly to Milan from places like the UK via Wizz Air, take a train from all the major train stations around Europe, or catch one of the many buses to Milan. Flixbus is highly recommended when it comes to bus travel in Europe.
From Asia, there are also many direct flights to Milan operated by local carriers from cities like Singapore, Seoul, or Tokyo or you can go with connecting flights which are often a bit cheaper. There are many flights from Asia that connect via middle east countries like Emirates via Dubai or Etihad via Abu Dhabi. The journey should take approximately 12 hours direct.
To find a cheap flight to Italy, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
How to Get Around Italy?
Italy is very well-connected by trains and buses and these are the 2 modes of transportation you will be relying on most for this itinerary.
By trains: The trains here are quite ok with a reliable enough schedule with a chance of 5 - 10 minutes delay and excellent coverage. They are operated by Trenitalia and you will be using them when you travel from one city to another.
Due to how short the transit time is sometimes, and how trains here have the tendency to be delayed, always give at least 20 minutes of transit time if you can. You can book a train ticket online beforehand which is extremely convenient.
By Bus: Buses are also a great way to get around Italy, especially for remote areas where the train doesn't go like the Amalfi Coast and some regions in the Dolomites. The bus schedules in most places in Italy are often available online and you should be able to easily reserve seats online without having to be at the bus station beforehand. This and Flixbus are my preferred modes of transportation when I want to move around quickly and directly.
By Rental Cars: You can also rent a car straight from the airport in Milan and drive around Italy but for this itinerary, you won't need it. If you insist, keep in mind that the traffic in cities like Rome and Milan can get extremely jammed during peak hours and parking lots can be a challenge to find at times. To Rent a car, hit the link below:
How Much Money Do I Need for one month in Italy?
From this one-month itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:
Accommodation: For 31 nights in Italy, you can expect to pay around 1,240 EUR for accommodation minimum considering you are staying in hostels.
Food: For 29 days, 3 meals a day in Italy, you can expect to pay around 786 EUR for food considering you eat out every meal. It will be cheaper if you cook it yourself.
Transportation: For this itinerary, you can expect to pay approximately 544 EUR for transportation from city to city, usually on trains and buses, with one flight from Bari to Palermo which should cost no more than 60 EUR via Ryanair.
Activities: Depending on how much you want to follow my itinerary you can expect to pay approximately 678 EUR for activities like museums, entrance fees, City Passes, and more.
Total Budget for 31 days in Italy: 3,248 EUR
Is it Safe in Italy?
In most places outside of big cities in Italy, it's pretty safe but when it comes to cities like Rome and Milan or any other big cities in Europe for that matter, you are going to have to be on your toes at times, especially in crowded places like the train stations and the metros where there are higher chances of petty theft and pickpocketing which can be quite prevalent here.
It's best to always exercise precautions by not leaving your belongings unattended when you visit Rome and always, ALWAYS keep an eye out on your belongings at all times. Keep your hands in your pockets when entering or exiting crowded places like a metro or a train station and make sure you are holding your phones and wallets tightly.
Other than that, you should be fine traveling around Central Italy. I didn't have any problems in Italy when I was there for about a month. Keep your wits with you and you will be fine.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Italy?
There are 4 major carriers in Italy, TIM, Vodafone, W3m, and Iliad, that offer prepaid sim cards tourists can buy while they are traveling in Italy. Unfortunately, with the rise of esims, having to be in the country to buy a sim card at a store is quite inconvenient and not ideal.
If you have a smartphone that supports esims, I highly recommend you take a look at this esim. They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from ranging from 1 GB for 7 days costing only 5 USD to 10 GB for 30 days costing 22.5 USD.
The setup is fast and instant and you can buy it prior to your trip so you don't have to scramble your way to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local sim card with 4G speed across the entire country.
Or if you are traveling to Italy as part of a bigger Europe trip, I highly recommend you get the regional Eurolink esim which will give you access to data from over 39 countries across Europe. I have personally used this esim on my 3-months trip around Europe and it has worked wonders.
For more information on esims in Italy, click here: Check Italy's Available eSim.
What to Pack for Italy?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Italy:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Italy
I hope you found this Italy travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Italy, here is a selection of articles you might like:
- Want to see the highlights of Italy in 2 weeks? Be sure to check out our 2-Weeks Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
- For a complete 7-day backpacking itinerary in Central Italy that will take you from Rome to Pompeii to the Amalfi Coast, be sure to check out: 7 Days Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
- Wondering what you can do in Rome in 3 days? Check out our 3-day Backpacking Rome Itinerary.
- If you are looking for a place near Rome with beautiful coasts, charming towns, and beaches to relax in, you can't go wrong with the Amalfi Coast. Here is The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to the Amalfi Coast.
- One of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world, you definitely will want to visit Pompeii while you are in Italy. Here is The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Pompeii.
- Looking for a complete itinerary for Northern Italy? Check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Northern Italy Itinerary.
- Every trip to Northern Italy starts in Milan. If you are a first-timer, here are the 16 best things to do in Milan.
- Want to make the most out of 3 days in Milan? Check out: 3 Days In Milan: An Itinerary For First Timers.
- Ah... Venice, the city of art, culture, and the birthplace of the Renaissance. You just can't visit Italy without seeing it with your own eyes. To help you plan a trip there, here are the 15 best things to do in Venice.
- For a complete backpacking guide to Lake Como, check out: The 3-Day Lake Como Itinerary For Those Without A Car.
- At the heart of sunny Tuscany lies Florence, one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Italy. If you are planning to visit Florence, check out: 16 Best Things to Do in Florence.
- Cinque Terre, known for its picturesque stacked houses on cliffs and coastlines, is the perfect destination for those looking to escape the bustling city life in Northern Italy. To start planning, be sure to check out: A Complete Guide to Backpacking Cinque Terre.
- Want to explore the Dolomites but not sure where to begin? Check out the 10 Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites.
- For a complete backpacking itinerary for the Dolomites, check out: the 7 Days Dolomites Itinerary For Those Without A Car.
- Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Sicily? Check out: One Week Backpacking Sicily Itinerary
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Italy, visit the Italy Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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