Asolo, Veneto
Overview
Discover Asolo: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel
The town of Asolo ranks number 25 on a list published in Italy’s most famous newspaper “La Corriere della Serra” of the country’s 100 most beautiful villages. Dominated by “La Rocca” castle, the town has preserved its evocative medieval atmosphere. Porticoes and arcaded pavements flank the winding streets. Near to the central piazza many of the ancient buildings still display frescoes on their exteriors.
The name of this town forms the base of the Italian verb “Asolare” meaning to pass time in a meaningless but delightful way. In this sense, the town of Asolo is laid back in an quintessentially Italian way. Not a lot happens here; but the place, the people, the birdsong and the foliage which blanket Asolo and the surrounding area make the town and its environs, put simply, delightful.
Before the town became a Roman stronghold (which they may have called “Acelum”) the site was inhabited by the by ancient Veneti tribes. The walls around Asolo date back to the 14th century, the period when the town found itself caught up in the bitter conflicts between the local ruling families: the Scaglieri of Verona, the Carrasei (Lords of Padua) and the Serenissima (Venitian republic) herself.
In 1489 the “Lordship” of Asolo was granted to Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, as partial compensation for the island of Cyprus which she ceded to the Venetian Republic. Thus the town became the center of a Royal Court, a very small court, but one renowned for its refinement and for the quality of the artists who visited there: amongst whom was Pietro Bembo, who wrote the Gli Asolani a poetic essay explaining Platonic love.
During the 19th century the English Romantic poet Robert Browning lived in Asolo where he wrote Asolando, his last volume of poems. Since then many other writers and artists, attracted by the beauty of the place have chosen the town “for rest and inspiration”. Many poets, writers and architects visited and stayed in Asolo, including: Eugene Benson, Henry James, Carlo Scarpa, Ernest Hemingway, Giosue Carducci, Filippo De Pisis and Elizabeth Barret Browning (Robert Browning’s wife). Musicians including Igor Stravinsky and Gian Francesco Malipiero composed here. The famous Italian actress Eleanor Duse retired here, her legacy living on in the Duse Hotel and restaurant.
Asolo is glamorous and on the weekends, in the central piazza, rich Venetians come in convertible Ferraris, Lambourginis and Alfa Romeos, to sit in the sunny piazza drinking Prosecco, a wine produced in the Veneto, while staring at the often beautifully attired local inhabitants. The town isn’t big, but it is exquisite, enchanting and evocative of both days of old, and of the extreme affluence of modern times.
By Jesse Andrews, August 25, 2006
Our own photographs
Asolo Through Our Eyes
Photographed during our own travels and research, these images follow the journey through Asolo, from the first view of the landscape to the small details that give the place its character.
Incredible Asolo in the Veneto Region of Italy, Truly Spectacular Photo by Jesse Andrews for Italy Vacation Specialists
Riding through Veneto region Italy into the town of Asolo, truly divine experience of the Veneto Region in Italy's north with Italy Vacation Specialists
City Centre of Asolo, Veneto Region, Italy
Beautiful City Centre of Asolo, Veneto Region, Italy
Countrisde surrouding Asolo, Veneto Region, Italy
Map
Get your bearings before you go
Photo Gallery
Explore Towns and Cities in Veneto
Every town here has its own personality. We know them by name.
Our Featured Properties
Stays we picked one by one
Italy,Veneto,Venice
Italy,Veneto,Venice
Italy,Veneto,Venice
Italy,Veneto,Venice
Getting here
The Road to Asolo
Most of our guests arrive by private car, with a driver who knows these roads and where it is worth stopping along the way. These are the journeys we arrange most often.
Starting somewhere else? Tell us where, and we will arrange the car.
Plan my transferQuick Enquiry Form
Tell us about your dream trip and we'll craft the perfect itinerary for you.
In their words
Stories that stay with you
What our guests write to us once they are home again
From the journal
IVS Magazine
Latest
27 October 2026
Italy Travel Alerts October 30 Strike, Rising Costs & What Travellers Need to Know
Read the piece
Plan it with us
For customized holidays and expert advice for travel in Italy and the Mediterranean, get in touch with your travel agent or contact us via our.
-
Direct In Italy: +39 375 823 5314
-
Toll Free: 1-866-779-2565