Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Vicenza, my favorite small town in Italy! I have a lot of friends here, so I enjoy visiting as often as I can. With Vicenza becoming a more popular tourist destination, I wanted to share my travel tips for a trip to Vicenza, Italy. We’re combining all of our favorite types of travel tips (don’ts, loves and hates, what to eat) all in one Vicenza travel guide.
Andrea Palladio Architecture
If you plan to visit Vicenza and you enjoy architecture, read up a bit on Andrea Palladio before you go because you will hear the name quite often and see his work all over the Veneto region.
16th-century Architect Andrea Palladio is from Vicenza, so there are lots of places to view some of his designs. Start with a visit to the Palladio Museum, where you can learn about the architect and see examples of his work. Then, set out to explore the town and see his influence all over town. There are special tours you can book just to see his architecture in Vicenza and the surrounding area.
- Basilica Palladiana, which is not actually a basilica or a church. It’s a museum, and it’s surrounded by great little cafes to grab a bite or a drink. From May through October, you can go to the rooftop of the Basilica and enjoy an Aperol spritz.
- The Villa Rotunda is one of the most important pieces of architecture of the last 500 years. Many buildings throughout history have mimicked the Villa Rotunda, so it may look familiar to you.
- Teatro Olimpico is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it’s so beautiful and historic. It’s a 13th-century theater that was redone by Palladio in the 16th century. If you can take a tour of the inside, do it! You can get tickets at the tourism office next door.
If you’ve heard of a Palladium style of architecture, it’s from Andrea Palladio.
Other Places to Go in Vicenza
Vicenza is a smaller town in Italy, with a population of around 100,000 but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things to do in Vicenza!
- Pretty much every Italian town has a Duomo, and Vicenza is no exception. The Vicenza Cathedral was designed by Andrea Palladio and finished in the 1560s.
- Vicenza has two sets of city walls: a Venetian wall and a medieval wall; you can’t walk on them, but you will see them as you walk around town.
- Monte Berico is one of the hills surrounding Vicenza; Palladio built the steps leading to the top and those who venture up are rewarded with amazing views of the city from the top!
- The Civic Art Gallery is another Vicenza attraction worth visiting, as the city’s art collection has been housed in The Palazzo Chiericati since 1855.
- Corso Andrea Palladio is one of the main streets in Vicenza and a great place to wander and people-watch
- If you’re visiting Vicenza during football season, get tickets to cheer on the Biancorosso. Vicenza has a pretty good football team, and tickets are fairly easy to get. They’re not a top-tier team, but it’s a fun local tradition and you won’t spend a fortune on tickets.
- If you’re visiting Vicenza on a Tuesday or Thursday, make sure you check out the market. You can buy souvenirs, food, and clothes at these markets, so it’s a great place to do some shopping and get a feel for the local culture, as these markets aren’t just for tourists.
- Vicenza is great for shopping, too! Jocelyn has found some fantastic clothes at the shops in Vicenza and they are unique; not something you would find back home. A lot of shops close for an hour or two for lunch in the afternoon, so make sure you plan accordingly!
Day Trips from Vicenza
Not only is Vicenza great to explore, but it’s also an excellent home base for exploring other destinations in the Veneto region.
- Venice is less than an hour away, and you’ll save so much money on accommodation by staying in Vicenza rather than Venice.
- Padua, the University City, is 15-30 minutes from Vicenza
- Verona, where you can see Juliet’s balcony, is less than an hour by train as well
- Bassano del Grappa is the home of grappa, the Italian liqueur.
What to Eat in Vicenza
First of all, don’t believe the rumors about eating cat meat here; that may have happened during the tough times of the War, but it is not a part of the culture here at all! In fact, you’ll have amazing food in Vicenza! Of course, you will eat a lot of delicious pasta here, but you should always look for regional specialties as well, and Vicenza has a few!
- Bigoli Con L’Anatra is pasta with duck ragu sauce. Bigoli is a regional pasta that’s shaped like thick spaghetti. You can get it with all kinds of sauces, but make sure you try the duck ragu!
- Baccalà alla Vicentina is another popular dish in Vicenza. It’s like a codfish stew, often served with polenta. Cod is popular here because many locals were sailors who brought seafood home from their journeys.
- Risotto with peas is a popular winter dish, sometimes called peas and rice. It’s very hearty and filling.
If you’re visiting Vicenza around the weekend, you will need to make dinner reservations if you want to eat downtown. It gets very busy, so you have to plan ahead a little bit. Also, a lot of restaurants are closed on Mondays, so that’s something to consider when planning your Vicenza trip.
Restaurants in Vicenza are not 24/7, so a bit of planning and research will help you enjoy the best cuisine in Vicenza. Many restaurants are closed on Mondays, and most restaurants close between lunch and dinner, so there is a gap in the late afternoon when it may be difficult to find a meal.
Like siesta in Spain, afternoons in Italy are Aperitivo time! During the heat of the day, there’s nothing better than a refreshing spritz. Aperol Spritz is the most common aperitivo you’ll see in Vicenza; it’s made with prosecco, bubble water, and Aperol liqueur. This afternoon “happy hour” is also a great chance to get out and mingle with the locals, and enjoy a light snack to tide you over until dinnertime.
Don’t Be Surprised if You See a Lot of Americans
There is a United States Army base in Vicenza, so you are likely to see a lot of Americans around town. Therefore, you can also get a lot of popular “American” foods in Vicenza, like Tex-Mex and BBQ. While we always advocate for trying the local food, for those long-term American travelers craving a taste of home, you’ll find plenty of American food in Vicenza. There’s even a diner that serves spaghetti and meatballs, which is NOT an Italian dish!
Shocks to Expect When Visiting Italy
You may see a few anti-American signs or propaganda around as not everyone is thrilled about the base, but rest assured this is not the majority sentiment. Most people in Vicenza are very friendly and welcoming. They love sharing their city and have no problem recommending their favorite things to do in Vicenza.
Getting Around Vicenza
Getting around Vicenza is easy. They have public transportation, but you won’t even need it because Vicenza is super walkable. It’s not a big town, so we’ve always just wandered around on foot and never had any problems. It does get a little trickier if you stay out too late, as the buses don’t run super late, and it can be hard to find a taxi.
If you buy your bus tickets before you board the bus, you’ll save about 25%. There are kiosks all over town where you can purchase bus tickets, and you can also purchase them on your phone. Why not save a bit of money on your bus ticket!
Vicenza Hotels
With the United States base nearby, Vicenza hotels can be difficult to book, especially around the holidays when many Americans might be visiting their friends and family members stationed nearby. However, the influx of travelers and American residents has prompted the addition of more hotels in the area. Regardless, make sure you are booking your Vicenza hotels ahead of time so you can choose the best location!
Key Italian Phrases to Learn
You will hear a lot of English around Vicenza, and you can definitely get by without speaking fluent Italian. However, it’s always a common courtesy to learn a few basic words of the local language, and Italy is no exception. Learning a few Italian phrases before your trip to Vicenza will make your trip even better!
- Grazie = Thank You
- Buon Giorno = Good Day or Hello
- Vorrei = I would like…
- Prego = You’re Welcome
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
If you haven’t guessed by now, we absolutely love visiting Vicenza Italy! The people are amazing, the food is fantastic, and when you add in all the great day trips, it’s truly an underrated city in Italy. Need more travel tips for Italy? Check out these blog posts: