Skip to Content

Day Trips from Vicenza, Italy – Over 90 of the Best Destinations

By Author Rossi Thomson

Posted on Last updated:

10 Comments

Categories Day Trips in Italy, Lists, Vicenza

Looking for ideas about day trips from Vicenza, Italy? You have come to the right place!

This mammoth list comprises over 90 exciting cities, towns, villages, and places within an easy reach from the City of Palladio. Having personally tried and tested them at least once and some several times over the past four years I can guarantee that you will have a whale of a time exploring all that they have to offer.

Vicenza is a great base from which to conduct your exploration of Italy. It doesn’t matter if you live here full time or have chosen the city as a holiday destination for its beautiful architecture, rich history, and calm, authentic character.

Fast trains will transport you quickly and cost-effectively all over the North of Italy and further down towards its central parts. Good quality roads are plentiful and ready to take you up steep mountains and down to the seashore. Plus, Vicenza is right on the Venice-Milan highway, so that you can reach inexpensively by car cities like Padua, Verona, and Brescia within very short amounts of time.

A view of Canale di Tenno - Trentino, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

My thematically and alphabetically structured list with day trips from Vicenza includes much more than large Italian cities though. Here you will find a host of charming locales, unforgettable natural sights, art and craft hubs, lively beaches, medieval walled towns and even a couple of sacred places for a Christian pilgrimage.

Most are in the Veneto – the Northern Italian region of which Vicenza is also part. But there are day trips from Vicenza reaching as far as the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Lombardy, and Emilia Romagna. It is amazing how much you can see in Italy if only you travel for an hour or two one way.

Brescia, Lombardy, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

As varied as all the recommended day trips are, the link which unites them is that they are all easily reached from Vicenza and can be explored in depth within a day. To make it easy for you, for each day trip from Vicenza listed below I have given  lots of useful information like:

  • travel distance from Vicenza in km – the distances quoted customarily refer to the highway option, as this usually is the quickest way to reach a place. In optimum conditions and with a powerful car, you can do on average about 90 km/h excluding any traffic jams and/or other obstructions;
  • best types of transport – car or train – in terms of time taken to reach each destination;
  • ideas for nearby places worth exploring, too; and
  • (where available) links to detailed overviews and exciting videos of the different places to help you organise your day trip. The videos are hosted on my blog’s Facebook page. If you haven’t liked it yet, I would really appreciate it if you could!

Read on and start planning your days out from Vicenza now!

 

Day Trips from Vicenza, Italy –

Over 90 of the Best Destinations

 

The Cities

A View of Prato della Valle - Padua, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

Italy is blessed with some of the most beautiful and interesting in terms of art, history, and traditions cities in the world.

Finding yourself in Vicenza with time to spare you will feel like a child in a huge playground – super excited and a bit lost where to start your exploration from.

My suggestion is to explore the nearby big cities first. Especially, if you are in Vicenza for a short amount of time.

Your top options are Venice, Verona, and Padua. They are all very close to Vicenza and very easily reached. A day will be just enough to see their very main sights and to whet your appetite for many future returns. Once you have ticked these three off your list, continue with the rest.

1. Bologna – approx. 156 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. You will have a lot on your plate in the seventh most populous city in Italy – tall towers to climb, intriguing history to explore, the world’s oldest University in continuous operation to visit and some of the most delicious food on the planet to enjoy. For further details, please, read and watch:

2. Bolzano – approx. 204 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. The capital city of South Tyrol, Bolzano is a great place to visit in summer when you are trying to escape Veneto’s scorching temperatures. It comes into its own in winter though when the largest Christmas market in the province takes over the city centre. Don’t miss the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology with its Otzi The Iceman exhibition. If times permits, visit the Roncolo Castle just outside of the city. A free shuttle is available at regular intervals just opposite the Cathedral of Bolzano. For further details, please, read:

3. Brescia – approx. 118 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. Brescia is Northern Italy’s hidden gem. With its stunning squares, large hilltop castle, ancient ruins, countless works of art and some of the most memorable architecture, the city is a joy to explore. For further details, please, read and watch:

4. Ferrara – approx. 112 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. Ferrara is a Renaissance dream in a medieval context. Its many palaces, splendid architecture and cathedral with a lace-like facade are beautiful to look at and explore. Don’t miss Ferrara’s yearly hot-air balloon festival – Italy’s most important hot-air ballooning event. For further details, please, read and watch:

5. Milan – approx. 217 km from Vicenza. Best reached by train. Milan, it seems, tends to have a polarising effect. You either love it or not so much. In a day you can explore such architectural gems like the splendid Duomo, the nearby Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle II (don’t forget to climb on its roof) and the Sforza Castle. Don’t miss the world-famous La Scala Opera House and its museum. Make sure that you book your tickets well in advance if you want to see Leonardo’s Last Supper. For further details, please, read and watch:

6. Padua – approx. 50 km from Vicenza. Best reached by train or car. Forever eclipsed by nearby Venice and Verona, Padua has so much to offer without the suffocating tourist crowds. After all, this is the city in which Shakespeare chose to set his comedy ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. When in Padua, don’t miss the Scrovegni Chapel and its fresco cycle by Giotto (it’s advisable to book your tickets in advance), Palazzo della Ragione, the 800-years old daily market, the oldest University Botanical Garden in the world, Padua University and its Anatomical Theatre, the fully frescoed Padua Baptistery, Prato della Valle (the largest square in Italy), one of the oldest clocks in the world, the Mantegna frescoes in the Church of the Eremitani, etc. For further details, please, read and watch:

7. Parma – approx. 193 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Parma will enchant you with its Romanesque architecture. Most importantly you will eat like a king in the city famous for its ham (prosciutto), parmesan, pasta and even Parma violets. Enjoy!

