Treviso, Italy or "Little Venice"?
Treviso, Italy is a hidden gem in the Veneto region, the northern part of Italy. With a network of flowing canals and arched bridges, Treviso is known as little Venice. The city is not very crowded with tourists. It is what gives it the intimate and romantic vibe that so many of us are chasing in Venice.
Treviso old town is charming. But there are plenty of other things to do, such as quality shopping, great restaurants and delicious food.
For the History Buffs
Treviso was the Roman town “Tarvisium” before coming under the control of the Republic of Venice in the 14th century. Treviso’s ties to Venice lasted until the end of the 18th century and the Venetians conceding to Napoleon. The French didn’t last long before the Austrians took control and eventually Treviso became part of the Republic of Italy.
From the imposing defensive walls to the elaborate cathedrals and churches, Treviso history is mostly related to its time in the Venetian Republic. The city you see today has been restored after having been heavily damaged by bombing during WWII.
Treviso became a popular destination for American travellers because of John Grisham’s 2005 book, The Broker. The main character spends 4 days in Treviso before heading to Bologna, Italy.
7 Things to See in Treviso, Italy
The charming and compact historic centre of Treviso old town tends to get overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, Venice. But there is still so much to see.
Treviso Duomo
Visiting the historic Treviso Duomo with its 7 giant domes is one of the best things to do in Treviso. Although the Treviso Cathedral dates back to the 6th century, the current Neoclassical structure with giant domes and stone columns exists just from 1768.
Fun Fact! The bell tower isn’t finished because supposedly locals didn’t want a bell tower taller than Venice’s campanile.
City Walls and Gates
The city of Treviso is surrounded by 4 km or 2.5 miles of Venetian brick wall. Treviso was the first important mainland outpost for the Venetian Republic and needed defending from invaders. The city walls and gates worked well, and Treviso was never invaded.
There are three gates surrounding Treviso old town from the 15th century.
- Porta San Tomaso (picture above) is located on the North side of the city and honours St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, murdered after a conflict with Henry II, King of England.
- Porta Santi Quaranta is located on the west side of the city and has a giant winged lion, the marker for the city of Venice.
- Porta Altinia is located on the south side of the city and served as the main entrance to and from Venice.
Fontana Delle Tette
One of the most unique things to see in Treviso is the Fontana Delle Tette. This is a marble statue of a woman squeezing her big bosom. Today’s version has water pouring from her nipples. But the previous one had wine flowing.
Every year for three days, the Treviso fountain had red and white wine pouring from each breast, respectively, to celebrate the appointment of the chief magistrate of Venice.
The original was built in 1559 by the mayor and can be seen in neighbouring Palazzo dei Trecento. The Fontana Delle Tette statue functioning today is a copy from 1989.
Piazza Dei Signori Treviso
At the heart of Treviso, Piazza Dei Signori is a city square lined with ornate palaces and buildings. The city square has been at the heart of Treviso’s government for centuries.
You have to spend time at the Piazza Dei Signori. There are numerous cafes and restaurants where you can grab a coffee or bite to eat and watch the locals living the Italian life!
Historic Treviso City Centre
The historic Treviso City Center is a delight to explore. Stroll around the network of canals and connecting bridges of Treviso old town while admiring the surrounding medieval buildings. With charming piazzas, stone palaces, and winding cobblestone alleys, you can easily spend an entire day getting lost in the beautiful Treviso old town.
Treviso Fish Market
Visit the Treviso fish market to find the fresh fish and seafood. This place is open daily but you’ll want to get there early to beat the locals to the best catch of the day.
Canals and Water Mills
Treviso also has the nickname, City of Water. Unlike Venice, the canals of Treviso have flowing water from a river source.
The most picturesque Treviso canal is the Canale Dei Buranelli, named after a family of merchants from the Venetian island of Burano who lived here in the 16th century. One of the most picturesque spots is a stone ledge where the local women would wash their laundry.
Shopping in Treviso
This area is the world headquarters for several multinational brands such as Benetton, Sisely, Stefanel, Geox, De Longhi and Pinarello bicycles.
Via Calmaggiore is the main Treviso shopping area and runs between the Piazza Dei Signori and the Treviso Duomo. Here, you’ll find an array of international brands, luxury Italian shops, and independent retailers.
Treviso Food and Wine
A big part of living the good life involves culinary delights. In Treviso, Italy food culture is exceptional. Eating seasonal and traditional dishes is the standard here.
