DESTINATIONS · VENETO
Plan Veneto: Venice, Verona, Lake Garda and the Dolomites
A lagoon city, a Roman-era city of opera, Italy’s largest lake, the Prosecco hills and the mountains, all within a few hours of each other.
The short answer: base yourself in Venice for the lagoon and the islands, or in Verona for the rest of the region. Fast trains link Venice and Verona in about an hour, so Verona works as a day trip from Venice, and the Dolomites are possible in a day with an early start.
Last updated: September 25, 2026
Why choose Veneto?
Most travelers come to Veneto for Venice, and many never leave the lagoon. The region rewards a few more days: Verona is an hour away by fast train, Lake Garda is just beyond it, the Prosecco hills are an easy day out, and the Dolomites rise to the north.
Best for: first trips to Italy, art and architecture, food and wine, lakes and mountains, and travelers without a car for the cities. Ideal stay: 3–6 days, with Venice and Verona as bases.
Where to go in Veneto
Venice
St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace and the Grand Canal, and the islands of Murano and Burano across the lagoon. Give it at least two days.
Verona
The Roman Arena, Piazza delle Erbe and the medieval center along the Adige, about an hour from Venice by fast train.
Lake Garda
Italy’s largest lake. Sirmione, on its peninsula at the southern end, is the classic day out from Verona.
The Prosecco hills
The vineyard hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, north of Venice, where Prosecco Superiore comes from.
The Dolomites
The mountains of northern Veneto and beyond, a full day from Venice by guided tour.
The lagoon towns
Chioggia, at the southern end of the lagoon, is a working fishing town; Murano is the island of glass.
What to do in Veneto
See Venice beyond St. Mark’s
Start with the top attractions in Venice, then take the cicchetti and wine tour through the bacari, the city’s wine bars.
Go to the Carnival
The Venice Carnival 2027 runs from January 23 to February 9, 2027: masks, costumes and events across the city.
Taste the Prosecco
Read our guide to Italian Prosecco, then spend a day in the hills where it is made.
Visiting Venice as a day-tripper? Check the latest on the Venice access fee, and for more of Italy by the water, see lakes in Italy.
Selected Veneto experiences
Some links in this section lead to experiences Italy2Love has reviewed. If you book through them, Italy2Love earns a commission at no extra cost to you. A commission never changes what we recommend or the order we list it in.
Selected automatically from Italy2Love experience pages that match this page, ordered by Viator rating and number of reviews (checked September 2026). Prices and availability are shown live on Viator.
Plan your Veneto trip
How many days?
2 days: Venice only. 3–4 days: Venice plus Verona, or a day in the Prosecco hills. 5–6 days: Venice, Verona and Lake Garda, with a day in the Dolomites.
Do you need a car?
Not for the cities: Venice has no cars, and Venice, Verona and the southern shore of Lake Garda are linked by train. A car, or a guided tour, helps for the Prosecco hills and the Dolomites.
How do you get there?
Venice is served by Marco Polo airport and Treviso airport, and Verona by its own airport. High-speed trains link Venezia Santa Lucia and Verona Porta Nuova with Milan, Bologna, Florence and Rome.
When to visit?
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons in the cities. Summer is the season for Lake Garda, the mountains and the Arena di Verona opera festival, and winter brings the Venice Carnival and snow in the Dolomites.
Frequently asked questions
Is Veneto worth visiting beyond Venice?
Yes. Verona is about an hour from Venice by fast train, Lake Garda is just beyond it, and the Prosecco hills and the Dolomites are each a day out. A few extra days turn a Venice trip into a trip through the region.
What is the best base in Veneto?
Venice for the lagoon and the islands, and Verona for Lake Garda and the western side of the region. Many travelers split their stay between the two.
Can you visit Verona as a day trip from Venice?
Yes. Fast trains take about an hour between Venezia Santa Lucia and Verona Porta Nuova, and the old town is walkable from the station.
Can you see the Dolomites from Venice in a day?
Yes, on a guided day trip. It is a long day, most of it on the road; if the mountains are the point of your trip, stay at least one night there.
When is the Venice Carnival in 2027?
From January 23 to February 9, 2027, according to the official Carnevale di Venezia website.
Veneto works best from two bases
Stay in Venice for the lagoon, move to Verona for the lake, and give the hills or the mountains a day.
Read before you go
More Veneto travel guides
Guides, events and experiences in and around Veneto, most recently updated first.
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