Desenzano has a beautiful Roman villa and a medieval castle, and Peschiera del Garde is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beautiful mountain town of Cortina DAmpezzo is a perfect day trip from Venice for travelers who want to see the high peaks of Italy. The villa gardens are gorgeous in the spring and early summer! Goriska Brda is mostly cultivated with vineyards and orchards. A day trip from Venice to Florence will take a good 2 hours by train to get to Florence, but it's an easy and pleasant ride to the Renaissance City for the day. Be sure to try your luck in the world's most puzzling garden maze. The main road is the A22 but, if you can, take the Gardena Pass via Corvara and Badia the views are breathtaking. In the summer, you can cruise the canal between Padua and Venice or for a more active adventure, join a half-day guided bicycling tour along the canal, with a lunch stop in the waterside village of Dolo. You will also find free beaches on the Lido. 7x Best Tours, Excursions & Day trips from Venice Here you will find the majestic ruins of an ancient Roman villa. Pay close attention to the weather forecast before your visit: if the forecast is bad, do not pay to go up the mountain. Pop inside the Duomo for dazzling frescoes and marble architecture. Lines 5.1 and 5.2 are circular routes that start and end at the Lido, with stops at various point in the historic center. The university created theworldsfirst anatomicaltheater, where numerous medical and scientific discoveries have been made throughout the years. If the idea of visiting a smaller, less touristed city seems more like your thing, take the train to Padua for an afternoon. Take advice from a well-versed sommelier and cheese taster on which cheeses to pair with which drinks, and dine on a traditional lunch at a 15th century cantina; an experience in itself. Good to know: Desenzano del Garda and Peschiera del Garda also make for great day trips from Venice! Or splurge on a private full day guided tour of the Dolomites by Range Rover, where you can customize the itinerary to your preferences! It makes for a great day trip from Venice, or a stop ona complete Northern Italy 1-week itinerary. On the outside, perfectly symmetrical porticoes overlook manicured lawns and a romantic stretch of river. It is also known as La Malcontenta. Day Trips from Venice Venice to Bologna Venice to Bolzano Venice to Cortina d'Ampezzo Venice to Padua Venice to Rome On the grounds are the Tempietto, Palladio's only church outside Rome, and a carriage museum. The most beautiful is the Vigo Bridge. From its castles to its square, its seafront to its myriad churches, theres heaps to explore in this beautiful city. Dhara's travel interests are eclectic, spanning everything from natural wonders to history, culture, art and architecture. Thanks to high-speed trains, you can get a sampling of the rich legacy of Florentine painters, sculptors, and architects on a day trip from Venice. The food, best experienced with one of the three tasting menus is a complex, artful take on Italian cuisine. Known for its wine, saffron, and finely crafted pottery, you can find many ways to entertain yourself in its crooked side streets. End the day in Murano, where the citys artisan glassmakers still have all of their workshops, for some heavy-hitting souvenir shopping, a visit to the Museum of Glass, and finally, pasta and tiramisu at the lovely, low-key Osteria Acquastanca. Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour. The bus also takes several hours, so public transport is not viable for a day trip. To sample a small slice of the countrys natural beauty, be sure to visit the Krnik Gorge and the natural stone bridge, which is considered one of the most beautiful natural bridges in Slovenia. There are very few facilities though, so bring a picnic. Touring the Castello Estense is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Ferrara. The Oasis of Alberoni is a protected nature reserve, and the dunes here are worth seeing, even if you arent a beach person. THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Venice (UPDATED 2023) - Tripadvisor A medieval jewel, San Gimignano is a UNESCO world heritage site, with plenty to keep visitors occupied. Super-attentive service, manicured greenery, and an air of sophistication combine into a pampered world all its own. Villa Widmann, in the town of Mari, is from the 18th century. Park Villa Spada is another charming attraction hidden behind a 2.5-mile long portico, one of the things for which Bologna is famous. Its a vibrant town and a gateway for outdoor adventures. Here are some of the highlights that you must definitely incorporate into your Padua day trip itinerary! The highlight of its 100-plus furnished rooms is the ballroom with