Treviso is one of those cities you might not immediately think of when planning a trip to northern Italy. Many travellers land at Treviso Airport and then continue straight to Venice. That is actually a shame, because Treviso is a lovely destination if you want a taste of Italy without the huge crowds.
We visited Treviso in May, and I immediately found it a surprisingly enjoyable city. Not grand or overwhelming, but compact, charming and very pleasant to wander through. You walk past small canals, old city walls, atmospheric squares and streets with boutiques and terraces. It feels much more local than Venice. While in Venice you often find yourself surrounded mainly by international tourists, in Treviso you see far more Italians themselves. Personally, I thought that made the atmosphere feel much more authentic.
Treviso is especially nice as a day trip. You do not need a strict schedule here. Wandering around, stopping for coffee, taking photos by the water, doing a little shopping and having a long lunch on a square are exactly what make the city so enjoyable. For couples, I think Treviso is a real recommendation, especially if you like quiet cities with atmosphere, good food and beautiful corners without having to rush from one sight to the next. Below, I will tell you more.
Why Treviso is such a lovely day trip
Treviso is located in the Veneto region, relatively close to Venice. Still, the city feels completely different. Where Venice is world-famous and often busy, Treviso feels much smaller and more low-key. The historic centre lies within the old city walls and is compact enough to explore on foot.
The city has a beautiful mix of water, history and Italian charm. Small canals run through the centre, which is why Treviso is sometimes described as a mini Venice. But without the gondolas, without large tour groups and without the feeling that everything revolves around tourism.
What made Treviso especially enjoyable for me was the relaxed atmosphere. You do not necessarily have to work through a long list of highlights here. The city is ideal for simply arriving, wandering around for a few hours and letting your route unfold naturally.
Are you also curious about the more famous city on the water during your trip? Then also read my tips for what to do in Venice.
What to do in Treviso?
Treviso is not large, but there is enough to see and do for a lovely day. Below you will find the best things to do in Treviso, based on my own visit and with practical tips added.
1. Wander through the historic centre
The best thing to do in Treviso, in my opinion, is simply wander around. The centre is compact and atmospheric, with beautiful façades, arcades, squares and small streets where you keep noticing something new. You do not really have to worry about getting lost, because eventually you will always end up at a square, a little bridge or a street you recognise.
A good place to start is around Piazza dei Signori, the central square of Treviso. Here you will find terraces, historic buildings and a lovely Italian atmosphere. It is a nice place to ease into the city, have a coffee or return later in the day for a drink.
From the square, you can easily continue towards the shopping streets, canals and city walls. Treviso is the kind of city where it is better not to plan too much. Just see where it feels lively and turn into the streets that look inviting.
2. Take photos along the water
Treviso is beautiful because of its water. Several small canals and waterways run through the city, with bridges, old houses and green banks. Especially around the Buranelli canals and the area near the fish market, you will find lovely photo spots.
The water gives Treviso a calm and romantic atmosphere. Especially if you have just come from much busier Venice, it feels almost refreshing here. No packed bridges where you have to wait to take a photo, but quiet corners where you can look around, walk and photograph at your own pace.
Do not focus only on one famous photo spot. The small stretches of water between the houses, the views from little bridges and the reflections in the canals are exactly what make Treviso so pretty.
3. Walk along the city walls
One of the things that makes Treviso special is the old city wall around the centre. The walls give the city a clear historic character and immediately show that you are entering an old, compact city centre.
We walked along the city wall and also ended up near the market. Especially on market day, this is a lively part of the city. The city walls are not only nice to see, but also useful for orientation. If you park outside the centre, you will often naturally walk into the old town through a city gate or along part of the wall.
If you have a little more time, it is nice to walk along the walls for a while before heading into the centre. It gives you a better feel for the city and shows you a different side of Treviso than just the squares and shopping streets.
4. Visit Treviso’s Saturday market
If you are in Treviso on a Saturday, the market is a nice addition to your day. The large Saturday market takes place around the city wall and the area near Porta San Tomaso. You will find clothes, local products, household items and all kinds of stalls where mainly Italians themselves are browsing.
I enjoyed walking around here precisely because it felt so local. It is not a tourist market set up especially for visitors, but a regular Italian market where people come to do their shopping or simply have a look around.
Do keep in mind that the city can be busier on market days. Parking in particular can be more difficult. If you come by car, it is better to park a little further outside the historic centre and walk the last stretch. That is often much more relaxed than driving around looking for a space close to the market.
5. Eat tiramisu at Le Beccherie
Treviso is known as the city of tiramisu. The most famous place to eat tiramisu is Le Beccherie, a historic restaurant in the centre. This place is often mentioned as the birthplace of the original tiramisu, and for that reason alone it is fun to taste a slice here.
Of course, we could not leave Treviso without eating tiramisu. And honestly, it fits the day perfectly. First wandering along the water, then a terrace or restaurant, and finally a real tiramisu in the city where the dessert became so famous.
6. Have lunch or dinner on a square
One of the pleasant surprises in Treviso was that eating and drinking felt more affordable than in many more touristy cities in Italy. We ate at a nice restaurant on a square and were positively surprised by the price-quality balance. It felt cosy, local and relaxed.
That is exactly what Treviso does well. You do not necessarily have to tick off the most famous restaurant. Choose a place on a square where you see plenty of Italians, have a look at the menu and take your time. A plate of pasta, a glass of wine or an aperitivo on a terrace fits this city perfectly.
Treviso and the Veneto region are also known for products such as radicchio, prosecco and, of course, tiramisu. If you see local dishes on the menu, they are often a good choice.
