After we saw the amount of cute canals and flowery embankments, we quickly realized why Treviso is also called “Little Venice“. Sure, we didn’t see gondolas on its waterways, but there were also no hoards of tourists distracting us from the relaxed small-town atmosphere.

Treviso makes a good day-trip from Venice, but it’s also worth staying a bit longer. We spent some time in the city during our travels through the Veneto Region and realized there’s a lot to see. Here’s my guide to the best things to do in Treviso, Italy.

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Guided Tours of Treviso

If you’d like the company of a local guide, there are lots of tours of the city and its surroundings available. You can have a look at some options below.

The Best Things to Do in Treviso

Treviso has a long and rather eventful history. The city was already an important settlement in Roman times and later became part of the Republic of Venice, which left a strong mark on its architecture, canals and squares.

Its location in the fertile Veneto plain also made Treviso an important centre for trade and agriculture. As with many Italian cities, it’s easy to see traces of these different historical phases if you look closely.

Piazza dei Signori

Treviso’s main square is surrounded by some impressive historic buildings, including the medieval Palazzo dei Trecento, which is home to the city’s municipal council and the Palazzo del Podestà, which used to be the seat of the local lord.

The nearby Loggia dei Cavalieri, which dates to the 13th century, was used as a public meeting place and still seems to be, judging by the groups of teens that we saw hanging around every time we passed by. The allegorical Teresona statue in front of the Loggia was built to commemorate the Italian Unification in the 1870s.

We also liked the streets and alleyways surrounding the Piazza dei Signori, which are full of more beautiful historical buildings, including the Chiesa di Santa Lucia Church and the impressive neo-Romanesque Palazzo San Vito, both of which lie to the north of the square.

Isolotto della Pescheria

Isolotto della Pescheria is Treviso’s historic fish market, and it sits picturesquely on a small island in the Cagnan Grande canal.

The market was moved here from the Piazza dei Signori in the 19th century, when the city square was rebuilt and people apparently wanted to use the opportunity to get rid of the fish smell (no idea why).

To create the island, three separate islets were merged into a single one and two covered halls were built to hold the market stalls. The market is still in use and if you want to see it in action, you’ll have to come in the morning.

In the afternoon we found it to be a nice, quiet spot to watch the river go by (although there are other places in the city with a less pervading smell of fish to do that;)

St. Peter’s Cathedral

Because of its neoclassical entrance, we thought that Treviso’s main cathedral looked more like a Greek temple than an 18th-century Catholic church.

Inside, we spotted paintings by Titian and Pordenone, but our favourite part of our visit here was the descent into the Cathedral’s gloomy, atmospheric crypt below the nave.

To get there, you’ll have to follow Via Calmaggiore northwest for a few minutes from the Piazza dei Signori. There’s no entrance fee and you can check the current opening times here.

Take a Stroll Along the Small Canals

Treviso’s historical centre is criss-crossed by loads of pretty canals, and while we were exploring the city, we had to constantly stop to take in another great view that suddenly opened up.

The biggest canal is the Cagnan Grande, which flows roughly from north to south in the eastern half of the city centre. Personally I preferred the smaller canals, like the cute Canale dei Buranelli which has weeping willows growing along its banks or the pretty Cagnan della Roggia in the western half of the old town.

Fontana delle Tette

Treviso’s Fontana delle Tette (literally “Breast Fountain”) is one of the city’s symbols (at least judging by the number of postcards and souvenir fridge magnets we saw depicting it), and it rivals Brussels’ Manneken Pis as one of the most bizarre fountains I’ve ever laid eyes on, .

The fountain was originally constructed in the 16th century, and apparently used to sprout free wine for three days in celebration of the yearly selection of the town’s highest official.

The remains of the original statue sits in a glass display near the Piazza dei Signori, but a reconstruction from the 1980s stands in a small courtyard off Calmaggiore Street.

Frankly, I found the tittering schoolchildren and indignant-looking elderly ladies surrounding the fountain somewhat more diverting than the statue itself.

Walk Along the Medieval City Walls

Some sections of Treviso’s former city wall are still standing, and as they are surrounded by a pretty moat, we thought they made for a great walk.

The remains of several bastions sit along the walls, and a few well-preserved gates are also still around, like the 16th-century Porta Altinia near the train station.

Shop for Local Specialties

The Veneto Region has loads of local food specialities, and Treviso is a great place to fill up your backpack or suitcase with enough staples to last you until your next trip.

While we were exploring the centre, we stumbled across Fermi near the Fish Market, which is a fantastic store selling jams, pickled vegetables, pasta and herbs. Even if there’s no extra space in your luggage, you can just buy a small snack to eat by the river like we did.

Have Dinner with a View on one of the Canals

As you might expect, with so many pretty spots, there are plenty of pretty outdoor cafés and restaurants with awesome views along Treviso’s canals.

We really liked Malvasia on the Canale Buranelli, where we had our dinner while watching small fish darting through the canal and counting the forks dropped into the water by years’ worth of clumsy customers.

Visit the Unique Boat Cemetery

If you’re like us, a fan of unusual sights, you should drop by the Cimitero dei burci a few kilometres east of Treviso. In the protected natural area of the Sile River Natural Park lie the remains of several wooden boats that were sunk here in the 1970s and 80s.

The boats have been left to decay and are being reclaimed bit by bit by nature. We thought they made for a surprisingly beautiful scene. They also serve as a refuge for different waterfowl, like coots and cormorants. It’s a cool spot to explore, and it’s easy to combine a visit with a longer tour along the Sile River.

The boat cemetery is near the town of Casier, which is about 4km (2.5mi) southeast of Treviso. If you don’t have your own car, the easiest way to reach it would be to take a bus from Treviso to Silea north of the river and then cross to the southern bank, where the boats are located.

Map of Treviso

This map of Treviso and the surrounding area includes the places I mentioned above, as well as some places to stay at.

Practicalities

How to Get to Treviso

Treviso sits on the train line connecting Venice (about 40 mins) to Udine (about 1.5 hours). There are frequent connections to both cities. Other cities in the Veneto region, like Padua, Vicenza or Verona can be reached with a quick change of trains in Venice.

The Best Hotels in Treviso

We stayed at Dalla Manu, a great bed-and-breakfast-style accommodation in a private home close to the city centre. It’s a good budget choice, plus it’s run by a very friendly and helpful lady.

If you prefer a proper hotel, the mid-range Palazzina300 has great ratings, while the upscale Camere Palazzo Bortolan has beautiful-looking rooms in a historic Palazzo. Both of these are located in the historical city centre. Have a look at the map below for some more options.

Where to Go Next

Venice, arguably Italy’s most unique and romantic city

Padua, home to some beautiful 14th-century frescoes and the oldest botanical garden in the world