8. Ravenna – approx. 205 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Explore Ravenna’s Byzantine mosaics to your heart’s content. The city which used to be the capital of the Western Roman Empire is a delight to discover. For further details, please, read and watch:

9. Rovigo – approx. 91 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. Once you have ticked off your list everything else that the Northern Italian region of the Veneto has to offer, head over to Rovigo to complete your exploration. There is a ruined castle, a nice central square, many churches and a huge cathedral. At lunchtime, the city gets deserted as everyone retreats behind closed doors for a long riposo.

10. Trento – approx. 150 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. Trento is not only the capital of the Northern Italian province of Trentino (one half of the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige) but also the place where the famous 16th century Council of Trent took place. Come here for the splendid mountain views, the curious mixture of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and modern architecture, for the Trent Museum of Natural Sciences (MUSE) and the large Christmas market. Don’t miss the splendid Buonconsiglio Castle. For further information, please, read and watch:

11. Venice – approx. 75 km from Vicenza. Best reached by train. Whatever I say about Venice it won’t be enough. Venice needs to be seen and experienced at least once in your lifetime. The city on water is an architectural and engineering miracle. When you add to it the heaps of art, the numerous churches, and the unique artisan workshops, you get a place where humans have realised their very best potential. For further details, please, read and watch:

12. Verona – approx. 58 km from Vicenza. Best reached by train or car. Verona is everything you have ever imagined it to be and so much more. When in the city, pay homage to the story of Romeo and Juliet, but don’t forget to delve deeper than that. Discover Verona’s Roman past, its stunning churches, its opera heritage, its lush gardens and parks, its breathtaking views. For further details, please, read and watch:

 

 

The Towns

Duomo and the Basilica seen from the Civic Tower called Campanone, Bergamo, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

The size of an Italian town is not an indication of the amount of art and history you are going to find there. In fact, you may be surprised by the number of sights and the richness of the artifacts even the smallest towns in Italy hold.

Here are my recommendations for great day trips from Vicenza to some of the most beautiful and most historically significant towns within an easy reach from the City of Palladio.

13. Ala – approx. 117 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. A town full of Baroque palaces built with the money earned in the 17th and the 18th centuries from the incredibly lucrative manufacture of silk velvet. City of Velvet is a yearly event held in July when Ala returns to the 17th century with a splendid town-wide reenactment. There is a great Christmas market, too. Ala’s historic centre is one of Trentino’s best preserved historic centres with cobbled streets and authentic atmosphere. For further details, please, read:

14. Arco – approx. 143 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Arco is an elegant town surrounded by sheer limestone cliffs. It has a ruined castle and several beautiful churches and palazzi. The town has a very Tyrolean feel to it and it is interesting to note that the Habsburg Court used to spend the summers there when this part of Italy used to be under the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Combine a day trip to Arco with a visit to nearby Riva del Garda, Varrone Waterfalls, lake Tenno, lake Garda or the alpaca and lama farm Maso Eden. For further details, please, read:

15. Asiago – approx. 62 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Asiago is a cute little town in the plateau of Asiago and near the border between the region of Veneto and the province of Trentino. This is where they make my most favourite Italian cheese – coincidentally called Asiago. Near the town you will find a War Memorial and several military cemeteries. In winter drive up to Asiago for snow and snow sports. In summer escape there for some fresh air and refreshing mountain hikes. For further details, please, read:

16. Bassano del Grappa – approx. 35 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. A picturesque city on the shores of the river Brenta and with the Venetian Prealps serving as its dramatic backdrop. Bassano is famous for its wooden pontoon bridge originally designed by Palladio and since then several times destroyed and then rebuilt, for having served as a battleground during several wars and for the potent grappa drink which is produced locally. The historical centre is very picturesque and holds a large market weekly. For further details, please, see:

17. Belluno – approx. 111 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. The most important city in the Eastern Dolomites, head to Belluno when you are in need of mountain views and experiences.

18. Bergamo – approx. 164 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Ideal to visit if you are flying in or from Milan Bergamo airport. Take the funicular connecting the Lower City with the Upper City and spend a day exploring the historic centre of Bergamo which is surrounded by 16th-century Venetian walls. For further details, please, see:

19. Cremona – approx. 160 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. A lovely city with rich musical history, here is where the famous luthier families of Amati and Stradivarius set up shop in the 16th and the 17th centuries respectively. Don’t miss the impressive Violin Museum and then explore the historical centre with its cathedral, palaces, and violin shops. For further details, please, read:

20. Lake Garda Towns – from approx. 79 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Some of the towns have a train and/or a bus connection with Verona and/or Vicenza. Sirmione, Lazise, and Monselice are just some of the stunning towns on the shores of Lake Garda where you can spend a delightful day trip from Vicenza. Extensive information about the 12 best towns around Lake Garda is provided in the following article. Please, click and pick:

21. Mantua – approx. 94 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. Mantua’s breathtaking skyline will immediately convince you that you have chosen the right place to spend a sightseeing day to remember. Don’t miss the splendid (and huge) Ducal Palace and set some time aside to admire the frescoes in Palazzo del Te. Mantua will surprise you at every corner and, above all, it has a great selection of local food to satisfy even the biggest glutton. For further details, please, read and watch:

22. Nove – approx. 27 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Nove is a teeny-tiny town with a massive ceramics industry. Dozens of factories spread around Nove produce some of the most beautiful ceramics you will ever see. The local Museum of Ceramics traces the history of this beautiful craft in the land of Nove. Play a game of spot the beautiful ceramic art as you walk around town. You can also pop into the showrooms of the different factories and shop branded crockery for a fraction of its retail price. You can combine a visit to Nove with a visit to nearby Marostica (see point 36 below), Bassano del Grappa (see point 15 above) or Cappeller Zoo (see point 49 below). For further details, please, read:

23. Recoaro Terme – approx. 43 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Recoaro Terme is another small town in the mountains of Veneto I can wholeheartedly recommend. The air is pure and you breathe it in in deep gulps. There are several mineral water springs and a spa where one can go to take the waters, each of which allegedly helps improve a different ailment. Many nature hikes are within the immediate vicinity of the town.

