The Best Day Trips in Italy: Explore More From One City

One of the great things about traveling in Italy is that you don’t always have to change hotels to see somewhere completely new. Day trips can be a great way to travel. Thanks to Italy’s high-speed trains, relatively compact geography, and excellent regional transport, you can base yourself in one city and spend a day exploring another.

Instead of packing and unpacking every couple of days, you can settle into a neighborhood, find a favorite café, and still experience the landscapes, food, history, and culture of another part of Italy. And with so many famous cities within a few hours of each other, the possibilities are surprisingly extensive.

Here are some of the best Italian cities to use as a base, and ideas for where to go on day trips from each.

Rome: Ancient cities, Renaissance towns, and the coast

Rome is one of the best bases for day trips in Italy. The capital has excellent high-speed rail connections, putting cities such as Naples within easy reach, while guided excursions make it possible to venture farther south or into the countryside.

A view of the city of Rome

Day trips from Rome include:

• Naples: Take a high-speed train south and spend the day exploring one of Italy’s most energetic cities. Wander the historic center, visit the Naples National Archaeological Museum, and, naturally, eat plenty of pizza.
• Pompeii: Explore the remarkably preserved Roman city buried by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Pompeii is only around 30 minutes from Naples, making it particularly easy to combine with a southern Italy itinerary.
• Tivoli: Head east of Rome to visit the magnificent Villa d’Este and its gardens and explore the ancient ruins of Hadrian’s Villa.
• Orvieto: Travel north into Umbria to discover a spectacular hilltop town crowned by one of Italy’s most extraordinary Gothic cathedrals.
• Amalfi Coast: It’s a long day, but possible. A guided excursion can take care of the complicated combination of transport and coastal connections, allowing you to experience places such as Positano alongside Pompeii.

If you’re planning to take a day trip from Rome, Naples and Pompeii are among the easiest independent options. For the Amalfi Coast, a guided tour can save considerable time and logistical headaches.

Get out of the city, and head to the Amalfi coast

Insider tip: If you really want to experience the Amalfi Coast from Rome, consider making it an overnight trip rather than a day trip. Staying overnight means you can slow down and enjoy the coast after the day trippers have gone. Our 2-day Rome to Amalfi Coast tour takes care of all the logistics, with private transportation, a stay at a 4-star hotel in Sorrento, a guided visit to Pompeii with an archaeologist, lunch and wine tasting at a Mount Vesuvius winery, and time in Positano, Sorrento, and Amalfi. There’s even a sunset cruise along the coast and a visit to a family-run lemon farm.

Florence: Tuscany beyond the Renaissance city

Florence is another fantastic base, particularly if you want to explore Tuscany without moving hotels. Some of the region’s most beautiful destinations are accessible by train or bus, while a rental car or tour opens up the countryside.

The breathtaking view of Florence’s rooftops and surrounding hills

Day trips from Florence include:

• Siena: Explore the medieval streets, Piazza del Campo, and magnificent cathedral of Florence’s historic rival.
• Lucca: Walk or cycle around the Renaissance walls, explore the compact historic center, and perhaps follow in the footsteps of Puccini.
• Pisa: See the Leaning Tower, but don’t stop there: the cathedral, Baptistery, and historic center make Pisa worthwhile beyond its most famous landmark.
• Chianti: Rent a car or join a tour to explore vineyards, hill towns, and wineries between Florence and Siena.
• San Gimignano: Wander beneath the famous medieval towers of this hilltop town and enjoy the views over the surrounding Tuscan countryside.
• Val d’Orcia: For quintessential Tuscany, head south to rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, vineyards, and towns such as Pienza and Montalcino.

The great advantage of Florence is that you can combine a city break with a taste of rural Tuscany without having to sacrifice either.

Learn about the history of wine as you stroll around a Tuscan winery.

Insider tip: Want to experience the best of Tuscany without worrying about the logistics? Join our Florence to Tuscany day trip to explore Chianti, San Gimignano, and Siena with an expert guide. With transportation, a wine tasting, and a full lunch included, you can leave the driving and planning to someone else and simply enjoy the Tuscan countryside.

Venice: Romantic cities and the Veneto

Venice might seem like an unusual base for day trips—you could easily spend a week exploring the lagoon—but its excellent rail connections make it surprisingly easy to explore northeastern Italy.

