It’s almost time to move again and I’m feeling a bit reflective. So, today I’m sharing a big guide on things to do in Vicenza and the surrounding areas. You might remember I posted a guide to public transport friendly day trips from Vicenza, which is mostly places to visit when you first arrive and are settling in and waiting for your car to arrive. Today’s post is filled with more options for easy day trips when you have your car and want to get out and explore your new home. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list because there is so much to do here, but if you’re new or looking for things to do, I hope it can give you some ideas to get started on your adventures. I’ve also added a printable list version for your fridge to help you organize your bucket list.
A Big List Of Things To Do In Vicenza And Surrounding Areas
My ultimate Vicenza Bucket List
Before we get started on the post, download my complete guide of things to do in Vicenza that I put together after 4 years of living to the fullest in Italy.
It’s a printable list full of outdoor day trips, town day trips, 4-day weekend ideas, leave block itineraries, and unique events so you’ll be all set to maximize your time in Italy (without all the stress of researching).
Tours and shopping ideas
Visit the popular cities
Play tourist in your new home by visiting the popular, touristy cities near Vicenza.
A good start is Venice, Verona, Padova, Bassano del Grappa and Marostica.
I visited these in my first couple of weeks living here before my car arrived and have a detailed guide on these day trips from Vicenza using public transport here.
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Visit Ceramic heaven
I definitely recommend taking a drive to Nove, which is about 30 minutes drive from Ederle.
This place is heaven for ceramic lovers because it’s filled with factories that make ceramic products for brands like Tiffany & Co and Anthropologie which you can get at a bargain.
Most have a factory on the ground level then store upstairs where you can buy products and my favorites are Nove Ceramiche, VBC, and Elios.
Bring cash because you can usually get a discount for cash payments.
Olive oil tour
Visit Frantoio Bonamini to take a tour of the olive oil factory, learn about the process, and pick up some of the delicious oils made there.
You’ll find different varieties of olive oils as well as balsamic vinegar, pesto, olive pastes, and even skincare products.
Tours can be booked online and run in English. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Ederle.
Limoncello tour
Another unique outing is to visit Donna Frida for a Limoncello tour.
This is great for a small group because they turn it into an event with cooking demonstrations as well as the tour. Learning about the process of making high quality, natural limoncello is fascinating and you’re supporting a family run business as well.
For this one you won’t book online, just contact them to set up a tour. It’s about 25 minutes drive from Ederle.
My full review of the limoncello tasting tour in Padova is here.
Visit a winery
Winery visits are great to do as day trip outings now and then not only for a day out but also to gradually build a collection of wine you can move back to the US with.
Enomas winery is a local one about 15 minutes from Ederle that has affordable wine. You can also walk through with a glass and try wines from the big vats before choosing which ones to buy.
Another popular one is La Dolce Vigna in Padova which has a higher price point and also serves up some delicious food or Piovene Porto Godi.
There is really no shortage of wineries though, so you’re bound to find a few of your own favorites.
Testing wine at Enomas
Cheese and Balsamic tours in Modena
Take a trip to Modena to combine a tour of a Parmigiano Reggiano factory with a tour of a Balsamic Vinegar museum.
4 Madonne Caseificio dell’Emilia is about an hour and a half away, and here you’ll be able to take a guided tour to learn about the cheese-making process, try some samples and, of course, pick some up to take home with you.
Combine that with a visit to the nearby Gran Deposito Aceto Balsamico Giuseppe Giusti to take an hour-long tour to learn about the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and try some of their unique products.
Visit Asiago
Asiago is one of my favorite places to visit for an easy day trip outing.
Sometimes I like to go and just walk around town, other times I like to go hiking in the area in places like Via Val Giardini, and it’s also a great place for Christmas Markets.
If you have kids, the Gnome Village is a fun place to visit while you’re there. I have a detailed guide for the Asiago Gnome Village here.
Gnome Village in Asiago
Antique markets and thrift stores
Vicenza is a great place if you enjoy visiting thrift stores or antique markets.
I like to visit the Insieme Coop thrift store behind Ederle because it’s a convenient location and always has some good things to find. Last time I found a copper pot for only €20! There are lots of thrift stores around towns so you should be able to find one near where you live.
Antique markets also make for great outings and I love the Mercatino Piazzola Sul Brenta because it is HUGE. It’s held on the last Sunday each month.
There is also an antique market in downtown Vicenza on the second Sunday each month. It’s smaller than Brenta, but you can still find some cool items there.
Exploring a market in Vicenza
Swimming ideas
Verona Aquardens
The Verona Aquardens is a huge mineral waterpark that is perfect for a swimming day out.
It has just about everything from different types of indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, steam room, mud masks for your face, childcare, and a swim-up bar. You’ll get a wristband that will tally any purchases you make and you can pay those at the end before you leave.
It’s just under an hour from Ederle and you can get a four-hour pass for €28. Check out their website for other entrance options.
Having a drink while soaking in the outdoor pool at Verona Aquardens
Contra Pria
If you’d like somewhere in nature to swim, Contra Pria is close by and a really gorgeous spot for a swim.
The water is pretty cold, but it’s great for those hot, summer days and there is plenty of space on the rocks to sit and soak up the sunshine.
