It is a city of water and art, hiding in plain sight.
The dream of a romantic trip to Venice, with its magical canals and historic palazzos, is a powerful one. The reality of Venice in 2025, however, is often one of overwhelming crowds that can make a romantic stroll feel like a battle. The secret that seasoned travelers know is that just a short train ride away, there is another, lesser-known city of canals that offers a similar beauty and charm, without the crushing crowds.
That city is Treviso, a beautiful, walled, medieval city that is one of the hidden gems of the Veneto region.
1. It has its own beautiful and serene canal system.
Treviso is known as the “città delle acque,” or the “city of waters.” The city is crisscrossed by a network of beautiful and peaceful canals that are fed by the Sile and Cagnan rivers. A walk through the historic center is a journey over dozens of small, charming bridges and alongside beautiful, willow-draped waterways that are lined with historic water wheels.
The canals of Treviso are much quieter and more intimate than those of Venice, as stated in Britannica. They are a place where you can enjoy the beautiful, reflective quality of the water in a much more peaceful and romantic setting.
2. The historic center is a charming, walkable maze.
The entire historic center of Treviso is surrounded by a beautifully preserved, 15th-century defensive wall. Inside the walls, the city is a charming and completely walkable maze of cobblestone streets, hidden alleyways, and beautiful, portico-lined piazzas, as per Tuscany Now & More. It is a city that is a true joy to get lost in, with a new and beautiful discovery around every corner.
The city has a much more authentic and local feel than Venice. It’s a place where you will see residents going about their daily lives, a living, breathing city, not just a tourist destination.
3. It is the original home of prosecco and tiramisu.
For food and wine lovers, Treviso is a major pilgrimage site. The hills just north of the city are the heart of the Prosecco wine region, and the city itself is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of the authentic, high-quality bubbly, according to Italy Heaven. More famously, the city is the undisputed birthplace of one of the world’s most beloved desserts: tiramisu.
The dessert was invented at the local restaurant Le Beccherie, and you can still go there today to taste the original, authentic recipe. It is a city with a deep and delicious culinary heritage.
4. You can walk on top of the ancient city walls.
One of the most unique and beautiful things to do in Treviso is to take a walk along the top of the massive, historic city walls. The walls, which were built by the Venetians, are now topped by a beautiful, tree-lined promenade that offers stunning views of the city’s canals and its red-tiled roofs. It is a favorite spot for locals to go for a walk or a jog.
It’s a peaceful and incredibly scenic way to get a different perspective on the city and to appreciate its history as a formidable medieval fortress, a unique experience that Venice cannot offer.
5. It is incredibly affordable compared to its famous neighbor.
The most practical reason to visit Treviso is the incredible value for money that it offers. A beautiful hotel room, a delicious, multi-course meal at a traditional osteria, or a glass of Prosecco in a beautiful piazza will all cost you a fraction of what you would pay for the same experience just a half-hour away in Venice. This is true for almost every aspect of your trip.
This affordability allows you to have a much more relaxed and indulgent vacation without constantly worrying about the high costs that can make a trip to Venice so stressful.
6. The atmosphere is authentic and lived-in.
The biggest difference between Venice and Treviso is the atmosphere. While Venice can often feel like a perfectly preserved museum that has been completely given over to the tourism industry, Treviso feels like a real, living, and breathing Italian city. The streets are filled with locals who are going about their daily lives, shopping at the local market, and meeting friends for a coffee.
It is a place where you can feel like you are a temporary resident, not just another tourist in a massive crowd. This authentic, local vibe is the city’s greatest charm.
7. It’s the perfect base for exploring the Veneto region.
Treviso is not just a great destination in its own right; it is also a perfect and strategic home base for exploring the entire, beautiful Veneto region. The city has excellent train connections, and it is just a short, 30-minute ride to Venice, which makes for an easy and highly recommended day trip. You can experience the magic of Venice without having to pay the high price of staying there.
The city is also the perfect gateway to the beautiful Prosecco wine hills and the stunning Dolomite mountains, which are just a short drive to the north.