Excursions from Venice: the best day trips nearby
Nestled on a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, Venice is a stunning city. Completely traversed by canals, the most famous of which is the Grand Canal, it is a city to explore aboard traditional gondolas.
The city is adorned with beautiful buildings in Renaissance and Gothic styles, along with charming houses with red-tiled roofs. The most famous square is St. Mark's, home to the Basilica and the Campanile of St. Mark, enriched with Byzantine mosaics. But beyond Venice, there are many must-see attractions nearby; let's discover them together!
1 - Murano, Burano, and Torcello
These are the most famous lagoon islands, known worldwide for their distinctive landscape, craftsmanship, and history.
Murano is famous for glassmaking: one of the oldest Venetian arts, developed in many small workshops along the "Fondamenta dei vetrai". The Glass Museum exhibits artifacts and valuable pieces dating back to the Middle Ages (all in glass, of course). One of the oldest glass factories is the Ducale Glass Factory (9:30-16:45).
Burano is colorful and picturesque, famous for its typical colorful houses and the lace making, a tradition passed down from generation to generation and documented within the Lace Museum. During your visit, admire the Cathedral of Burano, with its leaning bell tower rising 53 meters, and taste the Bussolà, a typical butter biscuit.
Finally, Torcello is a small island featuring the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, decorated with Venetian-Byzantine style mosaics, the Devil's Bridge, a parapet-less bridge offering a beautiful view of nearby Burano; and the Throne of Attila dating back to the 5th century.
- Distance 5.1 km
- How to get there to Murano by Actv ferry 4.1 and 4.2 from F.te Nove B to Murano Colonna C, €8.00; Burano and Torcello by Actv ferry 12, €8.00 - Get directions
- Hours glass museum: 10:00-18:00; lace museum 10:30-17:00 closed on Mondays; Torcello basilica 10:30-18:00
- Ticket prices glass museum €10.00; lace museum €5.00; Torcello basilica €5.00
- Recommended tours, tickets, and passes Tour from Venice to the Islands of Murano and Burano / Free excursion to Murano, Burano, and Torcello / Vaporetto pass
2 - Cruise on the Brenta
Venice connects to the nearby city of Padua via a river route along the Brenta that was historically traversed by Burchiello, typical wooden boats characterized by elegant cabins and 3 or 4 balconies.
Today, it is possible to sail along the original route of the Venetian Burchielli from the 18th century thanks to fantastic panoramic cruises that allow you to admire over 50 Venetian villas located along the riverbanks, 5 different locks, and 9 drawbridges.
But that's not all; during the trip, there are three stops to allow passengers to visit the interiors of three splendid noble villas, namely Villa Pisani, Villa Widmann, and Villa Foscariche. The cruises last about 12 hours and depart from Venice (Riva degli Schiavoni, dock San Zaccaria A, in front of the Church of Pietà) or from Padua (Burchiello staircase in Portello).
- Distance about 40 km
- How to get there Cruises departing from Venice leave from Riva degli Schiavoni, dock San Zaccaria A, in front of the Church of Pietà - Get directions
- Hours cruise departs at 9:00
- Ticket price from €99.00 per person
- Recommended tours, tickets, and passes Cruise on the Brenta from Venice
3 - Padua
Padua is located between Venice and Verona, in the heart of Veneto, and boasts a history of over three thousand years, which can be traced through numerous beauties. Among the must-see attractions is the unmissable Basilica of Saint Anthony, a triumph of architectural styles, the Palazzo del Bo where the famous chair of Galileo Galilei is located, and the beautiful Prato della Valle, 80,000 square meters of square that has become a meeting place for locals. Don't forget the Chapel of the Scrovegni, painted by Giotto.
It is also an important university city, which frequently hosts a series of events throughout the year, ranging from cinema to theater, from music to art, and from sports to folklore.
See also: Padua Itinerary in One Day
- Distance 40.5 km
- How to get there by direct train from Santa Lucia station in 27 min, €4.45 - Get directions
- Hours for information on the hours of main attractions, check our article
- Ticket price for information on the prices of main attractions, check our article
4 - Chioggia
It is defined by many as "the Little Venice" due to its historic center settled on small islands and interspersed with canals.
