Venice, one of Italy’s top travel cities, is the jewel of the Veneto region, but there is much more to see in Veneto. From the city of Verona with its Roman arena to Palladian villas, lakes and mountain villages, these are the best places to visit in Veneto after Venice.
Verona
Verona is famous for the house and balcony said to belong to Juliet in the Shakespearean story, Romeo and Juliet , and its large 2000-year-old Roman Arena where prestigious opera performances are held. Verona has a good medieval center, a castle, museums and shopping areas. Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Bra are great places to sit in a cafe and enjoy people watching.
Padua
Padua is a walled city with the oldest botanical garden in Europe, the Basilica of Saint Anthony, the frescoes of Giotto’s Scrovegni chapel and a good historical center. Padua is a popular Italian city, which is a good alternative to staying in Venice.
Guard Lake
Lake Garda is the largest and most visited lake in Italy. The east coast is in the Veneto region. Peschiera del Garda, with its small historic center, is one of the most picturesque lake towns in Veneto. Gardaland, a large amusement park, is near Lake Garda in Veneto.
Brenta Riviera
Along the Brenta River, between Venice and Padua, you will see stately villas from the 15th-18th centuries. Some of these villas were designed by Palladio in the 16th century. Most of the villas are not open to the public, but there are some that can be visited.
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Vicenza
Vicenza was the home of the famous Renaissance architect Palladio, who designed 23 of the city’s buildings, including the Palazzo Barbaran da Porto, which houses the Palladio museum. The Palladian Villas in the countryside, also designed by Palladio, were built as summer homes for well-to-do Venetians and some of them are now open to the public.
Bassano del Grappa
Bassano del Grappa, named for nearby Monte Grappa, is a pretty medieval town on the Brenta River known for its Alpini wooden bridge, grappa, and pottery. Bassano del Grappa is a good base for visiting the Palladian villas and castles of Veneto or hiking in the nearby mountains. In the city, you can try the grappa or relax with a drink in one of the lively squares.
Guided tour: off the beaten track in Veneto
During this full-day tour, available from Select Italy, you will visit Marostica, Bassano del Grappa, Asolo, Treviso, and a Palladian villa.
This tour departs and returns to Vicenza, Verona or Venice.
Marostica
Marostica is a small town with a beautiful main square and a castle above it, with walls leading up the hill to the castle. There is also a small castle located in the city. Every two years in September, the main square turns into a giant chess board for a human chess game. The area is also known for its cherries.
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Soave
Soave is a small wine town surrounded by medieval walls and crowned by a picturesque castle. Vineyards surround Soave and in town, you can taste the famous Soave wine. The city holds several wine festivals throughout the year and concerts in the summer.
Chioggia
Chioggia, a fishing port on the Venetian lagoon, is sometimes called Little Venice . A wide pedestrian street lined with cafes, restaurants and shops stretches through the city center to the port and the city has a seafood market. The beaches are 2 kilometers from the city.
Belluno
Belluno, one of the largest cities in the northern part of Veneto, is the gateway to the Dolomite mountains. Belluno is a good base for visiting the Dolomites, where you will find winter skiing and summer hiking or biking. Belluno has fortress towers, a historic center with a 16th century cathedral, restaurants and squares with outdoor cafes.
cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo, called the Queen of the Dolomites, is one of the most famous mountain tourist destinations in Italy. In winter it is the best place to ski and in summer it is also the ideal destination for mountain climbing.
Venice day trips
Some of these places can be easily visited as a day trip from Venice.
