* La vita è dolceamara: This is probably the closest single phrase. "Dolceamara" means bittersweet, capturing the mix of sweet and bitter.
* La vita ha i suoi lati dolci e i suoi lati amari: This translates to "Life has its sweet sides and its bitter sides," and is a more literal and explanatory approach.
* La vita è un mix di dolce e amaro: This means "Life is a mix of sweet and bitter," similar to the previous option but more concise.
* La vita è fatta di alti e bassi: This translates to "Life is made of ups and downs," which captures the general idea of contrasts without specifically mentioning sweet and salty. This might be the best choice if you want to avoid the "sweet and bitter" imagery.
The best choice depends on the context. If you're looking for a poetic and concise option, "dolceamara" works well. If you need to be more explicit about the contrasting experiences, one of the longer options is better.