Eco Hotel a Vicenza — The City of Palladio

Soggiorni sostenibili in Vicenza, the UNESCO World Heritage city where Andrea Palladio reimagined architecture. Book eco-certified hotels with IMPT's best price guarantee and remove 1 tonne of CO₂ with every booking.

Perché Soggiornare a Vicenza

Vicenza sits at the confluence of the Bacchiglione and Retrone rivers in western Veneto, sheltered by the Berici Hills to the south and the foothills of the Venetian Prealps to the north. With a population of approximately 112,000, it is a manageable, walkable city that rewards the curious traveller with one of the densest concentrations of Renaissance architecture anywhere in the world. In 1994, UNESCO inscribed the city as a World Heritage Site under the title "City of Palladio," and in 1996 the designation was extended to include twenty-four Palladian villas scattered across the surrounding countryside.

Andrea Palladio (1508–1580) spent most of his career here, transforming Vicenza from a provincial Venetian town into a living laboratory of classical architecture. His influence radiates from every corner of the centro storico: the white marble loggia of the Basilica Palladiana dominates Piazza dei Signori, its distinctive copper roof glowing green against the sky. A few hundred metres east, the Teatro Olimpico — completed posthumously in 1585 — remains the oldest surviving indoor theatre in the world, its permanent stage set depicting an idealised streetscape of ancient Thebes. Across the square, Palazzo Chiericati now houses the Museo Civico, its double-height colonnade framing one of Palladio's most celebrated façades.

Beyond the architectural grandeur, Vicenza has a quieter, more intimate character than its Veneto neighbours Venice, Verona, and Padova. It is one of Italy's wealthiest cities per capita, driven largely by its gold jewellery industry — the Vicenza district produces roughly a quarter of all Italian gold jewellery, and the biannual Vicenzaoro trade fair is the largest gold and jewellery exhibition in Europe. This prosperity translates into excellent restaurants, immaculate streetscapes, and a cultural calendar that punches well above the city's size, including concerts in the Basilica Palladiana's upper hall and summer theatre in the courtyards of Palladian palazzi.

Vicenza at a Glance

Come Sfruttare al Meglio Your Stay

Two full days is the sweet spot for Vicenza. On day one, focus on the historic centre: begin at Piazza dei Signori beneath the Basilica Palladiana, climb the Torre Bissara (the 82-metre medieval clock tower attached to the basilica) for panoramic views, then walk the full length of Corso Palladio — the main pedestrian street lined with palazzi — east to Teatro Olimpico. Allow at least an hour inside the theatre; the trompe-l'œil stage perspectives designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi are extraordinary when seen in person. End the day at Palazzo Chiericati and the adjacent Giardini Salvi, a peaceful park where locals gather in the evening light.

Day two takes you beyond the old walls. Walk or take the bus south to Villa La Rotonda (Villa Almerico Capra), about 2.5 kilometres from the city centre. Widely considered one of the most influential buildings in architectural history — its symmetrical plan inspired the White House, Monticello, and countless neoclassical buildings worldwide — the villa sits on a gentle hilltop with views across the Berici Hills. Combine this with a visit to the nearby Villa Valmarana ai Nani, famous for its Tiepolo frescoes. In the afternoon, climb the porticoed walkway to the Santuario di Monte Berico, a baroque basilica perched on the hilltop above the city with sweeping views across the Po plain to the distant Dolomites on clear days.

For day trips, Vicenza's position on the main Venice–Milan rail line makes it an exceptional base. Padova is just 15–25 minutes by train, Verona 25–35 minutes, and Venice under an hour. To the north, the medieval walled town of Marostica — famous for its human chess game played every two years in the main square — is a 40-minute drive. Bassano del Grappa, with its iconic covered wooden bridge (Ponte degli Alpini) designed by Palladio himself and numerous grappa distilleries, lies 35 km north. The Asiago plateau, offering alpine meadows and winter skiing, is about an hour's drive into the Prealps.

