3-Week Italy Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Italy tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaItaly travel expert at TourRadar

• 20 Day Italy Itinerary, incl. Rome and Venice

  A grand 20-day Italian tour spans 44 destinations from Rome's ancient ruins to Venice's canals. Seven UNESCO sites await, including Alberobello's trulli houses and Matera's cave dwellings. Guided city tours in 5 major locations, with an internal Palermo flight and carefully selected hotels.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Rome

    Start your Italian journey in Rome. Use Day 1 to check in and explore your surroundings. On Day 2 take a morning tour combining bus and walking routes. Book your Vatican Museums tickets online before you go. As one traveler notes: "Get to the Vatican Museums right when they open at 9 AM—the Sistine Chapel is breathtaking without the crowds."

    
  • Days 3-4

    Puglia Region

    Take the scenic route east through the Apennines to Puglia. Stop at the beautiful San Giovanni in Venere Abbey from the 11th century before reaching Termoli. Next up is Bari with its authentic southern Italian feel. Spend the following day between Brindisi's historic port and Lecce's baroque buildings. A visitor suggests: "The best time to photograph Lecce's intricate baroque facades is during the 'golden hour' just before sunset."

    
  • Days 5-6

    Naples and Amalfi Coast

    Visit Naples before taking a 30-minute ferry to Capri. Use the funicular to get up to Capri town but buy tickets ahead to skip the lines. Next stop is Sorrento with an overnight in Salerno. One local tip: "Take the earliest ferry to Capri (around 8 AM) to beat both the heat and crowds at the Blue Grotto."

    
  • Days 7-9

    Sicily

    Take the quick 20-minute ferry from Villa San Giovanni to Messina. Stay in Taormina for the best views of Mt. Etna. Visit Caltagirone to see its famous ceramic staircase and stop at the UNESCO site Villa Romana del Casale. Explore Palermo's unique Arab-Norman architecture. A good tip: "The Monreale Cathedral gets extremely crowded—arrive before 9 AM to appreciate the golden mosaics in peace."

    
  • Days 10-13

    Central Italy and Florence

    Fly back to Rome and visit Orvieto in Umbria. Move on to Siena in Tuscany followed by San Gimignano and Florence. A recent visitor shares: "The Michelangelo Piazzale viewpoint in Florence is magical at sunset but bring a jacket—it gets windy up there even in summer."

    
  • Days 14-15

    Italian Riviera

    Start early in Pisa then head to Cinque Terre. Use local trains between villages but know they get busy in peak season. Visit Genoa and Portofino next. Remember this advice: "In Cinque Terre buy the day train pass first thing—individual tickets often sell out by midday."

    
  • Days 16-17

    Lakes Region and Venice

    See Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore including the Borromean Islands. Stop in Verona on your way to Venice. Take a boat trip to St. Mark's Square. Smart tip: "Venice's vaporetto (water bus) day passes are worth it if you're doing multiple trips—single tickets are expensive."

    
  • Days 18-20

    Umbria and Rome

    Visit the Saint Anthony Basilica in Padua and the tiny country of San Marino. Explore medieval Gubbio and Perugia before heading back to Rome. Good advice: "The moving walkways in Perugia's underground medieval city can be confusing—follow the yellow signs for the easiest route."

    

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• 17 Days in Italy, incl. Rome and Sicily

  The 17-day route visits 14 cities from Rome to Palermo, showcasing UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Cinque Terre and Alberobello's trulli. Unique basilica visits, traditional gondola rides, and local dining across 7 included dinners create memorable moments.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Rome

    Get to the Vatican Museums by 8:00 AM to avoid crowds and heat. You'll need about 3 hours to see everything properly. The Sistine Chapel gets hot later in the day. After lunch, head to the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Book skip-the-line tickets in advance. Bring water and sun protection for the Forum since there's little shade.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Cinque Terre & Italian Riviera

    Stay in Santa Margherita Ligure to explore the coast. Take the train to Cinque Terre, starting with Monterosso for its nice beaches. For a trip to Portofino, go early when the water is calm. You can also walk there from Santa Margherita on a scenic coastal path that takes about an hour each way.

