Looking for the best day trips from Venice? There are so many things to do in Venice that you will never get bored. But once you have explored the city you may want to head out for the day to see some of the surrounding areas. As a former tour leader in Italy and Europe, I was lucky enough to spend lots of time in Venice and Italy in general, so I had lots of time to explore the surrounding areas. Below you can find some of the best Venice day trips not to miss for the whole family.

Venice Day Trips Not to Miss

Here you can find the following Venice Day Trips

• Day Trips from Venice to Smaller Towns
• Day Trips from Venice to Natural Landscapes
• Day Trips from Venice to Heritage Sites

Day Trips from Venice to Smaller Towns

Smaller towns near Venice are so full of character and life. It is impossible to be done without visiting at least one of them.

Murano and Burano

One of the most popular day trips from Venice is to the colourful islands of Murano and Burano, they are also the easiest to get to. Hop onto one of Venice’s many vaporetti and you will be here in less than an hour.

Burano is a charming town filled with colorful houses known to guide the fishermen on foggy mornings. If you are looking for that perfect shot for your Insta feed, you will find it in here. Burano also has a rich history in lace-making that you can explore at the Lace Museum.

Murano, on the other hand, is known for glass making. The Glass Museum and numerous glass workshops here are some of the interesting places to explore when in Murano. Several historic churches also dot the town if you wish to have a look.

Verona

Verona is another easy day trip from Venice. Only a short train ride away from Venice is the beautiful town of Verona also known as the most romantic city of Italy because of its close association with Romeo and Juliet. Verona was the setting for Shakespeare’s most famous play! But Juliet’s balcony is not the only reason you should visit this charming town.

Verona has an unmissable historic center. The public square is surrounded by the Mazzanti houses whose facades are adorned with exquisite frescoes from the medieval times. A Roman amphitheater and the Verona Arena are spectacular reminders of Verona’s Roman past. And if you are a nature lover, do not forget to check out the lush green Giardino Giusti complete with fountains, grottos, and monsters.

Treviso

Treviso is the most delicious day trip you could take from Venice. And that is because it is the birthplace of Tiramisu. Yes, the uber-famous coffee sponge cake was created right here in the 1960s at a traditional restaurant that serves the original recipe even now. Only a hop away from Venice you can taste the most authentic Tiramisu in the world.  

If you still have some time after having your fill of the famous dessert, head to the historic city center, visit the Treviso Cathedral, and walk along the picturesque canals. Do keep an eye for the beautiful frescoes that decorate almost every building in the city.

Day Trips from Venice to Natural Landscapes

When you are in Venice, you are so close to beautiful natural landscapes. Make sure to check out some of the places below if you have time for a day trip from Venice.

Lake Garda

One of the most famous day trips from Venice is to the nearby Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. A car drive takes around two and a half hours and is absolutely worth it.

Once you are at Lake Garda and are done with clicking pictures of yourself against those crystal clear waters, make time to explore some of the lakeside villages. Sirmione is one of the most historic ones while Desenzano appeals to fashion lovers.

Another more interesting bit about visiting Lake Garda is that you get an opportunity to spend some time at one of many thermal baths that dot the lakeside. These spas are quite popular, among locals and tourists alike.

Valpolicella Valley

If you are wine lover, then you have to visit the Valpolicella Valley – home to the famous Amarone Wine.

Nestled between Verona and Lake Garda, the Valpolicella Valley has been producing wine since the time of Romans or maybe the Etruscans. Valpolicella literally translates to “the valley of many cellars”. Undoubtedly, this is the best place to take a wine tour, taste some delicious reds, and learn about the art of wine-making. Over some home-cooked pasta in a traditional Italian vineyard. Blissful!

The Dolomites

Head to the Dolomites in northeast Italy for some beautiful sceneries and thrilling adventure activities. While it is ideal to spend a few days in the Dolomites and explore all its gems, a day trip from Venice is also doable if you are short on time. If you are driving in from Venice, you can get here in less than 3 hours.

