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When you’re in Venice, it’s easy to get swept up in its canals and palaces, but the charm doesn’t stop at the lagoon. There are remarkable places to visit near Venice that give you something different, like medieval towns, alpine views, lakeside castles, and untouched coastal beauty. Whether you want to explore Roman ruins, sip wine beneath the Dolomites, or walk streets painted by history, these nearby gems let you see another side of northern Italy. Each one is close enough for a short trip yet rich enough to leave a lasting impression.
10 Best Places To Visit Near Venice
Within a short drive or train ride, these places to visit near Venice offer a mix of heritage, nature, and local life beyond the lagoon.
1. Padua
Among the most historically rich places to visit near Venice, Padua offers a full day of art, faith, and lived-in city life. Begin with the Scrovegni Chapel, but make time to sit and absorb the frescoes. They changed how religious stories were told in art. A short walk brings you to the Basilica of Saint Anthony, where you’ll notice locals still praying at the tombs, lighting candles in silence. Instead of rushing through, explore the side cloisters and the ornate high altar. In contrast, Prato della Valle brings a light, open atmosphere. You can grab lunch on a bench while street musicians play near the canal.
Distance from Venice: 38.4 km
Cost: €14 / ₹1400 (Scrovegni Chapel)
Major Attractions: Scrovegni Chapel, Basilica of Saint Anthony, Prato della Valle, Botanical Garden of Padua
2. Verona
Photo: SHVETS production / Pexels
Verona blends Roman architecture, medieval streets, and Renaissance charm into one compact city that’s become one of the most rewarding tourist attractions near Venice. Start at the Verona Arena, a first-century amphitheatre still used for live opera. The scale and preservation are impressive, but what stands out is the way you can walk right onto the stone steps and imagine the noise of ancient crowds. From there, the path leads into Piazza delle Erbe, where painted facades and old fountains frame the square. If you walk across the Castelvecchio Bridge, you’ll reach a peaceful riverside stretch and the Castelvecchio Museum, housed in a restored medieval fortress.
Distance from Venice: 121 km
Cost: €10 / ₹100 (Arena di Verona) & €6 / ₹600 (Juliet’s House)
Major Attractions: Verona Arena, Juliet’s Balcony, Castelvecchio, Piazza delle Erbe
3. Vicenza
Photo: Krzysztof Golik / Wikimedia Commons
Vicenza is one of the most architecturally refined places to see near Venice, shaped heavily by the genius of Andrea Palladio. You’ll see it the moment you reach Piazza dei Signori, where the white arches of the Basilica Palladiana frame the square with clean symmetry. Climb to the upper terrace for quiet views over terracotta rooftops, often with barely any crowds. A short walk away, the Teatro Olimpico is unlike any other stage in Europe, with its trompe-l’œil scenery creating an illusion of endless streets. For a more relaxed pace, head to Villa La Rotonda, located on the edge of town.
Distance from Venice: 69.5 km
Cost: €10 / ₹1000 (Villa La Rotonda)
Major Attractions: Teatro Olimpico, Basilica Palladiana, Villa La Rotonda, Corso Andrea Palladio
4. Treviso
Photo: Didier Descouens / Wikimedia Commons
Treviso often gets overlooked, but it’s one of the most beautiful attractions near Venice, especially if you want fewer crowds and stronger local character. The old town is wrapped in medieval walls, and inside, a network of canals runs right past doorways and trattorias. You can begin your walk from Piazza dei Signori, a compact square where locals gather in the evenings. From there, continue to the Treviso Cathedral, which hides an impressive frescoed crypt and Romanesque elements behind a neoclassical facade. If you’re interested in art, the Museo Santa Caterina showcases works from the Venetian Renaissance in a quiet former convent. Between sights, cafés serve prosecco straight from nearby vineyards.
Distance from Venice: 41.4 km
Cost: €6 / ₹600 (Museo Santa Caterina)
Major Attractions: Piazza dei Signori, canals, Treviso Cathedral, Civic Museums of Treviso
5. Chioggia
Photo: Andreas Neubauer / Pexels
Chioggia is like Venice’s quieter cousin but with a strong fishing identity and fewer crowds. The layout mirrors Venice with canals, arched bridges, and stone alleyways, but the mood is far more down-to-earth. You’ll see fishermen sorting their nets on the docks and market stalls stacked with clams and crabs, especially around Corso del Popolo, the town’s main spine. At the southern end, the Vigo Bridge offers a postcard view over the canal lined with colourful boats. Walk past the Chioggia Cathedral and you’ll reach the local Museum of Adriatic Zoology, which highlights the sea life that defines this town’s economy.
