15 best day trips from Verona, Italy

Verona, with its rich history and architecture (I’m looking at you, Arena!) and the romantic connection to Romeo & Juliet, is truly a gem nestled in the heart of northern Italy.

But what makes Verona even more special is its convenience as a base for exploring other nearby towns and the beautiful surrounding area.

Some of my favorite Italian cities like Milan, Bologna, and Venice are just a short train ride away. While gorgeous Sirmione, Lake Garda and Gardaland (I loved it as a kid, and frankly I still do) are literally just around the corner.

While Verona itself offers plenty to see and do, venturing beyond its borders is a whole new adventure. Below I share my favorite day trip destinations from Verona that I’m sure you’ll love too.

Where to stay in Verona

Staying in the heart of old Verona is the best choice and you’ll be within easy walking distance from all the major attractions in Verona.

If relying on public transport opt for accommodation near Piazza Bra, or if traveling light opt for accommodation within the pedestrian area and head into the heart of the city.

Related: Best hotels in Verona

15 best day trips from Verona

While there aren’t many organized tours available directly from Verona, most of the destinations listed below can be easily accessed by train or bus. However, for some destinations, you’ll be better off with a rental car.

Lake Garda

Bus: 1h bus to Sirmione, 1h bus to Garda
Drive: 38.6 km / 35min to Sirmione, 37.5 km / 38min to Garda

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and is a breathtaking destination with a ton of places to see and lots of fun water-borne activities on crystal-clear waters, framed by majestic mountains and verdant rolling hills.

Explore the charming lakeside towns such as Sirmione, Garda, and Malcesine, where medieval castles, colorful houses, and cobblestone streets add to the enchanting atmosphere. Embark on a leisurely boat cruise to soak in the panoramic views or indulge in water activities like sailing, windsurfing, or kayaking.

Read next: Best things to do in Sirmione

Best tours of Lake Garda

Opt for this day tour from Verona to combine Lake Garda with a visit to nearby Verona. If you choose to visit Lake Garda on your own accord, make sure to join this sunset cruise from Sirmione or explore multiple towns on this tour.

Book your adventure:
Sirmione and Lake Garda Tour from Verona
Lake Garda Sunset Cruise
Lake Garda Full-Day Tour

Valpolicella Wine Tasting

Bus: 45 min
Drive: 20 km / 20 min

Valpolicella is one of Italy’s most significant wine regions, adorned with picturesque hills and charming family-run cellars. Join this wine tour from Verona, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit one of these small, traditional wineries and try the local Valpolicella, Ripasso, and Amarone wines.

On the tour the winemaker shares insights into the wine production and aging processes as they guide you through the vineyards, estate, and into the 17th-century cellars. Indulge in a wine tasting experience complemented by delightful pairings of extra-virgin olive oil, local cheese, and salami as you take in the views from the scenic terrace.

Book your wine tour:
Valpolicella wine tour
Amarone Wine e-Bike

Gardaland

Train: 20min
Drive: 30 km / 30min

Gardaland is one of the top theme parks in Italy with a wide array of roller coasters, water rides, and themed areas like the Valley of the Kings from ancient Egypt. It’s an excellent day out for young adults (and older folks who don’t mind being scared shitless).

The highlights include adrenaline-fuelled rides like the Blue Tornado and Raptor rollercoasters, the stomach-churning Oblivion “dive rollercoaster”, and the heart-attack-inducing Space Vertigo.

Gardaland tickets

You can opt to only visit Gardaland theme park or combine it with Sea Life Aquarium. There is even an option for a two-day ticket if you’re committed to all the rides!

Book your adventure:
Gardaland Entry Ticket
Gardaland and Sea Life ticket
Sea Life Aquarium Ticket

Venice

Train: 1h 12min
Drive: 121km / 1h 15min

Venice is one of Italy’s most famous cities brimming with historical landmarks from St. Mark’s Basilica to the Doge’s Palace, the Grand Canal, and its many walkways and bridges like the beautiful Rialto Bridge.