24. Rovereto – approx. 126 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. Rovereto is one of my most favourite places in Italy. It is small and compact, yet it offers so much to do in terms of military history, hiking, breathtaking views, good food, excellent coffee, and even modern art. For further details, please, read and watch:

25. Schio – approx. 27 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. Famous for its textile production which elevated it to the position of the Manchester of Italy, Schio is a nice little town within an easy reach from Vicenza. It is best visited during a major event, like Schio Carnival, British Day Schio or for the open day (usually held in October) of La Grotta del Castello – a cave used for the maturing of a local brand of cheese. You can also combine a visit to Schio with a visit to nearby Thiene (see point 26 below) or Oasi Rossi (see point 48 below). Or you can have a short stopover there on the way to Rovereto (see point 24 above) if you decide to go there by car. For further details, please, read:

26. Thiene – approx. 20 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. Thiene has a lovely historical centre. The undisputed gem in the town’s crown is its castle which is the most notable 15th-century Gothic building in the province of Vicenza. Many events are held in the castle year round, making it a perfect place to visit over and over again. Also, don’t miss the Historical Reenactment which turns the centre of Thiene into a medieval village every September. Another event not to miss in Thiene is the yearly Natale di Fiaba (Fairytale Christmas). It is held over two weekends in December when the town is taken over by fairytale and mythical creatures. When in Thiene, don’t miss the famous arrosticini thienesi. For further details, plase, read:

27. Treviso – approx. 90 km from Vicenza. Best reached by train or car. Treviso is not just a cheap airport to fly in on your way to Venice. The city is very picturesque. Plus, its historic centre is surrounded by a moat and thick defensive walls. Fabulous art exhibitions are held regularly there, so check the program of the Museum of Santa Caterina to see what’s on. Don’t forget that this is the birthplace of both prosecco and tiramisu. A good enough reason for a day trip, methinks. For further details, please, read:

 

 

Click here to find out 25 Best Things to Do and See in Vicenza – Northern Italy’s Hidden Gem

 

 

Medieval (and/or) Walled Towns and Villages

Serravalle - Vittorio Veneto - Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

You will find one of Italy’s most authentic faces reflected in its small medieval towns most of which are surrounded by mighty defensive walls. They still hold the memory of ferocious battles and ambitious lords who were skilled both in the art of diplomacy and the art of the sword.

Luckily, within a very short distance from Vicenza, you will find many of the most beautiful Italian walled towns. I guarantee that you will be absolutely spoiled for choice. Do the logical thing and visit them all, one by one, savouring all that they have to offer – quirky museums, castles (some in ruins, some not), beautiful churches and more art than you can shake a stick at (not that I am telling you in any way to wave a stick at a piece of art, you understand!).

You will be surprised at how much time you can end up spending in a teeny-tiny place without getting bored for a second and seeing an astonishing number of sights.

28. Asolo – approx. 49 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Asolo is a picture-perfect town in the foothills of the Dolomites. Known as the City of the Hundred Horizons and the Pearl of the Province of Treviso, its beauty has attracted artists, writers, and royals for centuries. For further details, please, read:

29. Arqua Petrarca – approx. 53 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Arqua Petrarca is a beautiful stone village built on top of a hill and overlooking the majestic Euganean Hills. It is famous as the place to which the Herald of the Renaissance – Petrarch – retreated to at the end of his life. Nowadays, you can visit Petrarch’s house and his tomb in addition to enjoying the authentic atmosphere of Arqua Petrarca. For further details, please, read:

30. Castelfranco Veneto – approx. 36 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Castelfranco Veneto is a gorgeous town with an almost intact defensive wall, pretty historic centre and a host of festivals and events. Including a chocolate fair! This is also the birthplace of Giorgione – one of the most renowned Italian painters. You can combine Castelfranco Veneto with a visit to nearby Cittadella (see point 32 below) or Treviso (see point 27 above). For further details, please, read and watch:

31. Chioggia – approx. 81 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Older than Venice and free of crazy tourist crowds, Chioggia is a vision of small islands crisscrossed by canals and connected to the mainland by a causeway.  When the sun is shining and the skies are blue, it is a great place to go to in order to relax, take in the local way of life, explore the fish markets, take pictures of the photogenic clotheslines suspended between the colourful tall houses, spend some time on the beach and eat your weight in seafood and ice-cream. You can also sun yourself on the nearby Sottomarina beach (see point 56 below). For further details, please read and watch:

32. Cittadella – approx. 25 km from Vicenza. Best reached by train or car. Cittadella is one of my most favourite small towns in Northern Italy. Here you will find ‘Europe’s best medieval parapet walkway’. In simple English, this means that you can circumnavigate the whole town by walking on its medieval defensive wall. In September, don’t miss the town-wide medieval fair. In winter, a nice little ice rink is built on the central square. Cittadella is truly lovely. You can combine it with a visit to the nearby Castelfranco Veneto (see point 30 above) or simply drive out there in the early summer evenings to enjoy an aperitivo in one of its lovely bars. For further details, please, read and watch:

