One of the most glorious things about Florence, apart from her endless intrigue, is the advantageous location of the city. Equidistant from Rome and Milan, Naples and Turin, you can simply hop on a train and enter another dimension of Italian culture in only a few hours.
Italy is just about the size of California, albeit jam-packed with ancient history and cultural nuances that change as you cross one region to the next. This makes it a treasure trove for ongoing adventure, exploration, and stimuli.
I’ve already written about the best day trips, but in this edition I’m talking about the best weekend trips from Florence, Italy. These cities either require more time to arrive, more time for discovery, or both. So open up your Omio browser, get out your planner, and get excited about all of the breathtaking places you can pencil in on the weekend.
Venice
Vibe: Dreamy
After just 2 scenic hours by fast train, you’ll find yourself arriving in the beautiful sinking city. Venice introduces itself immediately as the train station is adjacent to one of its many canals and you may have to hop on a water taxi (yes, really) to get to your hotel. Marvel at St. Marks Cathedral, see some art at the Peggy Gugenheim or L’Accademia, take a gondola ride, and stroll along the many beautiful bridges taking it all in.
Rome
Vibe: Romantic
Who wouldn’t want to hop on a train to Rome for the weekend? It sounds like one of the most romantic decisions you could make. Rome is only 1 and a half hours away from Florence by train and if you book ahead of time, you can find some very dolce deals. Explore the Colosseum and the Ancient Forum, make a wish in the Trevi Fountain, say hey to the pope, and fill up on carbonara. You can plan out everything or simply show up and head towards the city center. Either way, it will be beautiful.
Milan
Vibe: Electric
If you’re in the mood for a bigger city with an international atmosphere, a ticket to Milan is the ticket you’re looking for. Also just an hour and half away from Florence by high speed train, the city is definitely a change of pace and much bigger playing field. I lived in Milan for a year and never felt like I came close to exploring all of it, but in a weekend you can at least get a feel for the city’s complex layers and modern aura. Take in the shimmering Duomo di Milano, visit one of the city’s beautiful museums, do some shopping in Montenapoleone, have aperitivo in Navigli and dance the night away in one of Sempione’s swanky discotecas. If you book your trip in advance, schedule a time to see Leonardo’s The Last Supper.
Bologna
Vibe: Alternative
Known for its gastronomy and for being a University city, Bologna is something of an anomaly. It has all of the shopping of Milan with the culinary prowess of Rome and glimpses of Florence’s historical background. The city center is small but interesting, and there’s definitely a wave of curious locales and compelling nightlife. Some people absolutely love Bologna, but in my opinion, it’s more esteemed for its lifestyle than for its beauty.
Read also: What to Do in Florence, Italy on Your First Trip
Cinque Terre
Vibe: Surreal
Get ready to step into a technicolor postcard. Cinque Terre (which means “five lands” and is pronounced “chink-weh tay-reh”) is a chain of five seaside villages that feature brilliantly colored homes that cling precariously to cliffs and weathered sailboats anchored in the harbor. It’s truly incredible.
From Florence, you hop on a 2 hour and a half hour train, change at La Spezia, and then get on a different train that travels between the five centuries-old towns. They’re called Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Wander through the towns, taking photos and exploring the petite streets, head to the beach at Monterosso, and make sure to eat plenty of seafood. If you’re into hiking, the Blue Trail is a 5 – 6 hour hike that connects Riomaggiore to Monterosso.
Naples
Vibe: Chaotic
Famous for its pizza, rugged dialect, and a vibrant-meets-gritty culture, Naples is just a three hour train ride to the south of Florence. As the third largest city in Italy, Naples is unique in that it sits right on the sea with the volcano of Mount Vesuvius in the distance. Get lost in the old historical center and chomp on pizza between museums, castles and cathedrals.
You definitely need to be vigilant here so make sure you stay in a safe area and watch your possessions. If you’re feeling up for it, take an excursion to the lost city of Pompeii to see the magnificently preserved remains of Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD.
Book your train trip easily with the Omio website.
Amalfi Coast
Vibe: Indulgent
Although it will take you about four hours to get to the city of your choice, the journey to the Amalfi Coast is spectacular as wild flowers, cliffs, and breathtaking batches of navy blue water whiz past you. You’ll either have to take the train to Naples where you get another local train, the Circumvesuviana, to Sorrento or Salerno and then take a bus to your final destination city, or arrange for a car to take you.
I spent five days in Positano and felt like I was living in a fairy tale. Capri, Amalfi, and Ischia are other popular options and each has its own flavor, though they’re all seasoned with sea salt.
Lake Como
Vibe: Relaxed
There’s something about the lake versus sea culture that changes the ball game. The quaint but swanky resort city of Como is just under a four hour train ride from Florence. George Clooney didn’t choose to buy a home here for nothing. The sprawling blue lake is situated at the foot of the Alps, giving it a dramatically scenic edge with a side of refreshing mountain air. Traipse around Como’s historical center and then hop on a boat for a picturesque cruise.
Read also: Where to Eat in Florence, Italy
Turin
Vibe: Unique
The capital of Italy’s northwestern Piedmont region, Turin is one of those cities that has some sprinkles of French influence on top of its Italian culture. After a three-hour ride on a high speed train, you’ll arrive in the city surrounded by the Alps and chock-full of architectural intrigue.
Oddly enough, two of the main attractions here are the Egyptian museum and Cinema museum, but you can also skip them in favor of the Renaissance and Baroque treasures of the Duomo di Torino, Palazzo Reale, and Galleria Sabauda to name a few. Wander through its captivating historical center and make time to enjoy some of the delicious cheeses this region has to offer.
Genova
Vibe: Eclectic
In about 3 and half hours on the train, you’ll arrive in Genova, a fascinating city on the Ligurian sea. Known for its stellar pesto, being a port city, and for having the largest aquarium in Italy, Genova also has one of the largest historical centers in Europe.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Genova is its layers and layers of history, from medieval, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and beyond. As you explore its maze of narrow (very narrow) streets, you’ll be led past various examples of architecture and churches, and eventually spit out in larger piazzas. Genova tends to be much less crowded than Rome or Florence, but is equally rich in history, museums, and culture. Make sure you eat some pesto if you visit!
Verona
Vibe: Charming
Picturesque and serene, Verona is a sight for sore eyes with its many beautiful piazzas, infinite churches, and peaceful Adige river encircling the city. A quick hour and a half train ride places you in the home of Romeo and Juliet, where tourists flock to see her “balcony”. Verona also has a Roman amphitheater which looks like a mini Colosseum and hosts concerts throughout the year. Explore the city center and cross the river, walking up to Castelvecchio for a stunning panorama.
Perugia
Vibe: Intriguing
The capital of Italy’s Umbria region, Perugia is just two hours away from Florence by train. Explore the city’s pleasant historical center, visiting the main square Piazza IV Novembre, wander through the underground fortress Rocca Paolina, stroll along the beautiful aqueduct street, and be sure to find a bar where you can sip a cold drink while marveling at the rolling hills and surrounding countryside.
Read next: The Best Gelaterias in Florence, Italy
Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links from which I may earn a small commission at no additional charge to you. All opinions are 100% my own.
