7 Best Day Trips from Verona

1. Lake Garda

Lake Garda is one of the best lakes to visit in Northern Italy, alongside elegant Lake Como. Since the lake is so big, I've divided this section further to outline where exactly on the lake is easily accessible from Verona.

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Peschiera del Garda

• Distance from Verona: 12 minutes by train, 30 minutes by car
• Why Visit: For the quickest way to see Lake Garda
• Top Thing to Do: Stroll around the old town & visit the Roman ruins

Peschiera del Garda is the most obvious choice for a day trip from Verona given that it's so close to the city. From the train station, you can be here in less than 15 minutes so even if you only have time for a half day trip, it's still a great option.

The only con with this is that during the summer, many other people will have the same idea so this town (and the others in Southern Lake Garda I mention below), get pretty crowded for how small they are.

This town is incredibly unique though. If you look up pictures from above, you'll see it's oddly shaped like a star. The small old town is on the island in the middle of the star and is completely pedestrian-friendly. It's a great place to walk around and is very charming, especially along the main canal.

Like many places in Italy, this is a historic town that was part of the Roman empire and later part of the Venetian empire. The most prominent display of the town's history is in the 15th century fortress walls still protecting the star-shaped historic center.

Where to Stay in Peschiera del Garda

Want to spend more time at Lake Garda, book an overnight stay instead of simply a day trip.

• Budget Option: C House Rooms Lake: The rooms here are simple but well located right on the main canal.
• Mid-Tier Option: Aparthotel All'Orologio: Want more space? This studio apartment offers a balcony and a small kitchen.
• Luxury Option: Pavillon Suite: Want plenty of charm and a bathtub (a rarity in Italy)? The variety of suites are all stunning.

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Desenzano del Garda

• Distance from Verona: 20 minutes by train, 40 minutes by car
• Why Visit: For a slightly larger town with more ferry connections
• Top Thing to Do: Walk along the castle walls for great views

Known as the capital of Lake Garda, Desenzano is one of the most important towns on the lake but not necessarily the best for your day trip. Although I didn't spend too much time in Desenzano, I think it's better used as a starting point for a large trip around the lake, more so than a final destination.

The old town in the city center is charming and offers a nice promenade along the water but it's used more as a ferry port than as a nice place to relax.

If you're visiting Lake Garda from Brescia instead of Verona, this will be the most convenient starting point.

Where to Stay in Desenzao del Garda

Spend the day in Desenzano, stay the night, and on the next day set off to another part of the lake to experience even more of the natural beauty of the area.

• Budget Option: Maison Audrey: Coming here for a dose of calm? Experience local life and peace and quiet by staying beachfront here.
• Mid-Tier Option: Malvezzi24 Boutique Rooms: Want to stay right in the center of Desenzano? I recommend choosing this one.
• Luxury Option: Antica Dimora Desenzano: For an extra luxurious stay, this hotel is over the top in all the right ways and will have you feeling as though you were transported to ancient royalty.

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Sirmione

• Distance from Verona: 50 minutes by public transportation, 35 minutes by car
• Why Visit: To visit one of the most unique places on the lake
• Top Thing to Do: Go inside the 13th century castle, Castle Scaligero

Sirmione is one of the most famous places to visit on Lake Garda. Although it's slightly more complicated to get there than compared to Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda, most people agree that the added effort is worth it.

To arrive, I recommend you take the train to one of the towns mentioned above and catch the bus or ferry from there. When I went to Sirmione from Desenzano, we decided to take the ferry. I highly recommend that route in order to see the towns from the water. Just know that if you choose to sit inside the ferry, you'll lose the views.

Sirmione is well-known for Castle Scaligero. Built in the 13th-century, it's surrounded on all sides by the lake and can only be accessed by a short bridge. Even still it's right in the old town. If you want to go to the beach in Sirmione, you can either walk or take a short train ride (more like a kids ride but it gets the job done) to the tip of the peninsula. At Jamaica Beach, there's a bar and lounge chairs you can rent.

Where to Stay in Sirmione

Stay in Sirmione to further enjoy the huge medieval castle and surrounding beaches. I recommend:

• Budget Option: Luxury Suite Sirmione: You'll be hard pressed to beat this price point right in the center of the peninsula.
• Mid-Tier Option: Hotel Casa Scaligeri: This is where we stayed on our trip to Sirmione. It's centrally located, the staff is incredibly welcoming, and the rooms are comfortable.
• Luxury Option: Boutique Hotel Sirmione: Get an added dose of comfort and more outdoor space, complete with a swimming pool

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Northern Lake Garda

• Distance from Verona: Depends on where exactly you go
• Why Visit: To get more scenic lake views
• Top Thing to Do: Soak up the views from the towns or go on hikes

I adore Northern Lake Garda and I think if you make the extra effort to get up there, you'll feel the same. Here, the mountains are dramatic, crowds are usually minimal, and the natural landscape is unparalleled.

