🇮🇹Vicenza

Teatro Olimpico

Palladio's final masterpiece is genuinely jaw-dropping. This indoor Renaissance theatre features a wooden stage set painted with trompe-l'oeil street scenes that create the illusion of streets stretching into infinity. It is one of the most magical rooms in Italy, and kids are usually fascinated by the optical trick. Fun bonus: the theatre has its own dedicated fire station on site, which is a great conversation starter.

Piazza dei Signori

This is the beating heart of Vicenza, built on the site of the ancient Roman forum. The square is flanked by the iconic Basilica Palladiana, the 82-metre Torre Bissara bell tower (dating to 1174), and the Loggia del Capitanato. Despite its name, the Basilica is not a church but a civic building that hosts exhibitions. The whole square is lined with aperitivo bars and is a wonderful place to sit, sip something cold, and let the kids run.

Parco Querini

Vicenza's green lung covers 24 acres and is exactly the kind of park that saves a family trip on a warm afternoon. There is a turtle-filled pond, a pretty gazebo, classical statues, and animals roaming freely including rabbits, ducks, and hens. Kids can explore freely while you decompress on a bench. It is free to enter and just a short walk from the city centre.

Villa La Rotonda

Just outside the city, this is the villa that influenced the White House, the British Parliament, and countless other buildings around the world. It is considered Palladio's greatest achievement in symmetrical design. The gardens are often open to visitors and the approach by bike through the Vicenza countryside is lovely. It is a slightly longer outing but well worth it if you have more than one day.

Criptoportico Romano

Hidden beneath the city's Renaissance surface lies an ancient Roman underground ruin. The Criptoportico Romano gives you a glimpse of Vicenza's layered history and feels like a genuine discovery. It is compact and atmospheric, and older kids who are into history will find it fascinating. A great reminder that Palladio was not the city's first act.

Palazzo Chiericati and the Gallerie d'Italia

If your family enjoys art and beautiful interiors, Palazzo Chiericati houses the city's civic museum with paintings and sculptures inside a stunning Palladian building. Nearby, the Gallerie d'Italia at Palazzo Leoni Montanari offers a different kind of cultural stop with rotating exhibitions. Neither is overwhelming in size, which makes them manageable with children.

Chiesa di Santa Corona

One of Vicenza's most beautiful churches, Santa Corona houses important works including a Baptism of Christ by Giovanni Bellini. It is quiet, cool on hot days, and genuinely impressive. Even children who are not particularly interested in art tend to be struck by the interior. A peaceful stop that does not require much time.