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Europe , Italy , Road Trip · May 21, 2020

The ultimate Italy road trip – 5 beautiful stops from Venice to Rome

This is hands down one of my favourite road trips we have ever done. Driving from Venice to Rome, down through Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and Tuscany, showed a side of Italy I had never seen before. Stopping off at some of the most beautiful little villages and natural wonderlands along the way we completely fell in love with the area. If you are contemplating a road trip in Italy then I could not recommend this one more! We took this trip as a part of our 3 week trip to Italy where we started in the Dolomites, drove through Tuscany and ended up in the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre. It was the absolute dream Italy drip – but the best part was definitely this road trip through the Tuscan Countryside. At no other point on our trip did we stay in such beautiful places or get to see so many unique towns.

So, with that let’s get started!

the etruscan hilltop city of pitigliano in italy with houses carved into the cliff face

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Our 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Venice
Day 2: Mantova
Day 3: San Marino
Day 4: Urbino
Day 5: Gola Del Furlo, Lago Trasimeno, Church of San Biagio, bagni San Filippo, Manciano
Day 6: Pitigliano, Rome

Hiring A Car in Italy

I personally think the best way to travel around Tuscany is by car, thus this is a road trip Italy guide. Only because it means that you can stop whenever you want and be a little more spontaneous. I have written this blog post as an Italy road trip itinerary so many of the spots are hard to reach by public transport.

We hired our car in Verona or a previous part of our trip and drive around The Dolomites first. From here we drove to Venice and then started our trip. In my experience the best place to hire a car is at the airport. Although, if you are looking for a more budget option it is usually cheaper to hire cars in the city outlets rather than the airport.

When travelling around this area of Europe , we usually hire our cars from Discover Cars . They have cars from all major car hire dealers in Italy so it is really easy to find the best price for the period of your stay!

I recommend always getting comprehensive car insurance. This is especially true when you are on a road trip in Italy as sometimes the drivers there can be a little bit crazier than you are used to. When we had finished our road trip from Venice to Rome we left the car at the airport in Rome.

it Italy they drive on the right side of the road.

the orange and red houses lining one of venice's canals

The Best Hotels To Stay At from Venice to Rome

I have added the details of all accomodations below! I recommend every single one of them for their own reasons! We booked them all on either Airbnb or Booking.com.

Venice to Rome – the dreamiest Summer Italy Road Trip

Day 1: starting the road trip in venice.

We chose to start our road trip in Venice as this was a destination we had wanted to visit for a long time and it seemed like the perfect anchor point for a Tuscan trip. We spent 2 days in Venice before beginning our Italy road trip which was the perfect amount of time.

If you want more detailed information on Venice, see this post!

There are quite a few amazing sights in Venice that are worth seeing, but truthfully I would say the best way to enjoy the city is just to spend all day aimlessly walking around, trying to get lost. It is harder than you think, with all streets seeming to connect and lead you back to the same place, but it is amazing when you find alleyways and squares that are off the beaten track. This is when it really feels like a magical city! Venice is a great place to start your road trip in Italy, with easy international access and it is close by to the best places to visit!

girl standing looking over one of the thin venice canals with colourful houses in the background

How To Get To Venice

Depending where in your trip you are visiting Venice , there are so many options to getting there! You can fly into the airport, and then either get a shuttle bus into the city or take the express airport ferry. If you are arriving by car like we did, you have to park your car in one of the car parks outside of the city and then walk, or catch a ferry, to your accomodation! You have to book these car parks in advance, especially in peak season, as it is incredibly busy and they fill up really quickly! We booked ours into Garage San Marco. It was quite good value and the process was all very smooth. You give them your booking reference, they show you to your spot and you leave your keys, and when you come back you just show your reference again and off you go!

Where To Stay In Venice

We stayed at Hotel Ala, and I could not recommend anywhere more! It felt so fancy for the price we paid, and was located right in the centre of the city so it was really easy to head back to through out the day! It also has an amazing rooftop where you can see the entire city from above. You can order drinks to here from the bar, or bring your own.

Take a gondola ride
Saint Mark’s Square and Basilica di San Marco
The Rialto Bridge
The Grand Canal
Burano Island – super colourful old fishing town
Palazzo Contarini de Bovolo

Day 2: The day in Mantova

Otherwise known as Mantua, this beautiful town is located in Lombardy, around a 2 hour drive North West of Venice. The city is known for its Old Town, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Mantova Basilica safeguards the vessels holding soil soaked by the blood of Christ, it is said that Longinus, the Roman soldier that speared Jesus on the cross, carried the soil from Palestine to Mantova and buried it here. So because of this, the city has quite a big religious history. Every year they throw a big parade where they honour the remains in the church.

The Old Town is really beautiful to walk around, especially in the late afternoon when all the restaurants and cafes are bustling with Aperitivo!

Where To Stay In Mantova

We stayed at Residensa Accamedia, it was a little random because the studio itself didn’t have a reception so you had to go to a different hotel to get the keys and then walk around to the apartments. But it was a really nice spot in the centre of the city, with a courtyard and an outside area!

Cost: €60 a night for a double room.

What to visit in Mantova:

Ducale Palace
Basilica di Sant’Andrea
St George’s Castle
Mantua Cathedral
Take a walk along the canal

Where to Eat in Mantova, Italy

The best places in mantova for aperitivo.

Aperitivo is a time, usually between 4 and 6pm, where you go to a restaurant for a drink and usually get a plate of food or a snack bar included! This is THE BEST way to save money while you are travelling and still be able to live in luxury!

We loved Bar Venezia – with every Aperol Spritz we got a bowl of potato chips and a selection of canapes! They have a really beautiful outside area too!

We also stopped at Pane al Pane for breakfast and they had the most delicious sandwiches, pastries and home made pizzas!

The Best Restaurant in Mantova

We had such a hard time deciding between where to eat dinner, but we ended up at Ristorante Hosteria Leon d’Oro and it was DELICIOUS! We both had pasta dishes that are local to the area combined with a local wine and it was just perfect! I would recommend this place 100%!

Local Delicacies From Mantova

When we left our apartment, we were given a Torta Sbrisolona, a sort of Almond Oat Cake, famous to Lombardy! It’s something they sell in most shops and cafes and is something to try if you want to try the local culture.

view from citta de san marino over the countryside

Day 3: Visit San Marino

We hadn’t really planned to add this into our itinerary until a few weeks before our trip when we became totally obsessed with San Marino in the Eurovision song content. Serhat’s 2019 entry “Say Na Na Na” was something we sung non stop for weeks before and kind of persuaded us to visit San Marino. We spent the entire drive into the country listening to this song on repeat!

But in all seriousness, San Marino is a beautiful place to visit! It is a small country, completely surrounded by Italy, that is often forgotten by travellers in this region! The capital city, also called San Marino, sits on top of a big hill, surrounded by a hilly green landscape.

The Top Things To Do In San Marino

The majority of the best things to do are inside the Capital City. The best way to get here is to either park at the bottom of the city and take the cable car up, or drive up the hill and park in the massive multi story car park at the top!

When you arrive at the city, you are given a map with all the top sights, museums and walks on. The best way to explore San Marino from here is to walk up main pathway into the city and follow it around until you reach Monte Titano at the top of the hill!

Day 4: Visit the historical city of Urbino

Urbino is a quite a big, walled city in the West of Italy, just South of San Marino. It is a city with so much culture, as well as beauty! It’s worth spending a few days here so you can have time to explore the city, visit all the museums and spend time at the restaurants and markets! We really loved just strolling around the city, down all the narrow backstreets, enjoying the small town feel of it! This is a great stop for any Italy road trip if you want to discover a bit more of the culture of the land.

Where To Stay in Urbino

We stayed at Residenza Ambrogi , a luxury B&B just a few minutes walk from the city centre! It was quite expensive (€80 a night) but it was so beautiful! The lady who owned it was really lovely and brought us coffee and chocolate when we arrived. Breakfast was included, a variety of cold meats, breads, eggs, juices, and home made cakes! It really was amazing!

What to do in Urbino:

Palazzo Ducale di Urbino

Urbino Cathedral

Galleria Nazionale delle Marche

the cathedral in the centre of urbino walled city

The Best Restaurants In Urbino

Where to have aperitivo in italy.

We spent pretty much the whole afternoon in Urbino having Aperitivo, stopping at so many different restaurants to compare them! Our favourites were actually Caffè Degli Archi and Caffè Basili, two cafes right next to each other opposite Istituto Nazionale Previdenza Sociale. They both had a really great view and the drinks were delicious and cheap!

The best restaurants in Urbino

After much deliberation, wee ended up eating at Osteria Km 0 , a small hole in the wall restaurant that didn’t look like much, but the food and the service were both amazing!

We really wanted to eat at Tartufi Antiche Bontà but unfortunately it was closed on the night we were there! We have heard so many good reviews from here!

neon sign for the cinema in the centre of urbino in italy

Day 5: Drive around Urbino and Tuscany

Visit gola del furlo.

Gola Del Furlo is not a town, it is a beautiful green gorge that runs via the Ancient Roman Road Via Flaminia. It is such a pretty place to stop, or even just drive past!

Lago Trasimeno

I have actually been here twice – once on this road trip, and once around 15 years ago on a family holiday! When we first went, we found a beautiful spot where you could hire a pedalo and swim around! When we stopped their this time, we just found a small harbour at the end of a town where we sat and ate lunch and watched a storm roll in over the horizon! It was really beautiful!

Church of San Biagio

This is a really big, beautiful church on the outskirts of Montepulciano, Tuscany. You have to pay to go inside, but it is even worth visiting just to walk around the outside! The drive here is also so beautiful, the landscape is all rolling yellow and green hills, just like you imagine Tuscany to be!

Bagni San Filippo – Picturesque Hot Springs just outside of Manciano, Tuscany

These are beautiful hot springs, about an hours drive out of Manciano! The area itself is about 400m long, different pools and waterfalls along the stretch making an amazing set of natural pools!

They are free to visit but you do have to pay for parking! The road down is often packed with cars so you should park as soon as you find a spot to avoid having to drive back up to the top! It gets really busy here in the summer time but if you go in the late afternoon or early morning you are more likely to have a pool to yourself!

Bagni San Filippo hot springs near manciano tuscany

Day 6: Visit Manciano

We arrived in Manciano quite late and didn’t really get so much time to explore! The main reason we stayed here was to visit Terme di Saturnia for the sunrise, when we knew it would not be busy! However, we ended up having so much fun at Bagni San Filippo, that we decided not to bother as we knew it was incredibly touristy! I hope to go back another year through!

If you are looking to visit Terme di Saturnia , it is about a 20 minute drive outside of Manciano. I have heard the best time to visit is in the morning as there are much less people around then!

Where To Stay In Manciano

We stayed at the most incredible B&B in Manciano! Casale Giacomini , was more of a farm stay than a hotel, located on a big property just outside the town. The owners were Italian, with very little English, but they were both such beautiful people! Breakfast was included in the morning, and we ended up making good friends with the other guests staying there too as we shared an intimate breakfast table!

The garden is picturesque with the best view of Manciano. This was the best place we stayed between Venice and Rome and this alone made me want to do this Italy road trip every year!

The Best Pizza In Manciano

We just got takeaway pizza from Osée , which was a circus themed pizzeria just inside the town! The pizza was so tasty! We ended up just having their speciality, a flavour that won 2nd best pizza in the world 2001.

Visit the historical city of Pitigliano

Before driving to Rome, a great place to stop is the ancient city of Pitigliano. Pitigliano is an fairytale city, located on top of a sharp cliff with big city walls. It’s history dates back to prehistoric era, and there are also so many Etruscan and Roman traces to be seen. As you drive into the city you are met with rows of houses carved into the edge of a cliff.

Our favourite thing to do here was just walk around the city, exploring the sites of old ruins, and getting lost down narrow alleyways! If you are into history, there are so many museums and ruins here that are worth visiting!

We didn’t spend much time here, just stopping for a coffee and a walk on our way down to Rome, but I would love to go back in the future and really dive into the cultural side of the city!

the etruscan city of pitigliano carved out of the cliffs

Rounding off Venice to Rome: Road Trip through Tuscany, Italy

I hope you enjoyed this guide to the ultimate Italy road trip from Venice to Rome! And I hope that it can help you in your future travels!

If you have any questions of places that I should add next time we make the trip I would love to hear!

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May 26, 2020 at 2:44 pm

I would love a road trip across Italy 🙂 so this blog is perfect for me. Thank you for sharing all these great tips.

May 28, 2020 at 7:01 am

It was genuinely the best trip I have done! You will love it!

May 27, 2020 at 5:41 pm

Doing a road trip in Italy is serious goals! Would LOVE to do that 🙂 Also your photos are amazing Katie!

May 28, 2020 at 7:03 am

THANKS! This was one of my favourite trips I have ever done, I think it should be on top of everyones bucket list! 🙂

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15 Best Day Trips From Venice

Venice is a uniquely charming city, set on the canals and waterways of northern Italy.

It has a well-deserved place on many people’s Europe bucket list, for its gondolas and piazzas, its world-renowned food and intricate artisanal masks.

The city has plenty to keep you occupied, as even simply wandering its labyrinthine streets leads to new discoveries each day, but for the restless traveller, there is also plenty to explore beyond the water, in Italy as a whole.

If you find yourself getting sick of its shady streets, there are definitely options for you.

Here are 15 of the best day trips to take while on your trip to Venice.

1. Lake Garda

From one water-bound attraction to another, Lake Garda is without doubt Italy’s most famous, as well as largest, lake.

Surrounded by lemon trees, magnolia, cypresses and olive trees, Lake Garda exudes a Mediterranean vibe, and is just as relaxing as it sounds.

Enjoy a boat ride across the lake, or stroll along the shore, before exploring the lakeside town of Sirmione or the medieval jewel of Lazise.

If you have time, visit the nearby producers of olive oil, and learn about their traditional methods of production.

2. Murano, Torcello and Burano islands

Venice’s own islands of Murano, Torcello and Burano deserve a separate day trip to fully appreciate and explore what they have to offer.

Glass blowing, lace production and embroidery are just a few of the attractions of these picturesque islands, with each in turn having their own highlight.

Visit the glass factory in Murano and watch a display of great artistry from the glass blowers, who will craft molten glass into dainty ornaments right before your eyes.

Pay a visit to Torcello, the oldest of the inhabited islands, and finish up in Burano, whose lace making is renowned.

Near to Lake Garda is fair Verona, made famous by Shakespeare but more than maintaining its popularity through sheer charm and beauty.

Verona was of course the setting for the most popular of Shakespeare’s plays, Romeo and Juliet, and a highlight of any visit is spotting the balcony from which Juliet wondered ‘wherefore art thou Romeo?’

Head into the city’s historical centre to check out its many picturesque piazzas and the famed Mazzanti houses.

Then take a walk along the river or stop by the Basilica or Verona’s Duomo to marvel at its impressive architecture.

By train, a day trip to Padua is a fantastic option from Venice.

Padua has intrigue as well as all the hallmarks of Italian towns: beautiful architecture, vast open piazzas, art and excellent cuisine.

One of the most interesting highlights of a Padua trip is wandering through its former ghetto, which also houses the only Synagogue still in use in Padua today.

The Cappella Degli Scrovegni is another point of interest, which is home to many exquisite 14th century works of art, including those of Giotto.

5. Prosecco Region

One of Italy’s most famous exports, a Prosecco tour is a must-do on a trip to Italy.

Only around an hour’s drive from Venice, the scenery on the journey there is jaw-dropping, and of course the reward on arrival is a taste of those renowned bubbles.

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.

You’ll get the chance to wander round well-stocked cellars and perhaps choose the perfect tipple to pair with your lunch.

6. Florence

Thanks to the advent of high speed trains, a trip to Florence from Venice is well within the reach of a day tripper.

Just two hours away from Venice, Florence holds great treasures for tourists.

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.

If marvelling at Renaissance paintings and sculpture isn’t really your thing, you can always while away the hours wandering through Florence’s attractive streets, from the Ponte Vecchio where the high-class Medici family trod centuries ago, to the Piazza della Liberta.

7. Venice Lido

Venice’s Lido necessitates its own day trip in order to soak up the requisite number of rays, and it’s definitely a relaxing way to spend a day out.

It’s a ferry ride away, but well worth it for the glory of sun, sea and sand.

If seaside lounging, reading, sunbathing, swimming and sipping mojitos isn’t quite enough entertainment for you, a diverting way to spend the afternoon might be to explore by bike.

Cycle along the lagoon, spot the myriad tiny islands in its centre, and make sure to check out the massive, impressive fortress of Murazzi, built in the 18th century.

The medieval town of Siena is a Tuscan gem, and at just over three hours’ drive from Venice it’s not too far a stretch to visit for the day.

Home to the famed Palio Horse Race, Siena offers more than just the main square, Piazza del Campo: it has a 12th century cathedral and myriad narrow cobbled streets among which you can happily lose yourself.

Siena’s gothic architecture lends a sense of grandeur to even the dreariest days.

If nothing else, divert yourself in Siena with some delicious gelato, for which Italy is world-renowned, and sit in the piazza to watch the world go by.

Yet another historical town famed for its architecture, Vicenza’s main draw is its buildings designed by celebrated 16th century architect Andrea Palladio.

The Teatro Olimpico is the key attraction of the town, as Palladio’s last work, but the Villa La Rotunda and the Basilica Palladiana also provide excellent examples of Palladian design.

The town’s shady parks and narrow streets lend it a relaxed air, and to top it off the views from the the Santuario di Monte Berico are breathtaking, and can be reached by a covered walkway.

10. Amarone

Nestled in between Lake Garda and Verona, the Valpolicella Valley produces excellent wines including Amarone and Recioto.

The drive along narrow winding roads to reach this destination is a real treat, passing through scenery replete with villas, olive groves and of course wineries.

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.

11. San Gimignano

Tuscany has a multitude of quaint towns tucked away amid its hills and scenic countryside, and one of the most beautiful is San Gimignano.

A medieval jewel, San Gimignano is a UNESCO world heritage site, with plenty to keep visitors occupied.

Known for its wine, saffron, and finely crafted pottery, you can find many ways to entertain yourself in its crooked side streets.

It’s also an arresting sight on the approach, with a skyline towering above the trees.

If one Tuscan town isn’t enough for you, you can also take the opportunity to visit nearby Siena or explore further afield in the Chianti countryside.

12. The Dolomites

Italy’s north-eastern Veneto region holds much more than just the waterways of Venice.

Even aside from its popular wineries, nature has much more to offer: namely, the Dolomites.

Explore up into the fresh air of the mountains, visiting key highlights such as Cortina, Lake Auronzo and Lake Misurina.

Keep your cameras at the ready as you wind through valleys and power up steep mountain roads, reaching a peak of over 7,700 feet.

If the weather allows, a quick trip up in the cable car from Cortina up to Faloria is well worth it, offering panoramic views from its lofty peak.

13. Ravenna

Charming Ravenna has been given the accolade of UNESCO World Heritage status for its stunning mosaics.

Ravenna was of great importance during the era in which the Byzantine and Roman empires mixed.

Perhaps the best thing about Ravenna is that it isn’t as swarmed with tourists as other Italian destinations are: it’s not on just anyone’s list.

On the way to or from Ravenna, you can also choose to visit the impressive Pomposa Abbey, build around the 10th century by members of the Benedictine community.

14. Venetian Villas at Padova and Asolo

What better way to dive deeper into your exploration of Venice itself than to visit its outskirts, and learn about a region that belonged to the Republic of Venice centuries ago? Journey along the Brenta Canal and tour your way through the villas alongside it, built by holidaying Venetians in days gone by.

Head out to Padova, with its pretty university, and find a chapel inlaid with frescoes by Giotto.

Afterwards, move on to Asolo, set back into the hills, which was the location for the court of the Queen of Cyprus and later played host to the writer Ernest Hemingway.

15. Trieste

Trieste offers something a little different from the rest of the Venice day trips on offer.

Its complex history and geographical position has lent it a huge variety of influences, and indeed it was only returned to Italian possession in 1954. From its castles to its square, its seafront to its myriad churches, there’s heaps to explore in this beautiful city.

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.

15 Best Day Trips From Venice:

Murano, Torcello and Burano islands
Prosecco Region
Venice Lido
San Gimignano
The Dolomites
Venetian Villas at Padova and Asolo

12 incredible day trips from Venice

May 15, 2023 • 16 min read

Escape the clamor of Venice on a day trip © Andrea Comi / Getty Images

Venice is one of the world’s greatest cities – a floating work of art, an open-air museum, and a place that everyone wants to visit at least once in their lifetime.

But what makes it great also makes it crowded...and then some. This fragile city is the poster child for overtourism and not only is it unpleasant to be part of that, but a whistle-stop tour of the sights makes you part of the problem. Our advice? Stay longer. A week is a decent amount of time to get a feel for the real Venice, beyond the crowds, and to take a couple of day trips beyond the canals.

The Italian railway system is excellent and in this part of the country, there are regular high-speed trains that can whisk you to another world in less than half an hour. Whether you’re looking for somewhere close by or fancy a day out in another region or even in the mountains, here are some of the best places to go.

1. See world-changing art in Padova

Travel time: 26 minutes by train

If it wasn’t so close to Venice, Padova (or Padua) would be one of northern Italy’s most feted cities. As it is, not many tourists make it to the place that changed art history – yet it’s one of the easiest day trips from Venice by train. Here, in the Cappella degli Scrovegni – the chapel of the Scrovegni banking family, which now sits in a little park, just 10 minutes’ walk from the train station – Giotto spent two years from 1303 to 1305, frescoing it from top to bottom. What he produced shattered medieval artistic conventions, introducing perspective and humanizing his figures, instead of keeping them stiff and sculptural. If his Nativity and Flight to Egypt scenes are familiar, that’s because they make regular appearances on Christmas cards around the globe.

Other sights include the colossal Basilica di Santa'Antonio – where the remains of St. Anthony of Padua are kept – and Prato della Valle , a huge square (said to be Europe’s largest) where grand statues of local luminaries stand guard over a moated island (join the locals and buy a pizza at nearby Pizzeria Orsucci, going strong since 1922, and eat it in the square). Don’t miss Piazza delle Erbe, where there’s still a busy food market, both inside and out. Looking for souvenirs? La Bottega del Pane is a pantry of exceptional local foods.

How to get to Padova from Venice: The easiest way to get there is by train. Fast trains can take as little as 26 minutes, and slower (cheaper) regional trains can take double that time.

2. Pay homage to Romeo and Juliet in Verona

Travel time: 72 minutes by train

In fair Verona , where we set our scene, little has changed since the 16th century, when Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet here. The Piazza delle Erbe still hosts a lively market beneath its frescoed palazzos; the Adige river still loops around the elegant center; and the Giardino Giusti’s impeccably laid out garden hasn’t undergone anything more radical than a trim in 500 years. Juliet may not have existed in real life but her spirit lives on in Verona, where " Juliet’s House " – complete with balcony, of course – lures visitors, and a bronze statue is said to bring love to those who rub its breast (nobody could accuse Italy of being politically correct).

Verona may be known as a romantic getaway, but its real attraction is its Roman amphitheater, the Verona Arena , constructed from rosy-pink stone from a local quarry. Back in the day it put on gladiator battles; today, it’s rather more sophisticated, hosting an annual opera festival that’s one of Italy’s iconic summer events.

How to get to Verona from Venice: The train is the fastest and easiest way to get there. There are fast trains (the Milan-Venice route stops at Verona) or slower, cheaper regional ones. The journey ranges between 72 minutes and nearly two and a half hours.

View of the Piazza dei Signori, the square and the Loggia del Capitaniato in Vicenza

3. See bombastic Renaissance architecture in Vicenza

Travel time: 44 minutes by train

Just as Padova is overshadowed by Venice, Vicenza is the often overlooked sibling of nearby Verona. It wasn’t like this 500 years ago, when the local dignitaries were building palazzos, each grander than the last along what was the Roman decumanus (main drag) and is now called Corso Palladio, after Renaissance starchitect and adopted vicentino , Andrea Palladio.

Today, you can still walk along the street, just as they did – the only thing that’s changed is that it’s now pedestrianized and the “most elegant street in Europe,” according to 19th-century historian Cesare Cantù. The jewel in Vicenza’s crown, though, is the Teatro Olimpico – a jaw-dropping theatre by Palladio, its interior crafted entirely from wood, stucco and plaster to aid the acoustics. Its trompe l’oeil stage set is the oldest in the world. If you have a car, it’s worth driving around the countryside, which is littered with sumptuous villas also designed by Palladio – La Rotonda is one of the finest.

How to get to Vicenza from Venice: Fast trains from Venice are quick (from 44 minutes) and easy, or it’s a 50-minute drive.

4. Hit the water at Lake Garda

Travel time: 93 minutes by train

Yes, you can do a day trip from Venice to Lake Garda – in fact, Italy’s largest lake makes for a fun day trip on public transport. Take the train to Desenzano , from where the (water) world is your oyster. Ferries zigzag across the lake – top stops include Lazise, a picture-perfect village on the crystal clear water; Gargnano, where you’ll find Limonaia La Malora, one of the only remaining lemon groves which Garda used to be famous for; and Limone sul Garda, where there’s a footpath cantilevered over the water on the outskirts of town.

At Sirmione, a peninsula thrusting out into the lake from the southern shore, there are the remains of a Roman villa, the Grotte di Catullo , while on a hill above Gardone Riviera is the Vittoriale , the former home of beloved Italian writer Gabriele D’Annunzio. The views from the rambling grounds (which include a warship dug into the hill) are spectacular. It’s a great family day trip but you may want to extend that into an overnight or two – it’s the perfect destination to combine with Venice.

How to get to Lake Garda from Venice: To do it all by public transport, you can take the train to Desenzano, from where ferries depart for towns and villages around the lake. Otherwise, you can drive from Venice, rent a car at Desenzano or, if you’re sticking to the east side of the lake, Verona.

A view of canal Vena at dusk in Chioggia with colorful buildings along each side

5. See a Venice without tourists at Chioggia

Travel time: 75 minutes by ferry and bus

Perched at the southern end of the Venice lagoon, Chioggia is close to Venice on a map, but getting there by road is tortuous. That’s why you should visit during summer, when one of Europe’s most beautiful public transport routes is running: the 11, which takes the form of a bus all the way along the Lido island, then transfers to a ferry across to Pellestrina, continues the length of this toothpick-thin island separating the lagoon from the Adriatic, before dropping you off for a final ferry crossing to Chioggia.

Often described as a mini Venice, Chioggia certainly shares a lot with La Serenissima – a settlement clumped over islands, linked by bridges – but where Venice has an elegant feel of decay, Chioggia is a living, working town. Instead of tourist gondolas, you’ll see fishing boats lined along the canals, and there are even cars driving along the streets. Don’t miss the church of San Domenico, where a painting of St. Paul by Renaissance artist Carpaccio sits in the dark, alongside votive paintings by fishermen. It’s a brilliantly atmospheric yet cheap day trip from Venice.

How to get to Chioggia from Venice: Take a vaporetto from the city to the Lido, where the number 11 bus route whisks you eastwards, transfers to a ferry to Pellestrina, continues to the end of the island, and then drops you off at the ferry for Chioggia. Note that this route is only active in summer. Otherwise, it’s about an hour’s drive (but on frustratingly slow roads) south of Venice.

6. Soak up the cross-cultural history of Trieste

Travel time: One hour 50 minutes by car

It takes a while to get to Trieste – just over two hours by train, or a quicker (but stressful) drive – but it’s absolutely worth it. Reward an early start with a capo in b – a micro-sized cappuccino, served in an espresso glass. This used to be part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, so the coffee scene is more Vienna than Venice, here. Instead of downing an espresso at the bar, people sit down with a newspaper to savour their break. Caffe degli Specchi is the place to go – it sits on Piazza Unità d’Italia , one of Italy’s most spectacular squares, with frothy Habsburg-era buildings on three sides, and the sparkling Gulf of Trieste on the fourth.

Wander the old city – home to Roman ruins and the 15 th -century Castello di San Giusto , which has spectacular views over the water – then head northwest from the center to Miramare , a fairytale castle of gleaming white stone, cantilevered over the water. On the way back into town, take a dip; the sidewalk doubles as a sun terrace, where the Triestini lay their towels, sunbathe, and hop in the calm waters of the Gulf to cool off.

How to get to Trieste from Venice: It’s quickest to drive, at around 1 hour 50 minutes, but the road’s a busy autostrada with tolls. Better to take the slower but scenic train, which weaves around the lagoons at the very northern tip of the Adriatic Sea.

7. Travel back in time to mysterious Ferrara

Travel time: About one hour by train

Often mist-swirled and always mysterious, Ferrara is a time machine back to the Renaissance period. The Castello Estense , the ominous brick castle of the Este dynasty, dominates the city – today you can go for a boat ride in the moat that once separated the family from their citizens and mooch through the castle which, 500-odd years ago, was one of Italy’s cultural capitals. Fancy a taste of their lifestyle? Much of Ferrara’s traditional food comes from the Este family’s Renaissance cookbook – try pasticcio, a sweet-pastry pie filled with macaroni cheese, meat ragù and bechamel sauce, and salama da sugo, a spicy kind of sausage, served with mash and said to be Lucrezia Borgia’s favorite food. Both are acquired tastes, but a fascinating glimpse into how they ate hundreds of years ago.

Ferrara’s Palazzo dei Diamanti , an exhibition space in a 15 th -century palace whose façade is studded with diamond-shaped stones, reopened in 2023 after two years of closure. It was originally damaged in the 2012 earthquake, along with much of the city. Check out its website for what’s on during your visit – its exhibitions are usually top notch and well worth the trip.

Until the Second World War, Ferrara had a renowned Jewish community; this was the setting for The Garden of the Finzi-Continis , by Giorgio Bassani, and you can still wander the narrow streets of what used to be the Jewish quarter. Learn the history of the community – both here and more widely in Italy – at the exceptional MEIS , or National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah.

How to get to Ferrara from Venice: It’s easiest to go by rail. High-speed trains take just over an hour, while regional ones are around 90 minutes. Otherwise, it’s an easy 75-minute drive along the autostrada, but it’s a toll road and city center parking is expensive.

A shop window brimming with food in Bologna, Italy

8. Eat some of Italy’s best food in Bologna

Where to go from Venice by train? Further than you think. By high-speed rail, it’s easy to turn Italy’s culinary capital into a daytrip. Step off the Frecciarossa (“red arrow” train) into La Rossa (“the red” – one of Bologna’s nicknames, along with “the learned” and “the fat”), for a day of shameless indulgence.

