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Top 10 Day Trips from Verona (Including Hidden Gems!)

Verona is an incredible city with so much to offer. You can marvel at its stunning architecture, dive into its rich history, walk the same streets that inspired Shakespeare’s famous play, indulge in local cuisine, and discover new hidden gems along the way.

Verona can be considered a gateway to the whole area of Northern Italy, and the city has convenient railway connection to other cities and towns, as well as decent road routes. 

day trips from verona

This makes Verona a great central area to do some day trips in Italy’s northern region. You can easily explore lesser-known tiny historical towns or the picturesque countryside from Verona so don’t miss this chance to get to know Italy more outside of large cities!

Check out the top 10 day trips from Verona!

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1. Lake Garda

Lake Garda, charming and pretty much postcard-perfect, is one of the obvious ideas for where to go from Verona for a day trip. Lake Garda is a quite large lake with crystal-clear water and wonderful tiny towns scattered around. You may spend your time trying various water activities, be it swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling or boat trips. 

The swimming period lasts on Lake Garda from June until September. Besides water activities, you should take the opportunity to go sightseeing around the lake or, if you have only one day, choose one picturesque town on the lake and explore it.

The most easily-reachable towns from Verona are Desenzano del Garda and Peschiera del Garda. Both have train stations. 

Desenzano and neighbouring Sirmione can boast decent historical heritage and thermal springs where you can relax after a busy day. Peschiera is famous for its Gardaland Amusement Park. A holiday in Gardaland in particular suits families with kids. 

If you want to see some hidden gems of Lake Garda, then go to such tiny and beautiful towns as Malcesine, Limone or Riva del Garda. For example, Malcesine is full of architectural attractions. You can find here the Scaliger Fortress, built in the period of Middle Ages, the magnificent church of the Madonna del Rosario or the palace of the Captains. 

Another great activity here is the funicular ride to Mount Baldo where you can see the inspiring views on the whole lake.

Malcesine

How to get to Lake Garda

Distance – 30 – 70 km (19 – 43.5 miles)

You can use a train connection to get to Desenzano or Peschiera. Trains run pretty much often and the travel time usually takes no more than 20-30 minutes. 

If you choose more remote towns without train stations such as Malcesine, Limone or Riva, you need to reach Desenzano or Peschiera by train first and then to take a local bus to your desired destination. 

By car, you can travel around Lake Garda with no limits. The roads # A22/E45 и SR249 lead along the eastern shore and the roads # A4/E70 и SS45bis lead along the western shore.

2. Vicenza

Vicenza owes many of its architectural landmarks to the architect Andrea Palladio. Most of the historic buildings in Vicenza date back to the Renaissance, which is when the great author worked. 

Later, many of his architectural objects were recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are protected by the organization to this day. 

Visitors usually begin their sightseeing of the town from the Basilica Palladiana, which is located in the very centre of Vicenza. The Cathedral of Vicenza is located in the neighbouring square, Piazza del Duomo. The construction of the cathedral dates back to the 15th century. The Bishop’s Palace in neoclassical style is also located nearby.

Vicenza is also famous for its palazzos. To admire the works of Andrea Palladio, go to the street of Corso Andrea Palladio, where elegant palaces are lined up in orderly rows. Palazzo Chiericati, for example, is attractive with its majestic columns and sculptures decorating the roof of the building. 

Palazzo La Loggia can boast huge vaults and columns and is decorated with various types of stucco. Vicenza is a nice choice for a one-day trip if you are a true lover of architecture and history.

Cathedral of Vicenza

How to get to Vicenza

Distance – 59 km (37 miles)

It is quite easy to get to Vicenza from Verona. You need to take a train, which departs from the Porta Nuova Railway Station in Verona. The trains run 3-4 times an hour. The duration of a journey is just 30-40 minutes. You can check out the train timetable and purchase tickets at Rail Europe.

By car, you can reach Vicenza within 50-60 minutes. The motorway #A4/E70 leads to the town.

3. Brescia

Brescia is one more nice idea for travelling from Verona in case you prefer enjoying historical towns with great architecture and different archeological sites. Brescia can offer the ancient Roman Pantheon and the Forum Square to see. The ruins of Capitoline Temple are also definitely worth observing. 

Undoubtedly, the Brescia Castle or Broletto Palace are also must-see attractions for visiting when travelling to the town. Both sites are open for visitors. You can view the fascinating interiors and precious collections of Art inside of them. 

The Pinacoteca Martinengo will be interesting for those travellers who appreciate Art. We would also recommend visiting Pope Square with its magnificent cathedrals and tiny Piazza della Loggia with gorgeous Town Hall. This route is more than enough for a one-day trip from Verona.