Chioggia unfolds its beauty among monuments such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria</strong}, dating back to the 1600s, the medieval Tower of Sant'Andrea, which has housed one of the world's oldest clocks since 1389 and which contains the clock museum; bridges over the lagoon like the Ponte Vigo which has become the city's symbol; and historic markets like the Fish Market: an ancient and traditional fish market and traditional houses with distinctive red roofs.
Furthermore, the city is rich in street artists, notably the decorators of bragossi, the traditional Chioggia fishing boat. A truly unmissable lagoon city!
- Distance 30 km
- How to get there reachable in under an hour by car and about two with public transport. It's recommended to take Bus ACTV 11, from Santa Maria Elisabetta to Pellestrina Cemetery (from €2.00), then ferry to Chioggia P.tta Vigo, from €8.00 - Get directions
- Hours cathedral 8:00-18:00; clock museum 10:30-11:30/16:30-17:30
- Ticket price clock museum €1.50; cathedral free
5 - Treviso
An elegant Veneto city, crossed by the Sile River, making it picturesque and romantic.
Its famous Piazza dei Signori houses the Palazzo dei trecento: named so because historically it was where municipal assemblies composed of three hundred members gathered.
Among the must-see attractions, a visit to the Fish Market is a must: a small island on the waters of the river, where the traditional fish market is held. Don't miss the Cathedral of Treviso, which houses "The Annunciation" by Titian. Finally, the Fountain of the Tits is curious and famous: a fountain decorated with a female sculpture, from whose breasts, in ancient times during city celebrations, red and white wine flowed. Don't miss a guided tour of the Castle of Roncade, the only Veneto villa still enclosed within medieval walls, and enjoy its ancient atmosphere with an excellent wine tasting.
- Distance 29.6 km
- How to get there direct train from Santa Lucia station in 30 min, €3.60 - Get directions
- Hours for information on the hours of main attractions, check our article
- Ticket price for information on the prices of main attractions, check our article
6 - Dolomiti Bellunesi Park
The park is a great idea for a trip in contact with nature.
Trails, forests, and via ferratas, on the shores of Lake Mis, immersed in spectacular and pristine mountain scenery.
A walk on foot, by bike, or even on horseback, among perfectly shaped crystals and ancient trees will be rejuvenating.
The park offers various thematic itineraries to discover certain aspects of the park (history, geomorphology...) or naturalistic itineraries for hikers who want to learn about the park's flora and fauna. You can find information about the various trails on the official site.
- Distance 93.8 km
- How to get there reachable in about 1 hour and 40 minutes by car - Get directions
- Hours always accessible
7 - Jesolo
A famous seaside resort for its beautiful beaches, for its nightlife, and for the many water parks that attract both young and old: among the most famous is Caribe Bay.
Don't miss Sea Life, an aquarium with fish from the oceans, and the Vidotto Historical Military Museum, which showcases weapons and military equipment from World War I.
- Distance 32.6 km
- How to get there in a little over 40 minutes by car, 1 hour by train from Venice Mestre to S. Donà di Piave, then bus Atvo 19a to Jesolo, fares from €2.00. Alternatively, a direct bus transfer - Get directions
- Hours Sea Life 10:00-22:00; Caribe Bay 10:00-18:00; museum 10:00-12:30/15:30-19:00
- Ticket price Sea Life €16.00, free (children up to 1m tall and disabled); Caribe Bay €34.00, €30.00 (children up to 1.40m tall), free (children up to 1m tall); museum €7.00, €5.00 (6 to 14 years), free (0-5 years)
8 - Verona
Famous for being the city of Shakespearean characters Romeo and Juliet, Verona is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Italy.
Start with a guided tour that will allow you to discover all the city's treasures in a short time.
The city features a medieval historic center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and beautiful and important monuments, including: the Juliet's House, a 16th-century building characterized by the famous balcony overlooking a courtyard that attracts thousands of visitors every day; the Arena of Verona, the oldest Roman amphitheater, to be discovered through a guided tour to understand and fully appreciate its history; Piazza delle Erbe, the oldest square in Verona: an architectural wonder.