33. Cologna Veneta + Lonigo – approx. 39 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Cologna Veneta is a pretty medieval walled town famous for its tasty nougat made of almonds, egg whites, and honey. Called mandorlato veneto, it is especially popular around Christmas. Have a look at Cologna Veneta if you are trying to tick off your list all medieval walled towns in the Veneto. It is a very peaceful, very quiet town which comes into its own at the start of December for the annual fair dedicated to the mandorlato veneto. Stop for a little bit at nearby Lonigo, too. They also make some very tasty nougat there. For further details, please, read:

34. Este – approx. 48 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Este has a great Archeological Museum, a thriving ceramics industry, and a lovely walled park where once the town’s castle used to stand. You can combine it with a visit to Arqua Petrarca (see point 29 above) or Monselice (see point 37 below). For further details, please, read:

35. Feltre + 11th-century Sanctuary of St. St. Vittore and Corona – approx. 83 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Feltre is really charming. Huddled on top of a small hill, the town is picturesquely surrounded by powerful mountain peaks. Tall stone houses with frescoed facades and whimsical chimneys will capture your imagination. Spare an hour at least to also visit the nearby Sanctuary of St. St. Vittore and Corona which dates back to the 11th century. For further details, please, read:

36. Marostica – approx. 29 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or bus. Marostica is famous for its castles, live chess game, and absolutely huge and juicy cherries. The town is very pretty and my favourite place to head to for gelato and coffee in the late afternoon after a hot summer day in Vicenza. For further details, please, read:

37. Monselice – approx. 67 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. Monselice is really pretty. Plus it has one of the best castles I have had the chance to see. Its armoury is only second to the one in the Doge’s Palace in Venice. And it has some really wonderful fireplaces, too. Yes, I know! Fireplaces! You wouldn’t expect anyone to get crazy for a fireplace, but the ones in Monselice castle are truly works of art. In addition to the castle, don’t miss the Seven Churches Sanctuary, the Old Cathedral, and Villa Duodo. For further details, please, read:

38. Montagnana – approx. 53 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Montagnana is where some of the best Italian prosciutto is made. The town is very pretty, too. Surrounded by a powerful defensive wall, there is also a castle, a lovely main square, and a stunning Cathedral. For further details, please, read:

39. Montecchio Maggiore – approx. 16 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. This small and unassuming town has three huge sights. One is the beautiful Villa Cordellina. The second is the amazing Fondazione Bisazza housing some of the world’s most splendid works of mosaic art. And the third is the Castles of Romeo and Juliet which inspired Luigi da Porto to write the story of the star-crossed lovers (made world-famous by William Shakespeare). For further details, please, read and watch:

40. Noale – approx. 58 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Noale has a fortress, a moat, a gagle of colourful and frescoed houses, and a nearby nature reserve with ponds and hundreds of birds. It is a great destination to spend a quiet day in the bosom of Veneto. Give it a try! For further details, please, read:

41. Soave – approx. 35 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Soave is a splendid medieval walled town where history meets the local famous white wine (coincidentally called Soave, too). Explore its churches, restaurants, beautiful buildings, and go for a walk to the top of the hill on which the proud Soave Castle stands. For further details, please, read and watch:

42. Valleggio sul Mincio + Borghetto sul Mincio – approx. 79 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Valeggio is a beautiful town on the river Mincio. It’s famous for its ruined Scaliger castle, mighty medieval bridge, and the local tortellini which are called ‘love knots’. Borghetto is a small medieval village just next door to Valleggio. It occupies a very picturesque spot over the waters of the river Mincio. It is famous for its restaurants housed within old mills and serving several varieties of said tortellini. You can combine Valleggio and Borghetto with a visit to the adjacent Parco Sigurta (see point 80 below). For further details, please, read:

43. Serravalle (Vittorio Veneto) – approx. 128 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Serravalle is a medieval fairytale come true. This is one of the most picturesque and most memorable medieval towns I have had the chance to visit in Italy. Don’t miss the local museum for its fabulous frescoes, paintings, and other works of art. Plus, the ticket includes a visit to a fully frescoed chapel where the babies born in the local hospital used to be baptised.

 

 

Aquariums, Butterfly Houses, Farms, and Zoos

A lama and an alpaka - Trekking with alpacas and lamas - Maso Eden, Trentino, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

Here is a selection of the animal-centred attractions you can find within a short distance from Vicenza. To be perfectly honest, I am not a lover of zoos. Yet, the two I have included here are the ones I wouldn’t mind taking my own child to in case I need to show her a particular animal and try to explain to her the conservation efforts people make all over the world.

44. Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium, Castelnuovo del Garda – approx. 80 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. A nice aquarium with lots of different displays of fish and different forms of sea life. I enjoyed seeing the jellyfish displays the most. On a rainy day, it can get really crowded. Click here to access the official website.

45. Jesolo Sea Life Aquarium – approx. 105 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. This is another interesting aquarium within an easy reach from Vicenza. Click here to access the official website.

