Verona to Vicenza by Train: An Easy Day Trip

Verona is not only a fabulous destination in its own right but is also a great base to visit other cities in the Veneto region of Italy. I know because I have done this.

One of the most rewarding day trips from Verona is Palladio’s city of Vicenza. In this article, I spill the beans on how to get from Verona to Vicenza by train and how to make the most of your time there.

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Why Do a Vicenza Day Trip?

There are enough things to see in Verona to keep you busy for at least a few days. That said, it’s good to see a different Italian city for a day.

Thanks to its proximity and excellent transport connections, the UNESCO city of Vicenza is one of my favourite day trips from Verona. If you are an architecture fangirl or fanboy, you won’t want to miss this one.

Vicenza is celebrated for the masterpieces of Andrea Palladio (1508 – 1580), the famous Renaissance architect who developed the style that conquered the world, from the White House in Washington DC to the English country homes.

As some of the city’s attractions are closed on Mondays, try to visit Vicenza between Tuesday and Sunday.

How to Get From Verona to Vicenza by Train

For your day trip to Vicenza from Verona, you have the choice of two train operators: Trenitalia and Italo. Trains depart from Verona Porta Nuova station and arrive at Vicenza train station (Stazione Ferroviaria di Vicenza).

If you travel on a high-speed train you will be in Verona in 25 minutes.

Take a look at prices and timetables for Trenitalia here and Italo here. However, it may be easier to check fares and times across both operators here.

Trenitalia trains from Verona to Vicenza

Trenitalia operates high-speed Frecciarossa trains and regional (Regionale) Trenord services between Verona Porta Nuova and Vicenza.

The least expensive and most flexible way to get there is on one of the Trenord Regional Express (RV) services.

Fares are cheap; in 2023 a single ticket is €6.25. The journey time is 39 minutes and there is one service per hour.

As this price is fixed, there is no need to book a ticket in advance. Simply buy your ticket from one of the self-service machines at the station when you are ready to travel.

Avoid the slower Regional (R) service which stops at every stick and gatepost along the way and takes nearly an hour to make the journey. The fare is identical to the Regional Express service.

A Frecciarossa train will whisk you from Verona to Vicenza in 25 minutes. Trains leave every 30 minutes.

However, unless you book well in advance, a seat on one of these high-speed trains will cost at least three times the price of that on a Regionale service.

Infrequent Eurocity trains (EC) also run between Verona and Vicenza in 25 minutes. These are similar to the Frecciarossa trains but they connect cities across Europe. Pricing is dynamic and booking in advance bags you a cheaper ticket.

Italo trains from Verona to Vicenza

Italo runs around six services a day between Verona Porta Nuova and Vicenza.

You need to book in advance to get the best fares and the journey time is 25 minutes. Although the best fares are cheaper than those on the Frecciarossa services, they are more expensive than Trenitalia regional services on this route.

Getting from Verona Porta Nuova train station

Verona’s Porta Nuova train station is a 15-minute walk from the Roman Arena.

Getting from Vicenza train station to the city centre

From Vicenza train station, head straight up Viale Roma and then turn right down Corso Andrea Palladio. It’s an easy 15-minute walk to the Olympic Theatre.

What to See in Vicenza

Make the most of your time in this historic town with my pick of the places to visit in Vicenza. It’s a very walkable city and the best way to appreciate those magnificent Palladio buildings is on foot.

I recommend that you do as I did and start your day at the Olympic Theatre. This is the attraction that is the most distant from the train station and is next to the helpful Tourist Information office.

You can then meander your way back to the train station via Vicenza’s other sights. The order in which these appear in this article reflects this route.

Tourist Information is a good place to grab more information and buy a city pass.

I bought the 4 Museums Card which gave me access to four of the sites included in the Vicenza Card. For me, it was a no-brainer in terms of cost and convenience.

1. The Olympic Theatre (Teatro Olimpico)

Start your day in Vicenza at Palladio’s swansong, the Olympic Theatre, which was built in 1580. 

The theatre’s stage set was added by Vincenzo Scamozzi after Palladio’s death and is an astonishing feat of perspective. Modelled on the ancient Greek city of Thebes, it creates the illusion of streets radiating to a distant horizon. 

Find out more about the Olympic Theatre’s opening hours and ticket prices on its official website.

2. Parco Querini

This 24-acre park is Vicenza’s green lung and features a Greek-style in the middle of a pond. It is home to a population of turtles, cockerels and rabbits and there is a tree-lined avenue lined with a series of fine Classical statues.

3. Church of Santa Corona (Chiesa di Santa Corona)

Within the unassuming exterior of the Church of Santa Corona lie some artistic treasures. Palladio left his mark with his Valmarana Chapel in the crypt, built in 1576. Paolo Veronese’s Adoration of the Magi hangs in the Sacra Spina chapel, said to house a relic from Christ’s crown of thorns. 

But for me, the artistic highlight was Bellini’s Baptism of Christ, witnessed by local beauties and a small red bird.

4. Piazza dei Signori

Vicenza’s beating heart since its time as the site of the Roman forum, Piazza dei Signori is home to a number of the city’s landmark buildings.

Piercing the sky above the square, Torre Bissara rises to a height of 269 feet, making it one of the tallest bell towers in Italy. 

Built to celebrate Vicenza’s victory at Lepanto, Palladio’s Loggia del Capitanato occupies its northwest end. 

The former Palazzo della Ragione was one of the young Palladio’s first commissions and exemplifies what would become his signature architectural style. It is now known as Basilica Palladiana and there are fabulous views of Piazza dei Signori and Piazza delle Erbe from its loggias.

5. Casa Pigafetta

Casa Pigafetta dates from 1440 and was the birthplace of the Vicenza navigator, Antonio Pigafetta. He joined Ferdinand Magellan on the first circumnavigation of the world.

Although you cannot visit the building (it’s a private home) it’s worth taking a look at its extraordinary mix of architectural styles from the outside.

6. Ponte Michele

The historical centre of Vicenza is bordered by two rivers: the Retrone and the Bacchiglione. The 17th Century Ponte San Michele (Saint Michael Bridge) is a pedestrian-only bridge crossing the Retrone River, and was modelled on Venetian bridges.

7. Palazzo Thiene

Palladio was employed to transform Palazzo Thiene into the most imposing residence in Vicenza. However, it was never completed and the building became the headquarters of Banca Popolare di Vicenza.

It is now part of the city’s museum portfolio (I loved the richly decorated interior more than its exhibits).

8. Salvi Gardens (Giardini Salvi)

These small but perfectly formed gardens are at the start of Corso Palladio, on a straight line from Vicenza’s train station. The Salvi Gardens are home to a Palladian-style loggia, Loggia Valmarana, dating from 1591.

9. Vicenza’s historic centre

Thanks to Palladio, Vicenza has a historic centre like no other in Italy, a captivating blend of classical design and historical charm. If you want to explore more of his buildings, pick up a free map from Tourist Information.

And That’s a Wrap!

I hope that this guide helps you to create wonderful memories in Vicenza. If you would like to learn more about what to see if you are staying in Verona, take a look at these articles:

• Is Verona Worth Visiting? 15 Reasons to Say ‘Yes!’
• Wine Tasting in Verona, Italy: 7 Fabulous Wine Tours

By Bridget

Bridget Coleman is an award-winning travel blogger who is an incurable Italy addict and has travelled its length & breadth on multiple occasions. Find out more here.

To get in touch, email her at hello@flashpackingitaly.com