Best Day Trips from Verona
The city of Verona in northern Italy is certainly a beautiful one. With attractions like the Roman amphitheater and Juliet's Balcony, there's plenty to do in Verona, especially for fans of art, history, or excellent food.
However, Verona is a little on the small side. Once you've visited the best museums in the city and got the obligatory photo of Juliet's balcony, you may find yourself wondering what else there is to do.
Luckily, Verona is close to some incredible attractions, so day trips from the city can take you to truly amazing places. Italy packs so much into a relatively small space, and the best day trips from Verona can bring you to some true bucket list destinations and keep you occupied no matter how long you're in the area.
Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Verona, and check out some of these ideas for fascinating day trips. Whatever you like to do, there's probably a day trip from Verona that will put a smile on your face.
How to get out of Verona
Like most Italian cities, Verona is very well-connected to the city's public transportation infrastructure. Verona Porta Nuova is the city's main train station, and it makes the ideal base to head out on the best day trips in Verona. As well as high-speed intercity trains and slower regional trains, long-distance buses leave from here to explore more of the region. So if you want to experience a great Verona day trip, chances are good you'll pass through the station. If you're wondering how to get around the city itself, check out our guide on how to get around Verona.
Many of the best day trips from Verona can be reached by a bus or train journey. However, depending on where you want to go, you may find a car is the best solution. Driving in Verona isn't necessarily a pleasant experience: after all, this gorgeous medieval town was not set up for motor vehicles. But once you're out of the city, you can drive to some truly impressive day trip destinations.
From Verona to Trento
Located as it is just an hour from Verona, Trento is an obvious place for a Verona day trip. The historic centre of this town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's easy to see why. The town is filled with beautiful buildings, including the Duomo di Trento, one of the most important Romanesque cathedrals in Italy.
Trento is also a great place to learn more about the area's history. The Museo Storico della Guerra del Trentino is a fascinating museum dedicated to the First World War, which was fought in this region. If you want to escape the city for a while, Trento is an ideal destination, and there are plenty of things to see and do here.
How to get to Trento
A regional train can take you directly from the center of Verona to the heart of Trento in just under an hour and a half. There are also faster trains which take just under an hour to make journey, but they cost a little more.
From Verona to Lake Garda
Don't let the popularity of this next day trip put you off; Lake Garda is undoubtedly one of the best day trips from Verona. Partly, that's thanks to how close the lake is to the city. Verona is one of the closest cities to this classic bucket list destination, and Lake Garda is practically on the city's doorstep.
Lake Garda is stunningly beautiful, and a boat ride over the serene water is the perfect way to enjoy the scenery. You can also stop at the many charming Lake Garda towns along the shoreline and even take a guided tour of the lake to learn more about its geology, natural history, and importance to the region. Alternatively, if you're the active type, there are tons of hiking trails in the hills around Lake Garda, making this the perfect day trip destination for those who like to escape busy cities.
How to get to Lake Garda
You can reach the village of Pescheria del Garda on the shores of the lake with a 13-minute train ride from Verona. You can buy train tickets from machines in the train station which have an option for English, making this an easy way to get around. However, if you want to explore the surrounding countryside and visit the more secluded areas of Lake Garda, you might be better off renting a car. This will allow you to explore at your own pace and escape the tourist crowds.
From Verona to The Dolomites
The Dolomites are a mountain range located in northeastern Italy. This area is famous for its stunning scenery, and it's a popular destination for hikers, climbers, and skiers. The Dolomites are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there are plenty of day trips from Verona that will allow you to explore this beautiful place.
One of the best ways to experience the Dolomites is by taking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike. This is a moderate hike that takes you through some of the most iconic landscapes in the area. The views from the top of the Tre Cime peaks are truly breathtaking, and this is an experience you won't soon forget.
If you're not up for a hike, you can still enjoy the Dolomites by taking a cable car up to one of the many peaks. There are also plenty of scenic drives in the area, so even if you're not feeling adventurous, you can still enjoy the beauty of the Dolomites.
How to get to the Dolomites
The Dolomites are a popular destination, so during peak season, you may find it difficult to get around without a car. However, there is a regular bus service that runs from Verona to many of the towns in the Dolomites, so it is possible to visit without your own transportation.
From Verona to Vicenza
Vicenza is a beautiful city located just an hour from Verona. This is a great day trip destination if you're interested in architecture, as Vicenza is home to many of the works of the famous Italian architect Andrea Palladio. In fact, the city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its numerous Palladian buildings.
