Welcome to my travel blog about Bassano del Grappa, a medieval town in the province of Vicenza, which is part of the Veneto region.
The town is only 1 hour and 20 minutes away from Venice by train or car and is considered an ideal day trip from the city of bridges and water.
Known for its medieval Civic Tower, Bassano del Grappa is located at the foot of Monte Grappa and it’s crossed by the Brenta river. It’s famous for Ponte degli Alpini and for being the home of the first Italian distillery: Poli.
Visiting Basano del Grappa, Italy
Bassano is a town rich in history, culture and amazing food and you’d be surprised by the great choice of things to see and do.
Keep reading the article to get to know what to expect when visiting Bassano del Grappa.
Is Bassano del Grappa worth visiting?
Bassano del Grappa is definitely worth visiting. If you’re in Venice or visiting another city in Veneto, take half day to visit this town. You won’t regret it!
Three reasons why I believe Bassano is worth your time:
- Tourists keep coming back to Bassano is for its incredibly rich historical, architectural and artistic heritage. Since the Middle Age, it was an important cultural and prosperous centre of commerce. This has always attracted artists, artisans and merchants that made of Bassano one of the most interesting cultural towns to visit in northern Italy.
- Bassano del Grappa is also famous for its culinary traditions. Its product of excellence is the white asparagus. Several restaurants and bistros offer the most varied culinary experiences, from traditional cuisine to street food. You can also eat the famous Venetian ‘cicchetti’: small bread slices with typical local products along with a glass of wine.
- Bassano can be explored in one, or half a day, so it’s a perfect day trip from Venice or other Veneto cities. To immerse yourself in its history, visit the Ezzelini castle, its public squares and the iconic Ponte degli Alpini from where to admire a view over the Alps and the Brenta river.
How to Get to Bassano del Grappa from Venice
It’s very easy and straightforward to get to Bassano del Grappa from Venice.
There are daily direct trains from Venice Santa Lucia railway station and at different times of the day.
There are two trains every hour, one with more stops and a faster one. It takes one hour and 20 minutes to arrive in Bassano from Venice train station.
If you’re travelling by car from Venice, it will take 1 hour and 10 minutes to get to your destination. If you’re in Venice, you need to get to Mestre first and then take the motorway A4/E70 towards Bologna/Milan.
Then take the exit to the A31 motorway and finally the Pedemontana Superstrada towards Bassano del Grappa.
The closest airports to Bassano del Grappa are (in this order):
- Treviso
- Venice
- Verona
From these airports, you can rent a car and drive to your destination.
Alternatively, take a bus and get to the city centre’s railway stations and from there get a train. You might need to change the train once, depending on which station you’re leaving from.
If you arrive at Venice Marco Polo airport, instead of going to Venice, I suggest getting your train from Mestre Venice.
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Things to do in Bassano del Grappa
Bassano del Grappa will certainly fascinate you for its romantic hidden and secret viewpoints.
Take your time to discover its history and traditions by simply walking around its streets and piazzas.
Stop for lunch or dinner in one of its restaurants or casual eateries serving traditional dishes and products, the selection is quite huge!
Let’s now find out a few unmissable things to do in Bassano del Grappa.
Explore Bassano’s Squares
First sights you might spot arriving in Bassano del Grappa are the medieval public squares.
The main squares are called: Piazza Libertà and Piazza Garibaldi.
Piazza Libertà, also known as the ‘elegant living room’ of the town, is overlooked by prestigious buildings such as the old Stamperia Remondini’s houses (printing house), the Loggia del Comune and the Church of San Giovanni.
The street S. Bassanio leads to the nearby Piazza Garibaldi, also known as Piazza delle Erbe. The vegetable market was held here for many years.
Here you can see the Civic Tower, the Church of San Francesco, the Civic Museum and the Bonaguro fountain.
These lovely piazzas are packed with shops and bars where to stop for a quick lunch or aperitivo. I recommend the Leon bar in Piazza Libertà and to try their iconic cocktail aperitivo called ‘leone’.
Ponte Vecchio
The main attraction is the famous Ponte Vecchio, or Ponte degli Alpini that crosses the Brenta river. This is the symbol of Bassano del Grappa and it boasts a long history which includes surviving two world wars.
The bridge is one of the most famous masterpieces of the renowned Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. His engineering work was extremely important for Bassano as it allowed him to start trading with the city of Vicenza.
