Here are our suggestions for the best day trips from Venice, Italy. The Veneto region holds interesting towns and cities outside Venice, easily reached by public transportation. I've also included the islands of Venice and Venice Lido, easy day trips from central Venice.
Any of these destinations could also make stopover on the way to Venice or a base for visiting the Veneto and seeing Venice as a day trip, so I've included hotel suggestions, too.
Venice's Islands - Murano, Burano, and Torcello
Glass Furnace on Murano Island by Barbara Molini
Murano, Burano, and Torcello islands can easily be visited as day trips from Venice. You can visit two or all three of them in the same day. Murano (see photos) is known as the island of glass-makers and the island has a glass museum, glass factories that you can visit, and shops selling glass. Burano has canals lined with picturesque colored houses (see photos) and is known for lace making. Torcello is a green island where you can see mosaics in the 7th century Cathedral.
- Getting There: From Fondamenta Nove, vaporetto Number 41 or 42 to Murano, LN 12 to Burano and Torcello. See Venice Vaporetto Tips.
- Where to Stay: Murano Island Hotels
- Where to Eat: Il Nero Gato on Burano, Osteria al Ponte del Diavolo on Torcello.
Venice Lido
Venice Lido is along strip of land off the Venice. The Lido is lined with beaches and is a good place for nightlife, shopping, or to get away from the tourist crowds in Piazza San Marco. In early September, the Venice Film Festival is held on the Lido. There are shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels (often less expensive than in Venice) on Venice Lido, too.
- Getting To the Lido: Vaporetto Number 1 from Piazza San Marco. Vaporetti run from other parts of Venice, too. See Venice Vaporetto Tips.
- Where to Stay: Biasutti Hotel (Read reviews and book) is recommended by a reader who says it's a beautiful hotel, near the beach, and very quiet. Hotel des Bains (Read reviews and book) was the setting for Death in Venice.
Padua
Padua (Padova) is a walled city east of Venice. It has Europe's oldest Botanical Gardens, the Basilica di Sant’Antonio, and Scrovegni Chapel frescoes by Giotto. The gardens and Basilica are across town from the train station, a pleasant walk through the historic center. Padua is one of my favorite small cities and I've stayed there several times as an alternative to staying in Venice.
- Getting to Padua: Trains from Venice to Padova take about half an hour and run frequently.
- Where to Stay: Hotel Europa (Reviews and booking) is in the center, not far from the train station. Methis Hotel (Reviews and booking) is by the river near the center. Majestic Toscanelli (Reviews and booking) is in the historic center.
Treviso
Treviso is a pleasant medieval town north of Venice with canals and alleyways running through its center. The defensive walls, town gates, and moat can still be seen. Treviso's center, a short walk from the train station, is a nice place for wandering or enjoying a drink in a cafe.- Getting There: Trains from Venice to Treviso take about half an hour and run frequently.
- Where to Stay: Hotel Campo Marzio (Reviews and booking) is in the historic center, near the train station and convenient for traveling to or from Treviso airport. Hotel Ca' del Galletto (Reviews and booking) is in walking distance of the historic center.
Chioggia
James Martin, Wanderer's Eye Travel Photography
- Getting to Chioggia: In summer, a direct tourist boat runs from Saint Mark's Square to Chioggia. At other times, vaporetto or train connections can take two hours.
- Where to Stay: I stayed at Grande Hotel Italia (Reviews and booking), a nice hotel right by the port and boat stop. Caldin's Hotel (Reviews and booking) is a 1-star hotel in the historic center.
Vicenza
Vicenza was an important city from the 15th through 18th centuries. Famous Renaissance architect Palladio was from Vicenza and he designed 23 of the buildings in the city, including Palazzo Barbaran da Porto that houses the Palladio museum. The Basilica Palladiana is considered by many to be Palladio's masterpiece. With a car you can tour Palladian villas outside Vicenza.- Getting to Vicenza: Trains from Venice to Vicenza take about forty-five minutes and run frequently.
- Where to Stay: Hotel Campo Marzio (Reviews and booking) is in the historic center, near the train station. Hotel Doge (Reviews and booking) and Hotel Continental (Reviews and booking) are each a short distance outside the historic center.
Verona
Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com
- Getting There: Trains from Venice to Verona take just over one hour to 1 1/2 hours.
- Where to Stay: Top Rated Verona Hotels
Bassano del Grappa
Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com
- Getting There: Trains from Venice to Bassano del Grappa take about 1 1/2 hours.
- Where to Stay: I stayed at Best Western Hotel Palladio (read my review), just outside the historic center. The nearby Bonotto Hotel Belvedere (Reviews and prices), owned by the same family, is across the street from the historic center and has luxury rooms and an excellent restaurant.
