Photo by Stefan Bauer. Bassano del Grappa is a Venetian town known throughout the world for the famous distillate, or grappa, to which several museums are dedicated in the city. It rises on the banks of the Brenta river and has a center that is articulated along the Ponte Vecchio and the upper part, where most of the attractions are concentrated. Also relevant is the memory of the vicissitudes of the Second World War , which created many visible wounds in many corners of the country.
What to see in Bassano del Grappa
1 – Ponte Vecchio (or Ponte degli Alpini)
Photo by Patrick Denker. Undoubtedly the symbol of the city, the Ponte Vecchio crosses the Brenta riverand it has been rebuilt several times, both because of the floods of the river and because of the fires and devastation of the Second World War.
Precisely following this event, the reconstruction took place by the National Alpine Association and it is since then that the bridge has been known by the name of Ponte degli Alpini.
Despite the various renovations, the Ponte Vecchio is still inspired by the initial idea that Palladio gave it in 1569.
The image you get from the city from this perspective is worth a walk on the bridge itself.
- How to get there: the Ponte Vecchio is located in the lower part and is easily reachable on foot once you enter the city – it is one kilometer from the city’s train station and can be reached on foot – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
2 – Museo degli Alpini
Photo by Evelyscher. Located in the immediate vicinity of the Ponte Vecchio, the Museo degli Alpini is located in the basement of the “Taverna degli Alpini”. Inside it is possible to admire numerous relics dating back to the period of the First and Second World War, as well as to that of the Resistance, with particular reference to the body of the Alpini.
Among the various finds found mostly on Monte Grappa, of particular importance are the various military instruments, the sheets that D’Annunzio threw on Vienna, an Italian flag with the Savoy coat of arms and letters, manuscripts and original photographs of the period.
- How to get there: in the lower part of the city, immediately near the Ponte Vecchio – it is located directly along the bridge and is about a kilometer from the city’s train station, within walking distance – Get directions
- Hours: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 08:00 to 20:00
- Ticket cost: free
3 – Grapperia Nardini
The Grapperia Nardini is the oldest Italian distillery and, for this reason, it is also counted among the historical places of Italy; inside, in fact, it is still possible to find the atmosphere of the late 1700s.
A visit to the Grapperia is recommended both for an aperitif but, of course, also to taste the various types of grappas , from the classic to the more innovative ones. Tasting of Tagliatella, the typical liqueur of Bassano del Grappa and the surrounding areas, is not to be missed.
- How to get there: located on the Ponte Vechio, reachable on foot by crossing the bridge itself – it is about a kilometer from the city’s train station and can be reached on foot – Get directions
- Hours: guided tours from Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 12:00 and from 14:30 to 18:00, by reservation only. Closed on public holidays. For info, tel. 0424.227741 – e-mail [email protected] – ​​website www.nardini.it
- Ticket cost: free
4 – Piazza Liberta
Photo by Riki1979. Piazza Liberta, located in the historic center in the upper part of the city , owes its name to the various historical vicissitudes that wanted it first dedicated to San Giovanni, then to Vittorio Emanuele II and, finally, to the People.
On the west side of the square, supported by two columns, stands the Lion of San Marco, symbol of Venetian domination, and a statue of San Bassiano, protector of the city. To the north, however, there are the houses of the Remondini printing house and the Loggia del Comune while, to the south, we find the church of San Giovanni.
- How to get there: the square is located in the upper part of the city – 350 meters from the Ponte Vecchio and 650 meters from the city’s railway station – and can be reached on foot. It is a restricted traffic zone – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible.
- Ticket cost: free
5 – Piazza Garibaldi
This square, located on the east side of Piazza Liberta, is also known as Piazza della Fontana or Piazza delle Erbe, as the vegetable market was held there for a long time.
The name of Piazza della Fontana, on the other hand, derives from the Bonaguro fountain located almost in the center, which the sculptor Carlo Spazzi, in honor of the mayor of that period, created to celebrate the inauguration of the municipal aqueduct. The Civic Tower, the Civic Museum and the church of San Francesco also overlook Piazza Garibaldi .
- How to get there: in the historic center, east of Piazza Liberta. It is about 400 meters from the Ponte Vecchio and about 700 meters from the city’s train station – and within walking distance. It is a restricted traffic zone – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible.
- Ticket cost: free.
6 – Viale dei Martiri
This long tree-lined avenue represents another of the most significant moments in the history of Bassano del Grappa and its participation in the Second World War: along this avenue, in fact, in 1944 31 soldiers and each tree of this road still brings back the images in memory of that sad story.
following this event, the avenue changes its name from Viale XX Settembre and Viale dei Martiri .
- How to get there: from Piazza Liberta and Piazza Garibaldi, walk towards the large parking lot of the city – 700 meters from the city’s train station and 450 meters from the Ponte Vecchio – and within walking distance – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible.
- Ticket cost: free.