Spectacular landscapes await you once you arrive. The “Three peaks of Lavaredo” is just one of them. If you are looking for pretty lakes, try Lago di Braies and Lago di Misurina. Adventure lovers can hike, mountain bike, raft, and even ski during winters. And if you are a culture lover, do not be disappointed. The Dolomites host some of the prettiest Christmas markets in Italy. And are home to Cortina D’Ampezzo, a village with a thousand-year history. The Dolomits is definitely worth the day trip from Venice if you have the time.

Day Trips from Venice to Heritage Sites

When you are in Venice, you cannot miss visiting some of these famous heritage sites nearby.

Ravenna

Ravenna, in the region of Emilia-Romagna, is one of our favorite picks for a day trip from Venice. Home to stunning mosaics from the times of the Byzantine Empire and a whopping 8 UNESCO heritage sites, Ravenna is a dream destination for every history and art lover.

You can get to Ravenna by car or train in a couple of hours. Once in Ravenna, walk through those charming narrow streets and stop at some of the most famous mosaic locations such as the Basilica of San Vitale, the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo, and the Mausoleum of Galla Placida. All three of them are UNESCO listed too. Take a detour and visit the tomb of Dante, the author of Divine Comedy. End your day with a traditional Romagnoli dinner and a glass of sparkling red wine.

Padua

Padua is another really easy day trip from Venice. A train trip takes less than 30 minutes. Padua’s rich history and convenient location and make the town a pleasant side trip destination among Venetian tourists.

The city is home to Italy’s second oldest university (the first is in Bologna) that was founded in 1222. Galileo Galilei taught mathematics here. Isn’t that fascinating? The Basilica of Saint Anthony is another remarkable destination in Padua. It is believed to hold the remains of St. Anthony and is a popular pilgrimage site.

Padua’s architecture is an eclectic mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine styles. Padua’s real gem is the Scrovegni Chapel that features exquisite frescoes created by Giotto. These paintings narrate stories from the lives of Virgin Mary and Christ. You can find out more on the official website of Scrovegni Chapel.

Ferrara

A medieval town steeped in history and art, Ferrara makes for an interesting getaway from Venice. And a quick one too. Just hop on a train and get to Ferrara in less than an hour and a half.

When you are in Ferrara, start your day with a visit to the historic Castle Estense. Equipped with a moat and four guard towers, the castle was once the stronghold of the powerful Este family. The power kind of shows, even today.

Another stunning monument is the Romanesque cathedral of San Giorgio located in the historic center of Ferrara, a UNESCO heritage site. Ceilings and walls of the cathedral are adorned with impressive artwork from the Renaissance era. Finally, head to marvel at the medieval city walls of Ferrara, one of the best preserved in Europe.

Vicenza

Vicenza is yet another historical Italian town located less than an hour away from Venice. It is also pretty close to Verona which means you can do a longer day trip by clubbing Vicenza and Verona together.

Vicenza is an old city and has been around since the ancient times, even before the Romans. It has been ravaged and rebuilt only to be destroyed and rebuilt again. Vicenza is a treasure trove for history and culture lovers, thanks to its association with multiple ruling empires. It is filled with shining and diverse examples of art and architecture. Basilica Palladiana, Teatro Olimpico, and Villa Valmarana are some of the must-visit sights in Vicenza.

Mantua

Mantua is believed to be as old as the Neolithic period. That makes it more than 5000 years old. Even though Mantua is home to so much history, it is often overlooked by travelers for the more popular destinations of Verona and Lake Garda. And that is exactly what makes it such a beautiful day trip destination from Venice – offbeat yet full of history and intrigue!

Start your day in Mantua by visiting the historic center and some of its admirable monuments. The ancient church of Rotonda di San Lorenzo is especially striking. And so is the Ducal Palace which was once the royal residence of the Gonzaga family. The Mantua Cathedral is extremely picturesque if you are looking to get some Gram-worthy shots. Once done, you can head to Palazzo Te – one of Italy’s prettiest palaces – right outside the city center.

Day Trips from Venice

If you are visiting Venice I don’t doubt that you are going to love it! This gorgeous city has so much to offer. If you have a day or two to spare though, make sure to venture out to the places mentioned, it will be well worth your time. Also, if you have been let us know if you have any other favourite day trips from Venice!

Want to see more of Italy? Make sure to check out our Italy Family Travel Guide, which has posts on what to do in cities like Rome, Florence, Naples and more!