Explore the heart of eastern Veneto: from Venice to Cortina

Taking the bus in Venice and getting off in Cortina is one of the most rewarding travel experiences Eastern Veneto has to offer. Operated by ATVO, this route connects two of Italy's most iconic destinations — the enchanting lagoon city of Venice and the breathtaking alpine resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo — through a series of stops that reveal the true soul of the Veneto region.

This is not just a bus ride. It is a journey through contrasting landscapes, from the shimmering waters of the Venetian lagoon to the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites, passing through medieval towns, rolling hills, and resilient communities that carry centuries of history. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller, this route offers an authentic perspective on Eastern Veneto that no guided tour can replicate. Sit back, look out the window, and let the landscape tell its story.

Venice as your starting point: where the journey begins

Every great journey needs a worthy beginning, and few cities in the world can match Venice as a starting point. Before boarding the ATVO bus at Piazzale Roma, take the time to absorb the city around you. Have breakfast in the shadow of St. Mark's Basilica, walk across the Rialto Bridge in the early morning quiet, or simply stand at the edge of a canal and watch the light shift on the water.

Piazzale Roma is the main hub where road transport meets the city, and it is from here that your overland adventure begins. The ATVO service departs regularly, making it easy to plan your departure around your exploration of the city. 

The intermediate stops that shape the route

What transforms this bus journey into something genuinely memorable is the sequence of towns it passes through. Each stop adds a different layer to your understanding of Eastern Veneto, and together they paint a portrait of a region that is far more diverse than many visitors expect.

Mestre is the first stop, often dismissed as merely the mainland extension of Venice, but worth a second glance for its authentic urban energy and local markets. Then comes Marco Polo Airport, an international gateway that briefly connects your regional journey to the wider world before the route turns inland.

Treviso follows, and this is where the journey truly begins to deepen. Known for its elegant canals, frescoed walls and the birthplace of tiramisu, Treviso is a city that punches well above its weight culturally. A short stop here feels like stepping into a quieter, more intimate version of Venice. Further along, Vittorio Veneto rises from the Veneto hills with its medieval towers and panoramic views, offering a glimpse into the region's layered historical identity.

Longarone and the road to the mountains

As the bus climbs northward and the valley narrows, you arrive at Longarone — a town whose story is inseparable from one of Italy's most tragic engineering disasters. The Vajont Dam collapse reshaped this community entirely, and what stands today is a town rebuilt from the ground up, carrying its past with quiet dignity. Visiting, even briefly, prompts reflection on human resilience and the relationship between infrastructure and nature.

Beyond Longarone, the landscape shifts dramatically. The Dolomite peaks begin to assert themselves on the horizon, the air changes, and the road winds through gorges and forests that make the final stretch to Cortina feel like a natural crescendo. 

Cortina d'Ampezzo: the final destination worth every kilometer

Arriving in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the town sits in a wide, sunlit valley surrounded by some of the most dramatic rock formations in Europe. Whether you visit in winter for skiing or in summer for hiking, Cortina offers a rare combination of natural grandeur and refined hospitality.

The town itself is compact and walkable, with a main corso lined with boutiques, mountain gear shops and excellent restaurants serving traditional Ampezzano cuisine. The surrounding peaks — including the Tofane, the Cristallo and the Cinque Torri — offer trails and lifts for every level of outdoor enthusiast. Cortina is not simply a ski resort; it is a mountain destination with a cultural identity all its own.

Why travelling by bus reveals what other routes cannot

Taking the bus in Venice and getting off in Cortina, offers something that faster modes of transport simply cannot: continuity. When you fly or take a high-speed train, the landscape between your origin and destination disappears. On the ATVO bus, it becomes the journey itself.

Slow travel by bus also encourages a different kind of attention. You notice the transition from lagoon to plain, from plain to foothills, from foothills to mountain valley. You see how towns change in architecture and character as altitude increases. You have time to think, to read, to observe — and occasionally to strike up a conversation with a local who has made this same journey dozens of times and knows every bend in the road.

From the lagoon to the Dolomites: a route worth taking

The ATVO bus route from Venice to Cortina d'Ampezzo is more than a practical transport solution — it is a curated encounter with the landscapes, towns and stories that define Eastern Veneto. From the canals of Venice to the peaks surrounding Cortina, every kilometer of this journey adds something to the experience. It asks you to slow down, look outward and engage with a region that reveals itself gradually, stop by stop.

If you are planning a trip to Venice and want to extend your adventure beyond the lagoon, this route offers an effortless way to do so. And if Cortina is already your destination, consider what you might discover along the way.