The most beautiful lakes in Veneto
Here are the 15 lakes to see in Veneto: dream destinations for relaxing days in the countryside or starting points for long walks in the Dolomites.
Venice would be enough to make the Veneto one of the most visited regions in Italy. Instead, one of the most loved and visited cities in the world is joined by other marvellous cities such as Verona, Padua, Vicenza, Treviso, the largest lake in Italy, 70 per cent of the Dolomites, the only delta in Italy, the largest amusement park in Italy, dozens and dozens of kilometres of sandy beaches and much more.
In short, ask and the Veneto will give you. There is material for unforgettable driving itineraries, city breaks, skiing holidays, beach holidays, spa weekends, lake holidays, cycling holidays and themed itineraries (perhaps the villas of the Riviera del Brenta tempt you? Or the islands of the lagoon? How about river tourism? Have you already seen Palladio’s masterpieces?).
To orient you in the multitude and variety of things to see in this extraordinary region, we have compiled a list of the 20 most beautiful attractions in Veneto. Choose and mix as you like and you will have the perfect cocktail for one of the most beautiful trips of your life!
Veneto is first and foremost Venice: it is impossible not to include its wonderful capital city in a Veneto travel plan.
Entirely built on water, it is a unique city, able to surprise and enchant despite an influx of visitors so high that it is sometimes exhausting. Beautiful both during major events such as the Carnival or the Redentore, and during low season periods such as early autumn, Venice is truly one of the places to see at least once in a lifetime.
One day is enough to visit the most famous sights: St Mark’s Square, the Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. But to penetrate the soul of this contradictory city, at the same time romantic and enigmatic, it is necessary to stay longer, to go into the less visited districts, to get lost in the calli and campielli and to indulge in a very expensive (but unforgettable!) gondola tour.
Venice is not only the historic centre crossed by the famous Grand Canal: an important part of the city is represented by the islands of the lagoon. These ‘satellites’ of the historic centre allow you to experience a less chaotic Venice, that of Venetians intent on their daily chores.
The most visited are Murano2 and Burano3, whose fame is linked to two craft traditions that have become an art form: glassblowing in the first case and lace-making in the second.
The first island is very large and close to the centre, so it can easily be included in the programme of a day trip. The colourful Burano is further away but tiny; from here you can cross a bridge to the little-known island of Mazzorbo4, where something you would never expect to find in Venice awaits you.
The other Venetian island not to be missed is Lido di Venezia5, a favourite holiday destination for aristocrats and intellectuals of the early 20th century that still retains echoes of this glorious past. The spotlight shines on this island between late August and early September, when the famous Venice Film Festival takes place.
Although Venice is considered one of the most romantic cities in the world, the city of lovers par excellence is Verona, whose name is inextricably linked to that of Romeo and Juliet, the two young lovers protagonists of the world’s most famous love story.
Juliet’s house-museum with its famous balcony and the maiden’s lucky charm statue is the city’s most visited attraction, but it is possible to take a themed tour that includes other, lesser-known places related to Shakespeare’s tragedy.
Verona’s other top attraction is the Arena, a perfectly preserved Roman amphitheatre that has become the temple of Italian opera: an exceptional location for spectacular stage sets that dramatically amplify the grandeur of the operas performed.
Another highly romantic destination is the Veneto shore of Lake Garda, the largest body of fresh water in Italy. Along its shores lie enchanting villages such as Peschiera del Garda, Bardolino and Lazise, ideal locations for an unforgettable getaway for two, a relaxing weekend or a fun family holiday.
Just a few kilometres from the marinas and beaches of Lake Garda are popular tourist attractions such as the Parco Giardino Sigurtà, the Terme di Colà or the picturesque centre of Borghetto sul Mincio.
Garda, however, is not only rest and contemplation of beauty; on the contrary, there are many tourists who choose it as their holiday destination because they are attracted by the numerous opportunities for outdoor sports.
The locality on the Veneto side of Lake Garda recommended for active holidays is Malcesine, the last town one encounters before entering Trentino-Alto Adige. Just a stone’s throw from the centre rises Monte Baldo, a peak of over 2000 metres, perfect for those who love mountain biking and trekking.
On the border between Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige are the mountains that in the collective imagination are the symbol of the Dolomites: they are the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, three majestic rock obelisks of almost 3,000 metres with an unmistakable shape.
The unique beauty of these iconic peaks is within everyone’s reach. The Tour of the Tre Cime on foot is a well-marked trekking ring with no particular technical difficulties; the starting point is the Auronzo Refuge, which can be reached by car or bus.
