Discover Veneto: culture, nature and hotels for your trip

Veneto combines Venetian cityscapes, historic architecture, alpine trails, river landscapes and regional specialities. Here, you can combine cultural sightseeing with nature experiences and shape the focus of your trip around cities, mountains, water and culinary delights.

Botanical history in Padua

The Botanical Garden in Padua was established in 1545. It is the oldest surviving university botanical garden of its kind and retains its original circular layout, with a central bed surrounded by a moat. The site presents 3,500 plant species from around the world. You can visit the garden on a guided tour or independently with an audio guide included in the admission price. In spring, the Botanical Garden also hosts the Risvegli festival, dedicated to science and nature.

The Dolomites and the Po Delta: two landscapes, many perspectives

The Dolomites High Routes No. 1 and No. 2, as well as a network of more than 200 kilometres of CAI hiking trails, run through the Belluno Dolomites National Park. The network comprises 52 CAI hiking trails and five via ferrata routes. The nature trails provide insights into the local flora, vegetation, fauna and geology; themed trails focus on history, archaeology, traditional human activities and geomorphology. The range therefore extends from classic hiking to an in-depth exploration of the landscape and culture.

In the Po Delta Park, you can take cycling excursions along the embankments beside the six branches of the Po estuary. Since 2015, the Po Delta has been recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve under the MAB programme. Hidden observation spots in the Cà Mello and Cà Pisani oases offer opportunities for birdwatching and nature photography. Boat and canoe excursions are also available.

Cities, islands and architecture

Venice offers major cultural attractions including St Mark’s Square, the basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto area and the Grand Canal. Venice and its lagoon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city lies on an archipelago of 118 islands crossed by 150 canals and connected by more than 400 bridges; gondolas are a defining feature of transport. Burano is known for its colourful houses and lace-making, while Murano is renowned for its artistic glassmaking.

Palladio’s works in Vicenza and throughout Veneto are inspired by classical architecture and characterised by exceptional formal clarity. They had a lasting influence on architecture and urban planning in Europe and around the world. Verona preserves Roman city gates and Renaissance bastions as evidence of its history as a fortified city. The historic city retains elements of its 2,000-year history from the Roman era, Romanesque period, Middle Ages and Renaissance, which have survived into the 19th century. The Arena amphitheatre was built by the Romans around the middle of the 1st century AD. It continues to host performances and the world-famous Verona Opera Festival. In summer, the Roman Theatre hosts the traditional Shakespeare festival Estate Teatrale Veronese. The Roman Theatre and the Archaeological Museum display Roman monuments, inscriptions, mosaics, sculptures and columns from the Arena.

Regional delicacies and trip planning

On the Asiago Plateau and in the Seven Municipalities, you will find culinary stops offering alpine cheese, honey and mountain spirits. In the Prosecco Hills near Treviso, wine tastings, walks through the vineyards and panoramic routes are available. The Riviera del Brenta can be explored on a river trip. When choosing your hotel, you can therefore first decide whether cities and architecture, hiking trails, waterscapes or regional cuisine should set the pace of your trip. The museum in Palazzo Cavalli also houses a collection of 200,000 natural history and anthropological objects assembled over the centuries.

Discover other destinations at regional level at Lake Garda, Belluno, Padua, Rovigo, Treviso, Venice, Verona and Vicenza.