Contents
- 1 The Best Things to do in Treviso, Italy
- 1.1 Explore inside the Cathedral of Treviso
- 1.2 Walk around the ancient le Mura di Treviso
- 1.3 Walk along the beautiful canals
- 1.4 Taste Tiramisù in the city where it was invented
- 1.5 Visit the Pescheria
- 1.6 See the Fontana delle Tette
- 1.7 Visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
- 1.8 Admire the Monumento ai Caduti
- 1.9 Check out tons of advertising graphics at the Museo Nazionale Collezione Salce
- 1.10 Take a day trip into Prosecco country
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Just a quick train ride north of Venice, you’ll find the stunning city of Treviso. Although it was once its own city-state, it was ruled by the Venetian Republic for more than 400 years.
With some of the city’s medieval architecture still standing today, the old buildings and narrow streets are full of charm.
You can spend hours discovering the city’s historic center by taking a scenic walk along the canals or the ancient city walls, passing art galleries, museums, churches, and restaurants as you go.
If you’re interested in taking a day trip from Venice or adding this beautiful city to your Italy itinerary, there are so many things to do in Treviso that you’re sure to enjoy your day!
The Best Things to do in Treviso, Italy
Thinking about what to do in Treviso? Take a walk along the canals, go shopping at the local Treviso fish market, enjoy a meal or dessert at one of the Italian city’s top-notch restaurants, try Prosecco in the nearby hills, and so much more.
Explore inside the Cathedral of Treviso
The Cattedrale di San Pietro Apostolo stands in the center of Treviso, and if you’re not looking for it, you might just walk right by. The Cathedral you’ll see in Piazza del Duomo today was built in the 18th century, replacing the church built in the 6th century.
The exterior is simple and unassuming, and the first time I visited Treviso, I didn’t realize I had just passed the Duomo!
However, the interior is stunning, with numerous paintings and sculptures throughout the space.
There are many beautiful things to see in Treviso inside the Cathedral, including the remaining Crypt from the original 6th-century church, an urn with a relic from 4th-century Saint Liberalis of Treviso, and the painting Malchiostro Annunciation by Venetian Renaissance painter Titian.
Walk around the ancient le Mura di Treviso
Although Treviso is an ancient city, its city walls date back to the Middle Ages. After coming under Venetian rule in the 14th century, massive defensive walls and ramparts were built around the city to protect it from attacks.
The city walls circled the entire length of the old town and are an excellent example of modern fortifications. Within the walls are two gates around the city of Treviso–Porta San Tommasino and Porta Santi Quarantina.
Today, the walls stand about 5 km around and a great area to walk around to enjoy part of your day.
And in the summer, you might run into an outdoor event hosted by the town along your walk on the walls.
Walk along the beautiful canals
Along with walking along Treviso’s ancient walls, one of the best things to do in Treviso is walk along its beautiful canals when you’re visiting this beautiful city. While Venice is far more famous for its network of canals, Treviso also has several canals that course through its historic city center.
In particular, the man-made Canal of the Buranelli is a stunning area to explore. Up until World War II, local women would come to its sloped banks where the current is slower to wash their laundry.
Fun Fact: A 16th-century building still standing used to house merchants that came to Treviso from the Venetian island of Burano. The Buranelli canal is named after this colorful island!
Taste Tiramisù in the city where it was invented
I’m sure you’ve heard of the iconic Italian dessert, tiramisù? Did you know–this delicious dessert originates in Treviso!
Although several accounts claim the fame, the most widely accepted history for the sweet treat starts at Le Beccherie restaurant in Treviso in the 1970s.
Owner Ado Campeol and his wife developed the dessert’s modern version, using only creamy mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, ladyfinger sponges, coffee, and cocoa powder dusted on top.
This obviously means that one of the most important Treviso things to do is to taste true tiramisù! You can still find the iconic dessert on the menu at Le Beccherie or any of the city’s restaurants to enjoy after dinner.
Visit the Pescheria
Like every ancient city on a body of water, Treviso has its own fresh fish market. The Isola della Pescheria, which translates to “fish market island,” is found in the city’s center, connected by a bridge on either side.
Here, you can watch locals buy their daily catch and bargain for the best price, and beautiful mermaid and fish sculptures decorate the area.
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See the Fontana delle Tette
If you enter a small courtyard off of C. del Podestà, you’ll find the incredible Fontana delle Tette.
Commissioned in 1559 by the mayor of Treviso, the fountain features a marble sculpture of a woman squeezing her bosom while water pours out of its center. In fact, the word “tette” derives from the Italian word for breasts.
Fun Fact: Throughout Venetian rule, when the new Doge was appointed, the original statue had a stream of wine flowing for three days instead of its usual water. One side would provide red wine, and the other would give white wine.
Across from the statue, you can spot a pulley system used to secure water from the cistern below.
Visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
This beautiful brick church and bell tower are dedicated to the Madona Granda. Initially founded in 780, the church was rebuilt in 1475 in the late Gothic style, while the chapels were built in the Renaissance style about 50 years later.
Inside the church, you can see Renaissance frescos by L. Fiumicelli and G.P. Meloni and works by Pozzoserrato and Bambaia.
Admire the Monumento ai Caduti
Officially named Gloria, the stunning sculpture depicts sixteen bronze men carrying a fallen fellow soldier, and the women represent grieving mothers.
Molise sculptor Arturo Stagliano created work housed in Piazza Vittoria in 1931 to honor the 630 soldiers from Treviso who died in World War I.
Take a moment to remember the lost lives and admire the imposing sculpture.
Check out tons of advertising graphics at the Museo Nazionale Collezione Salce
At the National Salce Collection Museum, you’ll find the most extensive collection of advertising graphics in Italy. Donated by local accountant Ferdinando Salce, the museum makes up more than four floors of rotating exhibits to highlight the more than 25,000 pieces in its collection.
You can also find paintings by Pozzoserrato and an 18th-century organ constructed by Gaetano Callido. Check out the museum’s hours and ticket pricing on their website.
Take a day trip into Prosecco country
Here in the Veneto, less than an hour north of Treviso, lies the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Prosecco region.
Although it’s similar in style to Champagne, it uses a different method and can only be produced in this region of Italy.
From Treviso, you can easily tour the beautiful capital of Prosecco countryside on your own by car or with a guided tour. You’ll see the rolling hills, lush green valleys, and quaint villages of this stunning region.
If you want to read more about the different guided tours into the Prosecco hills, check out my selection of the best wine tours from Venice. Many of the excursions listed will pick you up from Treviso and drop you back off in the city at the end of the day.
Whether you’re taking a day trip here from Venice or plan to spend several days in the region, there are plenty of things to do in Treviso!
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