Veneto attractions

Mocenigo Palace (Palazzo Mocenigo) once served as the palatial residence of the rich and influential Mocenigo family. Between the 15th and the 18th centuries, seven members of the family became Doges, leaders of the Venetian Republic. After the palace was bequeathed to the city, its elegant rooms were converted into a museum showcasing aristocratic fashions and textiles, and, more recently, perfumes.

The highest range in the UNESCO-listed Dolomite Mountains that straddle the border between Italy and Austria, Marmolada has five peaks topping 9,000 feet. Outdoor and skiing enthusiasts flock to these slopes, famous for their excellent pistes in winter, spectacular trails in summer, and dazzling alpine scenery all year round.

The star landmark on the sparsely populated island of Torcello, the 7th-century Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is one of the oldest structures in the Venetian Lagoon. It’s best known for renovations added in later centuries, including glittering Byzantine mosaics depicting the Last Judgment, intricate polychrome marble flooring, and a richly colored iconostasis. That’s not all; the landmark bell tower offers lovely views over the lagoon and Venice in the distance.

Perched in the scenic Euganean Hills outside Padua, Villa dei Vescovi was built in the 16th century as a summer retreat for the city’s bishops. Today, the stately villa and its grounds are owned by Italy’s National Trust (FAI), and its frescoed halls and walled garden offer a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the Renaissance elite.

In the 16th century, the island of Burano was renowned for its lace-making; the royal courts of Europe grew enamoured with it, and sought it out for everything from collars to tablecloths. Lace industries in the Republic of Venice flourished. Centuries later, few locals are as skilled in the delicate craft, but Burano is still synonymous with lace-making, and the Museo del Merletto (Lace Museum) is the best place to see its most prized pieces.

Italy often shakes, rattles, and rolls with seismic activity from volcanoes and earthquakes. This geothermal energy has formed countless hot springs, many used as natural thermal spas since ancient Roman times. One of the most famous is the Garda Thermal Park (Parco Termale del Garda), part of the 18th-century Villa dei Cedri estate near Lake Garda.

Built in the 11th century for Doge Vitale Falier, the Church of San Vidal (Chiesa di San Vidal) is now less about religion and more about culture. Visitors can attend evening classical concerts performed by the Interpreti Veneziani ensemble, while admiring the church’s historic artwork. There are several pieces by the Venetian Renaissance painter Vittore Carpaccio, including his esteemed St. Vitale on Horseback and Saints.

Piazza delle Erbe (Market Square) is the bustling heart of UNESCO World Heritage–listed Verona. Cafés and elegant buildings front the rectangular square, whose centerpiece is the 14th-century Madonna Verona Fountain (Fontana di Madonna Verona)—an allegory of the city topped by an ancient Roman statue of a female figure holding a scroll bearing the civic motto.

If you are touring Italy with kids who have had their fill of majestic churches and Roman ruins, a day at Gardaland may be in order. This landmark amusement park sits on the eastern flanks of Lake Garda and is the country’s most popular family-oriented resort, with more than 30 rides, musical performances and light shows, and an aquarium.

Summer adventures and winter snow sports beckon from the Dolomites (Dolomiti), an imposing mountain range that sits way up north in Italy’s Trentino Alto Adige (Südtirol) region. Loved for its stunning scenery, with highlights such as the Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks, the chic ski town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, and the glass-like Lake Braies, the region also offers a diverse mix of culture, allowing visitors to experience the food, languages, and cultures of both Italy and nearby Austria.

Established in the 17th century, the Casinò di Venezia is considered to be the oldest active gambling venue in the world. Here, you’ll find a range of slot machines and classic table games like blackjack, roulette, and poker, but the real draw is the setting; the casino is housed at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, an opulent Renaissance palace overlooking the Grand Canal.

Located in Venice’s laid-back Castello district, the Querini Stampalia Foundation (Fondazione Querini Stampalia) blends the splendor of an 18th-century aristocratic home with wide-ranging artworks, from Rococo paintings to cutting-edge modern and contemporary art installations. This makes it one of the city’s more eclectic offerings. Popular with modern design enthusiasts, the museum boasts a minimalist, Zen-inspired garden designed by Italian architect Carlo Scarpa.

Set in Italy’s Veneto region, Soave is a historic walled village famous for its medieval castle and fine white wines. Located just off the A4 motorway outside Verona, it’s an ideal stopping point between Venice and Milan, where you can explore the castle fortifications and sample white wines from local vineyards.