Here it’s the best spot to admire the Alps and the river as well as the town. There are many shops and boutiques that surround the bridge, including the famous Nardini distillery, the first one in Italy, that still serves the best ‘grappa’ and the ‘mezzo e mezzo’.
The latter is a drink served in the laboratory’s retro atmosphere on the bridge. A must when learning about what Bassano del Grappa is known for.
Visit the Grappa Museum
Only a few meters away from the Ponte degli Alpini, you can find the small Museo della Grappa Poli, dedicated to the history of grappa distillation.
The museum is inside the Palazzo delle Teste, an historical building. You can visit the museum for free, if you want to join a grappa tasting there’s a small fee to pay which is 3 euros.
Here you can see the largest grappa collection of Italy with more than 1500 small grappa bottles coming from 323 different distilleries!
During your museum tour you can also look at some reconstruction of distillation devices described in documents and old printings collected in the museum and get to know the history of grappa.
Buy Ceramics
One of the most important and developed manufacturing traditions in Veneto is the ceramics production of Bassano and Nove (a small town south of Bassano).
The ceramics production developed around the XVII century thanks to the presence in the subsoil of plastic clay, welding and kaolin and of the Brenta river to transport finished products.
Today, the ceramics production is still live and in Bassano you can find many artisanal laboratories and shops selling amazing products.
Instead of the usual souvenirs, I highly recommend looking into buying a ceramic one.
This way you won’t only support local businesses but also bring home or as a gift a unique piece of craftsmanship!
Visit the Castle
The Ezzelini castle can be accessed from a medieval arch situated in Piazza Terraglio.
It dates back to the 12th century and served as a defensive fortification of the powerful Ezzelini family, lords of these lands during the Middle Ages.
There are many panoramic points inside and outside the castle walls. Don’t miss the chance to walk on the walls’ walkway from which you can admire a beautiful view of the valley and the Ponte degli Alpini.
At the entrance you can spot a 30 meters tall tower called Torre Bolzonella, that had an extremely important role to protect the city from enemies during the Middle Ages.
Over the years, the entire complex has undergone restoration work and currently, the interior spaces accommodate temporary exhibitions.
Where to Stay in Bassano del Grappa
If you’re looking to spend more than one day in Bassano, it’s worth knowing that there’s a great selection of accommodation and for any type of travellers or budget.
See below three hotels and guest houses I recommend for your stay:
- Luxury: Terraglio Rooms – the luxurious guest house is only a few meters away from the Ezzelini castle and offers wonderful view of the town. The rooms are equipped with a sauna to guarantee guests the ultimate (relaxing) experience during their stay in Bassano.
- Mid-range: Era Destino B&B – this modern B&B is the perfect place to stay in Bassano del Grapp without spending too much. The rooms have private bathroom, free toiletries and Wi-Fi. All guests can enjoy a continental breakfast in the morning.
- Budget: Ostello Bassano del Grappa – don’t miss the chance to be in the heart of the town but on a low budget during your stay here. This hostel features a shared kitchen and lounge with free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is included and bike hire is available if you’re looking to explore Bassano’s streets and surrounding areas.
Best time to Visit Bassano del Grappa
You can visit Bassano all year round. The highest average temperature in Bassano del Grappa is 25 °C in July and the lowest is 4 °C in January.
Winters are normally cold but it’s nice to see the town surrounded by the typical festive atmosphere. During winter, you can also find the Christmas markets with stall all around the historical city centre.
Summers can be quite hot, and even though it’s not a touristic place compared to other towns and cities in Veneto, I suggest avoiding the hottest hours of the day to walk around the streets. The perfect time to visit Bassano del Grappa is spring or autumn.
During these seasons, temperatures are pleasant and you’ll most certainly find sunny days. If you’re in Venice or somewhere else and thinking about visiting Bassano, check the weather forecast to avoid any disappointment.
Spring is the best time to try traditional dishes made with white asparagus.
There’s more or less always a festival or music show in Bassano, particularly from spring to autumn. Joining them it’s a good way to get to know more about the town and its people.
Visiting Bassano del Grappa
Bassano del Grappa is medieval town worth visiting in the Veneto region.
If you’re in Venice or another big city in this region, I definetely suggest spending a day here exploring its history, culture, and amazing food!
While you’re here, why not check out my post on day trips from Venice if you’re looking for more inspiration and day trips from the capital city of Veneto?
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