Northern Lake Garda is ideal to visit for those that are interested in stunning views and like to spend time outdoors. There are a number of great hiking trails in the area, all guaranteeing great views. From the towns I've highlighted below, you can also take a number of ferries to even smaller towns on the western side of the lake.

Know that because this area is less visited, many things (even the ferry) will be closed in the off-season. I visited Malcesine in November and only a handful of restaurants were open. Even still, I absolutely loved the tranquility and still can't get over the views from along the coast (pictured above). If you want plenty of action, you might prefer the south.

The only real issue is that it's much more difficult to get to this area (which is a big reason why less tourists are around). For most destinations, you'll need to first take the train then hop over to a bus. Using Google Maps, you should be able to easily navigate the route.

If you're willing to put in the extra effort (and ideally stay a night or 2), my top recommendations in Northern Lake Garda are:

• Malcesine: 1 hour, 30 minute by public transport or car
• Riva del Garda: 2 hours by public transport, 1 hour, 30 minutes by car
• Torbole: 2 hours by public transport, 1 hour, 10 minutes by car

Where to Stay in Northern Lake Garda

Which town in Northern Lake Garda piqued your interest? Stay longer to make up for the travel time and book a stay at one of these spots:

• Malcesine: City CENTRAL Apartment: Enjoy lake views and quiet access to the lakefront promenade that you'll definitely want to walk along.
• Riva del Garda: Hotel Luise: This modern hotel offers a great breakfast and a scenic swimming pool, just be sure not to spend all your time here and to get out and explore!
• Torbole: Hotel Lago Di Garda: This stunning hotel offers panoramic views of the lake and offers a variety of rooms for you to pick your amenities.

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2. Trento

• Distance from Verona: 50 minutes by train, 1 hour by car
• Why Visit: To visit a mountain town
• Top Thing to Do: To eat at one of my favorite restaurants in all of Italy

On our way to Bolzano from Verona we decided to stop and spend the day in Trento and I'm so happy we did. Trento is a small city tucked into the mountains of Northern Italy. From Trento, it's easy to go skiing, visit Lake Garda, or hit a number of biking or hiking trails but for just a day trip, I recommend staying in the city center.

Since Trento is relatively small, it's easy to walk directly from the train station right into their old town. There, I recommend walking through the labyrinth of pedestrian-only streets, stopping in local shops and grabbing a coffee.

Trento is part of Trentino which was once part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. You'll likely notice small Austrian influences but will need to go further north to South Tyrol to really experience the mixture of cultures.

Be sure to visit the main square, Piazza del Duomo di Trento, and to eat either lunch or dinner at L'e' Bon. I'd honestly make the trip back to Trento simply to eat another meal at this restaurant!

Where to Stay in Trento

If you want to do any hiking or biking in Trento, you'll be grateful for the overnight stay.

• Budget Option: Scrigno del Duomo: Enjoy incredible views of the Duomo from the apartment so you can soak up the sights day and night.
• Mid-Tier Option: Be Place Adult Friendly Hotel: This adults-only hotel is ideal for those that want a scenic escape. If you stay here, I recommend booking the room with the private spa.
• Luxury Option: Cinquanta4 Charme Apartment: Traveling with a bigger group? This modern apartment is suitable for up to 4 adults.

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3. Padua

• Distance from Verona: 45 minutes by train, 1 hour by car
• Why Visit: To see a lesser visited town outside of Venice
• Top Thing to Do: Soak up all the incredible frescoes

Padua is a small city just outside of Venice. It's home to Italy's largest plaza, Prato della Valle, and a number of canals, some of which connect all the way to Venice. It's also one of the oldest cities in Italy, if you can believe that, so it is full of historical sights.

The most popular thing to do in Padua is to visit the Scrovegni Chapel and see its numerous frescoes. Just know that if you want to go inside, you'll have to purchase your ticket and book a time slot in advance. You can do so on their official site.

If you want to see more frescoes, head nearby to The Basilica of St. Anthony. From there, you'll be just a few steps from the main square, Prato della Valle. It's uniquely designed and doesn't look like any other square you'll see in Italy, so it's worth walking around it.