Dove Alloggiare in Vicenza

Centro Storico

The historic centre is where most visitors want to be. Bounded by the old city walls and the Bacchiglione River, it places you within walking distance of every major Palladian sight. Piazza dei Signori, Corso Palladio, and Teatro Olimpico are all accessible on foot within minutes. Accommodation here tends to be in converted historic buildings, offering an atmospheric stay at the heart of the UNESCO zone. Restaurants, wine bars, and the daily Piazza delle Erbe market are all on your doorstep.

Viale Roma Area

Running south-east from the train station towards the centre, the Viale Roma corridor is ideal for travellers arriving by rail. Hotels here tend to be modern and well-equipped, offering easy access to both the station and the old town (a 10-minute walk). The area is quieter than the pedestrian centre in the evenings, with good parking options for those arriving by car.

Monte Berico

The hillside neighbourhood south of the centre offers a more peaceful, residential atmosphere with excellent views over the city. The Santuario di Monte Berico is the main landmark here, and the area is popular with walkers and cyclists. It's a 20-minute uphill walk (or short bus ride) from the centre — a good option if you prefer green surroundings and don't mind being slightly removed from the evening buzz of Corso Palladio.

Outskirts near La Rotonda

Staying in the southern outskirts near Villa La Rotonda and the Berici Hills suits those with a car or bicycle who value countryside tranquillity. You'll be closer to the Palladian villas and the rolling landscapes that inspired them, with the city centre still reachable in 15–20 minutes by bike or bus. This area is also well-positioned for exploring the Colli Berici wine route and the small towns dotted along the hills.

Dove Alloggiare — Hotels in Vicenza

Hotel Campo Marzio

Viale Roma · 4-star · Modern & central

Best price guarantee · 1 tonne CO₂ removed

Glam Boutique Hotel

Viale Giangiorgio Trissino · 4-star · Design hotel

Best price guarantee · 1 tonne CO₂ removed

Hotel Cristina

Corso SS. Felice e Fortunato · 3-star · Family-run

Best price guarantee · 1 tonne CO₂ removed

Hotel Victoria

Strada Padana verso Padova · 4-star · Gardens

Best price guarantee · 1 tonne CO₂ removed

Antico Hotel Vicenza

City centre · 3-star · Historic building

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Due Mori

Historic centre · Boutique · Oldest hotel in Vicenza

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Cosa Fare a Vicenza

1. Basilica Palladiana

Palladio's masterpiece dominates Piazza dei Signori with its double tier of arches wrapped in white Piovene stone. Originally a medieval town hall, Palladio redesigned the exterior loggia between 1549 and 1614, creating the building that made his reputation. The upper hall hosts major art exhibitions throughout the year, and the copper roof — which has weathered to a distinctive green patina — is one of Vicenza's most recognisable silhouettes. The ground-floor arcade houses shops and cafés, making it the natural centre of city life.

2. Teatro Olimpico

Commissioned in 1580 and completed by Vincenzo Scamozzi after Palladio's death, this is the oldest surviving indoor theatre in the world. The auditorium seats 400 on an elliptical stepped seating area modelled on a Roman cavea, while the stage features an extraordinary permanent set — seven forced-perspective "streets" receding into the distance to create the illusion of an ancient city. The theatre still hosts concerts and performances between May and October, offering a chance to experience it as its creators intended.

3. Villa La Rotonda (Villa Almerico Capra)

Located 2.5 km south of the city centre on a gentle hilltop, Villa La Rotonda is arguably the most influential building in the history of Western architecture. Palladio designed it around 1570 as a country retreat, giving it four identical porticoed façades — each with six Ionic columns and a classical pediment — oriented to the four cardinal points. The central domed hall and the symmetrical plan have been copied and adapted worldwide, from Thomas Jefferson's Monticello to Chiswick House in London. The villa and its gardens are open to visitors on set days (check schedules: grounds are open Wednesday to Sunday, interior only on Wednesday and Saturday).