Don't miss the view from Torre dei Lamberti, an impressive 84 meters tall, and a walk through the alleys and historic Baroque buildings.
See also: Verona Itinerary in One Day
Be sure to purchase the Verona Card in advance: with limited time, it's essential to acquire the Verona Card, which includes priority access to the Arena, Juliet's Balcony, Torre dei Lamberti, and other city museums, not to mention unlimited rides on the urban transport network ATV.
- Distance 120 km
- How to get there 1h by car. By train from Venice S.Lucia to Verona Porta Nuova, 1h, from €8.00. Alternatively, Flixbus 427, fares from €5.00 - Get directions
- Hours for information on the hours of main attractions, check our article
- Ticket price for information on the prices of main attractions, check our article
9 - Caorle
Situated between the mouths of the Livenza and Limene rivers, this beautiful Veneto town is one of the most popular seaside resorts in the Upper Adriatic.
Picturesque views, golden beaches, and safe seas.
Don't miss a visit to the cathedral, in Romanesque style dating back to the year 1000, adjacent to which is the Cathedral Treasure Museum of Caorle, which displays ancient sacred artifacts and relics. Enjoy the view from the cylindrical bell tower, soaring 48 meters high, and take a touching visit to the Church of the Madonna dell'Angelo, perched on a promontory overlooking the sea.
Additionally, a relaxing stroll to discover the casoni of Caorle: typical straw houses that were once the lagoon homes of fishermen.
- Distance 56.3 km
- How to get there 1h by car or ACTV Bus 4A, from Venice Piazzale Roma, fares from €5.00 - Get directions
- Hours cathedral 7:30-19:30; museum 10:00-12:00 and 20:00-22:00 in summer. The Church of the Madonna dell'Angelo is open until 11:00 pm in the summer months.
- Ticket price bell tower and museum require a reservation.
10 - Bassano del Grappa
This small town is a great idea for a trip outside the gates of Venice. Famous for the Alpini Bridge, dating back to 1209, which offers breathtaking views over Valsugana, with mountains traversed by the clear waters of the Brenta River.
At Bassano del Grappa, do not miss the famous grappa distilleries (especially the Nardini distillery, one of the oldest in Italy), where you absolutely must try the mezzo e mezzo: a cocktail made from rhubarb and lemon peel.
The grappa is even dedicated to a museum: the Poli Grappa Museum, located in the ancient Palazzo delle Teste, which displays more than 1,500 bottles of grappa from over three hundred distilleries.
A visit to the Hemingway and Great War Museum is essential: housed in a station where the Red Cross operated in 1918. Among the volunteers was Ernest Hemingway himself. The museum exhibits detailed documentation on the war and a section entirely dedicated to the writer.
See also: Bassano del Grappa: what to see, where to eat, and what to do at night
- Distance 64.6 km
- How to get there a little over 1h by car. By train from Venice S.Lucia, €4.00 - Get directions
- Hours Poli Grappa Museum 9:00-19:30; Hemingway and Great War Museum 10:00-13:00/15:00-18:00
- Ticket price grappa museum free (€3.00 for tasting). Hemingway Museum €5.00, €3.00 reduced
11 - Vicenza
Famous for its elegant buildings, created by Palladio, Vicenza is one of the most beautiful cities in Veneto, declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
It is an elegant and refined city, where there are indeed many attractions to visit. Among the most important: the Temple of San Lorenzo, in Gothic style dating back to 1280; the Olympic Theater, considered the oldest covered masonry temple in the world; the Chiericato Palace, also a work by Palladio, dating from 1550, also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has housed the Civic Museum of Vicenza since 1855, the Salvi Gardens, and the Valmarana Loggia; the Church of Santa Corona, the Archaeological-Naturalistic Museum, and the art galleries of the Palazzo Leone Montanari.
Monuments and museums of rare beauty, all waiting to be discovered while strolling through the streets of this charming city.
See also: Vicenza: what to see, where to eat, and what to do at night
- Distance 69.3 km
- How to get there less than an hour by car. By train from Venice S. Lucia, €5.00 - Get directions
- Hours for information on the hours of main attractions, check our article
- Ticket price for information on the prices of main attractions, check our article