46. Maso Eden, Trentino – approx. 153 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Maso Eden is a bio-farm in the folds of a stunning mountain setting. It specialises in the rearing of lamas and alpacas alongside with a huge number of rare chickens, ducks, and even peacocks. The best thing is that you can take a lama or an alpaca for a 2-hour walk through the local forests. Then, you can help feed the chickens and admire the blue and chocolate-brown coloured eggs some of them lay. For further details, please, read:

47. Montegrotto Terme Butterfly House and Fairy Forest – approx. 47 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. A lovely place combining a rather large butterfly house with a fairy forest where some rather whimsical creatures live. You can combine it with a visit to Esapolis – The Museum of Living Things – in Padua. For further details, please, read:

48. Oasi Rossi Butterfly House – approx. 35 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. This is a splendid place to take the kids to when they have a bit of energy to burn. There are large play areas with bouncy castles, all sorts of climbing equipment, and even a pirate ship. Barbecue pits are at your disposal (just bring your food and you can buy coal from the on-site garden center). The best bit is that a large butterfly house is part of the oasis. Full of lush tropical vegetation and hundreds of butterflies, it is a great place to spend some time admiring the beauty of nature. Kids would also love seeing the resident goats, pigs, and a turkeys among other domestic animals present on site. You can combine it with a visit to the nearby park of Villa Rossi, the adjacent town of Santorso, the Sanctuary of Santorso or the town of Schio (see point 25 above). For further details, please, read:

49. Parco Faunistico Cappeller, Nove – approx. 28 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. A nicely organised zoo just a stone’s throw away from Nove (see point 22 above). For further details, please, read:

50. Parco Natura Viva, Bussolengo , Verona – approx. 76 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. A large zoo with a Safari Park and a Centre for Endangered Species. Click here to access the official website.

 

 

Art Destinations

The Tempio Canoviano or the Temple of Canova - Possagno, Treviso, Veneto, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

51. Canova’s Birth House, Gypsotheca, and Temple in Possagno – approx. 54 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Antonio Canova is Italy’s most famous neoclassical sculptor. If art is your thing, don’t miss Possagno – a small village in the province of Treviso, where Canova was born. You can visit his birth house (nowadays turned into a splendid museum), the adjacent Gypsotheca showing plaster casts of his most famous works, and the nearby temple designed by Canova himself and where his tomb stands. For further details, please, read and watch:

52. Sarmede – approx. 134 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Sarmede is a small village in the province of Treviso where a famous kids’ theatre festival takes place every year. In addition, the houses in the village are frescoed by famous illustrators of kids’ books. Click here to access the official website.

 

 

Beaches

An abandoned sandcastle at the Sottomarina beach at sunset - Chioggia, Veneto, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

The sparkling waters of the Adriatic Sea are about an hour and a half or two away from Vicenza (depending on which beach and direction you will choose).

If topping your tan is your thing or if you have kids to entertain, head to one of these beaches for maximum amounts of summer fun.

53. Bibione – approx. 165 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. This is one of the largest beaches in Italy. It is 8 km long and up to 400 m wide. There are eight service zones and facilities for 15 sports.

54. Cavalino-Treporti –  approx. 120 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. This beach stretches for 15 km and it is covered with a fine white sand. There is also a nearby nature reserve.

55. Lido di Jesolo – approx. 102 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Jesolo is a lively seaside resort with a 15 km beach called Lido di Jesolo.

56. Sottomarina – approx. 81 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Next door to Chioggia (see point 31 above), Sottomarina is a lively suburb with a 10 km beach which is up to 300 m wide. Its sand is very rich in augite, quartz, silicates, and micaceous elements and as such the beach is ideal for sand bathing treatments. For further details, please, read:

 

 

Hills, Hikes, and Mountains

Easy Hikes from Vicenza, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

Even though Vicenza itself is set on a rather flat ground, within an easy reach from it you will find several exciting hills and mountains. If hikes and comuning with nature are your thing, you will really be spoiled for choice.

Pack a sandwich, a bottle of water, some sunscreen, and your Nordic walking poles and head out to explore.

57. Berici Hills – from approx. 3 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or foot (depending on the hike you want to do). The Berici Hills are the lush mounds at the foothills of which Vicenza stands. Crisscrossed by hiking trails and dotted with small towns and villages, they are a great place to explore time and time again. For the best hiking trails head over to Lumignano (approx. 14 km away). For further details, please, read and watch:

58. Bolca – approx. 52 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Bolca is a small village at 800 m height above sea level. Curiously enough, this is where they have found the best preserved fossilised fish in the entire world. There is a small museum there with some perfect specimen of fossilised fish. It’s definitely worth a visit. Nearby there are several hiking trails for different abilities. For further details, please, read:

59. Euganean Hills – approx. 41 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Beloved by poets and writers, the Euganean are a group of volcanic hills which were formed underwater 35 million years ago. Nowadays they are clothed with cherry orchards, olive groves, and vines, and have inspired such illustrious minds as Petrarch and Percy Shelley. The Euganean Hills are crisscrossed with hiking trails and interesting sights. For further details, please, read:

60. Grotte di Oliero – approx. 45 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. If you love caves, you will love this place. Easy to reach from Vicenza, there you will find some very interesting caves located in the heart of a beautiful botanical park to walk in and explore. The only way in and out of the caves is by boat! For further details, please, read:

61. Laghi – approx. 57 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Laghi is a tiny village with craggy mountainous peaks serving as its dramatic backdrop. Two tiny lakes with gliding swans make it even more irresistible. Lush and abundant with different trees and plants, the surrounding area is rich in hikes. Just pick a map from the local bar and head out to explore. If you are only after some gentle exercise, simply walk from the village church down to the two lakes, go round them and then close the circle by returning to the church. For further details, please, read and watch:

62. Lessinia – approx. 93 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Lessinia is a lovely nature park with dozens of hiking trails and many waterfalls. 10 000 hectares in size, here you will find interesting natural formations, villages with stone-slate roofs, and a rich diversity of trees and plants.

