VENETO
From the iconic canals of Venice to the soaring peaks of the Dolomites and the shores of Lake Garda, the Veneto region offers an astonishing array of experiences. This guide helps you navigate its UNESCO-listed cities, world-class vineyards, and unique cuisine.
Why Visit The Veneto?
World-Class Cities: Explore Venice, the “Floating City,” and Verona, the romantic setting of Romeo and Juliet.
Prosecco and Wine: Tour the famous Prosecco hills and taste prized reds like Amarone and Valpolicella.
Nature’s Variety: Hike the spectacular Dolomites and relax by Italy’s largest lake, Lake Garda.
Smart Travel
Shoulder Season (April-May, September-October): This is the ideal time to visit the cities and vineyards, with pleasant weather, lower prices, and fewer crowds than summer.
Deep Off-Season (November-March): Experience an atmospheric, uncrowded Venice (be prepared for potential acqua alta—high water) and enjoy excellent value on accommodation. Perfect for skiing in the Dolomites.
Peak Season (June-August): The weather is warm and best for lake and beach holidays. Expect intense heat and maximum crowds in Venice, Verona, and Lake Garda. Opera season in Verona’s Arena is a major draw.
Main Areas & Places to Explore
Venice & The Lagoon
The capital is a maze of canals, bridges, and history. Explore St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, then venture to the colorful island of Burano or the historic glass-making hub of Murano.
Your Smart Tip: To truly experience Venice, book a hotel in the historic center and walk everywhere. Use the vaporetti (water buses) only for longer trips or visiting the outer islands.
Verona & Lake Garda
Verona is a beautiful city famed for its Roman Arena and Shakespearean romance. West of the city lies the Veneto side of Lake Garda, a stunning alpine-lake landscape dotted with picturesque towns like Sirmione and Malcesine.
Your Smart Tip: If visiting in the summer, secure tickets for an opera performance at the Arena di Verona far in advance—it’s a world-class experience.
The Prosecco Hills & Treviso
The area between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a landscape of rolling hills covered in vineyards, the birthplace of Italy’s famous sparkling wine, Prosecco. The walled city of Treviso is a charming, canal-laced base to explore the area.
Your Smart Tip: Rent a car to explore the smaller osterie (traditional eateries) and wineries in the Prosecco Superiore DOCG zone—many offer simple, unpretentious tastings.
The Dolomites & Cortina d’Ampezzo
The northernmost area of Veneto boasts the majestic Dolomites, a UNESCO site perfect for hiking, climbing, and skiing. Cortina d’Ampezzo is a chic, internationally-renowned mountain resort.
Your Smart Tip: For spectacular hiking without the high-end resort prices, consider staying in the smaller, quieter towns in the Belluno province.
Handy Tips
Weather & Climate
The climate is varied. The plains (including Venice and Verona) have hot, humid summers and cold, damp winters. The mountains have an alpine climate with cool summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and Autumn are mildest for city sightseeing.
Local Customs And Etiquette
Language: Italian is the official language. A regional language, Venetian (Veneto), is often spoken locally. English is widely understood in major tourist hubs.
Dining: Locals often eat cicchetti (small savory snacks, like tapas) in bacari (traditional wine bars) with a small glass of wine or a Spritz before dinner.
Tipping: Tipping isn’t mandatory, but rounding up a bill or leaving a few extra euros for good service is appreciated. Check if a coperto (cover charge) or servizio (service charge) is already included.
Budgeting For Your Trip
Accommodation: Hostels ($30–$60), mid-range hotels ($90–$180), luxury ($250+). Prices are significantly higher in Venice, Cortina, and during major festivals.
Food: Cicchetti & a drink ($8–$15), fixed-price lunch menu ($15–$25), dinner at a mid-range restaurant ($30–$60 per person), fine dining ($80+).
Transport: Vaporetto ticket in Venice ($9), train ticket (regional).
Activities: Museum entrance ($12–$25), gondola ride in Venice ($90–$130).
Daily Budget:
Budget: $80–$120 (hostels, cicchetti/pizza, public transport).
Mid-range: $150–$250 (hotels, restaurants, attractions).
Luxury: $300+ (boutique hotels, gourmet meals, private tours).
Getting Around
By Train: An efficient and affordable train network connects major cities like Venice, Verona, Padua, and Vicenza. High-speed lines connect to the rest of Italy.
By Car: Useful for exploring the Dolomites, Lake Garda, and the Prosecco hills. A car is useless in Venice.
By Vaporetto: In Venice, the vaporetti are the public water buses and are essential for navigating the canals and lagoon islands.
Must-Try Food
Bigoli in Salsa: A thick, whole-wheat spaghetti served with a sauce of salted fish (anchovies or sardines) and onions.
Baccalà Mantecato: Creamed, whipped salt cod spread, typically served with toasted polenta or bread.
Sarde in Saor: Fried sardines marinated in a sweet and sour mixture of onions, pine nuts, and raisins.
Risi e Bisi: A traditional, soupy rice and pea dish, often containing pancetta, made with local Vialone Nano rice.
Polenta: Versatile cornmeal cooked as a porridge, often served with stews, meat, or fish.
Fegato alla Veneziana: Thinly sliced calf’s liver sautéed with caramelized onions.
Radicchio di Treviso: A local variety of delicate, slightly bitter red chicory, often used in risotto.
Moeche: A highly prized, seasonal Venetian delicacy of fried soft-shell crabs from the lagoon.
Tiramisù: The world-famous layered dessert of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream, believed to have originated in the Veneto region.
Pandoro: A traditional star-shaped Christmas sweet bread from Verona, dusted with powdered sugar.
Must-Try Drinks
Aperol Spritz / Select Spritz: The iconic aperitif made with Prosecco, a bitter liqueur (Aperol is most common, but Select is the local Venetian choice), and a splash of sparkling water.
Prosecco: The world-famous sparkling white wine, primarily produced in the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene hills (DOCG).
Amarone della Valpolicella: A prestigious, rich, dry red wine made from dried grapes, from the Valpolicella area near Verona.
Grappa: A potent, highly aromatic spirit distilled from grape pomace, often consumed as a digestivo (after-dinner drink).
Caffè Macchiatone: An espresso with a very small dot of milk foam on top, invented in Venice.