You’ll typically find traditional Venetian and Northern Italian food. At nearly every restaurant, this means Aperol Spritz before your meal, tiramisu for dessert, and prosecco.
Home of Tiramisu
Tiramisu is the most popular Italian dessert in the world. It was invented in the 1960’s in Treviso at the Le Beccherie restaurant. Tiramisu became famous after the movie, Sleepless in Seattle, when Tom Hanks character asks what it is.
Fun Fact: There’s an annual Tiramisu World Cup with two categories (traditional and creative) held in Treviso.
Prosecco is produced right outside of Treviso
Italians drink prosecco at any time unlike elsewhere where it is considered an aperitif.
The Prosecco Hills of Conegliane and Valdiobbiadene have achieved a coveted UNESCO world heritage status since 2019. This particular area produces the highest quality prosecco.
Go on a day trip from Treviso to Valdobbiadene, the official capital of prosecco. There are plenty of vineyards if you want to go wine testing and enjoy beautiful nature.
Restaurants in Treviso, Italy
It’s hard to go wrong in a place like Treviso. You will find impressive restaurants on every corner here.
Toni del Spin has been around since 1880 but there’s nothing old fashioned about this place. The menu changes daily reflecting seasonal products. The prosecco is supplied by the Daldin family.
Ristorante da Pino is a family-friendly restaurant that has been serving pasta and pizza since 1972. There are a couple of locations but the Piazza Dei Signori is the best for people-watching.
Treviso restaurants are also known for their fish dishes. Small Antico Morer is highly recommended for seafood which comes from the Pescheria.
Le Beccherie claims to have invented tiramisu in the 1960s. It has two great features: canal side seating and a well-regarded Tiramisu.
Coffee Shops in Treviso
The best coffee shop in Treviso is Taste Coffee & More, a specialty coffee shop, overlooking one of the canals. Enjoy a great cup of coffee with a view.
Signore e Signori is another centrally located coffeeshop great for coffee and pastries.
Gelaterias in Treviso, Italy
Gelato in Italy is a must. Here are the best gelato spots in Treviso.
Gelateria La Romana – Heaven in a cone.
Dassie – No one should leave Treviso without savouring an award-winning gelato by Stefano Dassie, one of Italy’s top gelatisti.
Hotels in Treviso, Italy
In Treviso, you’ll generally find bed and breakfast and mid-range hotel options. There’s not much for luxe or boutique options but you’ll get a great experience for the price in a few different spots.
B&B Hotel Treviso: With a dream location, this super affordable spot is a perfect base for exploring the city.
Maison Matilda: In the middle of the action, beside Piazza Duomo, this boutique hotel ticks all the boxes.
Day & Weekend Trips from Treviso, Italy
Treviso is a smart base for exploring more of Northern Italy. From sandy beaches to snowy slopes, there are many choices for a day trip or more.
Prosecco Region: Visiting the famous Prosecco vending machine is a must day trip! Only 30 min away, whether by car or a train, I’d recommend spending a full day exploring Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.
Venice: Though I prefer staying in Treviso, Venice is still a must-see! There is so much to see and do there, and it’s just a 40-minute train trip.
Jesolo: While the beaches of Northern Italy are not very popular for international tourists, Jesolo is one of the biggest and best beach resorts in the country. It’s a 45 min drive or 1 hour with a bus.
Cortina: When it comes to skiing in Italy, Cortina is the place to be. It’s a two-hour drive so start your day early.
Bologna: Considered to be Italy’s culinary capital, a two-hour train ride will take you to the “foodie theme park” of FICO Eataly World, along with other cultural gems.
Verona: For all literature and theatre lovers, 1.5 hour train trip will take to the home to Romeo and Juliet
Lake Garda: On the edge of the Dolomites, a 2.5-hour drive will show you to one of Italy’s most beautiful spots.
Florence: Another one of the most striking places in Italy, Florence is just 2.5-hours by train and it’s perfect for a romantic Italian day trip.
Dolomites: Take the 2.5-hour drive to one of the continent’s most impressive mountain ranges. A must-visit 365 days a year, this is a magnificent destination for skiing and hiking.
Getting to/from Treviso
By Train
Treviso Centrale station is served by Trenitalia with connections to any nearby city you may want to visit.
By Airplane
Treviso Airport is a hub for low-cost airlines, like Ryanair and WizzAir, who use it as a cheap alternative for getting to Venice.
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