Distance from Venice: 52.4 km
Cost: €10 / ₹1000 (boat trip)
Major Attractions: Vigo Bridge, Museum of Adriatic Zoology, Chioggia Cathedral, canals, and beaches
6. Cortina D’ampezzo
Photo: Micael Rodrigues / Unsplash
Cortina d’Ampezzo brings a complete change of scene compared to Venice. Up in the Dolomites, this mountain town balances luxury with raw natural beauty. It’s a town where you can sip espresso at a chalet café, then hike straight into the mountains without ever needing a car. The balance between outdoor adventure and small-town charm makes it easy to spend a full day or more. You’re likely to spot climbers gearing up near gear shops or cyclists coasting down from mountain roads. You can take the Faloria Cable Car for panoramic views over rugged peaks or set out early toward Lake Sorapis, a glacial lake known for its surreal blue colour.
Distance from Venice: 183 km
Cost: €57 / ₹5700 (Dolomiti Superski Pass)
Major Attractions: Dolomites, Lake Sorapis, Faloria Cable Car, Alpine hikes, and skiing
7. Bassano Del Grappa
Bassano del Grappa is one of the most character-rich places to visit near Venice. The town’s most iconic spot is the Ponte Vecchio, designed by Andrea Palladio. It’s more than a bridge; it’s where you’ll often find veterans meeting, buskers playing accordion, and locals watching the Brenta River pass below. Just a short walk away, the Poli Grappa Museum offers tastings of the town’s most famous spirit, with an upstairs exhibit tracing how grappa became a part of Italian tradition. If you’re curious about war history, head up to the Mount Grappa Memorial, a striking structure that holds the remains of thousands of soldiers and overlooks the valley.
Distance from Venice: 94.4 km
Cost: €5 / ₹500 (Museo Civico)
Major Attractions: Ponte Vecchio, Poli Grappa Museum, Castle of Ezzelini, Mount Grappa Memorial
8. Ferrara
Ferrara is one of the most historically immersive places to visit near Venice. It is known for its wide Renaissance avenues, red brick fortresses, and a layout made for cycling. As soon as you enter the old town, you’ll notice how quiet the streets are. The centrepiece is the Castello Estense, a moated fortress with dungeons, frescoed chambers, and towers you can climb for rooftop views. A short walk brings you to the Ferrara Cathedral, which blends Romanesque and Gothic styles, while nearby side streets are filled with antique shops and pastry counters selling local treats like tenerina cake.
Distance from Venice: 111 km
Cost: €12 / ₹1200 (Castello Estense)
Major Attractions: Castello Estense, Ferrara Cathedral, Palazzo dei Diamanti, medieval city walls
9. Lake Garda
Photo: Marco Ghirello / Unsplash
The eastern edge of Lake Garda brings together medieval castles, cable car rides, and lakeside villages, making it one of the most diverse places to visit near Venice. If you begin your day in Malcesine, a cobbled town at the foot of Monte Baldo, you’ll find narrow alleyways leading to the water and a castle perched dramatically above the shore. The Scaliger Castle here is not just scenic, climb the tower and you’ll get clear views across the lake and up into the Alps. From Malcesine, you can board the Monte Baldo Cable Car, which takes you up 1,700 metres for a cool breeze and hiking trails.
Distance from Venice: 182.9 km
Cost: €10 / ₹1000 (boat ride)
Major Attractions: Malcesine Castle, Monte Baldo Cable Car, lakeside promenades, water sports
10. Grado
Photo: Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson / Unsplash
Grado offers a coastal atmosphere that feels far removed from Venice’s lagoon, but with just as much history and depth. As one of the most relaxing places to visit near Venice, it combines early Christian heritage with a clean, walkable beach town layout. The heart of Grado’s old town is a maze of stone alleyways leading to the Basilica of Sant’Eufemia, where you’ll find 6th-century mosaics still intact beneath your feet. The adjacent lapidarium displays carved Roman stones, many found right here in the town. The beach promenade stretches for several kilometres, lined with shaded benches, ice cream stalls, and access to soft sandy beaches.
Distance from Venice: 86 km
Cost: Varies
Major Attractions: Basilica of Sant’Eufemia, beach promenade, Grado Lagoon, Roman ruins
Once you step outside Venice, the range of places to visit near Venice is surprisingly rich. From the art-filled streets of Padua and Vicenza to the coastal charm of Chioggia and Grado, each town offers something unique. History lovers will appreciate Aquileia and Ferrara for their deep roots and quiet beauty. Whether it’s culture, nature, or calm, plan your escape with TripXL and discover more beyond the city.
Cover Photo: Henrique Ferreira / Unsplash