Wander the streets of the Quadrilatero (home to food stalls since the medieval period), take a pasta-making class (we like the offerings at Salumeria Bruno e Franco ), and end with an aperitivo on Piazza Maggiore, Bologna’s main square, where a hulking naked statue-fountain of Neptune dominates one side, and the Basilica di San Petronio , a barn-like church, dominates the other. Any of the restaurants will do you proud – must-try dishes are tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo (tiny pasta pockets filled with a meaty, cheesy stuffing and swimming in broth), and cotoletta alla petroniana, or alla bolognese – a veal cutlet swathed in prosciutto, layered with cheese, then baked to oozing perfection.

How to get to Bologna from Venice: It’s easiest by train – high-speed Frecciarossa trains can whisk you there in just over an hour and a half. It’s roughly the same by car, though you should add autostrada tolls and the road is quite monotonous.

9. Climb into the Dolomites at Cortina d’Ampezzo

Travel time: Two hours by car

Within a two-hour drive from Venice, you can be in the heart of the Dolomites . Head due north, and within an hour you’ll be winding up through mountain passes towards Pieve di Cadore, the birthplace of Renaissance painter Titian (his birthplace is now a museum, and there are paintings by his artist family in the local church). From there, fork west, hugging the mountainsides, to Cortina d’Ampezzo .

This is one of Italy’s chi-chiest ski resorts, but there’s plenty to do year round, from hiking to eating (try the Michelin-starred SanBrite , whose owners source all their ingredients locally). This is part of the Ladin community, an ancient population of the mountains that have their own language and traditions. Learn about the Ladins, and the Regole – essentially a collection of centuries-standing families who "govern" the town – at the Ethnographic Museum, housed in an old sawmill.

How to get to Cortina d’Ampezzo from Venice: This is definitely one to drive. The two hours by car (or 80 minutes from Venice Marco Polo airport) changes to a minimum of five and a half by public transport and you’ll have to change at least twice.

Rolling hills with trees in various shades of yellow, red, orange and green

10. Wallow in volcanic mud in the Euganean Hills

Travel time: 45 minutes by car or train

The wider region around Venice, Veneto , tends to be pretty flat except where the landscape rears up towards the Dolomites. This is one of the exceptions – a group of cone-like volcanic hills, 81 of them to be precise, rearing up from the plains south of Padova.

Of course, their volcanic origin should give you a hint that Italy’s famous thermal spas will be nearby. The small, neighboring towns of Montegrotto and Abano are home to various springs and spas that have been going since Roman times. Today, along with other nearby towns Galzignano, Battaglia and Teolo, they’re said to form the oldest, and largest, thermal spa in Europe, with 240 thermal pools between them. One of our favorites is the Abano Ritz Hotel Terme – family- and female-owned for three generations. The thermal mud they use in balneotherapy treatments comes from right beside the hotel and the pools in their 6,000-square-meter waterpark stay a constant 33 degrees (91.4F), thanks to the thermal waters that spent 25 years and 100km (62 miles) underground before gushing out here.

Don’t spend all your time wallowing, though – the whole area is designated the Euganean Hills Regional Park, and there are trails for hiking, biking and horse-riding, as well as breathtaking views from behind the wheel if you prefer a road trip. Visit one of the sprawling Renaissance country villas on offer (try Villa Barbarigo , known as the hills’ answer to Versailles, near Galzignano). Can’t go to Italy without seeing some Roman remains? You’ll find bits of 2000-year-old spas at Montegrotto and Abano.

How to get to the Euganean Hills from Venice: Trains take between 37 minutes and an hour to reach the Terme Euganee-Abano-Montegrotto station, which serves the spa towns. If you want to explore the park, though, you’ll need a car – it’s about a 45-minute drive from Venice.

11. Wind back the centuries at Aquileia

Travel time: 80 minutes by car

Across the border in Friuli Venezia Giulia and en route to Trieste is this fascinating time capsule, where the history of the northern Adriatic is layered like a lasagne. Now a Unesco World Heritage site, this was one of the richest cities of the early Roman Empire before it was destroyed by the Huns in the fifth century CE. There’s not a lot from that era visible, since most of it lies unexcavated below fields, although the Roman river port is fascinating in its detail.

What you’re really going for is the later history – the basilica , dating back to the fourth century and rebuilt in the medieval period after an earthquake. The original mosaic floor was saved from damage and today it’s an astonishing, colorful carpet of early Christian artwork, with astonishingly vivid depictions of Bible stories like the Good Shepherd and Jonah and the whale, in between cameos of rich Roman locals, and lagoon wildlife.

How to get to Aquileia from Venice: The easiest way to get there is by car; it’s about an hour and 20 minutes’ drive from Venice, and about two thirds of the way to Trieste. By public transport you’ll need to take a train to Cervignano-Aquileia-Grado and then swap to a bus – the journey takes just over two hours.

Pedestrians walk along Barberia street, near Signori Square, in Treviso

12. Visit Venice’s inland empire at Treviso

Travel time: 31 minutes by train

These days, Treviso is best known for its airport, home to budget airlines galore, but there’s nothing low-end about the town itself. Elegant, petite and pretty, Treviso is still a place for residents rather than tourists, and a walk around its calm centro storico is like one big exhale if you’ve come from crowded Venice. Once part of the Stato da Tera, Venice’s historic inland empire, it’s curiously similar to La Serenissima – all porticoes, art-filled churches and elegant palazzos – only without canals taking center stage (though there are a few – the Canale dei Buranelli, sweeping through the center, is the prettiest).

Don’t miss the Fontana delle Tette , a fountain in the shape of a naked woman which used to spout wine from her breasts – white from one, and red from the other – every time a new mayor was sworn in. The original has been moved to the Palazzo dei Trecento, the 13th-century castle-like building dominating the Piazza dei Signori but there’s a replica in situ just off Calmaggiore, the main street dating back to Roman times. The church of San Nicolò is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture, which you won’t find much in Venice.

How to get to Treviso from Venice: Trains run every half hour or so, and take 30-40 minutes to Treviso Centrale. Otherwise, it’s a simple, if not particularly scenic, 40-minute drive from Piazzale Roma.

This article was first published March 2019 and updated May 2023

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The Ultimate Northern Italy Road Trip: Routes, Sights, Guides, Maps And More

From the stunning scenery of Lake Como, dramatic coastlines of Cinque Terre and the canals of Venice, to the culture, art and beauty of Milan, Florence and Rome, it’s time to plan the ultimate northern Italy road trip!

When it comes to road trips, a journey through northern Italy offers some of the most varied scenery. One minute you’re faced with a view across a tranquil lake, the next you’re learning about the Romans with a trip around an ancient amphitheatre.

There’s a variety of cuisines to sample too, with amazing fresh truffles in Turin and Alba, venetian cicchetti (snacks) in Venice and the delights of ‘appy hour’ (aperitivo hour) in Milan . You could even visit Emilia-Romagna, often referred to as the food capital of Italy, with cities like Bologna an absolute must-visit!

Oh and you’ve got a mix of activities on offer too. You can swim on the beaches of Cinque Terre, climb across the rooftop of Milan’s impressive Duomo, take a gondola ride in Venice or trace Romeo and Juliet’s love story in Verona.

Vineyards in the Treviso region of Italy

And the best part about a road trip through northern Italy? The freedom to veer off course from time to time! While I’ve suggested an Italy itinerary on the map below, I’d encourage creating your own route between places. It’s often when you find super special spots that aren’t in the guide books!

So rather than create one epic Italian road trip, I’ve divided the country in two! Read on for my northern Italy road trip or check out my route for an amazing southern Italy road trip .

Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary

If you’ve got time on your side, then this northern Italy road trip is a great option. I’ve started it in Milan and ended in Rome, as they’re easy for flights. From the beauty of Lake Como to the gorgeous coastline in Cinque Terre, to impressive, historic cities including Venice, Florence and Rome, this Italy road trip has a bit of everything. It’ll definitely show you some of the most beautiful landscapes in Italy too.

If you’d rather break it up into smaller chunks, you could visit Milan, Lake Como and Cinque Terre across a week. I’d recommend taking a look at my guide to the best hidden gems in Italy too – you might find a few other stops to add to your route!

Northern Italy Road Trip Map

I’ve used a map to plot the perfect route for your Northern Italy road trip . I recommend opening it another window to study in detail!

What to pack for your road trip

If you’re wondering what to pack for your trip, this guide to road trip essentials has you covered. From portable chargers to ways to stay entertained on long journeys, it’ll help you create your road trip packing list. I’ve also included lots of must-haves at the end of this post, to make the process much easier!

Northern Italy Road Trip: Stop 1 – Milan

Milan, in Italy’s Lombardy region, is a unique blend of historical architecture, contemporary skyscrapers and well-known as a fashionista’s Italian city of choice. The icon of the city is the Duomo Cathedral. It’s the world’s largest gothic cathedral and is absolutely stunning!

I’d recommend heading up to the roof in the lift. I remember how stunning those views were, and you can literally wander all over the rooftop, taking in the details of the architecture and some vertigo-inducing views of the main piazza.

There are plenty more sights to see in Milan including the famous La Scala Opera House, a 15th century castle and Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper. While you might associate Milan’s shopping scene just with high end designer stores, there’s actually something to suit every budget. One place you must go though is Galleria Vittorio Emanuale II – one of the oldest and most beautiful shopping malls in the world. It was constructed in 1867 to celebrate the unification of Italy and is decorated with stunning mosaics symbolising the different cities in the country.

On my last visit I learned all about the city’s love of ‘appy hour (the Italian version of happy hour!) Head to Navigli (Milan’s pretty canal area) and you’ll find plenty of great bars specialising in ‘appy hour! It’s not just about drinks – once you order a drink you get access to a buffet of small bites.

Milan is a great starting point for your northern Italy road trip. You can collect your car rental at one of the cities two airports, and after spending a couple of days exploring the city, you can head up to Lake Como or down to Cinque Terre.

Northern Italy Road Trip: Stop 3 – Verona

Continuing from Milan or Lake Como you can travel east to Verona in the Veneto region, or southwest towards Genoa and Cinque Terre. If you choose the Verona route as part of your Italy itinerary you can look forward to exploring 1st century AD Verona Arena , Piazza Bra with its gelaterias and fine restaurants and the house which inspired Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

For the best views of the city, climb to the top of Torre dei Lamberti in the heart of the Verona. I’d also recommend a walking tour of the city to learn all about its history.

While you can drive to Venice, I’d say a less stressful option is to leave your car in Verona and catch the train to Venice. Otherwise you’ll find yourself paying for overpriced car parks, and negotiating some pretty chaotic roads! In comparison, the train journey takes just over an hour and costs approx 9.50 EUR (£8, $11) per person.

Northern Italy Road Trip: Stop 4 – Venice

No Italy road trip planner would be complete without a trip to Venice. Spend your days floating under the Bridge of Sighs, browsing handmade Venetian masks, learning how gondolas are built in Dorsoduro, or exploring the magnificent artwork of Doge’s Palace.

For the best photos head to the top of St. Mark’s or Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. If you’re looking for unique souvenirs, consider taking a water taxi across the lagoon to Murano to see skilled glassblowers in action. In the evenings you can soak up Venice’s romantic vibes, with a drink in a wine bar, an evening at a jazz club or a delicious dinner right by the water.

Venice is hard to do on a budget, so if you’re lacking funds, consider my idea of basing yourself in Verona and taking a day trip to Venice by train.

Northern Italy Road Trip: Stop 6 – Florence

Florence sits in the heart of Tuscany, and is within easy reach of Cinque Terre or Venice/Verona depending on what route you decide to take on your Italy road trip. The city is famous for its striking medieval cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, with its distinctive red-brick cupola.

Other must see landmarks in Florence include 13th century Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Galleries and Ponte Vecchio bridge, which is lined with jewellery shops. If you’re travelling to Florence on a budget start with a look around open-air Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria where you can check out some iconic sculptures of mythical legends for free. Feeling hungry? Don’t miss San Lorenzo Market – a great place to pick up some tasty Italian delicacies, including meats and cheeses.

Then for the best panoramic city views, walk to Piazzale Michelangelo across the Arno River. Photos from there are truly breathtaking.

Want to see a bit more of the region? Why not book a stay at one of these incredible vineyard hotels in Tuscany . They’re ideal locations for a couples break in the region.

Or if you fancy getting off the beaten track, I’d recommend planning some days out to see some of these beautiful towns and villages in Tuscany .

Northern Italy Road Trip: Stop 7 – Rome

Take the scenic route from Florence to Rome , and you could divert from your road trip itinerary to squeeze in a lunchtime stop in romantic Siena or Grosseto. We’ve all heard our fair share of stories about the crazy drivers in Rome, so make sure you’ve packed your nerves of steel! I’d also recommend checking if your hotel has parking, and consider walking or hopping in a bike to get around the city centre.

If you have one day in Rome , you can’t miss the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain. Sit on the Spanish steps and mingle with locals or venture to Trastevere on the western banks of the Tiber River and enjoy its cobbled streets, charming tavernas and laid-back vibe.

To explore one of the world’s religious hubs, take the metro to Vatican City and marvel at Michelangelo’s artwork in the Sistine Chapel. After dark, Rome comes to life with bars, cabaret shows, live music, nightclubs and plenty more entertainment! Before visiting, I’d recommend reading these interesting facts about Rome – you’ll be amazed by what you learn!

When Is The Best Time To Visit Northern Italy?

Italy has a Mediterranean climate and is a lovely destination to visit all year round.

Temperatures vary by region, but as a quick example, you can expect average temperatures of around 0°C in around Cortina (a ski resort in the mountains) in January, and as high as 37°C in July in cities such as Milan and Venice. Temperatures in the south remain mild in winter, making destinations like Puglia and Sicily great options for a winter holiday.

If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit northern Italy, I’d suggest planning a trip between April and June, or in September or October, just after the peak summer season.

The weather tends to be consistent in these months, but isn’t too hot. Plus, as you’re missing peak season, you should benefit from lower prices and fewer people.

Packing List For Northern Italy

Now you’ve got your route planned out, it’s time to decide what to pack! Here are a few quick suggestions of what to take, with some links to specific items I’d rate picking up before you travel.

Women’s packing list for Northern Italy

Women’s lightweight trousers – It’s good to have some conservative items and not flash too much skin. These are practical, lightweight but a bit cute too! Women’s sundress – Something pretty and not too short for when it’s appropriate. Women’s maxi dress – I quite liked having a longer item or two. If you pair it with a cardigan it’s more conservative too. Women’s midi skirt – I live in items like this in warm countries and have them in multiple colours and patterns. They’re comfortable and not revealing.

Women’s shorts – I packed a few pairs. I’d recommend something loose and comfortable like these shorts , and then perhaps some classic denim shorts too. Women’s summer top – I wore a lot of things like this. Neutral colours work best as you can mix and match with shorts and skirts. Plus, you can dress them up or dress them down! Women’s zip up hooded jacket – A few places get chilly, so you’ll want to be able to layer up occasionally. A zip up hoody like this will come in handy. Women’s bikini – You’ll need to pack a couple of items of swimwear. There are so many cute bikinis out there to choose from! Women’s rash guard – Not essential, but if you burn easily (or plan to surf) I’d recommend one of these. This one is great as it has a built-in bra and comes with a pair of matching shorts. Women’s sports vest – I’d recommend one or two sweat-absorbing vests like this for adventurous activities. Women’s sports bra – Ideal for sporty or adventure activities. I prefer sports bras like this Under Armour one which has some built in padding for extra support. Women’s leggings – Leggings are great for active adventures. These Under Armour ones are great as they’re very lightweight. Sarong – A really useful item for any travels in warm countries! Use it as a towel, a cover up, to sit on, to lie on or for a cute addition to an outfit! Sun hat – You’ll definitely want a sun hat to protect yourself. Sunglasses – I’ve owned a pair of these Ray Bans for a few years now and love them!

Men’s packing list for Northern Italy

Men’s casual shorts – I’d recommend several pairs of comfortable shorts for everyday use. Men’s chinos or jeans – I’d recommend a few pairs of chinos, jeans or cargo pants. Men’s T-shirts – Pack a few options of t-shirts too. Men’s shirts – A few shirts (long or short sleeved) are a good idea. I personally love these linen shirts . They look very cool!

Men’s vests – If you sweat a lot, you might find vest tops more comfortable in the heat. Men’s zip up hooded jacket – You might want to layer up if it gets chilly in the evenings. Men’s jumper – A smarter option for keeping warm. Men’s sports tops – For active days, something like this is really useful as it’s super-absorbent. Men’s sports shorts – If you’re doing some adventurous hikes or activities, you’ll want shorts you can move freely in. Swimming trunks – The more fun the pattern, the better! These ones have pockets and are quick dry too. Baseball cap – Look for one with a mesh back like this one , so it’s more breathable. Sunglasses – You can’t beat a classic pair of these Ray Bans !

Other general items to pack for Northern Italy

If you’re planning your trip, you should think about more than just clothing when you start packing. Here are a few items I’d recommend adding to your suitcase…

Insect repellent – There are plenty of really good insect repellents like this one . If you’re travelling with kids you might want to buy a specific children’s insect repellent too.

Bite relief – I usually take an after bite / anti-itch cream like this , that helps to soothe any bites. I also swear by this amazing Bite Away Pen , which sends a small electric shock to the itchy part of the bite. It takes a bit of getting used to at first (and sometimes hurts a tiny bit), but it does work. I’ve done a full review of the item (as it goes everywhere with me!!) so feel free to read more here .

Travel towel – A fast-drying microfibre towel like this one will come in handy on your trip. These are great not only for when you fancy a swim, but also when you want to sit down on the ground or to wipe your sweaty face on a humid day!

Sun cream – It’s important to apply suncream throughout the day. I’d recommend finding a brand which isn’t too heavy on chemicals, or is almost totally natural, like this one made by Sun Bum .

Sunglasses – It’s important to protect your eyes when you visit a holiday destination like this one. I’d recommend investing in some high-quality UV protected sunglasses. I’ve owned a pair of these Ray Bans for a few years now and love them!

Sun hat – You’ll definitely want a sun hat like this to protect yourself on all of those sunny days!

After sun or aloe vera – Don’t forget some soothing cream incase you do burn. I really like this one made by Ultrasun . It’s lightweight and feels lovely on your skin.

Rain jacket – Be prepared for those sporadic rain showers. As you won’t need it for warmth, I’d recommend a lightweight waterproof jacket that packs down small. Something like this would be perfect.

Umbrella – I’d also recommend an umbrella for rainy season. I’d been looking for a super compact option for ages, and finally found this one which fits in my small handbag and is nice and sturdy.

Daypack backpack – I used a small backpack for day-to-day adventures, which could fit a water bottle, camera, sun cream and bug spray. I also took a small shoulder bag to use for going for dinner in the evenings. If you’re looking for something nice and small, lightweight, water-resistant and that will fit all your essentials, I’d recommend this daypack . It’s got some very handy zip-up pockets too!

Reusable water bottle – I always recommend packing a reusable water bottle for travel. Even if you can’t drink the tap water, it means you can top up from giant bottles or water coolers rather than buying lots of plastic bottles. Personally I’d recommend the Chilly’s water bottles . I’ve got a few in different sizes and they are excellent quality! I also really like these bottles with straws . They’re really easy to drink from, they have a strap, never leak and hold a good volume.

Chillys water bottles are great for travel

Power bank – It depends how much you use your phone on holiday, but I used mine a lot during my trip, snapping photos and videos along the way. A portable battery pack is a great idea so you don’t have to worry about running out of charge at an important moment.

I have a few made by Anker and they’re great quality and have lasted for a long time. This is the one I’m using at the moment , which is really small (similar size to my phone) but stores lots of charge and has a fast charging capability.

Plug adapter – I pack this universal travel adapter for all of my travels. It charges multiple items at once, using plugs or USB and can be used anywhere in the world. It’s one of my fave travel gadgets!

Dry bag – I’m really happy I invested in a dry bag like this . It’s made from a thick plastic and is totally waterproof. These dry bags are perfect for adventures on the water, visiting waterfalls, or if you think it’s going to rain heavily. I’d recommend a small one for your phone and camera gear, or a larger one if you want to use it as your main bag for an activity.

Waterproof phone case – Similarly, if you want to take your phone out and about in the water, I’d recommend getting a waterproof phone case. There are quite a few to choose from, but I’d recommend reading the reviews! You need this to protect your phone and be 100% watertight after all! I bought these Moko cases myself and my partner and they’ve been great. We’ve used them on several trips snorkelling and to waterfalls now, and no leaks!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my northern Italy road trip! Looking to explore more of the country? Check out my southern Italy road trip itinerary !

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Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

4 thoughts on “The Ultimate Northern Italy Road Trip: Routes, Sights, Guides, Maps And More”

Italy is one of my favourite places to visit! I’m desperate to visit Milan, Cinque Terre and Lake Como! So many beautiful places to explore!

Thank you Jess! I hope you get to visit soon. I absolutely adore Italy – esp the food!

What about Lake Garda and the Dolomite area? There is so much to see there but only Italian and Germans seem to know about this area.

Love that area too! So many places to choose from but this felt like a great route to pack a lot in!

The Ultimate Bucket List Italy Road Trip

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Road Trip Italy Planner & Itinerary

The gorgeous country of Italy is perfect for a road trip! Compact and with all the best bits in the middle, you’ll be blown away by the landscapes, architecture, and local food in this sublime country. Take a bucket list road trip to Italy and see it for yourself!

A road trip in Italy opens up the sweeping landscapes, historic cities, and some of the most picture-perfect seaside towns in Europe, like no other way to travel does.

This visually arresting country will have you stopping regularly for Insta-worthy images, and along the way, you’ll find fantastic adventures to try like wine tastings, volcano trekking, exploring historic UNESCO sites, and the real Italian dolce vita !

In this Italy travel guide, you’ll find a list of all the top sights in Italy to visit on your road trip adventure, with Italy travel tips and information to help you plan and prepare. Come with us as we share our unmissable Italian road trip itinerary.

Is this your first time visiting Italy? Get all the information you need in our Italy Travel Guide , including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there, and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

Getting to Italy

Fly into Milan Malpensa Airport, a good starting point for your roadtrip in Italy. With direct international flights from North America, the Middle East, Europe, and UK , we recommend booking through Skyscanner for live deals and the best prices.

Alternatively, switch up the itinerary a little and start your Italy trip in beautiful Rome, the historic capital city. There are so many things to do in Rome , we recommend allowing a couple of days for your visit before heading off on your Italian road trip!

Driving to Italy from UK

If you’re planning to drive to Italy from the U K, then you’ll find everything you need to know, including the best, fastest, and cheapest routes, as well as driving tips, in our UK to Italy driving guide .

Are you planning to rent a car in Italy? As one of the largest rental car aggregator companies in the world, we recommend Rentalcars.com because they have massive purchasing power which enables them to secure the best rental prices, which benefits you when you’re planning a road trip.

For a real adventure, hire a motorhome or campervan in Italy . We recommend Motorhome Republic , an aggregate booking site who pull together all the best deals from a number of rental agencies, to offer you a wide choice of options alongside an excellent English speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

Use the Park4Night app to find overnight spots and campsites as your travel around Italy, and sleep on a high mountain pass, next to a beautiful lake, or in a wildflower meadow.

Driving in Italy

Lots of people will tell you that renting a car in Italy is madness, that driving through Italy is dangerous and the roads are dreadful.

It is true that some routes can be challenging to drive in Italy, and in big cities, Italian drivers see it as a badge of honor not to give way. Isn’t that the same in most big cities nowadays though?

Don’t let your fears about traveling Italy by car put you off taking Italian road trips. Take your time and be prepared for the differences in driving styles and roads from back home when you follow our driving in Italy tips .

You’ll also find helpful information regarding driving requirements in Italy, such as international driving permits, age limits, and tips about renting a car in Italy .

Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when visiting Italy . We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices, and excellent service.

Italy Itinerary & Map

Get the Travel Guides
Lonely Planet Italy
The Rough Guide to Italy
DK Eyewitness Italy
Italy Road Trip Itinerary

Milan – Portofino – Cinque Terre – Pisa – San Gimignano – Siena – Montepulciano – Rome – Spoleto – Assisi – Florence – Bologna – Venice – Lake Garda

Distance: 1670km
Duration: 2-4 weeks
Drive Time: 23 hours

How to use this Italy road trip map – Use your fingers (or computer mouse) to zoom in and out. Click or touch the icons to get more info about a place, and click the arrow in the box top left to open the index. To add to your own Google Maps account, click the star next to the title of the map.

Make your road trip across Italy flexible…

Italy road trip 1 week.

Fly into Pisa instead, skip San Gimignano, Spoleto and Montepuciano. Head home from Pisa once you’ve seen Florence.

Italy Road Trip 2 Weeks

Skip Pisa, Spoleto, Venice and Lake Garda…these are tough choices, but you can always come back for a second trip.

Italy Road Trip 3 Weeks

You have enough time to complete our suggested itinerary, but you will be busy! You’ll have one day in most places, and up to 36 hours in Rome and Florence.

Italy Road Trip 4 Weeks

Enjoy the time and spend longer in Rome and Florence. Maybe add Arezzo and Verona to your itinerary or check out the Amalfi coast.

Want to print this itinerary? Download and print a text only version with no ads or images. Includes space for your trip planning notes and a packing list for Italy!

Italy Road Trip Route & Destinations

Milan is the best airport to fly in and out of for your perfect Italy road trip itinerary. As one of Italy’s major cities, Milan enjoys direct international flights from all the world’s continents, it’s accessible, has great car hire options and it’s a pretty kick-a** city to visit too!

If you didn’t already know, Milan is a global capital of design, and the famous Italian fashion brands that call the city their home deliver sleek and simple Italian style at every turn. Milan’s creativity and design flair are not a recent phenomenon though.

The city center has been at the forefront of the arts throughout history and this can be seen in the spectacular Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’.

If you fancy a bit of shopping in this city of designer boutiques and couture labels, then visit the spectacular Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest shopping mall, and unlike any other shopping mall you’ve visited before!

Stay at the Moxy Milan Malpensa Airport , the best of Milan’s airport hotels, and get the train or bus directly into the center of Milan. It will take around 30 minutes and cost €10-15. If you’re splashing out, get a cab for around €100.

If you decide to spend a night in Milan, save money, and delay your car rental pick-up until the following day, then hit the road for the best road trip route in Italy!

RELATED POST: Northern Italy Road Trip: Itinerary, Map & Tips

Milan, the start of your road tripping in Italy adventure

Don’t forget your road trip essentials! Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks , podcasts , and road trip songs for the journey!

Head south to Portofino, a gentrified fishing village on the Italian Riviera coastline of the Ligurian Sea. Pastel-painted houses line the picturesque harbor, mixing effortlessly with stylish bijou stores, seafood restaurants, and cool bars.

The charming Piazzetta, a small cobbled square, overlooks the harbor of the coastal town, which is lined with super-yachts in the summer and more traditional craft in spring and autumn.

Spend a day soaking up the atmosphere and people-watching. Grab a slice of delicious focaccia con il formaggio (focaccia with cheese) from nearby Recco and meander along the winding backstreets, whilst indulging in a bit of window shopping.

Head to San Fruttuoso, a stretch of the Mediterranean coast which you can only get to by boat or on foot. Enjoy lunch at a cantina on one of the beautiful terraces, where we ate one of the best tomato salads we have ever experienced.

Spend some time on the warm turquoise water in a kayak or on a paddle board; make sure to take a snorkel and mask with you too, as the water here is crystal clear.

Head back to dry land and enjoy dinner at one of the many seafood restaurants in the harbor, for a perfect end to your first full day in Italy.

Where to Stay in Portofino

Upmarket: Splendido, A Belmond Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Piccolo Portofino – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Albergo Annabella, Santa Margherita Ligure – Booking.com | Agoda

Portofino should be included on a road trip around Italy

Cinque Terre

You could easily spend a week or more in this wonderful national park, especially if you enjoy hiking, water sports, and outdoor activities. Cinque Terre is a group of five historic seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline and a real bucket list destination .

Pretty and brightly colored houses cling to dramatic terraced streets, harbors are filled with traditional fishing boats bobbing on clear azure waters and trattorias serve up everything with homemade pesto (basil, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and pine nuts), the traditional sauce of the region.

The Sentiero Azzurro cliffside hiking trail links the five little towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Riomaggiore, and Manarola. The trail offers incredible sea views and easy walking.

If you’re more of a water baby, see the Cinque Terre villages from a kayak, or take a boat trip and avoid the inevitable crowds in the towns.

Like driving the Amalfi Coast , going to Cinque Terre in a car can be challenging and you should read this Cinque Terre guide before you decide how to visit.

If you do decide to stay or park in Cinque Terre, head for delightful Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the Cinque Terre towns, and start your amble along the hiking route from there. Otherwise, stay in La Spezia and get the early train the next morning to make the most of your day.

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

Upmarket: Sesta Terra – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Ca’ D’Andrean – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: La Taverna del Metallo Rooms – Booking.com | Agoda

Cinque Terre, all the best Italian road trips stop here

Looking for the best SIM card deals in Europe for your trip? Check out our guide to the best data SIMs in Europe and get the best deal for your trip to Italy.

There’s more than you think to do in Pisa , even though much of the town was sadly lost during the WW2 bombings. Head for the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) where you’ll find the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of Italy’s most famous landmarks, the fine Romanesque duomo, Gothic baptistery, and camposanto (cemetery).

This beautiful quartet of creamy-colored historic buildings sits on an open and grassy area, enabling the infamous Instagram shots of people seemingly holding up the infamous tower.

If you’re on a deadline, the best way to enjoy Pisa is to take this excellent two hour guided tour of these important monuments, as you pass through on your way to the next stop.

Where to Stay in Pisa

Upmarket: Palazzo Cini – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Di Stefano – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel La Pace – Booking.com | Agoda

creamy stone leaning tower with eight stories and arched rows around each story

San Gimignano

As you approach this most archetypal of Tuscan hill villages, you’ll see its thirteen towers dominating the skyline.

Historically, this beautiful place was on the main pilgrim route from Northern Europe to Rome and the towers were built by merchants to show the world their power and wealth.

San Gimignano is now beautifully preserved and perfect for an afternoon meandering the atmospheric narrow cobbled streets and piazzas of the historic center.

Make sure to visit the ancient Torre Grossa, the only one of the thirteen towers open to visitors.

Other must-sees are the stunning frescos in the 11th century Collegiate and the ornamental Rococo interior of Sant’ Agostino church. Otherwise, grab a gelato or a coffee and stroll to your heart’s content.

As with all Tuscan hill villages, if you’re in a motorhome or anything bigger than a car you will need to identify parking at sea level and walk up, or take public transportation – often provided by the municipality in the summer months.

When you leave San Gimignano, you’ll have time to make a quick stop to visit Monteriggioni , a fine example of a beautiful medieval walled castle and village.

RELATED POST: The Complete Guide to Touring Italy by Motorhome

Where to Stay in San Gimignano

Upmarket: Agriturismo Mormoraia – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Bel Soggiorno – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Relais Cappuccina – Booking.com | Agoda

San Gimignano, one of the best places to visit on a road trip to Italy

Siena is gloriously Tuscan, its warm colors beckoning you into the medieval streets and towards the jewel in Siena’s crown, the famous Piazza del Campo.

