Discover the best things to do in Treviso, a charming Veneto gem often missed by those heading to Venice. This self-guided Treviso walking tour provides a practical 1-day route and map to explore historic canals, medieval walls, and the birthplace of Tiramisu without the crowds.
Treviso offers a rare glimpse into authentic Italian life, free from the heavy crowds of nearby Venice. While its medieval walls and winding canals provide a stunning backdrop, the real appeal is how easy it is to explore on foot. This guide covers the best things to do in Treviso by following a practical route through the historic center. Let’s start this self-guided Treviso walking tour with a look at the most iconic landmarks and hidden gems.
Top Things to Do in Treviso: Route Overview
If I could summarize our Treviso walking tour in one word, it would be: surprise. We visited in the middle of the summer, and it was hot. Since my wife wasn’t feeling well, we decided to take it easy and head to Treviso, which was close to the Venice area where we were staying. We assumed there wasn’t much to see, but we were pleasantly surprised to find so many great things to do in Treviso. Despite its proximity to Venice, the town wasn’t crowded at all, offering a great sense of relaxation.
Treviso Walking Route at a Glance
- Starting Point: Porta San Tomaso or Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore
- Walking Distance: Approximately 3.5 km (2.2 miles) for the full loop.
- Time Required: 2–3 hours for a steady walk; 5+ hours if stopping for lunch and Tiramisu.
- Best Thing to Do: Relaxing by the Buranelli Canals.
- Local Must-Try: Authentic Tiramisu at Le Beccherie.

This self-guided Treviso walking tour map highlights the best things to do in Treviso in one day, from the historic gates to the central piazzas.
Yellow: Start, Red: See, Green: Walk
Book a local cooking class. The easiest way to experience Treviso is to book a beautiful pasta & Tiramisu making class in Treviso led by a local cook.
With our map in hand and list of attractions nearby we started our self-guided Treviso walking tour. So put on some comfortable shoes and let’s enjoy a few charming things to do in Treviso.
1. Piazza dei Signori: The Heart of Treviso

Visiting Piazza dei Signori is one of the most iconic things to do in Treviso and a primary stop on our self-guided Treviso walking tour.
See my photos from Treviso
Topping my favorite things to do in Treviso we find Piazza dei Signori, boasting a beautiful clock tower. We enjoyed the narrow streets and bridges and we finally made it. Walking through the streets was enjoyable because the city was pretty clean and definitely not crowded at all.

Treviso City Hall building (Prefettura) near Palazzo dei Trecento.
See my photos from Treviso
Once we parked our rental car in Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore we started our Treviso walking tour on Via Carlo Alberto towards Piazza dei Signori and Palazzo dei Trecento which is pretty much the center of the old town.
2. Piazza del Duomo

The Church of Saint John the Baptist built in the 13th century. Chiesa di San Giovanni Battistero.
See my photos from Treviso
Continuing our Treviso walking tour, we come to the dome. After admiring the old buildings and the new Benetton headquarter building, we continued our walking tour of Treviso on Via Calmaggiore down towards the large Battistero di San Giovanni building in Piazza del Duomo.
The church of San Giovanni Battista is an important example of Romanesque architecture in Treviso. Consecrated to Saint John the Baptist, the building is located north of the cathedral; overlooks Piazza del Duomo and is bordered by Via Calmaggiore.

Piazza del Duomo and the Dome in Treviso
See my photos from Treviso
Il Duomo of Treviso dates back to the early Christian age (6th century) and was built in a central area of the city. Between the eleventh and twelfth centuries the area assumed its current structure and the cathedral itself was modified according to the Romanesque style (of this period is the crypt).
There are two chapels inside the church.
- The chapel of the Santissimo (XVI century) houses the tomb of the bishop Niccolò Franco (XV century).
- The chapel of the Malchiostro dates back to 1520 and contains a famous Annunciation by Titian. Right before entering Piazza del Duomo, coming from Piazza de Signori on Via Canoniche we found an early Christian mosaic dating from 4th century. This again was surprising.
Our self-guided Treviso walking tour brings us to a surprise. Beneath the quiet streets of Treviso lies an early Christian mosaic that preserves the city’s ancient spiritual roots in vivid color and geometry.

