When people think of visiting northern Italy, chances are that the iconic city of Venice is high on their wish list. The canals criss-crossing the buildings perched on top of the lagoon, St Mark’s Square, the Rialto bridge and gondoliers calling out to prospective customers have been entrancing visitors for centuries. However, while we absolutely adore Venice, there is so much more to see and do in the surrounding Veneto region. For us the question of ‘Venice versus Veneto’ is an easy one to answer – we love both!
From fantastic food to breathtaking art, the Veneto region has a lot to offer that many people miss out on. We’re here to change this and show you what you’ll be missing by just staying in Venice – Veneto is waiting for you:
Food and drink in Venice versus Veneto
When it comes to the culinary delights on offer, you have a lot of choice in the Veneto region. There is naturally a good deal of crossover between what you find in the city of Venice and the wider region, but also some big differences.
Venetian cuisine
It will come as no surprise that for a city surrounded by water that Venetian food is heavily fish based. The Venetian lagoon is connected to the Adriatic sea but has its own ecosystem that produces excellent fish, crab and seafood. Our favorite thing to do in Venice is share a large platter with a mix of whatever the catch of the day is to try a bit of everything!
Venice’s food heritage owes a lot to its history as a powerful merchant empire, with traders bringing back ideas and ingredients from their travels. Dishes like sarde in saor which uses local sardines, vinegar, onions and raisins to create an unusual combination, or baccalà mantecato, made with Norwegian salted cod or stockfish, are a lasting memory of the Venetian Republic.
One Venetian tradition you must try when in the city is cichetti. These bite-sized snacks are everywhere—some super simple, others with daring flavor combinations—but they are one of our favorite things about the Venice food scene.
Food and drink in Veneto
The Veneto region is largely inland once you get away from Venice, so the food culture here shifts away from fish and looks to meat. You’ll find a lot of hearty grilled meats on traditional menus, as well as rich pasta sauces made with duck (anatra) or wild boar (cinghiale). These are often served with a type of pasta known as bigoli, which are thick strands that can stand up to the intensity of the sauces.
Veneto is one of the most prolific Italian regions when it comes to winemaking, being the home of the world-famous prosecco as well as many other wines. If you have the chance to taste local prosecco when in Veneto (from Valdobbiadene if possible) you definitely should do it, the difference in quality between this and mass-produced bottles is vast!
One of our favorite Veneto wines is Soave, a light white wine that pairs very well with seafood. Red wines are also abundant, the Valpolicella region has been producing great wines for generations. Amarone della Valpolicella wine is the key ingredient in a classic Veneto dish, risotto all’Amarone, and we can’t forget about Bardolino, produced on the edge of Lake Garda.
Explore the Timeless Beauty of Venice & Veneto
Picture yourself wandering through the narrow streets of Venice, exploring secret piazzas while sipping on spritz, or venture beyond the city to the rolling hills of Veneto to indulge in some of Italy’s most unique cuisine visiting historic villas and medieval towns. From world-class art and architecture to local culinary specialities, every detail is tailored for an unforgettable Italian adventure.
Ready to discover the magic of this incredible corner of Italy?
Art and History in Venice versus Veneto
Venice is, of course, home to wonderful art galleries and stunning churches, with the whole city acting as a monument to its long history. If you head out into Veneto you will find even more cultural heritage that you might otherwise miss out on. Cities like Verona, Padua and Vicenza have all existed for just as long (if not longer!) than Venice, so they have their own stories to tell.
Visiting Veneto
Verona is at the top of our list for places to go outside Venice. Easy to reach on the train, there is just so much to see here. Already settled in prehistoric times, the central location of Verona was very appealing to the ancient Romans and it became part of the empire in the first century BC. The huge amphitheater that still hosts concerts and events today was built around a hundred years later, making it almost 2000 years old!
While the popular tourist destination of the balcony allegedly used by Juliet is a modern addition to a medieval building, the streets that inspired Shakespeare’s most famous play are well worth exploring. Make sure to visit the market in Piazza delle Erbe, the 12th-century cathedral and 14th-century Castelvecchio fortress.
