Rich in history, culture, and the arts, you might check out one of the many Italy day tours to see the Bel Paese (a beautiful country). Having so many things to see, you may wonder where to begin touring.
Italy has the most UNESCO world heritage sites in the world (58 total). That means that you can spend two weeks in Italy and barely scratch the surface of all the fun things to see and do. Even if you don’t see everything on your first trip to Italy, it leaves plenty of room to experience more fun things later.
With all of that in mind, I put together this awesome list of the best day tours in Italy. Check out the ones that appeal to you the most.
1. Siena and San Gimignano: Day Tour with Lunch from Florence
Taking a full-day tour from Florence, this 9-hour trip, offered in English, will let you tour the Tuscan countryside with your taste buds. Walk through the medieval streets of Siena on a guided tour of a city that sits right in the middle of Tuscany. Easily the most recognizable structure in Siena is the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the central square.
The streets and squares of Siena make it perfect for strolls, and you will discover how the city has a way of absorbing you right into it even beyond the landmarks.
Along with Siena, this is one of the day trips in Italy where you will head 25 miles to the north of Siena to explore the medieval hill town of San Gimignano, thought to date back to the Holy Roman Empire. Full of ancient buildings, San Gimignano earned UNESCO world heritage status as a way to preserve its rich history.
2. Sorrento, Positano & Amalfi Day Tour from Naples
One of the fun and exciting day trips in Italy, this fun exploration of the Amalfi Coast will last from 8 to 9 hours. During the tour, the driver will stop twice at some of the most picturesque locations for stunning photos and memories. While in Sorrento and Amalfi, you will receive time to explore on your own, and we highlight that because it gives you more freedom to wander in the wonder of this location that has captured the imagination of travelers since Roman times.
The scenic coastal views and the delightful gourmet and regional cuisine will be a bite to be remembered as one of the fun Italy day tours.
3. Dolomite Mountains and Cortina Day Trip from Venice
Wish to escape Venice for the day? Check out this tour of Cortina d’Ampezzo, a luxurious ski resort town. This is one of the best day trips in Italy because you get to see the Dolomite Mountains and take a break at two of the most beautiful lakes: Lake Musurina and Lake Braies. You will also get the chance to go shopping at some of the chic boutiques.
All the while, you get to take in the landscapes of a region famous for its beauty.
4. Cinque Terre Day Tour from Florence
Taking you over to a coastal region of cliff-hanging villages, this is one of the Italy day tours that will take you through the region’s history—history lovers everywhere should pay attention. On this tour, you will take a boat ride from Manarola to Vernazza. The tour gives you free time to explore this region on foot. Step into some of the local wine bars and restaurants and sip some of the regional varieties.
To ensure a more intimate atmosphere, book the tour with a maximum of eight.
5. Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride
One of the best day trips in Italy, the City of Bridges never disappoints, and getting a tour here will show you all the best sites of the city. Venice belongs to the country of Italy today, but it was considered a powerful and independent city-state for over 1,100 years. This guided 6-hour and 30-minute tour will take you to the bustling Rialto Fish Market.
You will climb aboard a gondola and tour the city. It’s one of the best ways to get to know this city. You will also take a guided tour of Doge’s Palace.
6. Swiss Alps Bernina Express Rail Tour from Milan
Wish to ride along one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world? This is one of the Italy day tours that you don’t want to miss. The glacial lakes and the alpine scenery will leave you with lifelong memories, and you will get time to explore St. Moritz and Tirano. While the area is beautiful, the guide will explain everything about the region along the way.
7. The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter’s Dome Climb
This thrilling tour of the Vatican starts you out differently from the others where you begin with a climb of the St. Peter’s Basilica dome. Once up there, you will see a picturesque scene of Vatican City and Rome. This is one of the day tours in Italy, guided by an art historian, and will include a run through the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum.
8. Capri, Anacapri, and Blue Grotto on a Day Trip
Lasting approximately eight hours, this tour was meant to highlight the best of Capri, Anacapri, and Blue Grotto. Your tour on a hydrofoil and a minibus, and the tour guide will offer insights about the destination along the way.
9. Montalcino, Orcia Valley, Pienza, and Montepulciano from Florence
This tour lasts about 11 hours and 30 minutes, and it will take you through the highlights of the Tuscan region. Taste some of the most delightful wines and cheeses and absorb the joys of the Val d’Orcia countryside. During this tour, you will see historic hill towns like Montalcino, Pienza, and Montelpulciano. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the hilly vineyard countryside on one of the unforgettable Italy day tours.
