13 Things You Can't Miss at Near Venice

There are many things to do and see in Venice, as it is a city with an immense heritage concentrated within just a few square kilometers. As a result, if you spend several days in the floating city, you’ll likely have time to spare for other activities or simply want to visit it a second time. In those cases, the best thing to do is explore the areas surrounding Venice.

Within a few kilometers and between 30 minutes and 2 hours from the city of canals, there are several towns, cities, monuments, islands, and natural landscapes worth exploring. From islands renowned worldwide for their craftsmanship to cities that have been the setting for some of the most captivating stories ever written.

If you want to know the best places to visit near Venice, just keep reading.

The most popular excursion from Venice, just over 1 kilometer away, is the trip to the island of Murano. Home to the world’s most famous glass artisans. Everyone who visits the island does so to learn about the craft of these artisans and even discover how Murano glass is made and what the manufacturing process is like for the glasses, lamps, vases, and other items crafted from this famous glass.

In addition to visiting the glass factories, you can take advantage of your trip to see the Basilica of Santa Maria and San Donato and the Church of Santa Maria dell’Angelo, which are among the top things to do on Murano. The good news is that getting to Murano from Venice is very easy and quick.

• How to get there: Take vaporetto number 4.1 from the San Zaccaria stop

in Venice.

• Travel time: 40 minutes.

Another must-see if you’re in Venice for 4 days or more is a visit to the island of Burano, Murano’s sister island. It may be less well-known, but its streets are even more beautiful thanks to their vibrant colors. According to many travel magazines, it’s one of the most colorful places in the world. Each of its buildings is a different color, turning a simple stroll along its canals into a special experience.

Craftsmanship also plays an important role, thanks to its fabrics and the art of lace-making. You can visit the Church of San Martino, whose bell tower, like the Tower of Pisa, is leaning. Since it’s right next to Murano, it’s common to visit both sister islands on the same day.

• How to get there: Take vaporetto number 14 from the S. Zaccaria pier in Venice.
• How long does it take: 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Torcello is the third of the islands you can visit near Venice. Of the three, it is the least well-known, yet it was once the main island of the Venetian Lagoon. In its day, it served as a refuge against the invasion of the Huns, and in fact, one of its main attractions is Attila’s Throne in the town square. A chair that, according to legend, was occupied by the king of the Huns during his invasion of these lands.

You can also visit the Basilica of Santa Maria dell’Assunta, the oldest building in the region, or the Church of Santa Fosca. It is an island steeped in history that can also be visited on the same excursion from Venice as Murano and Burano due to its proximity.

• How to get there: Take the LN line of the Venetian vaporetto from Fondamenta Nuove or San Zaccaria.
• Travel time: 50 minutes.

Padua is a small, beautifulcity west of Venice. It is known as the city of Saint Anthony, whose remains rest in the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua in the city itself. But the most impressive sight is the elliptical Prato della Valle square. It is the largest square in Italy, covering 90,000 square meters, with an island surrounded by a canal at its center.

Other highlights include its university, the Scrovegni Chapel, Piazza delle Erbe, and Piazza della Frutta. Located less than an hour from Venice, this beautiful city is a must-see.

• How to get there: By train from Venice station.
• Travel time: 25 minutes by high-speed train or 50 minutes by regional train.

Who hasn’t heard of the love story between Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare? Well, that story takes place in the city of Verona,
just a few kilometers from Venice. Considered one of the most romantic cities in the world, Verona has plenty to discover.

It boasts one of the most important Roman amphitheaters alongside the Colosseum in Rome. In addition to the must-see sights of Piazza delle Erbe, the Lamberti Tower, and Verona Cathedral. Of course, you can’t leave without seeing Juliet’s famous balcony, where one of the most famous scenes from Shakespeare’s tragicomedy takes place.

• How to get there: By train from Venice.
• Travel time: 1 hour by high-speed train or 2 hours by regional train.