Another city that is straightforward to visit is Padua. Retaining much of its medieval city center, Padua’s university is the second oldest in the world and the city has always been a hub for scholars and artists. The large piazza of Prato della Valle contains many statues of their famous residents, and you can also visit parts of the university.
The incredible Basilica of St Anthony is one of the loveliest churches we’ve ever been in, but for sheer artistry, you cannot beat the Scrovegni chapel.
Built on the ruins of an ancient Roman arena by a rich banker in the early 1300’s, the chapel was decorated by the famous Florentine artist Giotto. Today a UNESCO World Heritage site, the paintings by Giotto were something entirely new at the time. Vibrant colors and realistic depictions of people, his vision for the chapel has to seen to be believed.
Sights in Venice
As the capital city of the Veneto region, Venice is, of course, full of historical sights. The vast St Mark’s Square with the ornate cathedral and Doge’s palace are worth queuing up for, but if you get away from the main streets, there is a lot to see.
The Accademia gallery (not the one in Florence!) is home to wonderful works of art that demonstrate the skill and vibrancy of the Venetian school, or you can see the modernist works that form the Peggy Guggenheim collection.
Making time for the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is always a priority for us, with works by Donatello and Titian. The neighboring Scuola san Rocco is also worth a look in, with tons of colorful paintings by Tintoretto all over the rooms.
Getting out on the water in Venice versus Veneto
It is impossible to talk about Venice without talking about the lagoon area and picturesque canals that define the city. But Veneto offers a lot of places where you can get out on the water as well!
Venice sull’Acqua
Everyone has, of course, seen pictures of the iconic Venetian gondolas, but there are many other ways to be sull’acqua – on the water.
You can take a water taxi along the Grand Canal right to your hotel, hire a private boat or even take the traghetto (Venice’s version of public buses) and experience the city as it was designed to be navigated. If you’re feeling extra brave, you can even learn how to row the Venetian boats for yourself!
Don’t forget that Venice is just one of the islands in the Venetian lagoon, so if you have time, you should definitely visit some of the others. Murano, Burano and Torcello are the easiest to reach and offer a different perspective of Venice.
Veneto’s waterways
If the busy canals of Venice are not your thing, why not take a trip up the Brenta Canal instead?
The Brenta river runs from the northern Trentino region down to the Adriatic sea, forming links between places like Bassano del Grappa (home to a famous grappa producer), Vicenza and Padua. One of the canals that were built using the river runs between Venice and Padua and all the way along the banks, you can see villas that were built at the peak of Venice’s power. These Palladian villas were used by rich families to escape Venice and today survive in varying states of disrepair.
One of the better-preserved villas is no longer on the canal, but the water features remain.
The Monumental Garden of Valsanzibio is an allegorical garden, with different sections taking you on a spiritual journey to truth. The 17th-century fountains, pools, statues, and plants are a joy to explore!
If you want to experience the Venetian lagoon but don’t want to go to Venice, our top tip is to head to the town of Chioggia instead.
Located on the edge of the Adriatic coast, Chioggia also has many canals and charming colored buildings, but nowhere near the volume of tourists. One of our favorite meals in Veneto was in a little restaurant here facing the lagoon, watching boats come in and out all afternoon. Blissful!
Finally, if you head away from the coast, you will reach the eastern shores of Lake Garda. Marking the boundary between Veneto and Lombardy, Lake Garda is one of Italy’s most stunning lakes and needs at least a few days to fully explore!
As you may have gathered, we are huge fans of everything Venice and the wider Veneto region have to offer. Whether you’re culture lovers, foodies or just enjoy exploring, there’s something for everyone in this part of Italy. Veneto is also the perfect place to base yourself if you want to go further north to the regions of Friuli-Venezia Giulia or up to the Dolomites.
We have a wide range of experiences that are designed to show you the best of Veneto and Venice and can’t wait to share our passion with you! Get in touch today to find out more.