its spectacular ceiling painting by Tiepolo in 1762. One of the best day trips from Venice is to Verona, one of Italy's most romantic cities. Farther north, the towns lie amid ever-taller craggy mountains. Bassano del Grappa is a medieval town located at the foot of Venetos Alps and crossed by the Brenta River. Ad Choices. Perhaps the best thing about Ravenna is that it isnt as swarmed with tourists as other Italian destinations are: its not on just anyones list. No matter how much time I spend in this beautiful city, it's never enough. This tiny, cozy restaurant in Murano is probably the best food on the island. The University of Padua is one of the oldest universities in the world. There are many otherthings to do in Bassano del Grappa,including museum visits to learn about its history and products. The interior of the castle features unique frescoes. The collection, arranged chronologically, starts from the origins of lace in the 16th century and continues through the present today, with glamorous Renaissance examples laid out for careful inspection in tiered cases. Affordable Honeymoon Destinations You Might Not Have Thought of Yet, How to Spend a Weekend at Three Hotels From Our 2023 Hot List, 17 Luxurious Yet Affordable Airbnb Rooms for Rent in Southeast Asia, We Found the Coolest Airbnb Near Every US National Park, Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta (Basilica di Torcello). You can visit Murano independently from Venice on the vaporetto. If you're remotely into design or decorative arts, this place is a must see. Day Trips from Venice | GetYourGuide 61 activities found Sort by: Day trip Venice: Burano, Torcello & Murano Boat Tour w/Glassblowing 6 hours Likely to sell out Top pick Booked 62 times yesterday 4.3 (1,045 reviews) From US$ 27.34 per person Water activity Boat Trip: Glimpse of Murano, Torcello & Burano Islands 4.5 - 5.5 hours Booked 18 times yesterday 4.1 (9,913 reviews) From Or, you could do an architecture road trip, visiting the famed Palladian Villas, the former country houses of the Venetian elite built by a master renaissance architect. Ravenna was of great importance during the era in which the Byzantine and Roman empires mixed. Youll return on the fast train from Padua, which will get you back to Venice in under 30 minutes. Venices Lido necessitates its own day trip in order to soak up the requisite number of rays, and its definitely a relaxing way to spend a day out. Buy your skip-the-line ticket for the cathedral and rooftop in advance, or book a fast track guided tour! It is a beautiful place for a walk, especially at sunset. Because the space is so small, and because the art is so sensitive to environmental damage, you can only see it with a timed ticket that must be booked at least 24 hours in advance; we recommend reserving at least four days in advance. A beautiful Renaissance city in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, Ferrara is one of the best day trips from Venice for history, architecture, and culture enthusiasts. Although the small city of Padua (Padova in Italian) is best known for the shrine and burial place of one of the world's favorite saints, it is known to art lovers for the extraordinary Scrovegni Chapel, completely lined inside by brilliantly colored frescoes painted by Giotto from 1303 to 1306. Pin it for later reference! Lido also hosts the Venice International Film Festival. The hills of the Prosecco valley are a great location to learn about the whole process of wine-making, from picking the perfect grapes, to pressing them, fermenting them, and finally bottling the finished products. By Andrea Whittle September. They are spectacular: Ornate goblets so delicate you wonder how they even stand up, colorful handmade beads, and cut crystal are all arranged in rooms that range from frescoed great halls to modernist white cubes. May 15, 2023 16 Min read. An iconic city landmark, this 14th-century converted Doge's palace dominates the lagoon, and sits just a short stroll away from the Bridge of Sighs and the monuments of Piazza San Marco. Padua has intrigue as well as all the hallmarks of Italian towns: beautiful architecture, vast open piazzas, art and excellent cuisine. 