Things to do & places to visit in Veneto, Italy

One of Italy’s most visited regions, Veneto in the country’s northeast was independent for centuries until 1797, when Napoleon invaded. It then bounced among French, Austrian and Italian domination. Bordered by some of Europe’s most beautiful elements (the Adriatic Sea to its east, Lake Garda to its west, the Dolomites to its north, and the Po River to its south), Veneto is known for agriculturally rich valleys flowing down from Alps and for important cities like Venice, Verona and Padua.

Veneto #3 destination in Italy 2023. The average rating score is 4.40 based on 444.6k traveler reviews, of 223 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Rome, current date and time: Tuesday, May 07, 2024, 5:31.

Top things to do (26)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Scrovegni Chapel (7.403 reviews)
- Amazing frescoes, not the best online ticket experience
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Churches & Cathedrals

Few words about online tickets. I bought them 3-4 days in advance and there were a lot of free slots (however it was January). The page in fact is not so intuitive and the most important fact is that you need to exchange those (by showing confirmation) for real tickets in the ticket office nearby the chapel. At 10AM there was no queue at all but I don’t know how it is on other daytime. So even though you bought online tickets you need to reserve some time to get the real ones before the visit. The funny thing is that for visiting University nearby online tickets are just enough. Finally the frescoes in the chapel are amazing and definitely worth seeing. See more..
5.0 Teatro Olimpico (2.939 reviews)
- This is a must to see
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Theaters

Andrea Palladio’s last work and masterpiece, the Olympic Theatre was commissioned in February 1580 by the Accademia Olimpica, a society of mixed social classes founded in Vicenza in 1555 for cultural and scientific purposes and to which Palladio himself belonged. Construction began in May 1580, but Palladio died suddenly on 19 August of that year so did not see its completion. After various, complex delays, the theatre was completed five years later and opened on 3 March 1585 with the memorable staging of Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus. The theatre is reached by way of the odeon and anti-odeon, two large rooms designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi and decorated respectively with frescoes by Francesco Maffei portraying divinities and allegorical figures (c. 1637) and a monochrome frieze of considerable documentary interest (c. 1595). This depicts theatrical productions presented by the Accademia before construction of the Olimpic Theatre (Amor costante, Sophonisba) and shows or events held in the new theatre (Oedipus the King, the diplomatic mission of Japanese envoys). Palladio designed a monumental scenae frons within an enclosed space intended to simulate classical theatres in the open air. It is flanked by two wings or stage doors and a semi-elliptical cavea with thirteen tiers, ending in a columned exedra at the top, partly open and partly with niches in the wall. Statues of the academicians who commissioned the theatre, dressed in classical costume, occupy the niches and plinths of the structure. A series of splendid bas reliefs showing stories of Hercules by Ruggero Bascape occupies the highest row. Wooden perspective scenery of the streets of Thebes runs back from the three openings in the scenea frons. This was designed by Scamozzi for the opening performance of Oedipus Tyrannus and has remained as a permanent feature See more..
5.0 Centro Storico di Venezia (2.256 reviews)
- Something special to see wherever you wander!
Spent More than 3 hours Historic Walking Areas

I agree with Peggy Guggenheim: “To live in Venice or even to visit it means that you fall in love with the city itself. There is nothing left over in your heart for anyone else." Venice after dark is so beautiful and welcoming. I only got lost a few times, but that is the way to see the city. Just wander the city and you will se awesome things. Great shopping, dining, artwork (especially during Biennale). See more..
4.5 Canal Grande (41.6k reviews)
- One off the bucket list.
Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water

Venice's main water thoroughfare, lined with great Renaissance palaces, is a colorful and busy spectacle of gondolas and vaporetti. See more..
4.5 Piazza San Marco (37.4k reviews) from $45.93
- Overall was worth a visit but much more interesting places to visit
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

It is said that Napoleon called San Marco "the drawing room of Europe." And it is a breathtakingly beautiful place. But the square has long been a lure for massive numbers of pigeons, drawn by the massive numbers of tourists who readily feed them. While the tourists happily post for photos amid the flock, there are concerns that the birds' presence--and what they leave behind--will damage the centuries old architecture and art work. See more..
4.5 Basilica di San Marco (29.0k reviews) from $21.95
- Book in advance or take a tour
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals

