11 Best Towns In Italy For A Two-Day Recharge
A weekend in Italy can look very different depending on where the train, ferry, or winding mountain road takes you. In Amalfi, two days might feature lemon pasta followed by a ferry ride along the coast. Around Zafferana Etnea, the backdrop is smoking Mount Etna, while Cortina d’Ampezzo swaps sea views for Dolomite peaks and ski lifts. Vinci offers a quieter Tuscan escape through Leonardo da Vinci’s hometown, and Castellina in Chianti makes a strong case for building an itinerary around wine and long lunches. For those fortunate enough to live in Italy and visitors squeezing a short getaway into a longer trip, these 11 towns make for a memorable weekend.
Amalfi
One of the best places to get away for a couple of days is the famous coastal town of Amalfi. Amalfi is surrounded by mountains, which offer great views around every corner. You can meander through the winding streets and climb the steps to visit historic places like the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle or the Paradise Cloister. Here you'll be greeted with 9th-13th century cathedrals that feel grounding and serene. Whatever you do in Amalfi, nothing beats lemon pasta. One of the best places in town to indulge is the restaurant Da Maria. Pair it with a white wine for a culinary experience that's truly a local delicacy. Stay at Hotel Amalfi for a one-minute walk away for breakfast with a view and super cozy beds. If getting out on the water is a favorite way to relax, take any of the many ferries connecting Amalfi to Positano, Minori, or Maiori. You'll get plenty of fresh sea breeze to enliven your senses and ease your stress.
Taormina
The island of Sicily is quite a treasure trove of quiet towns rich in history, culture, and coastline. If you're staying anywhere near Mount Etna, Taormina is a must-visit town. This historic town features ruins like the Ancient Theatre of Taormina that line the Mediterranean coastline, offering a peek through time in just a short afternoon. In the center of town, most visitors find themselves traversing the Corso Umberto, a popular pedestrian street lined with ceramic boutiques (one of Taormina's specialties), delicious lemon pasta restaurants, and plenty of people-watching. For the beachgoers, stay at the Hotel Baia Azzurra; it's just a 9-minute walk to Isola Bella, one of the most iconic spots in Taormina to sit back and relax. This tiny island surrounded by turquoise water and dramatic cliffs is Taormina's iconic beach spot. You can take the cable car from the center straight to the beach and easily spend a half-day getting a tan and enjoying Aperol spritzes.
Zafferana Etnea
Mount Etna is one of Italy's most active volcanoes and can easily be reached from the town of Zafferana Etnea. It's just a 30-min drive from Mount Etna, and plenty of tourist companies can take you for a six-hour hike that will leave you breathless with views reaching far and wide. The mountains aren't the only thing this small Italian town offers. It's also called the "Honey City" because of its fertile soil and abundance of orchards and vineyards. Stop by the Azienda Agricola Puglisi for some local honey, chestnuts, and even a wine tasting. If you're looking to get a different view of the surrounding mountains, book a horseback riding tour through the local landscape and see the best of this small town. Stay at the Airone Wellness Hotel for easy access to Mount Etna and even easier access to spa services. Zafferana offers you a slower, more relaxed pace while keeping you within an easy drive of both the mountains and nearby Taormina.
Termoli
Two-day vacations are for maximizing relaxation. This small town on the Adriatic Sea is sure to lower your stress and create lasting memories. Termoli is an old fishing town with a rare mix of maritime culture, medieval history, and remarkably uncrowded beaches. You can start your day in the historic city center at the 13th-century Swabian Castle built by Emperor Frederick II. This symbol of the city offers hours of lovely sea views and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Then, squeeze through one of Italy's narrowest alleyways, A Rejecelle, to get to the 12th-century Termoli Cathedral that houses sacred relics of the city's patron saints. If you're ready to lie back, hit the soft golden sand at Sant'Antonio Beach and get a tan. Right across the street is the Hotel Mistral, making it a perfect spot to swim, relax, and get back to the hotel with ease. Termoli is that Italian town that offers all play and no work.
Selva di Val Gardena
Mountain lovers will love spending a weekend in the Italian Alps. There are many towns to choose from, but a popular choice is Selva di Val Gardena. This mountain valley town looks like a little German or Austrian village with its Bavarian Alps-style B&Bs with flowers hanging over the balconies. One of these B&Bs is Garni Schenk, an adorable traditional accommodation with a fabulous breakfast and within walking distance of everything in the center. A popular attraction in Selva is the nearby Sassolungo mountain, with dozens of hiking trails leading to traditional mountain huts serving typical Italian, German, and Austrian cuisine. Selva is part of the world-famous Dolomiti Superski network, with lifts right in town for a fun, relaxed ski trip in the Alps. While in Selva, don't miss the opportunity to try the local cuisine, such as the Canederli dumplings or the Schlutzkrapfen ravioli at restaurants like Des Alpes Stuben. Selva has a nice mix of adventure, culture, and food to keep you feeling refreshed over the weekend.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Further east in the Dolomites is another mountain town that will fill your cup with fun and relaxation. Cortina d'Ampezzo is best known for its ski resort, where thousands of people recharge every year. But it's also a great place for spa culture. Many major hotels, such as the Grand Hotel Savoia, have saunas, steam rooms, and spa treatments. It's a great way to wake up, eat, spa, and repeat while getting stunning views of the Italian Alps. Just a short drive away are the Cinque Torri rock towers, where you can also find some rest and relaxation amongst the birds, trees, and peaks. Cortina is one of those towns in Italy where you can really get away and find true relaxation surrounded by nature, food, and beauty.