17 Best Day Trips from Venice: Cities, Wine Country, & Beyond! Andrea Palladio, who gave his name to an entire new style of architecture that is a reference point for builders even today, designed a number of country estates and summer palaces in the 16th century. The most comfortable and efficient way to see Venices outer islands is to have your hotel hook you up with a boat for the day. Visit the Poli museum to discover everything about the grappa distillate, and the Sturm Palace to get an insight into the ceramic production for which the town is known. Day Trips from Venice Enter dates Filters Day Trips Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Events Shopping Transportation Traveler Resources Day trips Venice to Valdobbiadene Venice to Burano Venice to Verona Venice to Murano Show all Product Categories Youll get the chance to wander round well-stocked cellars and perhaps choose the perfect tipple to pair with your lunch. Giotto was not the only major artist who worked here, and their works fill the city's churches. Located on a set of islands in the Venetian lagoon, Murano is famous for its glass, blown using a traditional process thats several centuries old. 01 of 09 Venice's Top Islands TripSavvy / Christopher Larson Murano, Burano, and Torcello are the top three islands to visit on day trips from Venice. The Clocktower Museum is also a must-see in Chioggia. Covering 240 square kilometers (92.7 square miles), Valpolicella lies at the foot of the gorgeous Alps and . Show all photos. You can either walk up like the pilgrims of yore, or take a taxi to the entrance. 12 best things to do in Venice on your next trip | CN Traveller In the historic center, walk to the main square, where you will find many beautiful buildings to admire, including the famous Basilica Palladiana, with a loggia designed by the famous architect. Lake Garda Source: fotomika / shutterstock Lake Garda From one water-bound attraction to another, Lake Garda is without doubt Italy's most famous, as well as largest, lake. These are not far from the train station, but a good way to see these and other attractions is with an independent Florence day trip from Venice by high-speed train that includes not only the train ticket, but access to the handy hop-on hop-off bus tour in Florence. If you are planning to rent a car and drive, your options for day trips from Venice expand quite a bit. If marvelling at Renaissance paintings and sculpture isnt really your thing, you can always while away the hours wandering through Florences attractive streets, from the Ponte Vecchio where the high-class Medici family trod centuries ago, to the Piazza della Liberta. For lovers of architecture and history, Vicenza makes for a wonderful day trip from Venice. Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Summer is equally alive with activities. 1. The city's most prominent literally attraction is Brunelleschi's towering dome on the great Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The best time to visit Bologna is either in the spring, when you can see the town in full bloom, or during the fall, when the colors of the trees complement the citys architecture. The tour fee covers admission to the three villas. From the glorious art hosted by the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery and the city at large, to the towering Duomo offering panoramic views of the landscape, there will be plenty to keep you entertained. Slower, regional trains and driving yourself both take way too long and aren't viable for a day trip, but the fast train will take you from Florence to Venice (and vice versa) in a bit over two hours, and several trains . For more details, refer to our disclosure. The ceiling is a stunning blue. It's one of the oldest cities in Italy, with many believing the Trojans founded it in 12BC. For a delicious seafood meal, grab lunch at Al Gatto Nero, a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its simple but elegant use of fresh local ingredients. 12 Delightful Day Trips From Venice (to Take in 2023!) With its off-kilter bell tower and simple brick exterior, Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, a small, 7th-century church, doesn't look like much from the outside. The city of famous Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, Vicenza boasts many fabulous buildings designed by him. Best Day Trips From Venice (Things To Do - Travel With Me 24 X 7 By subscribing to our newsletter(s) you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. You can start your walk just behind Castello Scaligero di Sirmione. It can all be easily explored on a day trip from Venice thanks to its pedestrian-friendly streets and bicycle lanes. The best time to visit Bassano del Grappa is between spring and autumn, to enjoy warmer temperatures and attend local events. The Padua Botanical Gardens, another UNESCO site, is the oldest academic botanic garden in the world. Sirmione is a lovely town located on a peninsula in the southern part of beautiful Lake Garda. Surrounded by lemon trees, magnolia, cypresses and olive trees, Lake Garda exudes a Mediterranean vibe, and is just as relaxing as it sounds. This medieval fortress is also worth visiting, especially for the epic views from the tower. But if you can tear yourself away, there are some wonderful day trips from Venice you can do! Chioggia is located on