7 – Town hall and municipal loggia
The Loggia di Piazza and its Town Hall building were, starting from 1405, the first buildings in this area. Only later was it decided to install a clock with a dial to symbolize the lay passage of time: it was made in 1430 by the master Corrado da Feltre for 46 gold ducats, while the current device is the work of Bartolomeo Ferracina. Despite having suffered a fire in 1682, some frescoes and 120 coats of arms of the first Venetian podesta are still preserved in the interior.
- How to get there: in the historic center, in Piazza Liberta. It is about one kilometer from the Ponte Vecchio and 500 meters from the city’s train station – and within walking distance – Get directions
- Hours: from Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 12:30; Thursday from 16:00 to 18:30.
- Ticket cost: free.
8 – Civic
Museum The Civic Museum of Bassano del Grappa is one of the oldest civic museums in the whole of Veneto : it offers its visitors an art gallery with more than 500 works dated between the 13th and 20th centuries, among which the most important are the paintings by Jacopo da Ponte and his workshop. However, the Bassano Museum is a must especially for fans of Antonio Canova, the protagonist of an entire section . Finally, the museum also houses an interesting archaeological collection, ancient jewelry dating back to Magna Graecia, ancient and modern prints and a collection of ceramics.
- How to get there: located in Piazza Garibaldi, in the historic center. It is 600 meters from the city’s train station and 400 meters from the Ponte Vecchio – and within walking distance – Get directions
- Hours: every day, from 10:00 to 19:00; closed on Tuesdays, January 1st, Easter and December 25th. Extraordinary opening on public holidays.
- Ticket cost: € 7.00
- Reductions : € 5.00 for visitors over 65, children aged between 10 and 18; university students under the age of 26 and for groups of visitors over 15 units.
- Free : free admission for children under 10, for residents of Bassano del Grappa, and every first Sunday of the month for residents of the municipalities adhering to the IPA
9 – Hemingway and Great War
Museum The museum dedicated to Hemingway and the Great War is housed in a wing of the building called Ca ‘Erizzo, just north of the Ponte Vecchio.
The Hemingway Museum occupies five large rooms and is located directly on the street level, with restricted access. 58 large panels, full of detailed historical information, make up the exhibition part while, in the entrance hall, Hemingway welcomes visitors with his works set during the Great War.
Most notably, the museum provides stories and images of America’s participation in the war.
- How to get there: ten minutes walk from the historic center, heading north – from the Ponte Vecchio it is just over a kilometer and almost two from the station – can be reached on foot or by car – Get directions
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00. Closed on Mondays, January 1st, Easter Day, December 25th.
- Ticket cost: € 5.00
- Reductions : € 3.00 for children aged 6 to 12, for those over 26, for university students under the age of 26
- Free : free admission for children under 6 years and for the disabled.
10 – Museo della grappa Poli
Photo by GrappaCom. The Grappa museum is a tribute to the Poli family to the typical Italian distillate, namely grappa .
Inside there are five large exhibition halls, rich in multimedia content (including photos and video projections) available in both Italian and English. In addition to the visit with tasting, the museum offers packages, especially for groups, which complete the tour with the tasting of other typical products of the area.
- How to get there: in the lower part of the town, a few steps from the Ponte Vecchio. It is 900 meters from the city’s train station and 100 meters from the Ponte Vecchio – within walking distance – Get directions
- Hours: every day, from 09:00 to 19:30; closed on January 1st, Easter Day, December 25th.
- Ticket price: free admission; visit with tasting of five products, € 3.00 per person.
Bassano del Grappa itinerary in one day
Morning – After having breakfast at the Mozart Bistro, the first visit is to Piazza Liberta and Piazza Garibaldi , located one after the other and the nerve center of the city. In the first, among other things, we will be able to admire the Lion of San Marco, the statue of San Bassiano and the Remondini printing house, which made Bassano del Grappa famous all over the world. Also worth a stop and a photo are the Town Hall and the municipal loggia. In Piazza Garibaldi, however, before entering the Civic Museum, we stop to admire the Bonaguro fountain and the church of San Francesco. We always have lunch in the historic center, perhaps at the El Piron restaurant, after which we head towards the lower part and the Brenta river.
Afternoon – After lunch, our first walk is along the Ponte Vecchio , also known as Ponte degli Alpini. Along the bridge, we first stop at the Museo degli Alpini and then at the Grappa Museum , born as a tribute by the Poli family to the Italian distillate par excellence. At the end, we take via Margnan and with a walk of about a quarter of an hour we reach the last museum of our day, that is the Hemingway and Great War Museum , housed inside Villa Ca ‘Erizzo .
Our next stop is the Viale dei Martiri, tree-lined street in commemoration of the young soldiers sentenced to death during the Second World War. This road can be reached by taking a walk of about ten minutes from Villa Ca ‘Erizzo, which can be done on foot with great pleasure. From Viale dei Martiri, we return to the Ponte Vecchio, just 400 meters away, and visit the Grapperia Nardini , taking advantage of the afternoon hours to enjoy an aperitif inside.