Experienced hikers can opt for more challenging variants or extend the trek with an overnight stay of one night or more in the high-altitude refuges.
Breathtakingly beautiful peaks and worldliness are the ingredients for the success of Cortina d’Ampezzo, a ski resort in the Veneto region known as the Queen of the Dolomites. It is undoubtedly the most crowded and snobbish mountain town in the Veneto region, but it is also a must-see for those who want to admire some of the most beautiful scenery in the Alps.
Having become famous in the 1950s thanks to the Winter Olympics, Cortina has never ceased to host internationally renowned sporting events and has repeatedly lent itself to the cinema.
Today, its varied tourist offer can satisfy people in search of entertainment and social life, experienced or novice skiers, hikers, couples and families.
The ideal destination for a spa weekend in Veneto is the Terme Euganee, a spa town set in the enchanting setting of the Euganean Hills, the gentle hills south of Padua.
It is the largest spa resort in Europe, with more than 100 spas and 200 pools (indoor and outdoor) filled with natural hot water between 28° and 36°. These include adults-only luxury pools, family pools, budget pools and even the deepest thermal pool in the world.
The most popular resorts are Abano Terme10 and Montegrotto Terme11, where most hotels with swimming pools and spas are concentrated. For a stay in the green, consider the quieter Galzignano or Battaglia Terme.
Read more
Perfect as a destination for an original weekend in Italy or for a day trip during a holiday in the Euganean Hills, Padua is a dynamic city with a double snobbish and goliardic soul.
The list of things to see is very long and includes top attractions such as the Scrovegni Chapel (Giotto’s artistic masterpiece), Prato della Valle (a green oasis that is considered the second largest square in Europe), the Bo (historical seat of one of the oldest universities in Italy, where Galileo Galilei taught) and the Saint (a huge basilica that is among the most visited pilgrimage sites in Europe).
Life in Padua revolves around the three squares in the centre, a favourite meeting place for Paduans for the evening ritual of the spritz. In the middle of the two most beautiful squares towers the enchanting Palazzo della Ragione.
The historic villas are a unique cultural and scenic element of the Veneto region: part agricultural estate, part noble residence, they are elegant buildings constructed between the 15th and 18th centuries, harmoniously integrated with the surrounding countryside.
They are often called Palladian villas after Andrea Palladio, the genius architect who lived in the 16th century and is responsible for some of the most important works in the history of architecture; it must be said, however, that those built by Palladio are only a minority of the almost 4,000 villas in the Veneto region surveyed.
If you want to take a themed itinerary, the best idea is to focus on the Riviera del Brenta, a pretty area inland from Venice where some of the most beautiful Venetian villas are concentrated.
Read more
Crushed by internationally renowned competitors like Venice and Verona, Vicenza is perhaps one of the most underrated cities in the Veneto. This is a pity, because this city is a real gem: in a small historic centre it concentrates an incredible amount of artistic masterpieces, gardens, panoramic viewpoints and nice places to have an aperitif.
Vicenza’s name is linked to Andrea Palladio, the architect who designed all its most famous attractions: the spectacular Olympic Theatre, the majestic Palladian Basilica and the enchanting Villa Rotonda.
Easy to reach by train or car from either Verona or Venice, Vicenza is perfect as a stop on a multi-day Veneto itinerary or as the destination of an unusual weekend break.
A similar fate to Vicenza befalls Treviso, an enchanting water town full of romantic views, small restaurants and historic palazzi.
The most characteristic area is the Buranelli, which takes its name from the canal of the same name: it is a dreamlike corner where streams of water hide under the arches of palaces only to reappear as a surprise a few metres further on.
After visiting the charming historic centre of Treviso, treat yourself to a walk along the GiraSile, an evocative cycle and pedestrian path along the river.
A destination not to be missed in the province of Vicenza is the town of Bassano del Grappa. Situated at the foot of the Venetian Alps and crossed by the Brenta River, this pretty town is one of the symbolic places of the First World War.
Its iconic Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), so beautiful and romantic, was for many soldiers on their way to the front a painful farewell, and the town remembers the martyrs of the war with statues, plaques and museums.
To the historical memory pervaded by a feeling of melancholy Bassano contrasts a unique vivacity and conviviality. This is also due to its most famous typical product (grappa) and other alcoholic specialities such as mezzo e mezzo or tagliatella.
Veneto is also synonymous with seaside holidays. Its long sandy beaches with first-class facilities, repeatedly awarded the blue flag, are an ideal destination for those who want a comfortable holiday in the sun.