the Adriatic Coast of Italy, close to Venice and therefore perfect for a day trip. This way, youll avoid the huge crowds of tourists, who tend to arrive by tour bus around 9 a.m. Plus, the parking lot shuts down for the day at 9.30 a.m. and does not reopen until 4 p.m. The best time to visit Trieste, from a weather perspective, is between March and October. A 10-minute vaporetto from central Venice. When in doubt, check the villa's Facebook page or contact a staff member through the website. Back in the . The Palazzo Schifanoia features more gorgeous frescoes. You'll find suggestions for the best places to visit in this list of the top day trips from Venice. Private beaches on Lido Venice offer many amenities, but for a fee. In a former convent cloister, the Museo Civico has more on the craft's history, and you can see more examples at the rococo Palazzo Sturm. To catch a glimpse of it, the creamy-white stone Ponte dei Sospiri (the 'Bridge of Sighs') is one of the most fascinating things to do in Venice. This Gothic cathedral was built in the 14th century and has a stunning faade. Or, for a more active experience, join a guided hike on footpaths in the Dolomites to learn more about local flora and fauna amid spectacular Alpine scenery. But all these attractions weave closely into the story of Venice. Just rent a bike and explore the island, including the reserve! You can take a guided tour to see this unique place. To get from Venice to Bassano del Grappa, take the regional direct train from Venezia Santa Lucia station. Its very easy to make aday trip to Lake Como from Milan! Yet another historical town famed for its architecture, Vicenzas main draw is its buildings designed by celebrated 16th century architect Andrea Palladio. June 3, 2023 by Dhara The charms of Venice are legendary, and no matter how much time you allocate to the city, it's never going to be enough. Padua. The Blue Moon public beach is a short walk from the vaporetto stop, and offers showers and restrooms. The Renaissance, which inspired Venetian artists like Titian and the Bellini family to some of their greatest heights, began in Florence. One of the best things to do in Bologna is to spend some time in the majestic Piazza Maggiore, the main square, where you can admire the architecture. Its surely one of the most picturesque in the world! This charming town is a quieter and more authentic alternative to Venice. Prato della Valle, the largest square in Italy, is an elliptical square with an island at the center. Less than an hour from Venice by train, Padua is a perennially underrated (read: uncrowded) stop on the Veneto circuit. Climb hundreds of wooden stairs and get one of the most spectacular views over the red city, surrounded by picturesque green hills. For those who cringe at the idea of yet another tour, the fact that the villa is also a working vineyard will make this one more interesting. In addition to its colorful facades, Burano is also known for its traditional lace-making. The Jewish Ghetto here is also a must-visit: It was the largest and the oldest in the area, and was enforced between 1627 and 1859. Discovered in 1909, the fourth-century floors are the largest Paleo-Christian mosaic floor known in Western Europe. There's time for an espresso stop in the village of Pieve di Cadore, birthplace of the Renaissance painter Titian, to explore chic Cortina d'Ampezzo and even take a short hike along a mountain trail. Besides wine, the region has the Renaissance Dobrovo Castle from the 17th century, now a museum. 13 Day Trips from Venice So You Can Stay Longer and Slow Travel You can find mementos of them in the A Museo Civico, housed in the elegant 15th-century Loggia della Ragione. One Day in Orvieto, Italy: Things to Do + Travel Guide! Head out to Padova, with its pretty university, and find a chapel inlaid with frescoes by Giotto. The place has a family-run vibe that leaves it felling casual, but special. That said, youre here for the setting and the Grand Tour ambience. Verona is a treat at any time of year, but for a more chilled experience, visit in spring or fall. The hike is family friendly and suitable for most visitors, making it one of the best day hikes you can do in the Italian Dolomites. Don't miss beautiful Cividale del Friuli, hanging on the edge of a ravine of erosion-sculpted limestone cliffs and spanned by the graceful arched Devil's Bridge. This is one of the oldest buildings in the Veneto region, and it's an interesting example of the Byzantine style that influenced some of the city's later, grander structures, like St. Mark's Basilica. Villa Pisani at Stra is a national museum, with gorgeous furnishings and works of art from the 18th and 19th centuries. Another thing not to miss is the Chioggia beach, Sottomarina. A day in the