The prettiest of Tuscany’s must-see towns is not only home to one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares but a wealth of stunning religious and civic buildings and a busy shopping area packed with interesting galleries and boutiques.

Any visit to Siena has to include the Piazza del Campo, an extraordinary site as you enter from Via di Citta to fully appreciate the symmetry, layout, and beauty of the square.

Lined with fine buildings that will grab your attention, don’t miss the tiny Fonte Gaia on the northern edge of the piazza, whose water is still supplied by a 500-year-old viaduct.

Take a walking tour of Siena and the Duomo to fully appreciate the city’s turbulent history and breathtaking architecture.

Stop for lunch at one of the many lively restaurants lining the streets around the main square and sample delicious Ribollita, a traditional Tuscan soup made with beans, vegetables, and bread, before heading off on one of the best drives in Italy.

Where to Stay in Siena

Upmarket: Palazzetto Rosso – Art Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Athena – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Palazzo di Valli – Booking.com | Agoda

Val d’Orcia

Driving in Tuscany is one of the greatest pleasures as you road trip through Italy. As you leave Siena for Montepulciano, you’ll be motoring through some of Italy’s most iconic and stunning scenery.

Head south, setting your sat nav for the Val d’Orcia, and enjoy one of Europe’s best driving routes and Italy’s most scenic drive.

This journey will take you past small villages, vineyards, and olive groves, and you’ll pass row upon row of majestic cypress trees lining the roads and on the skyline. This is Tuscan countryside at its very best.

If you pick up the SP146 between San Quirico d’Orcia and Montepulciano, you might even spot the famous house from the film ‘Gladiator’, some of which was shot in Tuscany .

Montepulciano

Famous for the classic, rustic wine of the same name, the gorgeous medieval town of Montepulciano is nestled into the chalky hills at the meeting point of the Val d’Orcia and the Vall di Chiana.

Surrounded by the classic Tuscan landscape of rolling green hills and golden fields dotted with cypress trees, this is your picture-perfect Tuscany road trip destination.

The old town itself is a masterpiece of cobbled streets, charming piazzas, restaurants, and gift shops which can easily draw you in for a deliciously pleasant afternoon and evening.

Enjoy a meal of wild boar ragu, followed by local cheese and honey washed down with the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

The town is also one of the best spots in this itinerary for a wine-tasting tour of a local vineyard , to understand the history and process of making wine in Italy .

You cannot park within the town walls and need a permit to park in one of the numbered car parks on the outskirts, which your hotel will provide for you.

The car parks are around a ten to fifteen minute walk from the center of the town, so maybe pack a small bag for an overnight stay.

Where to Stay in Montepulciano

Upmarket: Palazzo Carletti – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Il Rondò Boutique Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Albergo Duomo – Booking.com | Agoda

Italian hill village well bell tower and old stone buildings lit up at night

Italy Road Trip Ideas

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The center of a vast empire and capital of the Christian world for centuries, Rome is full of the works of the artists and architects who gathered here to work for the Popes and their wealthy families.

This magnificent legacy has assured the eternal city’s position as one of the most important historical places in the world. Even if you just have one day, you should see the most important of Rome’s ancient architecture like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Roman Forum, and the slightly more modern historical sites like the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps.

As you walk, you’ll take in a handful of light and airy piazzas, perfect for stopping and enjoying a coffee or ice cream as you people-watch.

Our Rome in one day itinerary has all the information you need to visit the city and get a real flavor of why Rome is a must-visit place in Italy.

RELATED POSTS: The Best of Rome in 36 Hours | Rome in a Day – Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide

If you have four weeks or longer for your driving tour of Italy, one of the best road trips from Rome is to head south for around three hours to the Amalfi Coast .

This stunning stretch of gravity-defying road from Sorrento to Salerno passes by the beautiful beaches of Positano, the romantic village of Ravello and authentic Vietri sul Mare, and is considered the best Italian coast road trip of them all.

The road south to the Amalfi Coast will also take you past Mount Vesuvius (one of Italy’s three live volcanoes – the others are Mount Etna on Sicily and Stromboli, its own small island in the Tyrrhenian Sea), and the magnificent Pompeii Archaeological Park.

Both Vesuvius and Pompeii can be seen in a day , meaning you could visit three major Italian attractions, adding just two extra days to your roadtrip Italy – be prepared for an early start from Rome though!

RELATED POST: Southern Italy Road Trip: Discover the Best 33 Places To Visit

Driving from Rome to Florence you’ll find Spoleto, often overlooked in favor of its famous neighbors but a true hidden gem.

Nestled in a beautiful wooded setting in Umbria, the town is famous for the Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds) held in June and July annually.

Outside of this time, tourists are welcomed, but not thick on the ground like they are in next-door Assisi.

Spoleto’s independent nature has allowed it to thrive and progress as a town in its own right, rather than a tourist hot spot.

Come to Spoleto to enjoy a slow day, sipping coffee in the square, taking the travelator (an experience in itself) up to the mighty fortress of La Rocca Albornoz, which dominates the skyline, and wandering around the many beautiful churches and religious buildings in the town.

Where to Stay in Spoleto

Upmarket: Palazzo Leti Residenza d’Epoca – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel dei Duchi – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Vecchio Forno – Booking.com | Agoda

Town on a hill topped with a large castle in front of stormy skies

The birth and final resting place of St Francis of Assisi, this beautiful medieval hill town, with its geranium-filled narrow streets, charming piazzas, and panoramic views is a must-see on your Italian road trip itinerary.

Wreathed in history and religion, the magnificent Basilica di San Francesco draws pilgrims and tourists from across the globe – think of Italian novels like ‘The Name of the Rose’ and you’re imagining Assisi.

Clinging to the side of a craggy outcrop and visible for miles, the Basilica dominates the town and surrounding landscape. Spend the day wandering between here and Assisi’s main square, Piazza del Comune, where the Roman columns of the Templo di Minerva still stand.

There are many other religious buildings of note, a walking tour with a private guide will help you understand the importance and history of each.

Where to Stay in Assisi

Upmarket: Nun Assisi Relais & Spa Museum – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Le Silve di Armenzano – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Cladan – Booking.com | Agoda

Assisi a must see on your road trip Italy 2 weeks

If you’re all eaten and drunk out at this stage, consider giving Bologna (the stop after Florence) a miss and heading up the east coast of Italy from Assisi, before cutting back inland to Florence.

This route takes in the best of Le Marche, a remote corner full of beautiful scenery that is sandwiched between the Apennines and the Adriatic.

The coast is home to a number of seaside resort towns with long sandy beaches and the stunning Conero Peninsula, which makes a welcome relief from the almost uninterrupted beach which dominates the coastline.

Inland are lots of beautiful and historic towns, less visited and the better for it. For a real punch of medieval architecture, check out Urbino and Ascoli Piceno, the highlights of the region.

Whilst you’re there, pop into San Marino, said to be the world’s oldest surviving republic and the fifth smallest country in the world!

Florence is a vast and graceful monument to the Renaissance, the period of cultural and artistic rebirth following the Middle Ages. Many famous artists such as Michelangelo and Botticelli contributed to Florence’s heritage, making it one of the artistic capitals of the world.

Historic Florence is compact and walkable and could be seen in a day if you’re ruthless in your selections.

Better to spend two days here and visit the must-sees of the exceptional Duomo, the stunning Palazzo Vecchio, the sublime Uffizi Gallery, and the ancient church of Santa Croce.

Across the River Arno, via the Ponte Vecchio, lies the vast and imposing Pitti Palace and the Santa Spirito church.

Book everything in advance, whether that’s tickets, tours, or guides; this city never sheds itself of tourists, all clamoring to see the same things as you!

RELATED POST: One Day in Florence – Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide

Where to Stay in Florence

Upmarket: Hotel Spadai – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Soprarno Suites – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Perseo – Booking.com | Agoda

One of the best medieval cities in Italy and the foodie capital of Emilia-Romagna (and possibly the whole of Italy) Bologna will surprise and delight you. Follow our self-guided foodie walking tour of Bologna to sample the best food and architecture the city has to offer.

If you have time, pop across to Modena to sample the famous Balsamic vinegar made there, and then Parma for the ham of the same name.

RELATED POST: Self-Guided Food Tour of Bologna

Where to Stay in Bologna

Upmarket: Grand Hotel Majestic Gia Baglioni – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: PHI Hotel Al Cappello Rosso – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: The Social Hub Bologna – Booking.com | Agoda

Ahh, Venice. This unique city has survived against all the odds; built on a series of mud banks, and in the tidal waters of the Adriatic, Venice regularly floods.

Despite this, little of the essential fabric and infrastructure of Venice has changed in 200 years, and more than 20 million visitors a year fall in love with the beguiling city of water.

Trying to see Venice in a day will not do it justice, and leave you feeling frustrated. If that’s all you have, either come back another time or take a private full day trip so you can be whisked around and see all the best bits, without getting lost.

Whenever you visit and whether you choose to see the religious and historic buildings, the famous glass island of Murano, the lace-making island of Burano, and haunting Torcello, or take a gondola along the Grand Canal, Venice will be crowded.

Park at Garage San Marco Venezia , (book well in advance) a five minute walk from the hotel. There is no free parking in or around Venice, expect to pay at least €25 per 24-hour period.

RELATED POST: One Day in Venice – Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide

Where to Stay in Venice

Upmarket: Sina Centurian Palace – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Palazzo Veneziano – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Saturnia & International – Booking.com | Agoda

a gondala arriving to dock in Venice lagoon, with San Giorgio Maggiore in the background

Lake Garda is your final stop before heading back to Milan to drop off your hire car. Lake Garda, the most well-known and largest of the beautiful Italian lakes , borders three regions; Trentino, Lombardy, and the Veneto.

The further north along the lake you go, the more dramatic the landscapes become, as you head towards the snowcapped Alps of the South Tyrol.

There are many beautiful towns around Lake Garda , all offering opportunities for water sports, hiking, and relaxing at the end of your epic road trip around Italy.

Our pick is Bardolino on the east shore, a lively town with easy access to the lake and lots going on, as well as spectacular sunsets over Lake Garda to end your day.

From Bardolino, it’s a few hour’s drive to Milan Airport, perhaps via Lake Iseo, Lake Como, and Lake Maggiore if you have a few extra days to explore.

Where to Stay in Lake Garda

Upmarket: LLAC Living Nature Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Resort Casino di Caccia – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel La Terrazzina – Booking.com | Agoda

One of the best places to stay on a road trip Italy

Want to plan your own road tri p? Get our step-by-step road trip planning guide to help you organize the perfect trip, or get inspiration from our favorite European road trips .

Italian Road Trip Resources

Here are the websites and services we personally use and recommend for trips to Italy.

Search for affordable flights to Italy with Skyscanner
Search for availability and book hotels and accommodation in Italy with Booking.com
Find and book the best campsites in Italy with Eurocampings
Book the cheapest and most reliable hire cars in Italy with Rentalcars.com
Find and hire your perfect motorhome or campervan with Motorhome Republic
Get highly rated, reliable, and trustworthy travel insurance with True Traveller
Check if you need a visa and arrange your documents with Visagov

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Venice Revealed

13 of the Best Day Trips from Venice: Go Beyond the Lagoon

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Venice, the city of canals, is undoubtedly one of the most enchanting places on earth.

But the magic of the Veneto region extends far beyond its capital. From the shimmering waters of Lake Garda to the medieval charm of Verona, Northern Italy is a treasure trove of diverse landscapes, rich history, and mouthwatering cuisine.

For those who wish to delve deeper into the travel experience, embarking on a day trip from Venice opens up a world of possibilities. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or a foodie , there’s a destination waiting to captivate your senses.

If you are staying for more than a couple of days , a day trip from Venice is a great idea. So, let’s set sail from the Grand Canal and discover the best day trips from Venice.

1 – The Lido (Venice Lagoon)

Just a short boat ride away from the bustling heart of Venice lies the serene island of Lido di Venezia . Known for its tranquil beaches and Art Nouveau architecture, Lido offers a refreshing contrast to the crowded streets and canals of Venice. This thin strip of land, stretching between the Adriatic Sea and the Venetian Lagoon, is one of the best day trips from Venice for those seeking a blend of relaxation and cultural exploration.

Attractions

Lido is famous for its sandy beaches , which provide a perfect setting for a beach day. The island is also home to the Venice Film Festival, which takes place at the historic Palazzo del Cinema every September. For architecture enthusiasts, a stroll around the island reveals a collection of beautiful villas and hotels showcasing the elegant Liberty style, Italy’s version of Art Nouveau. The Santa Maria Elisabetta area, with its charming shops and cafes, offers a glimpse into the everyday life of the locals.

Of course, the best reason to go to the Lido is to hit the beach. The most popular one, the Alberoni , is a protected nature reserve and feels very far away from the crowds of Venice.

Getting There and Best Time to Visit

Reaching Lido from Venice is a pleasant ride on a vaporetto (water bus) that takes about half an hour. The best time to visit Lido is during the summer months when you can fully enjoy the beaches. However, if you wish to avoid the crowds, spring and early autumn are also lovely times to explore the island.

Check out the full article on the best times to visit Venice!

Food and Drink Experiences

Lido offers a variety of dining options where you can savor Venetian cuisine. Seafood is a staple here, with local restaurants serving fresh fish and shellfish dishes. For a unique food experience, try the traditional Venetian dish, sarde in saor (sweet and sour sardines). Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a glass of Prosecco, the famous sparkling wine from the Veneto region.

2 – Murano and Burano (Venice Lagoon)

A visit to Venice would not be complete without a day trip to the enchanting Venetian lagoon islands of Murano and Burano. These islands are just a short boat ride away from Venice and offer a unique glimpse into the region’s rich artisanal heritage.

Murano is world-renowned for its long-standing tradition of glassmaking. The island is dotted with glass factories, many of which offer a glass blowing demonstration. Visitors can watch master glassblowers at work, transforming molten glass into intricate sculptures, chandeliers, and jewelry. The Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro) is a must-visit, showcasing the history of glassmaking and stunning examples of Murano glass.

glass factory live demonstration - day trip to murano

Read my full guide on the things to do in Murano!

Burano, on the other hand, is famous for its lace making and brightly colored houses. The island’s lace is known for its exquisite quality and intricate designs. The Lace Museum (Museo del Merletto) provides fascinating insights into the island’s lace-making history. Walking around Burano, you’ll be charmed by the vibrant houses that line its canals, each painted a different color.

Getting There, Best Time to Visit, and Local Customs

Both Murano and Burano are easily accessible day trips from Venice by vaporetto . The best time to visit these islands is in the spring and fall when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are smaller.

In terms of local customs, it’s important to respect the privacy of the residents. While the colorful houses of Burano are incredibly photogenic, remember that they are people’s homes. Always be respectful when taking photos.

Both islands offer delightful food and drink experiences. In Murano, be sure to try a ‘bussolà’, a traditional Venetian biscuit that’s perfect with a cup of coffee . In Burano, don’t miss the chance to taste the island’s famous ‘Bussolà Buranello’, a donut-shaped cookie that’s a local favorite. Seafood lovers will also enjoy the fresh fish and shellfish dishes served in the islands’ restaurants. Pair your meal with a glass of Veneto’s famous Prosecco for a truly Venetian dining experience.

3 – Sant’erasmo (Venice Lagoon)

Sant’erasmo, often referred to as the “Garden of Venice,” is a tranquil island in the Venetian Lagoon. It’s a fantastic day trip for those seeking a break from the bustling city life of Venice. The lagoon island is renowned for its lush landscapes, vineyards, and orchards, producing a variety of fruits and vegetables, including the famous Sant’erasmo artichokes.

The island also offers beautiful views of the lagoon and Venice in the distance.

How to Get There, Best Time to Visit, and What to Do

Getting to Sant’erasmo is a pleasant ride on the vaporetto (water bus) from Venice, taking about half an hour. The best time to visit is during the spring and summer months when the island’s vegetation is in full bloom. Once there, you can rent bikes to explore the island’s natural beauty, visit the Torre Massimiliana, a historic tower now converted into a cultural center, or simply enjoy a leisurely walk along the beach.

Unique Food and Drink Experiences in Sant’erasmo

Sant’erasmo offers a unique culinary experience, thanks to its agricultural richness. Don’t miss the chance to taste the island’s renowned artichokes, usually served fresh in local dishes. The island also produces its own wine, so a wine tasting is a must-do for wine lovers.

Accommodation Options for Extended Stays

While Sant’erasmo is typically visited as a day trip from Venice, those wishing to stay longer can find accommodation options on the island. There are a few charming bed and breakfasts that offer a peaceful retreat amidst the island’s natural beauty.

Staying on the island provides a unique opportunity to experience the everyday life of the locals in this serene part of the Venetian Lagoon.

Remember to always check the availability and book in advance, especially during the peak tourist season.

4 – Bologna (Emilia Romagna)

Bologna, the capital of the Emilia Romagna region, is a city that’s rich in history and culture. Known as “La Dotta” (The Learned), “La Grassa” (The Fat), and “La Rossa” (The Red), Bologna is a city of many faces. It’s home to the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna, which was founded in 1088 and has a student population that brings a youthful energy to the city.

Major Sites

Bologna is renowned for its beautiful and historic architecture. The Piazza Maggiore is a sprawling square that’s surrounded by some of the city’s most important buildings, including the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest churches in the world, and the Palazzo del Podesta, a historic city hall.

The city is also famous for its porticoes, covered walkways that line the streets of the city center, and the Two Towers, the Asinelli and the Garisenda, which are the city’s main symbols.

The Journey from Venice

Bologna is conveniently located and is easily accessible from Venice. The journey by train takes about an hour and a half, making it a feasible day trip. The city’s main train station is located about 20 minutes’ walk from the Piazza Maggiore, and the route will take you past many of the city’s beautiful old buildings and impressive architecture.

Bologna is often considered the culinary capital of Italy , and for good reason. The city is the birthplace of many famous Italian dishes, such as tortellini, lasagna, and ragu (the meat sauce that’s often referred to as Bolognese sauce). The city is also known for its cured meats, cheeses, and wines.

When in Bologna, be sure to visit one of the city’s many trattorias to experience authentic Bolognese cuisine.

5 – Bassano del Grappa (Veneto)

Nestled in a picturesque setting with the foothills of the Alps rising behind it and the Brenta River flowing through it, Bassano del Grappa is a charming city that makes for a fantastic day trip from Venice. The city boasts a rich history, with architectural wonders dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It is also famed for its production of the potent grappa spirit.

ponte degli alpini bassano del grappa best day trips from venice

The heart of life in Bassano del Grappa is centered around Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza della Liberta. However, the city’s most popular attraction is the beautiful Ponte degli Alpini , a wooden bridge offering stunning views of the river and the city. It’s an ideal spot for capturing memorable photos.

Journey from Venice

Bassano del Grappa is located to the northwest of Venice and is easily accessible by public transport. A direct train line connects the two cities, with trains departing frequently. The journey takes approximately an hour and 15 minutes, and once you arrive, the scenic city center is just a short stroll away.

bassano del grappa best day trips from venice

For a more immersive experience, consider taking a guided tour. This is a great way to get a feel for the lovely Venetian hill towns. With stops at Bassano del Grappa, Asolo, and Marostica included, alongside prosecco tasting at a local vineyard and a visit to a Palladian villa, it promises to be an action-packed day out.

Unique Food and Drink Experiences

Bassano del Grappa is renowned for its production of grappa , a strong Italian spirit. A visit to Bassano del Grappa would be incomplete without a tasting session. The city also offers a variety of local dishes that are worth trying, such as “bigoli”, a type of pasta often served with duck ragu.

6 – Chioggia (Veneto)

Chioggia, often referred to as “Little Venice,” is a charming town located in the Veneto region, about an hour away from Venice. This medieval town is nestled on two islands, separated by the ‘Channel Vena,’ and is known for its vibrant fishing and port activities. It’s a fantastic day trip from Venice, offering a glimpse into the everyday life of a traditional Italian fishing town.

Chioggia is a treasure trove of historical and cultural attractions. Start your visit at the arcaded Piazzetta Vigo, where you’ll find the Vigo Bridge and a high column with the Lion of Saint Mark.

Not far from here is the 14th-century Palace of the Granaio Pubblico, a neo-gothic style building with beautiful windows with pointed arches. Behind the palace is the fish market, a Chioggia landmark, where you can find fresh fish of various species.

The town is also home to several beautiful churches, including the Church of Saint Andrew with its 12th-century bell tower, the Holy Trinity Church with important paintings by Palma il Giovane and Andrea Vicentino, and the 13th-century Church of Saint Dominic which includes a 16th-century painting by Vittore Carpaccio.

How to Get There and Best Time to Visit

Chioggia is easily accessible by public transport from Venice. You can take a direct train line from Venice’s Santa Lucia train station to Chioggia. The journey takes about an hour and a half. The best time to visit Chioggia is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the town is less crowded.

Chioggia offers a wide range of local specialities based on seafood. Try the ‘granseole’ (crab meat with olive oil, lemon, and spices), ‘bigoli in salsa’ (spaghetti with garlic sauce, oil, onion, parsley, and anchovy fillets), and the so-called ‘black cuttlefish’ (squid cut and boiled in a sauté onion, garlic, white wine, and tomatoes). Don’t miss the ‘Festival of salt-water fish’ that takes place during the first ten days of July, where you can enjoy local products and a few glasses of Merlot, Cabernet, Prosecco, and Soave.

7 – Verona (Veneto)

Verona, famously known as the setting for Shakespeare’s “ Romeo and Juliet ,” is a city in the Veneto region of Italy that is rich in history and culture. It’s a medieval city that effortlessly combines its historical past with a vibrant present. I highly recommend a Verona day trip as it is one of my favorite cities in Northern Italy.

Verona is home to a number of significant historical sites. The Roman Arena, an enormous amphitheater that dates back to the 1st century AD, is one of the best-preserved of its kind. Despite its age, the Arena is still in use today, hosting concerts and operas.

The city is also home to the Ponte Scaligero, a beautiful bridge that was rebuilt after World War II.

The city’s most famous site is Juliet’s House, which draws visitors from around the world who wish to stand on the famous balcony and declare their love. The city is also home to numerous beautiful churches and piazzas, including the ornate San Zeno Maggiore Church and the bustling Piazza delle Erbe.

Verona is conveniently located just over an hour’s high speed train ride west of Venice, making it an easy day trip. Trains depart frequently from Venice Santa Lucia train station, and upon arrival in Verona, you’ll find yourself just a short walk from the city’s historic center.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Verona is in the spring (April to June) or fall (September to October) when the weather is mild and the city is less crowded with tourists. The summer months can be quite hot, and the city is often crowded with tourists.

Verona is known for its excellent cuisine and wine. The city is particularly famous for its risotto, which is often served with Amarone wine, a rich red wine that is produced in the region. Other local specialties include pastissada de caval, a horse meat stew, and pandoro, a sweet bread that is traditionally served at Christmas.

8 – Lake Garda (Lombardy/Veneto)

Lake Garda, nestled between Lombardy and Veneto, is Italy’s largest lake and a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. With its clear blue waters, charming lakeside towns, and stunning mountain backdrop, Lake Garda is a perfect day trip from Venice.

Attractions and Activities

Lake Garda is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. You can enjoy a variety of water sports, including sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. For those who prefer land-based activities, the surrounding area offers excellent hiking and biking trails.

There is an elevated bike path that hugs the cliffs of the river’s edge suspended above the water. The views are incredible and it is a ride you’ll never forget.

The blue lake is dotted with picturesque towns and villages, each with its unique charm. Desenzano del Garda, at the southern tip of the lake, is known for its lively atmosphere and beautiful beaches. Sirmione, located on a peninsula extending into the lake, is famous for its medieval castle and thermal baths.

A Lake Garda day trip would not be complete without a trip to Gardaland, Italy’s largest amusement park, which offers fun for the whole family.

Getting There and Around

Lake Garda is about a two-hour drive from Venice. There are also direct train lines from Venice to Desenzano del Garda and Peschiera del Garda, both located on the southern shore of the lake. Once you’re there, you can get around by car, bus, or ferry.

The Lake Garda ferry service is a pleasant and convenient way to explore the different towns and attractions around the lake making it one of the most fun day trips.

The best time to visit Lake Garda is from April to October when the Northern Italy weather is warm and most attractions are open. However, the lake is beautiful all year round, and a visit in the off-season allows you to enjoy its beauty without the crowds.

Food and Drink

Lake Garda is renowned for its local cuisine, which features fresh fish from the lake and delicious wines from the surrounding vineyards. Try “trout in carpione,” a traditional dish of marinated trout, or “risotto con tinca,” a risotto with tench, a fish native to the lake.

For wine lovers, a visit to a local winery for a tasting of the region’s famous Bardolino or Lugana wines is a must.

Accommodation

If you decide to extend your stay, Lake Garda offers a wide range of accommodation options. From luxury hotels with stunning lake views to cozy bed and breakfasts in the charming lakeside towns, there’s something to suit every taste and budget.

For a unique experience, consider staying in a historic villa or a modern eco-friendly resort.

9 – Padua (Veneto)

Padua, or Padova as it’s known in Italy, is a charming city in the Veneto region, just a short train ride away from Venice. Known for its ancient university and rich history, Padua offers a unique blend of historic sights, vibrant student life, and modern business. It’s a city where you can wander through historic streets, admire stunning architecture, and enjoy a variety of cultural experiences.

Padua’s biggest tourist attraction is the Scrovegni Chapel (Cappella degli Scrovegni), renowned for its priceless frescoes by Giotto. The Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua, known simply as Il Santo, is another must-visit site. Beyond these two, the city is filled with numerous other historic sights, art galleries, and parks.

Padua is easily accessible from Venice by train, with the journey taking only about 20-40 minutes depending on the type of train you take. The city’s train station is located just north of the town center, making it convenient for visitors to start exploring right away.

Padua can be visited year-round, but the best time to visit is during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) when the weather is mild and the city is less crowded.

Padua offers a variety of unique food and drink experiences. The city is known for its traditional Italian cuisine, with a variety of restaurants and bars offering everything from quick snacks to substantial meals. For a refreshing afternoon treat, try some high-quality ice cream from Grom on Via Roma, a new Italian institution loved by Slow Food aficionados.

10 – Vicenza (Veneto)

Nestled in the heart of the Veneto region, Vicenza is a hidden gem that’s often overlooked by tourists. Known as the “City of Gold” due to its long-standing tradition in goldsmithing, Vicenza is also famous for its unique architectural style, largely influenced by the renowned 16th-century architect Andrea Palladio. This has led to the city’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts.

Attractions in Vicenza

Vicenza is home to numerous grand buildings designed by Palladio and his followers. The most famous among these is the Villa La Rotunda and Teatro Olimpico, Palladio’s last work, which was completed by his son and then by Vincenzo Scamozzi. This theatre, modeled on ancient Roman theatres, boasts a curved amphitheatre, graded stepped seating, and lavish ornamentation.

Another notable landmark is the Basilica Palladiana, the town’s medieval law courts, featuring an imposing facade by Palladio. The city’s heart, Piazza dei Signori, is dominated by these two striking landmarks.

For art lovers, the Gothic Church of Santa Corona houses works by Giovanni Bellini and Paolo Veronese. And for a panoramic view of the area, a walk or bus ride uphill to the Santuario di Monte Berico is highly recommended.

Journey from Venice and Best Time to Visit

Vicenza can be reached in 45 minutes from Venice by taking one of the high speed trains; a cheaper option will take just over an hour. The city’s compact town center and attractive villas in the hills a short walk away make it a fantastic day trip from Venice. The best time to visit Vicenza is during spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) when the weather is most pleasant.

Keep in mind that in August many of the shops and restaurants will be closed for a week or two.

Unique Food and Drink Experiences in Vicenza

Vicenza offers a variety of unique food and drink experiences. The city is known for its traditional dishes like “baccalà alla vicentina” (salted cod cooked with milk, onions, and anchovies) and “bigoli” (a type of thick spaghetti usually served with duck ragu). For wine lovers, a visit to a local winery to taste the regional wines like the white Soave or the red Valpolicella is a must.

11 – Trieste (Friuli Venezia Giulia)

main square piazza unita trieste in evening

Trieste, the capital of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, is a charming city located in northeastern Italy and offers one of the most unique day trips from Venice. It’s a unique blend of Italian, Slovenian, and Austrian cultures due to its location near the Slovenian border and its history as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant café culture.

Getting There

Trieste is easily accessible from Venice by train. The journey takes about 2 hours, making it a perfect day trip destination. The city’s train station, Trieste Centrale, is conveniently located near the city center.

Things to Do

Once in Trieste, there are plenty of things to see and do. Start your visit at Piazza Unità d’Italia, one of the largest sea-facing squares in Europe. From there, you can easily reach the city’s main attractions. Visit the stunning Miramare Castle, which offers breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea. Explore the Roman Theatre, a testament to Trieste’s ancient history.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the iconic Trieste Cathedral and the impressive Risiera di San Sabba, a former rice-husking factory turned concentration camp during World War II is also worth visiting.

typical food trieste, smoked meats boiled with mustard and sauerjkraut in trieste buffet da pepi

Trieste is famous for its café culture. Make sure to visit one of the city’s historic coffee houses, such as Caffè San Marco or Caffè degli Specchi, and try a traditional Triestine coffee. For lunch or dinner, enjoy local specialties like jota (a hearty bean and sauerkraut soup), gnocchi di susine (plum dumplings), or fresh seafood dishes. Pair your meal with a glass of local Friulano wine.

Trieste is a walkable city, so comfortable shoes are a must. The city is also known for its strong winds, especially the Bora wind, so be prepared with a light jacket or windbreaker. Lastly, while Italian is the official language, you’ll also hear Slovenian and German spoken, reflecting the city’s multicultural heritage.

12 – Piran (Slovenia)

Piran, a charming town located on the Adriatic coast, is a hidden gem that makes for an unforgettable day trip from Venice. This Slovenian town is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow alleys, and stunning views of the sea. Its unique appeal lies in its Venetian Gothic architecture, reminiscent of Venice itself, and its picturesque setting on a narrow peninsula.

Piran is a town where history and culture are intertwined with everyday life. The town’s main square, Tartinijev Trg, is a beautiful marble-paved area that was once the inner harbor. The square is adorned with a statue of a nattily dressed man, adding to its charm.

The Cathedral of St George, with its free-standing bell tower modeled on the campanile of San Marco in Venice, offers a panoramic view of the town and the sea. The Venetian House, a red mid-15th-century Gothic structure with tracery windows and a balcony, is another eye-catching structure in Piran.