Among the Veneto seaside resorts, the sceptre goes to Jesolo: once the ‘Rimini of the North-East’, famous for its clubs and discos, today it is a welcoming destination with a varied tourist offer that focuses on sustainability and design.
A wide choice of accommodation to suit all budgets, a cleaner sea than in other areas of the Veneto coastline, plenty of services, plus the proximity to a unique city like Venice: there are many reasons to choose Jesolo as a destination for a seaside holiday.
The Veneto is one of the most important wine-producing regions in Italy and is therefore recommended for all wine and food tourism enthusiasts. The most fascinating destination of a wine itinerary in Veneto is Soave17, a delightful walled village in the province of Verona nestled between the gentle slopes of the Lessini Mountains and the Adige valley.
There are four wines in the area: Soave DOC, Soave Classico DOC, Soave Superiore DOCG and Recioto di Soave DOCG. You can taste them by visiting the wine cellars around the village or enjoying a dinner in a restaurant-wine bar.
The other attraction that has made the village of Soave famous is the magnificent Soave Castle, rightly considered one of the most beautiful medieval castles in the Veneto region due to its walls that descend along the slopes of a hill embracing the historic centre of the town. A truly suggestive view!
The little Venice of the mainland is Chioggia, a proud maritime town brilliantly recounted by Goldoni in his masterpiece ‘Le baruffe chiozzotte’. You can browse among the stalls of a well-stocked and lively fish market, cycle along the lagoon shore, stroll along an elegant Corso lined with shops, or enjoy a succulent fish dinner.
From Chioggia you can take a vaporetto to Pellestrina, a Venetian island with a peculiarly long and narrow shape, washed by the lagoon on one side and the sea on the other.
If you prefer beaches with bathing establishments, you can travel by foot, car or bus to Sottomarina, a hamlet in the municipality of Chioggia that is a popular seaside resort.
A holiday dedicated to poetry can be experienced in Arquà Petrarca, a romantic town in the Euganean Hills where a poet who made the history of Italian literature lived. Little remains of the original structure of the House of Francesco Petrarca, nevertheless it is worth a visit because it is an evocative place, capable of arousing deep emotions.
Your day in Arquà can continue with pleasant walks or a lunch in an elegant restaurant, and in both cases you can admire enchanting views.
For a relaxing break, stay overnight in the area in one of the many agritourisms and B&Bs surrounded by greenery.
If you love historical re-enactments, don’t miss one of the most important living chess games in the world. It is held in Marostica, one of the most beautiful walled cities in the Veneto region located in the province of Vicenza.
For hundreds of years, the town’s main square, the evocative Piazza Castello, has for one day a year become the scenic chessboard where the human pawns and their regal surrounds (we are talking no less than 600 figures!) move gracefully.
The setting is highly suggestive, so Marostica is also worth a visit on all other days of the year.
The most famous alpine lake in the Veneto region is Lake Misurina, a sheet of water with silvery reflections on which are reflected some of the most famous peaks of the Dolomites, including the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Misurina is the ideal place to breathe healthy air, admire a dreamy mountain landscape and enjoy pleasant walks. There is something for all levels, from challenging trekking to family walks.
You can walk around the lake or hire a pedalo and enjoy the sun in the middle of the lake.
If you ask a child where he or she wants to go on holiday, he or she will almost certainly answer “To Gardaland!”. Italy’s number one amusement park is located in Castelnuovo del Garda, a town just a few kilometres from the Veneto side of the lake.
It is a park in step with the times, constantly renewing itself by adding exciting new attractions and spectacular new shows. And although it is typically considered a family attraction, Gardaland can cater for people of all ages: attractions range from rides and settings designed for younger children to vertiginous roller coasters and other adrenaline-pumping rides for teens and adults.
Gardaland Park is currently part of Gardaland Resort, an entertainment complex that also includes three themed hotels, an aquarium and the brand new LEGO water park.
If the Lake Garda area is one of the most touristy in the Veneto, at the other end of the spectrum is the Po Delta, an area in the province of Rovigo still little known to mass tourism. Consider it for a regenerating rural holiday.
In this area of rare beauty forged by the river and human intervention in a symbiotic struggle for survival, life still flows slowly. Here it will be easy for you to forget everything and everyone and indulge pleasantly in idleness.
Perfect for a weekend of relaxing rides on the banks, walks in the natural oases or boat trips on the canals, the Delta of the Po in Veneto is also an alternative destination to the typical seaside resorts recommended for those who want to take a seaside holiday away from the hustle and bustle. The beaches of the Po Delta are wild and solitary.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts