Venice: 6-Day Veneto Itinerary
Six days reaches the mountains. This plan works the city and the rail cities first, then a lake and a Dolomites day, the one trip that leaves the train behind for a bus. Base near the two transport hubs and stay overnight to keep your access-fee exemption. 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.
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) and the Basilica of Saint Anthony.
Tip: reserve the Scrovegni first of everything on the trip.
Day 3: Verona
Fast train to Verona, around 54 minutes, from about EUR 9. The Roman Arena (about EUR 12) and Piazza delle Erbe.
Tip: skip Juliet’s House for the real Roman city.
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 open.
Tip: check the Villa Rotonda days before building the day around it.
Day 5: Lake Garda
Train to Peschiera or Desenzano, roughly 1h15 to 1h30 via Verona. Sirmione, a boat trip or a swim.
Tip: pair Garda with a stop in Verona on the way if you want a second look.
Day 6: the Dolomites
Direct bus from Piazzale Roma to Cortina d’Ampezzo, 2h45 to 3h10, no direct train. A cable-car viewpoint or an easy trail among the pale peaks, then the bus back.
Tip: this is a long day for the travel time, so consider an overnight in Cortina to turn it into two proper mountain days.
Read more: the 7 day Veneto grand tour adds the Prosecco road, the Veneto hiking guide covers the Dolomites, and the Veneto base guide handles the bus logistics.