How to Spend 1 Day in Treviso

Largely overshadowed by nearby Venice, the quiet city of Treviso offers a welcome relief from the crowds that invade its famous neighbor. Spend a day exploring the delightful canals lined with cobblestone streets and frescoed churches inside its medieval city walls, and then head out of town for a tasting tour through the Prosecco hills. Here’s what to do with 24 hours in Treviso.

Morning: Culinary Treviso

Treviso and the surrounding region of Veneto are known for excellent cuisine, so experience the city through the lens of food and wine with a walking tour that stops in markets and wine bars for tastings of porchetta, artisan cheeses, tiramisu, and other local specialties paired with wines and sparkling Prosecco from the surrounding region. True foodies can opt for a cooking class to learn how to prepare classic dishes from Treviso, followed by lunch with your chef-host. Alternatively, hop on a Vespa to zip through the surrounding Prosecco-producing hills for a tour and tastings in area cellars, as well as a traditional lunch.

Afternoon: Treviso’s Historic Canals

Treviso’s old town is compact enough to be easily explored on foot, so join a walking tour to get acquainted with the city’s history and highlights. Take in the main Piazza dei Signori at the heart of the historic center, as well as the 16th-century Fontana delle Tette (roughly, Breast Fountain), Piazza Rinaldi and the Buranelli Canal, the city’s cathedral, and the recently restored Lodge of Knights (Loggia dei Cavalieri). Be sure to take time to admire the frescoes in the churches of Santa Lucia, San Nicolò, and Santa Caterina. Fans of graphic and modern art can take in the collections at the Salce Museum Collection, Luigi Bailo Museum, and Prison Galleries (Gallerie delle Prigioni). 

Night: Authentic Treviso

Though Treviso charms with its rich cuisine and picturesque old town, the true beauty of this historic city is its authentic local culture. Spend your final hours in town by joining the Trevigiani in the evening passeggiata ritual with a leisurely stroll through the cobblestone lanes and squares. Sit down for a meal of Veneto classics at one of the many old-school eateries, sip a glass of regional Prosecco, and revel in being virtually the only tourists in town.