Today I’m sharing with you all my ideas for long weekends in Italy, because it’s truly a country that’s a joy to visit all year round. Especially if, like me, you suffer from the dolce vita syndrome! Whether it’s for the beauty of the cities, the history, the architecture or the gastronomy, there’s no shortage of reasons to head to Italy for a long weekend as a couple or with the family!

Here’s my selection of the Italian cities we preferred:

1 – A long weekend in Venice as a couple or with the family:

It was to celebrate our engagement that we went to Venice for the first time, a few years ago now. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a city even more beautiful than expected! In fact, I’d always told myself that Venice was such a myth that I’d inevitably be disappointed because I’d expect too much. Well, no! Venice turned out to be magical, magnificent, unforgettable: yes, nothing less than that!

In August 2021, we went back to Venice with the family and the city of canals continued to charm us!

A few ingredients for a successful weekend in Venice:

• When to visit Venice? Avoid peak periods such as Carnival or Easter. We went to Venice in June. We had bright sunshine; there were people about but not too many, even though we were there during the Biennale. We were also there in August and, surprisingly, it was calm (international tourism hadn’t fully bounced back). Also, in the height of summer, holidaymakers may be looking more for beaches than cities.
• Get off the beaten track: if you stick to St Mark’s Square and the surrounding area, you’ll only find tourists and outrageously priced cafés. As soon as you get lost in the maze of little streets, you quickly find yourself away from the crowds. You then discover great little places, intimate wine bars, family-run and affordable trattorias. So you need to walk, walk, walk, without limiting yourself to the usual route that all visitors take. In fact, the first time in Venice, we even chose not to visit the “big monuments”, where entry prices are quite high. There are enough wonders to discover just by strolling, as the city is a living, romantic museum.
• Venice in 3–4 days: you can take two or three days to wander around the city. And add a day for a boat trip to Burano, the little island I liked best (Murano impressed me far less). In fact, to make the most of Burano, and if you have the time, you can plan to spend a night in one of the lovely colourful houses. You’ll then get a calmer Burano once the tourists leave at the end of the day.
• La Dolce Vita in Venice: have a Spritz at the end of the day by the water or on Campo Santa Margherita, a large square we particularly loved for its very local atmosphere.
• Also read: Our 10 must-sees in Venice.

Burano

2 – A long weekend in Rome, for travelling through time:

I love Rome, where I went dozens of times as a child. Then we tried Rome with a baby (when Ticoeur was 4 months old) and finally with the whole little family. Find the article about our latest getaway to Rome: 4 days in Rome with the family.

Crossing Rome on foot is a wonderful trip through time. In no other city, as far as I know, do you come so close to the ruins of the past. The remains of the Roman Empire are right there before our eyes, along the street. I also love the city’s many squares, the incredible museums and the Tastevere district.

• When to go to Rome? I’ve tried Rome at every time of year. I only advise against late July to late August because it can be far too hot to walk around.
• Rome in 3–4 days: you’ll already get a great feel for the city, but you’ll want to come back again and again ;-). Don’t miss the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, Piazza Mattei, the Colosseum and a few museums. To optimise your visits, choose the “Roma Pass”, which gives access to transport and several museums at a reduced price (sold at the airport, the station, etc.).
• Accommodation: here is a lovely very Italian-style flat, located near the Vatican. You can easily walk to the Tiber and cross over to visit the historic centre or take the metro. Finally, the first time, we stayed in the Monti district, between the Colosseum and the station: see this nicely decorated flat. A practical area for visiting the city.
• La Dolce Vita in Rome: to sample the dolce vita, nothing beats lunch on a terrace in Tastevere, a district full of charm.

3 – A long weekend in Ferrara to travel back to the Middle Ages:

Ferrara is a very pretty medieval town located 40 minutes from Bologna airport. The architecture is superb. It’s very pleasant to explore on foot or by bike, discovering the city’s historic buildings. It’s a trip back in time, straight to the 14th century. I could also have suggested a weekend in Bologna, Ferrara’s bigger neighbouring city. I’ll tell you more about Bologna when I get back next week… Ferrara has the advantage of a more intimate setting.

• When to go to Ferrara? In spring or early autumn. The region is famous for its thick fog, which you’ll probably see in the evening.
• Ferrara in 2 or 3 days: stroll around the old town on foot discovering its historic heritage, and keep one day for a bike ride along the river Po.
• La Dolce Vita in Ferrara: dinner in one of the city’s very old restaurants, where you won’t fail to try the pasta specialities with pumpkin and sage.

4 – A long weekend in Florence for art lovers:

Fancy seeing the Ponte Vecchio? And of course visiting the whole pedestrian and historic area of Florence without missing the Duomo, Piazza della Signora and the Uffizi Gallery to admire the most famous paintings? Florence is calling! For the version with children, read my article: 3 days in Florence with the family.

• When to go to Florence? As soon as there are crowds, I find this city particularly unpleasant because the old town isn’t that big. It’s not like Venice, where we had no difficulty escaping the crowds. The queue for the Uffizi Gallery is often hellish. I’ve tried it in July and during the October half-term holidays. There were too many people. As a family, we went during the February half-term and it was perfect!
• Florence in 2 or 3 days: explore the old town on foot. The problem with going to Florence is that you feel frustrated not to visit Tuscany! I love Siena, Lucca as well as the region’s villages. In short, if you can, spend a long weekend in Florence as part of a longer trip across Tuscany.
• La Dolce Vita in Florence: an evening stroll through the old town, finishing up in front of the Ponte Vecchio.

5 – A long weekend in Turin: perfect for children and chocolate lovers!

I get the impression that Turin is a lesser-known Italian city and yet… Its architecture, its wide streets lined with arcades, its palaces and its chocolate shops are well worth a detour! All the more so because in Turin there are great options for children. It’s a perfect Italian destination for a family long weekend.

• When to go to Turin? Any time, but if the weather is good it’s obviously better, so I’d recommend spring, the Easter holidays for example.
• Turin in 3 days: a length of time that allows you to discover the city’s must-sees without forgetting activities for children such as the car museum, the Egyptian Museum and the cinema museum.
• Family accommodation in Turin: during our last stay in Turin, we stayed at Piazza Castello Suite, in a flat with a view of Palazzo Madama! It was perfect! We were in the room called “Deluxe Suite – view”, which is listed for two people, but as there’s a sofa bed, we asked to book it for the four of us and it was fine (do check with the property before making your booking).

• La Dolce Vita in Turin: ask at the Tourist Office about having a hot chocolate with old-fashioned pastries at Palazzo Madama. A royal moment!

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And since writing this article, we’ve also discovered…

A long weekend in Naples with the family:

We spent 4 days in Naples with the family in February! A 6th excellent idea for a city break in Italy with children!

A long weekend in Milan with the family:

One summer, on the way to our holiday destination, we spent 3 days in Milan with the children. It’s not my favourite city, but there’s plenty to do and the Duomo is wow!

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A few practical tips for organising a long weekend in Italy:

The advantage of a getaway in Italy is that it’s very easy to find cheap plane tickets to almost all the cities in the country. As for restaurants, it’s generally relatively cheap, especially if you only have a pasta dish (I rarely order a “second course”). Above, I’ve given you a few accommodation addresses. You’ll find others in my posts dedicated to each of these cities, as well as our good restaurant tips.

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Italy for more than a weekend:

Beyond the “long weekend” option, many parts of Italy are suited to longer stays. Do reread the articles about our holidays in Sardinia, Puglia with the family, or our family hiking holiday in the Aosta Valley.

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So? Fans of long weekends in Italy? Arrivederci!