63. Monte Baldo – approx. 110 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car and then cable car and/or on foot.  Monte Baldo is the beautiful mountain range bordering the eastern shores of Lake Garda . Known as the ‘Garden of Europe’ for its abundant variety of plants, it is a great place to go to for a hike and to admire heartstopping vistas over Italy’s largest lake. A sweat-free way to reach Monte Baldo’s top is to drive to Malcesine – a medieval town on Lake Garda – and from there to take the modern cable car to an elevation of 1760 m. For further details, please, read:

64. Tonezza del Cimone – approx. 56 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Tonezza del Cimone is a small town high up in the mountains which affords you some splendid views over the plateau of Asiago. Just outside of Tonezza del Cimone you will find many excellent hiking trails. Among them is one of my favourite – the Excalibur Didactic Naturalistic Path. It is perfect for small children, families , and people who are brand new to hiking. It takes you through forests and plains and it is a great way to get introduced to the beauty of Italian nature. For further details, please, read and watch:

N.B.: If you like hikes and walks, make sure that you check the full list of 20 family-friendly walks and hikes up to an hour and a half from Vicenza (first part and second part) for even more ideas for great day outs from the City of Palladio.

 

 

Islands

Monte Isola - Lake Iseo - Christo's The Floating Piers - Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

Within an easy reach from Vicenza, there is yet another amazing category of sights you can explore. Islands! These small pieces of land surrounded by water on all sides have always held a certain allure for the people born on a continent.

Luckily, close to Vicenza, you will find some of the most famous islands all over the world. Make sure that you see at least one of these.

65. Burano – from 2 h one way from Vicenza. Best reached by train to Venice and then vaporetto. Burano is a magical island in the Venetian lagoon. Famous for its handmade lace and colourful houses it has to be seen at least once in a lifetime. Combine it with a visit to Torcello (see point 68 below), Murano (see point 67 below) or Venice (see point 11 above).

66. Monte Isola – approx. 147 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car and then ferry. Monte Isola in Lake Iseo is Europe’s largest island in a lake. It is a dreamy, authentic place where in June 2016, the world’s famous artist Christo set up his art installation The Floating Piers. For further details, please, read:

67. Murano – from 1 h 30 mins one way from Vicenza. Best reached by train to Venice and then vaporetto. Murano is the island in the Venetian lagoon famous for the production of the so-called Murano glass. With centuries-old traditions behind its back, the glass from Murano is unparallel in terms of colours, artistic techniques, and required skills. The island itself is a pleasure to explore. Much more peaceful than Venice, there you can see master glassmakers at work and admire their stunning creations. I can easily spend a whole day there, but if you are a quick sightseer, then combine it with a visit to Burano (see point 65 above) or Venice (see point 11 above).

68. Torcello – from 2 h 8 mins one way from Vicenza. Best reached by train to Venice and then vaporetto. Torcello nowadays is a sleepy island but in the past was the place from where the Venetian lagoon was conquered by people and turned into a habitable place. Originally the island had many palaces, 12 parishes, and 16 cloisters but with the expansion of Venice, all useful building materials were recycled. You can combine it with a visit to Burano (see point 65 above), Murano (see point 67 above) or Venice (see point 11 above)

 

 

Lakes, Rivers, and Waterfalls

Lake Fimon - Vicenza, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

The land of Northern Italy is rich in water. You are bound to come across many lakes, rivers, and streams. Make sure that you tick off as many as you can.

Apart from being stunningly beautiful, these water bodies also provide a much-needed freshness during the very hot summer months. In fact, if you make the effort to explore a river or walk along a lake, you are bound to see droves of Italians in their skimpy bathing suits cooling themselves off in the cold waters.

Do the right thing and join them yourself. When the temperature nears 40 degrees Celsius, there is no better place to be.

In any other season, the Italian rivers and lakes mentioned below are a great day out from beautiful Vicenza.

69. Delta of the River Po –  approx. 116 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Po is the largest Italian river flowing into the Adriatic Sea. Its delta is a regional park – a spot of extraordinary natural beauty where you can even glimpse the magical flamingoes in addition to more than 400 other species of birds.

70. Lake Fimon – approx. 12 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Lake Fimon is the oldest lake in Northern Italy. At 35 000 years of age, it precedes the formation of Lago di Garda (Italy’s largest lake). Less than half an hour by car from Vicenza, Lake Fimon is a great place to spend a relaxing day or even a couple of hours. For further details, please, read:

71. Lake Garda – approx. 78 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Some of the towns are served by train, too. Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake. Imagine a long narrow basin of water being held in a tight embrace by tall, powerful mountains to the North. To the South the landscape flattens and the lake spreads out with wild Italian abandon. Vineyards and olive, citrus and palm trees dot the steep rugged slopes and the verdant plains. The blue waters of the lake glint under the hot Italian sun. Cuddled on the shores are picturesque towns, each one with its own character and appeal. It is no wonder that lake Garda attracts millions of visitors each year. You can spend dozens and hundreds of days out from Vicenza on the shores of Lake Garda and still crave more. For further details, please, read an watch:

72. Lake Iseo – approx. 147 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Much less touristy and calm than Lake Garda, Lake Iseo has a beautiful authentic atmosphere and stunning nature. This is where in June 2016, the world’s famous artist Christo set up his art installation The Floating Piers. For further details, please, read:

73. Lake Tenno – approx. 149 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. You will find Lake Tenno just above the northernmost tip of Lake Garda. Lake Tenno is stunning. Small and compact, its turquoise waters are captivating to look at. You can walk around Lake Tenno in about an hour. Or, you can take it easy and relax on the lake shores just taking all that natural beauty in, one stunning view after another. Don’t miss the medieval village Canale di Tenno which is only further down the road from the lake. For further details, please, read:

74. Parco delle Cascate + Molina – approx. 87 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Parco delle Cascate is a beautiful nature park nestled between three lush valleys. It is surrounded by dramatic peaks and it is famous with its chain of 18 waterfalls. On its territory you can also visit some pre-historic caves and see how people used to live many thousands of years ago. Molina is the adjacent village where old houses with slate rooftops will make you take your camera out and go wild snapping. For further details, please, read:

75. Varone Waterfalls – approx. 14o km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Varone is a great big gushing waterfall in a cave. Nature took 20 000 years to shape this stunning place. Combine it with a visit to Lake Garda (see point 71 above) and/or Lake Tenno (see point 73 above) nearby. For further details, please, read:

 

 

Parks, Gardens and Adventure Parks

A view of Parco Giardino Sigurta - Valeggio sul Mincio, Veneto, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

Spending a day surrounded by flowers in bloom and lush green landscapes is a great way to relax. Luckily, within an hour from Vicenza, you will find one of the most beautiful parks in Italy – Parco Giardino Sigurta.

If you would rather add a little bit of adrenaline to your day, head over to an adventure park instead.

76. Gardaland + Movieland – approx. 78 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train and shuttle bus. Two large amusement parks able to make both adults and kids have lots of fun. Combine them with a visit to the nearby Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium (see poin44 t above).

77. Parco Avventura Le Fiorine – approx. 37 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Le Fiorine is a very nice adventure park.  It is set up in a lush forest and it offers four different courses for people of different ages and abilities. There are zip lines, bridges, zip walks and all sorts of obstacles which you need to overcome up there between the trees in order to complete the course and get back down to the ground. For further details, please, read:

78. Park of the Villa da Schio, Costozza – approx. 12 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Come to this park when you need a quiet moment far from the maddening crowds. It is unexpectedly beautiful and as far off the beaten path as it can get in Italy. The park is terraced and dotted with classical statues, little fountains, and even a koi carp pond. The higher you climb up, the lovelier views across the valley you will enjoy. For further details, please, read:

79. Parco degli Alberi Parlanti – approx. 100 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. An educational children’s park with several trails. Just outside Treviso (see point 27 above).

80. Parco Giardino Sigurta – approx. 86 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. The mother of all Italian parks! Through the years Parco Giardino Sigurta has been named the Most Beautiful Garden of Italy, has won awards for its amazing tulip displays and in 2015 took the second place at the European Garden Award. Combine it with a visit to the nearby Vallegio sul Mincio and Borghetto sul Mincio (see point 42 above). For further details, please, read:

 

 

Religious Sites

Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona - Spiazzi di Ferrara di Monte Baldo - Verona, Veneto, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

Italy is dotted with churches, monasteries, chapels, and sites keeping the Catholic faith of the locals strong. Coming to Italy and not visiting at least one of these sacred places is like missing on the biggest opportunity to experience the authentic face of the country and its nation.

81. Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona – approx. 99 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. The Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona seems to be half-way between Heaven and Earth. It is organically built into the Baldo rocks at 774 metres above sea level and it overlooks from this tremendous height the meanders of the river Adige. The Sanctuary is a very peaceful place. To reach it, you need to follow a steep curving road alongside which are placed bronze cast sculptures by Raffaele Bonente depicting the different stages of Christ’s Golgotha and Resurrection. For further details, please, read:

 

 

Thermal Baths

A blue view - Lake Garda, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

The only issue with all this amazing sightseeing is that it is bound to leave you very, very tired.

Still, you are in luck! As within a day-trip distance from Vicenza there are several fabulous thermal baths where you can spend a whole day getting your strength back.

Thermal waters and spa therapy have been used in Italy for thousands of years and the areas adjacent to Vicenza are especially rich in thermal traditions. Take your pick from this alphabetical list!

82. Abano Terme – approx. 45 km from Vicenza. Best reached by train or car. Abano Terme is a town completely dedicated to the culture of spa. Hundreds of hotels and spa facilities offer all sorts of treatments and access to thermal swimming pools. You will be spoilt for choice.

83. Aquardens, Verona – approx. 73 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Aquardens is the largest Italian thermal park. With weekly events and child-friendly facilities, you can even watch a film on a big screen while dipping in and out of the many pools.

84. Levico Terme – approx. 91 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. Perched on the shores of the lake Levico, the town of Levico Terme is surrounded by mountains and is famous for its thermal springs. The composition of their waters is considered to be unique in Italy and very rare in Europe. In winter the town also hosts a large Christmas market.

85. Montegrotto Terme – approx. 47 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. Right next door to Abano Terme, Montegrotto Terme is another town in the Veneto completely dedicated to the curative properties of the local thermal springs. Again, dozens of hotels and modern spa facilities will tempt you to spend a whole day simply relaxing and rejuvenating yourself. You can combine some spa with a visit to the nearby Butterfly House and Fairy Forest (see point 47 above).

86. Terme di Giunone – approx. 40 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. An aquapark with several pools two of which date back to Roman times.

87. Villa dei Cedri, Lazise – approx. 80 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car. A large thermal park next door to Lake Garda and Verona. There are two lakes, swimming pools, wellness centre, winter pavilion and many more facilities.