Bologna is known as the city of “la Dotta, la Rossa e la Grassa.” La Dotta, or the Learned, for its famous university, one of the oldest in Italy. La Rossa, or the Red, for the color of its buildings and rooftops, and la Grassa, or the Fat, for its splendid cuisine. A combination that makes it a very attractive city to visit.

In its streets , you can visit the Basilica of San Petronio, Piazza Maggiore, or the Asinelli Towers. You can also stroll through its famous arcades and admire its beautiful porticos. A day trip from Venice is highly recommended.

• How to get there: By train from Venice.
• Travel time: 1.5 hours by high-speed train or 2 hours by regional train.

Just 30 kilometers from Venice itself, we find another “Venice”—albeit a somewhat different one. The city of Treviso
also sprawls among canals, and although it isn’t a floating city per se, it has a charm similar to that of Venice.

A city brimming with palaces, churches, and stunningmonuments, including the Piazza dei Signori, the Palazzo dei Trecento, Via Calmaggiore, the Treviso Cathedral, and the Dante Bridge.

• How to get there: By train or bus.
• Travel time: 30 minutes.

Chioggia is located south of Venice and surprises all its visitors with its resemblance to the city. If you don’t like the hustle and bustle of Venice, in Chioggia you can enjoy its canals and bridges without so many tourists around.

It doesn’t have any major monuments, but its brightly colored houses and canals make for a very pleasant stroll. It’s a good option, especially if you have a car, since the train ride takes almost three hours.

• How to get there: By car.
• Travel time: 50 minutes. By train, the trip takes nearly 3 hours.

If you’re a die-hard fan of the Italian Renaissance and medieval cities, you’ll really enjoy your visit to Ferrara. This small Italian city is steeped in history and is one of the small towns with the highest concentration of Renaissance landmarks.

Most of the city’smonuments are concentrated around Piazza Trento. The Cathedral of San Giorgio, the Palazzo della Ragione, the Loggia dei Merciai, the bell tower by Leon Battista Alberti, Piazza del Municipio, and the Torre dei Ribelli are its main attractions.

• How to get there: By train from Venice.
• Travel time: About 2 hours and 10 minutes.

The city of Vicenza often goes unnoticed because it lies between some of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations, such as Venice and Milan. However, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful cities in northern Italy.

It is a city designed by the famous architect Palladio, who had a profound influence on the city. Most of its monuments were designed by him or bear his direct influence. The main ones are: Piazza dei Signori, the Basilica Palladiana, the Basilica Palladiana, the Loggia del Capitaniato, and the Palazzo del Monte di Pietà.

• How to get there: By train from Venice.
• Travel time: 45 minutes.

In the small town of Rovigo, there aren’t many monuments, but what there is exudes a special charm. It has several lively squares with markets and a beautiful historic center featuring its Duomo and a few palaces.

With few tourists, it’s an ideal town to visit for a leisurely morning and enjoy a delicious plate of Italian pasta at a reasonable price.

• How to get there: By train from Venice.
• Travel time: 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Less than two hours from Venice lies Udine
. An underrated city that hides plenty to see. If you liked Venice, this is a similar place in terms of architecture.

Piazza della Libertà is its nerve center, but you should also visit its impressive Duomo or the Palazzo Patriarcale. The cuisine is also one of its “highlights.” In Udine, you can eat well and affordably.

• How to get there: By train from Venice.
• Travel time: 2 hours.

Very close to Verona lies the largest lake in northern Italy. It is also one of the most beautiful. If you visit by car, you’ll have the freedom to explore its shores, where you can visit castles, monasteries, or picturesque villages.

Sirmione, Malcesine, Bardolino, Desenzano del Garda, Limone sul Garda, and Riva del Garda are some of the most iconic towns around this lake.

• How to get there: You can get there by train, but it’s better to go by car so you can get around more freely.
• How long it takes: Approximately 2 hours.