The Perfect Veneto & Venice Itinerary

Love Venice? You’ll adore what’s nearby! Our itinerary takes you beyond the city to the Veneto’s stunning countryside and historic towns. You'll discover scenery that will leave you speechless, see little towns considered to be some of the loveliest in Italy, and of course you'll eat and drink and be very merry too.

The itinerary covers a two-week period in the Veneto Region (experts consider this Italy's best region), but you can adjust as needed and make it shorter by simply leaving out a town or two or spending less time in each place. Alternatively, lengthen the itinerary if you have more time. One could easily spend a week exploring a city like Venice, and the same goes for Verona and attractions like Lake Garda.

You'll need a car to complete the entire itinerary. I'd recommend booking before you leave with someone like Discover Car Hire—the rates are normally better when you book in advance. Veneto is the best place in Italy to drive; there are wide modern roads between all the towns, and people in Veneto drive very well... by Italian standards.

Should you really not want to drive, you can still do most of the itinerary by train, with the exception of the Dolomites region and small country towns. Another option is to take the tour from Venice that includes towns like Asolo; here are the details. 

View from the Foscari Palace Hotel - Click for Details

Day 1 to Day 4

Postpone renting the car until after Venice; that will save you a bit of money, as obviously a car won't be needed while in Venice.

I'd suggest at least four days in Venice, which will give you enough time to see the main sights and some of the less well-known ones too. Part of the enjoyment of Venice is eating out at traditional restaurants; however, there are lots of really bad and touristy ones. Avoid those with spaghetti bolognese or lasagna on the menu; those aren't traditional dishes in this part of Italy. To help you out a little, I've put together a list of my favorite restaurants in Venice and elsewhere in the Veneto; click here for the list. 

Padua/Padova

Day 4 to Day 7

Leave Venice early and spend a day (although two days are better) in Padua (Padova in Italian), then head to Asolo for three nights exploring nearby Bassano del Grappa, Marostica, and Breganze.

The area around Cison di Valmarino, known as the Prosecco Route, is one of Italy's loveliest wine routes, and it is here that you will discover one of the most incredible drives in all of Italy. I highly recommend you experience this; it is fabulous. Here are the details you need.

Lake Braies

Day 7 to Day 10

To explore the Dolomites, base yourselves in Belluno and visit Cortina d’Ampezzo and the lovely little town of Alleghe. Don't miss a visit to the Val di Funes and some of the gorgeous lakes we feature in our Dolomites Guide.

Val di Funes

Day 10 to Day 13

The next stop is the city of Romeo and Juliet, the city of Verona for three nights - perhaps stopping to visit Vicenza along the way.

Verona is an absolute must-see on your travel list. A sense of history lingers in every cobblestone and in architectural masterpieces, like the Arena di Verona, a breathtaking Roman amphitheater that hosts spectacular operatic performances under the stars.

Verona is a city that invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and fall in love with life's simple pleasures. Explore the bustling marketplaces, relax with a morning cappuccino in the piazza or simply wander the narrow lanes with no plan and no worries. Verona's charm will captivate you at every turn.

Verona

From Verona, take a trip out to the Madonna della Coronna. It is one of the most incredible sights I have ever seen and something that still leaves me open-mouthed in awe despite having seen it dozens of times. I bet you'll be asking yourself how they ever managed to build a church in such a location. I am still asking myself that.

If you'd like to combine your time in Verona with a wine tour, then visit Soave and explore the surrounding wine country.

Sirmione

Day 13 to Day 15

Base yourself either in Peschiera or Sirmione. Peschiera is the better choice with young children, while Sirmione (just across the Veneto border in Brescia) is the more romantic option. Whichever one you choose to stay in, make sure you visit charming little Borghetto sul Mincio while you are there. Borghetto sul Mincio was voted one of Italy's loveliest little towns. It truly is something special. It is very near both Sirmione and Peschiera; from Peschiera, there is a splendid cycle path that leads through gorgeous countryside all the way to Borghetto sul Mincio.