For those interested in history, the Sergej Mašera Maritime Museum and the Mediadom Pyrhani, a multimedia, interactive museum, offer insights into Piran’s maritime history and overall historical story.

Getting to Piran from Venice involves a pleasant ferry ride across the Adriatic Sea. There are several ferry services available that offer a direct line to this beautiful city in Slovenia. The journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, making it a feasible day trip.

The best time to visit Piran is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the town is less crowded. Summer can be quite busy, but it’s also when the town is most vibrant.

Unique Food and Drink Experiences in Piran

Piran offers a variety of unique food and drink experiences. The town is known for its seafood restaurants, where you can enjoy fresh fish caught in the Adriatic Sea. Don’t miss out on trying the local olive oil and Piran sea salt, which are considered among the best in the world.

For wine lovers, a visit to the nearby vineyards for a wine tasting session is a must. The region is known for its Refošk and Malvazija wines.

While Piran is perfect for a day trip, it also offers a range of accommodation options for those who wish to extend their stay. From luxury hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses, there’s something for every traveler. Some popular options include the Hotel Piran, located on the seafront, and the more budget-friendly Hostel Piran.

Staying overnight allows you to experience the town’s enchanting atmosphere after the day-trippers have left.

13 – Prosecco Region and Prosecco Road

best day trip from venice - wine tasting tour of prosecco

The Prosecco region, located in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of Italy, is a sparkling wine lover’s paradise. The area is renowned for its production of Prosecco, a bubbly white wine that has gained international acclaim. The lovely countryside is characterized by rolling hills covered in vineyards, charming villages, and historic wineries.

The Prosecco Road, or “Strada del Prosecco,” is a scenic route that winds through the heart of the Prosecco region.

baldi prosecco windery, best day trip from venice

The road stretches from Conegliano to Valdobbiadene, passing through picturesque landscapes and offering stunning views of the vineyards and the surrounding countryside. Whether you travel the route by bike or car, you’ll find numerous wineries where you can stop for a tasting and learn about the traditional methods of Prosecco production.

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or simply a lover of beautiful landscapes, the Prosecco region and the Prosecco Road offers one of the best day trips from Venice. The area is easily accessible from Venice, making it one of the best Venice day trips for those looking to explore beyond the city’s canals.

Read my full guide on taking a tour of Prosecco from Venice!

The Prosecco region is about an hour’s drive from Venice. You can rent a car and drive yourself, or join a guided tour that includes transportation and wine tastings. Since this is one of the day trips from Venice in which you’ll likely do the most drinking, I highly recommend booking a driver to take you around.

If you prefer public transportation, you can take a train from Venice to Conegliano and then a local bus to Valdobbiadene.

When to Visit

The Prosecco region can be visited year-round, but the best time to go is during the grape harvest season, from late August to October. During this time, you can witness the grape picking and wine making process first-hand. The region also hosts several wine festivals throughout the year, offering a great opportunity to sample a variety of Proseccos and meet the local producers.

Wrapping It Up

Venturing beyond the enchanting canals of Venice opens up a world of captivating day trips. From the scenic islands of Murano and Burano to the historic towns of Verona and Vicenza, each destination offers its own unique charm and experiences.

Explore the wonders of the Venice Lagoon, indulge in delicious food and wine, and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Northern Italy. Whether you’re seeking natural beauty, historic sites, or culinary delights, these day trips from Venice are sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.

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Day Trips from Venice, Italy – Over 35 Unmissable Destinations with Travel Times, Sightseeing Plans, and Best Tours

By Author Rossi Thomson

Posted on Last updated: 4th September 2022

Categories Day Trips in Italy , Veneto , Venice

Here are the best day trips from Venice, Italy.

In this blog post, you will find over 35 unmissable destinations that you can easily visit from the city of water. you can travel independently either by train, bus, boat or car. alternatively, you can join an organised tour..

Venice has a lot to offer to the curious traveller eager to experience the best in art, history, and architecture. Still, if you have more than a couple of days at your disposal for Venice, then make sure that you set aside some time to discover what lies in the Venetian Lagoon and on the Italian mainland.

It is a great opportunity to change the scenery and see more of Italy and who wouldn’t like that?!

Piazza delle Erbe and the daily market seen from the loggia of Palazzo della Ragione - Padua, Veneto, Italy - rossiwrites.com

Venice is a great starting point for your exploration of the sights and beauty of Northern Italy . The city of water enjoys great connections by boat , road , and train to a number of must-see destinations. From the islands of Murano and Burano in the Venetian Lagoon to the cities of history and art – Padua , Bologna , Verona , and even Florence – there are many places near Venice to visit on a day trip.

So, these are my suggestions for the best day trips from Venice, Italy. I have personally visited each of these places of interest during the six years that I spent living in Italy. Here I share with you first-hand tried and tested information so that you can choose where to travel for a short trip from Venice based on your personal preferences.

Italy is an exciting country with a rich heritage. The more you see the more you want to see and to experience it all. So, take your pick according to your interests – art, nature, architecture, history, shopping, even spa and wellness!

Palladio's Basilica seen from the Furo Bridge - Vicenza, Italy - rossiwrites.com

For ease of use, I have split these Venice day trips into the following alphabetised categories:

Islands in the Venetian Lagoon
Cities and Towns
Lake Garda with Lakeside Towns and World-Class Amusement Parks
Sights of Natural Beauty
Medieval Towns and Villages
Venetian Villas

For each of these best day trips from Venice I have included:

a photo to give you a visual idea what to expect;
for the larger destinations – a shortlist with the most important sights that can be seen in a day;
for the smaller destinations – a concise overview ;
travel times by train, coach, boat, and/or car if you are travelling independently;
organised tours if you prefer to have it all planned and done for you by a professional guide;
tips how to make the most of your time at every destinations;
(where available) links to detailed overviews and exciting videos 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!

The maximum travel time is three hours one way. However, most destinations in this list are within half an hour to two hours away from Venice. After all, no one wants to spend a large chunk of the day just getting there when there is so much to see and do within very close proximity to the city on water.

At the end of this blog post, I have also added a selection of tips to help you navigate the Italian railway and road systems like a local. This way you can easily organise your day trip from Venice and feel at ease taking a boat, riding the train or renting a car as you see fit.

Now, let’s start!

Day trips from venice, italy – over 35 unmissable destinations with travel times, sightseeing plans, and best tours, i. islands in the venetian lagoon.

View of the island of Murano - Venetian Lagoon, Italy - rossiwrites.com

While Venice is the unrivalled star of the Venetian Lagoon, close to the city on water you will find several other islands that are worth a visit. Easy to reach on board of the vaporetti (water buses) that crisscross the lagoon from early in the morning til late in the evening, these islands will reveal to you their own stories, local crafts, priceless works of art, and wonderful settings.

Here are five unmissable island destinations to see on a day trip in the Venetian Lagoon. Each of them is unique in many different ways. From the colourful houses of Burano to the fish markets of Chioggia, there are many discoveries to be made right next door to Venice to leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

The best bit is that you can easily visit two or more of the Venetian Lagoon islands on the same day. Either independently or as part of an organised tour, they are a pleasure to discover in any season on a day trip from Venice.

Click here to buy a vaporetto ticket valid from 1 to 7 days so that you can move freely within the city of Venice, reach the islands in the Venetian Lagoon, and different parts of the mainland. For organised tours from Venice to the most beautiful and interesting islands in the lagoon, see the suggestions below.

1. Venice to Burano Day Trip

Clotheslines with freshly laundered clothes and colourful houses - Burano, Veneto, Italy - rossiwrites.com

Burano is one of the most famous islands in the Venetian Lagoon on account of its technicolour houses and the centuries-old local tradition of handmade lace. Just looking at a photo of Burano makes you want to see for yourself this wonderful vibrant island that is so full of life.

It is easy to reach Burano from Venice. You just need to hop on vaporetto line number 12 from Fondamente Nove to the island.

Here are some of Burano’s major sights for you to explore and enjoy on a day trip from Venice:

Lace Museum – discover the roots and the pinnacles of Burano famous handmade lace in this small and neat museum. It opens your eyes and your heart to this centuries-old craft. Click here to buy a combined ticket for the Lace Musem on Burano and the Glass Museum on Murano – a great idea if you are visiting both islands.
Church of San Martino – a 16th-century church with a 17th-century bell tower that is 53 m tall and leans almost two metres off-true.
Bepe’s House – this is the most colourful house on the island of Burano. It is covered with stripes and geometric figures in vibrant shades. You will find Bepe’s House down a tiny side street. His original owner – Bepe (now sadly passed away) – loved repainting his house and on warm summer evenings would screen old films on the small square next to it.
Lunch on risotto de go’ and snack on esse cookies. The former is Burano’s staple dish – a lovely, creamy risotto made with the juice of go’ – a tiny fish from the Venetian Lagoon. The latter are Burano’s traditional cookies which can be either round or S-shaped and have a deeply satisfying flavour.

For its riot of colours, peaceful side streets, wonderful lace traditions, and fresh seafood, Burano is an unmissable day trip from Venice.

Travel Times: Around 40 mins by vaporetto (water bus) from Fondamente Nove in Venice. Click here to buy a vaporetto ticket valid from 1 to 7 days.

Best Organised Tours:

Tips: Starting from Burano, you can easily visit several other islands in the Venetian Lagoon. The island of Mazzorbo, for example, is connected to Burano via a long wooden bridge. The islands of Torcello and Murano are an easy vaporetto ride away. Alternatively, you can hire a boat and head to the island of San Francesco del Deserto to visit the monastery there that was originally founded by St. Francis in 1220.

Click here for further information:

Photos of Burano here and here
Photos of Mazzorbo here and here

2. Venice to Chioggia Day Trip

Refugium Peccatorum - Piazzale Perotolo, Chioggia - Veneto, Italy - rossiwrites.com

Chioggia is like a mini Venice but without the suffocating tourist crowds.

A city built on islands at the southern end of the Venetian Lagoon, a long bridge connects Chioggia to the mainland. Canals full of boats crisscross the city. Pastel houses draped with Italy’s most photogenic clotheslines line the streets.

Just walking around feels like a real treat. You pass by many churches full of priceless works of art, small restaurants serving the freshest seafood, and everywhere you look picturesque views open in front of your eyes.

Here are some suggestions for things to do in Chioggia:

Boat trip – take a tour boat for a fun ride around Chioggia in the Venetian Lagoon. Regular boat tours run through the day taking you close to several sights of historic and cultural value in the lagoon.
Wholesale Fish Market and Retail Fish Markets – Chioggia is one of the biggest and oldest fishing ports in Italy. Its wholesale and retail fish markets are lively places where tons of fresh seafood are sold daily. Make sure that you check the opening times in advance to make sure you are there at the right time.
Bell Tower of Sant’Andrea and Clock Tower Museum – Chioggia claims to have the world’s oldest clock. See it on the facade of the 30-meter high Bell Tower of Sant’Andrea. Then visit the Clock Tower Museum inside the bell tower to see the clock’s mechanism and to learn its fascinating story.
Museum of Southern Lagoon – an ethnographic and archaeologic museum tracing the history of Chioggia through the centuries.
Museum of Adriatic Zoology – here you can see the most important historical collection of marine animals from the Adriatic Sea.
Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta – Chioggia’s main church.
Refugium Peccatorum (also known as Sagraeto ) – A statue of the Virgin Mary holding the Infant Jesus underneath a golden dome. It stands at Piazzale Perotolo just outside Chioggia’s Duomo. Refugium Peccatorum is a Roman Catholic title of the Virgin Mary. It means Refuge for Sinners. In the past, those condemned to death in Chioggia were allowed to stop in front of this statue of the Virgin and pray for their souls on the way to the scaffold.
Porta di Santa Maria (also known as Porta Garibaldi ) – an early 16th-century gate that in the past provided the only entry point into Chioggia.
Corso del Popolo – Chioggia’s main artery – a wide and beautiful street that is lined with shops, restaurants, palaces, and churches.
Ponte Vigo – the prettiest bridge in Chioggia stands over Canal Vena – the city’s most important canal – and it opens beautiful views over the Venetian Lagoon. From the adjacent to the bridge Piazzetta Vigo, you can get a tour boat for a fun trip around Chioggia and a ferry to the nearby island of Pellestrina.
Sottomarina – a lively suburb of Chioggia with a sandy beach that is 10 km long and up to 300 m wide. The sand is rich in augite, quartz, silicates, and micaceous elements making the beach ideal for sand bathing treatment.

Come to Chioggia if you want more of Venice but at a much slower and gentile pace of life. This small town on the Italian Adriatic coast is older than Venice and just like it is criss-crossed by canals. Chioggia is full of character, easy to navigate even by car, with tons of fresh seafood, huge beaches within a very close reach and, above all, there are no maddening crowds. You can take it easy and observe the locals at what they have been doing for centuries: fishing, lacemaking and seafood selling, cooking and eating. When in Chioggia, don’t miss the following sights and experiences:

Chioggia will give you a good idea of what Venice would have been like today had it not become a maritime and commercial powerhouse centuries ago. This city in Veneto is full of character, easy to navigate, and with tons of fresh seafood. There are huge beaches within a very close reach, and, above all, there are no maddening crowds.

In Chioggia, you can take it easy and observe the locals at what they have been doing for centuries: fishing and lacemaking. All in all, it’s a great destination for a city break or a day trip in this corner of Italy.

Travel Times: Around mins by vaporetto (water bus) from Fondamente Nove in Venice. Click here to buy a vaporetto ticket valid from 1 to 7 days.

Chioggia will give you a good idea of what Venice would have been like today had it not become a maritime and commercial powerhouse centuries ago.

Travel Times: Getting from Venice to Chioggia by train is a long and tiring trip. Go there by boat instead. Take the No. 11 vaporetto or water bus from the Lido S.M.E. (the main Lido vaporetto stop) to Chioggia’s historic center and you will be enjoying the beautiful vistas of the Venetian Lagoon all through the journey. Or you can take the bus which leaves from Piazzale Roma in Venice and takes 1 h 11 mins to reach the beaches of Sottomarina. This website has very detailed information about reaching Chioggia from different points in Venice.

Tips: For more information about what to do and see in Chioggia, click here to read my article about this charming fishing town.

3. Venice to Lido Day Trip

4. venice to murano day trip, 5. venice to torcello day trip, ii. cities and towns.

View of Verona with Ponte Pietra - Verona, Veneto, Italy - rossiwrites.com

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

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

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

Your top options are Padua, Vicenza, Verona, Bassano del Grappa, Ferrara, Bologna, and Brescia. They are all from half an hour to two hours one way from Venice and very easily reached by train or car. A day will be just enough to see their main sights and to whet your appetite for many future returns. Otherwise, feel free to dig into this list for many more ideas for day trips from Venice, Italy.

Venice to Bassano del Grappa Day Trip

The Lion of St. Mark's on Piazza della Liberta - Bassano del Grappa, Veneto, Italy - rossiwrites.com

Bassano del Grappa is a picturesque city on the shores of the crystal clear river Brenta. The Venetian Prealps serve as its dramatic backdrop. Founded in the 2nd century BC, today Bassano stands out with its medieval and Venetian architecture.

Here you will find the remains of a medieval castle (used for opera performances each summer), fortified city walls, lovely cobbled piazzas, and many old buildings with faded frescoes on their facades. Winged lions (the symbol of the Republic of Venice of which Bassano was once part) can be spotted all over the city’s historical centre.

Bassano is famous as a centre of production of grappa – a traditional for Italy potent alcoholic drink made of grapes. It is often assumed that this Italian city owes the second part of its name to the drink. Instead, Bassano was named del Grappa in 1928 to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives in the decisive battles that were fought on the nearby Mount Grappa during the First World War.

Here are some of Bassano del Grappa’s major sights for you to explore and enjoy on a day trip from Venice:

Ponte degli Alpini – a wooden covered bridge straddling the river Brenta. A bridge has stood in the same place since the Middle Ages. It was destroyed several times. In 1569, the renowned architect Andrea Palladio rebuilt the bridge giving it its current magnificent shape. The bridge’s tumultuous history didn’t stop there though. In the centuries that followed, it was destroyed again and again in wars and force major events. The last time this happened was at the end of the Second World War. Each time the bridge was erected again following Palladio’s original designs.
Duomo di Santa Maria in Colle – Bassano’s cathedral was originally built around the year 998 and its imposing body is still a wonder to behold.
Piazza della Liberta’ and Piazza Garibaldi – Bassano del Grappa’s beautiful main squares. At Piazza della Liberta’ don’t miss the 15th-century Loggia del Comune with the splendid astronomical clock on its facade. You can go up the steps and walk inside the loggia free of charge for a great view of the square below.
Civic Museum – housed in a former Franciscan convent, the Civic Museum of Bassano del Grappa has an archaeological collection, a medieval section, a number of artworks by the likes of Canova and father and son Tiepolo, as well as a whole room dedicated to Jacopo del Ponte (also known as Jacopo Bassano – the city’s most famous Renaissance painter). The adjacent cloister holds a lapidarium and it’s also used for contemporary art installations.
Church of St. Francis – an impressive 12th-century church next door to the Civic Museum. It has a 14th-century crucifix among several other important works of art.
Palazzo Bonaguro – this is where the Natural History section of Bassano’s Civic Museums is housed.
Palazzo Sturm – a lovely historic building that houses two museums.
Poli Grappa Museum – here you can learn all about the potent Italian drink grappa and see how it is made.
Hemingway and the Great War Museum – after being wounded in the First World War, the great writer Ernest Hemingway spent three months in Bassano del Grappa. The villa where he stayed has been turned into a museum.

Bassano del Grappa is the perfect day trip from Venice. On one hand, it is small enough so that you can walk everywhere and cover all of its sights in a day. On the other hand, it offers a great variety of things to see and enjoy so that you can easily fill up a day with a spot of sightseeing, some nice shopping, and relaxed people-watching over a lovely lunch.

Travel Times: From 1 h 14 mins by Regionale train from Venezia Santa Lucia train station. From 1 h 5 mins to 1 h 40 mins by car from Piazzale Roma in Venice.

Best Organised Tours: Click here to book a great day trip from Venice taking in Bassano del Grappa as well as the beautiful village of Asolo. Expect a vineyard stopover where you can sample the locally produced Prosecco as well as a visit to one of the most beautiful and famous Venetian villas designed by Andrea Palladio. Otherwise, click here to see the full range of tours available in Bassano del Grappa, Italy.

Tips: Bassano del Grappa is particularly famous for the locally made ceramics. There are many shops selling wonderful and whimsical ceramic pieces produced by small family-owned workshops. Stock up on imaginative hand-painted cups, plates, terrines, and bowls in order to take a piece of Italy home with you. Visit the Ceramics Museum G. Roi in Palazzo Sturm in town to learn more about the tradition of ceramics in Bassano del Grappa, Italy.

Photos of Bassano del Grappa , Italy

Venice to Bologna Day Trip

Basilica di San Petronio - Bologna, Italy - rossiwrites.com

Come to Bologna for its excellent food, medieval history and the oldest University in the world still in continuous operation today. In a day, you can see most of Bologna’s main sights some of which are:

Archiginnasio – the first permanent seat of the University of Bologna;
Asinelli and Garisenda towers – witnesses of Bologna medieval past when close to 200 towers graced the city’s skyline;
Basilica of Santo Stefano (also known as Sette Chiese) – built over what was originally a temple of the goddess Isis and then grew into a complex of seven interconnected chapels and churches;
Neptune’s Fountain;
Quadrilatero – the city’s medieval market which is still going strong;
Piazza Maggiore – lined up by splendid palaces like Palazzo d’Accursio and the largest brick cathedral in the world – the Cathedral of St. Petronius;
Endless porticoes keeping you from rain and shine alike.

Very different to Venice, Bologna will give you a chance to see Italy in a new light. Plus, there is simply no chance to have bad food in the city which is known as La Gorda (the Fat One) Italy-wide.

Travel Times: From 1 h 25 mins (Frecciarossa and Frecciargento) and from 1 h 51 mins (Regionale Veloce).

Tips: For more information about what to do and see in Italy’s seventh most populous city, click here to read my article about Bologna.

Venice to Brescia Day Trip

Brescia is a hidden gem in the Italian province of Lombardy. While most tourists head over to the Lombardian capital Milan, make sure that you get off the train at Brescia to experience its unexpected beauty. The city’s history spans 3200 years and offers a rich tapestry of sights and museums for you to explore. Among these are:

Monumental area of the Roman Forum – which contains the best preserved Roman public buildings in Northern Italy;
Huge medieval castle with battlements, a tower, drawbridge, rampart and an Arms Museum in the keep. Its position on the steep Cidneo hill also offers unparalleled views over Brescia;
Many spacious squares lined up by stunning buildings. Don’t miss the Art Deco Piazza della Vittoria (with its Torrione – the first skyscraper built in Italy) and the Renaissance Piazza della Loggia (with the inspiring Palazzo della Loggia and the beautiful astronomical clock ).
Duomo Vecchio and Duomo Nuovo (The Old and the New Cathedrals);
Monastic Complex of San Salvatore/Santa Giulia (Santa Giulia City Museum) – with 11 000 works of art and archaeological finds;
Teatro Grande – a lavish opera house.

There are so many things to see and experience in Brescia, you can have a very full and exciting day there. Make sure that you plan well so as to cover as much ground as you can.

Travel Times: From 1 h 47 mins (Frecciarossa) and from 1 h 55 mins (Regionale Veloce).

Tips: Try the local cheese Bagoss. It is produced in small quantities in the nearby village of Bagolino and it has a lovely dense and salty flavour with hints of walnuts and chestnuts. On your descent from Brescia Castle, stop at ‘ Gelateria e… di Bedont R & Martha ‘ (Via dei Musei, 20a). Here you will find some of the best gelato in Italy. My favourite is the fiordilatte with caramelised sesame seeds flavour.

Venice to Ferrara Day Trip

Ferrara is beautiful and has so much to offer to the discerning traveller eager to learn more about Italy’s medieval history and art. Ruled by the House of Este in the 14th and 15th centuries, the city boasts several splendid palaces, a Romanesque cathedral with a fabulous facade, and 9 km of ancient defensive walls which are (alongside those of Lucca in Tuscany) the best preserved Renaissance walls in Italy. Ferrara’s historical centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some of the main sights here are:

Castello Estense – an iconic medieval brick building surrounded by moat in Ferrara’s heart;
Cathedral of San Giorgio with its lace-like facade, the construction of which started at the beginning of the 12th century;
Palazzo dei Diamanti – the seat of the National Gallery;
University of Ferrara with its Botanical Garden – Copernicus being one of its most notable students;
Natural History Museum with a dreamy building;
Teatro Comunale – its internal courtyard (called Rotonda Foschini in honour of the engineer Antonio Foschini) will make you marvel at its perfectly elliptical shape.

Ferrara is also an incredibly easy city to explore with children in tow. Head over there to give your little ones a chance to run and have fun in the many playgrounds installed all over town.

Travel Times: From 1 h 4 mins (Frecciabianca) and 1 h 27 mins (Regionale Veloce).

Tips : Come to Ferrara in September when Italy’s most important ballooning event takes place. Over nine days colourful baloons fly over the historical centre of Ferrara twice a day. The Ferrara Balloons Festival is held in the Bassani Urban Park just outside of the city’s Renaissance defensive walls. It is a big event with thousands of people flocking to see it, with pop-up restaurants and lots of entertainment options for little ones and grown-ups. Click here to find out more.

Venice to Lake Garda Day Trip

Lago di Garda is Italy’s biggest lake. Its shores are dotted with picturesque towns and villages and its landscapes leave you breathless. You can get there very swiftly from Venice to experience la dolce vita in its true sense. Medieval castles, Roman ruins, frescoed houses, lake views, nature hikes, spa procedures, boat trips, sublime gelato. You can savour it all in one perfect day. Peschiera del Garda, Desenzano del Garda and Sirmione are three of the towns on Lake Garda which you can reach with ease from Venice. Don’t miss:

Fortress and external fortifications in Peschiera del Garda – part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list;
Archaeological Museum, castle, old villas and Tower of St. Martin in Desenzano del Garda ;
Scaliger Castle, Grottoes of Catullus (the ruins of a huge Roman villa), spa treatments, beaches and boat trips around the promontory in Sirmione ;
Several large amusement parks and aquaparks are nearby. Check Gardaland, Caneva The Aquapark and CanevaWorld Movieland among others.

Lake Garda and the towns on its shores offer so many options and so much beauty to experience in a day that even the traveller who really knows their mind will find it difficult to choose. As such, make a plan before you go so that you can see as much as possible and yet feel refreshed and full of happy memories at the end of the day.

Travel Times: From 1 h 26 mins (Frecciarossa) and 1 h 46 mins (Regionale Veloce) to Peschiera del Garda. From 1 h 31 mins (Frecciarossa) and 1 h 56 mins (Regionale Veloce) to Desenzano del Garda/Sirmione

Tips: Lake Garda is gorgeous to visit any time of the year. August tends to be crowded, but any other month (including Christmas) the place is gorgeous. Beware that most historical sights are closed on Mondays. Look into visiting Lazise, Malcesine, Limone sul Garda, Garda, Bardolino, Riva del Garda and Torbole, if you are looking for more ideas as to cute little towns to see on the shores of the lake. For more tips and information about Lake Garda, have a look at my articles here , here , here , here and here .

Venice to Medieval Walled Towns Day Trip

Within very easy reach of Venice, you will find a gorgeous bunch of medieval walled towns. With their defensive walls and museums they are able to make the heart of a history and art buff sing with happiness and appreciation. Here are three for your consideration:

Bassano del Grappa – an elegant town sat on the banks of the river Brenta. The Venetian Pre-Alps serve as its dramatic backdrop. The main sight here is the Alpini Bridge, the striking structure of which has become Bassano’s symbol. A very pleasant day can be spent in this town exploring its streets and museums (one of which is dedicated to the local strong drink grappa ). When you reach the main square look up and admire the astronomical clock on the façade of one of the buildings. It is one of my most favourite things to see in charming Bassano.
Castelfranco Veneto – the cutest of the pack. A largely intact defensive wall circumnavigates the town’s historical centre. Don’t miss Giorgione’s House, then visit the adjacent 18th century cathedral where you can admire the artist’s breathtaking Castelfranco Madonna . The views from the Torre Civica are worth the steep steps to reach the tower’s top. If you can, come in September, when the town holds a Medieval Fair .
Cittadella – 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. For this you need to climb 14 meters up the wall via narrow passages and steep steps and then follow a path by the battlements. At certain points you will need to go even higher – up to 30 meters in fact. All this exercise will offer you an unparalleled view of the old town encircled by the wall and, beyond it, the Pre-Alps on the horizon.

There are many medieval walled towns in the Veneto. The three I have suggested above are some of the most splendid and easiest to reach from Venice. If you want more suggestions, check out: Asolo , Marostica and Noale .

Train Times: From 1 h 11 mins (Regionale) to Bassano del Grappa. From 48 mins (Regionale) to Castelfranco Veneto. From 1 h 17 mins (Regionale Veloce and Regionale) to Cittadella.

Tips: You can explore Castelfranco Veneto and Cittadella in one day. There is a direct train line connecting these two medieval walled towns, so that you can spend the morning in one and the afternoon in the other. This particular train line starts in Vicenza (see point 10 below) and finishes in Treviso (see point 8 below), so you can also combine a visit to either Castelfranco Veneto or Cittadella with a visit to Vicenza or Treviso and make it a mega day trip to remember.

Venice to Padua Day Trip

Tucked between Venice and Verona, Padua is often overlooked for one of these two much more famous cities. Still, if you look into it, you will soon discover that the art, the museums, the history and the shopping make Padua a real gem to have in your travel schedule. The city is mainly known as the setting for Shakespeare’s ‘Taming of the Shrew’, but when you are there, don’t miss the following sights:

Scrovegni Chapel with its stunning frescoes by Giotto. Tickets are in demand and tied to a time slot, so head there as soon as you arrive or book in advance;
Palazzo della Ragione – read more about it here;
Padua’s 800 years old daily market (Sundays excluded) which is still going strong – read more about it here;
Palazzo del Bo – the seat of Padua’s University. Founded in 1222, it is one of the oldest in Europe. This is where Galileo Galilei used to teach. You can visit the historical part of the University as part of a guided tour taking place several times a day;
Prato della Valle – a huge elliptical square with a surface of 90 000 sq m which is the biggest in Italy and one of the biggest in Europe;
Orto Botanico – the oldest botanical garden in the world. Read more about it here ;
Basilica of St Anthony of Padua – where the body and the relics of the saint are venerated;
Caffe Pedrocchi – two hundred years old and one of Italy’s historical coffee houses. It used to be open 24/7. You will find its beautiful building right by Padua’s Palazzo della Ragione.

There are so many unique and wonderful things to be seen in Padua, it is impossible to mention them all here. The train journey from Venice takes less than half an hour, so it makes for a wonderful day trip.

Travel Times: From 26 mins (Regionale Veloce, Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Eurocity).

Tips: Set some time aside to explore Padua’s hidden gems. Visit the Church of the Eremitani to see the Mantegna frescoes. Read here the amazing story of how they were destroyed during the bombings of the Second World War and then decades later restored using advanced mathematical calculations. Don’t miss the Baptistery right next to Padua’s Duomo. It is covered in splendid frescoes and photos there are not allowed, so you can immerse yourself in a beautiful moment of art appreciation. Another little gem is St. Anthony’s School (just off the Basilica of St. Anthony) which is covered in frescoes (mainly) by Titian. Finally, when in Padua, don’t miss the fabulous cakes and sweets typical for this beautiful Italian city. Click here to find out more about them.

Venice to Treviso Day Trip

People usually fly into Treviso and then head straight to Venice, completely bypassing this rather very pretty Northern Italian city. Don’t make the same mistake. Treviso with its breathtaking frescoed and decorated buildings and narrow curving streets guarantees a day of exciting exploration. Some of the main sights here are:

Piazza dei Signori – the main square where you can admire the imposing Palazzo dei Trecento – built in the 13th and the 14th centuries, it was the seat of Treviso’s Highest Council (the main administrative body of the city) and nowadays it houses the municipal council.
Loggia dei Cavalieri – an elegant structure with faded frescoes in the heart of the old town. It was built in the 13th century to serve the local nobility as a place for meetings, conversations, and games.
La Pescheria – a small river island in the historic centre of the city where the fish market is held.
San Francesco Church – a prime example of the late Romanesque/early Gothic style, this church was used as a stable by Napoleon’s troops. Here are the tombs of Petrarch’s daughter Francesca and Dante’s son Pietro.
Church of San Nicolo’ – for its many frescoes and also the earliest depiction of spectacles (eyeglasses) in Europe.
The seven-domed cathedral where you can admire a Titian and a very atmospheric crypt among other things.

Travel Times: From 37 mins (Regionale) and from 30 mins (Regionale Veloce).

