Italy Solo Travel Guide
One of the most visited countries for tourism, Italy has many amazing cities that are perfect for a solo vacation. Italy’s landscape and scenery is quite varied, with plenty of Mediterranean coastline.
Explore numerous ancient landmarks in Rome, including the grand Colosseum and the stunning Trevi Fountain. Visit the beautiful countryside in the region of Tuscany, the picturesque cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, and the Renaissance-style architecture in Florence.
With so many spectacular destinations to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down your choices! As a solo traveler, enjoy the opportunity of hand-selecting the Italian cities or towns that interest you the most.
Engage your taste buds with the Italian cuisine, including Neapolitan pizza, creamy risotto, fresh pasta, and focaccia bread. Sample the various types of traditional dishes in each region.
Planning to travel alone to this wonderful destination? Keep reading below for our guide to solo travel in Italy.
Florence
Florence is the capital of Italy’s beautiful Tuscany region, and is a fantastic spot to go on vacation alone. Florence is most notable for its Renaissance architecture and art. Several masterpieces can be found in the city, such as Michelangelo’s “David” statue at the renowned Uffizi Gallery.
Florence’s historic center is a vibrant area to walk through, filled with architecture, fountains, sculptures, eateries, shops, and narrow cobbled streets. Take a stroll across the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge. Completed in 1345, this medieval arch bridge is one of Florence’s most notable landmarks.
In the center of the city lays the Duomo, or Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The third largest cathedral in the world, it towers over the city, showcasing elements of Gothic architecture.
Make a visit to the Piazzale Michelangelo for one of the best views of the city. This square is situated atop a hill facing the Arno River, revealing a spectacular panoramic view of the city center.
For solo female travelers that are looking to also explore the Tuscan countryside’s landscape of rolling green hills, vineyards, and rustic farms, Florence is the perfect starting point.
Venice
Venice is one of the most-recognized cities due to its beauty and unique setup of being built entirely on water. A maze of intricate canals are scattered throughout the city, with hundreds of connecting bridges.
One of the key sights during a trip alone to Venice is St. Mark’s Square. Stepping into this massive square, you’ll be greeted with an energetic atmosphere and the eye-catching beauty of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. In addition to those two popular landmarks, St. Mark’s Square is also a great spot for people-watching, admiring the wonderful architecture or enjoying a cup of coffee on a patio.
Venice is extremely pedestrian-friendly, with its labyrinth of walkable lanes. Explore the beauty of the city by foot, via a walk across the rustic bridges or hop on the water bus and let it transport you along the Grand Canal. Not to be missed, is the stunning Rialto Bridge which is the oldest of the four bridges that cross the Grand Canal.
Venice is an excellent destination for solo women to explore for a few days. The central rail station (Santa Lucia) conveniently connects people from the island to the mainland.
Amalfi Coast
On the southern edge of Italy lays the beautiful Amalfi Coast. This picturesque area is straight out of a postcard, with colorful seaside towns, rugged cliffs, and 34 miles of coastline.
Throughout the Amalfi Coast you’ll find magnificent scenery, warm climate, beaches, hiking paths, vineyards, and plenty of charm. Visit the cathedrals, go for a swim at one of the small beaches, enjoy a local meal, or go for a relaxing stroll.
Take a scenic walk on the Path of Lemons, which takes you high up through lemon trees, vineyards, and breathtaking views of the neighboring towns and vast sea.
In Ravello, visit the spectacular Villa Cimbrone Gardens, where you’ll find beautiful grounds with elegant landscaped gardens and a terrace revealing dramatic panoramic views that overlook the blue sea and the coast.
There are many towns situated along the coast. While Positano is a popular choice for visitors to stay at, Sorrento, Ravello, and Amalfi are also fantastic options for solo women to be based out of. The Amalfi Coast’s warm climate and laid-back atmosphere make it a great spot for a vacation by yourself.
Rome
If you were to choose just one stop in Italy, Rome offers a fantastic amount of sights to see for a solo getaway. There’s so much history to unpack in this ancient city. Head inside the Colosseum to see the remains of the largest standing amphitheater, which dates back to almost 2,000 years ago.
The central areas of Rome are walking-friendly, where you can explore the cobbled streets and walk between notable landmarks such as from the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain. The atmosphere is vibrant as the streets are filled with shops, cafes, restaurants, and plenty of other visitors.
Also situated right within Rome, is the independent state of Vatican City. It’s home to the famed Sistine Chapel, featuring the beautiful ceiling painted by Michelangelo, as well as an extensive collection of art.
Rome is a wonderful choice for solo women traveling alone for the first time. It’s relatively easy to navigate around on your own, and has a long list of intriguing attractions to visit.
If you’re interested in this exciting city, see our Solo Travel Guide to Rome.
Naples
Naples is a great stopover location for solo travelers that plan to make their way to southern Italy. The city of Naples is filled with plenty of history, and can often be described as gritty, especially compared to the other tourist destinations in Italy.
Don’t miss the Underground Naples, a unique experience that immerses you in 2,400 years of history, walking you through a labyrinth of tunnels to uncover the remaining infrastructure that scatter underneath the city.
