Sprawling along the banks of the pretty Brenta River, quaint Bassano del Grappa is one of the Veneto Region’s true hidden gems. It manages to exude the quintessential charm of an Italian small town, and at the same time lacks the crowds of tourists that some bigger cities in Northern Italy draw.
We hadn’t heard of Bassano before our tour of the Veneto Region, but were amazed by its countless historic buildings, interesting museums and beautiful surroundings. Read on for our list of must-visit sights in this pretty town.
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9 Fantastic Things to Do in Pretty Bassano del Grappa, Italy
Ponte degli Alpini Bridge
Bassano de Grappa’s most iconic landmark, the Ponte degli Alpini, is an exquisite covered wooden bridge spanning the Brenta River. Originally dating to 1569, the bridge was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current version was erected in 1947 after having been destroyed in WW2.
Arguably the best view of the bridge can be had from the courtyard of the Museo della Stampa Remondini. Seen from above and with the backdrop of the Venetian Prealps, it’s hard to imagine a more peaceful scene.
Less peaceful are the contents of the small Museo degli Alpini at the bridge’s Western end. We kind of expected it to be about the construction and/or history of the bridge, but it’s mainly dedicated to the Alpini Soldiers, an elite military squad operating in the Alps.
Not necessarily our cup of tea, but if you’re into military history (or slightly disconcerting full-scale dioramas of emergency medical procedures), check it out. It can be found in the basement of the Taverna al Ponte restaurant at the western end of the bridge.
Pay the entrance fee of 3€ at the bar before entering the museum, or be prepared to face the scorn of the waiters.
Poli Grappa Museum and Distillery
The small Poli Grappa Museum and Distillery is a good place to learn about the history and production process of Grappa (and alcoholic distillation in general). There’s also a small shop allowing you to take home one of the more adventurous-sounding concoctions.
The museum can be found directly east of the Ponte degli Alpini and is open from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm daily except on Sundays. Double-check the times here. There’s no entrance fee.
Take a Stroll Through the Historic Center
Bassano de Grappa’s historic centre is a charming labyrinth of cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, and cute squares. In typical northern Italian fashion, there are colonnades galore and some of the buildings still have colourful remains of impressive Renaissance-era frescoes.
The Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Libertà, the town’s two main squares, have several outdoor cafés, where you can sit down with a coffee or Aperol Spritz and watch the world go by.
Also worth checking out are several well-preserved sections of the medieval city wall, including a few impressive city gates, like the brightly-painted Porta Dieda at the southern end of the historic centre.
Museo della Stampa Remondini
Some of Bassano’s most famous sons and daughters are the Remondini, a family of printers who were active from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The Museo della Stampa Remondini displays some of their products and allows an interesting glimpse into the process of lithography and bookmaking.
The museum is open from Wednesday to Monday from 10am to 7pm. You can double-check the opening times here. The combined entrance with the Museo della Ceramica Giuseppe Roi is 8€, and you can get a combination ticket with the Museo Civico for 11€.
Museo della Ceramica Giuseppe Roi
Sitting in Palazzo Sturm, the same building as the Museo della Stampa Remondini, this Museum dives into the local history of pottery production from medieval times onward.
What could be rather a rather dry subject is actually made quite interesting by displaying various unusual designs, and ceramic figures, from snakes to armadillos.
Another reason to drop by are the various beautifully painted and stuccoed ceilings. The museum is open from Wednesday to Monday from 10am to 7pm. Double-Check the opening times here.
The combined entrance with the Museo della Stampa Remondini is 8€, and you can get a combination ticket with the Museo Civico for 11€.
Try some Grappa
Apparently, Bassano’s connection to Grappa, the traditional Italian grape-based brandy, is only in name (the suffix coming from the mountain towering over the city). Still, savvy business-people decided to make the connection more tangible, and you can try the spirit in several bars across town.
The oldest and most famous of these is Grapperia Nardini, which can be found at the Western end of the Ponte degli Alpini. There are various choices, but we just asked for the most straightforward version and were served an esophagus-warming shot.
Castello degli Ezzelini
There’s not a whole lot to see at the small castle complex at the old town’s northern end, but if you have half an hour to kill, it’s still worth checking out. Several tall enclosure walls remain, as does a tall brick tower and a small medieval church.
The original layout of the castle goes back to the Scaglieri, but the complex has subsequently been used by the Visconti and the Republic of Venice.
Visit the Museo Civico
The small Museo Civico teaches about Bassano’s history through archaeological artefacts, medieval frescoes and Renaissance paintings (check out the works of local artist Jacopo da Ponte).
One of the best parts is the pretty medieval cloister, which serves as the entrance to the museum and features some well-preserved frescoes.
The museum is open from Wednesday to Monday from 10am to 7pm. You can double-check the opening times here. The entrance fee is 8€, and you can get a combination ticket with Museo della Stampa Remondini and Museo della Ceramica Giuseppe Roi for 11€.
Admire the Views from Monte Grappa
With your own four wheels, you can visit the 1742m-tall Monte Grappa, which serves as an ever-picturesque backdrop to the city. The top of the mountain holds a monument to the fallen Italian and Austrian soldiers of WWI and offers awesome views of Bassano and its surroundings.
You can check out my dedicated guide to visiting Monte Grappa here.
Map of Bassano del Grappa
Most of the places mentioned above can be found in this Map of Bassano.
Practicalities
How to get to Bassano del Grappa
The city lies about halfway between Venice (about 1 hour 15 mins. / 7€) and Trento (about 2 hours / 10€) and can easily be reached by train from either city. Other worthwhile destinations in the Veneto Region, like Padua and Vicenza, can be reached by changing trains in Cittadella or Castelfranco Veneto.
The Best Hotels in Bassano del Grappa
There are plenty of hotels and guest houses in town, ranging from small budget options like Ostello Bassano del Grappa to midrange hotels like Hotel Positano to more luxurious choices like Hotel Glamour.
Where to go next
Padua, a charming university city that is home to a series of beautiful 14th-century frescoes