Vicenza

Day 1: Palladio’s city and the Teatro Olimpico Ease into Vicenza’s Renaissance core. Today blends grand civic spaces with the city’s theatrical heart, so you catch both the architecture and the living culture that animates it.

• Morning: Orient yourself in Piazza dei Signori with the Basilica Palladiana; if open, nip up to the terrace for skyline views. Pick up the combined museum card (around €20) to cover multiple sites, then stroll Corso Palladio and contrà Porti for palazzi-spotting; mind the ZTL if you’ve arrived by car and use edge-of-centre car parks.
• Midday: Head to Palazzo Chiericati and cross to the Teatro Olimpico for a visit; linger for the short POP light-and-music show (included with admission; check onsite times). Etiquette counts here: no flash, quiet voices, and don’t touch the wooden perspective sets.
• Afternoon: Visit the Palladio Museum in Palazzo Barbaran da Porto, then wander back via hidden cortili (courtyards)—a respectful peek through open doors can reveal gems. Pause for an aperitivo near Piazza Matteotti; locals meet early, then head to shows.
• Evening: If you’re here in September–October, book the Ciclo di Spettacoli Classici at the Teatro Olimpico months ahead; in summer, look for Vicenza in Lirica or chamber concerts. Otherwise, catch a play, dance, or opera at Teatro Comunale Città di Vicenza; dress smart-casual, arrive early (latecomers wait for the interval), and consider gallery/loggione seats for value.

Day 2: Villas, hills and contemporary stages Spend the morning amid villas and frescoes on the city’s green edge, then come back to town for Vicenza’s “third space” theatres and a relaxed evening.

• Morning: Walk (25–30 minutes) or take a local bus to Villa Capra La Rotonda; opening hours vary by season, so check ahead. Continue to Villa Valmarana ai Nani for the Tiepolos’ fresco cycles; the villas pair beautifully in one outing.
• Midday: Picnic in the grounds where permitted or lunch at a nearby trattoria, then climb or bus up to Monte Berico for sweeping views and a visit to the sanctuary. Bring water in summer; shaded paths help in the heat.
• Afternoon: Return to the centre via Ponte San Michele for photos and gelato; if you’ve not yet done it, duck into the Roman criptoportico by the Duomo (quiet, atmospheric). This is a good slot for browsing artisan shops set inside historic palazzi.
• Evening: Sample Vicenza’s independent scene at Teatro Astra or Spazio Bixio (typically €10–€20; often contemporary, community-focused work). In warm months, look for courtyard theatre or music announced on local posters; grab a spritz and cicchetti beforehand.

Day 3: Living heritage and a grand finale Today threads together daily life, smaller treasures and a final night of performance. You’ll move at a local pace, savouring ritual and rhythm.

• Morning: Start under the Basilica’s loggias when the market is on (varies by week) to see the building used as intended. Pop into the Cattedrale and the nearby criptoportico if you missed it; dress modestly and keep voices low during services.
• Midday: Explore the Loggia del Capitaniato opposite the Basilica, then a slow café lunch on Piazza dei Signori. If the Basilica hosts an exhibition, this is an ideal time to visit the vast hall out of peak heat.
• Afternoon: Walk to the modern Teatro Comunale Città di Vicenza to appreciate Gino Valle’s design and check the programme boards; the venue is fully accessible and runs strong dance and prose seasons October–May with discounts for under‑30s/over‑65s. If you prefer more Palladio, circle back to any remaining palazzi along Corso Palladio.
• Evening: Close with a performance: May–June brings Settimane Musicali and Vicenza Jazz dates at the Olimpico; August–September often features Vicenza in Lirica; October–May is prime time for dance or theatre at the Comunale. Book via the official channels (often Vivaticket), switch phones fully off, save applause for curtain calls, and join locals for a post-show nightcap in Piazza dei Signori.

By Air

• Venice Marco Polo (VCE) – ~70 km. 55–70 min by car via A4. Public transport: airport bus to Venezia Mestre (15–20 min), then train to Vicenza (35–50 min). Total 1 h 20–1 h 45.
• Verona Valerio Catullo (VRN) – ~65 km. 45–60 min by car via A4. Aerobus to Verona Porta Nuova (15 min), then train to Vicenza (25–35 min). Total ~1 h 15–1 h 40.
• Treviso A. Canova (TSF) – ~80 km. 60–75 min by car. Bus to Treviso Centrale, then train via Mestre/Padova (about 1 h 15–1 h 40). Total ~1 h 45–2 h 15.
• Bologna Marconi (BLQ) – ~110 km. ~1 h 30 by car via A13/A4. Marconi Express to Bologna Centrale (7–8 min), then train via Padova (1 h 10–1 h 40). Total ~1 h 45–2 h 15.
• Alternatives: Milan Linate (LIN) ~2–2 h 30 by car; Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) ~1 h 50–2 h 10 by car. Rail connections via Milano/Verona.

By Train

• Main station: Vicenza (Stazione di Vicenza), on the Milan–Verona–Padua–Venice main line; 10–15 minutes’ walk to the historic centre.
• Services: frequent Regionale/Regionale Veloce; several daily Trenitalia Frecciarossa stop. Tickets via Trenitalia (and Italo on limited services).
• Typical times:
  • Venice S. Lucia/Mestre: 35–50 min, 2–4 trains/hour.
  • Verona Porta Nuova: 25–35 min, 2–3 trains/hour.
  • Padua: 10–20 min, very frequent.
  • Milan Centrale: ~1 h 45–2 h 10 (usually 1 change; limited direct).
  • Bologna Centrale: ~1 h 50–2 h 15 (usually change at Padua).
• Seat reservations required on high‑speed trains; not needed on Regionale services.

By Bus

• Local/provincial: SVT services from the bus terminus next to the railway station (Autostazione/Viale Roma).
• Long‑distance: FlixBus and others connect Vicenza with Venice, Verona, Milan and beyond (stops near the station area). Useful where rail options are indirect or late at night.

By Car

• Motorways: A4 (Turin–Milan–Verona–Padua–Venice) serves Vicenza Ovest and Vicenza Est exits; A31 (Valdastico) links north–south.
• Approximate driving times: Verona ~45 min; Padua ~30–40 min; Venice ~1 h; Milan ~1 h 50–2 h 10 (traffic/tolls on A4).
• Parking/ZTL: the historic centre is a Limited Traffic Zone. Use edge‑of‑centre car parks (e.g., Park Verdi, Park Stadio, Park Cattaneo, Park Cricoli park‑and‑ride) and walk or take local buses.