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Things to do in Vicenza

Our most recommended things to do in Vicenza

Vicenza: Cooking Class at a Local's Home

1. Vicenza: Cooking Class at a Local's Home

Immerse yourself in a cooking class at a local home, learning the secrets of the most famous dishes of regional cuisine. Afterwards, you will taste the fruits of your labor accompanied by local wines. Throughout your lesson, your cook will reveal the tricks of the trade for three authentic local recipes. You can have fun putting your cooking skills to the test, with a workstation equipped with utensils as well as all the ingredients to make the dishes. At the conclusion of your activity, you will be free to taste everything you have prepared, as accompanied by a selection of local wines. Instead of loading your suitcase with souvenirs, this is your chance to take home Italian cooking skills which will stay with you for life.

Vicenza: Private Walking Tour with Teatro Olimpico

2. Vicenza: Private Walking Tour with Teatro Olimpico

Enjoy a private tour and explore a lesser-known jewel of the Veneto region, the beautiful city of Vicenza. With a dedicated guide, enter the unique Olympic Theater, the first enclosed theater in the world. Constructed by architect Andrea Palladio between 1580 and 1585, it boasts interiors made of wood, stucco and plaster, and is now included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.     Next, walk through the Vicenza historic center to see its most important sites, such as Chiericati Palace, the "Ca’ d’Oro," Piazzetta Santo Stefano, Sesso-Zen-Fontana Palace, Negri-De Salvi Palace, Thiene Palace, Contra’ Porti, Porto-Festa, Porto-Colleoni, and the Porto-Breganze e Barbaran-Porto Palaces.   Visit the beautiful Piazza dei Signori to marvel at the great Basilica Palladiana, one of Andrea Palladio’s masterpieces. Since 1994, this basilica, together with other Palladian buildings in and around Vicenza, has been part of the City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Venice: Private 3-Hour Vicenza Tour

3. Venice: Private 3-Hour Vicenza Tour

Your experience begins at the Venice Santa Lucia Train Station. To begin your tour, you will travel from Venice to Vicenza for 1 hour with a fast train ticket. Once there, you will enjoy one of the best Italian cities throughout a 3-hour tour with a local guide. You can discover the historic centre of city, seeing and discovering the history of the city's most prominent landmarks. You will encounter Piazza dei Signori, Basilica Palladiana, Palazzo Chiericati, Loggia Valmarana, the Roman Ruins and the neoclassic park, among other attractions. At the conclusion of your tour your guide will take you back to the train station from where you will return to Venice.

Villa Valmarana: Exclusive Guided Tour to Tiepolo's Frescoes

4. Villa Valmarana: Exclusive Guided Tour to Tiepolo's Frescoes

Book the exclusive guided tour led by Valmarana family and enjoy a final glass of wine: the owners will introduce you to the magnificent residence and the unique cycle of frescoes (dated 1757) where you can admire and compare the style of Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo. The tour will offer you the unique opportunity to compare the pastel tones of the great heroes painted by Tiepolo father, with the earthy colors and the country scenes of Tiepolo son. You will explore the Palazzina (owner's house) and see the 5 rooms featuring frescoes by Giambattista Tiepolo accompanied by an owner who lives in the villa. Let yourself be amazed by some of the greatest works of classical and Italian literature translated into frescoed images. The visit will continue in the Foresteria (guest house), where you will admire the frescoes by Giandomenico Tiepolo and discover a residence with objects, furniture, photos, which have belonged to the Valmarana counts since its inception. To finish off beautifully, you can enjoy a relaxing walk to the back garden or take a break at the café overlooking the valley of silence.

Vicenza: “The Big Tower” Entry Ticket

5. Vicenza: “The Big Tower” Entry Ticket

Il Torrione (literally “The Big Tower”) is one of those very rare places where several completely different historical periods in art and architecture coexist. It was acquired by the Fondazione Coppola in 2017 and was then restored and transformed into the headquarters of the foundation. This 12th century tower soars to a height of 41.60 meters, from which visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Vicenza encompassing the Basilica Palladiana, the cathedral, the city’s bell towers and its more modern buildings. The foundation has made a threefold commitment: first of all the purchase of the Torrione, which was then donated to the Municipality of Vicenza in exchange for a 30-year concession for it to be dedicated to contemporary art; secondly a complex process of restoration supervised by the company UP3 Architetti Associati and the local Superintendency of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities; and lastly the creation of an exhibition space with a modern lighting system and panels, specially designed for displaying various different types of artworks to the best advantage. The visitor experience is enhanced by the sophisticated plan of the architects Paolo De Biasi and Francesco Durante for the exhibition areas throughout the entire building. The artworks on every floor are illuminated by an innovative LED system that can be adjusted according to their specific aesthetic requirements. With a minimal visual and structural impact, which is however highly versatile and flexible, the panels and lights also enhance the internal areas of the tower.

Frequently asked questions about Vicenza

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What people are saying about Vicenza

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 32 reviews

It was a beautiful experience going around the beautiful rooms, painted by Tiepolo father and son, of this very nice villa veneta near the city center of Vicenza. Especially with the very interesting and amazing explanations of the local staff. They made us very clear that they love to receive the tourists as you were the guest of the villa. And it is really how me and my friend felt that day. Totally to recommend if you are in Vicenza!

Villa Valmarana is located downtown Vicenza on an off street. It was a really nice day trip to stay local for the weekend. They also have a Cafe and you can set onside and enjoy the view.

Daniela's comments on Palladio's life and work were very illuminating and interesting. Their statements about the country and its people were also very good.

Very interesting experience, a villa rich in history and precious frescoes by Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo.

Excellent guide, nice and prepared! Highly recommended !!