Venice: 5-Day Veneto Itinerary
Five days adds a lake to the city-and-cities plan, a change of scene from stone and fresco to open water and mountains. Everything still runs by train from a Venice base, and staying overnight keeps you exempt from the access fee. Prices are 2026 figures, so treat each as verify on site.
Day 1: the Venice core
Piazza San Marco before 9am: St Mark’s Basilica on a timed slot (nave free, dress code enforced), then the Doge’s Palace (about EUR 30 to 35) to the Bridge of Sighs. Bacaro lunch, the Rialto market side, a spritz to close.
Tip: pre-book both sights so day one is queue-free.
Day 2: Padua
Regional train to Padua, 25 to 30 minutes, roughly EUR 4 to 9. The Scrovegni Chapel (about EUR 15 plus a EUR 1 fee, booked ahead), the squares and the Basilica of Saint Anthony.
Tip: reserve the Scrovegni first; the short ride leaves a free afternoon.
Day 3: Verona
Fast train to Verona, around 54 minutes, from about EUR 9. The Roman Arena (about EUR 12), Piazza delle Erbe and the Torre dei Lamberti.
Tip: skip Juliet’s House and spend the time on the Arena and a rooftop view.
Day 4: Vicenza
Regional train to Vicenza, 45 to 50 minutes, roughly EUR 5 to 8. Corso Palladio, the Teatro Olimpico, and the Villa Rotonda if its limited days align.
Tip: put the Villa Rotonda first if it is open, as its hours are short.
Day 5: Lake Garda
Train to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano, roughly 1h15 to 1h30, often changing at Verona. A lakeside town like Sirmione, a boat trip or a swim, with mountains all around.
Tip: check the last train back before you set out; evening Garda services thin quickly.
Read more: the 6 day Veneto itinerary adds the Dolomites, the Veneto nature guide covers Garda in depth, and the Veneto base guide handles the logistics.