Cheap 6-Day Italy Road Trip from Bologna to Venice and Florence

Your exciting road trip through Italy starts when you reach the incredible city of Bologna, where you'll stay for 2 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Bologna and begin your adventure in Italy.

Bologna is a popular cheap holiday destination in Italy with something to offer every traveler. When you're ready to explore the city, stop at some of the best places to visit in Bologna and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Arco del Meloncello will make your cheap holiday in Italy truly special. This attraction is a fascinating arch that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 3,755 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best budget-friendly hotels or places to stay in the city.

When you're hungry and ready to take a break from your adventure, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Bologna. An excellent example is the popular Sfoglia Rina. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 6,531 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Italy is Trattoria da Me. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,763 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

If you wish to dine at a restaurant locals love, go to the wonderful Donatello. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,700 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

Celtic Druid Irish Pub is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 2,968 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Bologna we recommend is Va Mo Là, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,876 customers.

Ca' Pelletti - Altabella is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 2,464 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and cheap holiday experience in Italy!

On day 2 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Italy, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Bologna and end your day in the city of Venice, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Bologna is the amazing Bologna Cathedral. This travel destination is a catholic cathedral that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,852 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Fountain of Neptune, Bologna. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,952 travelers, a visit to this well-known fountain and sightseeing spot in Bologna is likely to make your vacation in Italy even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Bologna is the outstanding Piazza Maggiore. This square has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 64,523 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Italy, drop by the popular Two Towers. This attraction, an amazing tower, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 25,975 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Piazza Santo Stefano. This square is a popular attraction rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 7,617 visitors from all over the globe.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Italy. To have the best affordable travel experience in Italy, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Italy unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Italy.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Venice. Venice is another cheap travel destination in Italy where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Italy can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Venice that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Venice is Ristorante La Piazza. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 9,892 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Venice, Farini is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 4,851 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Rio Novo. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Venice enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 3,401 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Venice’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Italy. For example, you can visit Adagio. Rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 621 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Il Mercante. This popular bar in Venice has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 666 bar-goers.

You can also go to Trattoria Bar Pontini as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Trattoria Bar Pontini is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 4,176 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Italy!

On day 3 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Italy, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Venice and end your day in the city of Florence, where you'll stay for 2 nights. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Venice is the amazing Rialto Bridge. This travel destination is a stone bridge that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 141,666 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Teatro La Fenice. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 10,677 travelers, a visit to this well-known opera house and sightseeing spot in Venice is likely to make your vacation in Italy even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Venice is the outstanding Piazza San Marco. This square has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 152,982 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Italy, drop by the popular Doge's Palace. This attraction, an amazing palace, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 24,775 travelers. As one of the top sights in Venice, there’s no wonder that the spectacular Doge's Palace attracts about 318,104 visitors annually.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Bridge of Sighs. This footbridge is a popular attraction rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 18,223 visitors from all over the globe.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Italy. To have the best affordable travel experience in Italy, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Italy unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Italy.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Florence. Florence is another cheap travel destination in Italy where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Italy can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Florence that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Florence is Ristorante Paoli. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 6,031 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Florence, Osteria Vecchio Cancello is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,589 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Ristorante Oliviero 1962. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Florence enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,046 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Florence’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Italy. For example, you can visit Manifattura. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 509 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Caffe Concerto Paszkowski. This popular bar in Florence has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 4,000 bar-goers.

You can also go to Ristorante Buca Mario as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Ristorante Buca Mario is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 1,879 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Italy!

On day 4 of your road trip adventures in Italy, you’ll go deep into Florence, where you'll stay for 1 night, and see some of the city’s unforgettable attractions. To learn more of the city's culture, you'll also dine at the most popular restaurants in Florence, and meet locals along the way!

Florence offers an incredible variety of budget hotels and places to stay you can choose from and spend the night in.

We recommend you stay at the charming Ville sull'Arno to ensure a pleasant and affordable vacation in Florence. This 5-star hotel offers guests comfort and convenience and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 1,339 guest reviews.

Another budget-friendly stay option you can check into is the cozy 4-star Wyndham Garden Florence. This cheap hotel provides a ton of handy amenities perfect for travelers in Florence. Wyndham Garden Florence has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars from 3,339 former guests.

Travelers looking forward to enjoying a cheap vacation in Florence should also consider Delle Nazioni. This 3-star hotel offers great value-for-money and is one of the best budget accommodations in the city. Delle Nazioni has been rated by 4,823 guests with an average of 4 out of 5 stars.

Popular hotels and places to stay in Florence offering low-cost accommodations get fully-booked fast. If any of these stay options are not available during your visit in the city, our flexible booking system will automatically provide you with the best budget alternatives.

One thing that makes Florence the perfect cheap holiday destination is that the city offers easy access to many popular attractions. For example, the outstanding national museum, Galleria dell'Accademia. This attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 34,429 visitors and gets around 1,719,645 visits every year.

The famous piazza della Signoria is another remarkable sightseeing hotspot in the area. This incredible square and travel destination has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 66,956 visitors.