In addition to its architectural wonders, Vicenza is also home to plenty of other sights and attractions. The Basilica Palladiana is one of the most important buildings in the city, and the Teatro Olimpico is a must-see for any theater lover. There are also several museums in Vicenza, including the Museo Civico, which houses an impressive collection of art and artifacts.
How to get to Vicenza
Vicenza is easy to reach from Verona by train, and there are several trains departing every hour. The journey takes as little as 25 minutes, making this a great day trip option if you're short on time.
From Verona to Soave
Soave is a small town located just a few miles from Verona. This is the perfect destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some of the best wine in Italy. Soave is famous for its white wine, and there are many vineyards in the area that offer tours and tastings.
In addition to its vineyards, Soave is also home to a beautiful medieval castle. The Castello di Soave is one of the best-preserved castles in the region, and it's definitely worth a visit. You can explore the castle grounds on your own, or you can take a guided tour to learn more about its history.
How to get to Soave
Soave doesn't have a train station of its own, so if you want to get there by rail, you'll need to take the train to San Bonifacio, then take a bus from there. Alternatively, Soave is only around a 30 minute drive from the historical centre of Verona.
From Verona to Castello
Known for its huge medieval castle, Castello is one of the best medieval walled towns to visit on a day trip from Verona and is a fantastic location for history buffs or fans of photography. A guided tour of the historic centre will explain the importance of this town in the history of northern Italy, and visitors can explore the castle grounds, which offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
How to get to Castello
Reaching Castello will take longer than most of the day trips on this list, requiring a train to Florence and then a train and bus from there. An easier way to see the city is to take a guided tour from Verona. However, it takes three hours to reach Castello from Verona even by car, so you may want to consider staying a night or two to make the trip worthwhile.
From Verona to Brescia Archaeological Park
As well as lots of medieval charm, this region of Italy has its share of Roman remains. Visit Brescia Archaeological Park, and you'll see incredibly well-preserved Roman public buildings like the forum and the temples. You can also explore the Roman theater, which is still used for performances today. These Roman ruins are an incredibly atmospheric place to visit, and one of the best day trips from Verona for those with an interest in ancient history.
How to get to Brescia
A direct train from Verona to Brescia train station takes just over half an hour. From there, it's around a 25 minute walk to reach the Roman ruins. Alternatively, you can take public transit or even get a taxi.
From Verona to Mantua
Mantua is a large city located just over an hour from Verona. This is a great destination for those who want to see some of the most important sights in Veneto, as Mantua is home to many of the region's most famous landmarks. The Ducal Palace is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mantua, and other notable landmarks include the Basilica of Sant'Andrea and the Palazzo Te.
How to get to Mantua
There's a regional train that can take you from Verona to Mantua directly in a little under an hour. Driving takes about the same amount of time, but then you need to park the car and navigate traffic, so you're probably better off taking the train.
From Verona to Bologna
Bologna is a large city located just over an hour from Verona. This is a great destination for those who want to see more of the most important sights in Veneto, as Bologna is home to many of the region's most famous landmarks. The Basilica of San Petronio is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bologna, and other notable landmarks include the Palazzo Re Enzo and the Fountain of Neptune.
How to get to Bologna
Direct trains to Bologna leave from Verona several times a day. The train journey takes less than an hour, whereas driving takes around an hour and a half, so this is one example of a time when the train journey is actually quicker - not to mention cheaper and more ecologically friendly.
From Verona to Venice
Venice is one of the classic Italian bucket list destinations, and you simply have to visit this romantic city if you get the chance. With beautiful attractions like St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, and the Grand Canal, Venice is unquestionably one of the best day trips from Verona you could possibly take. The only problem is, to really get the best out of Venice and see all of the city's main attractions, you'll probably want to spend more than a day there.
That being said, if you're short on time or simply don't want to spend too much money, it is possible to visit Venice as a day trip from Verona.
Once you arrive in Venice, you can either explore the city on your own or take a guided tour. Just be aware that you won't have much time to see everything Venice has to offer, so it's important to plan your itinerary carefully.
How to get to Venice
A train from Verona to Venice won't take much more than an hour. And given that you can't drive a car into this city of canals, it's probably the best way to reach the city.
Conclusion
As charming of a city as Verona is, it's not one of Italy's major cities, and therefore can start to feel small on a longer trip. Luckily, there are so many great day trips you can take in the area that you need never be bored. Check out some of these incredible day trips, and you'll be getting a crash course in the history, art, and culture of northern Italy. With your belongings safely stored at a Bounce luggage storage, you'll be in the perfect position to explore.