What to see around Venice

There are many things to do and see in Venice as this is a city with an immense heritage but concentrated in just a few kilometres. Therefore, it is easy that if you visit the floating city for several days you will have time to do other things or simply visit for a second time. In these cases, the best thing to do is to visit the area around Venice.

Within a radius of just a few kilometres and between 30 minutes and 2 hours from the city of canals there are several villages, towns, monuments, islands and natural sites that are well worth visiting. From islands whose craftsmanship is world-renowned to cities that are the setting for some of the most exciting stories written by man.

If you want to know which are the best places to visit near Venice, just read on.

The most popular excursion from Venice, just over a kilometre from Venice, is the trip to the island of Murano. The home of the world's most famous glass artisans. Everyone who visits the island does so to learn about the craft of these artisans and even discover how Murano glass is made and the process of manufacturing the glasses, lamps, vases and other items made from this famous glass.

As well as visiting the factories, you can take advantage of your visit to see the Basilica of Santa Maria and San Donato and the Church of Santa Maria dell'Angelo which is one of the things to do in Murano on the island itself. The good thing is that getting to Murano from Venice is very easy and quick.

• How to get there: Take vaporetto number 4.1 from the San Zaccaria stop in Venice.

in Venice.

• How long it takes: 40 minutes.

Another almost obligatory option if you are in Venice for 4 days or more is to visit the island of Burano, which is the sister island of Murano. It may be less known but its streets are more beautiful thanks to its colourfulness. It is, according to many specialised magazines, one of the most colourful places in the world. Each of its buildings is of a different colour, which makes a simple stroll along its canals a special journey.

Craftsmanship also plays an important role thanks to its fabrics and the art of lace making. You can visit the Church of San Martin whose bell tower, like the tower of Pisa, is leaning. Being next to Murano, it is common to visit the two sister islands on the same day.

• How to get thereByvaporetto number 14 from Venice's S. Zaccaria quay.
• How long it takes: 1 hour 15 minutes.

Torcello is the third of the islands that can be visited near Venice. Of the three, it is the least known, but it was once the main island of the Venice lagoon. It once served as a refuge from the invasion of the Huns, and in fact one of its main attractions is the Attila's Throne in the town square. A chair that, according to legend, was occupied by the king of the Huns during his invasion of these lands.

You can also visit the Basilica of Santa Maria dell'Assunta, the oldest building in the region, or the Church of Santa Fosca. It is an island full of history that can also be visited on the same excursion from Venice to Murano and Burano due to its proximity.

• How to get there: With the LN Venetian vaporetto line from Fondamenta Nuove or San Zaccaria.
• How long it takes: 50 minutes.

Padua is a small city west of Venice and is a city of great beauty. It is known as the city of St. Anthony, whose remains rest in the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua in the same city. But most impressive is the elliptical square of Prato della Valle, Italy's largest square at 90,000 square metres in the centre of which is an island surrounded by a canal.

Other highlights include the university, the Scrovegni Chapel, the Piazza delle Erbe and the Piazza della Fruta. Less than an hour from Venice, this beautiful city is a must-see.

• How to get there: By train from Venice station.
• How long it takes: 25 minutes by high speed train or 50 minutes by regional train.

Who doesn't know the love story between Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare? Well, this story takes place in the city of Verona, a few kilometres from Venice. Considered one of the most romantic cities in the world, Verona has a lot to discover.

It has one of the most important Roman amphitheatres next to the Colosseum in Rome. Plus the must-see Piazza delle Erbe, the Torre dei Lamberti, and the Verona Cathedral. Of course you can't leave without seeing Juliet's famous balcony where one of the most famous scenes from Shakespeare's tragicomedy takes place.

• How to get there: By train from Venice.
• How long it takes: 1 hour by high speed train or 2 hours by regional train.

Bologna is known as the city of "la Dotta, la Rossa e la Grassa" La Dotta or docta for its famous university, one of the oldest in Italy. The red for the colour of its buildings and roofs and the fat for its splendid gastronomy. A combination that makes it a very attractive city to visit.

In its streets you can visit the Basilica of San Petronio, the Piazza Maggiore, or the Towers of the Asinelli. You can also stroll through its famous arcades and see its beautiful porticoes. A day trip from Venice is highly recommended.

• How to get there: By train from Venice.
• How long it takes: 1.5 hours by high-speed train or 2 hours by regional train.

30 kilometres from Venice itself, there is another "Venice" that is somewhat different. The city of Trevisoalso grows between canals and, although it is not a floating city as such, it has a similar charm to the Venetian city.

A city full of palaces, churches and monuments of great beauty among which the Piazza dei Signori, the Palazzo dei Trecento, the Via Calmaggiore, the Duomo of Treviso or the Dante Bridge stand out.

• How to get there: By train or bus.
• How long it takes: 30 minutes.

Chioggia is situated to the south of Venice and surprises all visitors with its similarity to Venice. If you don't like the hustle and bustle of Venice, in Chioggia you can enjoy its canals and bridges without so many tourists.

It has no major monuments but its brightly coloured houses and canals make for a pleasant stroll. It is a good option, especially if you have a car, as the train journey takes almost three hours.

• How to get there: By car.
• How long it takes: 50 minutes. By train the journey takes almost 3 hours.

If you are an inveterate lover of Italian renaissance and medieval cities you will enjoy your visit to Ferrara. This small Italian city is full of history being one of the small towns with the highest concentration of renaissance samples.

Most of the city's monuments are concentrated around the Piazza Trento. The Cathedral of San Giorgio, the Palazzo della Ragione, the Loggia dei Merciai, the bell tower of Leon Battista Alberti, the Piazza del Municipio and the Torre dei Ribelli are its main attractions.

• How to get there: By train from Venice.
• How long it takes: About 2 hours and 10 minutes.

The city of Vicenza goes unnoticed because it is among some of the most touristic cities in Italy such as Venice or Milan. However, it is part of Italy 's World Heritage Site and is one of the most beautiful cities in the north of the country.

It is a city conceived by the famous architect Palladio who had a remarkable influence on the city. Most of its monuments are his or he had a direct influence on them. The main ones are: Piazza dei Signori, the Palladian Basilica, the Basilica Palladiana, the loggia del Capitaniato and the Palazzo del Monte di Pietà.

• How to get there: By train from Venice.
• How long it takes: 45 minutes.

There are not many monuments in the small town of Rovigo but what there is has a special charm. It has several lively squares with markets and a beautiful old town with its Duomo and a few palaces.

Not very touristically exploited, it is an ideal town to visit for a quiet morning and eat a good plate of Italian pasta at a reasonable price.

• How to get there: By train from Venice.
• How long it takes: 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Less than two hours from Venice is Udine. An underrated city that hides a lot to see. If you liked Venice this is a similar place in terms of architecture.

The Piazza de la Libertà is its nerve centre but you should also visit its impressive Duomo or the Palazzo Patriarcale. Gastronomy is also one of Udine's "strong points". In Udine you can eat well and cheaply.

• How to get there: By train from Venice.
• How long it takes: 2 hours.

Very close to Verona is the largest lake in northern Italy. It is also one of the most beautiful. If you visit it by car you will have the freedom to move around its shores where you can visit castles, monasteries or picturesque villages.

Sirmione, Malcesine, Bardolino, Desenzano del Garda, Limone Sul Garda or Riva del Garda are some of the most emblematic towns around this lake.

• How to get there: You can get there by train but it is better to do it by car to move around more freely.
• How long it takes: 2 hours approximately.