Forte dei Marmi
The beach lovers in Florence or Milan always seem to find themselves relaxing in Forte dei Marmi. This popular beach town is one of the best places for northern and central Italian city slickers to get away. Do as the locals do and go to the famous Forte dei Marmi beach, and keep walking until you reach the Forte dei Marmi Pier. This nearly 985-foot (300 m) long walkway stretches out into the sea from the coast and has a contemporary 3-foot (90 cm) tall Medusa made of recycled waste materials made by a local artist. On the way to the Medusa, grab the catch of the day from a local fisherman or at the seafood restaurant, Pesce Baracca, right on the beach. Keep your commute short and sweet by staying at the beachside Grand Hotel for easy access to the water and the city center. In the center, you can find the very 'fort' the town is named after. A historic building built for defense that has truly become a landmark. When you visit Forte dei Marmi, there's always one thing on the agenda: relax.
Portoferraio
Sometimes, islands are the best places to recharge, and Elba Island off the coast of Tuscany is no exception. Napoleon thought the same thing in 1814 when he arrived on the island after being exiled from France. You can visit his former residence, Villa dei Mulini in Portoferraio. Inside, you'll be treated to a relaxing tour of the royal quarters of the former ruler and perhaps imagine yourself living like one. You can stay close to the action in Hotel Airone with its gorgeous waterfront views and birds singing their songs in the mornings. Getting around Elba is a hike. You can, in fact, get lost at the upper altitudes of the island by hiking Monte Capanne, a 3,343-foot (1,019 m) mountain with a bird's-eye view of the island's stunning beaches. Speaking of beaches, you don't want to miss the white pebbles and turquoise waters found at Sansone beach in Portoferraio. Ferries run to and from Elba hourly from the nearby port of Piombino Marittima, just a couple of hours south of Florence.
Vinci
If you find museums, art, and history relaxing, you may enjoy visiting the hometown of the famous painter and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci. The town of Vinci is located about 25 miles (40 km) west of Florence and is a wonderful place to stay for a couple of days. Naturally, there's a museum honoring the late great painter: Museo Leonardiano. Here you'll be treated to models built from da Vinci's treasure trove of drawings, like a bat-wing glider plane and prints of his most famous paintings. Across the street is the art-inspired Glimpse Hotel, where you can keep some of Leonardo Da Vinci's vibes alive at your accommodation. But there's more to Vinci than just Leonardo. You should definitely explore the medieval old town, where you can wander the narrow cobblestone streets, check out the traditional Tuscan architecture, and visit local spots like the Church of Santa Croce, where Leonardo was baptized. Vinci is nice for taking a long, slow walk after eating a delicious plate of pasta. One scenic 2-mile (3 km) walk is the Strada Verde, or the green route. Here you'll wander through the historic old town out to the farmhouse of Anchiano and through the Montalbano hills. People come to Vinci for Leonardo, but they stay for the relaxing weekend agenda.
Castellina In Chianti
The people who come to Italy to eat, drink, and be merry will really enjoy visiting Castellina in Chianti. This town sits about 30 miles (50 km) south of Florence in the lush rolling hills of the Chianti wine fields. A wine tasting is a must when visiting this region. Any place you see will do, but if you want a more romantic route to the wine fields, rent a scooter and head to Mazzei for a delicious wine tasting at a family winery. You can stay close to the action by sleeping at the Agriturismo Villa Godenano, a country house that makes wine on-site. If wine isn't your thing, there are other things to do in Castellina in Chianti. Check out Rocca di Castellina, a medieval fortress largely rebuilt in the 1400s, in the main square, Piazza del Comune. Inside, you'll find the Archaeological Museum of Chianti Senese that tells the story of the region and why it's so significant in Italian history. Even a simple stroll along Via Ferruccio will give you an appreciation of the ancient aura of Castellina in Chianti.
Cernobbio
One of the most popular places to spend the weekend is Lake Como. But what if there was a nice town that dodged the hustle and bustle of the big city? Cernobbio still faces Lake Como and gives you the waterfront views and vibe you're looking for on your weekend away, but it has just a fraction of the people. You can stay just outside Cernobbio at the Sheraton Lake Como Hotel. The center of Cernobbio is just as picturesque as its bigger nearby neighbor. You can walk around Giardino della Valle and enjoy its lakeside beauty, vibrant piazzas, and have an unforgettable stroll along the sparkling shores of the lake.
Over the weekend, be sure to stop by the Museo Villa Bernasconi. This interactive museum occupies an Art Nouveau-style villa built for silk industrialist Davide Bernasconi, and it shows. The building's exterior and interior feature decorative motifs celebrating silk production, with silkworms, butterflies, and mulberry leaves throughout. It's definitely worth a visit. For a more laid-back Lake Como experience, look no further than Cernobbio for your weekend plans.
Your Weekend Plans are Set in Italy
Two days is enough to see just how many versions of an Italian weekend there are. Hike volcanic slopes from Zafferana Etnea, follow Leonardo’s footsteps through Vinci, linger over Chianti in Castellina, or do very little beyond swimming and eating seafood in Termoli. Locals looking for a change of scenery and travelers with a free weekend can find something here without building an exhausting itinerary. Mountains, islands, wine country, historic streets, and beaches are all on the table. The hardest part may simply be deciding where to spend those 48 hours.