Read next: Things to do in Venice

No trip to Venice is complete without taking a gondola ride in Venice along the canals, weaving through narrow passageways and admiring the beautiful architecture that lines the waterways.

There are plenty of daily fast trains from Verona to Venice making it an easy day trip. If you plan on driving take the A13, but parking can be a nightmare.

Best tour of Venice

The best way to see Venice from Verona is to hop on the train and join this walking tour once in Venice. It includes all the must-see attractions like St Mark’s Square and Basilica to Doge’s Palace, the Grand Canal and the Bridge of Sighs among many others.

Book your adventure:
Legendary Venice Walking Tour
St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace skip the line tickets
Venice Full-Day Tour from Lake Garda

Madonna della Corona Sanctuary

Bus: 1h 50min
Drive: 47 km / 46min

The secluded Santuario Madonna della Corona has long been a destination for religious pilgrims. Historically, the journey through the cliffs of Monte Baldo was reserved for those seeking a deeper connection to God, both metaphorically and physically (it’s quite a climb up there!).

Recently, social media has popularized this picturesque church, carved into rock and seemingly floating between sky and land.

To reach the sanctuary, you have two options: you can either head to the quaint village of Spiazzi and take the 20-minute walk along a well-marked path, or embark on a longer hike along the ancient pilgrim’s route called ‘Hope,’ which winds up through the mountains.

While Santuario Madonna della Corona has gained popularity, tours from Verona are scarce, and public transport options are limited. Your best bet is to drive there yourself and book this tour that starts from Spiazzi town.

Book your Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona guided visit

The Dolomites

Train: 2h train to Ponte Gardena + 25min bus to Ortisei
Drive: 187 km / 2h to Ortisei

The Dolomites are a vast mountain range renowned for their distinctive, rugged peaks sculpted from ancient coral reefs. Spanning over 350,000 acres, exploring the entirety of this UNESCO World Heritage site would take considerable time, especially if you’d like to do some of the incredible hikes in the Dolomites.

However, even on a day trip from Verona, you can get a pretty good taste for the kind of beauty this region has to offer from picturesque alpine villages to breathtaking mountain vistas.

Book this guided tour from Verona to the Dolomites, where you’ll explore the Val di Fiemme valley’s beauty and quaint towns like Moena. Ascend Sass Pordoi for stunning vistas and discover Ortisei’s woodcarving traditions and Canazei’s adventure offerings.

Book your adventure:
Dolomites Full-day Tour from Lake Garda
Full-day Dolomites Tour from Verona

Milan

Train: 1h 23min
Drive: 156 km / 1h 42min

Milan is a beautiful and vibrant city known as the fashion capital of the world and praised for its cuisine and entertainment. But Milan is also a city with a rich history and home to some of the world’s best architecture and art. Think the likes of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper or the Rondanini Pietà by Michelangelo.

Piazza Duomo is the heart of Milan and home the iconic Duomo di Milano cathedral. The Duomo cathedral in Milan is an architectural masterpiece and in my opinion, one of the most iconic and impressive landmarks in all of Italy.

Milan is best reached by train from Verona and I highly recommend you join this tour once there. It combines a visit to the Duomo with a walking tour of the city and a visit to the Last Supper (tickets are pretty hard to get by without a tour like this!).

Book your adventure:
Milano tram tour
Milan walking tour
The Last Supper guided tour
Duomo di Milano Rooftop

Bergamo

Train: 1h 20min train + 30min bus
Drive: 1h 15min / 115km

Sitting at the foothills of the Italian Alps, Bergamo is one of the most underrated yet easy day trips from Verona. The city is divided into two parts, Cittá Alta (upper part) and Cittá Bassa (lower part.) 

Take the funicular to access Cittá Alta which is surrounded by Venetian walls. In the heart of it, you’ll find Piazza Vecchia, home to several historical buildings and the perfect starting point for exploring the old town. 

