Venice gets the headlines, but Veneto has a whole cast of stars. Within an hour of the lagoon you will find Romeo and Juliet’s Verona, Giotto’s frescoes in Padua, Palladio’s villas, the hills where Prosecco is made and the jagged peaks of the Dolomites. This Veneto travel guide helps you see the best of it without the crowds.
Why visit Veneto
In north-eastern Italy, Veneto stretches from the Adriatic lagoon to the Alps. Venice is unique in the world, but the region also has elegant art cities, Lake Garda’s eastern shore and some of Europe’s most dramatic mountain scenery.
It is also a food and wine lover’s region: the home of the spritz, tiramisù, Prosecco and Amarone.
Top places to visit in Veneto
Venice
St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal by vaporetto. Then get lost in Cannaregio and Castello, and take a boat to the colourful island of Burano and the glassmakers of Murano.
Verona
A Roman arena that still hosts opera every summer, Juliet’s balcony, beautiful squares and a riverside old town. It is also the gateway to Lake Garda.
Padua and Vicenza
In Padua, Giotto’s frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel are a turning point in Western art. Vicenza is the city of the architect Andrea Palladio, with villas and palaces listed by UNESCO.
The Prosecco hills
Between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, steep hills covered in vines form a UNESCO landscape. Drive the Prosecco Road and stop at family wineries.
The Dolomites
Around Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Dolomites offer skiing in winter and spectacular hiking in summer, with jagged pink-tinged peaks.
Best time to visit Veneto
April to June and September to October are ideal for cities and the hills. Summer is the season for the Verona opera festival and hiking in the Dolomites, but Venice is hot and crowded. Winter brings skiing, misty lagoon mornings and the Venice Carnival in February.
Getting to and around Veneto
Venice Marco Polo is the main airport, with Treviso and Verona close by. Fast and regional trains connect Venice, Padua, Vicenza and Verona in under an hour and a half end to end. In Venice, you move by vaporetto (water bus) and on foot. A car is useful for the Prosecco hills and the Dolomites.
Veneto itinerary ideas
- Four days: two days in Venice, then Padua and Verona by train.
- One week: Venice, Verona with Lake Garda, and the Prosecco hills.
- Mountains and lagoon: a few days in Venice followed by Cortina and the Dolomites.
What to eat in Veneto
In Venice, eat like a local with cicchetti – small snacks served in bàcari (wine bars) – and a spritz. Try risotto, sarde in saor (sweet-and-sour sardines), bigoli pasta, and tiramisù, which was born in this region. To drink: Prosecco, Soave and Amarone della Valpolicella.
Veneto travel tips
- Venice access fee: on peak days, day visitors must pay a fee and register online – check the calendar before you go.
- Book the Scrovegni Chapel in advance: visits are timed.
- Buy a vaporetto pass if you will take several boats in Venice.
- Stay overnight in Venice to enjoy it after the day-trippers leave.
Veneto FAQ
How many days do you need in Veneto?
Four days for Venice, Padua and Verona; a week to add the Prosecco hills, Lake Garda or the Dolomites.
Is it better to stay in Venice or on the mainland?
Venice itself is magical at night and early in the morning. Mestre is cheaper to reach by car, but you lose the atmosphere – one or two nights in the city are worth it.
Can you visit Verona as a day trip from Venice?
Yes. Fast trains take just over an hour, so Verona – or Padua, even closer – makes an easy day trip.