Discovering this 4th-century mosaic is one of the more unusual things to do in Treviso, tucked away right off the Treviso walking tour path near the Duomo.
See my photos from Treviso
3. Walk The Ancient Medieval Wall

The ancient entrance gate of Porta Santi Quaranta marks the Northwestern entrance to the medieval town. It was the preferred entrance for local farmers trying to sell their produce inside city walls.
See my photos from Treviso
Next on stop on our self-guided Treviso walking tour brings us way back into Treviso’s history. The Ancient Wall (Il Muro) represents the remains of the old medieval wall that used to protect the old fortress. There are several old gates still standing that are worth seeing. Look for one of the several ancient entry gates around the old wall. Most notable is Porta San Tomaso (Saint Thomas Gate) located on the North East corner of the ancient wall. Exploring the old medieval wall was one of our favorite things to do in Treviso.
4. Buranelli Canals

Walking along the Buranelli canals is one of the most relaxing things to do in Treviso; it’s a highlight of any Treviso walking tour.
See my photos from Treviso
Known as little Venice, Treviso has quite a few water canals crossing the old town inside the ancient city walls. Our self-guided Treviso walking tour itinerary brings us to the most famous of these canals called Buranelli. This water canal traverses the town from North to South. Buranelli Canals run along River Cagnan all the way through Treviso old town, and it meets the larger River Sile. What makes the Buranelli canals special, is the covered shopping area built right alongside the river as it winds its way down South.
The Buranelli Canals are a joy to walk along especially on sunny days, which abound in the summer. History is everywhere you look and in addition, you will also find beautiful restaurants and cafes which are always a pleasure to visit. The people are very courteous, and the place is tidy and neat. Walking along the Buranelli Canals is definitely on my list of things to do in Treviso.
5. Fish Market (Pescheria)

The Pescheria is a unique addition to your list of things to do in Treviso, conveniently located along the main Treviso walking tour route.
The fish market in Treviso is a great place to visit because it is situated on a small island in the middle of Buranelli Canals. It is a place full of life and noises and obviously…fish smell.
From Buranelli Canals our self-guided Treviso walking tour route takes us easily to the fish market from Via Pescheria.
6. See The Quirky Fountains of Treviso
Treviso also has its share of quirky little things which can be a great addition to any walking tour of Treviso. One of them, for example is a small old water fountain that gives Treviso its name: The Tre Visi fountain. This is the fountain of three faces which are three sculpted faces each facing at 120 degrees from the others.
Secondly, Fontana delle Tete – the fountain with breasts is the quirkiest of all. Used in the past to dispense wine, this small old fountain depicts a woman with bare breasts dispensing water through her nipples. If you have small children, you might want to think about visiting this one.
Planning Your Trip: Treviso Logistics & FAQ
Whenever I am working on a SMART travel plan, I always focus on the first steps required for visiting a certain destination. If I have a rental car in Italy, I will look for places to park in Treviso. Which parking areas are closest for walking into the older part of Treviso? Same thing for choosing a place to stay in Treviso? What hotels in Treviso offer great value and convenient location? These resources will help you start planning your trip to Treviso.
Where to Stay in Treviso?
For a great location and experience, stay at beautiful Palazzina 300, which is located right across the clock tower. You can also search for more budget hotels in Treviso or in the surrounding Veneto area. There are many options in the area as Treviso can serve as a good base for exploring Venice as well.
Book a Local Cooking Class in Treviso
The easiest way to experience Treviso is to book a beautiful pasta & tiramisu cooking class in Treviso led by a local cook. One of the best things to do in Treviso for foodies is learning to make the city’s most famous export: Tiramisu.
Where to Park in Treviso?
You can find free parking in Treviso on the North side of town (click for location), right inside the ancient walls. This spot is great as it is very close to the beautiful ancient entry gate of Porta San Tomaso. You can also find some free parking inside old town by Santa Maria Maggiore church. This is a small parking lot, but rarely full.
What are the best places for Tiramisu in Treviso?
- Le Beccherie. Known as the birthplace of Tiramisu, this historic restaurant offers the traditional recipe in a refined setting. Location: P.za G. Ancilotto, 9
- Antica Pasticceria Nascimben. A classic artisan pastry shop founded in 1865, famous for its high-quality ingredients and traditional “Trevissù”. Location: Piazzetta della Torre, 8
Is Treviso Worth Visiting?
If you haven’t visited Venice and the beautiful islands of Murano and Burano, then don’t visit Treviso. However, if you have a few extra days in the Venice area, then Treviso will be a nice day trip from Venice. So, is it worth visiting Treviso? It is definitely not a primary tourist destination, especially being so close to Venice, but it has its own appeal that will leave you surprised.
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“This small old fountain depicts a woman with bare breasts dispensing water through her nipples. If you have small children you might want to think about visiting this one.” – Thanks for this suggestion. My kids – I guess like yours – are fascinated by breasts and nipples. They’ll love it!
Ha ha…that will be funny to watch!
Treviso is the reason to go to Italy. No tourists!! Locals are great and friendly!! That’s the reason we’re going back, for the 3rd time!!!
Mike…I agree, Treviso was a great experience for us too. We loved the charm of Treviso and the quiet feeling of the town.
It’s also a great place for stays. Our second time here and we love it. It has the feel of well to do Italy without being flashy.
Yes, we also found Treviso to be more laid back and a great place for exploring all the gorgeous area around.
Looks like this Treviso city walking tour is informative and easy to follow, thank you.
Glad you found my Treviso walking tour helpful for planning your trip. Thank you for leaving a comment.