  • Days 5-6

    Lake Maggiore & Venice

    Spend time in peaceful Baveno on Lake Maggiore. Visit Isola Bella in late afternoon after the crowds leave. The ferry runs every 30 minutes. In Venice, get a 24-hour vaporetto pass for unlimited rides. Take the #1 line for the best views of the Grand Canal.

  • Days 7-9

    Florence & Tuscany

    Visit popular sites early morning or evening to avoid crowds. See David at the Accademia first thing (8:15 AM is ideal). For authentic Tuscan steak, try the restaurants in Sant'Ambrogio where locals go. A recent visitor shared: "The San Lorenzo market in morning hours offers the most authentic food experience—try the fresh pecorino and prosciutto from the vendors inside."

  • Days 10-11

    Sorrento & Capri

    Plan 3 hours for Pompeii and wear good shoes for the uneven streets. Take the first ferry to Capri (around 7:20 AM) to make the most of your day. Skip the midday funicular crowds to Capri town.

  • Days 12-13

    Alberobello & Matera

    Bring comfortable shoes with good grip. Matera's old streets are steep and can be slippery. Take photos of Alberobello's trulli houses early morning or late afternoon for the best light.

  • Days 14-17

    Sicily

    The ferry to Sicily takes 30 minutes. If you get motion sickness, sit at the front of the bus for the winding drive to Taormina. Visit Palermo's street markets in the morning when they're most active. Get to the Palatine Chapel right when it opens at 8:30 AM to avoid lines.

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• 17 Day Italy Itinerary, incl. Rome and Sicily

  A grand 17-day Italian tour winds through 23 cities, from Rome's Vatican Museums to Sicily's Mount Etna. Guests stay 16 nights in 4-star hotels including Florence's Hotel Raffaello and Venice's Hotel Delfino Mestre, with skip-the-line access at major attractions.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Rome to Florence

    Leave Rome early at 7:30 AM to avoid traffic and head to medieval Assisi. Visit St. Francis' Basilica before moving on to Siena to see the famous Piazza del Campo. Spend your two Florence days between the Duomo complex Piazza della Signoria and Santa Croce. Get to the Duomo by 8:30 AM to beat the tour groups.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Venice & Bologna

    The 3-hour drive to Bologna offers beautiful countryside views. Check out Bologna's medieval food markets before heading to Venice. "Skip the expensive gondolas and take the vaporetto water bus instead - same views for €7.50." Stay in Mestre and take public transport into Venice.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Tuscany & Rome

    Visit Montepulciano in Tuscany's wine country in the afternoon when it's quieter. In Rome book 9 AM tickets for the Vatican Museums to avoid crowds. "The Vatican Museum entrance can be confusing - look for the long wall leading to the entrance, not the St. Peter's Square side."

    
  • Days 8-9

    Amalfi Coast & Capri

    Take the 3-hour morning transfer from Rome to Sorrento your base for exploring the Amalfi Coast. Take the first ferry to Capri (around 7:45 AM) to enjoy the island before the crowds arrive. "The Blue Grotto often closes in choppy weather - have a backup plan to explore Anacapri instead."

    
  • Days 10-12

    Sicily - Palermo & Surroundings

    Take the 10-hour overnight ferry from Naples to Palermo. Explore Palermo's historic center and visit Monreale in the morning. "The Cathedral's mosaics are incredible, but bring a light jacket - it gets chilly inside even in summer."

    
  • Days 13-14

    Agrigento & Ragusa

    See the Valley of Temples in Agrigento early morning or late afternoon when it's cooler. Spend time in Ragusa exploring the UNESCO baroque architecture in Ibla. Each main site needs about 2-3 hours.

    
  • Days 15-17

    Taormina & Mount Etna

    Finish your trip in Taormina and use it as your base for Mount Etna. Bring sturdy shoes and warm layers for the volcano visit. The summit can be 20°F cooler than the base. Book a guided tour if you want to go above 1800m.

    

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