10 things to do in Vicenza

Halfway between Venice and Verona, Vicenza is one of those Italian cities you probably haven't heard of, but absolutely must visit. Filled with striking buildings –many of them designed by sixteenth-century architect, Andrea Palladio – it’s a feast for the eyes, and the perfect destination for history and culture lovers alike. Read on to discover ten fantastic ways to pass your time in this place, and get booking your tickets today!

Visit the Piazza dei Signori

Vicenza’s main square, the Piazza dei Signori, is an unmissable sight, with its extraordinary architecture and lively atmosphere. To your right – if you’re coming from the city’s central shopping area – gaze up at the Basilica Palladiana (no prizes for guessing who designed it), with its stunning loggia and magnificent bell-tower. To your left, admire the arched Palazzo del Capitaniato, another of Palladio’s masterpieces.

If you're there in September, make sure also to see the exhibition of La Rua (The Wheel), a wooden structure set up in the square each year to honour the city's patron saint, the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Berico. It may not be the original showpiece – designed by Palladio, and paraded through the streets in centuries past – but this Ferris-wheel-like replica, which now just stays in one place, is still fascinating to see.

See the Teatro Olimpico

Thought that was all Palladio had to offer? Think again! Next on your to-do list has got to be his Teatro Olimpico, a theatre where musical and dramatic spectacles are still performed to this day. Even if you don’t have time to watch a whole show, it’s still worth coming here, just to see the building’s incredible interior. With its trompe-l’œil scenery and wooden screen (intended to look like marble), not to mention the ceiling with its painted clouds, this theatre will take your breath away.

Visit some churches

Like most Italian cities, Vicenza boasts many beautiful churches. The city cathedral is perhaps the most obvious first port of call with its astonishing arched façade and prominent turquoise dome. Bear in mind, if you’re visiting on a weekday, that it’s only open until 15:30.

Also worth seeing – if you can manage the hike up to it – is the Church of St. Mary of Mount Berico, a small hilltop basilica. Head inside to see tremendous works of art, including a statue of the Virgin Mary (after whom the establishment is named), and Paolo Veronese’s The Supper of St. Gregory the Great. Make sure also to check out the sanctuary’s free museum, where you’ll be able to see various sacred objects, and get great views of the city’s two famous villas (more on them below).

Finally, if you want somewhere that’s a bit more of a hidden gem, head to the Chiesa di Santa Croce in San Giacomo Maggiore detta dei Carmini (quite a mouthful, that one!), a house of worship with a spectacular red and white patterned exterior. If you get the chance to see inside, remember to look up: the painted ceiling is quite remarkable!

See the city from above

Seeing cities from above is one of those activities that never goes old. In Vicenza, there are two main places to do this: from the rooftop of the Basilica Palladiana, or from the piazza just outside the Church of St. Mary of Mount Berico. Visit either of these places on a sunny day, and you’ll be able to see for miles!

Visit the Villa La Rotonda

As I mentioned earlier, there are two beautiful villas worth visiting in Vicenza. The first of these is the Villa La Rotonda, a large house with a domed roof, designed by – surprise, surprise! – Palladio. Admire the structure from afar, or buy a ticket and visit the interior and the gardens. You’ll be amazed by the intricate trompe-l’œil frescoes that cover the inner walls of this place.

Discover the Villa Valmarana ai Nani

Hungry for more? Head to the nearby Villa Valmarana ai Nani for a second helping of remarkable murals: these ones painted by Venetian artists, Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo. Make sure to grab a free written guide (available in several languages aside from Italian) when you enter, for a detailed explanation of what you’re seeing. After your visit, have a wander around the garden, and enjoy the sweet fragrance of the roses and tea olive trees.

Walk along the river

If, after all these cultural activities, you fancy a bit of one-on-one time with nature, head to one of Vicenza’s two rivers: the Bacchiglione or the Retrone. Look down at these waterways from one of the city’s many bridges – views from the Ponte San Michele and Ponte San Paolo are particularly charming – and admire the gorgeous old coloured houses that line them. If you're feeling active, walk along one of the rivers until you reach the point where the two meet.

Wander round a park

Still not got your nature fix? Take a stroll round one of Vicenza’s parks. Visit the central Giardini Salvi to admire the seventeenth-century Loggia Valmarana, or cross the River Bacchiglione and see the Parco Querini with its circular colonnade. Look out for adorable rabbits and turtles in the latter public garden: the park owners allow them to roam the grounds freely.

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Shop till you drop

If you’re looking to engage in a bit of retail therapy, Vicenza’s got shops to satisfy all your needs. For all your favourite high-street brands, head to the Corso Palladio, making sure to explore the streets that surround it. Alternatively, drive slightly out of town to one of the city’s many shopping malls or outlet stores.

If, like me, you love second-hand goods, head to the weekly market (Tuesday mornings) in Piazza dei Signori, and grab yourself some fantastic bargains. You’ll find all sorts of weird and wonderful garments here, and where better to spice up your wardrobe than in one of Europe’s most fashion-forward countries?

Go on a day trip

There’s plenty to do in Vicenza, but if you find yourself at a loose end, or you just want to explore the surrounding area, there are loads of great towns and cities in close proximity. Obvious options include Venice, Verona, Brescia, and – two hours away by train – Milan.

Alternatively, trade cities for mountains, and visit the nearby Dolomites. Here, you’ll be able to ski, hike, or just hop on a cable car for incredible landscape views.

Book your ticket today!

So there we have it: ten things to do in the northern Italian city of Vicenza. For now, it remains a bit of a hidden gem – overshadowed by the metropolises that surround it – but we all know how these things can change, so book your ticket today before everyone else discovers it!

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