I'll get to Bologna later where you can see the oldest university in Europe but if you also want to visit the 2nd oldest, you can do that here.

Where to Stay in Padua

Spend more time in Padua to explore more that the city has to offer at one of these hotels.

• Budget Option: Amikales Rooms: The rooms here are simple but you'll be just right on the outskirts of the historic old town.
• Mid-Tier Option: Casa Giotto: If you're chasing a room with plenty of style, this artistically designed hotel is the perfect choice.
• Luxury Option: Officine Cavour: Stay right in the center of Padua at this elegant hotel housed in a historic building.

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4. Mantua

• Distance from Verona: 45 minutes by train, 40 minutes by car
• Why Visit: To see one of the most important cities for artists
• Top Thing to Do: See the richest and frescoes at the Ducal Palace

Mantua is known as one of Italy's artistic cities and has long been a haven for writers, musicians, opera singers, and poets. Today it's known as a hidden gem that most tourists don't have on their travel itinerary. So, if you want to get off the beaten path, a day trip to Mantua might just be perfect for you.

It's actually so lovely that Mantua's entire old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you didn't get enough frescoes in Padua (or decide to skip that trip), you get more in Mantua. Mantua is home to a large number of cathedrals and museums so if you enjoy sightseeing, you'll be in luck.

If you don't, you might prefer to see Mantua as I do, on foot, aimlessly wandering the streets of old town. Just be sure to stop and check the time from the astronomical clock tower that tolls every hour on the hour. On top of that you can also visit the 3 artificial lakes that are built around the city.

Where to Stay in Mantua

Turn your day trip into an extended stay by booking a room at one of these great places to stay in Mantua.

• Budget Option: Residenza Gonzaga: Want to stay right in the center without breaking the bank? This is the one for you.
• Mid-Tier Option: Mansarda Le Torri: Soak up rooftop views of the city at this 1-bedroom apartment rental.
• Luxury Option: Appartamento Affrescato: Why have to leave your apartment to see frescoes when you have them all around you? This apartment is a great choice for a large group of adults.

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5. Valpolicella

• Distance from Verona: 40 minutes by bus, 25 minutes by car
• Why Visit: To drink fantastic red wines
• Top Thing to Do: Take a wine tour

Love wine? Then you likely already know about the Valpolicella Valley just outside Verona. The surrounding countryside is home to an incredible wine country that makes for one of the best day trips from Verona. Since the region is so close to Verona, especially if you go by car, it also makes for a great half a day trip.

A variety of grapes are produced in the rolling hills but most are red. The 3 most important Valpolicella wines are: recioto, ripasso, and amarone. If you love dessert wines like Raf does, you'll love sweet recioto.

While you can take a bus from Verona's city center to Valpolicella, the best way to visit the area is on a wine tour. You can either arrange a wine tasting and tour directly with a vineyard or go with a tour group from Verona.

Where to Stay in Valpolicella

If you want to spend more time in the wine region, the best area to stay the night (unless you stay at one of the vineyards) is Negrar di Valpolicella. I recommend checking out:

• Budget Option: Casa Vacanza al Monumento: You'll be right in the heart of this charming town, ideal for those traveling via public transport.
• Mid-Tier Option: Ca' Del Jago Sole Luna: If you want the true feeling of small town local life, book your stay at this charming stone building turned apartment rentals.
• Luxury Option: Villa Gabriella: In it for the views of wine country? This luxurious house is ideal for those that want to relax, enjoy walks, and local wines.

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6. Bologna

• Distance from Verona: 1 hour by train, 2 hours by car
• Why Visit: To eat some of the best food in all of Italy
• Top Thing to Do: Eat, eat, and eat some more

Bologna is the food capital of Italy so it's easy to understand why this city is worth visiting. Although you'll certainly have enough great meals in Verona, the food in Bologna really is something else. The local dishes include lasagna, tagliatelle al ragù (Bolognese), and tortellini to name a few.

I highly recommend you visit Bologna as a day trip if you're ready to eat. While the city itself is pretty different from most Italian cities, the real reason to spend a day there is to eat the original of all those famous dishes you grew up on.

Other than the food, Bologna is also home to the oldest university in Europe. The university is still open to this day.

Although on the map both Parma and Modena look closer to Verona than Bologna, since you can catch a fast train to Bologna, the travel time is less.