Evening – In the evening we can go to the Premiata Fabbrica Pizza for our dinner in the center. Before or after dinner, we will be able to walk along the Brenta river , on the pedestrian path that allows you to enjoy a spectacular view of the bridge and the city, as well as the surrounding mountains.
Here is the one-day itinerary in summary :
- Breakfast at Mozart Bistro
- Piazza Liberta, Palazzo del Muncipio and municipal loggia – from Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 12:30; Thursday from 16:00 to 18:30 – free
- Piazza Garibaldi and Civic Museum – every day except Tuesday, from 10:00 to 19:00. Ticket price: full € 7.00 – reduced € 5.00.
- Lunch at Trattoria El Piron
- Ponte Vecchio – always accessible – free
- Museo degli Alpini – from Tuesday to Sunday, from 08:00 to 20:00 – free
- Grappa Museum – every day, from 09:00 to 19:30 – free (€ 3.00 per visit with tasting)
- Hemingway and Great War Museum – Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00. Closed on Monday – ticket price: full, € 5.00 – reduced € 3.00
- Viale dei Martiri – always accessible – free
- Grapperia Nardini – guided tours from Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 12:00 and from 14:30 to 18:00, by reservation only. Closed on public holidays – free
- Lungofiume Brenta – always accessible – free
- Dinner at the Premiata Fabbrica PIzza
Where to eat in Bassano del Grappa
- Mozart Bistro : restaurant in the center open from 07:00 in the morning, therefore also suitable for breakfast, as it offers bar products.
Average price per person: starting from € 8.00 for breakfast
. Address and contacts: via Jacopo Vittorelli 63 – Get directions – tel. 0424228941 - Trattoria El Piron : not very large, family-run, offers Italian cuisine, especially Mediterranean.
Average price per person: starting from € 20.00 for lunch
. Address and contacts: via Zaccaria Bricito 12 – Get directions – tel. 0424525306 - Premiata Fabbrica Pizza : a place specializing in pizza and some dishes of Italian cuisine, it also offers solutions for vegetarians and for those intolerant to gluten. Open for both lunch and dinner.
Average price per person: starting from € 21.00 per person for pizza and soft drink
Address and contacts: via Angarano 5 – Get directions – tel. 0424280457
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and best clubs
Being famous all over the world for its main distillate, grappa, Bassano del Grappa is organized above all with lounge bars and clubs with live music which, opening right in the late evening or even after midnight, they entertain young people and anyone who wants to be late with events and DJ sets. However, there is no shortage of discos for those who love to dance until the morning. The area where these venues are most concentrated is the historic center and the Ponte Vecchio area .
- Palazzo delle Misture : small venue located in the center of Bassano, opens only in the evening and specializes in offering cocktails. It has indoor seating and outdoor seating. Address: piazza Montevecchio 24 – Get directions, Facebook page
- Enoteca Mariga : purely evening place, with an informal yet elegant character, and known for serving excellent wines right on the banks of the Brenta river. Address: Via Macello 3 – Get directions, Facebook page
- Le Roi Club 1951 discotheque : despite being open only in the winter months, being in a room in the basement, it is one of the most well-known places in the Bressanese nightlife. Very often events and evenings are organized with very important DJs worldwide. Address: Via Giacomo Matteotti 46 – Get directions, Facebook page
Plan your stay in Bassano del Grappa: info and useful tips
- How to get there: it is possible to reach Bassano del Grappa with your own car along, depending on the origin, the A22, A4 and A31 motorways. By plane, the most easily connected airport with the city is that of Venice Marco Polo: from here, it is possible to take the train that in just over two hours leads to Bassano del Grappa. Prices starting from € 12.00 up to € 35.00 per person each way. For those who want to get to Bassano del Grappa by train, there is the station with the Bassano del Grappa stop, just 900 meters from the historic center, within walking distance.
- Getting around : the best way to get around the city is undoubtedly on foot, as the attractions and areas of interest are all very close to each other and, in addition, traffic restrictions apply in some areas of the city.
- Where to park : Bassano del Grappa has at least seven parking areas, immediately on the edge of the historic center. Many of them are free; for those with a fee, the rate starts at a cost of € 1.00 per hour. Being mostly close to the pedestrian areas, it is possible to reach the center directly on foot. We would like to point out the Le Piazze Parking (viale delle Fosse 41 – Get directions), Il Ponte Parking (Piazzale Luigi Cadorna – Get directions). Free parking is also available in via Volpato 3 (Get directions)
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 70.00 per room – see the offers
- What to see in the surrounding area : Marostica (6km away, about 10 minutes by car), Asiago (30 km away, about 34 minutes by car), Breganze (15km away, about 20 minutes by car), Schio (37km away, about 50 minutes by car), Thiene (25km away, about 33 minutes by car), Vicenza (33km away, about 41 minutes by car)