Venice, a city of amazing architecture and piazzas

Day trips from Venice include:

• Verona: Perhaps the classic Venice day trip. Explore the Roman Arena, atmospheric medieval center, and famous sites associated with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
• Padua: Visit the historic university city and see the extraordinary Scrovegni Chapel, famous for Giotto’s frescoes.
• Vicenza: Discover the elegant architecture of Andrea Palladio in this UNESCO-listed city.
• Treviso: For something quieter, head to this attractive walled city known for its canals, medieval center, and relaxed atmosphere.
• The Dolomites: A much more ambitious excursion, but possible with an organized trip if you want to trade Venice’s canals for dramatic Alpine scenery.

The beauty of using Venice as your base is that you can spend your first few days getting lost among its canals and then escape the crowds for a day in one of the Veneto’s smaller cities.

The lagoons on the outskirts of Venice are a great day trip from the centre

Insider tip: For a change of pace from Venice’s crowded center, spend a few hours exploring the colorful islands of Murano and Burano. Our Premium Lagoon Excursion takes you there by private boat, with an expert guide, a private Murano glassblowing demonstration, a guided stroll through Burano, and a wine tasting on Sant’Erasmo. It’s an easy way to discover a quieter, more authentic side of the Venetian lagoon.

Milan: Lakes, mountains, and northern Italy

Milan is Italy’s fashion and business capital, but its location in northern Italy makes it an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the surrounding region.

Milan Cathedral at sunset

Day trips from Milan include:

• Lake Como: Take the train north and spend the day exploring lakeside towns, grand villas, and spectacular mountain scenery. It’s one of the most popular day trips from Milan.
• Bergamo: Explore the atmospheric Città Alta, surrounded by Venetian walls and perched above the modern lower city.
• Lake Maggiore: Head west for elegant lakeside towns, gardens, and mountain views.
• Turin: A longer excursion, but possible by high-speed train. Explore the former capital of Italy, famous for its grand architecture, museums, chocolate, and cafés.
• Bologna: Another longer train journey that can work well for travelers keen to explore Italy’s food capital.

Lake Como is the obvious choice if you want scenery, while Bergamo offers an excellent combination of history, architecture, and food. Walks of Italy’s Milan resources likewise identify Lake Como as a particularly accessible excursion from the city.

Explore Milan´s fashion heritage inside stunning shopping malls

Insider tip: Want to experience a different side of Milan? Step beyond the Duomo and Last Supper and spend a few hours exploring the city’s fashion heritage. On our Private Milan Fashion & History Tour, a local expert takes you through the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Brera, and Via Montenapoleone, sharing the stories behind Milan’s rise as a global fashion capital. Finish with a classic Milanese aperitivo and see the city from a whole new perspective.

Naples: Ancient ruins, islands, and the Amalfi Coast

Naples is not simply somewhere to visit on the way to Pompeii. It’s a fascinating base in its own right, with excellent connections into Campania and beyond.

The history of Naples will surprise you

Day trips from Naples include:

• Pompeii: The classic choice. Take the train and spend several hours exploring the ancient streets, houses, shops, and public buildings.
• Herculaneum: Smaller than Pompeii but exceptionally well preserved, making it another fascinating window into Roman life.
• Mount Vesuvius: Combine the volcano with Pompeii or make the crater itself the focus of your excursion.
• Amalfi Coast: Head toward Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, or other coastal towns for spectacular scenery.
• Sorrento: Enjoy views across the Bay of Naples, explore the historic center, and sample the area’s famous lemon products.
• Capri: Catch a ferry and spend the day exploring the island’s dramatic coastline and elegant town.

Naples is particularly rewarding as a base because the surrounding attractions are so different: you can go from an ancient Roman city to a volcanic landscape, Mediterranean coastline, or island escape in a single day.

Pompeii frescos and arched walls are incredibly preserved

Insider tip: Pompeii is vast, and the ruins can be difficult to fully appreciate without knowing what you’re looking at. Make the most of your visit with Walks of Italy’s range of Pompeii tours, from in-depth and express tours led by expert archaeologists to private experiences and day trips from Rome combining Pompeii with the Amalfi Coast. Whichever you choose, you’ll get expert insight into the ancient city and spend less time worrying about the logistics.

