Best places to visit in Veneto, Italy
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The mesmerising Veneto region is located in the north-east of Italy that stretches from Lake Garda to the Adriatic. It’s best known for the popular Italian destinations of Venice, Verona and Lake Garda. There are plenty of places to visit in Veneto that are outside of these tourist hotspots though.
Veneto is Italy’s fifth-largest region in population and 8th in terms of landmass. It’s home to cities and small villages, as well as mountains, lakes and vineyards. You can experience the very best of Italy, in just one region when you visit Veneto.
Plan a trip to this diverse region of Italy and discover lagoons, hiking trails, winter sports, resorts and culture in scenic surroundings.
Best places to visit in Veneto
Cities and towns in the Veneto region
There are several cities and towns in the Veneto region that all have their own unique identities and varied things to see and do.
Some of the popular towns and cities in Veneto include:
- Venice
- Verona
- Padua
- Bassano del Grappa
- Chioggia
- Belluno
- Vicenza
Planning your Italy trip
When planning your trip to Italy, it’s a good idea to research and make a list of the destinations you want to visit? You’ll also need to consider things to travel insurance, car rental and airport parking if you’re flying to Italy.
If you’re a citizen of one of around 60 countries outside the EU or Schengen Area, such as if you’re American, British, Australian, Canadian or Japanese, then you must now obtain the new ETIAS pass. You can easily apply for yours with Byevisa.
We talk more about travel planning on my weekly travel podcast – Travel Goals. Subscribe now and catch up on all episodes. Check out my guide to the best places to visit in Veneto and start planning your trip today.
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Burano
Burano is a rainbow coloured fishing island set within the Venetian lagoon. It’s is best known for its colourful fishermen’s houses and fabulous seafood dishes. Burano is one of the most colourful places in the Veneto region and is a hotspot for travel photography.
This colourful island feels like a world away from the bustling crowds of St Mark’s Square in Venice. Here, you’ll find locals running tiny seafood restaurants, lace shops and bobbing fishing boats.
The colourful houses of Burano are probably the biggest draw of the island. You can spend hours wandering photogenic streets taking photos of the island’s unique beauty.
You can easily get to Burano from Venice by water taxi, or by booking an organised excursion. I recommend booking a guided boat tour to Burano, or using a Vaporetto pass to take water bus line number 12 to get from Venice to Burano.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda divides the regions of Veneto, Lombardy and Trentino Alto-Adigeand and is ridiculously picturesque.
Italy’s largest lake is wildly popular with locals and tourists thanks to crystal clear waters with a snow-capped mountain backdrop.
Lake Garda has many resorts and small villages along its scenic shores, so you could spend an entire holiday just exploring the lake area.
There’s a huge range of things to see and do around the lake including olive groves, watersports, mountain biking, small marinas and Roman remains.
Fancy swimming in the lake? Bardolino is probably the best spot for lake bathing, take a dip off one of its pebble beaches. Make sure to stroll along the lakeside promenade and stop for a post-dip spritz.
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Verona
Dreamy Verona is a historic city in the Veneto region that’s bursting with Renaissance romance. The city is famous for being the setting of Shakespeare’s most iconic work, ‘Romeo and Juliet.’
Romantics from around the world make a pilgrimage to the city to visit a 14th-century residence with a tiny balcony that’s said to be ‘Juliet’s House’.
Beyond Shakespere, the city has so much to offer culture hungry vistors. Feast upon local cusine in rustic osterias, enjoy opera in the 1st-century amphitheatre and visit the oldest library in Europe.
Wine lovers will also rejoice at the superb selection of local vinos. Verona is surrounded by boutique vineyards, with Valpolicella on one side and Soave on the other. Make sure to sample Soave’s renowned white wines and buy a bottle or two to bring home.
Vicenza
Vicenza is an elegant city surrounded by 13th-century walls and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. It’s located between Venice and Verona in the Veneto region.
The city is famous for being the home of 16th-century architect Andrea Palladio and his successor Vincenzo Scamozzi, who enriched it with magnificent buildings.