Best tours of Bergamo

The best way to explore Bergamo is to drive there. Once in Bergamo, join this foodie tour to savor the city’s flavors and this e-bike tour to get to know the city with a local.

Book your adventure:
E-bike tour of Bergamo
Bergamo Traditional food tour

Brescia

Train: 35min
Drive: 52min/70km

Brescia sees way more Italian tourists than international ones which gives it a local feel. 

Make sure to climb up to Brescia Castle for sweeping views of the city. Brescia is very walkable and best explored on this fantastic guided walking tour. You will learn so much about the history of the ancient city!

It once was one of the most important Roman cities so visiting the Roman archaeological park is a must. 

Best tours of Brescia

Brescia is a quick trip by train from Verona (only 2 stops). Make sure to join this walking tour once you arrive in Brescia to get an overview of the city’s highlights.

Bologna

Train: 1h 37min
Drive: 145 km / 1h 30min

Known by its nicknames – La Dotta (the educated one), La Rossa (the red one), and La Grassa (the fat one), Bologna offers a splendid blend of history, stunning architecture, and mouthwatering cuisine.

The historic center of Bologna is fairly small and walkable so I highly recommend you join this walking tour to get acquainted with the city and the main sights. You’ll learn so much about Bologna’s history and culture.

While the history and architecture of this city are impressive, nothing beats the food in Bologna. Emiglia Romagna region has always had a sweet spot for cuisine, and Bologna is the epicenter of all these flavors and delicacies.

Best tours of Bologna

There are many great tours in Bologna like walking tours to learn about the history and culture and food tours to sample all the best food.

Book your adventure:
Bologna Food Tour
Bologna City Walking Tour

Parma

Train: 3h 
Drive: 146 km/ 1h 28min

Parma is a gastronomic haven famed for its colorful streets, boutique shops, and obviously its food scene.

Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham) and Parmigiano-Reggiano have a Protected Designation of Origin status (PDO) and you really should add them to your to-eat list.

Between meals on your Parma day trip be sure to explore the city’s rich history and architecture. The Cathedral, Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Teatro Regio are particularly beautiful.

You’ll be very close to Modena, Bologna and Reggio Emilia so you might want to add them as a stop on your day trip to Parma.

Best tours of Parma

Parma is best reached by car and I recommend taking a food tour once there to experience Parma as you’ll get to indulge in the best of the city’s food whilst learning about the history and production process of the dishes.

Reggio Emilia

Train: 3h
Drive: 119km / 1h 15min

The charming town of Reggio Emilia offers a delightful blend of history, art, and culinary delights. Start by wandering through the town’s historic center, where you’ll find beautifully preserved medieval architecture, such as the magnificent Cathedral featuring a Roman mosaic and the ornate Basilica of San Prospero.

If you’re an art enthusiast, you’ll love the renowned Maramotti Collection, showcasing a selection of contemporary art masterpieces and founded by the fashion magnate Max Mara.

Best tours of Regio Emilia

Reggio Emila is best reached by car and this private tour to Reggio’s foodie hotspots is the perfect way to explore and includes visits to a dairy farm, vinegar factory and vineyards. You’ll get to enjoy tastings of some of the region’s most famous products including Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, and local wine.

Modena

Bus: 1h 25min
Drive: 108km / 1h 12min

Modena is famed for its Balsamic vinegar and for producing some of the top sports cars in the world (think Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati). A Modena day trip is not all about condiments and racing cars though, as it’s an absolutely gorgeous city that deserves to be explored on its own merits.

The city is packed with interesting architecture, the UNESCO-listed Piazza Grande and some fantastic museums. If you’re a lover of art then be sure to check out the 18th Century Palace Museum which contains pieces by Tintoretto and Correggio and Bernini.

Best tours of Modena

Once you arrive to Modena try out one of these fantastic experiences like joining this walking tour or learning how to make balsamic vinegar.