Explore more: 17 Day Trips from Siena – Discover Slices of Tuscan Life
10. Etna Morning Trip
Southern Italy has a distinctly different feel from that of northern Italy, and this tour of Mt. Etna will take you to one of the biggest volcanos in all of Europe. You will hike along the trail to the inner crater and learn more about the fascinating geological history of this location. At the same time, you will admire the stunning views of the spectacular Sicilian landscapes.
11. Murano & Burano Islands Guided Day Tour by Private Boat
The nearby islands of Murano and Burano offer a lot to travelers, and this tour, a short trip from Venice, will give you insights into the glass-blowing techniques of Murano. Both of the islands are artisan islands, and you can wander the picturesque streets and visit the charming Italian workshops.
12. Best of Lake Como Experience from Milan, Cruise, and Landscapes
Take an adventure into the beautiful cities of Como and Bellagio. The tour starts with arrival at the lakeside town of Como. The area has an almost fairytale landscape, and you will ride north to see what has inspired generations of artists. You will take a lake cruise over this mountainous region for one of the most spectacular experiences.
13. Florence Vespa Tour: Tuscan Hills and Italian Cuisine
You will meet with a local guide who shows you through the scenic Tuscan hills. Along the way, you will pass the famous Church of San Miniato al Monte and the Piazzale Michelangelo. Once finished, you will head over into the hilly vineyard countryside of Tuscany for a traditional Italian meal—bruschetta, salami board, pasta, and cheese. You will follow the guide riding along on a scooter.
This is one of those tours that take you a bit off the tourist trail for an authentic Italian experience.
14. Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli Tour from Rome
This is one of those Italy day tours that I wouldn’t miss. It lasts five hours. Ancient Tivoli is a stunning hilltop town that was once the lavish destination of Italy’s powerful and wealthy. You will encounter many ancient architectural styles here, and you will see the elegant Renaissance palace and garden. Originally, they built Villa d’Este for Emperor Hadrian in the second century.
15. Rome in a Day: Colosseum, Vatican & Historic Rome
Rome has more than you can see in a day, and even arguably in a week. However, if you don’t have much time and would like to see the highlights, this is one of the Italy day tours that will guide you through the art, history, architecture, and culture.
During this tour, you get skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums and the Colosseum. You will also see Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain.
16. Day Trip from Naples: Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius
Arguably one of the most fascinating sites in all of Italy, Pompeii gives us a unique look into the life of ancient Romans before the natural disaster that happened 2,000 years ago. You will learn everything about the ecological history here from a professional volcanologist.
17. Boat Tour “A day in the Egadi Islands” from Trapani
One of the fascinating Italy day tours that take you to Egadi Islands, this tour lets you bypass the crowded tourist boats. At the same time, you get the chance to dive, swim and snorkel in the crystalline waters around Levanzo and Favignana. This is one of the best day tours in Italy because you can go snorkeling, and they provide the equipment.
18. Day Tour on a Luxury Catamaran to the Maddalena Archipelago
Coming with a comfortable restroom-equipped catamaran, the tour will take you to all of the most important sites in the Maddalena Archipelago. Enjoy snorkeling, and at the end of the trip, you will get a traditional Sardinian lunch aboard the catamaran with vegetarian and seafood options available. This full-day tour that lasts seven to eight hours includes alcoholic beverages.
19. Verona and Lake Garda Day Trip from Milan
Taken on a tour with a local and experienced guide who speaks English, you will encounter the best of Verona, which includes the Roman Arena, the Piazza delle Erbe, and the house of Juliet from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. You can call out to Romeo from the balcony. You will see the beautiful town of Sirmione, which has a medieval castle overlooking the lake. The whole town has medieval streets to explore and wander. This town is also famous for its thermal springs.
You will eat lunch in the town of Sirmione, and if you like wine, you may want to try the Bardolino, which is the most representative wine of this region.
20. Ostia Antica Tour from Rome
One of the lesser-known archaeological sites of Italy, Italy day tours to Ostia Antica will leave you astounded since this was once an ancient Roman city and port found at the mouth of the Tiber River. Any history fanatics will love this because it’s one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities. Some say that it even rivals that of Pompeii.
This tour includes headphones so that you can hear your tour guide, and it gives you an educational but engaging historic commentary on this archaeological site. It is recommended that you take on this tour with a group of 10 or less for a more intimate experience. When you buy the ticket, it allows you to skip the lines to get into the attraction quicker.