An ode to Venice’s rich classical musical heritage, the small but comprehensive Music Museum (Museo della Musica) is one of the city’s little-known gems. The exhibit inside the historic San Maurizio Church explores three centuries of violin making and showcases an impressive array of Italian stringed instruments, with highlights including a 19th-century lyre and an exquisite mandolin inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

The Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista is among Venice’s historic Scuole Grandi (Great Schools, sumptuous confraternity palaces that today contain some of the city’s most important art and relics. Founded in the 13th century, the Scuola is home to Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque masterpieces by Tintoretto and others.

This interactive museum in Padua explores the evolution of medical science and humanity's knowledge of the body from ancient times to today through multimedia exhibits, videos, and themed displays. Learn about the history of medicine by visiting the museum’s six halls and anatomical theater.

Offering a contrast to the more traditional attractions of Verona, the Nicolis Museum is one of Europe’s most important spaces dedicated to cars. The museum boasts an extensive collection of precious and extremely rare car-related objects collected all around the world by Luciano Nicolis, the museum’s founder.

Built in the 1550s, Porta Palio is a monumental city gate in Verona. It stands on the site of a former gate in the Medieval walled city. While the gate is now closed to traffic—whether horse, car, or pedestrian—it stands a reminder of 16th-century Verona.

The town walls of Cittadella, a 13th-century town in the Veneto, are a rare example of medieval defensive walls that retain a practical, well-preserved parapet walk. Visitors can walk the ancient Rhonda Walkway (Camminamento di Ronda) along one of Europe’s most beautiful defensive structures and admire the town from various vantage points.

One of the busiest cruise ports in Europe, the Venice Cruise Port (Terminal Crociere Venezia) is a popular stop for many European cruise liners. Most ships dock at the Stazione Marittima near the Piazzale Roma transport hub in the Venetian Lagoon, with passengers opting to explore charming Venice on guided tours and convenient shore excursions.

It may not top anyone’s list of must-see sights in Venice, but Piazzale Roma serves an important purpose. This is a major transportation hub and bus station, the last spot in car-free Venice where driving isn’t banned. If you come to Venice by bus, you’re likely to be dropped off here. There are also parking garages for people who arrive by car.

Nature lovers and art enthusiasts are drawn to Giardini della Biennale, a picturesque park that hosts the renowned Venice Biennale art festival. Every two years, the park transforms into a global art hub featuring about 30 pavilions, each showcasing art from a different nation. When the festival isn’t underway, visitors will find a tranquil garden ideal for walks amidst lush greenery and scenic canal views plus the pavilions, each designed by esteemed architects.

With ancient Roman ruins, church crypts that inspired Shakespeare, and grand Austrian-style buildings from the 19th century, Verona’s Historic Center (Centro Storico) is an architectural treasure trove. Highlights include the 2nd-century Verona Arena, the Casa di Giulietta, and the 14th-century Scaliger Tombs.

In a city that is home to well over 100 churches, the Duomo di Murano still stands out. Located on the laid-back island of Murano (famous for its hand-blown glass), the medieval basilica is tucked among galleries, cafés, and glass-blowing factories. It’s known for its stunning pair of 12th-century mosaics, as well as rib bones said to belong to a dragon slain by a saint.

There are almost limitless options for exploring the jagged peaks of the Dolomites from Cortina d’Ampezzo—but with protected lands minutes from town, the Dolomiti D’Ampezzo Natural Park is among the best mountain destinations. Comprising multiple ranges, the park invites travelers to skip the ski slopes for hikes and vie ferrate in a sublime natural setting.

Once the site of heavy fighting in World War I, this mountain pass between Agordo and Cortina d’Ampezzo is a popular cycling and motorcycling destination along the magnificent Great Dolomite Road, and where the Giro d’Italia bicycle race passes through the area. At the site of the pass, a simple chapel memorializes the historical fighting, and a gondola rises to Mt. Lagazuoi.

Movieland is a film-themed amusement park in Verona, Italy. Inspired by Hollywood’s Universal Studios, the park features more than 20 attractions including water rides, roller coasters, and live performances and stunt shows that recall such hits as Back to the Future, The Sound of Music, and Skyfall.

With its 49-acre (20-hectare) lawn, Cavour Water Park (Parco Cavour) is one of Italy’s lushest and greenest water parks. Water attractions at the family-friendly park include exciting slides and sand-bottom pools suitable for all ages, as well as plenty of places to simply relax.

While the Fanes Waterfall (Cascate di Fanes) may be only accessible by hiking, you’ll be rewarded with vistas of one of the highest and most beautiful waterfalls in the Dolomites. Choose to take an easier, mostly flat route to a viewpoint to see the falls, or choose one of the more challenging hikes.

Just across Piazza Bra from the Arena, the majestic Gran Guardia Palace (Palazzo della Gran Guardia) is one of Verona’s most important historic buildings. Today a popular venue for exhibitions and cultural events, the palace had been used for various military purposes for centuries.