Vicenza has plenty of Renaissance architecture, public parks and piazzas to discover, thanks to its extensive history and affiliation with various ruling empires.
Make sure to check out popular hotspots such as the Basilica Palladiana, Teatro Olimpico theatre and Villa Valmarana.
Venice
No trip to the Veneto region is complete without a trip to its glorious capital, Venice. This is where you come for beautiful architecture, romantic cobbled streets and crowded canal waterways.
Venice is a miraculous floating city in Italy, a dazzling patchwork of over 100 small islands. These are linked by pretty bridges with picturesque canals flowing through.
You simply must have a gondola ride when visiting the city. The most cliché activity in Venice is also one of the loveliest ways of seeing the city.
Gondola rides cost around €80 for 40 minutes, so if you want to romance your beloved in Venice, you’re going to have to cough up darlings.
Another brilliant way of exploring the city is to book a food tour of Venice. Have a local guide you around the best food in Venice and learn the secret spots where Venetians like to eat?
Veneto Dolomites
The Veneto Dolomites are part of a mountain range that covers several regions and provinces in Italy. These majestic mountains promise rocky peaks, biking, skiing and utterly flawless lines and contours.
They are one of Northern Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and offer a range of fun activities year-round.
In the winter it’s a popular place for skiing and winter sports with the largest ski resorts offering up to 120 kilometres of slopes. Cortina d’Ampezzo is probably the most well-known mountain resort in the area and is part of the Dolomiti ‘Superski’ area.
For hiking fans, a number of long-distance footpaths traverse the Dolomites. The trails are numbered and well-marked and also feature several huts for long-distance walkers.
Murano
Take a day trip to the island Murano and arrive in style by water taxi. Murano is located just 1.5km away from Venice and is one of the most popular islands in the Venetian lagoon.
The island is known for its traditional glass blowing and boutique glass shops. You can actually take a sneak peek inside a local glass factory and watch a glass-blowing demonstration.
There are many local vendors selling boat trips and tours of Murano. Many of these Murano tours include a mesmerising, glass blowing demonstration.
Outside of glass blowing, Murano has plenty to offer visitors. The island is full of unique architecture, impressive churches, small shops and pavement cafes serving refreshing aperitifs.
Chioggia
Chioggia is a small and unassuming fishing port in the Venetian lagoon that’s widely known as “Little Venice.” If you’re looking for a quiet place to visit in the Veneto region, this is the place for you!
Much like in Venice, the houses, shops and cafes are built alongside the water and here are several bridges that connect the waterways.
You’ll also find several beautiful churches and cathedrals, including the wonderful Chiesa di San Domenico.
Chioggia is probably best known for its reasonably priced seafood restaurants and its colourful fish market. Make sure to sample some of Chioggia’s specialities when visiting, including calamari, crab and eel.
Getting to Veneto Italy
The main international airport in the area is Marco Polo airport in Venice, which is a huge hub for European and international flights. You can also fly into Verona Valerio Catullo airport and Treviso airport.
You can compare and book flights to the Venato region with Expedia. Search for discounted flight tickets from over 400 standard and budget airlines.
If you’re travelling by train, the Veneto region has an extensive rail network. The main cities in the region are handily are connected by frequent daily connections. Check out rail times and stations on the Trenitalia website.
Airport Parking and lounges
Save money on your Italy trip by booking your airport parking in advance. You can find great airport parking deals online with Holiday Extras.
Get up to 70% off airport parking when you book in advance online. Keep your car secure and safe whilst you are on your holidays in an official airport car park.
You could also park your car at the airport with Car & Away. It’s the first person to person car-sharing service that matches car renters to car owners in a very simple and transparent way.
The service gives airport parking customers the opportunity to ‘rent and earn’ whilst on holiday. It’s a unique way to save money for travel, that’s for sure.
Why not spoil yourself with airport lounge access before your flight? Lounges don’t have to be super expensive, book online with Holiday Extras to save money on your lounge splurge.
Are you planning a trip to Veneto in Italy? Where are you planning on visiting? Let me know in the comments below.
