Best Things to Do in Vicenza: Your Complete Travel Guide

Welcome to Vicenza, a city where elegance and authenticity go hand in hand. Nestled in the Veneto region between Venice and Verona, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a treasure chest of Palladian villas, Roman relics, and lively piazzas that locals fill with daily life. Beyond the architecture, Vicenza has a strong culinary soul, think hearty Venetian flavors paired with vintages from a nearby Veneto winery. From exploring world-famous landmarks to stumbling upon quiet corners that feel untouched by time, this guide takes you through all the essential things to do in Vicenza, proving why it’s one of Italy’s most underrated gems.

What are the best things to do in Vicenza?

Explore the masterpiece of Villa La Rotonda

Designed by Andrea Palladio in the 1500s, it’s a masterpiece of symmetry, with four identical façades that look like they’ve been lifted straight from a Roman temple. Step inside and you’ll find frescoes that feel alive with color and drama, while outside the dome crowns sweeping views of the city and rolling Veneto hills.

Discover La Rotonda’s sister

Adjacent to Villa La Rotonda, Villa Valmarana ai Nani deserves a top spot on any list of things to do in Vicenza. Step inside and the walls explode with color, covered in Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo’s enchanting frescoes, mythological scenes, everyday life, and imaginative tales that feel alive centuries later. Outside, manicured gardens and the row of stone “nani” statues give the villa its unique charm. It’s a place where high art meets playful detail, and it captures the spirit of Vicenza in a single visit.

Visit the Teatro Olimpico

Built in 1585 and designed by Andrea Palladio, it’s the oldest covered theater in Europe and still one of the most jaw-dropping. The stage is frozen in time with a permanent wooden set that tricks your eyes into seeing a Roman street stretching endlessly into the distance. The mix of illusion and Renaissance craftsmanship makes every detail worth staring at, from the painted skies above to the intricate carvings that frame the stage.

Admire the Basilica Palladiana and Torre Bissara

In the heart of Piazza dei Signori rises the Basilica Palladiana, Vicenza’s unmistakable landmark. Redesigned by Andrea Palladio in gleaming white marble, it’s the building that gave his signature loggia style to the world. Walk beneath its arches to feel the rhythm of the square, then climb the neighboring Torre Bissara for sweeping views that stretch from Vicenza’s rooftops to the soft curves of the Veneto hills. Inside, the basilica doubles as a cultural hub, hosting exhibitions that keep this Renaissance masterpiece buzzing with life centuries after it was built.

Wander through Piazza dei Signori

Piazza dei Signori isn’t just Vicenza’s main square, it’s the city’s living room. Grab a table outside, order a spritz, and watch the rhythm of the city unfold, kids running across the stones, locals debating over coffee, tourists craning their necks at Palladio’s Basilica glowing in the light. The mix of Gothic and Renaissance facades frames it all like a stage set, and from here every street feels like an invitation to keep exploring.

Step into theopulence of Palazzo Leoni Montanari

Palazzo Leoni Montanari is one of the city’s Baroque showpieces and a must on any list of things to do in Vicenza. Step inside and the palace feels like a jewel box, with stuccoed halls, marble staircases, and ceilings alive with frescoes. Beyond the architecture, the museum surprises with collections ranging from Greek icons to 18th-century Russian art. Among its treasures, the dramatic Fall of the Rebel Angels painting steals the spotlight, making this palace as much about culture as it is about opulence.

What are the best things to do around Vicenza?

Sip volcanic elegance in Breganze

35 minutes from Vicenza, Cantina Col Dovigo lies tucked into the Breganze hills, a family winery steeped in tradition since 1923. The volcanic soils here infuse their wines with minerality and energy, giving expressive whites and deeply structured reds a distinct identity. On a visit, you’ll walk the vineyards, explore the cellar, and sample their wines, each one telling the story of terroir and care. A tasting session lasts about 1 hour, while the full visit and tasting is around 2 hours.

Drive to Padua

A quick 30-mile drive (about 45 minutes) from Vicenza brings you to Padua, a city overflowing with art, history, and vibrant local life. Known for Giotto’s frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel, the Basilica of Saint Anthony, and one of Europe’s largest squares, Prato della Valle, Padua is packed with cultural treasures. Exploring the historic center is one of the most rewarding things to do in Padua, whether you’re strolling past Renaissance palaces or pausing at lively markets. To round out the experience, join one of the many Padua wine tours, where you can taste regional vintages and discover vineyards just outside the city before heading back to Vicenza.

Visit the charming city of Bassano del Grappa

Set at the foot of the Alps, Bassano del Grappa is about 29 miles north of Vicenza, roughly an hour’s drive. This peaceful town offers a mix of mountain views and timeless charm, where Gothic and Renaissance architecture line the streets and artisan shops invite you in for a closer look. Taste the city’s namesake grappa in a local distillery, then cross the Palladian-designed Ponte degli Alpini, a wooden bridge with sweeping views of the Brenta River. Romantic streets, stone bridges, and alpine backdrops make Bassano an ideal getaway if you’ve already explored Vicenza’s villas and are craving a change of scenery.

Stroll through Marostica

Marostica is just 25 miles from Vicenza, about a 40-minute drive, and it feels like stepping straight into a medieval story. The town is world-famous for its giant chessboard in the main piazza, where a live human chess match takes place every two years, an unforgettable spectacle if you catch it. Its walls and towers climb the hillsides, offering panoramic views over Vicenza and the rolling countryside. Beyond the history and architecture, Marostica adds flavor to your trip with local cherry-based dishes and wines, a sweet reward after exploring the town’s cobbled streets.

Uncover volcanic wine heritage in Gambellara

Nestled in Gambellara within the Veneto region, this estate sits approximately 12 miles from Vicenza (about 25 minutes by car). Volcanic soils give life to distinctive white wines, especially the native Garganega variety. A visit includes strolling through vineyards, exploring the cellar and drying lofts, and tasting multiple expressions of Garganega, from fresh whites to sparkling and passito styles. It’s a flavorful escape where geology, tradition, and winemaking converge in one memorable stop.

Good to know before visiting Vicenza