4. Palazzo Chiericati (Museo Civico)

Facing Piazza Matteotti, this elegant palazzo was designed by Palladio in 1550 for the Chiericati family. Its distinctive double-height colonnade — open on the ground floor, enclosed above — creates a striking interplay of light and shadow. Since 1855 it has served as Vicenza's civic museum, housing a collection that spans medieval to modern art, including works by Tintoretto, Veronese, Tiepolo, and Van Dyck. The building itself is as much the attraction as the collection within it.

5. Santuario di Monte Berico

Perched on the hilltop directly south of the old town, this baroque sanctuary was built in the 15th century on the site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared twice. The current building combines a Gothic church from 1428 with a baroque extension from 1688–1703. Inside, Veronese's large painting The Supper of St Gregory the Great (1572) is the artistic highlight. The terrace in front of the church offers the best panoramic view of Vicenza — across the rooftops, the Basilica Palladiana's copper dome, and on clear days, north to the snow-capped Prealps.

6. Chiesa di Santa Corona

This 13th-century Dominican church on Corso Santa Corona houses two masterpieces that alone justify a visit: Giovanni Bellini's Baptism of Christ (c. 1500–1502) in the fifth altar on the left, and Paolo Veronese's Adoration of the Magi (1573). The church also contains the Chapel of the Valmarana family, adorned with early Renaissance frescoes, and a crypt with the remains of a thorn said to be from Christ's crown — the relic that gave the church its name.

7. Corso Palladio & Piazza dei Signori

Corso Palladio is the main artery of the historic centre, a 700-metre pedestrian street running from Piazza Castello to Piazza Matteotti. Lined with Renaissance and baroque palazzi — many designed by Palladio or his followers — it's a living museum of architectural styles as well as Vicenza's prime shopping and café street. At its midpoint, Contrà Porti branches off past a row of particularly fine Palladian palazzi. Piazza dei Signori, adjacent to the Basilica Palladiana, is the social heart of the city, flanked by the Torre Bissara, the Loggia del Capitaniato (another Palladio design), and outdoor cafés.

8. Torre Bissara

Rising 82 metres above Piazza dei Signori, the Torre Bissara is Vicenza's tallest landmark. Originally built in the 12th century by the Bissari family, it was raised to its current height in the 15th century and has served as the city's clock tower ever since. The tower is attached to the Basilica Palladiana and visible from almost everywhere in the old town, serving as a useful orientation point for walkers exploring the narrow streets of the centro storico.

Sentieri in Vicenza

Centro Storico Palladian Walk

Start at the train station and walk along Viale Roma to Piazza dei Signori. Circle the Basilica Palladiana, continue along Corso Palladio past Palazzo Trissino, Palazzo Thiene, and the palazzi of Contrà Porti, ending at Teatro Olimpico. Double back through the quieter streets around Santa Corona. Distance: approximately 3 km. Allow 2–3 hours with museum stops.

Monte Berico Pilgrimage Path

From Piazzale de Gasperi at the southern edge of the old town, follow the historic porticoed walkway uphill to the Santuario di Monte Berico. This arcaded path, with its 150 arches, was built in the 18th century to shelter pilgrims from sun and rain. The climb takes about 20 minutes at a steady pace. From the sanctuary, continue to the Piazzale della Vittoria for panoramic views, then loop back through the park and residential streets of the Monte Berico hill. Total: 4 km, 1.5–2 hours.

Villa La Rotonda Countryside Loop

Walk or cycle south from the city centre along the Riviera Berica road to Villa La Rotonda (2.5 km). After visiting the villa and its grounds, continue south-east to Villa Valmarana ai Nani (600 m further), famous for its Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo frescoes. Loop back via the Berici Hills footpaths through vineyards and olive groves, or return along the river. Total on foot: 7–8 km, 3–4 hours with villa visits.

Nearby Destinations

Vicenza Travel Guide

Domande Frequenti