Italy is made up of 20 regions, each with distinctive characteristics. Here, you’ll get an overview of Veneto to get you started on planning a Veneto trip.
The Veneto region is one of the most popular with visitors for one main reason – Venice. Look at a map, however, and you’ll see that it’s a large region with far more to offer.
Veneto is cultured and refined. There are cities and towns of historic importance, world-famous works of architecture, rolling hills covered with vineyards, impressive mountain peaks, a gorgeous lake, and a Shakespearean tale of love and tragedy.
Veneto Basics
- The name for Veneto is the same in Italian and English, and it’s pronounced VEH|neh|toh.
- The demonym for people or things from Veneto is veneto (masculine singular), veneta (feminine singular), veneti (masculine plural), or venete (feminine plural).
- The capital of Veneto is Venice.
- Veneto is in northeastern Italy and shares borders with the regions of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and Trentino-Alto Adige, as well as the Adriatic Sea and the country of Austria.
- There are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Veneto – Venice and its lagoon; Vicenza and the Palladian villas that are in the area; Verona; and the Botanical Garden in Padua.
Veneto Travel Tips
creative commons graphic by Otourly, modified by me
The Veneto region is the eighth-largest in Italy in terms of area, and it goes from sea level up to the tips of the Dolomite mountain range. Most of the region is relatively flat, with the Po River running through the southern part.
Venice is, of course, the region’s top draw. It’s a tiny city that has a big impact, but don’t overlook the rest of the region. Verona can be a wonderful day trip from Venice or a destination on its own, with a well-preserved Roman amphitheater that hosts opera performances in summer. Nevermind that the balcony on “Juliet’s House” is a modern addition – the city still serves as the setting for the tragic story of “Romeo and Juliet” and attracts lovers and the lovesick alike.
Take a day trip to admire the genius of Palladio’s architecture in the gorgeous villas he designed in the region. Go wine tasting in the vineyards to sample Prosecco or Valpolicella. Explore the lake towns around Lake Garda or entertain the kids with a visit to the Gardaland amusement park. In the winter, skiers flock to Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites – an area that’s equally as popular with hikers in the summer.
It’s easy to get around the Veneto by train, including the high-speed trains that serve Venice, Verona, and Padua. Most of the region’s cities and towns are connected by rail, though you’ll need to look into regional buses to get to the smaller towns. To really get away from the tourist crowds, however, consider renting a car and getting out into the countryside – including the mountains or the less-visited towns around Lake Garda.
Guided Tours in Veneto
These are affiliate links, which means I get a little something if you book one of these tours – but it won’t cost you anything extra.
- Context Travel Walking Tours in Venice
- Viator Tours in Veneto
- Viator Tours in Venice
- Viator Tours in Verona
- Viator Tours in Padua
- Viator Tours in Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Walks of Italy Tours
Further Reading on Veneto:
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