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Venetian Villas Day 2026: a weekend of discovery just outside Venice
On 17 and 18 October, discover historic residences, meet the people who care for them and be surprised by the local area—even if you call it home.
There are places we know by name, pass on our way to work or have always meant to visit “one day”. Venetian villas often fall into this category: familiar landmarks in the landscape, yet home to stories and beauty that deserve a closer look.
Now in its fifth edition, Venetian Villas Day invites us to do just that. On Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026, villas across Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia will offer visits and experiences centred on art, gardens, local flavours and villa life. Discover the event on the official website.
For visitors staying in Venice, it is an opportunity to extend their trip to the mainland. For those who live in Venice, Mestre or nearby, it can be a reason to spend a day exploring their own area and seeing it through fresh eyes.
Venice and its villas: a history to rediscover
The history of Venice reaches beyond the lagoon. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, as the Republic expanded onto the mainland, Venetian aristocratic families invested some of the wealth they had accumulated through trade in agricultural estates and country residences.
The villas were prestigious homes, but they also served as centres for managing the estates: alongside their grand rooms and gardens were spaces devoted to agricultural work. Visiting them reveals how closely art, architecture and country life were connected.
Over the following centuries, a distinctive culture of villa life developed: these residences became places for summer retreats, social gatherings and encounters with artists and writers. After the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797, many underwent changes and periods of neglect. In the twentieth century, thanks in part to Giuseppe Mazzotti’s work in the 1950s, renewed attention was given to their restoration and preservation. Learn more about the history of the Venetian villas.
The event offers a chance to discover this heritage through the people who care for it today. The programme includes meetings with owners, guided tours, tastings, music and family activities: opportunities to explore the spaces and hear the stories that bring them to life. Browse the 2026 programme.
Three experiences to inspire you
Villa Foscari – La Malcontenta: living with Palladio
On Saturday 17 October, Villa Foscari will offer a guided tour led by its owner, Antonio Foscari. Drawing on his book Vivere con Palladio nel Cinquecento (Living with Palladio in the Sixteenth Century), the tour explores how the villa’s interiors and surrounding spaces were used.
It is an experience for architecture lovers and anyone curious about life in a historic residence. For those who already know La Malcontenta, it offers a reason to return and hear a different perspective.
Villa di Maser: art, gardens and family activities
At Villa di Maser, the programme offers a choice of cultural tours, botanical discoveries and games:
- “Botanical Walks” — Saturday 17 October: explore the park with Chiara Schirato, learning about wild herbs and plants, followed by refreshments.
- “Next Level? Villa di Maser!” — Saturday 17 October: an interactive tour for young visitors, ending with a final challenge.
- “Guided Villa and Garden Tour” — Sunday 18 October: a tour exploring the connections between the historic gardens and Paolo Veronese’s frescoes.
- “The Villa and the Tempietto” — 17 and 18 October: discover Palladio’s architecture, the frescoes and the Tempietto, which can be accessed as part of this tour.
- “Treasure Hunt” — 17 and 18 October: explore the villa by solving clues with friends or family.
- “Villa Quiz” — 17 and 18 October: observation challenges for visitors, including adults.
The range of experiences makes Maser an appealing choice for a day with family or friends, with activities to suit different interests. Explore Villa di Maser’s experiences in the 2026 programme.
Villa Soranzo Chiminelli: a visit with the owners
At Villa Soranzo Chiminelli, in the Treviso area, the programme for 17 and 18 October includes a tour led by the owners. The visit takes in frescoes from the school of Paolo Veronese and the private chapel, alongside stories from the family who care for the residence.
It is an option for anyone wishing to venture a little further and combine artistic discovery with the stories of the people who keep this heritage alive.
All three experiences are included in the event’s official programme.
An idea for local residents, too
You do not need to be on holiday to enjoy a day of discovery. Choose a villa you have never visited, arrange an outing with friends or browse the programme for an activity suitable for children.
For those who live nearby, it is also a chance to finally put a name and a story to a building they have passed countless times. A garden, a frescoed room or an owner’s account can change the way we see a place we thought we knew.
The advice is simple: choose just a few stops and give yourself time to enjoy each visit. One villa, lunch nearby and a walk can be enough to make a memorable day.
Planning your visit
Participation arrangements vary by villa and activity. Before setting off, check the experience details for times, prices, booking requirements, accessibility and the language of the tour, especially if you are travelling with international guests. It is also worth planning your transport, taking each residence’s location into account.
The full programme is available on the Venetian Villas Day website.
This weekend could be the beginning of a new discovery: sometimes, all it takes to feel like a traveller is to stop somewhere nearby that we have not yet made time to explore.
Would you like to keep exploring the Venetian villas?
Beyond Venetian Villas Day, we at Venice Incoming can arrange a Burchiello boat tour along the Brenta Riviera, departing from Venice or Padua: a chance to admire the landscape from the water and visit some of its historic residences.
Whether you are visiting Venice or live nearby, contact us to find out about itineraries and availability, and plan your day of cruising and exploring Venetian villas.
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