Veneto is a region that offers every kind of landscape : from the maritime one, with the Venetian lagoon and sandy beaches, to the hilly one of the Palladian villas up to the imposing mountains dominated by the majestic peaks of the Dolomites , a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009: Veneto is one of the regions richest in history, charm, nature and flavours in all of Italy.
Everywhere, from the city to the smallest villages, you can breathe a genuine atmosphere, made of popular traditions and regional pride , and each offers different itineraries to explore, from nature to food and wine, from culture to sport.
For those who want to discover a unique region for the first time, or for those who have already visited the most famous places and are looking for new inspiration, here is a short guide to choosing what to see in Veneto .
What to see in Veneto: Venice
Venice is Venice : whether it's your first visit or your umpteenth, Venice will always make you daydream. A unique city, declared, along with its lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
A romantic city where you can be lulled by a gondola ride along the Grand Canal, passing beneath the arches of the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge. Piazza San Marco, with its basilica, bell tower, and Doge's Palace, make up what Napoleon called the most elegant salon in Europe.
The monumental Basilica of St. Mark's bears witness to the Eastern influences, especially Greco-Byzantine, perfectly integrated into the Italian artistic tradition. Venice is also the Italian city with the greatest concentration of works of art. You can admire Tintoretto's masterpieces at the Scuola di San Rocco , rediscover works by Picasso, Dalí, and Miró at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection , immerse yourself in contemporary art at the Punta della Dogana, or explore the numerous other museums, galleries, and the unmissable Biennale.
And so you can admire the fascinating noble palaces like Palazzo Grassi and the aristocratic residences that evoke the era of the Doges, seek out hidden wonders like Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo , and marvel at Palladio's Church of the Redeemer . You'll truly get to know Venice when you lose yourself among the streets and canals, dead-end alleys and lagoon squares, stopping at taverns and bacari for a cicchetto and a spritz , among artisan workshops and quiet corners echoing with Vivaldi's Baroque. It will be difficult to return to reality.
What to see in Veneto: Vicenza
In Vicenza, you can admire the beautiful Piazza dei Signori with Palladio's Basilica and the Loggia del Capitano; among the historic buildings in the center are Palazzo Chiericati, Palazzo Valmarana, and Palazzo Babaran da Porto. The Teatro Olimpico is one of the most spectacular monuments, along with the Cathedral designed by Palladio.
In Vicenza and the surrounding area, you can visit the famous villas designed by the Vicenza-born architect Andrea Palladio in the 16th century. Among the best-known are La Rotonda, Villa Godi, Villa Badoer, Villa Piovene, and La Malcontenta (in the province of Venice). These are fine examples of neoclassical architecture that blend perfectly into the landscape.
What to see in Veneto: Verona
Romeo and Juliet, protagonists of the most tragic love story of all time, which still draws numerous travellers to the “ city of love ” to visit the House of Romeo and Juliet.
Second only to Venice in beauty, Verona is a prestigious city of art, and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arriving from Corso Porta Palio, you'll Castelvecchio , once a military fortress of the Scaligeri family and now a museum of medieval, Renaissance, and modern art.
Strolling through the historic center, you can admire the splendid noble palaces, reminders of ancient glories, and imposing military buildings such as Palazzo Barbieri, now the town hall, and Palazzo della Gran Guardia . Verona's numerous churches are also worth visiting, starting with the Duomo, which houses an altarpiece by Titian, the Gothic Basilica of Sant'Anastasia , and the Basilica of San Zeno , a Romanesque masterpiece, inside which you can admire Mantegna's triptych. The ancient Biblioteca Capitolare is also noteworthy.
But the majestic , world-famous Verona Arena
What to see in Veneto: Padua
A sumptuous city with a brilliant cultural past, Padua offers historical and artistic sites of world-class importance such as the Porte Contarine, the Scrovegni Chapel , Giotto's masterpiece; the Tomb of Antenor, Prato della Valle , the famous historic Pedrocchi café, and the Basilica of Sant'Antonio .
Here is also the oldest botanical garden in the world: built in 1545 for the cultivation of plants and herbs useful in the medical field by the University of Padua , today it has over six thousand plants kept within the circular walls of the structure.
Padua is also a city of science, centered in the ancient university building of Palazzo del Bo , which preserves intact the oldest permanent anatomical theater in the world, the ancient medical classroom, and Galileo Galilei's chair. A university attended by illustrious professors such as Nicolaus Copernicus and outstanding students such as the world's first female graduate, Elena Cornaro Piscopia .
What to see in Veneto: Bassano del Grappa
Overlooking the Brenta are the most beautiful, aligned, colorful, and flower-filled houses on the river: Bassano del Grappa has an enchanting historic center with the famous Ponte Vecchio , built by Palladio and blown up by partisans during the Second World War to defend the city and its inhabitants. In 1947, it was rebuilt with the same Palladian design and has since been known as the Ponte degli Alpini .
What to see in Veneto: the Euganean Hills
For a relaxing holiday in complete harmony with nature, head to the many hills of Veneto . Among the best-known are the Euganean Hills, located near Padua.
If you want to discover the ancient winemaking tradition, follow the Euganean Hills Wine Route , which will take you to the wineries producing 11 DOC wines. Staying in the Euganean Hills also means relaxing in the natural setting of the regional park and enjoying the age-old spa culture.
Also worth visiting in this area are the Roman thermal baths of Montegrotto ; the 17th-century Villa Barbarigo in Valsanzibio; the Museum of River Navigation in Battaglia; the medieval village of Arquà Petrarca, where the famous poet spent the last years of his life; the oriental-style Catajo fortress; the Geopaleontological Museum of Cava Bomba in Cinto Euganeo ; the 11th-century Praglia Abbey, where monks restore ancient codices and practice herbal medicine; the Rocca di Monselice ; the Valbona Castle in Lozzo Atestino Este Castle and the walls of Montagnana . Finally, the Euganean Hills are dotted with villages, villas, and churches to explore on a holiday dedicated to relaxation, wellness, and nature.