 

 

Venetian Villas

Villa Pisani, - Stra, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

The Northern Italian region of Veneto is famous for its villas – large country homes built to show off family fortunes and aristocratic good taste. Designed by the best architects that have ever lived (Palladio, anyone?!) and covered with frescoes by the likes of the two Tiepolos, when visiting them you will feel in heaven if you like history and art.

Right next door to Vicenza there are several of the most beautiful and famous Venetian villas for you to explore. Often, they also have a large park attached to them, so that you can spend a nice day or half a day immersed in both nature and art.

88. Villa Caldogno – approx. 10 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or bus 9. This is a stunning Palladian villa. Fully frescoed inside, you will want to take phtots of each scene depicting aristocratic life. Next door to the villa, hidden in its green park, you will find a war bunker which can be visited, too. A great place to explore on one of those days when you don’t feel like driving too far out of Vicenza or don’t have a car at your disposal. Click here to access the official website (in Italian).

89. Villa Capra La Rotonda + Villa Valmarana ai Nani – approx. 3 km from Vicenza. Best reached on foot or by car. Visit Capra La Rotonda is Palladio’s most famous villa. It is the building that has inspired several other buildings all over the world. You will find it on the outskirts of Vicenza. Combine with with a visit to the nearby Villa Valmarana ai Nani – with frescoes by father and son Tiepolo, splendid garden, and a great cafe overlooking Monte Berico. It’s the perfect day out from Vicenza without actually leaving Vicenza much. Click here and here to access the official websites. For further details, please, read and watch:

90. Villa Foscari La Malcontenta, Mira – approx. 65 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train. Another stunning Palladian villa with breathtaking frescoes. Click here to access the official website.

91. Villa Pisani, Stra – approx.461 km from Vicenza. Best reached by car or train and bus. Lauded as the Queen of the Venetian Villas, Villa Pisani is bigger and more splendid than some palaces. It has an interesting history, lush garden with a maze, and many fully frescoed rooms. A must-see! For further details, please, read:

 

These are my over 90 personally tried-and-tested suggestions for great day trips from Vicenza, Italy!

I hope that I have inspired you to get in the car or buy a train ticket and explore the beautiful surroundings of the City of Palladio and to branch even further afield all the way across the Veneto to the adjacent regions of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Trentino-Alto Adige.

Have fun and let me know which of the above excursions from Vicenza you loved the most.

If I have missed a destination that is close to your heart, please, let me know as I am always on the lookout for new places to explore in and around Vicenza.

 

Bassano del Grappa, Veneto, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

 

Thank you for reading! Please, leave me a comment, pin the image below or use the buttons right at the end to share it on social media.

For more stories like this, you can follow me on Facebook and subscribe to my weekly strictly no-spam newsletter.

 

Pin Me - Day Trips from Vicenza, Italy - Over 90 of the Best Destinations - www.rossiwrites.com

Linda Greco

Monday 10th of October 2022

Loved the information!! Thank you for sharing!! I would like the names of day tour companies that are in Vicenza that offer any of these day trips- thank you! LindaGreco

Linda Greco

Tuesday 11th of October 2022

@admin, thank you sooooo much for the info! Linda

admin

Tuesday 11th of October 2022

Dear Linda,

Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words! In reply to your question: I actually don't know the names of tour guides/companies based in Vicenza as I used to live there and explored everywhere by myself. It's very easy both by train and car. In some cases, there are local buses, too. For example, the fast regional train (treno regionale veloce) takes only about 17 mins from Vicenza to Padua and about 45 mins from Vicenza to Venice. This is shorter than some of the journeys I need to make in London. :) The staff at Vicenza's train station was always very helpful and you can also check the official website of TrenItalia (https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html) to check travel times and prices in advance. However, I know that sometimes people prefer to have someone show them around. I found that Vicenza's local tourist information office was always very helpful any time that I popped in with a question or two. The main tourist office is right next to Teatro Olimpico in town and has lots of information and leaflets. You can also contact them online via: https://www.vicenzae.org/en/who-we-are/information-office-vicenza I am sure they will have information about local guides and will give you suggestions for other places to see in the area. Every Italian city and town has a tourist information office, often more than one. They are always very helpful, so if you Google the name of the place you are interested in followed by 'tourist office', you will find a wealth of information helping you organise your day trips. I hope this helps! Have a wonderful time in Italy!

Best wishes,

Rossi

Roy

Wednesday 16th of February 2022

What wonderful content and thank you for providing it. We are hoping to visit Vicenza in mid-April. A friend was stationed at the military base a few years back and said we had to visit. I have a list of the usual things to do and see there, but as a local, what is your favorite coffee bar, restaurant and place to people watch?

admin

Friday 18th of February 2022

Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. Vicenza is a really pretty city and I hope you have a wonderful time there. I am no longer a local as we moved back to England last year. My personal recommendations for Vicenza are in this blog post. Have a wonderful time in Italy. Spring is such a lovely season to visit.

Best wishes,

Rossi :)

Gaya

Sunday 21st of July 2019

Hi! Thanks for all the great suggestions! We just moved to Vicenza, do you still live here?

admin

Wednesday 24th of July 2019

Thank you for your kind message. Yes, I still live in Vicenza.

Best wishes,

Rossi :)

Tina

Saturday 25th of May 2019

This is a great resource, thank you so much :)

Katie

Tuesday 12th of June 2018

I love this! The only thing missing is a Google places map so I can pull these up and see how far each is from Ferrara (where we live). Seriously though -- I appreciate all of the work you've put into this. Grazie mille!

admin

Tuesday 12th of June 2018

Thank you for your kind words! I need to look into using Google Maps in blog posts. Thank you for the suggestion! Best wishes,

Rossi

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!