Mantua

Train: 45 min
Drive: 50km / 40min

Begin your day trip to Mantua by exploring the UNESCO Historic Center, where grand palaces, splendid squares, and charming cobblestone streets transport you to the Renaissance era. Admire the architectural masterpiece of Palazzo Ducale, wander through the magnificent gardens of Palazzo Te, or take a leisurely stroll along the romantic lakeshores of Lago di Mezzo.

Best tours of Mantua

Book this private walking tour where you’ll get to learn all about Mantua’s past from a knowledgeable guide, learn about the incredible architecture and gain an insight into the city’s thousand-year history.

Florence

Train: 2h 15min
Drive: 230km / 2h 30min 

The gorgeous Tuscan city of Florence is one of the best Italian day trips as the city is packed with art and architecture from the towering cathedral with its terracotta dome to the iconic statue of Michelangelo’s David.

See renaissance masterpieces by Botticelli, da Vinci and Raphael at the Uffizi Gallery, cross the charming Ponte Vecchio bridge which is lined with jewelry shops, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Piazza della Signoria.

Best tours of Florence

I recommend you hop on the train to Florence and join this waling tour once there. Combine it with this Accademia Gallery Tour and the Uffizi Gallery Tour to take in all the best of Florence in just a short day.

How many days in Verona

You can visit the majority of Verona landmarks in just one jampacked day. However, if you’d like to enjoy some of the museums, do a wine tasting, and take your time soaking in the beauty and delicious aperitivos, I’d recommend a day and a half or two days in Verona. Then add an additional day for each day trip you’d like to take.

Related: One day in Verona Itinerary

Getting to Verona

Verona is well-connected by various transportation options, making it easily accessible from different parts of Italy and neighboring countries.

By Air: Verona is serviced by Verona’s Valerio Catullo Airport (VRN) operated by several major airlines and offers both domestic and international flights. From the airport, you can take a shuttle, taxi, or public bus to reach the city center.

By Train: Verona is well-connected to Italy’s extensive rail network. It’s easily accessible by high-speed trains (Frecciarossa) from major cities like Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, and others. The Verona Porta Nuova railway station is the city’s main station and only a short bus or taxi ride from the old city center.

By Car: If you prefer a more flexible and scenic journey, driving to Verona is an option. The city is well-connected to the Italian highway system, and you can reach it via the A4 motorway from cities like Milan or Venice. However, keep in mind that driving in the city center might be challenging due to traffic restrictions in some areas.

By Bus: Several long-distance bus companies operate routes to Verona from various cities in Italy and Europe. While this option may take longer than a train or flight, it can be more economical and suitable for budget travelers.

Getting around Verona

The best way to get around in Verona, especially in the old city center, is on foot. Verona’s historic center is relatively compact and pedestrian-friendly, making it ideal for exploring by walking. Many of the city’s main attractions, such as Piazza Bra, Juliet’s House, the Arena di Verona, and Piazza delle Erbe, are within a short walking distance from each other.

If you need to cover longer distances within the city or want to visit sights located outside the historic center check out this Hop-on, Hop-off Bus.

Verona also has a reliable public bus system. Make sure to convalidate your ticket as you board the bus, download the ATV bus ap or purchase the Verona Card which includes public transport as well as entrance tickets to most attractions.

Best time to visit Verona

Verona is beautiful any time of the year and can be visited year-round, even in winter. In fact, Verona is the perfect destination for a Valentine’s Day getaway.

Spring and autumn are especially beautiful when the surrounding hills and Verona’s parks take on a new layer of color. In summer you can enjoy many events in Verona but it can get quite hot.

Related: Verona in winter

Is Verona worth visiting?

Verona is absolutely worth visiting and you should visit it sooner rather than later before it becomes overly touristic as we’ve seen happen with some other Italian destinations.

Verona offers the perfect blend of beautiful architecture, rich history, romance and legend, while also offering incredible events, a lively bar scene, great food, fabulous shopping opportunities and so much more!