Castello di Brescia

How to get to Brescia

Distance – 70 km (43.5 miles)

There is direct train connection between Verona and Brescia. You can reach your desired travel destination within 40 minutes by train. Trains run twice an hour during the day. 

By car, you need to follow the route # A4/E70. The approximate duration of a car trip is 50 minutes.

4. Bergamo

Bergamo preserved an incredible historical centre that is why the town is pretty much popular among travellers. To start, it is really worth seeing the Bergamo Cathedral. 

You can enjoy the mix of architectural styles looking at its facades. Interiors are also of great interest as the original decoration has been kept there. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is a true hallmark of Bergamo. 

It was built in the 12th century and since then it has preserved its authenticity outside as well as inside. By the way, the facades are executed in a typical Romanesque style while the interiors are much more Baroque.

La Rocca Castle is an iconic attraction of Bergamo. The castle is located on a hilltop and offers an inspiring panorama of the old town centre. Inside you can find the Historical Museum with an interesting collection of original things. 

Strolling around the town, you will find a lot more historical monuments, be it numerous palazzos or medieval towers and churches. Bergamo is a perfect destination for a day trip as you will be charmed by the unique appearance of the town.

Bergamo

How to get to Bergamo

Distance – 116 km (72 miles)

If you prefer public transport, you can use a train connection with a short change on the way. The travel time varies from 2 to 3 hours depending on the train type.

If you prefer a car, then you need to follow the road route # A4. The travel time by car takes you only 1 hour 15 minutes which is pretty fast.

5. Rovereto

Visiting Rovereto is a wonderful chance to see the region of Trentino-Alto Adige. It is a really picturesque area with unique countryside and preserved historical monuments. 

In Rovereto you can find numerous palazzos. Those buildings kept their original facades so tourists can enjoy the true vibes of a medieval town. We would recommend visiting the Alberti Poya Palace, where the MART Museum is located. The museum can boast a wonderful collection of works by Italian artists. 

Strolling around the town, you can see a great number of palazzos and almost all of them can be found in the historical town centre which is great for long-distance walks around Rovereto. Most of them were built in the 18-19 centuries, but some of them are attributed to the period of Middle Ages.

The Rovereto Castle is one of the most-known attractions in the town. It has typical medieval features when you can observe the facades as well as the interiors. Inside you can find an Armour Museum with a great collection of weapons. The castle is decorated with towers which makes the facades even more impregnable. 

Do not forget that Rovereto is a gateway to the Dolomites region so you can continue your trip after visiting the town.

Rovereto

How to get to Rovereto

Distance – 75 km (47 miles)

You can reach Rovereto within 40 minutes by direct trains which run all day long. By car, you need to follow the road # A22/E45.

6. Padua

Padua is an absolute must-see in Northern Italy for anyone interested in architecture. There are many truly unique buildings that deserve attention. The Botanical Garden of Padua, local museums and the University are also among the Padua undisputed attractions.

The Scrovegni Chapel will also be of interest for all lovers of Art. The building received this name in honour of its author, the architect Scrovegni. Externally, this is a rather miniature and modest building, but inside it is a real treasure. The walls and ceiling of the building are completely painted with frescoes by the great Giotto. The chapel is open for viewing, but visiting is carried out in small groups.

Speaking of religious buildings in Padua, it is difficult not to mention the Padua Cathedral. Externally, almost nothing says about the importance of the building, for instance, it is not very tall, and the facades are decorated in a minimalistic way. 

However, inside the cathedral everything is completely different! There is a mix of styles – the architectural features clearly show Renaissance, Baroque and even Rococo. 

Several magnificent palaces are also worthy of tourists’ attention, like the Palazzo della Ragione, built in the 12-13th centuries. 

Its domed roof and arches immediately catch the eye. You can get inside the palace; the central hall is open to tourists. It is believed that this is the largest hall in Europe that does not have additional support.

View of Basilica Santa Giustina, Padua

How to get to Padua

Distance – 95 km (59 miles)

There are direct trains running between Verona and Padua. The timetable is quite convenient as the trains depart 2-3 times an hour during the day. The travel time varies from 40 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.  

If you travel by car, the fastest way is to use a motorway # A4/E70. The duration of the journey by car is approximately 1 hour.

7. Trento

Northern regions of Italy are full of attractions, be it natural landscapes or architectural monuments. A good idea for a day trip from Verona is the town of Trento which combines various beauties of Northern Italy. 

Start your trip around Trento by visiting the square called Piazza Duomo. You can find an amazing basilica of San Vigilio and an elegant Neptune Fountain at the square. Another great architectural site here is the Palace of the Praetors. 

The palace will impress you either with its facades or the interiors, where the Historical Museum is located right now. The Buonconsiglio Castle can also be found at the town centre. The castle has typical Romanesque features. There are no surprises as the monument was built in the 13th century.

