What to Do on a Weekend in Treviso and Its Province: Ideas for Every Season

You can easily choose how to spend your weekend in Treviso and surrounding areas; there are a number of experiences that you can have in just 2 days (and this will allow you to go from the canals of the historic centre, through the hills of Prosecco, among the villas of Veneto and along the banks of Sile River); but also find time for tasting radicchio, tiramisù or wine. This article presents some practical suggestions grouped by type of experience and seasonal availability, which will help you plan your weekend in Treviso as leisurely as possible and see all that there is to discover about the province.

In brief

• The city of Treviso is worth half a day: canals, Piazza dei Signori, the Pescheria (fish market) and the Duomo.
• In the province you can choose between the Prosecco hills, Venetian villas, the Sile and the Montello.
• Food and wine — Prosecco, radicchio, tiramisù — is a thread running through every season.
• Autumn and spring are the best times; summer rewards the cool of the rivers.
• A well-balanced weekend alternates city, nature and a cultural stop.

The City of Treviso: The Heart to Start With

You can easily walk around the city center in a few hours, and explore it all on foot; Treviso has earned itself the name of "City of Water" due to the many small canals, like the Canale dei Buranelli that cross through town. Piazza dei Signori, the city's drawing room, is where you will find Palazzo dei Trecento. The Isola della Pescheria (fish market island), a very popular photo spot for tourists, is also located in the centre. Must-see destinations include: the Duomo with the chapel named Malchiostro and Church San Nicolò. A great way to start your weekend: spend Saturday morning in downtown Treviso and then visit the surrounding countryside in the afternoon and on Sunday.

What to Do on a Weekend in Treviso and Its Province: Ideas by Experience

Every kind of traveller finds their stop. The table sums up the main ideas, where to find them and who they best suit.

The Prosecco Hills and Food and Wine

North of the provincial capital, the hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene where you'll find some of Italy's most famous wine (Prosecco) are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is known for its steep vineyards which contain many local wineries. The weekend will be spent sampling different wines along with enjoying the views from one of the many scenic roads through the area, such as the Strada del Prosecco or stopping to explore one of the hill villages. In Autumn and Winter, it is Radicchio Rosso di Treviso IGP (the protected red Chicory of Treviso) that takes center stage on your plate; however Tiramisù, also born in this city provides an excellent way to end any meal. This is truly what best describes the food-and-wine experience within this region.

Photo: Patafisik / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0

Venetian Villas: The Cultural Stop

No weekend spent in the country-side of Treviso would be complete, without a visit to a Venetian villa. Although many are well known, such as Villa Barbaro at Maser, which features frescoes painted by Veronese, or Villa Emo at Fanzolo, there are other less-well-known villas that can provide you with an experience of an authentic residence from a different time. One example is Villa Loredan Valier Perocco di Meduna located in Vascon di Carbonera; it includes a 17th-18th century manor house, two porticoed barchesse (farm wings), an 18th century oratory and a frescoed hall. The property's grounds include a beautiful park that is supplied with water from spring-fed sources. It is visited by appointment and it is possible to make your way through this entire villa in one-half day and easily pair this cultural stop with an additional visit to the city itself. For further information on how to plan your trip see our guide to the Venetian villas of the Treviso countryside.

Nature: The Sile and the Montello

There are two choices to those who choose the outdoors. The Sile River Nature Park (along one of the longest spring fed rivers in Italy) has flat routes for walking and biking beside the river, and is therefore best suited for families that can begin their route at the provincial capital and continue through to Casier and Silea. The itineraries along the Sile are suitable throughout all seasons. Just a little further north than that, there lies the Montello which is a wooded hill popular for hiking or mountain-biking with panoramic views of the plain as well as remnants of WWI. These destinations offer an excellent combination of culture and outdoor activity.

A Typical Weekend, Season by Season

To find your footing quickly: in Spring you will be able to combine the City and Venetian Villas with the blooming Sile Park. In Summer, it's advisable to opt for the cooler morning hours spent walking along rivers and enjoy the village evenings. For Autumn, we have the Harvest, radicchio, and the colors of the Prosecco Hills. During Winter, there are many things to do inside as well such as an old Town walk, museum visits or seasonal food during your weekend. Whatever time of year you choose, spending a day in both City & Province will provide you with a good balance. If you want some help planning your Urban visit see our Guide On what to see in Treviso in one day.

FAQ

What can I do with my family in Treviso on a weekend? On Saturday spend your day in the center of town strolling through the city's many canals and visiting Piazza dei Signori. Spend Sunday walking or biking along the Parco del Sile as there is little elevation change and is suitable for kids. Alternatively, take your family to see one of the many Venetian villas that have parks where you will be able to combine some time exploring nature and learning about art.

What's the most suitable time to visit Treviso and its surroundings for a weekend? The ideal season are spring and autumn when you will have pleasant weather conditions as well as spectacular views of the region, particularly on the Prosecco hills while harvesting. Winter can also be an excellent time to enjoy visiting the city, the local museums and radicchio. During the summer months, it is possible to take advantage of river destinations at cooler times of day.

What to see around Treviso beyond the city? The Prosecco hills of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, the Venetian villas of Maser, Fanzolo and Carbonera, the Montello and villages such as Asolo and Cison di Valmarino. Each can become the main stop of your second day.

In summary

To determine how you will spend your weekend in Treviso and the surrounding province, simply decide on an appropriate theme: the city of Treviso and its canals; the Prosecco hills; the Venetian villas; or nature along the Sile River or on the Montello. In order to obtain the greatest satisfaction from your experience, it is recommended that you alternate a day spent exploring Treviso with a day exploring some part of the province; each trip should include good food and good wine regardless of which time of year you travel. Visiting a Venetian villa for a cultural stop adds additional depth and authenticity to your visit to this region.

Sources: Marca Treviso — official tourism website. Opening hours, openings and events are indicative: always check official information before your visit.