Stop by the Naples National Archaeological Museum which contains an extensive collection of Roman artifacts, including those from the wrecked cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
One of the things Naples is best known for is their Neapolitan pizza. Considered to be the birthplace of the modern pizza, you’ll find plenty of spots offering mouthwatering options, such as the Margherita, consisting of 3 simple ingredients of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
Milan
Compared to many other Italian cities, Milan is a fast-paced metropolis. It’s recognized as the fashion capital, as well as a cultural and art hub. Milan is also home to the famous “The Last Supper” painting by Leonardo Da Vinci.
At the center of Milan, is the impressive Duomo. Climb up the steps or take the elevator up to the rooftop where you can get an up-close look at the ornate details that adorn this structure. One of the largest cathedrals in the world, the Gothic-style architecture features over 130 gargoyles, and more than 3,000 statues.
Take a stroll and browse through the various shopping streets. Via Monte Napoleon is filled with luxury shops, while Corso Vittorio Emanuele II offers more of the familiar American brands.
Top Things to Do on a Solo Trip to Italy
1. Explore ancient Rome
Step back in time and see the ruins that date back to 8th century BC. With landmarks such as the Roman Forum and Trevi Fountain, it’s almost as though you are walking through an open-air history museum. Must-see ancient sites include the Colosseum and the Vatican museums.
2. Get lost in Venice
Venice is an intricate maze of canals, pathways, and bridges that weave through the city. There’s hundreds of little bridges to walk through, and charming paths that seem to turn in every direction. You never know what shops or cafes you might encounter. The charming streets are walking-friendly, and provide a wonderful view of the Grand Canal.
3. Take a cooking class in Tuscany
Enjoy a hands-on experience creating various types of fresh pasta such as ravioli and tagliatelle. Or learn how to make traditional pizza and gelato. There are plenty of awesome culinary experiences offered right in the city of Florence and in the Tuscan countryside.
4. Admire the scenery of the Amalfi Coast
This beautiful landscape is not to be missed. The Amalfi Coast offer a magnificent stretch of coastline with small beaches, pastel-colored villages, grottos, and high rugged cliffs. Enjoy the wonderful scenery on land, or navigate the crystal clear waters on a sightseeing boat tour.
5. See the archaeological ruins of Pompeii
Situated just outside of Naples, the archaeological site of Pompeii is one of Italy’s top attractions. The excavated and preserved ruins showcase a snapshot in time, including houses and buildings from the ancient city of Pompeii. Pompeii was destroyed and buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
How to Get Around Italy by Yourself
If you’ll be traveling by yourself, it’s relatively straightforward to navigate between various cities in Italy. As a solo traveler, taking the train is a cost-efficient, reliable, and convenient mode of transportation. Italy’s train service includes high-speed trains operating routes to popular tourist destinations including Rome, Milan, Naples, and Florence. The main train operator in Italy is Trenitalia.
Additionally, there are regional trains that travel to smaller cities. In select cities such as Rome or Milan, there’s also inter-city trains that can help you get around the city while holidaying alone.
Starting Your Journey
You can start your solo trip from northern Italy and make your way south, or vice versa. Depending on where you would like to begin your journey, there are several international airports. In northern and central Italy, there are international airport in the cities of Rome, Pisa, Milan, and Venice. In southern Italy, there’s the option of Naples International Airport if you wish to fly into the southern region first.
Tuscany
Car rentals are an option for visitors interested in exploring the Tuscan countryside and towns in-depth. If there’s towns you’d like to explore that aren’t connected to a rail station, a drive through the Tuscany region reveals a slow-paced atmosphere with plenty of beautiful scenery with rolling hills and vineyards.
Alternatively, travelers that prefer to not rent a car can take the train to charming nearby Tuscan cities including Siena, Pisa, and Lucca. These cities are close enough to visit during a day-trip from Florence. When taking the train, single travelers can enjoy the scenery without the fuss of renting a car.
Amalfi Coast
While many popular tourist destinations can be reached directly via train or plane, certain destinations, such as the Amalfi Coast region, require a bit of extra steps. From Naples, travelers can take the train service which only goes as far as Sorrento. From Sorrento, solo travelers can then catch the bus or take a ferry to reach the various towns on the Amalfi Coast, such as Positano, Ravello, or Amalfi. Once you reach the towns themselves, they are relatively small and easy to walk around.
Venice
Venice’s main train station is the Santa Lucia, which connects people to and from the rest of Italy. Disembarking at this station will lead you right onto the northern edge of the island. Alternatively, if you are flying into Venice from another European country, there is an airport situated on the island as well (Marco Polo Airport).
Best Time to Visit Italy
If you’re planning to travel alone, consider the time of year that you would like to visit, as the peak summer months of July and August can be quite populated with crowds. Temperatures in these months can also reach daytime highs of 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit, making it rather toasty while you are exploring outside.
Alternatively, visiting in the spring (May, June) or early fall season (September) will be less busy and can help you beat the heat, while still experiencing warm weather. As a solo traveler, you have the flexibility to decide the best time for you to travel.
Overall, Italy offers ease of navigation between cities, a wide range of landscapes, and many sights to see. it’s a fantastic destination for solo travel for women.
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