Tips: Treviso is the birthplace of a dessert, a vegetable and a drink which make our lives so much better. The first one is tiramisu – that glorious dessert made with coffee- and marsala-dipped ladyfingers which are then layered with mascarpone beaten with raw eggs. The second one is the radicchio rosso – also called Italian chicory in English. Its bitter taste is a great complement to any fresh salad, plus it is very tasty grilled and added to pasta dishes, too. The third one is prosecco which nowadays is incredibly popular in the UK. You can combine half a day in Treviso with a visit to a nearby medieval walled town. Castelfranco Veneto and Cittadella are both very easy to reach from Treviso’s train station.

Venice to Verona Day Trip

Fair Verona doesn’t need an introduction. This is, after all, the Italian city which is forever linked in our hearts with the story of Romeo and Juliet. Verona is worth a day trip from Venice not just because of its Shakespearean links though. The city has a rich Roman and medieval past, a worldwide known opera festival and enough sights and places of interest to keep you occupied and excited for several days. Take your pick:

Piazza Bra – one of the largest squares in Italy where you will find Arena di Verona – once used to host gladiator fights and nowadays one of the finest concert venues in the world. This is where the famous Verona Opera Festival is held every summer. It is important to note that the Arena pre-dates Rome’s Coliseum by around a century;
Piazza delle Erbe – lined up with beautifully frescoed buildings and the gorgeous Palazzo Maffei. Don’t miss the adjacent Piazza dei Signori with the statue of Dante at its heart;
Torre dei Lamberti – the tallest tower in Verona which was built in 1172. It offers you inspiring views over the red rooftops of the city;
Roman Amphitheatre – built in the first century AD which is still used for stage performances today. Read more about it here ;
Juliet’s house outfitted with the famous balcony (which, in fact, is a sawed in half sarcophagus) – if you go there though, make sure that you actually visit the house, as it gives you a fascinating look into life in the 13th century. Read more information about Juliet’s house here ;
Castelvecchio – explore this medieval castle which nowadays houses a splendid art collection. Click here for more details.
Giardino dei Giusti – a Renaissance garden first planted in the 15th century. From its top level you can enjoy stunning views of the city. Read more about it here;
Scaliger Tombs – a group of Gothic funerary monuments in honour of Verona’s medieval rulers – the fearsome Scaligeri Family.
Juliet’s Club – where the Secretaries of Juliet reply to letters sent from all over the world asking the Shakespearean heroine for advice in the matters of the heart. If this sounds interesting, click here to read my account of my visit to Juliet’s Club on the 14th February 2017.

There are so many museums, churches and places of interest in Verona, that you will be spoiled for choice. The good thing is that the city centre is easily navigable by foot, so you can walk everywhere and see as much as possible within a day. Just wear some very comfortable shoes.

Travel Times: From 1 h 10 mins (Frecciarossa) and from 1 h 27 mins (Regionale Veloce).

Tips: Try the locally made sweets ‘Baci di Romeo’ and ‘Baci di Giulietta’ (literally ‘Romeo’s Kisses’ and ‘Juliet’s Kisses). They taste divine. Romeo’s version is made of almond paste and buttercream and Juliet’s is made of hazelnut paste and chocolate cream. They sell them in a few places around town. My favourite place to buy them from is a historical pasticceria called De Rossi. Here I hasten to add that I am in no way related to them and also, this is not an ad, just a personal recommendation as I love these sweets so much.

Venice to Vicenza Day Trip

Known as the Pearl of Renaissance, the Heart of Veneto, the City of Palladio and the Gold Town, Vicenza lies half-way between Venice and Verona in the Northern Italian region of the Veneto . The city is a creative hub of art, jewellery traditions and one-of-a-kind events. Plus it is a veritable open-air museum of architecture. Its streets are lined with sumptuous palaces and buildings which have inspired architectural cannons all over Europe and North America for the past 500 years. This is also the city I have been calling home for the past three years. So, obviously, I have a lot of recommendations as to what to see and do here. Don’t miss the main sights:

Basilica Palladiana – a stunning work of architectural art and the pearl in the crown of Palladio – the most influential architect of the Western world for the past 500 years who used Vicenza as his own personal architectural playground;
Piazza dei Signori – Vicenza’s central square surrounded by Palladio’s buildings and seeped in history;
Church of St. Mary of Mount Berico – overlooking the city and one of Italy’s most important and visited sanctuaries;
Teatro Olimpico – the theatre designed by Palladio where you can see the world’s oldest surviving stage set still in use today. Click here to read more about this jewel of Vicenza;
Many lavish jewellery shops confirming the fact that Vicenza is one of Italy’s most important centres of jewellery making;
Jewellery Museum – the first in Italy. Read more about it here ;
Church of Santa Corona – see the precious works of art by Bellini and Montagna. Worship the thorn from Christ’s Crown which has been sheltered here for centuries (for security reasons, the thorn is shown to the public only on big Christian holidays, the rest of the time it is kept in the nearby Diocesan Museum);
Villa Capra ‘La Rotonda’ and Villa Valmarana ai Nani – within a short walk from Vicenza’s train station, you can see two of the most famous and most beautiful Venetian villas. La Rotonda is one of the most copied buildings in the world and it has inspired the design of the White House.

For all that it has to offer, Vicenza keeps itself away from the trodden tourist track. This makes it all the lovelier to explore and peaceful to enjoy. If you are an architecture aficionado or are looking for that rare gem of a city which has it all but it lacks crowds and cheapened attractions, come to Vicenza for a day trip from Venice to remember for years to come.

Travel Times : From 43 mins (Frecciarossa) and from 45 mins (Regionale Veloce).

Tips: Have a look at the Vicenza category of blog posts here for a detailed inside look on what to see, eat and do in this exciting yet off-the-beaten-track destination in Northern Italy.

Venice to the Villas of the Veneto Day Trip

When the summer heat made Venice unbearable, its rulers and noblemen decanted en masse to the elegant villas they had built for themselves on the mainland. Designed by the best architects, covered in frescoes and surrounded by manicured gardens, the villas were akin to small palaces and just as lavishly furnished. Enjoy a day exploring some of these villas and see yet another facet of Venetian history. Some of the most splendid villas within an easy reach from Venice are:

Villa Pisani – the mother of all Venetian villas equipped with a maze, gorgeous gardens, water features and as much art as you can take in a day;
Villa Foscari ‘La Malcontenta’ – designed by Palladio, it impresses with its monumental architecture and lavish frescoes;
Villa Foscarini-Rossi – where, apart from the beauty of the villa itself, you can also see the Museum of the Shoes with over 1500 pairs of shoes created by the most feted designers.

Visiting a villa or two (or even three) is a pleasant and easy way to have a day trip from Venice to remember. In a way, you still feel like you are in Venice, for the history and the art of the villas are intrinsically connected with the powerful Venetian families of the day, yet there are no crowds and, in summer, the gardens offer shade to take refuge from the scorching Italian sun.

Travel Times: From 50-55 mins for Villa Pisani and Villa Foscarini-Rossi – from 26 mins by train (Regionale Veloce, Frecciarossa and Frecciargento) to Padua, followed by bus 53E to Stra (about 22 mins). Then walk about half a km to the villas. About 19 mins to Villa Foscari ‘La Malcontenta’ – take bus 53E from Corsia B7 at Piazzale Roma in Venice and get off at Chiesa. The villa is less than 500 m away from the bus stop.

Tips: There are many more villas to explore around Venice. A comfortable, yet quite pricey way to see a bunch of them is to join a river cruise which will take you up the river Brenta on the shores of which lie many of the more splendid villas.

Travel Tips and Tricks for Unforgettable Day Trips from Venice, Italy

I. public transport options for day trips from venice, italy.

Vaporettos just off Fondamente Nove, Cannaregio - Venice, Veneto, Italy - www.rossiwrites.com

Depending on where you want to head for the day from Venice, you will travel either by boat, train or bus (or a combination of two of them). The public transport system in Italy is very well-developed, generally inexpensive, and very easy to use.

I use the following websites to check public transport options and to get an idea of travel times and ticket prices for day trips from Venice, Italy:

1. Google Maps – for travel times and itineraries as well as for available public transport options.

2. Ticket Tours – for public transport tickets (water bus and land bus) in and around Venice and the Venetian Lagoon. It’s also great for booking trips to the islands in the Venetian Lagoon. For example, this hop-on hop-off tour with an audio guide and this tour to Murano, Burano, and Torcello .

3. Omio – my go-to train travel website in Italy and Europe. It gives me all the available train destinations, travel times, connections, and price points. It also allows me to buy tickets for all types of trains in Italy (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Intercity, Regionale Veloce, and Regionale) in advance.

4. Italo Treno – a private train company running its own branded high-speed trains. Often announces discount codes on its Facebook page . It’s best to buy tickets well in advance from their website as the prices may increase dramatically the closer to the day of travel it gets.

5. FS Bus Italia Veneto – for information about bus and coach travel in the Northern Italian region of Veneto .

II. Tips and tricks for day trips by boat and boat/bus from Venice, Italy

Ferryboat between Lido and Pellestrina - Venice, Veneto, Italy - rossiwrites.com

Due to its geographical location in the heart of the Venetian Lagoon, Venice is a city of water where cars cannot be used and boats are the main form of transport.

A long railway and road bridge – Ponte della Liberta’ – connects Venice to Italy’s mainland thus giving you a chance to quickly travel to many large Italian cities and smaller Italian towns on a day trip from Venice. If you want to visit one or some of the islands in the Venetian Lagoon though, a boat (and in fewer cases, a combo of boat and bus) is the only way to get there.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you enjoy unforgettable day trips by boat and by boat and bus from Venice, Italy:

1. There is a dense system of public water buses – called vaporetto – that serves Venice and connects it to the nearby islands and certain points on the mainland. You can have a look at the official website of Venice Urban Services for exhaustive details about types of transport, lines, destinations covered, and current prices.

2. There are also tour boats , private boats, and water taxis (known as motoscafo) that can be hired for day trips and tailor-made itineraries.

3. Travelling by boat (a vaporetto, a tour boat or a private boat) in the Venetian Lagoon is a very pleasant experience. There is no other way to fully appreciate the beauty and history of Venice and the nearby islands than to see them from the water. At the same time, during the high season, vaporettos quickly fill up with people and you may need to stand upright for most or all of the journey.

4. You can buy single tickets, a day ticket or a multi-day ticket for Venice’s vaporettos. Bear in mind that it is much more economical to buy a day ticket or a multi-day ticket than purchasing a single ticket every time you need to catch a vaporetto.

5. Make sure that you buy your ticket in advance and validate it before boarding the vaporetto.

6. You can easily reach the most popular destinations in the Venetian Lagoon – Murano, Burano, Torcello, Lido di Venezia, and Chioggia – by vaporetto from Venice. I have provided details in the section Islands in the Venetian Lagoon above.

7. Vaporettos and ferries will also take you to Venice from certain points on the Italian mainland. For example, Punta Sabbioni , Cavallino-Treporti , and Terminal Fusina .

8. In addition, if you want to visit the island of Pellestrina, for example, then you will need to take a vaporetto from Venice to the island of Lido di Venezia and then a bus to Pellestrina. The interesting thing here is that Lido di Venezia is connected to Pellestrina by a ferry. So, when you reach that point of the journey, the bus drives onto the ferry for the short crossing of ten minutes or so. The photo above shows you the views from the top floor of this small ferry between the two islands.

9. If you want to visit the Sottomarina beaches near Chioggia, then you will also need to take a bus there once you’ve reached Chioggia either by boat or boat and bus from Venice.

III. Tips and tricks for day trips by train from Venice, Italy

Piazza Bra with hearts and an electric train - Verona, Italy - rossiwrites.com

Train travel in Italy is generally very well organised. You can get from A to B quickly and (in most cases) rather cheaply. Here are some tips and tricks to help you enjoy unforgettable day trips by train from Venice, Italy:

1. Depending on their speed, there are different types of trains in Italy:

Frecciarossa , Frecciargento , and Italo Treno are the high-speed trains which will zip you from Venice to Bologna , Verona , Milan , and Florence in no time.
Regionale Veloce stands for fast regional trains. They connect Venice to many Italian towns and cities and travel at rather fast speeds.
Regionale are the slowest trains of them all. They stop at all small towns and villages along the way.

2. Where possible, try to travel by Regionale Veloce :

The tickets for this type of train are several times cheaper than the tickets for the high-speed trains Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Italo Treno.
The Regionale Veloce tickets also don’t fluctuate in price, so you can buy them on the day.
For example, a one-way ticket from Venice to Vicenza with the Frecciarossa train currently can cost as much as 21 euros if you buy it online. If you take a Regionale Veloce train, you will pay only 6.50 euros. The difference in travel times is only 2 mins. Frecciarossa takes 44 mins from Venice to Vicenza. Regionale Veloce takes 46 mins.

3. Travel by Frecciarossa / Frecciargento and Italo Treno to destinations that are at a significant distance from Venice. For example, Bologna , Florence, Lake Garda , and Milan .

You will pay more but you will spend much less time in transit.
In this case, try to buy your tickets in advance online, as they will be cheaper than buying them on the day at the train station.

4. Travel by Regionale trains only if there are no other options. They are cheap, but they can take a very long time.

5. Here is some useful information if you are buying your train tickets on the day of travel at the train station:

Lines for the ticket office can be long and slow-moving so arrive with plenty of time to spare.
You can use the ticket machines to either buy a ticket or print a ticket bought online.
Beware that some ticket machines only take cards and others take both cards and cash. Check the symbols in the upper right corner of the machine to make sure you are using the correct machine depending on how you want to pay.
The ticket machines are multilingual – you can select the language you want at the start of the operation.
Keep your luggage close and your valuables closer. It pays to be vigilant at all times, especially at large busy train stations. I have never been pickpocketed in Italy but I have had people approach me right when I was in the middle of buying a ticket. They either wanted to chat, asked for a donation or tried to engage me otherwise. A firm and loud ‘No!’ and a refusal to engage seem to work.

6. If you are travelling by Regionale Veloce or a Regionale train, don’t forget to validate your ticket before boarding the train:

Look for the small oval machines attached to walls and pillars at train stations and train platforms.
Insert the ticket in the machine’s slot, pushing it in and as much to the left as it would go and then wait for the whirring sound. Take your ticket out and check if the machine has printed a long line with digits on your ticket. The first few digits are the time and the date.
You don’t need to validate tickets for Frecciarossa / Frecciargento and Italo Treno trains. These are usually tickets with an assigned seat and for a train leaving at a particular time.
You need to validate all tickets for Regionale Veloce and Regionale trains.
Tickets for the Regionale Veloce and the Regionale trains are ‘open’, in the sense that you can use them for any such train on the day you purchased the ticket for.
However, once validated, your ticket is valid for the next 4 hours. In other words, you need to board the train within the four hours after having validated your ticket.
If you forget to validate your ticket and still board the train, make sure that you find the ticket inspector as soon as possible. Explain your case and be very polite. Ticket inspectors in Italy are very strict and the fines for travelling without a validated ticket are rather large. Pleading ignorance of the rules is not helpful. I have seen ticket inspectors in Italy easily switch to English, French, and/or German, so pretending that you can’t understand them doesn’t work either.

7. Trains arrive a couple of minutes before the time of departure, so they stay on the platform a little longer than trains in England, for example, where they arrive and leave within a very short window of time.

8. Trains often have two floors with upstairs and downstairs seats. For the best views, go upstairs.

9. Always buy your ticket before you travel. If you are caught without a ticket, with the incorrect ticket or a not validated ticket, you may be given an option to buy a ticket at a higher price, but most often than not, a large fine will be issued immediately and you will need to pay it on the spot.

In Conclusion

More helpful venice info for you.

Venice: Essential Tips , Hidden Gems , Nearest Airports , Boats in Venice , Haunted Venice , Arco del Paradiso Venice Videos: Grand Canal , St. Mark’s Square at Carnival , St. Mark’s Square , View from Rialto Bridge , View from Accademia Bridge , Venetian gondolas , Historical Regatta , Squero di San Trovaso , Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo , Fondazione Querini Stampalia , Palazzo Grimani , Rialto Fish Market , Ca’ Macana , Festa della Madonna della Salute

More Helpful Italy Info for You

Best of Italy: Italian Piazzas , Italian Food , Italian Markets , Italian Coffee Culture Northern Italy: 18 Best Cities to Visit Lake Garda: Best Towns , Nearest Airports , Travel Options , Lake Garda with Kids , Malcesine , Riva del Garda , Torri del Benaco Lake Como: Things to See , Nesso Veneto: Best Cities to Visit , Top 15 Places , 30 Adventures , 15 Most Colourful Places Friuli Venezia Giulia: Venzone , Most Beautiful Villages Emilia Romagna: Bologna , Ravenna , Comacchio , Most Beautiful Villages Marche: 6 Reasons to Visit , Gradara , Frasassi Caves , Temple of Valadier Verona: Things to Do in One Day , Day Trips from Verona Padua: Things to Do in One Day , 101 Facts About Padua , 10 Reasons to Visit Padua , Day Trips from Padua Vicenza: Things to Do , Best Museums , Day Trips from Vicenza

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Saturday 27th of August 2022

Trying to figure out whether to go to Milan and do day trips from there, go to Naples/Sorrento and stay in that area or go to Venice (I've been there and love it). I am really leaning towards staying Venice and doing day trips. Looks like it's very easy to get around and a lot more to see than I anticipated. Thank you for all this information!

Monday 29th of August 2022

Thank you for stopping by and for your nice comment! Have a wonderful time in Italy!

Rossi Thomson :)

Monday 8th of July 2019

Great article. It has given me lots of ideas for my first solo trip to Venice in autumn. Thanks

Tuesday 9th of July 2019

Thank you, Rose! Have a great time in Italy. Best wishes,

Sunday 13th of January 2019

Rossi Your blog is amazing and it has given us great ideas for day trips from Venice that we will be definitely using when we go to italy Much better than the usual tripe you get on line Bravo Jim [from Australia]

Thank you for your kind words! I hope you have a great time in Italy! Best wishes, Rossi :)

Wednesday 27th of June 2018

We are so thankful we stumbled onto your blog! Your article on the 11 best day trips in northern Italy helped us make a decision to take the train from Venice to Padua for the day. We followed your itinerary and had a MOST pleasant visit to the city. We bought the Padua card with the Scrovegni Chapel ticket. Went to St. Anthony’s Basilica, Padua University, and Palazzo Ragione, as well as the coffee shop.

I am so glad to hear this! Padua is a lovely city. Thank you very much for your very kind words. With best wishes,

Tuesday 15th of May 2018

Thank you for this! I will be using it to plan our two days post-cruise in October.

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Best Italian Road Trips: 16 Super Dreamy Routes

Italian road trips are the best. Whether you love strolling through cities, towns, and villages or exploring the country’s natural scenery, Italy is a fantastic road trip destination and it never disappoints.

The views will always be dreamy, the culture will always be fascinating, and the food will always be delicious.

With so much beauty in this country, it can be difficult to decide which area to choose for your scenic drive, so here’s a roundup of the best road trips in Italy that will hopefully help you make this almost impossible decision.

* This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission (for more info, read my disclosure ). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

* I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables.

Looking for the best Italian road trips? Here are 14 road trips in Italy for your travel bucket list inculding itineraries and tips!

Table of Contents

Best Italian Road Trips on the Mainland

Southern italy.

By Nicole from Adventures of Nicole

Route: Circular starting in Naples.

Days: 15 days (13-17 days is comfortable).

In a perfect mixture of off-the-beaten-path and well-trodden classics, this Southern Italy road trip takes in the most-loved stops in the regions of Campania , Basilicata , Puglia , and Calabria , as well as their hidden gems .

Starting from the capital of Campania, Naples , take a day or so to explore the historical sites that the city has to offer.

Some of the best things to do in Naples include exploring the historic center, grabbing some arancini, pizza fritta (fried pizza), and sfogliatelle, and heading to Gino Sorbillo’s pizzeria for one of his famed pizzas.

After your whirlwind visit to Naples, head south and spend 2- 4 days on the Amalfi Coast .

Explore the gorgeous towns of Positano , Amalfi , Atrani , and Ravello that seem impossibly clung to the side of the mountainous coast that appears to tumble into the sea.

Continuing south from the Amalfi Coast, you’ll enter the little-visited region of Basilicata and on to two of the most beautiful places in all of Italy – Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa . These side-by-side towns are built right into the Lucian Dolomites.

From Castelmezzano, you’ll journey deeper into Basilicata and visit Matera .

Once the ‘shame of Italy,’ the troglodytic city has risen from the ashes to become a European Capital of Culture and a UNESCO site. Among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, don’t miss the fascinating caves of the Sassi di Matera.

Heading into Puglia , you’ll visit the bizarre conical-roofed Trulli of Alberobello, the gorgeous caves of Grotta dell’Poesia, and the thermal baths of Santa Cesarea Terme before heading back into Basilicata to explore the nature of Pollino National Park en route to Calabria.

In Calabria , you’ll laze on the beautiful beaches in and around Tropea and explore the untamed beaches and cave of Grotto dell’Arcomagno.

Head back north to Maratea , your jumping-off point to the little-known cousin of Amalfi – the Cilento Coast , where you’ll wrap up your epic road trip before turning your car back in up in Naples. Plan your own Southern Italy road trip here .

UNESCO-listed Trulli houses of Alberobello, southern Italy

By Krisztina from She Wanders Abroad

Route: From Ortisei to Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Days: 4-5.

If you want to discover one of the most stunning areas in Northern Italy, you have to plan a road trip to the Dolomites for your next vacation!

It’s best to explore the Dolomites by car, so you can either bring your own if you live nearby or rent a car at the airport when you arrive in Italy.

Although there are no international airports in the area, bigger airports such as Venice, Bergamo, or Milan are only a few hours away from the Dolomites. This makes it easy to visit the region, even if you are coming from overseas.

The Dolomites cover more than 140,000 hectares in several regions, so you can spend several weeks exploring the area without getting bored, but if you only have a shorter amount of time, 4-5 days are enough to discover the highlights.

Since the best places to visit in the Dolomites are quite far from each other, it’s best to choose two bases for your road trip from where you can explore the nearby area with less driving.

In the first part of your road trip to Italy’s Dolomites, stay in Ortisei , which is a cute little town located in Val Gardena (in South Tyrol).

From there, you can visit the famous Alpe di Siusi , Lago di Carezza , the Seceda ridgeline, and the picturesque church of Santa Maddalena in Val di Funes .

Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the most popular places to stay, and it will be the perfect base for the second half of your Dolomites road trip as you can easily reach the Insta-famous Lago di Braies or the iconic three peaks at Tre Cime di Lavaredo from there.

It’s best to stay at least 2 nights at each place to have time to properly explore their surroundings!

By Marek from Indie Traveller

Route: Circular starting in Bari.

Days: 7.

Puglia is a highly underrated region of Italy that’s just made for a road trip.

It’s filled with ancient history, cute coastal towns, and great regional culinary delights, though without the crowds often found on the tourist trail elsewhere in Italy.

Start in the port city of Bari , then drive a circle around the Puglia peninsula (recognizable as the ‘heel of Italy’s boot’). The ancient city of Lecce , often billed as a kind of mini-Florence but without the crowds, is a must-stop along the way.

The true delights, though, are the small towns with white-plastered houses along the coast, such as Monopoli and Otranto , many of them boasting old Venetian fortresses and some of the best beaches in Puglia .

Looping back to Bari, be sure to stop by Alberobello . It’s a town known for its ‘Trulli’ – small conical buildings that were once used as farmhouses, but these days often function as souvenir shops or little holiday homes.

Staying in a Trullo is a unique experience you can’t have anywhere else.

Puglia is a wonderful region to explore by car, but do take care when driving; the Italians around here are known to be quite reckless drivers at times! Be sure to check out these tips for a road trip in Puglia .

Northern Italy: Lakes Garda, Como, Maggiore, and Orta

Route: Circular starting in Milan.

Northern Italy’s lakes are an ideal European road trip destination from Milan (especially if you want to spend fall or spring in Europe ).

From colorful coastal towns to relaxing beaches to natural landscapes, this area offers an interesting mix of things to do and see.

This one-week Italian lakes road trip can easily be extended to 10 or even 14 days if you want to visit a few more places or spend some time resting by the lakes.

Rent your car at Milan’s airport and head to Lake Garda , the largest in the country. Dedicate at least 3-4 days to this lake and explore towns like Limone , Sirmione , Malcesine , Bardolino , and Borghetto sul Mincio .

Don’t miss the mesmerizing turquoise Lake Tenno , situated only a few miles away from Garda’s northern coast.

Continue to Lake Como , which is mostly known for its luxurious lakeside villas. Towns like Varenna and Bellagio are its crowning glory, but there are plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered in the area.

The third lake, Lake Maggiore , is the one that often gets overlooked, yet visiting it is one of the best things to do in northern Italy .

Base yourself in Stresa , and visit places like the nearby Borromean Islands (easily accessible by ferry or boat) and the lesser-known Cannobio .

Before heading back to Milan, be sure to stop at the charming Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta .

Rome to Florence

By Tiffany from A Girl and Her Passport

Route: Rome to Florence.

Days: 5.

Traveling from Rome to Florence is probably one of the best driving routes in Italy. This road trip takes you through the gorgeous countryside of Umbria and Tuscany .

A road trip from Rome to Florence is very short if you want to make no stops along the way, but where is the fun in that? You can make the trip in as little as two days or make it a longer trip of up to five days.

Most people will rent a car at the Rome airport, so if you want to see the city first, you should do this before renting a car.

You can plan a short itinerary of just 24 hours in Rome , but the Italian capital has so much to offer, that it would be best to spend at least 4 days in Rome .

Once you leave the city, head to the Parco di Monstri – this outdoor sculpture garden is unlike any art you might have seen, and it has a slightly creepy history.

In Umbria, there are several cute towns to visit that have fascinating histories. Amelia , supposedly the oldest Umbrian town, has 11-foot-thick walls and winding alleyways to explore.

Assisi is the hometown of St. Francis and has many stunning churches to visit. The view from the Rocca Maggiore castle is one of the best in Italy.

Tuscany brings its own beautiful villages, including Siena and Cortona , from ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ fame.

Be sure to watch where you park in these towns as the parking can be restricted to residents only. Usually, there is a public car park on the outskirts of town.

Most of all, take time to enjoy the scenery of this stunning road trip from Rome to Florence.

You can also check out this 7-day Rome-Florence-Venice itinerary !

By Dhara from It’s Not About the Miles

Route: Circular starting in Florence.

One of the best scenic drives in Italy is a trip through Tuscany.

With this 7-day Tuscany road trip itinerary , you can cover the best places to visit in the region, enjoy the art and architecture, take great photos, and relish fabulous food and wine along the way.

Begin your trip with 1 or 2 days in Florence , the region’s capital and the cradle of the Renaissance.

In Florence, climb to the top of the Duomo for fabulous views, wander the streets of the historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and take in the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo. Don’t forget to gorge on gelato!

From Florence, head southeast, to the lesser-visited but very beautiful towns of Arezzo and Cortona . With beautiful architecture and lively main squares, these small towns will charm you.

Your next stop is Siena , possibly Italy’s most famous hill town. Its Duomo is magnificent, as well as its Piazza del Campo, one of the largest squares in Europe and one of the prettiest piazzas in Italy .

From Siena, move on to the scenic Val d’Orcia , where you can stop at old historic abbeys, small picturesque hill towns, and even one of the best hot springs in Tuscany .

Do make time to sample the local pici pasta and famous local wines, and visit some vineyards as well!

On the western side of your loop around Tuscany, you will visit San Gimignano , with its famous medieval towers, and Lucca , famous for its medieval city walls (though you’ll find plenty of other things to do in Lucca ).

You can also stop in Pisa , to see the famous Leaning Tower, before you head back to Florence.

Bologna Apennines

By Lori from Travelinmad

Route: Circular starting in Bologna.

Days: 2-3.

If you’ve visited the over-touristy cities in Italy like Venice, Florence, and Rome and are seeking somewhere without crowds, base yourself in Bologna, rent a car, and road trip the Bologna Apennines .

The small towns, scenic wilderness areas, and incredible historic sites are all within a one-hour drive from Bologna.

The Bologna Apennines are south of the city and easily accessible. Use a GPS to explore winding roads with overviews around nearly every bend.

One of the best things to experience is the incredible local food. The small hamlets all have one or two great places to eat.

On a weekend drive a pleasant 28 miles from Bologna, is the mysterious Rocchetta Mattei , a 19th-century fortress with a fascinating past and wild architecture. You’ll need a reservation, but that’s easy to do at the tourism office in Bologna.

Along the same road is the 13th-century sparsely habited village of Borgo La Scola . It’s quiet and interesting… and you might even get to chat with one of the few residents.

You’ll find the town of Tolé fascinating with its incredible murals and artworks lining the narrow lanes. And don’t miss the town of Vignola and its amazing castle, the Rocca di Vignola. The entrance is free, and if you’d like a tour in English, you’ll need a reservation.

If you’re looking for offbeat Italy road trip routes, the Bologna Apennines are definitely slow travel at its best.

Northern Italy: Veneto and Trentino Regions

By Emily from London City Calling

Route: Circular starting in Verona.

Days: 10.

Starting and finishing in Verona, this 10-day northern Italy road trip itinerary will let you see the best of the diverse regions of Veneto and Trentino , with their many historic cities, beautiful lakes, and dramatic mountainous scenery.

Start your trip in the romantic city of Verona , known for its connection with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, followed by a couple of days in the neighboring Lake Garda , famous for its turquoise waters and quaint lakeside towns.

A leisurely few days in the sunny Veneto region is a perfect place to start your Italian road trip route.

From the south of Lake Garda, drive to the lake’s northern shore where you’ll enter Trentino, one of Italy’s most northerly provinces.

Here you can spend a few days nestled within the dramatic scenery of the Dolomites , either in the charming city of Trento or out hiking, kayaking, and caving your way around the region’s beautiful nature.

Next, head back down to the Veneto region and spend your last couple of days exploring Venice , Italy’s famous floating city, and Treviso , home of the tiramisu.

Venice can be difficult to visit on a road trip given that cars can’t enter the island, however, you can either leave your car in Treviso and get the 30-minute train to Venice island or park at one of Venice’s designated car parks and jump on a boat into the historic center.

Finally, head back to Verona, just an hour’s drive away from Venice, to end your trip where you started it.

By Val from My Italian Diaries

Route: From Ancona to Ascoli Piceno.

Le Marche is a beautiful region in central Italy , stretching along the Adriatic coast.

Its fabulous landscapes in all shades of green and yellow rival those of neighboring Tuscany, while its historic hamlets and glitzy beach towns are a joy to explore.

There’s a lot you can include on your Le Marche itinerary , but with five days at your disposal, you can cover quite a few highlights.

