Spring and autumn are the best seasons for planning a weekend in Veneto focused on the Colli Euganei area. The crisp air of these months creates a sharp thermal contrast with the warm waters of the spa towns, while the hills are painted in seasonal colours, steering well clear of the intense heat and mugginess of the plains in summer.
This stretch of land unfolds between towns historically dedicated to wellness and the surrounding volcanic slopes, a landscape dotted with historic architecture and vineyards. If you plan to base yourself in the thermal hub and simply unwind, the train makes getting around effortless: the Bologna-Padova line calls at the Terme Euganee-Abano-Montegrotto station, and direct buses leave Padova station every thirty minutes.
If you prefer to broaden your scope and independently explore the hillside villas and historic centres, a private or hire car is by far the most convenient option for cutting down on dead time and tackling the steep gradients. The following itinerary strikes a balance between morning strolls through historic gardens and relaxing afternoons in the water, keeping stops close together so you never spend too many hours behind the wheel in a single day.
A two-day itinerary in the Colli Euganei
Day 1 — Seventeenth-century gardens and stone alleys
Morning
Your day begins in the town of Abano Terme with a stroll through Parco Urbano Termale. It is a contemporary green oasis woven directly into the urban fabric, ideal for stretching your legs before getting into the car. The walking route takes around 45 minutes and requires no tickets or advance booking. Once you have finished your walk, head towards Galzignano Terme to reach the hamlet of Valsanzibio. Here stands the Giardino Monumentale di Valsanzibio (Villa Barbarigo), a Baroque park dating from the seventeenth century. The grounds feature an extensive boxwood labyrinth, numerous fountains and allegorical pathways originally designed as a journey towards the salvation of the soul. A full visit takes between an hour and a half and two hours. At weekends, it is best to book your entry in advance to secure your preferred time slot.
Afternoon
For lunch, head south to the municipality of Arquà Petrarca. A table at Ristorante La Montanella gives you the chance to sample several classic recipes from Veneto; this historic establishment has long been part of the Buon Ricordo association. Once you have eaten, spend the entire afternoon in the Borgo medievale di Arquà Petrarca, one of the oldest and most intact settlements in the area, easily recognisable by its stone-paved alleys and shops selling traditional jujube liqueur. Exploring both the lower and upper quarters on foot takes about two to three hours. Within the pedestrianised centre stands the Casa del Petrarca, a fourteenth-century residence overlooking the hills where the poet spent his final years. The house takes roughly forty-five minutes to visit.
Evening
Before the light fades completely, follow the road that winds up out of the village to reach the Pianoro del Mottolone. This natural vantage point offers an open, uninterrupted view across the entire Colli Euganei, making it the best time and place to take photographs while soaking in the sunset and absolute silence. For dinner, head back into the historic centre and stop at Osteria Al Guerriero. The restaurant focuses on hearty, traditional local dishes, regularly featuring staples such as bigoli with duck ragù alongside various regional meat specialities.
Day 2 — Historic architecture and thermal baths
Morning
Your second day focuses on the northern area of the hills. Begin in Luvigliano di Torreglia with a visit to Villa dei Vescovi, a Renaissance villa surrounded by rows of vines and managed by FAI. Allow an hour and a half to tour the interiors and gardens, and booking your ticket online is recommended to avoid queues at the ticket desk. A short drive away, in the municipality of Teolo, you will find the Abbazia di Praglia. This complex is a grand twelfth-century Benedictine monastery featuring historic cloisters, an ancient library and an herbalist shop run directly by the monks, taking about an hour and a half to explore. If you would rather get active, hire a touring bike or e-bike and ride a section of the Anello Ciclabile dei Colli Euganei. The entire route spans 63 km, is completely flat, and runs alongside waterways and open fields. Have lunch in Torreglia, taking a seat at Ristorante Al Pirio: its terrace overlooks the vineyards and the kitchen works exclusively with zero-kilometre produce.
Afternoon
If you opted out of cycling, the afternoon is made for pure physical rest as you head down to the plain to Montegrotto Terme. The Piscine Termali Chalet (Terme Preistoriche) complex welcomes anyone looking for a day spa session. The facility offers warm thermal pools set within parkland shaded by ancient trees, pairing traditional bathing pools with hydromassage areas and waterfalls designed to ease neck and shoulder tension.
Evening
After your thermal bath, remain in Montegrotto Terme. Dinner is at Hostaria dei AnZoi, an osteria with well-curated interiors that keeps a warm, convivial feel. There is no printed set menu: the daily specials and local dishes are written on a chalkboard, updated according to whatever fresh ingredients arrived from the market that morning.
Practical tips for your weekend
- If you choose to spend the day at the thermal baths without an overnight stay, such as at Piscine Termali Chalet (Terme Preistoriche) or AbanoRitz Hotel Terme, your Day Spa entry must be booked 24 to 48 hours in advance, especially at weekends.
- The entire historic centre of the Borgo medievale di Arquà Petrarca is closed to traffic. It is best to leave your car in the designated car parks at the foot of the lower village, or in those of the upper quarter, then tackle the inclines on foot along the cobbled paths.
- To follow this itinerary, budget an average spend of between €200 and €280 per person; this excludes your hotel, but covers admission to the historic gardens, traditional meals, and a full day's entry to the thermal spa pools.
Where to stay between Abano and Montegrotto
Historic property featuring extensive wooded grounds and thermal pools accessible both indoors and out.
View on Booking →Five-star hotel two hundred metres from the centre, equipped with a wellness area and dedicated thermal treatment facilities.
View on Booking →Four-star hotel with interconnected indoor and outdoor pools, equipped with hydromassage features and a steam cave.
View on Booking →