Where to Stay in Bologna

Why eat in Bologna for just a day when you can stay longer? Personally, a 3-day trip to Bologna is what I'd recommend but even if you just have a night, I recommend;

• Budget Option: Casa Petronio Apartments: They offer a variety of apartments with 2-bedrooms, 1-bedrooms, or a studio to choose from. A bike rental and coffee shop is conveniently located in the same building.
• Mid-Tier Option: Central City Rooms m09: This is where we stayed in Bologna and we really enjoyed it. It's pet-friendly so we could bring our pets with us and it's really close to the train station which made coming and going easy.
• Luxury Option: Grand Hotel Majestic gia' Baglioni: For a taste of luxury and to be just steps from Piazza Maggiore, you'll love your stay at this high-end hotel where you'll feel as if you became a queen in the 1800s.

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7. Venice

• Distance from Verona: 1 hour, 15 minutes by train, 1 hour, 30 minutes by car
• Why Visit: To see one of the most famous places in the world
• Top Thing to Do: Get lost in the labyrinth of alleyways

I know I said I'd keep this list to less than an hour away but I couldn't help but add in a trip to Venice. Venice is one of those places that people either love or hate. Personally, I'm one of those that loves it. It's unlike anywhere you've ever visited, but you have to get away from the main sights to really see the charm.

Sure, you can see Piazza San Marco and cross the Grand Canal on the Rialto Bridge but after that, get a little lost. The beauty of Venice is in the small bridges and plethora of teeny tiny canals. Since the island of Venice is surrounded on all sides by water, you can wander without fear of getting lost. If you get too off track, you can try out the water buses that act like their public transportation.

If you decide to spend more than just a day here, I highly recommend you check out at least one of the other islands around Venice. My favorites are Murano and Burano.

Where to Stay in Venice

Venice is bigger than most realize so to really see all this famous city has to offer, stay for a few nights instead of just a quick day trip.

• Budget Option: Cà Beatrice: Located near the university, this area is a lot of fun and one of the more affordable zones in Venice.
• Mid-Tier Option: Charming House Iqs: This trendy apartment has a lot of style and is close to Rialto Bridge.
• Luxury Option: San Vio Palace Luxury Apartments: This is where I stayed when my mom came to visit me in Italy. It was perfectly located within walking distance to the sights but tucked away in a more local area.

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Travel Tips Around Verona

Before you start picking the day trips from Verona you'd like to go, keep in mind these additional tips. If you decide to take one of these day trips on the way to your next destination in Italy and have to carry luggage, RadicalStorage can help you find luggage drop off points near you.

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Getting to These Destinations

Curious about the best way to get to and from these day trips? Transportation in Italy is pretty varied so you can choose from:

• Taking the train from Verona Porta Nuova train station
• Renting a car and driving yourself
• Signing up for a guided tour
• Taking the public bus
• Taking a Flixbus

When in doubt, I recommend taking the train. It's usually the easiest and most comfortable option. The only exception to this would be if you want to travel all around Lake Garda or head into the mountains where the public transport is lacking.

Renting a car will give you the most freedom and can be a good option but you'll have to deal with parking, which can be tough, and driving on small streets.

Trainline is a great app to help you plan your train route and purchase tickets. Flixbus also has a website and app for you to browse and book. If you're not sure of the best route and want to see your options with public transport, Omio is pretty reliable.

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Where to Stay in Verona

Verona is well-connected by public transportation so even if you start outside of the city center, it'll just be a bus ride away. That being said, I highly recommend you stay at least close to old town so you can explore Verona thoroughly before it's time to go.

The 3 times I've been to Verona, these are the 3 places I've stayed in. They're all slightly different based on what exactly you're looking for but all comfortable and well-situated without paying the price of being in the heart of old town:

• Carrera Home: This apartment is perfectly located next to Castelvecchio Museum and Piazza Bra. It's pet-friendly and large enough for 5 guests.
• Verona House Aparthotel: This hotel is situated near Carrera Home, giving you a great view but small space. It's perfect for those that prefer a hotel than an apartment rental.
• Casa Archi: Another pet-friendly apartment, this one is seriously unique. It's hard to beat the river views and staying in San Zeno is a nice alternative to being in the middle of the city center.

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Which Day Trip from Verona Will You Take?

With so many day trips from Verona to choose from, the only choice you'll have to make is which one to go on. From trips that you can do in half a day to those you'll want to take your time at, there's a lot of variety to choose from just outside of Verona's city center. Sit back and enjoy the train journey, boat ride, or self-driven trip to any of these fantastic destinations near Verona.