It’s only about 40 minutes from Ederle.
I also posted about this natural swimming spot in Tramonti di Sopra which is further away but just as gorgeous.
Taking a dip at Contra Pria is one of the best things to do in Vicenza during summer
Abano Terme
Another great choice for thermal pools is Abano Terme which is only about 35 minutes from Ederle.
Most of the hotels here have thermal pools that you can buy a pass to even if you are not staying at the hotel, so it makes for an easy day trip outing.
My favorite spot to go to is Terme Relilax which has a relaxing pool area with indoor and outdoor mineral pools as well as saunas and aromatherapy showers. There is a spa as well if you want to add on a treatment like a facial or massage.
It’s best to book your visit before arriving for this one as the numbers are limited.
One of the indoor pools at Terme Relilax
Nearby beaches
If you prefer a beach swim you can visit nearby beaches like Jesolo or Caorle.
They’re not the nicest beaches you’re going to see. I think they’re pretty ugly, to be honest. But beggars can’t be choosers and if you don’t want to drive too far, they’re your best bet to be able to have a beach experience.
Jesolo is a little over an hour’s drive from Ederle and Caorle is about an hour and a half.
If you don’t mind a drive, you can get to Croatia in 3 hours and find some much prettier beach spots. I like Hawaii Beach in Croatia for a day trip with a longer drive.
A beach in Croatia – good for day trips if you don’t mind a longer drive
Lago di Garda
Sirmione is a beautiful area of Lago di Garda that’s only a little over an hour drive from Ederle, so it makes for a fun day trip if you want to enjoy the sunshine and go for a swim.
I usually go around here for swimming, but it is pretty crowded so it’s good to go early. You can rent things like kayaks and stand up paddleboards around this area too, or you can just go for a swim in the pretty, cold water.
Another spot I like which is a little less polished but much more secluded is what I named ‘sexy island’. It’s a random spot I found accidentally but pretty awesome place for a quiet swim. All the details on these and more are in this guide of my favorite places to swim at Lago di Garda.
Lago di Garda
Outdoor day trips in and around Vicenza
Lago di Fimon
If you want to be outside in nature, maybe just to chill in the sun or walk your dog, then Lago di Fimon is a great choice.
You can walk around the lake and there are a few other hiking trails there as well if you want to take it a little further. Otherwise, you can just chill out and look at the swans that usually hang out there.
It’s only about 30 minutes from Ederle so it’s a good option for days when you just want something nearby to be outdoors.
Lago di Fimon
Croce di Lumignano
Lumignano is a great area for more local hikes and a popular spot for rock climbing.
I did the Croce di Lumignano hike recently and it made for a cool half-day outing, but there are also other hikes that you can check out as well.
Here’s my full review for the Croce di Lumignano hike with more details.
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Grotte del Caglieron
Grotte del Caglieron is a fun outing where you can walk around on the wooden bridges to see different caves and waterfalls.
The walking is not strenuous, so it’s a good choice if you’re not into hiking but want to get outdoors. The drive is about an hour and a half from Ederle and it’s kid and dog friendly.
Grotte del Caglieron
Ponte Avis
This short hike is fairly popular because of the awesome suspension bridge in the mountains that you can walk across.
It’s just over an hour away so great for a quick day trip outing in nature and if you want to extend the outing there are a lot of other hikes in the area as well as WWI monuments.
Here’s my full guide on how to hike to Ponte Avis.
Ponte Avis
Castle of Spirits
The Castle of Spirits is a fun outing where you can explore the ins and outs of a spooky-looking abandoned castle.
It doesn’t take a long time to visit, but it’s a cool spot to take photos and you can easily combine it with a trip to Asiago if you want to make the outing last a little longer.
Here’s my full review of the Castle of Spirits for more detailed information.
The Castle of Spirits is a fun spot to take photos
Hikes in the Dolomites
If you want more ideas for hikes, I have a guide for 17 of the best hikes in the Dolomites with a lot more ideas.
Most of these are further away from Vicenza but still make for awesome day trips if you enjoy being outdoors.
Hiking in the Dolomites
Here is a printable version of this list that you can pop on your fridge.
I hope this guide for things to do in Vicenza and surrounding areas can help you get started on your adventures here. Have fun!
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Oh my goodness! You are a godsend! This is such an incredible resource! Thanks for taking the time to do this. You are so inspiring.
Thank you so much for reading it 😀 It’s always so nice to hear when people appreciate the blogs, thank you.
thanks for sharing just got to vicenza and i cant wait to explore, any tips for someone without a car are most of these places easily accessible by train or bus? I’m excited about venturing out and checking out some of these cools places you mentioned.
Some of these can be done easily with public transport, but a lot are better with a car. I also have this post which has some day trip ideas using public transport which might be a good starting place: https://thekatieshowblog.com/day-trips-from-vicenza/ Hope you have a great time in Vicenza!
Castle of spirits is no longer available to visit. The grass is over grown and the gate is locked. We drove over there and you could barely see the castle because the overgrowth was so high. Loved all of your recommendations. Your blog was a go to for my entire trip.
Oh damn. That’s so great to hear that the blog was helpful. Thank you so much for making my day!