Florence is also the home of the extraordinary Ponte Vecchio. Around 118,099 travelers have rated the spectacular Ponte Vecchio an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Another place you’ll want to visit is the captivating Uffizi Gallery, which hosts up to 2,011,219 visitors every year. With an impressive average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from a total of 61,794 reviews, a visit to this wonderful national museum and tourist destination is truly a great idea.

This day of your road trip through Italy is also your chance to admire the fantastic piazzale Michelangelo up close. This fascinating square and attraction is a must-visit. The marvelous piazzale Michelangelo enjoys an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 77,744 travelers.

Come to Florence prepared by adding a tour to your budget vacation package to Italy. If you’re up for a challenging, fun, or inspiring activity, check out the fantastic selection of tours and cheap holiday deals in Florence.

After a day of exploring, reward yourself by dining at one of the best restaurants in Florence, Il Vezzo. Locals enjoy eating at Il Vezzo for its good food and ambiance. This excellent restaurant has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 862 diners.

Le Vespe Cafè serves various affordable and delicious dishes perfect for cheap holiday goers. On top of that, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 773 food lovers.

If you want more options, Ristorante Le Volte Firenze is another great spot. Browse through its exciting menu and you'll see why Ristorante Le Volte Firenze has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 536 reviews.

Curious about the nightlife in Florence? Consider visiting some of the best bars in Florence after dinner. Locals recommend Villa Cora, and it's a great spot to enjoy a refreshing drink after an active day. This bar is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 699 customers.

Osteria Tripperia Il Magazzino is another excellent place to relax and have a drink or two after a busy road trip in Italy. Osteria Tripperia Il Magazzino has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 951 bar-goers, proving it's one of the most popular bars in Florence.

You might also want to cap the night off at Archea Brewery, a fascinating bar that 723 customers have rated 4.7 out of 5 stars in their reviews.

Raise a toast and enjoy celebrating this terrific day of your affordable vacation in Italy!

Day 5 of your road trip across Italy offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Florence and the enchanting Pisa, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Florence and end the day in Pisa, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 5 of your affordable vacation in Italy will take you to some of locals’ and travelers’ most recommended travel spots!

One place travelers keep coming back to in Florence is the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Around 76,359 visitors have rated this excellent church and travel destination an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Central Market on this leg of your self-drive tour in Italy. This attraction is a well-known best-rated sightseeing destination that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from around 43,100 travelers.

After capturing the beauty and rich culture of Florence, you’ll get back behind the wheels and continue your road trip to the fantastic city of Pisa.

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Leaning Tower of Pisa. This popular site is a valued bell tower in Pisa and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 116,882 visitors. Around 3,200,000 people travel to the city every year to see this wonderful local feature.

Another must-visit in Pisa is the spectacular Piazza del Duomo, Pisa. This outstanding square and sightseeing destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 104,550 travelers.

Exploring one unique site after another provides you the much-needed variety during your self-drive tour across Italy. But to satisfy your curiosity or need for adventure, we recommend you add excursions in today’s agenda. You have a great selection of popular and low-cost activities to choose from in Italy. Make your cheap holiday experience in Italy more memorable by doing something new, bold, or inspiring.

Bologna offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in Italy. So anytime you need a break from your activities, you’re guaranteed a comfortable and affordable place to rest and stay in the city.

As this adventurous day progresses, satisfy your hunger at one of the best restaurants in the city. Many restaurants in Bologna offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in Italy.

Trattoria dal Biassanot is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,616 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Bologna is Trattoria di Via Serra, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,547 customers.

Trattoria del Tempo Buono offers customers flavorful food and good ambiance, making it one of the best places to eat in Bologna. With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,531 customers, this restaurant can get packed very quickly. Make sure you get to the restaurant early to save yourself a seat.

When night has fallen and you feel like enjoying a drink, head to some of Bologna’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

Cantina Bentivoglio is an excellent example of a great bar in Bologna offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,094 customers.

You can also hang out and have a drink at BrewDog Bar Bologna, another of locals’ go-to bars in Bologna. BrewDog Bar Bologna is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 1,504 customers having rated it an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Corner Bar is for you if you’re curious about bars that give you a taste of the nightlife scene in Bologna. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 934 bar-goers.

Celebrate another day of your adventure-filled road trip through Italy with a toast. Cheers to a memorable cheap vacation experience in Italy!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Italy as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 6 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Bologna.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your cheap holiday experience in Italy.

If you'd rather pass time visiting some attractions, this is your chance to go to places you may not have had the chance to explore yet.

One fantastic attraction you could visit on your last day in Bologna is the remarkable Villa Ghigi. This park and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,035 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Bologna, consider a top-rated restaurant like Naama Cafè. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,538 customers.

Ristorante da Nello al Montegrappa is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,633 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is Ristorante I Portici. Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,677 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of Italy and your fun memories in Bologna.

You’ll then say farewell to Bologna and begin your journey home. You’ll leave filled with unforgettable memories from your terrific and affordable travel experiences in Italy!