BASSANO DEL GRAPPA – GUIDE

Bassano del Grappa is an elegant town in the Veneto region, located at the foot of the Pre-Alps and crossed by the Brenta River. It is best known for its Ponte Vecchio, its charming historic centre and its long tradition of grappa production. The centre is compact and easy to explore on foot, making Bassano an ideal destination for a relaxing day trip.

HOW TO GET TO BASSANO DEL GRAPPA:

The best way to reach Bassano del Grappa from Villa Clementina is by car.

The historic centre has ZTL restricted traffic areas, with electronically controlled access, so we recommend parking outside the centre and continuing on foot.

Recommended parking:
Prato Santa Caterina, close to the historic centre.

From here, the main attractions can easily be reached on foot.

WHAT TO SEE IN BASSANO DEL GRAPPA:

Suggested walking itinerary (about 3–4 hours)

1. Piazza Garibaldi
   One of the main squares in Bassano, surrounded by historic buildings. Here you will also find the Civic Tower and the Church of San Francesco.
2. Piazza Libertà
   The elegant heart of the historic centre and a pleasant place for a walk or a coffee break.
3. Ponte Vecchio – Ponte degli Alpini
   The symbol of Bassano del Grappa. This famous covered bridge over the Brenta River is closely linked to the history of the town and to the design of Andrea Palladio. From the bridge, you can also enjoy one of the most characteristic views of the river and the surrounding mountains.
4. Walk along the Brenta River
   After crossing the bridge, take some time to walk along the river and enjoy the views of the town and the surrounding landscape.
5. Poli Grappa Museum
   Located just a few steps from Ponte Vecchio, the museum tells the story of grappa and its production. It is a short and interesting visit and a great way to discover one of Bassano’s best-known traditions.
6. Historic Centre
   Finish your visit with a relaxing walk through the streets, porticoes, small shops and historic buildings of the old town.

The main itinerary takes approximately 3–4 hours at a relaxed pace, leaving plenty of time for lunch, an aperitif or a museum visit.

MAIN MUSEUMS / IN CASE OF RAIN:

Civic Museum of Bassano del Grappa
One of the oldest civic museums in the Veneto region and the main cultural museum in Bassano. Its collections include archaeology, history and art, with works connected to important artists from the area.

Poli Grappa Museum
A shorter and more unusual visit, ideal for those who do not want to spend too much time in a traditional museum. It is located close to Ponte Vecchio.

Before visiting, we recommend checking opening hours, possible closures and admission information on the official websites.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS:

• Osteria Alla Caneva – an informal osteria in the historic centre, a good option for local dishes and a relaxed lunch.
• El Piron – Italian and Venetian cuisine in the heart of the town.
• Osteria Trinità – traditional Italian cuisine, slightly outside the busiest tourist area.
• Al Caneseo da Amedeo – a traditional restaurant and a good choice for local cuisine.

A LOCAL TRADITION TO TRY

Bassano is naturally associated with grappa. Around Ponte Vecchio you will find some of the town’s historic producers and traditional places where you can discover and taste this famous local spirit.

NOTES:

• Bassano is a small town and the historic centre is easily explored on foot.
• We recommend parking outside the ZTL restricted traffic area and continuing on foot.
• Ponte Vecchio and the banks of the Brenta River are the most characteristic parts of the visit.
• Half a day is enough to see the main attractions at a relaxed pace; with lunch and a museum visit, you can easily spend a full day in Bassano.
• Bassano is particularly enjoyable on a sunny day, when you can walk along the river and enjoy the views.
• In case of rain, the Civic Museum and the Poli Grappa Museum are the main indoor alternatives.

ASOLO – GUIDE

Asolo is one of the most charming villages in the Veneto region, surrounded by rolling hills and known as the “City of a Hundred Horizons” for its beautiful views. Its small historic centre, with porticoes, villas and ancient buildings, is perfect for a relaxing walk and can easily be explored in half a day.

HOW TO GET TO ASOLO:

The best way to reach Asolo from Villa Clementina is by car.

The historic centre is small and has ZTL restricted traffic areas, so we recommend parking outside the centre and continuing on foot.

Recommended parking:
Forestuzzo Parking – Via Forestuzzo

From here, the historic centre can be reached with a short walk.

WHAT TO SEE IN ASOLO:

Suggested walking itinerary (about 2–3 hours)

1. Piazza Garibaldi
   The heart of Asolo and the ideal starting point for your visit. In the centre of the square you will find the characteristic fountain fed by an ancient Roman aqueduct.
2. Asolo Cathedral
   The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta houses important works of art, including the famous Assumption of the Virgin by Lorenzo Lotto.
3. Castle of Queen Cornaro
   One of Asolo’s main landmarks. The castle was the residence of Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, who transformed Asolo into a refined Renaissance court at the end of the 15th century. Today, the castle also houses the Eleonora Duse Theatre.
4. Walk through the Historic Centre
   One of the best things to do in Asolo is simply to wander through its small streets and porticoes, admiring the historic villas, old buildings and beautiful views.
5. Eleonora Duse’s House
   While walking through the centre, you can see from the outside the house associated with the famous Italian actress Eleonora Duse, who chose Asolo as a place to live and rest.
6. Rocca di Asolo
   For those who do not mind a little extra walking, we recommend climbing up to the medieval fortress. From the top, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views over the surrounding hills.

Note: the walk up to the Rocca includes an uphill section and several steps, so it can easily be skipped by those who prefer a more relaxing visit.

The main itinerary takes approximately 2–3 hours at a relaxed pace, leaving plenty of time for lunch, a coffee or an aperitif.

MAIN MUSEUMS / IN CASE OF RAIN:

Asolo Civic Museum
The main museum in the village, located in the historic centre. Its collections tell the story of Asolo and of some of the important personalities connected with the town, including Caterina Cornaro, Eleonora Duse and explorer Freya Stark.

Before visiting, we recommend checking opening hours and admission information, especially for the Rocca and the Civic Museum.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS:

• Osteria al Bacaro – a traditional osteria in the centre of Asolo, ideal for trying local cuisine.
• Osteria La Trave – Italian and Venetian cuisine and a good choice for a traditional lunch.
• Ristorante Pizzeria Cornaro – a more informal option offering Italian cuisine and pizza.
• Due Mori – a characteristic restaurant also known for its beautiful panoramic terrace.
• Corte del Re – a simple and more affordable option in the town centre.

NEARBY: POSSAGNO & ANTONIO CANOVA

If you still have some time, you can continue from Asolo to Possagno, the birthplace of the famous Italian sculptor Antonio Canova.

Here you can visit the Antonio Canova Gypsotheca and Museum, which houses the original plaster models of many of Canova’s most famous sculptures, together with his birthplace.

Nearby you can also visit the impressive Temple of Canova, designed by Canova himself.

It is an excellent addition to your visit to Asolo, especially for those interested in art and culture.

Antonio Canova Museum & Gypsotheca – information and tickets

NOTES:

• Asolo is very small and is best explored on foot.
• The historic centre has some uphill streets and cobblestones, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
• We recommend parking outside the ZTL restricted traffic area and continuing on foot.
• 2–3 hours are enough to explore the historic centre at a relaxed pace; with lunch and a visit to the Rocca, you can easily spend half a day in Asolo.
• The walk up to the Rocca is optional but recommended on clear days for the panoramic views.
• In case of rain, the Civic Museum is the main indoor alternative.
• If you would like to extend your day trip, Possagno and the Canova Museum are an excellent additional stop.