The Palladian villas near Vicenza: which to visit and how

In the 16th century, the Venetian Republic turned its attention to farming the mainland, and its noble families built country houses to run their estates. Andrea Palladio designed many of them, giving farmhouses the dignity of ancient temples. Together with the city of Vicenza, his villas form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and several are within half an hour of Montecchio Maggiore.

Villa La Rotonda

Palladio’s most famous villa, on a hill on the edge of Vicenza, with a temple front on each side and a dome in the centre. The gardens open more often than the interior. See our Villa La Rotonda guide.

Villa Valmarana ai Nani

Next door to La Rotonda, and named after the stone dwarfs on its wall. It is not by Palladio, but its rooms were painted by Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo in 1757, some of the most charming frescoes in the Veneto.

Villa Godi Malinverni

At Lugo di Vicenza, north of the city, one of Palladio’s earliest villas, simple and severe, with frescoed rooms inside and a park around it.

Villa Barbaro at Maser

Further east, near Asolo, a villa with farm wings that combines Palladio’s architecture with frescoes by Paolo Veronese. It is a longer trip but one of the great sights of the Veneto.

Villa Cordellina, in Montecchio

An 18th-century villa in Palladio’s tradition, designed by Giorgio Massari, with frescoes by Tiepolo. It is right in Montecchio Maggiore. See our Villa Cordellina guide.

Tips for visiting villas

• Check opening days: many villas are still private homes and open only on certain days or by appointment.
• Go by car or tour: most villas are in the countryside, with little public transport.
• Combine with Vicenza: see Palladio’s city palaces in our Vicenza in a day guide.
• Bring cash: some smaller villas prefer it for tickets.