Bologna: Food, art, and the cities of Emilia-Romagna

Bologna is another excellent base if you’re interested in food and Italian culture. The city sits at the heart of Emilia-Romagna and is connected by high-speed rail to several major destinations.

A birds eye view of Bologna

Day trips from Bologna include:

• Modena: Visit the city associated with balsamic vinegar, Ferrari, and some of Italy’s finest food.
• Parma: Explore the home of Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma.
• Ravenna: Discover extraordinary Byzantine mosaics in this historic city on the Adriatic plain.
• Ferrara: Wander the Renaissance center and explore the city’s impressive Este heritage.
• Florence: With high-speed trains, even Tuscany’s capital can be visited on a long day out.

Bologna itself is well worth several days, particularly if you’re a food lover. The city is the culinary heart of Emilia-Romagna, famous for its fresh pasta, rich ragù, mortadella, and Parmigiano Reggiano.

One of the world’s most famous sculptures, Michelangelo´s David

Insider tip: Staying in Bologna but want to experience Florence’s Renaissance treasures? Florence is close enough to make a great day trip, giving you time to see Michelangelo’s David, the Duomo, and the Uffizi before returning to Bologna. Make the most of your limited time with one of Walks of Italy’s Florence tours, from small-group tours covering David and the Duomo to full-day experiences that combine Florence’s major sights. With an expert guide and skip-the-line access on selected tours, you can spend less time navigating and more time discovering the city.

Why take day trips in Italy?

The biggest advantage of day trips is flexibility. You don’t have to choose between spending more time in a major city and seeing the surrounding region, you can do both.

They’re also particularly useful if you’re visiting Italy for the first time. Instead of trying to squeeze six or seven hotels into a two-week itinerary, you can choose two or three strategic bases and explore outward from each one.

This is especially useful if you’re interested in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as Italy has more UNESCO-designated sites than any other country in the world. Many are within easy reach of the country’s major cities, from the historic center of Florence and the archaeological areas of Pompeii to the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa and the Renaissance landscape of the Val d’Orcia.

Italy is home to 62 UNESCO World Heritage sites – including Pompeii

Just remember that not every day trip makes sense independently. High-speed rail is fantastic for city-to-city journeys, but rural destinations such as the Val d’Orcia, Chianti, or parts of the Amalfi Coast can involve complicated connections. In those cases, renting a car or joining a guided day trip can make much more sense.

And don’t underestimate the value of simply staying put. A day trip should add something to your Italian vacation, not turn it into a race. Choose one destination, give yourself enough time to enjoy it, and leave some room for the unexpected, a long lunch, a beautiful piazza, or one more gelato before the train home.

After all, one of the best things about Italy is just how much there is to discover beyond the city where you wake up.

Piazza Navona in Rome is one of the most decorative piazzas

FAQs – Day trips in Italy

Is it easy to take day trips by train in Italy?

Yes. For many of Italy’s major cities, high-speed trains are the easiest way to take a day trip. Services connect cities such as Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan, Naples, and Venice, often in just one or two hours. Book high-speed tickets in advance if you want the best fares, while regional trains are generally cheaper and don’t always require advance reservations. Check the return journey before setting off, particularly if you’re planning to stay out until late.

Should I rent a car for a day trip in Italy?

A car is useful when you’re exploring rural areas or several small towns, where public transportation can be limited. It’s particularly helpful for destinations such as Chianti, the Val d’Orcia, and parts of Tuscany. For major cities, however, a car can be more of a hindrance than a help because of traffic, limited parking, and ZTLs (restricted traffic zones) in historic centers. If you’re planning to visit wineries, remember that the driver will also need to stay sober.

What should I book in advance for an Italian day trip?

For popular sights, it’s worth booking ahead to make the most of your limited time. Major museums, famous attractions, guided tours, and special experiences can sell out, particularly in summer and around holidays. If you’re visiting a popular winery or planning to eat at a highly rated restaurant, reservations are also a good idea. For smaller towns, however, you can usually leave plenty of room in your schedule to wander and see where the day takes you.

The Colosseum, probably the most recognisable ancient structure in the world!

Ready to explore more of Italy?

Whether you’re looking to uncover ancient ruins, wander through medieval towns, admire Renaissance masterpieces, or taste your way through Italy’s famous food and wine regions, a day trip is a great way to see more of the country. Let a local expert take care of the logistics and help you make the most of your time.

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