Trento is a nice starting point for discovering the area around. Travelling by car, you can see such incredible places like the Calavino waterfall or the Madruzzo castle; Lake Cavedine or Mount Bondone. 

You can even go further and observe such world-known natural attractions as Lake Carezza, Lake Braies and the mountains Tre Cime de Lavaredo. All three sites are related to the Dolomites region.

Neptune Fountain in Trento

How to get to Trento

Distance – 100 km (62 miles)

There is direct train and bus connection between Verona and Trento. Trains depart 2-3 times an hour during the day, while buses depart up to 10 times a day. The duration of a journey is approximately 1 hour, be it trains or buses. 

By car, you can reach your desired destination along the road # A22/E45.

8. The Dolomites

As we have mentioned above, it is quite easy to get to the Dolomites region from Verona. If you want to change cityscapes to natural ones, then go to the mountains for a day trip! 

There are a lot of options where you can get from Verona around the Dolomites. Some tourists choose such world-known attractions as Lake Carezza, Lake Braies and the mountains called Tre Cime de Lavaredo. 

Some other travellers choose the local ski resorts which can offer a lot of activities during summer time as well. These can be Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Val di Fiemme, Madonna di Campiglio, Cortina D’Ampezzo, Val di Funes, and many other destinations.

Let’s talk about Val Gardena – the local mountain landscapes here are truly inspiring and you can view them by climbing up. Funiculars offering different routes operate here during all the seasons, besides the short period in November. 

During the winter visitors go skiing, sledging, snowboarding, skating, etc. while during summer tourists can enjoy hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, golf, horse riding and many other activities. 

The simplest way to spend your time in Val Gardena is to climb up by funicular and observe the mountain tops, and after climbing down to visit one of the local spa complexes. It is a nice activity to try after a busy day.

Val di Funes

How to get to Val Gardena

Distance – 200 km (124 miles)

By public transport, you need to combine a train and a bus. First, you can get Bolzano by train. The travel time is just 1.5 hours. Then you need to take a local bus, which runs directly to the villages of Val Gardena. 

By car, you can go along the motorway # A22/E45. The duration of a car journey is about 2 hours.

9. Mantua

Mantua is a beautiful historical town, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. If you truly enjoy architecture of different periods then it is definitely worth coming to Mantua for a day trip from Verona. 

At the old town centre, you can find such remarkable monuments as the Cathedral of San Paolo of the 13th century, the Ducal Palace of 13-14th centuries or the castle of San Giorgio with unique frescoes of A. Mantegna. 

The town is a homeland for many famous people, for example, it is the birthplace of the great ancient poet Virgil, as well as the place where the artist Rubens began his path to greatness at the court of the Gonzaga family. 

It needs to be said that from 1328 the town was ruled by representatives of the Gonzaga family, who were famous art lovers that is why the town has been completely transformed and has become the architectural and cultural centre of the region.

Mantua

How to get to Mantua

Distance – 45 km (28 miles)

It is very easy to reach Mantua from Verona. You just need to take a direct train, which runs during the day with a great frequency. The duration of a journey is 45 minutes, which is why it is a great idea to visit Mantua from Verona for a day trip. 

If you travel by car, then it is best to use the road # A22/E45. The duration by car is also 45 minutes.

10. Cremona

Cremona is a tiny historical town located in the Lombardy region. It is primarily known for being the birthplace of Stradivari, but this medieval town is also an architectural “pearl” of Lombardy. 

Cremona has kept outstanding medieval monuments in its area. For instance, Piazza del Comune is considered to be a masterpiece of urban planning. It was founded in the 12th century. The square is fronted by the Terrazzo, a majestic tower 111 m high. It is one of the tallest medieval bell towers in the whole of Italy. It was built in the 13th century and features a clock with the zodiac signs.

The Cremona Cathedral is a stunning religious building located at the town centre. The church displays various architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. It was built in the 12th century and boasts a beautiful interior decorated with medieval frescoes.

How to get to Cremona

Distance – 110 km (68 miles)

There is no direct train connection between Verona and Cremona but travellers can reach the desired travel destination with a short change in Milan, Brescia or Treviglio. 

The travel time varies from 2.5 to 3 hours one-way. It is not the closest destination to Verona, but Cremona is definitely worth seeing. 

By car, you can get to the town faster – within 1.5 hours. In that case you need to travel along the motorways # A4 and A21/E70.

Which Day Trip will You Choose?

As you see, despite the fact that Verona is a desired travel destination for many tourists, it can also be a gateway to other no less charming towns and all of them can be reached within a distance of 200 km. 

There are a great number of historical towns all around, but you can also visit some natural attractions if you wish. Lake Garda or the Dolomites mountains are definitely worth visitors’ attention. 

Verona is both a point of attraction and a starting point to other places so don’t miss this incredible city to visit!

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