Bassano del Grappa is one of the most charming towns in Veneto, set along the river Brenta at the foot of Monte Grappa. Its symbol is the famous Ponte degli Alpini (or Ponte Vecchio), the covered wooden bridge designed by Palladio, among the most photographed in Italy. The town is also famous for grappa, with its historic distilleries, for ceramics and for an elegant old centre full of squares, frescoed palaces and cafés. A few minutes away, Marostica — the “town of chess” — completes the picture with its walled village.
Choosing where to stay in Bassano del Grappa means choosing an authentic, lively base for exploring this corner of Veneto, between art, nature and tradition. In this guide we tell you about the two destinations, with practical tips and a selection of the properties most appreciated by travellers.
Bassano del Grappa: the bridge and the grappa
The historic centre of Bassano is the best area to stay: compact and elegant, it’s easily explored on foot. Its heart is the Ponte degli Alpini, with its historic distilleries overlooking the water, where you can taste the famous grappa. From here you climb towards the lively squares — Piazza Libertà and Piazza Garibaldi — the Ezzelini Castle, the Civic Museum with the works of Jacopo Bassano and the ceramics workshops. Sleeping in the centre lets you experience the town’s atmosphere at any hour, among historic cafés, wine bars and walks along the Brenta.
It’s the ideal choice for those who want everything within walking distance and love combining art, good food and tradition, with Monte Grappa and the hills a stone’s throw away. In the evening, the centre comes alive with wine bars and eateries where you can sample the local produce, from the white asparagus of Bassano to the cheeses of the Altopiano, accompanied of course by a small glass of grappa. Here are four recommended addresses.
B&B Ca’Baracca Bellavista
A welcoming B&B in Bassano del Grappa with a garden, a hot tub, free parking and rooms with a terrace. A relaxing, panoramic base, perfect for visiting the village of the Ponte degli Alpini and the surroundings, between grappa and Monte Grappa.
Bed & Breakfast Sinfonia
A welcoming B&B in Bassano del Grappa with a well-kept garden and bikes available. Well cared for and well located, it’s the ideal base for discovering the town and its surroundings at leisure, combining the comfort of a home with the convenience of being close to the centre.
Green House
A welcoming guesthouse in Bassano del Grappa with a private garden and free parking. Handy and well kept, it combines the quiet of a green space with closeness to the old centre: a practical, pleasant base for exploring the town and the area.
Bed & Breakfast Rezzonico
A welcoming B&B in Bassano del Grappa with a garden and rooms fitted with a balcony or terrace. A well-kept, quiet address, ideal for those seeking a handy, restful base from which to set off and discover the Ponte degli Alpini and the old centre.
Marostica: the town of chess
Marostica, a few minutes from Bassano, is an enchanting medieval village enclosed within its walls, famous the world over for the chess game with living pieces that takes place every two years in the scenic Piazza degli Scacchi, with the chessboard laid out on the ground. Dominated by the Lower Castle and linked by the walls to the Upper Castle on the hill, Marostica is also the home of the famous PGI cherries. It’s an ideal destination for those seeking history, atmosphere and quiet, a stone’s throw from Bassano. Here are two recommended addresses.
B&B agli Ulivi
A welcoming B&B in Marostica with air-conditioned rooms fitted with a balcony. Well kept and quiet, set in the greenery at the foot of the hills, it’s a pleasant base for discovering the town of chess and its surroundings, among walls, castles and cherries.
B&B Borgo Castello
A welcoming B&B in the old centre of Marostica, with a panoramic garden and free parking. Its location a stone’s throw from the Piazza degli Scacchi and the castle makes it ideal for experiencing the walled village on foot, between history and medieval atmosphere.
What to see and how to get around
In Bassano, besides the Ponte degli Alpini and the grappa distilleries, don’t miss the Civic Museum, the central squares, the ceramics and a walk along the Brenta. History enthusiasts can climb Monte Grappa, with its Great War military memorial and spectacular views. In Marostica you can visit the two castles and the walls, while the surroundings open onto the hills of the Asiago plateau and villages such as Asolo, the “town of a hundred horizons”. The area is also excellent for food and wine, between grappa, Bassano asparagus, cheeses and cherries.
Bassano is comfortably reached by train, with the station a few minutes from the centre, or by car from the motorway; the old centre is largely pedestrian and explored on foot. A car is useful for reaching Marostica, Asolo, Monte Grappa and the surroundings. To plan your travel, see the guide on how to get to Veneto. If your trip coincides with the Marostica chess game, in even-numbered years, book well ahead: it’s a very sought-after event.
This guide is part of our journey through the region: discover all the areas and destinations in Where to Stay in Veneto.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Bassano del Grappa and Marostica.
What is the best area to stay in Bassano del Grappa?
The historic centre is the best choice: compact and largely pedestrian, it lets you reach the Ponte degli Alpini, the distilleries, the squares and the museums on foot. It’s the most evocative and lively area, ideal for enjoying the town’s atmosphere in the evening too. Those arriving by car or seeking lower prices can choose a property with parking just outside the centre, still a few minutes from the attractions.
What is there to see in Bassano del Grappa?
Don’t miss the famous Ponte degli Alpini, designed by Palladio, with the historic distilleries where you can taste grappa; the lively central squares, the Ezzelini Castle, the Civic Museum with the works of Jacopo Bassano and the ceramics workshops. History lovers can climb Monte Grappa, with its Great War memorial. It’s a town that combines art, tradition and food and wine, perfect for a weekend.
When is the Marostica chess game held?
The famous chess game with living pieces of Marostica takes place every two years, in even-numbered years, usually in September, in the scenic Piazza degli Scacchi. It’s a very spectacular and sought-after costumed historical re-enactment that draws visitors from all over the world. If your trip coincides with the event, it’s best to book accommodation well ahead. Even outside the event, the square with the chessboard on the ground is worth a visit.
Is Bassano a good base for visiting Veneto?
Yes. Bassano del Grappa is well connected by train and by car and is a short distance from Vicenza, Padua, the Prosecco Hills, Asolo and the Asiago plateau. It’s an ideal base for those who want to combine an authentic, lively art town with discovering the hills, the villages and the mountains. It also offers lower prices than the more touristy destinations, with an excellent food-and-wine offer.
How many days do you need for Bassano and Marostica?
To visit the centre of Bassano one day is enough: the Ponte degli Alpini, the squares, the museums and the distilleries are comfortably seen on foot. With one more night you can easily add Marostica, with its castles, and the surroundings such as Asolo, Monte Grappa or the Prosecco Hills. It’s a perfect destination for a weekend combining art, history, nature and food and wine, at a relaxed pace.