Blending the architectural styles of East and West, Venice's magnificent basilica was consecrated in 832 AD as an ecclesiastical building to house the remains of St. Mark. See more..
4.5 Doge's Palace (26.9k reviews) from $45.93
- Gorgeous place!
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the building and its sculptural decoration date from various periods. The interior, with works by artists such as Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto, A.Vittoria and Tiepolo, includes vast council chambers, superbly decorated residential apartments, and austere prison cells. Along the facades of the Palace run loggias that overlook St. Mark’s Square and the lagoon. The combined entrance ticket to the St. Mark’s Square Museums grants access to the Doge’s Palace, Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of Biblioteca Marciana. See more..
4.5 Arena di Verona (18.5k reviews)
- A must do
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Theaters

Built in the first century AD, this is one of the best conserved Roman amphitheatres, whose seating area is made up of 44 levels and can hold up to 22,000 spectators. See more..
4.5 Piazza delle Erbe (9.358 reviews)
- The archetype of beautiful Italian piazzas
Tuesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Flea & Street Markets

It's no wonder that this is one of the most historic and picturesque squares in Italy: in antiquity, it served as a Roman forum; today, it contains many historic buildings, sculptures with a popular and colorful market overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables. See more..
4.5 Campanile di San Marco (9.225 reviews)
- worth the elevator ride up!
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Observation Decks & Towers

Originally built as a lighthouse to assist navigation in the lagoon, visitors can be whisked by elevator to the top of St. Mark's Campanile or bell tower to savor incredible views of Venice, the lagoon and the Alps in the distance. See more..
4.5 Peggy Guggenheim Collection (8.573 reviews)
- Must visit if you appreciate modern art
Tuesday: Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Art Museums

This satellite gallery of the famous Guggenheim in New York occupies the 17th-century Customs House in Venice, featuring modern and contemporary works of art. See more..
4.5 Ponte dei Sospiri (7.114 reviews)
- Beautiful building
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Bridges

This historic bridge connects the Doge's Palace with its prisons and was named for the condemned prisoners who crossed it to meet their executioners. See more..
4.5 Basilica of St. Anthony (6.904 reviews)
- Beautiful and historic Basilica
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

Basilica where the apostle St. Mark is buried and which contains the largest bronze works of Donatello. See more..
4.5 Piazza Brà (5.822 reviews) from $40.00
- Largest square in Verona
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

Piazza Bra, often shortened to Bra, is the largest piazza in Verona and one of the largest in whole country. Bra is lined with numerous cafés and restaurants, along with several notable buildings like Verona Arena, town hall or the Palazzo Barbieri. When I have entered this square I have felt great joy and excitement. You can feel history here and those all colours and great buildings make happy. See more..
4.5 Parco Giardino Sigurtà (5.032 reviews)
- Nice park
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Parks • Gardens

The Park is the ideal place to spend a day amidst luxuriant nature. Immerse yourself in the 600,000 square metres of green lawns and ancient woods. Enjoy the panoramas from the rolling hills, explore the maze and feast your eyes on the colourful displays of seasonal flowers. These and much more besides go to make up the natural marvels of the gardens that make for an unforgettable day out at the Park. The garden changes its appearance from season to season: in spring you enjoy the wonderful display of the million tulips of the celebrated “Tulip mania” period: the greatest flowering of tulips in the whole of southern Europe; in summer visitors can enjoy the refreshing shade of the boughs of age-old trees and admire the flowering ornamental water-gardens, while autumn has its own seasonal flowerings to be enjoyed among the vivid colours of trees’ foliage. For the kids the Educational Farm is an absolute must. See more..
4.5 Prato della Valle (4.623 reviews)
- My park.
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The first time I visited this park I was 15 years old and vowed to return every time I went to Italy. Now I am almost 60 I kept my word and it remains one of my favourite places in the world. You can have a picnic, you can play music, you can play soccer, you can read, or just walk around and enjoy the statues. See more..
4.5 Cannaregio (4.539 reviews)
- great
Spent < 1 hour Neighborhoods

The northernmost of Venice's six sestieri (districts) is where the former Jewish ghetto was located. The main street, Strada Nuova, is often bursting with activity. See more..
4.5 Teatro La Fenice (4.512 reviews)
- Highlight of Venice Trip
Spent 2-3 hours Theaters