Start in Ancona , the region’s capital, with a lively harbor, interesting museums (including one specially designed for visually impaired people), and a splendid hilltop cathedral.

The next day, head to Mount Conero National Park , where you’ll find pristine beaches immersed in natural beauty and enchanting little towns like Sirolo and Numana .

On day 3, visit Loreto , home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Italy – the Holy House of the Virgin Mary.

Then, reach the beautiful hilltop town of Recanati, where everything speaks of his most famous resident, Giacomo Leopardi, one of Italy’s greatest poets.

Spend the next day in Fermo , another fabulous hilltop town where highlights include Roman cisterns, amazing churches, and a fascinating piazza lined with historic palaces.

While you’re there, don’t miss the gorgeous hamlet of Torre di Palme , known as the “balcony of the Adriatic”, and the magical old town of Grottammare Alta , a bit further south.

Finally, reach Ascoli Piceno to admire its stunning Piazza del Popolo, lined with medieval buildings and historic establishments, and feast on olive all’ascolana , the region’s delicious stuffed fried olives that were born here.

By Nancy from Nancy Goes to Italy

Route: Based in Termoli.

Days: 3.

Molise is the second smallest region of Italy. Its western half is part of the Apennine Mountains and a national park. This Molise road trip concentrates (over 3 days) on the eastern shelf near the Adriatic.

The base is the seaside town of Termoli, with its old town and beautiful beaches, popular with Romans.

On day 1, visit Agnone, home to the oldest bell foundry in the world, founded in 1339 and continuously operating ever since.

On day 2, head to Bagnoli del Trigno, a town built in and around a rock. It has an attractive big square, easy parking, pretty trees, painted houses, a piazza with benches and scalloped cobblestones, and a bar named Bizzarro.

Next, visit Pietrabbondante, a town with an ancient amphitheater built by the Samnites around 400 BC. It takes about 40 minutes to get there from Bagnoli del Trigno, even though it’s only 20 miles away. In Molise, the terrain is rough and the roads are small and twisty.

On your last day, head to the village called Acquaviva Collecroce, also named Kruć. It’s small and easily walkable but very hilly. It was founded by people from the Dalmatian coast (what is now Croatia) who are said to speak Italian and Serbo-Croatian.

Bagnoli del Trigno, a town in Molise, Italy

Northwest Italy: Lombardy, Liguria, and Piedmont

Route: Circular from Milan.

Days: 7-8.

Looking for more ideas for your Italian self-drive holidays? Another way to see northern Italy with a car is by exploring its northwestern regions, including Lombardy , Liguria, and Piedmont .

After spending a day in Milan , it’s time to hit the road and head to the city of Pavia to marvel at the Visconti Castle, the Cathedral of Pavia, and its beautiful streets.

Continue to Genoa for a couple of days. You can visit the Royal Palace Museum, admire the San Lorenzo Cathedral, stroll along the UNESCO-listed Via Garibaldi and its famous palatial buildings, and enjoy dozens of other landmarks, museums, and activities.

You could also visit the villages of the Cinque Terre, though you might find it easier to reach the area by train (from Genoa).

Spend some time in the charming small city of Asti , and head to Turin for about two days during which you should visit the Egyptian Museum, Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Madama, Villa della Regina, and Borgo Medievale.

Before going back to Milan, make a final stop in the small city of Biella and the nearby Burcina Park and Sanctuary of Oropa , the largest and most important sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the Alps.

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Northwest Italy: Turin and Aosta Valley

Route: Circular from Turin.

To combine history and culture with the most picture-perfect natural landscapes, spend a couple of days in Turin and then head to the dreamy Aosta Valley to enjoy the most amazing northwest Italy road trip .

The capital of Piedmont will reward you with UNESCO-listed royal residences of the House of Savoy, fascinating museums for all ages, amazing hearty food and chocolates, and so much more.

Then rent your car in the city center and head to the visit-worthy Aosta Valley (alternatively, rent your car at Turin’s airport, travel through Aosta Valley, and end your trip with 2 days in Turin).

Base yourself in the center of the region and explore a different area each day. On your way from Turin, you can already visit the awe-inspiring Fort of Bard .

In the remaining days, enjoy the magical Mont Blanc views offered by the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car and the quaint towns of Pre Saint Didier and Courmayeur , head into the scenic Gran Paradiso National Park , visit the Roman landmarks of Aosta (the city), and unwind at Brusson Lake.

Don’t forget to try regional delicacies cooked with locally produced fontina cheese, including fondue, risotto, and polenta.

Where to stay in Aosta Valley
Places to visit in Aosta Valley
Is Turin worth visiting?
3-day Turin itinerary
Things to do in Turin
Best area to stay in Turin
Chocolate in Turin
Cafes in Turin
Turin travel tips
Winter in Turin
Hidden gems in Turin

Natural landscapes and houses in Saint Pierre in Aosta Valley, Italy

Southern Italy + Sicily

By Talek from Travels with Talek

Route: Naples to Palermo.

My road trip in Southern Italy was one of the coolest I’ve ever taken. We started off in Naples and headed south to Sicily ending in the beautiful capital city of Palermo.

All told the trip took 10 days, but it is the type of journey that you could extend to whatever you want depending on your interests.

In Naples , the best thing to do is to eat pizza and visit the Archeological Museum.

On to Matera , a land of mysterious caves where people live and work underground. Further south we crossed into Sicily via car ferry, quite the experience navigating the narrow aisles on a ship with a car!

The island of Sicily is magical. Taormina , one of the first cities you reach when you cross the strait, is a medieval treasure.

Agrigento has the Valley of the Temples and the excavated Roman palace, Villa Romana del Casale, with its perfectly preserved collection of mosaics dating from Roman times.

One of the most impressive sights is the cathedral at Monreal , but the absolute gem of Sicily is its capital, Palermo .

Wandering the city’s narrow streets and food markets (which are a great way to eat and experience Sicily on a budget ) and visiting the fascinating architectural mishmash of its cathedral and Norman palace was an unforgettable experience.

Best Italy Road Trips: Scenic Island Routes

By Marvin from Part Time Passenger

Route: Circular starting in Olbia.

Days: 5-10.

Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea , is an excellent road trip destination – for various reasons. If you think you’ve seen a fair share of beautiful Italy, this Sardinia road trip will elevate your Dolce Vita to the next level.

The local Sards will not only welcome you with open arms, but will fix you up with some of the best Italian food around, including baked goat cheese, homemade ravioli tossed in sage butter, and fresh seafood.

From the impeccable beaches of the Costa Smeralda in the north to the surf spots in Oristano , across the central mountains, to the sandy bays of the Costa Rei , Sardinia is an incredibly diverse destination.

With constantly changing scenery, it’ll be hard to be bored. And the best part: the main routes are easy to navigate and dotted with an abundance of stop-over opportunities.

While you could technically drive from north to south in 3-4 hours, you should at least (!) arrange for 5 days on the island.

Olbia , located in the northeastern tip of Sardinia and served by various airlines, is a good starting point. From here, work your way around the coastline.

Venturing offshore to La Maddalena islands, watching the sunset in beautiful Castelsardo, or catching that perfect wave in Capo Mannu , are just some of the things that will keep you busy here.

Lovers of all things history and culture will enjoy roaming the colorful alleys of the former Spanish enclave Alghero or the many piazzas of Cagliari , the island’s busy capital. Sardinia simply has it all.

Western Sicily

By Katja from Places and Notes

Route: Circular starting in Trapani.

Days: 7-10.

On this awesome Western Sicily road trip , you will visit some of the island’s best historical sites, sandy beaches, cute villages with traditional wine cellars, vibrant cities, salt pans dotted with windmills, lush countryside, and much more.

Start your adventure in Trapani , spend the first day getting to know the laid-back Sicilian way of life, and take a trip to the medieval village of Erice the day after.

Continue towards San Vito lo Capo , a wonderful white sandy beach bay with a mountain backdrop, perfect for a relaxing day at the seaside.

On the way to Palermo, you can stop by at Segesta archaeological site and Monreale monastery.

Palermo is Sicily’s largest, loudest, and most chaotic city, but it sure is worth spending a day or two visiting all the sites and indulging in Sicilian cuisine.

While heading south towards Agrigento and its impressive Valley of the Temples, make sure you visit Corleone , a smaller town famous for its connection with some of the most powerful families of the mafia.

Unwind in San Leone at the beach and explore another one of Sicily’s best spots, Scala dei Turchi white cliff.

The last part of this trip before returning to Trapani takes you to Marsala , a charming wine area and a natural reserve with salt evaporation ponds, which are especially lovely at sunset.

This trip can begin in either Trapani or Palermo since there are international airports in both cities and is doable in seven days, but can be extended to ten.

Eastern Sicily

By Annabel from Smudged Postcard

Route: Circular starting in Catania.

Days: 10 or more.

One of the best drives in Italy, this exploration of Eastern Sicily takes in a wide variety of sights. Flying into Catania , it is worth spending a day learning about this beautiful Baroque city and its relationship with nearby Mount Etna .

From Catania, it is an easy drive south to Syracuse where highlights include the stunning Piazza del Duomo and the Ancient Greek and Roman remains at the Archaeological Park.

If you’re taking a road trip in Sicily with kids , be sure to watch a show at the traditional puppet theatre.

From Syracuse, it is a short drive to the Val di Noto region of Sicily, home to some appealing cities including Modica and Ragusa , both perfect for foodies.

Heading inland from the Val di Noto, you reach Caltagirone with its impressive terracotta staircase.

Not far from there is the highest regional capital of Sicily, hilltop Enna with far-reaching views across the countryside towards Mount Etna.

The final leg of this road trip through Italy’s biggest island passes the smoldering volcano before reaching the pretty clifftop town of Taormina .

Here, you will find a perfectly positioned Greek-Roman amphitheater with views looking out towards the sea and Mount Etna. There’s a cable car down to the pebbly beach and enough restaurants and cafes to fill a lifetime of holidays.

Some Tips for Planning an Italian Road Trip

As you can see in the suggested routes in this post, you should focus on a relatively small area instead of trying to see the entire country in 7 to 10 days (or even 2 weeks), which is impossible.
In some instances, parking is limited and the roads are narrow, so renting a smaller car would be better. It’s not always the case – in Aosta Valley, for example, this wasn’t a problem.
Parking is never free, so always have spare change, and be prepared for many toll roads (for these, you can also pay by card in most cases but not always).
Driving inside big Italian cities is not fun, so rent and return the car at the airport if possible.
Browse the best car rental deals on Rentalcars.com !

Related Travel Guides

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Did you like these bucket list Italy road trip ideas? Check out:

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Have you found the best Italian road trip ideas for you? Tell me in the comments which one is your favorite and pin this post for later

About Or Amir

Hey, I'm Or! I'm a passionate traveler with a severe coffee, chocolate, and pastry addiction (or any other carb for that matter). I'm always planning my next trip to Spain, Italy, or any other country in Europe, and my goal is to help you make the most of each destination.

14 thoughts on “Best Italian Road Trips: 16 Super Dreamy Routes”

Thanks for the recommendations. I am planning a road trip to Italy for the summer and your info just made if 10 times easier to plan. Appreciate it!

That’s the goal, so that’s great to know! Thank you, Nadia!

I did a road trip in Puglia, Basilicata and the Amalfi Coast! It was really nice! I passed by many places you mentioned 🙂

That sounds lovely 🙂 Italy is so dreamy!

Great list of road trips you’ve put together! I would love to do all of these so I’m saving this post for later reference.

Thank you so much! A bucket list can never be too big 🙂

I’m loving these road trip ideas! I’m wishing I could teleport myself to Europe now and start the adventure. Ahh well, I will definitely keep these ideas in mind for the future! Those Italian Lakes are calling my name…

Oh, teleporting myself to other places is my dream superpower 😛 You’ll love the Italian lakes – their colorful towns are right up your alley 🙂

What a beautiful country! I’ve travelled through Tuscany and the Veneto but definitely need to explore the Northern Lakes and Sicily. We usually cope with driving in the country (although the smaller roads do have those anxiety inducing ditches on either side) then chicken out and go for a park and ride when we get close to the bog cities.

Your fabulous photos make me want to go back again soon!

I agree some regions in Italy are not so fun to drive, but I’ll take my chances 🙂 Happy you like this post!

Thanks for the feature! I wish I could be in Italy right now 🙁

Me too! Thanks for writing about your amazing Italian road trip 🙂

Thank you for the feature! This is an awesome list of Italy road trips and I can’t wait to explore some of these routes. Especially the Sicily road trips make me crave more Italian adventures!

Thanks for participating! I think it turned out awesome 🙂

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Best Italy Road Trip: from Venice to Bologna

By: Author Scott Kendall

Italy Road Trip from Venice to Bologna

You could visit Venice for weeks, months, or years, and never tire of the multitude of sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences of this marvelous city. However, there are many other great places to see within a few hours of Piazza Roma. This makes it the perfect destination for a Road Trip to explore Northern Italy.

On this three-day and 2-night Italy road trip, we first went to the town of Padua, and then on to Ferrara and Castle Este. From there, we left to explore beautiful Bologna . Finally, we took a quick trip to Maranello, site of the fantastic Ferrari Museum to check out some shiny red cars. If you are not sure about driving in Italy, you can also easily do this trip by train or bus, or stay in Venice and do individual day trips from Venice.

For more Italy Road Trip Ideas, take a look at these itineraries:

7 Days in Italy Itinerary from Venice to Rome

7 Days in Tuscany Itinerary

Padua; the place to start your Italy Road Trip from Venice

Padua is just forty-five minutes west of Venice. The university, where Galileo once taught, was established in 1222. Its large student population keeps the town young and vibrant. The Scrovegni Chapel is one of the landmarks of this city of 200,000 people. With beautiful frescoes by Giotti covering the interior of the chapel, as well as an adjacent art museum and a beautiful park, the Scrovegni Chapel is a popular attraction for locals as well as tourists.

Scrovegni Chapel

A fire devastated the city in 1174, requiring residents to rebuild much of the city. Padua has been under the rule of many entities, including Roman, Venetian, Austrian, and Italian, and you can see their various influences throughout the town.

The city survived WWI and WWII, but did suffer some substantial losses, including severe damage to the railway station and the Church of the Eremitani, which housed priceless frescoes by Andrea Mantegna. Luckily, many other interesting churches, statues, villas, buildings and parks dot the city, including the spectacular Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua.

While you can easily explore the sights of Padua on your own, you can also join a guided tour to show you around.

Probably the best-known landmark in Ferrara is Castle Este. Built in 1385 to protect the town from external threats, the castle featured four large bastions. It is surrounded by a moat.

The Garden and Loggia of the Oranges, a symbol of peaceful nature, is an example of Renaissance Ferrara’s love affair with gardens and nature. It is a serene experience to walk among the citrus trees, alone, with history and views of the city. We also enjoyed the Saletta dei Giochi, or small chamber of games, and the intriguing Saletta dei Veleni, or small chamber of poisons. In this chamber, medicine, and perhaps poisons, were produced by court pharmacies.

Castle Este - Road Trip Italy - Venice to Bologna - Italy Road Trip

After an interesting tour of the castle, we enjoyed an aperol spritz in the large courtyard, where LCD Soundsystem, a popular techno-rock band, was preparing for an evening concert. I loved the vivid contrast between the old, historic 14th-century castle with its moat while listening to the ultra-modern music of the 21 st century.

Early the next morning, I hopped on one of the bicycles provided at my hotel and rode past the Jewish cemetery towards town. I turned right on Corso Porta Mare, and took a couple of laps around Plaza Ariostea. Veering north on Via Borso, my eyes caught sight of a church-like building, with Roman arches, statues, blocks of granite and open fields.

Upon closer inspection, I found I was in what locals refer to as “the countryside inside the city”. Cimitero della Certosa is a fascinating cemetery with an impressive building complex (which used to be a church). It also has grounds, with graves, headstones, and statues surrounded by fields of green grass, lavender, and wildflowers.

Cimitero della Certosa - Road Trip Italy - Venice Bologna - Italy Road Trip

Where to Stay in Ferrara – Hotel Villa Horti della Fasanara

A small boutique hotel in the middle of a beautiful park with large trees and gardens, the wonderful Villa della Fasanara has conveniently located a short walk to parks, shops, restaurants, and Castle Este. The villa is a delightful mix of old and new.

The suites inside the old stone building have been remodeled so the bedrooms, living rooms and modern baths have all the style and elegance to make your stay comfortable. Another great plus was the free bicycles available to guests. I took one out for a few hours and loved riding through the streets, parks, and cemeteries at my leisure.

Day Trips Venice-Best Day Trips from Venice

Elda and her staff have done a wonderful job of creating the perfect place to stay while enjoying Ferrara. She was so friendly when we checked in, and helped up make reservations at a great restaurant in town. With plenty of outdoor seating on the patio, it is very relaxing to enjoy a drink and conversation in the gardens. In the morning there is a nice breakfast buffet to get your day off to a great start. Villa Horti della Fasanara is indeed a romantic luxury boutique hotel of the highest quality.

Get the best prices for Horti Della Fasanara here>>

Piazza Maggiore is the heart of historic Bologna. Upon entering this large area, the Fountain of Neptune greets visitors triumphantly hoisting his trident, surrounded by angels, dolphins, sea nymphs, and a coat of arms. Erected in 1566, this fountain is a work of art by Giambologna depicting the god Neptune stilling the seas. With an innovative design, the fountain symbolized the recent election of Pope Pius IV as a powerful but benevolent ruler.

The Basilica San Petronio is the tenth largest church in the world. With an unfinished façade, it is the largest church built of bricks in the world. If the original plans had been followed, Basilica San Petronio would be the largest in the world. However, plans changed because of papal interference and lack of funding. With beautiful white and reddish marble covering the bottom strip of the façade, one can only imagine what it would look like today had it been completed. The interior features twenty-two chapels, and also boasts the largest indoor sundial, or meridian line, in the world.

Like Padua, Bologna also has a large student population. Founded in 1088, the university is well known for its Law, Medicine, Engineering, and other programs of study. Adjacent to the basilica is the Archiginnasio, once the main building of the University. It currently holds the large municipal library and the Anatomical Theatre, where anatomy classes and dissections were held for medical students. South of Piazza Maggiore are the Due Torri, or Two Towers – the smaller Garisenda and the taller Asinelli, which stands at 97m. Built for defense and for prestige, these two towers are among only twenty that survive out of over a hundred that once existed in Bologna.

Day Trips from Venice-Best Day Trips from Venice

In the sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vita stand six expressive statues, Lamentations Over the Dead Christ, by Niccolo dell’Arca. These six amazing terra cotta statues, displayed in a corner of the church, show the emotions and grief of people witnessing the death of Christ. Each face and gesture vividly displays the emotions of those witnesses and the profound impact of this momentous event. Many scholars and art aficionados agree these impressive figures are some of the most magnetic and compelling sculptures ever created.

Foodie Tip: Bologna is also renown for its excellent food, so if you can squeeze in an extra day, we highly recommend a food tour or cooking class to enjoy some delicious and authentic Italian fare.

Hotel Internazionale

Hotel Internazionale is located in the heart of Bologna. On the main street Via Indipendenza, this lovely renovated hotel in a historic building is near the train station and shops, restaurants, and museums. The hotel has a calm and elegant feel, with beautifully decorated air-conditioned rooms and comfortable beds. And unlike many other Italian hotels, the Wi-fi worked great.

Bologna - Road Trip Italy - Venice to Bologna - Italy Road Trip

They have a lovely dining room, where we enjoyed a wonderful buffet breakfast in the morning and limoncellos in the evening. We had a rental car, so the attached parking garage was very convenient. With its great location, clean, comfortable rooms, and superb staff, Hotel Internazionale is a great choice when visiting Bologna.

Find the best prices for Hotel Internazionale here>>

Maranello – Ferrari Museum

Who doesn’t like bright red sports cars? Especially when that car is a legendary Ferrari, one of the most prestigious brands in the world. Enzo Ferrari is known for saying, “If you can dream it, you can do it”. After touring this auto wonderland, it is easy to see that Enzo dreamed, and dreamed big.

Interesting tidbits about the history of Ferrari is intertwined with sparkling, sporty automobiles, starting with early models up to the most recent models. If you are interested and willing to pay the price, there are even several places in town you can rent a Ferrari to drive for yourself. There’s no better way to make your Italy road trip from Venice to Bologna more special.

1 Day Food, Wine and Ferrari Tour from Bologna

Ferrari Museum in Maranello - Road Trip Italy - Venice Bologna - Italy Road Trip

Padua, Ferrara, Bologna and Maranello are great places to visit to get a feel for Padua and the wonderful Emilia-Romagna area of Northern Italy. Just a couple hours away from Venice, these Italian treasures make a great Italy road trip. Castles, historic churches, magnificent works of art, great food, wines, and world-class automobiles await you.

Ready. Start your engines.

Best Italy Road Trip from Venice to Bologna

Italy Road Trip from Venice to Bologna – was written by Scott Kendall for EuropeUpClose.

Thanks for the hospitality and assistance of the Bologna Tourist Bureau . The author was also provided complimentary accommodations at Hotel Villa Horti della Fasanara in Ferrara and Hotel Internazionale in Bologna.

Italy Road Trip from Venice to Bologna – Pin for Later:

Italy Road Trip Venice to Bologna - Road Trip Italy #italy #venice #roadtrip #Travel #traveling #traveler #Bologna #Italyvacation #vacation #Holiday #Trip #driving #Ferrari #Cars

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2 Weeks In Italy Itinerary, The Ultimate Italy Road Trip

Planning a trip to Italy for 2 weeks? You are at the right spot! I’ve been exploring Italy for decades. So I have all the hands on experience and tips to give you the best 2 weeks in Italy itinerary.

Italy is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and is home to some of the most beautiful towns, cities, and experiences on offer in Europe.

Italy is probably my favorite country to travel in. You’re engulfed in history, can admire some of the world’s best art, and eat some of the world’s best food. What could be better?

Pinterest pin for 2 weeks in Italy itinerary

Overview Of 2 Weeks In Italy Itinerary

This 2 week Italy road trip itinerary starts in Venice and ends in Naples. It’s a perfect itinerary for first time visitors to Italy.

Venice’s airport is terrific and typically inexpensive to fly into. The city’s Santa Lucia and Mestre train stations connect to just about everything south with high speed service.

You can pick up your car leaving Venice or leaving Bologna. Alternatively, you can also do the entire 2 weeks in Italy by train.

With this Italy itinerary, you’ll have 5 bases: (1) Venice; (2) Bologna; (3) Florence; (4) Rome; and (5) Naples.

If you need a break from the city, instead of staying in Naples, you can base yourself on the Amalfi coast for 3 days and day trip from there.

The cliff top town of Sorrento makes a perfect springboard for visiting the Amalfi Coast. From there, you can day trip to Pompeii, Positano, Capri, and even Naples.

Day 1 : Venice
Day 2 : Venice
Day 3 : Bologna
Day 4 : Bologna, day trip to Parma or Modena
Day 5 : Florence
Day 6 : Florence
Day 7 : Florence, day trip to Siena
Day 8 : Rome
Day 9 : Rome
Day 10 : Rome, Vatican City
Day 11 : Rome, day trip to Orvieto
Day 12 : Naples
Day 13 : Naples, day trip to Pompeii
Day 14 : Naples, day trip to Amalfi Coast

Where To Stay With 2 Weeks In Italy

Here are my hotel recommendations for the cities listed as bases.

Venice : Gritti Palace , Hotel Danieli , St. Regis , Aman Venice (my favorite), Bauer Palazzo

Bologna : Grand Hotel Majestic Gia Baglioni (my pick) Il Portici , Art Hotel Orologio

Florence : Il Touranbouni , Hotel Brunelleschi , Portrait Firenze , Palazzo Vecchietti , Villa Cora (my favorite in the Oltrarno)

Rome : Li b ert y Boutique Hotel , H o t el M aalat , De co Ro ma , Hotel H a s s ler Roma , Pa lazzo Man fr edi (my favorite)

Naples : Grand Hotel Vesuvio , Romeo Hotel , Hotel San Francesco al Monte (my pick)

typical street in Venice, which is a must visit city on your 2 weeks in Italy itinerary

2 Weeks In Italy Itinerary: 14 Days Of Exploring

Ok, let’s dive right into this 2 week Italy itinerary. If you’re landing in Venice, the easiest way to get to the city is via a private water taxi transfer .

Day 1: Venice

Kick off your 2 weeks in Italy in the magical floating city of Venice. Even though Venice is very touristy, there’s a reason for its popularity.

Venice is a natural film set. It’s like no other city in the world.

Start your day in Piazza San Marco. Visit the pink marble Doge’s Palace, which is the very symbol of Venice.

You can traipse up the famed Scala d’Oro, the world’s fanciest staircase, admire the Doge’s apartments, and see the world’s largest painting by Titian.

Click here to book a skip the line ticket to avoid a long queue. I also loved the Secret Itineraries Tour , which take you to secret spots in the palace you can’t see on a regular tour.

Then, move on to one of the world’s most unique and stunning churches, St. Mark’s Basilica. It’s absolutely essential to book a skip the queue ticket . You can also purchase an after hours ticket for fewer crowds and to get access to some places you can’t see during the day.

The basilica is famous for its almost blinding golden mosaics from the 5th century B.C. They blanket the walls, covering 90,000 square feet.

Then, take a ride along the Grand Canal. It’s one of the most iconic things to do in Venice. You can also hop on and off the Vaporetto yourself.

Along the way, you can check out Ca’Rezzonico, Ca’ Foscari, and Ca’ d’Oro. In addition to housing some great art, the palaces offer up great views of Venice.

You can book a 1 hour guided boat tour . You can also book a 3 hour guided tour of the St. Mark’s area that comes with a boat cruise.

a gondola ride is a must do with 2 weeks in Italy

Day 2: Venice

On day 2 in Venice, take a stroll through the Rialto neighborhood. Snap a classic shot on the Rialto Bridge, check out the Fish Market, and myriad shops. You can also take a lunchtime tour of the Rialto Market and other foodie hot spots .

Next, head to the Dorsoduro neighborhood. Stroll around the pretty streets, check out the shops and eateries, and then go to one of the neighborhood museums.

The two I love are the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Galleria Accademia .

The Guggenheim is for people who want to see some of the greatest works of modern art from the 20th century. It’s a star studded lineup compiled by the eccentric American heiress, who helped launch Jackson Pollock’s career.

This museum will be packed. Click here to purchase a skip the line ticket. Click here to book a private guided tour of this extraordinary collection of art.

The Galleria Academia is for travelers who love old masters. It houses the world’s best collection of pre-19th century Venetian painting. You’ll find works by luminaries such as Veronese, Titian, Tintoretto, Tiepolo, Bellini, Canaletto, and Giorgione.

The museum is not usually crowded, so you won’t have to worry about buying tickets in advance. But, if you’re a fan of Renaissance art, you may want to book a 2 hour guided tour of the museum .

If you want to see the “Sistine Chapel of Venice,” head to the San Polo district to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. It’s decorated wall to walk with dramatic paintings by Titian.

Then, spend some time in the Cannaregio district. you can escape the crowds, poke in and out of cute lanes, and grab some cicchetti , Venice’s version of tapas.

Cannaregio is an excellent neighborhood to sign up for a f ood and wine tour . You can also book an evening food tour and gondola ride .

For more information, you can check out my 2 days in Venice itinerary . It has detailed information on gondola rides, how to use the vaporetto, and how to get to the other Venetian islands in the lagoon.

Day 3: Bologna

On day 3, head to beautiful Bologna. This food-loving city is underrated and absolutely deserving of a spot on your 2 weeks in Italy itinerary. It’s sandwiched between 3 major cities — Venice, Florence, and Milan — and is often skipped.

Don’t skip it! To me, Bologna just oozes old world medieval charm.

It has all of the charm of Italy with none of the tourists! Bologna is filled with striking architecture, beautiful piazzas, endlessly photogenic streets, porticos, and a swathe of palaces and towers.

Most of the must see attractions are clustered in or around the city’s main square, Piazza Maggiore. On one end of the piazza is the massive Basilica of San Petronio, honoring Bologna’s patron saint. On the other is the swishy Palazzo dei Rei Enzo.

Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, a must visit city with 2 weeks in Italy

You can also climb Bologna’s leaning tower, Asinelli Tower, for views. Since it’s a rickety 500 steps to the top, you’ll deserve a gelato afterward.

Be sure to meander through shops in Bologna’s medieval Quadrilatero neighborhood. You can also visit FICO Eataly World . It’s part farm and part theme park, with 20 acres of food and livestock stalls, restaurants, grocery stores, and food labs.

There are lots of fun tours to take in Bologna. Naturally, most of them food related:

classic food tour
3 hour FICO Eataly food and wine tour
food tour with factory visits and a gourmet lunch
history tour and learn food secrets
e-bike tour with cheese and wine

Day 4: Bologna, Day Trip To Parma & Modena

On day 4, take a day trip from Bologna to either Parma or Modena. Both are foodie towns that are pretty and un-touristy.

Underrated Parma is just too cute for words. It’s one of Italy’s most beautiful cities , a foodie haven, and home to the greatest works of the famed Renaissance artist Correggio.

Parma has a gorgeous Romanesque cathedral and pretty pink octagonal Baptistery. The entire town is dotted with red, pink, and yellow walls. Purple flowers decorate the Ponte Verdi.

Parma is tailor made for art lovers. The town was home to Correggio, the opera composer Giuseppe Verdi, and the conductor Toscanini. In 2022, Parma was chosen as Italy’s Capital of Culture.

Precious frescos by Correggio literally blanket the city. There are art-filled palaces, a famous opera house, and a world class museum.

Parma will also appeal to traveling foodies. It’s home to some of Italy’s best known culinary products — parmesan cheese, prosciutto, fresh pasta, and other delicacies. All this goodness has led the town to be dubbed the heart of the “Italian Food Valley.”

You can easily spend one day in Parma just popping in and out of food shops, taking a food tour, and having some memorable meals. Check out these cool food tours in Parma:

5 hour prosciutto and parmesan tour
7 hour cheese, ham, and balsamic tour
3.5 hour traditional food tour
2 hour tour of parmesan cheese factory
2 hour tour of dairy and prosciutto factory

Modena is a hidden gem in Italy , an elegant little city that’s well worth a visit.

If you’ve heard of Modena, it’s probably because of its food. Modena is a foodie haven. It’s famous for hams, cheeses, and barrel aged balsamic vinegar. You can sample the dark elixir in shops around the town.

But Modena isn’t just about food. Modena is beautiful and immaculate.

Piazza Grande is its eye catching main square. It’s home to several monuments, including a Duomo, town hall, a picturesque 15th century clock tower, and medieval relics.

The 12th century Duomo is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture. It comes complete with a slightly leaning bell tower called the “Ghirlandina.”

Modena was also the birthplace of Luciano Pavarotti. His titular museum, Luciano Pavarotti Museum , is located about 20 minutes from city center on the estate where the famous tenor lived.

Since Modena is for foodies, you may want to book a guided food tour , do a balsamic vinegar tasting , or tour Italy’s most famous cheese factory .

Modena is just a 45 minute drive from Bologna. You can also visit on an 8 hour guided day tour from Bologna.

street in the old town of Florence near the Duomo

Day 5: Florence

Ah Florence . It may be Italy’s most beloved city, even over Venice. The “Cradle of the Renaissance” is beautiful from every angle.

You can content yourself with just absorbing the beauty and street life. But there are so many amazing attractions in Florence, you won’t be able to resist them.

Start your day at one of Florence’s hotspots, the Galleria Academia . It’s home to the world’s most famous statue, Michelangelo’s David , and his prisoners.

The lines are epic here, so you should definitely pre-book a skip the line timed entry ticket .You can also opt for a 1.5 hour guided tour with fast track ticket .

For even more Michelangelo, head to the Medici Chapels. Inside, you’ll see the over-the-top Prince’s Chapel and the New Sacristy with 7 Michelangelo sculptures.

You’ll need to pre-book a ticket with a time slot reservation. These fill up fast, so don’t delay. You can also book a guided tour of the chapels . This isn’t a bad idea because there’s not much explanatory signage.

After lunch, it’s time to tackle the Florence Cathedral complex . This consists of 5 separate sites: Florence Cathedral, Brunelleschi’s dome, the Baptistery, the Duomo Museum, and the Giotto Bell Tower.

If you buy the Brunelleschi ticket , you have entry to all the sites. You can only enter each attraction once, but you have 3 days to use the pass. I suggest you visit them all this afternoon.

There’s a lot to absorb at these wonderful attractions. You may want to book a guided tour to get the full scoop.

Go the Duomo Museum first. It’s the best cathedral museum I’ve ever visited. It’s chock full of stunning statues by Donatello and will give you a primer on how Brunelleschi built the iconic dome of the cathedral.

I would climb either Brunelleschi’s dome or the Giotto bell tower. It might be a bit much to do both in one day.

Giotto’s bell tower might offer slightly better views. But, if you climb Brunelleschi’s dome, you can admire the Giorgio Vasari frescos on the way up.

In the evening, take a stroll through Piazza della Signoria and admire the statues in the piazza.

If you want, you can visit the Palazzo Vecchio (right in the square) in the evening because it’s open late. Inside, you’ll find Medici apartments, a Michelangelo sculpture, and room after room of Vasari frescos.

>>> Click here to book a skip the line ticket for Palazzo Vecchio

interior of Sant Croce Basilica, a must visit attraction with 2 weeks in Italy

Day 6: Florence

On day 6 of you 2 weeks in Italy itinerary, begin with a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce . It’s Florence’s most stunning church and a mausoleum for its most famous citizens.

The basilica opens at 9:30. You should arrive with a pre-purchased skip the line ticket . You’ll have to dress modestly with knees and shoulders covered or you won’t be let in. They’re very strict on this score.

Click here to book a skip the line ticket for the basilica. You’ll need one in high season unless you can brave the lines. There’s so much to see that you may want to book a guided tour of Santa Croce .

After Santa Croce, head to the Uffizi Gallery . The gallery is Florence’s premiere museum and one of the best museums in the world. This is where you come to admire Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo.

The museum is huge and just stuffed with world famous masterpieces. You could spend hours there. The most popular rooms are the two Botticelli Rooms and the Raphael and Michelangelo Room.

You won’t be able to visit the Uffizi, almost in any season, without pre-booking a skip the line timed entry ticket . Once inside, keep the ticket with you because they ask for it at several checkpoints.

You may want to book a guided tour of the museum. The last time I was there, I booked a 2+ hour private guided tour . My husband, who’s not an art lover necessarily, loved it!

After admiring the fine art, take a stroll through the Piazza della Repubblica and stroll over the iconic Ponte Vecchio. The bridge takes you to the Oltrarno neighborhood , which is a more authentic and less touristy part of Florence.

The main attraction here is the Pitti Palace . It’s another Medici palace stuffed with world class art. You’ll need to book a skip the line ticket in high season.

You should also hit one of Florence’s viewpoints for panoramic views of the city — Piazzale Michelangelo (or 10 minutes further uphill) San Miniato al Monte . I would opt for San Miniato. It’s less crowded and one of Florence’s most ancient buildings.

Have apertivo and dinner in the Oltrarno. I thought this neighborhood had some of Florence’s best restaurants. Check out my one day in Oltrarno itinerary for more details and restaurant ideas.

beautiful orange toned buildings in Siena

Day 7: Florence, Day Trip To Siena

It’s tough to leave Florence, I know, but Siena is also fabulous. It’s one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Italy and is effectively an open air museum.

Plus, Siena is full of first rate art and stunning architecture. It central square, Il Campo , is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. This is where the annual Palio horse race is held.

You can admire the city’s art-laden Siena Cathedral , gaze at a famous fresco cycle in the Palazzo Pubblico , and stroll the vibrant streets full of artisan shops and boutiques.

horses racing past Palazzo Pubblico during the Palio

You should book a ticket to the Siena Cathedral complex . Then, I would add on a ticket to the Palazzo Pubblico . It’s worth it just to see the stunning Allegory of Good and Bad Government frescos.

If you can, try to stay for dinner in the evening. The day trippers will be gone and you can stroll the pretty lanes in peace.

Siena is just a one hour drive from Florence. You can also book a guided day tour to save you the hassle of arranging transportation. This tour also takes you to the gorgeous medieval town of San Gimignano .

Day 8: Rome

From Florence, it’s time to move on to Rome, the Eternal City, where you’ll stay for 4 nights. I’ve been to Rome many times and written dozens of articles on the city, which you can check out on my Rome page .

On your first day, I would tour the imperial ruins. That includes the Colosseum , the Roman Forum , and Palatine Hill . I’ve linked my article on each place, which describe everything you can see at each stop.

You can’t really visit these sites without a skip the line ticket . You’ll also need to make a separate timed entry reservation for the Colosseum. There are plenty of tour options as well.

3 hour guided tour and entry to all 3 sites
tickets & tour of all 3 sites + underground Colosseum access
4 hour private day tour of Ancient Rome
skip the line private guided tour with an art historian
skip the line private tour of all 3 sites + the underground Colosseum

When you’re done touring the ruins, head to the nearby Monti neighborhood for a stroll and lunch. You can also pop into the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore .

Then, head to Piazza Venetia. You can admire the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and take an elevator up for views.

Don’t miss the Capitoline Museums . It’s surely one of Rome’s ancient art museums . It boasts a vast repository of ancient sculpture that’s just incredible.

>>> Click here to book a ticket to the Capitoline Museums

In the evening take a stroll in Trastevere, Rome’s most beautiful neighborhood. You can admire the ochre colored buildings and ivy clad facades. This is also a great place to book a food and wine tour .

Day 9: Rome

On you next day in Rome, take a classic walk through central Rome . You might consider booking a 3 hour walking tour or private walking tour to get the full historical backdrop on all the sites.

Start at Campo de’ Fiori and end at the Spanish steps. Along the way, you can stop to admire some of Rome’s most iconic monuments — Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Piazza Colonna, and the Trevi Fountain.

Grab some lunch and then head to Rome’s best museums, the Borghese Gallery. It’s one of the world’s greatest small museums. You’ll find the most famous sculptures of the Baroque artist Bernini and paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, and Correggio.

Caravaggion's David with the Head of Golia

Here’s my complete guide to the Borghese Gallery . You’ve got to pre-book a timed entry skip the line ticket to visit this magnificent museum.

When you’re done admiring the art, I recommend heading over to the west side of the Borghese Gardens, towards the Piazza del Popolo. The view from the Pincio Terrace is quite beautiful, particularly at sunset.

Consider ending your day with a food tour. There are a bunch of great options:

a food tour of the trendy Testaccio district
a food tour in the off the beaten path Pratti district
a food tour in the beautiful Trastevere district
a market food tour and pizza class
a food and wine tour in the historic center

Day 10: Rome, Vatican City

On day 10 of 2 weeks in Italy, it’s time to explore Vatican City. I’ve written a detailed one day in Vatican City itinerary . So won’t repeat myself too much here.

St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums are heart and headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.

St. Peter’s Basilica is the most famous church in Christendom. Designed by Bramante, Raphael and Michelangelo, it’s a true Renaissance masterpiece.

The basilica is the burial place of St. Peter and past popes. It houses the famous Bernini Baldachine altar, scads of sculptures, and Michelangelo’s tragically beautiful Pieta .

For a panoramic view of St. Peter’s Square and Rome, you should climb the dome. Here’s my complete guide to St. Peter’s Basilica , with tips for visiting. You can take a guided tour of St. Peters. You can only visit the underground grottos on a guided tour .

The Vatican Museums hold one of the world’s greatest art collections. Some of the most famous art works on the planet are there, including Michelangelo’s frescos in the Sistine Chapel .

You absolutely must pre-book a skip the line ticket for the Vatican. Or else you’ll be stuck in line for hours unless it’s the dead of winter.

Here are some sample Vatican tours you might consider taking:

a 2.5 hour overview on a skip the line small group guided tour
a 3 hour no w ait tour that also includes the Raphael Rooms
a 3.5 hour tour Vatican visit with a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica
a 3 hour Friday night tour of the Vatican
a Vatican tour that includes a climb of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

Day 11: Rome, Day Trip To Orvieto

Day 11 sees you day tripping to Orvieto, a hill town in southern Umbria . I personally just loved Orvieto and you can check out my one day in Orvieto itinerary for the full scoop.

Orvieto’s most famous attraction is its glamorous Duomo, Orvieto Cathedral . It has one of the most colorful and art-filled facades of any church in Italy. Inside, you’ll find one of the most famous fresco cycles in Italy by Luca Signorelli.

You’ll also want to take a stroll through Piazza della Repubblica and climb the Torre del Morro.

But part of the charm of Orvieto is just aimless strolling. Wherever you look in Orvieto, there’s a picturesque lane, quaint shop, or terrific displays of flowers.

Every once in awhile the medieval lanes part and you can glimpse a brilliant slice of the Umbrian countryside.

Last time I was in Orvieto, I booked a 2.5 hour guided private walking tour . My guide was Emma and she was excellent, making the cathedral and its beautiful art works come to life.

You can also book a 3 hour small group walking tour that includes the cathedral, the old town, and Orvieto’s underground.

Day 12: Naples

From Rome, venture on to Naples. It’s about 2.5 hours by car or 1:10 by train.

This Mediterranean capital is lorded over by the still-kicking Vesuvius volcano. Naples is unpretentious with chaotic streets, Baroque excess, and layers upon layers of history.

The historic center is brimming with striking architecture, fascinating museums, and lively piazzas.

Naples Cathedral has a 13th century Gothic church with Baroque frescos. The Santa Chiara Cloisters are simply gorgeous, with hand-painted Majorca tiles covering benches and columns. The Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore is chock full of Greco-Roman ruins.

Art lovers will want to take the shuttle to the Capodimonte Museum , which is one of Italy’s best museum s . It features works by Caravaggio, Correggio, Masaccio, Titian, Raphael, El Greco, Bruegel, and Sebastiano del Piombo.

obelisk in Piazza Cardinale Sisto Riario Sforza

History buffs should head to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale , which is truly one of the world’s best archaeological museums.

You can see original mosaics and frescoes from Pompeii and Herculaneum. The most famous piece is the Farnese Bull , which once decorated Rome’s Baths of Caracalla . In high season, you’ll definitely need a skip the line ticket .

Naples is famous for its cafe culture and as the inventor of pizza. One of the most exquisite cafes is Caffe Gambrinus. For pizza, the two most famous spots are Gino Sorbillo and Antica Pizzeria da Michele.

Naturally, in Naples, you can go on a street food tour , take a walking tour of the street markets , or take a pizza making class .

As an alternative to basing yourself in Naples, you could stay in the Amalfi Coast instead and day trip into Naples to see the museums and sample the pizza.

READ : One Day In Naples Itinerary

Day 13: Naples, Day Trip To Pompeii

On day 13 of your 2 weeks in Italy, head to Pompeii. The site is Italy’s most famous archaeological treasure. It’s a 2,000 year old living museum.

In 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the city in 60 feet of ash. The city was entombed and preserved for many centuries. Beginning in 1748, archaeologists began painstakingly excavating the ruins.

Today, you can see dazzling frescos in ancient abodes. The House of the Vet just opened to the public in January 2023 and the frescos in the Villa of Mysteries are newly restored.

It’s definitely easiest to visit Pompeii on guided day tour from Naples . I recommend this guided walking tour with an archaeologist to learn everything abut Pompeii. But if you can do it yourself, you’ll at least need to book a skip the line ticket .

I advise getting the longest and best tour possible so that you can see everything at Pompeii (the new frescos) and not just walk down the main drag, as some tours do.

For the complete scoop, here’s my complete guide to visiting Pompeii .

Day 14: Naples, Day Trip To Amalfi Coast

On your last day of 2 weeks in Italy, head to the Amalfi Coast. It’s a stunning 30 mile stretch of the Italian coast where cliffs tower above pebbly coves and villages cling to steep slopes.

One day isn’t much time to explore this area. And it isn’t easy to get to. You will drive down a precarious road and take ferries and buses.

With one day, if you take a guided day tour from Naples, you can more efficiently get a quick peak at Positano, Amalfi, and or Ravello.

Positano comes complete with sherbet colored cliffside homes, stunning beaches, and tiny cobbled lanes. It’s considered Amalfi’s most picturesque town, cut into a cliff with views galore.

view from the Wagner Terrace of Villa Rufolo

Called the “mountain pearl,” Ravello is suspended between the sky and sea. Ravello is known for its stunning views. You can get them at the town’s two stunning medieval villas Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo.

Amalfi town is a lively port city. It’s known for the stunning Amalfi Cathedral , which is one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. You can visit the cloister, church, and the Diocesan Museum.

Positano and Sorrento are the most touristy towns. If you’d like to avoid crowds, you can try the towns of Ravello, Praiano, Maiori, or Minori.

Alternatively, you could visit the island of Capri from Naples. Capri is one of the most dazzling and seductive islands in the Mediterranean.

Capri is known for its soaring cliffs, shimmering emerald water, whitewashed towns, and historic landmarks. It’s a great place to hike. And it’s known for its natural wonder, the Blue Grotto.

You can take the ferry or get to Capri on a guided day tour from Naples .

Alternative 2 Weeks In Italy Itinerary

For a slightly different spin, here’s an alternative two weeks in Italy itinerary. This itinerary drops Bologna and gives you more time in southern Italy.

Day 3 : Florence
Day 4 : Florence
Day 5 : Florence, day trip to Siena & San Gimignano
Day 6 : Rome
Day 7 : Rome
Day 8 : Vatican City
Day 9 : Rome, day trip to Orvieto & Civita di Bagnoregio
Day 10 : Naples
Day 11 : Naples, day trip to Pompeii
Day 12 : Amalfi Coast
Day 13 : Amalfi Coast, day trip to Capri
Day 14 : Matera

Tips For Spending 2 Weeks In Italy

If you need tips for visiting Italy, you should check out some of my relevant articles:

40 tips for visiting Italy
Tips for visiting Rome
Tips for visiting Florence
Tips for visiting Venice
Tips for renting and driving a car in Europe

I hope you’ve enjoyed my 2 weeks in Italy itinerary. You may enjoy these other Italy travel guides and resources.

12 Ways To Spend 1 Week in Italy
5 Ways To Spend 1 Week In Sicily
10 Days in Southern Italy Itinerary
10 Day Tuscany Itinerary
Tips For Visiting Italy
7 Day Road Trip From Venice To Milan
130+ Bucket List Experiences in Italy
Historic Landmarks in Italy
Most Beautiful Towns in Italy
Best Museums in Rome
Hidden Gems in Rome
Best Museums in Florence

If you want to spend 2 weeks in Italy, pin it for later.

The Best Day Trips from Venice – Discover Northern Italy

Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Jo Fitzsimons

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The floating city of Venice has long been north-eastern Italy’s most famous destination. And rightly so. With its winding canals, grand palaces, and luxurious piazzas, Venice has earned its place high on many travellers’ bucket lists. So, why would you want to leave the city that is the destination?

It might seem like a crazy idea at first, but gliding down the Grand Canal in a gondola isn’t the only reason to visit this captivating region of Italy . From the ancient city of Padua to the towering Dolomite mountains, the turquoise waters of Lake Garda to the rolling hills of the sparkling Prosecco wine region, there’s so much more to see and explore. And thanks to Italy’s high-speed rail network, so many amazing destinations are reachable on day trips from Venice.

So, we urge you to leave behind the busy streets of Venice for a day and check out some of these great Italian destinations. It will make your trip even more memorable. Related: 10 Things NOT To Do In Venice (And 10 To Do Instead)

NEW: Venice visitor fees apply from April 2024

Table of Contents

1. Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands

Visiting the nearby islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello is the most popular day trip from Venice. The charm of it lies not just in the ease of the trip (these islands are very are close to Venice ), it’s also how different they are, complete with their own style, architecture and sights. Murano is famous for being the island where Venetian glass is produced. You can see a glass blowing demonstration then pick up some gifts to take home.

On Burano, you have to have your camera ready because the bright shades of the local houses will have you snapping happy. Burano is also famous for lace. Meanwhile, Torcello holds more of the Venetian traditional sights you might expect from the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta Byzantine church to the Ponte del Davolo bridge with no sides (parapets) – one of only two such bridges in Venice. (The other is on Venice island, details here: 21 Most Popular Places to Visit in Venice, Italy ).

How to visit: There are several ways to visit the islands on a day trip from Venice. If you only have half a day, Murano and Burano are a popular combination. These are my suggestions:

Buy a vaporetto pass and visit independently (from €25 for a day-pass). Tip: Buying a pass will be cheaper and easier than single tickets, which cost €9.50.
Book this Guided Tour of Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands (from €25, 6.5 – 7.5 hrs) – it includes a glass factory tour.
Book this Guided Tour of Murano and Burano (from €20, 4.5 – 5 hrs) – it also includes a glass factory tour.
Book the Hop On Hop Off Boat (from €25 for 24 hours) – this boat stops at Burano, Murano and Torcello. Book the 48 hours pass and you can explore Venice, too.
Take a private water taxi : you can find boat taxis easily in Venice but they are expensive. Expect to pay around €125-€150 one-way to Burano only.
Take a private guided tour of Murano island – includes glass blowing demonstration. Find out more about our Italy tours .

The fascinating city of Treviso sits just 26 km inland from Venice, yet it is often overlooked in favour of its better-known neighbour. But Treviso is certainly worth a visit in its own right. Luckily, it’s one of the easiest day trips from Venice.

Treviso is fairly small (compared to Venice) but still has plenty to do and explore in a day, from visiting its historic palaces and medieval city walls to wandering around the maze of pretty canals and narrow cobbled streets. The city is perfect for a peaceful day away from the hustle and bustle of busy Venice.

For Italian food-lovers, Treviso is a must-visit. The city is home to the restaurant where the famous Italian dessert tiramisu was first invented. Head to Ristorante Le Beccherie to try their classic tiramisu, which still uses the traditional recipe, or their contemporary tiramisu, which has received a slight update and is even better (in my opinion at least).

Want to learn more? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Treviso .

How to travel from Venice to Treviso: From Venice’s Venezia Santa Lucia station, you can easily jump on a regional train to Treviso central station. Both stations are located within the centre of each city, making it easy to do. The regional trains take between 30-40 minutes to get to Treviso from Venice and cost just €3.80 (one way). You can check schedules, prices, and book tickets on Trainline. (This is the website I use to book train travel).

New Tour: We’ve just added a wonderful new food and wine tour to our tour itineraries: Radicchio Rosso di Treviso and Tiramisu tasting From Venice , this half-day tour includes a visit to a radish farm followed by a walking tour and tiramisu tasting in Treviso. Contact us for more details.

3. Prosecco Wine Region

Travel just a little further north of Treviso and you’ll reach one of northern Italy’s true hidden gems, the Prosecco Hills.

Sitting between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene in the province of Treviso, you’ll discover the rolling vineyards and charming family-owned wineries responsible for producing the best Prosecco in all of Italy – Prosecco Superior DOCG .

A day sipping the highest-quality Italian sparkling wine in the Prosecco Hills is one of the best day tours from Venice for wine lovers. You can visit the wineries, learn about the winemaking process, and sample plenty of delicious Prosecco. You can even pair your Prosecco with locally produced cheeses and cured meats. Plus don’t miss the region’s unique Prosecco vending machine perched on the top of a hill in the middle of the vineyards.

How to take a wine tasting tour of Italy’s Prosecco Region: We offer full and half day Prosecco tours (from €250 per group for 4 or 7 hrs). It’s easy to reach the Prosecco Hills from Venice to join a tour – jump on one of the regular direct trains between Venezia Santa Lucia station and Conegliano. The journey takes around one hour and costs as little as €6.50 (each way). Book with Trainline . We will meet you at the station, take you wine tasting and have you back in time to return to Venice for dinner. We also offer pick-up from Venice.

Find out more: Our Prosecco Tours | 10 Expert Tips For Planning Wine Tasting in Prosecco .

Best-known as the setting of Shakespeare’s renowned romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, the historic city of Verona is one of the most beautiful and interesting places to visit in northern Italy’s Veneto region. It sits just 100km west of Venice and is small enough to visit on a day trip from the floating city.

Verona is packed with amazing historic architecture, including a 14th-century medieval castle and a Roman amphitheatre which is older and arguably better preserved than Rome’ s Colosseum. On a day trip to Verona, you can take a romantic walk along the Adige River, drink Aperol Spritz in one of the city’s piazzas, and leave a love letter in the courtyard underneath Juliet’s balcony. And if you stay into the evening, see if you can catch some live opera or a concert at Verona Arena.

Visiting Verona? Check out the best things to do in Verona , Italy.

Getting from Venice to Verona: There are regular trains between Venezia Santa Lucia and Verona Porta Nuova stations each day. The direct train journey takes 1 hr 15 minutes and costs approx. €10 (each way). You can check details and book on Trainline .

Popular tours and tickets:

Buy the Verona Card (€20) for entry to the city monuments, including the Verona Arena.
Book the Verona Hop On Hop Off City Sightseeing Bus as a great way to get around and see the sights in one day.

5. Lake Garda

Lake Garda is one of the largest and most popular lakes in all of Italy, known for its crystal clear waters and variety of charming lakeside towns.

There’s plenty to do in and around the lake for every type of traveller. If you’d rather stay on land, you can explore the charming lakeside towns, enjoy a gelato on the docks, browse the huge weekly markets, or have a fun day out at Movieland theme park and Caneva Aquapark.

Or if being on the water is your thing, you can hire a boat for a few hours and head out to explore the lake. Most boats are self-drive (you don’t need a license) and you can take them pretty much anywhere on the lake, including anchoring somewhere to jump into the water for a swim. You can usually take your own food and drinks on the boat to enjoy too (just make sure you have a designated boat driver – there are some rules!).

Getting from Venice to Lake Garda: You can take the train from Venezia Santa Lucia to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda on the south of Lake Garda. The journey takes around 1 hr 30minutes by direct high-speed train and costs approx €12 (each way). From Desenzano del Garda, you can catch a 30 minute bus to Sirmione , another of the most popular towns on Lake Garda.

The towns of Peschiera del Garda and Desenzano del Garda on the south of Lake Garda sit just a short distance from Verona. The slower regional trains connect Lake Garda and Venice via Verona. So, if you’re really focused, you could just about squeeze both destinations into one (albeit long) day trip from Venice.

Tours of Lake Garda: We offer day a one-day private tour of Lake Garda. Find out more: Our Italy Tours .

Padua may not be as well known as some other northern Italian cities, but that’s what makes it one of the best day trips from Venice. Located just 40km west of Venice, Padua is one of the oldest cities in the region and is home to many fascinating historic sites and attractions.

On a day trip to Padua, you can see the stunning frescoes that sparked the Italian Renaissance, walk in the footsteps of Gallelio at one of the oldest universities in the world, and take a traditional Burchiello boat cruise to see the luxurious villas of the Brenta Canal.

Don’t forget to stop for a proper Italian coffee at one of Italy’s most famous historic coffee shops, Caffe Pedrocchi . Pedrocchi was once known as ‘the cafe without doors’ due to it being open 24/7 for a large part of its history.

Getting from Venice to Padua : Direct trains run regularly between Venice and Padua every day. The train takes 30 minutes to 45 minutes depending which train you catch, and costs around €5 to €11 (each way). Tip: search for Padova (which is the Italian word for Padua). You can check tickets with Trainline .

Want to know more about Padua? Read our guide to the best things to do in Padua .

Tours of Padua: We also offer day a one-day private tour of Padua. Find out more: Our Italy Tours . Otherwise, there is an excellent Boat Cruise tour from Venice to Padua that visits the small towns and grand villas along the route(from €119).

7. Cortina & The Dolomite Mountains

Cortina in the dolomites day trip from Venice

The Dolomites are a large mountain range that spreads right across northern Italy and forms part of the Southern Limestone Alps. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomites are famous for their unique landscapes and breathtaking scenery. And with part of the mountain range lying within the Veneto region, it’s possible to take a Dolomites day tour from Venice.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is the easiest destination in the Dolomites to reach from Venice in a day. The charming Alpine town makes a great base for exploring. There are loads of great hiking trails around the mountains and lakes close to Cortina. Or, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can hire a mountain bike for the day.

Once you’ve finished exploring, cosy up in a mountain hut and enjoy some local wine and produce while soaking in the stunning panoramic views. The Dolomites are known for their rich culinary traditions. So be sure to try as much food as you can. You’ll have earned it after your hike.

And if you’re visiting during the winter, Cortina is a renowned ski destination. Bet you didn’t realise you could take a skiing day trip from Venice?

How to get from Venice to the Dolomites: The Dolomites are a little further away than the other Venice day trips on this list, but it’s certainly still doable in one day. Taking a bus from Venice to Cortina d’Ampezzo is the easiest way to visit. The bus takes around 2 hrs 30minutes and costs €12 (each way).

Once in the Dolomites, there’s a local bus network to get around. Alternatively, we are happy to offer a private tour of the Dolomites from Venice . Just sit back and let us do all the planning.

Views of the rooftops of Vincenza in Italy

If you think Venice is opulent, wait until you visit Vicenza. To give you a hint of what to expect, Vicenza is known as the City of Palladio after the Italian architect, Andrea Palladio. Famous for his wow-worthy palaces and elegant villas, the city is filled with architecture to rival the likes of Venice and Rome .

One of Vincenza’s highlights is the Olympic Theatre (Teatro Olimpico), Palladio’s last work of Rennaisance grandeur, built between 1580 and 1585. (Tip: it’s a theatre, not an Olympic sports stadium). The UNESCO World Heritage Villa Rotonda and Museo Civico di Palazzo Chiericati should also be on your list. If you have a car, check out the nearby Colli Berici hills, which provide a great backdrop to the city as well as a countryside escape.

Or perhaps you’re escaping the tourists of Venice, in which case, head to Piazza dei Signori for aperitivo (pre-dinner drinks and snacks). And, speaking of snacks, if you want to get truly local, order up some Baccalà alla Vicentina, cod steeped in a garlic and anchovy sauce.

How to visit Vicenza from Venice: you can take a direct train from Venice Santa Lucia Station to Vicenza. It takes 45 minutes on the fast train (around €15 one-way) or 1hr 15 on the slower train (around €7 one way). You can check the schedule on Trainline . We offer a private tour to Vicenza from Venice if you prefer.

I’ve added Trieste to this list for two reasons. First, it’s a beautiful city in the northeast of Italy. Secondly, we get a lot of queries from people who have visited Trieste, hoping to do some Prosecco tasting, only to realise it’s around 3 hrs away from the vineyards. Fear not, it is do-able, and we have written specifically about how to visit the Prosecco region from Trieste . Where there is a (wine) will, there is a way!

Otherwise, if you’re simply in Venice, looking to take a day trip to Trieste, on the Slovenian border, it is just about do-able in a day, by train. Within Trieste, you’ll be met with a blend of city sights and coastal views over the Gulf of Trieste. Don’t miss Piazza Unità d’Italia, a St Marks-style square, and Miramare Castle, complete with stunning panoramic sea views. Looking to relax? The Rive waterfront promenade is the perfect spot for a slow stroll.

How to visit Trieste from Venice: The train from Venice Santa Lucia station to Trieste takes around 2 hrs each way. This is by taking the fast train (around €16 one-way). There is a slower train that takes 3 hrs but you really don’t want to take that for a day trip, unless the point of the trip is to sit on the train. Once again, I recommend Trainline for tickets.

10. Amarone wine region

Love wine? We do, too. And, while Prosecco is our top choice, Amarone – a bold, full-bodied premium red wine from Venteto region of Italy, comes a close second. Like Prosecco, Amarone is a wine region that is great for taking a wine tasting tour. The region is simply stunning with rolling vineyards, historic castles and cutesy villages.

How to visit the Amarone wine region: Located west of Verona, it is best to visit with a tour that will take you to a few local wineries. Several tours depart from Verona. Otherwise, we’re excited to tell you we’ve just launched a new tour from Venice – tasting in the Amarone DOCG region with local food pairing, followed by a 2-hour visit at one of Veneto’s best thermal spas. Contact us for more details.

Map of day trips from Venice

Map of things to do in Italy and Venice and Prosecco region

You’ll find all of these day trip destinations on our Map of Venice and the Prosecco Region .

So, that’s our guide to the best day trips from Venice. Got any questions? Leave a comment below.

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3 Best Day Trips from Venice

By Andrea Whittle

If you’re in Venice for more than a few days, or you’re going back for the second or third time, it’s worth spending some time exploring the rest of the Veneto region. There’s 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. The easiest, and probably most popular itinerary, is to combine visits to Torcello, Murano and Burano, the city’s outer islands known for their history of craftsmanship and colorful architecture. If the idea of visiting a smaller, less touristed city seems more like your thing, take the train to Padua for an afternoon. 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.

Click the link to read our complete Venice guide .

Less than an hour from Venice by train, Padua is a perennially underrated (read: uncrowded) stop on the Veneto circuit. Art history buffs make the trip to see Giotto’s Scrovegni chapel alone, but it’s easy to build a day around the city’s other renaissance landmarks and sophisticated restaurants. Once you’ve secured timed tickets to the chapel—a must—build your day from there, with stops at the Basilica of St. Anthony and the Prato della Valle. For lunch or dinner, either splurge at the Michelin-starred Le Calandre or hit up the more old-school Ristorante Belle Parti.

Prato della Valle Arrow

Technically the largest square in Europe, the oval-shaped Prato della Valle is really more of a manicured park, with a grassy central island surrounded by a statue-lined moat and four tidy little footbridges. You'll see local students spread out for a nap on the lawn and tourists snapping photos of marble statues of Galileo or Petrarch. Take your time to check out the 78 statues that surround the central island—they tell the history of the city through its most important figures.

Ristorante Belle Parti Arrow

Located inside an old palazzo in the city center, Ristorante Belle Parti has the ceremonial, romantic vibe of a grand turn-of-the-century hotel. A ceiling with exposed wood beams hangs over a dining room with buttery-yellow light, white tablecloths, and low, unfussy flower arrangements. 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. It's best to focus on the seafood dishes on the menu, particularly the fish pastas.

Scrovegni Chapel Arrow

Scrovegni Chapel, which is completely covered in vivid, emotive frescoes by Giotto—including a deep-blue starry sky on the vaulted ceiling—is a true jewel box. Even if you never cared about Renaissance art before, the haunting biblical scenes and stunning use of color will blow you away. 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.

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Le Calandre Arrow

Behind an unassuming facade on the outskirts of Padua, Le Calandre, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, is slick without being cold and swanky without being intimidating. The food, best experienced with one of the three tasting menus is a complex, artful take on Italian cuisine. If you're in Padua for the day and want to splurge on one of the country's best fine dining restaurants, book dinner here.

Venice Landmark Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua

Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua Arrow

Built in the 1300s, Basilica of Saint Anthony, a beloved church known to locals as "Il Santo," is a massive, gilded, glamorous mishmash of Gothic, Byzantine, and Romanesque styles, with a few Baroque chapels to boot. In addition to a chapel containing some of Christianity's most important relics, it's filled with bronze statues, ornate frescoes and marble work, a gilded ceiling, and light-filtering stained glass. Entry is free; just make sure you're wearing church-appropriate clothing.

Torcello/Murano/Burano

The most comfortable and efficient way to see Venice’s outer islands is to have your hotel hook you up with a boat for the day. It can be a little pricey, but if you have limited time, avoiding the sometimes Byzantine-seeming public vaporetto system is worth it. Plus, having your own boat makes it easy to build your own, one-day itinerary. Here’s 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. Then, head over to Burano, known for its quaint rainbow of buildings and history of lacemaking and browse the island’s retro-chic linen stores. End the day in Murano, where the city’s 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.

Locanda Cipriani Arrow

The Locanda Cipriani provides a pretty slice of Merchant Ivory-tinted Venice: a shady old-fashioned garden on the beautiful little lagoon island of Torcello, with old-fashioned service and old-fashioned food that verges on the hotel variety. That said, you’re here for the setting and the Grand Tour ambience. From Ernest Hemingway and generations of British royals, to mid-20th-century A-list actors and presidents: Many big names have passed through the Cipriani’s country-inn-style doors.

Museo del Vetro Arrow

Situated in a Gothic palazzo, this museum is dedicated to the traditional Venetian craft of glassblowing. It's the largest collection of Murano glass in the world, which might seem a bit niche until you get up close to the pieces themselves. 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. The museum is well-curated, thoughtfully laid out, and visually fascinating. If you're remotely into design or decorative arts, this place is a must see.

Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta (Basilica di Torcello) Arrow

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. Inside, it's a Byzantine jewel box with glittering mosaics and floors covered with marble tiles. 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. Three euros gets you in the door; an extra two gets you a to-the-point audioguide.

Osteria Acquastanca Arrow

This tiny, cozy restaurant in Murano is probably the best food on the island. The menu focuses on fresh, light versions of the lagoon's greatest hits: The spaghetti alle vongole , polenta with baccala , gnocchi with vegetables and tagliolini with squid ink are all fabulous. And the desserts, especially the tiramisu and the lemon tart, are lovely. The place has a family-run vibe that leaves it felling casual, but special.

Museo del Merletto Arrow

Housed in a building that once housed the island's lacemaking school, Museo del Merletto offers an intimate, up-close look at the history of Burano's most famous craft. 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. The space is relatively quiet, save for some slow moving tour groups during the high season in summer and the lace tends to bring those with an air of pensive curiosity.

Palladian Villas

If you’re into real estate porn, it doesn’t get much more spectacular than the villas built by Andrea Palladio. The influential Renaissance architect was responsible for some of the most beautiful buildings of the 16th century, catering especially to the demands for country houses from Venice’s growing bourgeoisie. 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. Perhaps the best known are Villa Foscari (a.k.a. “La Malcontenta”), Villa Almerico Capra, and Villa Maser. You could rent a car and pack a few into one day, or pick one and make an afternoon out of it, with stops to refuel at the funky, self-service Righetti (near La Rotonda) or the pizza spot Al Giardinetto (on the way to Foscari).

Villa Foscari (La Malcontenta) Arrow

Villa Foscari, a classically styled mansion, is perhaps the most famous of the legendary villas designed by the architect Andrea Palladio in the 16th century. On the outside, perfectly symmetrical porticoes overlook manicured lawns and a romantic stretch of river. Inside, the piano nobile (the main floor) is painted floor-to-ceiling with frescoes that tell the stories of Roman gods. Even though it's a UNESCO World Heritage site, it's actually still a private home (lived in by a family that forgoes all but essential electricity and lights the place with sunshine, candlelight, and fireplaces), so visiting hours are limited.

Al Giardinetto da Severino Arrow

Al Giardinetto, a casual pizza spot, just outside of Venice between Mestre and Marghera, is a solid choice for lunch if you're visiting Andrea Palladio's Villa Foscari, just down the road. The move: Skip the slightly clinical interior and grab one of the outside tables in the back. 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. The dough isn't on the super-thin side—it's substantial, lightly charred, and chewy.

Villa Barbaro (Villa di Maser) Arrow

Villa di Maser, an elegant Palladian villa, with its wide portico and interiors filled with Veronese frescoes, is just as architecturally interesting as the others in the region. But it's also a working vineyard, with wine tastings and farmhouse tours on offer as well. It's open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays, from April to October, and advance booking isn't necessary unless you're with a larger group. 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.

Righetti Arrow

Righetti is what Italians call a "self restaurant"—similar to a buffet. You pick and set your own table, head to the back to ask for the plates you want, fill up your wine carafe from the tap, and enjoy. The only thing servers will bring directly to you is a post-lunch espresso, making the experience cozy, ultra low-key, and casual. The specialty here is homestyle Italian food: marinated grilled veggies, simple and hearty pastas, roasted potatoes, creamy blobs of polenta with stew, and straightforward, unadorned meat dishes. If you're driving around the region to see the Palladian Villas, this is a great place to stop for a casual lunch.

Villa Almerico Capra (La Rotonda) Arrow

Grander inside and out than many of the other buildings by Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, Villa Almerico Capra, a domed hilltop villa, is a must for architecture buffs and anyone who loves a good house tour. 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. When in doubt, check the villa's Facebook page or contact a staff member through the website.

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The Perfect Five Day Venice Itinerary

By: Author Kate O'Malley

Posted on Last updated: May 23, 2023

Home >> Europe >> Italy Travel Guide >> The Perfect Five Day Venice Itinerary

If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Venice, the short answer is as long as you like. Venice is elegant and enchanting; with every turn of the corner, something new will amaze.

Whether your stay is short or long one, you will discover much but still be left wanting more. While Venice will more than captivate your attention, there is much to see and do in Venice beyond the canals of Italy’s most romantic city.

And, this Venice trip cost guide will also show you, Venice doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think.

If I were not King of France, I would choose to be a citizen of Venice. – Henry III

Table of Contents

Want to Plan the Perfect Venice Itinerary?

We have put together a five-day Venice itinerary, including day trips from Venice to give you the best of Venice and beyond.

Want to Know the Best Time to Travel to Europe? We’ve got you covered with the Best Time to Visit Europe whether it’s the beach you crave, perfect hiking weather or exploring Europe’s cities.

Arriving in Venice

If you are flying into Venice, for first-timers, taking a water taxi or ferry (Vaporetto) from the airport offers the most beautiful first glimpse of Venice, an experience you will never forget.

A one-way ferry from the airport will cost approx €15 pp.

By Water Taxi:

A shared water taxi, at approx €32 pp.

By Private Water Taxi:

A private water taxi in Venice is an indulgence we can highly recommend to anyone with the budget. There’s nothing quite so special or chic as being transferred from the airport to your hotel in a private Venetian water taxi.

A private airport transfer at around €190 for a group of up to six.

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Before You Go – Venice Travel Essentials

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See Our Complete Guide to the Best Anti-Theft Travel Gear and Safe Travel Tips

A luxury speed boat travelling down thehe Venice Grand Canal

Check the Latest Hotel Deals for Venice

Five day Venice Itinerary - The Grand Canal

Day 1 Tick the Lists See the Venice Highlights

“Getting Lost in Venice” is a phrase you will often hear about this labyrinth of a city. Getting lost is the best advice you can get.

Even armed with a map or your phone’s trusty sat nav you will still lose yourself in the maze of canals and countless bridges. Don’t fight it, embrace it!

Early Morning in the cobble stone streets of Venice.

Get up Early to See the Best of Venice

Our advice- wake up very early and hit the streets by 7 am. Early morning is a rare and fleeting time in Venice when you will nearly have the city all to yourself. Before the maddening crowds of tourists converge on the city blocking the streets and obscuring the best views.

Early morning is also a very good time to get your bearings in Venice- if that is at all possible.

5 Days in Venice - A view of St Marks Square

Piazza San Marco

Make a beeline to Piazza San Marco and stroll the square unencumbered by throngs of tourists. You may well happen on the occasional bride and groom also making the most of the rare quiet for some opportune wedding snaps.

Basilica di San Marco – Saint Mark’s Basilica

Be the first to enter the Basilica di San Marco. A visit to the basilica will only last around 15 minutes, and queues will start forming early so don’t waste your day waiting for tickets.

St Mark Basilica Opening Hours:

It is best to check the official Basilico di San Marco site for opening and closing times as these will vary according to day and season.

5 Days in Venice - Basilica di San Marco

Take a Free Venice Walking Tour

There are a number of free city walking tours in Venice. Most do not cover the main attractions such as St Mark’s Square instead offer fantastic insight into the less tourist-dense areas of the city.

Tours usually run twice a day, and there’s no limit to the different free walking tours you can do. Just Google “Free Walking Tours Venice”. We have done a number of these tours in Venice and thoroughly enjoyed them. They are also an excellent way to get your bearings in the city and a few insiders local tips.

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Take an After Hours Tour of St Mark’s Basilica

If you prefer to be exclusive, the Saint Mark’s and Doge’s Palace VIP After Hours Tour in the evenings are a highlight but numbers are limited, so bookings are essential.

Expect a much higher ticket price, but for access to areas normally closed to the public and an hour-and-a-half private tour, the ticket price is very much worth it.

Related: Discover the Beauty of The Italian Ligurian Coast.

Doges Palace

Stroll over to Doges Palace. One of Venice’s most prominent landmarks, this now museum offers an incredible insight into the history of Venice. Cross the Bridge of Sighs from the palaces dark prison cells for a different view of the Grand Canal.

Tip for Visiting Doges Palace

Your entry to Doges Palace gives you free entry to three other museums in Venice. While you have three months to use these tickets, why not spend the afternoon exploring Venice one museum at a time.

Skip the line at Doges Palace with a Private Guided Tour

Views of the Venice canals From the Bridge of Sighs.

Take a Venetian Gondola Ride

Spoil yourself to a traditional Venetian gondola ride if it’s within your budget. After all, a gondola ride in Venice is one of those quintessential travel experiences.

Cost of a Gondola Ride:

Expect to pay in the vicinity of €80 per half hour during the day and €100 per half hour at night.

Sunset from Accademia Bridge

While the cost of a gondola ride in Venice may not be in everyone’s budget, watching the sunset from Accademia Bridge is free. For one of the best views in Venice , head to Accademia Bridge at sunset before setting off for an aperitivo.

Watching the gondola’s cruise down the Grand Canal at sunset while enjoying one of the most beautiful city views in the world is definitely within everyone’s Venice budget.

A gondola driver Preparing the gondolas early in the morning.

Day 2 Murano and Burano Islands

A trip to Venice is not complete without visiting the Islands of Venice. In particular, the famous glass and lace-making islands of Murano and Burano, two of the most charming islands in Venice and Italy .

Murano Island

Jump on a ferry to the island of Murano in the Venetian Lagoon. Famed for the high-quality glass produced there since 1291, when glassmakers were ordered to move their foundries from Venice to Murano.

The Venetian Republic feared fire could break out and destroy the mostly wooden buildings in the city. From the 14th century on, Murano’s glassmakers were held in such high regard they enjoyed an elevated social standing and many statutory privileges.

See a Murano Glass Blowing Demonstration

For centuries Murano’s glassmakers have handed down their craft from generation to generation, developing and perfecting many technologies ensuring a monopoly in the high-quality glass market.

Book yourself in for a 30 min glass blowing demonstration, something not to be missed when visiting Murano Island. The glass factories also have showrooms offering good deals on original Murano Glass if you happen to be in the market.

Getting to Murano Island

Take the line 12 Vaporetto (public ferry) from Fondamente Nove.
The ride will take approx 15 minutes and will cost around €7.
You can also do a half day Venetian Islands tour for approx €20.

Murano Island Glass Blowing demonstration in Venice

Burano Island

In the afternoon visit the prettiest island in Venice and possibly Italy – Burano.

Shop for Burano Lace

As Murano is famous for its glass, Burano is famous for its lace. In the 16th century, the women of Burano were known for the delicate, detailed lace they produced. Intricate pieces created by not one, but as many as seven women.

Each woman specialised in a single stitch, so each piece, no matter how small was passed from one woman to the next taking as long as a month to complete.

Due to the time and cost of the finished piece, today’s Burano lace is made by machine but by no means any less beautiful.

Enjoy the Brightly Coloured Houses of Burano Island

Burano is also famous for its brightly coloured houses. Families used to paint their home different colours to designate where one family’s quarters finished, and the next started.

Legend has it such bright colours were used so during the thick fogs, the fishermen could establish which was their home. The tradition and legend have stuck leaving us one of the most photographed towns in Venice.

The brightly painted houses of Burano Island in Venice.

While Burano can be inundated with tourists, there is still a lovely local atmosphere. It is also touted as one of the best places in Venice to dine out.

Small local restaurants serve up exceptional food, especially locally caught seafood at very reasonable prices. A perfect place for a lazy lunch.

Getting to Burano Island

The line 12 Vaporetto will continue from Murano Island to Burano Island and return to Venice.

Day 3 Day Trip From Venice to Ferrara

Ferrara city on the banks of the River Po is a perfectly preserved medieval and Renaissance city largely overlooked by the average tourist.

People walking in the ancient streets of Ferrara Italy.

At only 112kms south of Venice and only 50 km’s north of Bologna, it is a wonder the bike-friendly, car-free streets, within this beautiful walled city are not awash with tourists.

Ferrara is truly one of Italy’s little treasures. Medieval quarters, superbly intact, weave a path through the Jewish ghetto opening onto spacious streets revealing palaces and castles and impeccably preserved cathedrals.

Overtly rich in history, Ferrara also has a lovely laid back exuberance that may have you wanting to stay a weekend or more. Perhaps this is to do with the lack of traffic; a city that has twice as many bicycles than inhabitants.

Or, is it the contrast to Venice in the absence of tourists. Regardless, a day trip to Ferrara will be as rewarding as it is refreshing. A brief reprieve from the bustling hordes of Venice.

Getting to Ferrara

Ferrara sits on the main train line that connects Bologna and Venice, 112kms from Venice.
Travel times will vary between 50 minutes to 1 hr 20 min depending on direct services.
There are more than 40 services per day. Ticket prices may range from €15 – €21 per trip.

Tip: Discounts of up to 50% on train fares are available if booked in advance. See train timetables and available discounts here

Day 4 A Day Trip From Venice to Verona

“In fair Verona, where we lay our scene”. – William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s take on a collection of poems and stories written in the late 1500s about feuding families and star-crossed lovers made Verona a household name. Stories based loosely on real events and real families of Verona.

There is so much more to do in Verona than just the tourist pilgrimage to Juliet’s balcony. The city has a romantic outlook independent of the fictional tragedy – so much so that we voted it one of the most romantic places for couples to visit in Italy .

Visit Juliet’s Balcony

Of course, you could not visit Verona and miss the opportunity to stand under the balcony where Juliet is said to have stood in the courtyard where the real Capello family once lived. With, of course, a few hundred others. But once you have had your fill of romance, Verona offers so much actual history to see and enjoy.

Visit the Roman Arena

The city boasts a wealth of Roman ruins, mainly the magnificent Verona Roman Arena which dominates the main square, Piazza Bra.

Once an arena for Roman gladiator battles, executions and plays, the 2000-year-old arena now hosts Verona’s famous summer opera season attracting opera’s biggest names.

Discover Verona’s Distinguished Past

Strolling the medieval streets, you will be rewarded with upmarket boutique shopping and charming traditional trattorias scattered amongst Roman columns and fossils embedded in the marble streets. The remnants of the cities distinguished past are evident everywhere you look, such as the elaborate tombs of the infamous Della Scala family.

Verona flourished under the Della Scala families rule in the middle ages. A family renowned for being both murderous tyrants as well as passionate patrons of the arts. The cities passion for the arts continues today.

A visit to Verona is so much more than just Romeo & Juliet. A beautiful and cultured city steeped in fascinating history, there is so much to do and see in Verona .

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Verona - Part of a five day Venice itinerary

Getting to Verona

Verona is 121 km’s inland from Venice.
Train services run all day from Venice to Verona.
Travel times will vary from 50 min to 1hr 20 min depending on the service.
See times and prices for Verona here. Look out for advance purchase discounts.

Verona Tour Recommendations:

Verona Walking Tour with Skip-the-Line Arena Ticket
Arena di Verona Opera Ticket Package
Verona Food Tour with Guide
Verona Cooking Class: The Real Taste of Italy

Day 5 A Morning in Padua Then, an Afternoon in Venice.

At only 45 km’s or half-hour by train from Venice, it is surprising Padua is often overlooked by many visitors to Venice. Although in saying that, we have it on good authority this is where Venetians move to when they have had enough of Venice.

Home to Italy’s second-oldest university, this handsome medieval town brimming with Renaissance grandeur and a stunning Byzantine skyline has a more youthful and carefree vibe than its bigger sister Venice.

The beautiful statues in Padua Prato della Valle

Much like Ferrara, Padua boasts a bike-friendly city, plenty of pedestrian-only streets and large, uncongested piazza’s that feel like a breath of fresh air after tourist-clogged Venice. Padua oozes charm and history with a healthy dose of style and social pizzaz.

Aside from enjoying the space and sociability of this lovely town, Padua also offers quite a varied tourist itinerary. If you want to venture beyond delightful alfresco dining, open-air markets and boutique shopping. Padua hosts some of Italy’s most important historical treasures.

Charming cobblestone streets in the Padua Jewish Quarter.

See the Famous Padua Anatomical Theatre

The University of Padua was founded in 1222 and lays claim to Galileo among its many noteworthy tutors. It is also the home of the first and one of the most beautiful anatomical theatres in the world.

The beautifully preserved six-tier, wooden anatomy theatre was carved entirely from walnut in the 16th century. It is said students were serenaded by live lute music to calm their nerves as they watched cadavers being dissected.

The streets of Padua Italy surrounded by historic buildings.

The Basilica of Saint Anthony

Padua is also an important place of pilgrimage. The Basilica of Saint Anthony or “il Santo” was built in 1232 to enshrine the tomb of the Franciscan monk.

5 days in Venice - Padua Basilica of St Anthony

The magnificent church is not just the burial place of one of the world’s most revered saints; it is one of the most popular sacred monuments in the world. Many make the pilgrimage to witness the relics of Saint Anthony and to place a hand on his tomb.

Basilica di Santa Giustina and the Scrovegni Chapel

Then for some contrast, visit the Basilica di Santa Giustina and the tomb of Luke the Evangelist. An imposing church although quite modest in comparison.

Then head to the Scrovegni Chapel to witness Giotto’s frescoes. Completed around 1305, the frescoes are considered one of the most important pieces of art in Italy and the western world.

5 days in Venice - Padua- Abbey of Santa Giustina

Getting to Padua

Padua is only 42 kms inland from Venice.
Regular train services leave from Venice.
Expect travel times of 25 mins. See train timetables and prices here

Related: Plan a 7-10 day Northern Italy Itinerary

A Final Evening in Venice

As Padua is so close to Venice, it is possible to enjoy the best of this beautiful town and be back in Venice to appreciate the ebbing tide of tourists.

Take time to stroll the streets one last time then, settle in for an apertivo and watch the sun go down on one of the world’s most romantic cities. Five days in Venice might not be enough.

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Top 15 road trips from Venice

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Venice Tests a 5-Euro Entry Fee for Day-Trippers as the Italian City Grapples With Overtourism

The fragile lagoon city of Venice has launched a pilot program to charge day-trippers a 5-euro or $5.35 entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents

Stewards check tourists QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy's Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Under the gaze of the world’s media, the fragile lagoon city of Venice launched a pilot program Thursday to charge day-trippers a 5-euro ($5.35) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents.

Visitors arriving at Venice's main train station were greeted with large signs listing the 29 dates through July of the plan's test phase that also designated separate entrances for tourists, and residents, students and workers.

“We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents,’’ said Simone Venturini, the city’s top tourism official. “We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”

Not all residents, however, are persuaded of the efficacy of the new system in dissuading mass tourism , insisting that only a resurgence in the population will restore balance to a city where narrow alleyways and water buses are often clogged with tourists.

Hundreds of Venetians protested against the program, marching festively though the city's main bus terminal behind banners reading “No to Tickets, Yes to Services and Housing.” Protesters scuffled briefly with police with riot gear who blocked them from entering the city, before changing course and entering over another bridge escorted by plainclothes police officers. The demonstration wrapped up peacefully in a piazza.

Tourists arriving at the main station encountered almost as many journalists as stewards on hand to politely guide anyone unaware of the new requirements through the process of downloading the QR code to pay the fee.

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Arianna Cecilia, a tourist from Rome visiting Venice for the first time, said she thought it was “strange” to have to pay to enter a city in her native country, and be funneled through separate entrance ways for tourists. She and her boyfriend were staying in nearby Treviso, and so downloaded the QR code as required. But she was still caught off-guard while soaking in her first view ever of Venice's canals by the sight of the entrance signs and her boyfriend telling her to get out the ticket.

On the other side of the entrance ways, workers in yellow vests carried out random checks at the train station. Transgressors face fines of 50 to 300 euros ($53 to $320), but officials said “common sense” was being applied for the launch.

The requirement applies only for people arriving between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside of those hours, access is free and unchecked.

Venice has long suffered under the pressure of overtourism, and officials hope that the pilot project can help provide more exact figures to better manage the phenomenon.

The city can track the number of hotel visitors, which last year numbered 4.6 million and is down 16% from pre-pandemic highs. But the number of day visitors, which make up the majority of the crowds in Venice, could only be estimated until recently.

A Smart Control Room set up during the pandemic has been tracking arrivals from cellphone data, roughly confirming pre-pandemic estimates of 25 million to 30 million arrivals a year, said Michele Zuin, the city’s top economic official. That includes both day-trippers and overnight guests.

But Zuin said the data is incomplete.

“It’s clear we will get more reliable data from the contribution” being paid by day-trippers, he said.

Venturini said the city is strained when the number of day-trippers reaches 30,000 to 40,000. On peak days, local police set up one-way traffic for pedestrians to keep the crowds moving.

Residents opposing the day-tripper tax insist that the solution to Venice's woes are to boost the resident population and the services they need, limiting short-term rentals to make available more housing and attract families back from the mainland.

Last year, Venice passed a telling milestone when the number of tourist beds exceeded for the first time the number of official residents, which is now below 50,000 in the historic center with its picturesque canals.

“Putting a ticket to enter a city will not decrease not even by one single unit the number of visitors that are coming,’’ said Tommaso Cacciari, an activist who organized a protest Thursday against the measure.

“You pay a ticket to take the metro, to go to a museum, an amusement park. You don’t pay a ticket to enter a city. This is the last symbolic step of a project of an idea of this municipal administration to kick residents out of Venice,” he said.

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro declared the launch day, coinciding with an Italian holiday, a success, registering 15,700 paying visitors, 50% more than anticipated.

More than 97,000 others had downloaded a QR code denoting an exemption, including to work in Venice or as a resident of the Veneto region. Hotels in Venice, including in mainland districts like Marghera or Mestre, provided a QR code for visitors to attest to their stay, which includes a hotel tax — accounting for 40,000 of those.

Venturini, the tourist official, said that interest in Venice’s pilot program has been keen from other places suffering from mass tourism, including other Italian art cities, and municipalities abroad such as Barcelona, Spain, and Amsterdam.

But Marina Rodino, who has lived in Venice for 30 years, doesn't see the fee as the cure-all. Neighboring apartments in her residential building near the famed Rialto Bridge once inhabited by families are now short-term apartment rentals.

The corner butcher shop closed. Yet she noted that the new entrance fee requirement will still allow young people to flood the city in the evening for the traditional aperitivo, which can grow rowdy.

She was passing out mock European Union passports for “Venice, Open City,” underlining the irony of the new system, and challenging its legal standing with citations from the Italian Constitution guaranteeing its citizens the right to “move or reside freely in any part of the national territory."

“This is not a natural oasis. This is not a museum. It is not Pompeii. It is a city, where we need to fight so the houses are inhabited by families, and stores reopen. That is what would counter this wild tourism,’’ Rodino said.

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Venice implements new access fees for day-trippers: What to know about the new system

The waterfront city is popular for Piazza San Marco, canals and bridges.

Peak summer travel season is fast approaching, and some cities abroad have already implemented fees in an attempt to protect popular destinations from potential damage from increased tourism.

Bustling European cities from Barcelona to Amsterdam that get flooded with tourists, especially at historical hotspots during the high season, have used tourist taxes to help raise revenue without taxing local citizens.

Now, the city of bridges is following in the footsteps of Spain, Greece and Germany, which have all utilized a similar fee-based approach, testing a new entry fee for any visitors who come to Venice just for the day.

PHOTO: Tourists visit San Marco Square on April 24, 2024 in Venice, Italy.

Earlier this year, the coastal city, known for it's lagoon, hand-blown glass and close proximity to the heart of Italy's popular Prosecco region, announced a new reservation system that would charge day trippers 5 euros to enter and enjoy Venice.

With nearly 40,000 visitors on average per day -- nearly double the city's population -- local authorities hope this move will help protect the UNESCO World Heritage Site from the influx of tourists.

Starting Thursday, travelers can download an app to pay and attain a QR code, which will be checked by inspectors to enter the city as a visitor. If someone traveling for the day in Venice is caught without the code, they may face a fine of up to 300 euros.

PHOTO: Tourists on Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy, March 15, 2024.

"It is not a revolution, but the first step of a path that regulates the access of daily visitors. An experiment that aims to improve the liveability of the city, who lives there and who works there. We will carry it forward with great humility and with the awareness that there may be problems," Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said in a statement on X regarding the announcement.

"The margins of error are wide, but we are ready, with humility and courage, to make all the changes that will serve to improve the procedure. Venice is the first city in the world to implement this path, which can be an example for other fragile and delicate cities that must be safeguarded," he continued.

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Simone Venturini, Venice city councilor for tourism, told ABC News that the smart control center is within the most important part of the city -- Piazza San Marco, or St. Mark's Square.

"Authorities will use the new QR codes, plus cell phone data and the roughly 700 cameras around Venice to track and potentially regulate visitors," he explained. "We are switching to action after 60 years of only debate... our ultimate goal is to find a new balance between the needs of the residents and the needs of tourists."

Venturini told ABC News local officials had "a lot of discussion" with leaders in other cities who have worked to combat overtourism, including Amsterdam, Barcelona and Kyoto.

"We are talking together just to find the solution," he said.

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Venice launches world first tourist entrance fee in bid to fight overcrowding

VENICE, Italy — Ancient and beautiful, this city is sometimes referred to as an open air museum — and now visitors to Venice will have to pay an entry fee after the tourist hub on Thursday became the first in the world to introduce a charging system for day-trippers.

In a bid to thin out the crowds that throng to see the canals, bridges and striking architecture during vacation season, day-trippers will have to pay 5 euros ($5.35) to enter the lagoon city on 29 peak days, mostly on weekends, as part of a trial phase until July 14.

Tourists who have booked at least one night at a hotel in the city will be exempt from the charge, as will residents, workers and students in the city. Visitors under age 14 will also be exempt. But like the day-trippers, they will also have to ensure they have registered online and received QR codes.

Those without smartphones will have to go to the city’s Santa Lucia train station to buy tickets.

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Among the thousands of people lining up at the station for a ticket Thursday was Donna Porter-Mutchler, a tourist from Tennessee, who told NBC News she thought the charge was “a wonderful idea.”

“Venice deserves to be taken care of,” she said. “I think it’s more than worth it. I come here often, and I’ll pay every time.”

While there will be no limits on the number of people who can register, officials hope the fee will put people off on days it applies.

“We are not looking to collect money, tax people or introduce a police state,” Simone Venturini, Venice’s tourism councilor, told NBC News. “We are being democratic about it, but the important message is: ‘Please, if you are a day-tripper, choose another day.’”

While there are no turnstiles at the city’s entrance points to make sure people have passes, inspectors will make random checks and issue fines of 50 to 300 euros to anyone who has failed to register.

Prominent signs across the city and a TV and newspaper advertising campaign have been launched in Italy and some other countries to let people know about it. And with the help of artificial intelligence , Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has also recorded a video message in several languages to inform tourists about the charge.

Officials in the city estimate an average of 50,000 people a day visit Venice, an influx that almost matches the resident population, some of whom are unhappy about the new charge.

“Venice has turned into Disneyland, where tourists are catered more than residents, and charging $5 is not going to stop anyone,” Federica Toninello of the Social Assembly for Housing and the Solidarity Network for Housing in Venice said Thursday. “It’s just propaganda.”

Others, like tourist guide Luisella Romeo, said they were concerned about the use of personal data collected by the new system. “That’s an invasion of privacy. Those details will remain in the system for five years and could be given to third parties, public and private,” she said.

But officials in the city, which narrowly escaped being placed on UNESCO’s “World Heritage in Danger” list last year, in part because the United Nations body decided that it was not addressing concerns that its delicate ecosystem risked being overwhelmed by mass tourism, have insisted that something needed to be done.

Three years ago, large cruise ships were banned from sailing into the Venetian lagoon , and the city has also announced limits on the sizes of tourist groups.

While the charge in Venice is still in its experimental stage, other popular Italian tourism destinations, like Lake Como, which has struggled with overcrowding for years, are watching closely.

Only time will tell whether it ends up dead in the water.

Claudio Lavanga is Rome-based foreign correspondent for NBC News.

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