The Top Things to Do in Vicenza, Italy 

I suppose when it comes to Vicenza, Italy, I am a little biased. Our house is in the province of Vicenza, and my family has lived here for centuries.

The Basilica Palladiana

Why Visit Vicenza?

Vicenza is a beautiful and vibrant town; the people are so very friendly, and of course it was the home to one of Italy's greatest architects, Palladio, so there are plenty of magnificent buildings to see and lots of things to do. It's also a quick day trip from Venice if you don't have time to stay. 

Where to Stay

Vicenza's hotels are definitely nothing special. The best thing that can be said about most of them is that they are a lot cheaper than Venice.

Around three or four of the hotels are worthwhile. The best of these in terms of rates, quality, and location is the Glam Boutique Hotel; located right in the heart of the old town, it is an experience all of its own. Click the link, read the other reviews, and look at the photos and you'll see what I mean.

Getting to Vicenza, Italy

Vicenza lies along the main rail route and motorway (A4) between Milan, Verona, and Venice. If you fly into Venice, catch the bus to Mestre and then the train to Vicenza.

What to See in Vicenza

Piazza delle Erbe, Vicenza

This is a town that is easy to explore on your own. It's fairly small and all parts of the old town center are within easy walking distance. Discover what wonderful scenes await you with our Vicenza gallery page.

When it comes to the main "tourist attractions," the list of things to do and places to see is surprisingly long for such a relatively small town. Here then are the “must see” sights in Vicenza...

Everything Palladian

Piazza dei Signori, Vicenza

Undoubtedly, Vicenza’s main tourist attraction is the Palladian architecture.

Andrea Palladio is renowned globally for the famous Palladian style—even the White House was Palladio-inspired. 

Vicenza is where the bulk of the buildings he designed are to be found.

Visiting the Palladian Villas is easiest if you have a car, but most can be reached by public transport. The number 8 bus that you can catch near the station goes past a lot of them and stops in front of the most famous of all the villas—La Rotonda.

The Vicenza tourist office in the old town (Piazza dei Signori, 8) has a lot of information, maps, and advice on visiting the villas, as well as information on all the other Palladian buildings within the old town of Vicenza.

The ladies in the office are very helpful and friendly; Anna in particular is fantastic and will be able to give you all the advice you need on opening times, etc.

Visit the fabulous piazzas of the city too; Vicenza has some of the loveliest in all of Italy, with Piazza dei Signori being able to rival St. Mark's Square in Venice.

Apart from the villas on the edge of town, the city itself can easily be explored on foot; it is the best way too, as many parts of the old city are off-limits to cars. If you get tired, then there are plenty of parks or pavement cafes to relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Teatro Olimpico

At the top of the things-to-do list and designed by Palladio is the Teatro Olimpico. This was Palladio’s last work and was finished by Vincenzo Scamozzi.

The stage is based on the city of Thebes and creates the sensation of space and distance—it is actually incredible how it does this, making a fairly small space seem enormous—early special effects, I guess!.

Teatro Olimpico Opening Hours

Current hours are as below; always check yourself though, as they are subject to change without notice:

• September–June: Tuesday–Sunday, 9 am–5 pm (last entry at 4:30 pm)
• July–August: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm (last entry at 5:30 pm)
  Closed on Mondays, December 25, and January 1.

The Basilica Palladiana

Basilica Palladiana of Vicenza. Photo by Edoardo Bortoli via Unsplash

Another Palladian great and many consider this to be his best work but, apart from the façade, most of it is not actually his work—still absolutely beautiful though. Sit in Piazza dei Signori, sip your coffee or aperitivo and admire this beautiful building, which lines nearly one entire side of the piazza.

Santuario di Monte Berica

When I first climbed up to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Monte Berico, I’ll be honest—I was a little out of breath. But oh, the moment you reach the top, all of Vicenza stretches out beneath you, the rooftops glowing in the sun and, on a clear day, even the Alps shimmering in the distance. Truly, it feels like the Madonna herself is watching over the city.

The story goes that the Virgin appeared here twice, in the 1400s, to a humble woman named Vincenza Pasini. Soon after, they built a small chapel, which over the centuries grew into the grand basilica you see today. Inside, it’s a treasure chest of art and devotion: Carpioni’s luminous painting of the people of Vicenza, Veronese’s great banquet scene, Montagna’s tender Pietà—and right at the heart, the 1430 statue of the Madonna by Nicolò da Venezia, so simple and moving.

Now, you can walk up to the sanctuary in two ways. My favorite is along Viale X Giugno, under the long, graceful arcade of 150 arches—quiet, serene, and perfect for reflection. For the more adventurous, the old Scalette are steeper: 192 stone steps that begin at Palladio’s Arco delle Scalette. And if you’re not in the mood for climbing? Just hop on bus line 18 and let it take you straight there.

Take your time once you arrive. Breathe in the peaceful air, wander through the Museum of Sacred Art, and don’t miss the views from Piazzale della Vittoria—you’ll carry that vision of Vicenza home in your heart forever.

Villa La Rotonda (Villa Capra)

Villa La Rotonda by Palladio. Photo via Unsplash by Edoardo Bortoli

You simply must not miss Villa La Rotonda, one of Andrea Palladio’s most famous masterpieces.

The villa was originally commissioned by Paolo Almerico, a Venetian priest, in the 1560s as a peaceful country retreat. Palladio, as always, blended classical Roman elegance with practical design, creating a home that is as harmonious inside as it is out. Step into the central salon under the dome, and you’re surrounded by frescoes and delicate decorative details that make you feel like you’ve wandered into another era.

Visiting La Rotonda is like stepping into a painting. You can wander the grounds, take in the symmetry, and imagine life as it was in Renaissance Italy. And the views—oh, the views! Hills, vineyards, and the shimmering light over the countryside—it really is worth every step.

For anyone who loves architecture, history, or just the sheer beauty of Italy, Villa La Rotonda is an experience you’ll never forget. I always tell people: make time for it, slow down, breathe, and let the elegance of Palladio’s genius soak into you.

Vicenza's Gold

Vicenza is the world capital of gold jewelry. To find out more about Vicenza's gold jewellery tradition, click here.

More Things to Do in Vicenza and nearby

And best of all...

Loggia Valmarana in the Giardino Salvi park, Vicenza

For the rest, just enjoy walking around and savoring the atmosphere of the old town, stroll around the parks, which are lovely, and enjoy the color and vibrancy of the markets, and take an espresso at a bar with the locals.

Vicenza is a town that is full of life; become a part of it for just a few days, and you will be enchanted.