This world famous opera house, burned to the ground in 1996, has been rebuilt amongst much scandal and drama: its modern beauty and complex history ensure its place among the most celebrated monuments in Italian history. See more..
4.5 Borghetto sul Mincio (4.303 reviews)
- Perfect little town
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

Absolutely beautiful town, we stopped here on the way back to Verona airport at the perfect golden hour as sun was setting. Such a perfect fairytale town by the river, only small so doesn’t take long to walk around but lots of good places to eat and drink (places do get full so best to book if you can). We walked up to the castle ruins which gave a nice view over the town and only took about 15 mins so not too far. See more..
4.5 Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (4.252 reviews)
- A must see in Venice
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

Originally built in the mid-13th century, Santa Maria Glorisoa dei Frari (St. Mary of the Friars) houses many masterpieces of Venetian Renaissance art, notably Giovanni Bellini's triptych "Madonna and Child with Saints," the "Assumption" and the "Pesaro Madonna" by Titian, Saint John the Baptist by Donatello. See more..
4.5 Monte Baldo (4.125 reviews)
- Well organised
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mountains

Having had to queue for up to 2 hours in previous trips to Mount Baldo we took the advice of our hotel and booked tickets online. Our slot was for 10.30 to 11.00 and we did as advised and arrived 15 minutes before our slot. All in all it was a good experience and well organised. We queued outside for 15 minutes and entered the building at 10.30. We were on our way up at 10.40 and at the top just before 11. Queue to get back down at 4pm was around 45 minutes. Lovely views and walks at the top. See more..
4.5 San Giorgio Maggiore (3.981 reviews)
- Stand Alone Church
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

Iconic to Venice's waterfront skyline, this basilica sits on an island and boasts panoramic views from Campanile. Also not to be missed: the collection of Tintoretto paintings. See more..
4.5 Museo di Castelvecchio (3.454 reviews)
- Medieval Fortress
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Castles

This impressive castle built in the 14th century houses a fine art gallery. See more..
4.5 Things to Do in Province of Verona (3.364 reviews) from $45.50
- Spectacular
Tuesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water

Lake Garda, unique for its enchanted villages, shopping and fun opportunities,is also the perfect setting for your activity and watersports holidays or week-ends. This is Lake Garda, the Essence of Italy! See more..
4.5 Ponte Scaligero (3.204 reviews)
- Beautiful Bridge
Bridges

Connecting Castelvecchio and Adige, this powerful bridge was first built in the 1st century AD, destroyed during World War II, and rebuilt using parts of the original structure. See more..
4.5 Scuola Grande di San Rocco (3.050 reviews)
- Rivaling the Sistine Chapel
Tuesday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a lay confraternity founded in 1478. The popularity of the cult of St. Roch, whose remains had been in the possession of the brotherhood since 1485, contributed to the latter’s rapid expansion to the extent of it becoming the richest Scuola of the city. At that point it was decided to build a new monumental headquarters and engage Tintoretto to decorate it with his most celebrated pictorial cycle, illustrating episodes from the New and Old Testaments. It is the only one of the historic Scuole Grandi to have survived the fall of the republic. It is a unique site, where over 60 paintings are preserved in their original setting in a building that has hardly undergone any alteration since its construction. The confraternity is still active today, carrying out its traditional charitable duties as well as looking after its extraordinary artistic patrimony. See more..
4.5 Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore (2.959 reviews)
- Probably the best church in the city.
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

Built in 1123-35, this ornate Romanesque church features adorned bronze doors and remarkable Cloister. See more..
4.5 Torre dei Lamberti (2.889 reviews)
- Perfect Views
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks • Observation Decks & Towers

Enjoy panoramic views of the Alpsa from the 84-m tower built in the 12-15th centuries. See more..
4.5 Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (2.820 reviews)
- One of the most characteristic symbols of this city
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM Churches & Cathedrals

Designed by Baldassare Longhena in 1631-83, the church's façade is embellished with 125 statues, which form a sharp contrast to the somber interior. See more..
4.5 Castello Scaligero (2.620 reviews)
- Beautiful Castle
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles

We visited Malcesine Castle (Scaligero-di-malcesine) whilst visiting Lake Gara. We decided to get the ferry from Riva and visit Malcesine for the day. Entrance fee is 6 Euros but it is a Beautiful Castle & Museum to walk around, lots of interesting things to look at, make sure to walk right to the top of the castle where you get spectacular views overlooking the town. You are also able to hire the grounds for weddings! See more..