7. Go shopping in the city centre
Treviso is also nice for a bit of shopping. It is not a huge shopping city, but there are enough pleasant shops, boutiques and well-known Italian brands to keep you entertained for a while. The shopping streets are close together, so it is easy to combine shopping with wandering around and stopping at terraces.
Because the city is not that big, shopping here feels relaxed. You are not walking through massive crowds, but through atmospheric streets where you can stop for coffee, gelato or a photo along the way.
Treviso as an alternative to Venice
Treviso is often mentioned as a quieter alternative to Venice, and I completely understand why. Of course, Treviso is not a replacement for Venice if you dream of gondolas, St Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal. Venice is unique. But if you are looking for a city with water, Italian atmosphere and beautiful streets without the constant crowds, Treviso is a very good choice.
Especially if you have already been to Venice before, or if you want to visit somewhere smaller during your trip through Veneto, Treviso is perfect. You still get that northern Italian feeling, but in a more relaxed way. You see more local visitors, prices often feel friendlier and you do not have to try as hard to find quiet places.
Also, if you fly into Treviso Airport, it is worth not skipping the city straight away. Many people continue directly to Venice, but an extra day or afternoon in Treviso is genuinely worth it.
How much time do you need in Treviso?
One day is enough to get a good impression of Treviso. In a few hours, you can walk through the centre, stroll along the water, visit the market if you are there on a Saturday, have lunch and eat tiramisu.
If you have more time or want to take things slowly, staying one night is also nice. That way, you experience the city in the evening, when day visitors have left and the squares become more atmospheric for an aperitivo or dinner. For a romantic weekend or as a quieter base in Veneto, Treviso is also a good option.
A nice day itinerary could look like this:
- Start with coffee around Piazza dei Signori.
- Then wander through the historic centre and along the canals.
- Visit the market near the city wall if you are there on a Saturday.
- Have lunch on a square or at a cosy trattoria.
- Walk along the city walls in the afternoon and do a little shopping.
- End with tiramisu at Le Beccherie or an aperitivo on a terrace.
Parking in Treviso
If you come to Treviso by car, it is useful not to focus too much on parking right in the centre. The historic centre is compact and partly restricted to traffic, as in many Italian cities. It is usually better to park just outside the city walls and walk in.
On Saturday, when the market takes place, it can be extra busy. Then it is smart to park a little further outside the centre and walk the last part. That saves stress and helps you avoid getting stuck in traffic around the market.
Because Treviso is not large, it usually does not matter much if you have to walk ten or fifteen minutes. In fact, the walk along the city wall or towards a city gate is a lovely way to enter the city.
Taking the train to Treviso
Treviso is also easy to reach by train. From Treviso Centrale station, you can walk to the historic centre fairly easily. That makes the city very suitable as a day trip without a car, for example from Venice, Mestre or another place in Veneto.
If you are travelling from Venice, Treviso is a lovely change of pace. In a relatively short time, you arrive somewhere with a completely different atmosphere: less touristy, more affordable and quieter. That is exactly what makes Treviso a nice destination if you do not only want to visit the famous places during your trip.
Where to stay in Treviso?
Although Treviso is perfect as a day trip, staying overnight can also be a smart choice. For example, if you fly into Treviso Airport, if you want to visit Venice but prefer sleeping somewhere quieter and more affordable, or if you want to plan a small city break in Veneto.
A few logical hotel options in Treviso are:
Palazzina300
Palazzina300 is very centrally located, close to Piazza dei Signori. This is a good choice if you want to sleep in the middle of the historic centre and do everything on foot. Especially for couples, this is a lovely option because you are right between the restaurants, squares and beautiful streets.
View Palazzina300 in Treviso here
B&B Hotel Treviso
B&B Hotel Treviso is a practical choice if you want a comfortable and affordable stay close to the centre. The hotel is conveniently located for visiting the city and is especially good if you are not necessarily looking for a romantic boutique hotel, but simply a reliable base.
Hotel Carlton
Hotel Carlton is conveniently located if you are travelling by train, as it is close to the station while still being within easy walking distance of the centre. This can be useful if you are combining Treviso with Venice or other places in Veneto.
View Hotel Carlton in Treviso here
Would you rather compare options yourself? You can also search directly for accommodation in Treviso:
View all hotels in Treviso here
Who is Treviso best for?
Treviso is especially nice for travellers who love small cities, beautiful streets, good food and a relaxed atmosphere. I would particularly recommend the city to couples. You can wander together, take photos by the water, have lunch on a square and enjoy the city without rushing.
Treviso is also a great choice if you find Venice too busy. You still get water, history and Italian atmosphere, but in a much calmer setting. Do not expect a spectacular world city full of major highlights. Treviso is enjoyable precisely because it feels smaller and more ordinary.
For families, Treviso can also work as a short stop, but I would not necessarily choose the city specifically for children’s activities. It is mainly a destination for travellers who enjoy walking, eating, looking around and soaking up the atmosphere.
Is Treviso worth visiting?
Yes, Treviso is absolutely worth visiting if you are in Veneto and feel like exploring a quiet, atmospheric city. Do not expect a destination where you spend days going from highlight to highlight, but do expect a lovely place for a relaxed day trip.
For me, the charm was mainly in the combination of water, city walls, local atmosphere and affordable food. The Saturday market made the city feel lively, the canals created beautiful photo spots and the tiramisu gave the day a typically Treviso ending.
Treviso is not the city that shouts the loudest for attention, but that is exactly why I liked it so much. It is a place where you can go without a big plan and still return with a very good dose of Italy.