Vicenza, the city of Palladio, is one of the most elegant and fascinating art cities in the Veneto region. If, during your holiday in an apartment in Lido di Jesolo or at one of the camping villages in Caorle and Eraclea Mare, you feel like enjoying a cultural day trip, here are our tips on what to see and taste in Vicenza.
How to Get to Vicenza
With its remarkable artistic heritage and rich culinary tradition, Vicenza is one of the most interesting destinations for a day trip. The city is located around 115–130 km from Jesolo, Eraclea Mare and Caorle. From the Adriatic coast, you can reach Vicenza by:
- train. From Venezia Mestre railway station, you can take a high-speed Frecciarossa or Italo train and reach Vicenza in around 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a regional Trenitalia train from the same station, which takes approximately one hour to one hour and ten minutes and is a more affordable option. To plan your journey, we recommend checking timetables and fares on the websites of both companies: Trenitalia and Italo Treno;
- by car. If you are travelling from Caorle or Eraclea Mare, take the A4 motorway towards Venice from Noventa di Piave and continue on the A4 until the Vicenza Ovest exit. If you are travelling from Jesolo, take the Mestre ring road at the Marco Polo junction, join the A4 motorway and continue until the Vicenza Ovest exit.
What to See
The historic centre of Vicenza is truly enchanting, and we recommend exploring it on foot. There are countless historic buildings and fascinating places to discover – far more than you could possibly see in a single day. If your time is limited, however, you will have to choose your favourites and leave the rest for your next visit.
Alongside a leisurely stroll along Corso Palladio, admiring the elegant façades of its historic buildings, and a stop in Piazza dei Signori and Piazza delle Erbe, here are three places we believe are absolutely worth visiting:
- Teatro Olimpico (1580). The oldest surviving enclosed theatre in the world, Teatro Olimpico is a true masterpiece. It was designed by Andrea Palladio, who died before the building was completed. The work was later continued by his son Silla, together with architect Vincenzo Scamozzi.Inspired by the ancient Greek and Roman theatres, it was built between 1580 and 1585 and inaugurated that same year. As soon as you step inside, the contrast between the exterior and interior, the beauty of the space and its extraordinary perspective create an unforgettable impression.Today, the Teatro Olimpico still hosts opera and music performances. For opening hours and tickets, visit the official website. Address: Piazza Matteotti, 11, 36100 Vicenza VI
- Basilica Palladiana (1546–1549). Thanks to the magnificent loggia designed by Palladio around the medieval Palazzo della Ragione, the Basilica Palladiana has become the symbol of Vicenza and rises majestically in Piazza dei Signori.The ground floor is home to several shops and the Jewellery Museum. A beautiful 15th-century marble staircase leads to the Salone, an impressive hall measuring 52 metres in length and 25 metres in height, which can be visited during exhibitions and special events.Above it, the loggias offer a breathtaking view over the city, particularly beautiful in spring and summer.For opening hours and tickets, visit the Civic Museums website and the website dedicated to exhibitions at the Basilica. Address: Piazza dei Signori, 36100 Vicenza VI
- Parco Querini. If you feel like taking a relaxing break during your day in Vicenza, head to this beautiful park, easily accessible from the historic centre.Inside, a charming tree-lined avenue decorated with statues leads through the greenery. Follow it all the way to a small island in the middle of a pond, where you will find a delightful classical-style temple. Address: Viale Ferdinando Rodolfi, 36100 Vicenza VI
If you are planning to visit several museums or cultural attractions, it is also worth taking a look at the Vicenza Gold Card and Vicenza Silver Card, which allow you to combine admission to several cultural sites.
Traditional Food from Vicenza
A day spent exploring a beautiful city is bound to make you hungry. So why not take the opportunity to discover some of the local flavours?
Here are some of the most famous culinary delights from the Vicenza area:
- The Vicenza region has a long tradition of dairy farming and is home to renowned cheeses such as Asiago DOP, Morlacco del Grappa and Stravecchio di malga;
- Sopressa Vicentina DOP, a traditional salami made from selected pork from pigs raised exclusively in the province, is one of the Veneto region’s most iconic cured meats;
- The true speciality of the area is undoubtedly Baccalà alla vicentina, a traditional dish of dried cod slowly cooked with milk, onions and olive oil – definitely worth trying at least once.
Now that you know what to see, do and taste in Vicenza, all that’s left to do is plan your day, set off and enjoy the timeless beauty of this elegant Veneto city.a vedere e cosa gustare a Vicenza, non vi resta che organizzare la vostra visita e godervi la giornata.
