Day trips from Verona
Lake Garda and Sirmione to the west, Palladio's Vicenza and Gonzaga's Mantua to the east and south, the Valpolicella wine road just north of the city.
- Vicenza
- train (Trenitalia regionale), direct
- Mantua
- train (Trenitalia regionale), direct
- Valpolicella
- car only
If you only have time for one trip, make it Sirmione on Lake Garda, a trip that takes a full day. Vicenza and Mantua are both a direct train ride away and fit into half a day or a full one depending on pace, while Valpolicella, the wine country north of Verona, needs its own transport or an organised tour.
Sirmione and Lake Garda: worth it, if you only pick one
Sirmione sits on a narrow peninsula reaching deep into the lake, with the Roman remains of Grotte di Catullo at its very tip. A train runs to Desenzano, and from there the LN026 bus reaches the peninsula itself; in all about 45 min (train ~20 min + bus ~20–25 min) and €15. Lake Garda is also a stop on the way to Milan, since it lies along the same motorway route.
Worth it, and it leads on to Venice
Vicenza was shaped by the architect Andrea Palladio, whose palaces in the city and villas around it have been on the UNESCO list since 1994. A direct train from Verona takes about 26 min, tickets €12. The same line continues east to Venice, so Vicenza also works as a stop on the way to the lagoon hub.
Worth it, quieter than Vicenza
The former Gonzaga capital is ringed by three artificial lakes and has been on the UNESCO list together with Sabbioneta since 2008. A direct train takes about 45 min, tickets €6 — cheaper and quieter than Vicenza, though without a direct onward line further east.
Worth it, but only with a car or a tour
The hills north of Verona hold the vineyards of Amarone and Recioto, but regular public transport doesn't reach the wineries themselves — car only, or an organised tour (regular public transport doesn't reach the wineries). Tastings are charged separately per winery and vary too much for one figure. Half a day is enough for two or three wineries with a driver who isn't tasting.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Which day trip from Verona is best if I pick one?
Sirmione, for Lake Garda and the Roman remains at the tip of the peninsula, about 45 min (train ~20 min + bus ~20–25 min) from the city.
Do I need a car for these trips?
Only for Valpolicella. Sirmione, Vicenza and Mantua all work by train and bus.
Do these trips lead on to other cities?
Yes — Vicenza sits on the line to Venice, and Lake Garda on the motorway route to Milan.
Ready for Verona?
Where to next
Where to stay in Verona
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How well does Verona suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
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