charming town will help you relax and enjoy the amazing views of the blue lake and colorful villas along the shore. Tre Cime is only open to visitors when the snow has cleared (roughly May- November). Even if you never cared about Renaissance art before, the haunting biblical scenes and stunning use of color will blow you away. Theres plenty to see on day trips from Venice, whether you rent a boat and check out the distant islands of the lagoon, or head inland for some serious art and architectural history. Youll probably only stay an hour or two unless you decide to hike around the lake, which takes several hours. The Prosecco Region is located in the rolling hills between the villages of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. 2. Valpolicella. Murano is the island closest to Venice city centre. Heres how you do it: Head to Torcello first, for an early lunch in the garden at Locanda Cipriani and a wander through the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta. There are multiple transportationoptions toget to Padua. Trieste offers something a little different from the rest of the Venice day trips on offer. There are so many great things to do in Padua! Verona is easy to reach by direct train from Venice, and the attractions of the historic center are within walking distance or a short bus ride from the rail station. Have lunch at the lively Mercato Centrale, then head to the Duomo for the grueling climb up the 463 stairs to the top, for breathtaking views over the rooftops of Florence. Capannas are spacious cabins, with awnings and verandas. The Brenta is still a popular place to go in the summer, when an excursion boat makes daily trips, stopping at palaces along the way. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. To get to Burano from Venice on your own, take the Vaporetto 12 line from Fondamente Nove, which stops in Murano en route to Burano. This is Italys oldest shopping mall and a simply stunning building to walk through after viewing the Duomo. The villa has a distinguished history, having belonged to both Napoleon and later to the Hapsburg emperors. 10 of the best day trips from Venice. It's all about pizza here, and you can't go wrong if you stick to classics like prosciutto e funghi or a spicy diavolo. Missed off many a travel plan, Trieste is certainly underrated given its easy elegance and abundance of cultural activities on offer and certainly a good option for a visit from Venice. The food is traditional but not staid, with a few Southeast Asian accents here and there, like grilled squid with papaya or catch-of-the-day tartare with finger limes. Bologna, known as the fat, the red, and the learned, is one of the best day trips you can take from Venice. 3 Best Day Trips from Venice | Cond Nast Traveler Try the crema carsolina flavor at Gelato Marco: youll want seconds! On the way down from the sanctuary to the city center, stop at the renowned Villa Capra La Rotonda, designed by Palladio. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Step inside the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, admire Ponte Borgo, or tour the museum, housed in the Palazzo del Podest. Travel Inspiration From one water-bound attraction to another, Lake Garda is without doubt Italys most famous, as well as largest, lake. There are so many historic towns and cities that make for great day trips from Venice! 15 Brilliant Day Trips from Venice The Discoveries Of Villa Foscari, also located in Mira, was designed by Andrea Palladio. When you book a hotel or tour that we link to, we may earn a commission. Smaller glass shops will allow you to walk right in and watch a creation in progress, no appointment needed. The structures themselves are classical in style, inspired by his study of traditional Roman houses, and often filled with stunning frescoes and surrounded by bucolic gardens. There's no need to book in advance, but opening hours are mind-bogglingly complex: It's open year round, Tuesday through Saturday, for a few hours in the mornings and in the afternoons, but the interior is only open on certain days from March to November. Tuscany has a multitude of quaint towns tucked away amid its hills and scenic countryside, and one of the most beautiful is San Gimignano. Near the castle is the Duomo di Ferrara, with an ornate facade. Particularly enticing for foodies, Bologna is home to some iconic dishes, such as the tortellini in brodo, the bolognese sauce (also known as ragu), and the famous mortadella. Either walk the famous Ponte Vecchio, or choose an adjacent bridge to take photos of Ponte Vecchio along the way. If seaside lounging, reading, sunbathing, swimming and sipping mojitos isnt quite enough entertainment for you, a diverting way to spend the afternoon might be to explore by bike.