How to Take a Day Trip from Venice to Verona (Train, Car & Tours)

Planning a day trip from Venice to Verona? You’ve landed at the right spot!

Whether you want to wander through the streets of Shakespeare’s famous love story, marvel at Roman ruins, or sip wine at a charming piazza, Verona makes for a perfect day excursion from Venice. I also think quite a few other cities in the Veneto region are worth visiting as well, Vicenza being one of them!

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best ways to get from Venice to Verona, a one-day itinerary, and some essential travel tips to make your trip smooth and stress-free.

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Why Take a Day Trip from Venice to Verona?

Venice is magical, but let’s be honest—sometimes you need a break from the crowds. Verona offers a refreshing change of pace with its romantic streets, historic landmarks, and fantastic food. It’s easy to reach, highly walkable, and packed with unmissable attractions like Juliet’s Balcony, the Arena di Verona, and Castel San Pietro.

How to Get from Venice to Verona

By Train: The Easiest & Fastest Option

By Car: A Scenic Drive (But Be Aware of ZTL Zones!)

Driving from Venice to Verona is an option if you want to explore other places along the way, like Lake Garda or Valpolicella wine country.

• Travel time: About 1.5 hours (115 km)
• Parking: Best lots are Parcheggio Stazione Verona Porta Nuova or Parking Piazza Cittadella
• ZTL Alert: Verona’s historic center has a limited traffic zone (ZTL). Parking outside and walking in is your best bet.

One-Day Verona Itinerary: What to See & Do

For anyone who might want a self-guided tour, this is a perfect place to start otherwise, check out my other blog: Is One Day Enough for Verona, Italy? Here’s How to Make it Work

Morning: Explore the Historic Center

You’ll get off the train and start walking towards the center, below is a Google map that will help you orient yourself to the city center.

📍 Start: Arena di Verona

Begin your tour at Arena di Verona, one of Italy’s best-preserved Roman amphitheaters. Built in the 1st century AD, this grand structure once hosted gladiator battles and today is famous for its open-air opera performances. Walk around the exterior or, if time allows, step inside to admire its immense scale

Coffee Break at Pasticceria Barini

Treat yourself to a classic Veronese pastry, Risini—a creamy rice-filled delight—alongside a coffee at Pasticceria Barini, a local favorite.

The cafe can be very busy in the morning as it is where several locals go. Remember to try your coffee at the bar, like a real Italian!

Porta Borsari (8 min)

Next, visit Porta Borsari, an ancient Roman gate from the 1st century AD. This well-preserved structure was once the main entrance to the city, and its grand arches still hint at Verona’s Roman past.

United Colors of Benetton (5 min)

While this might seem like just another store, the United Colors of Benetton in Verona is housed in a beautiful historical building, making for an interesting stop because inside this store on the bottom floor are Roman Ruins!

Casa di Giulietta (5 min)

No trip to Verona is complete without stopping by Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House). While the connection to Shakespeare’s famous heroine is purely fictional, the romantic atmosphere draws countless visitors. See the famous balcony and the courtyard statue of Juliet.

Torre dei Lamberti (2 min)

One of my favorite places in Verona is the Torre dei Lamberti, a gorgeous medieval bell tower right in the city’s lively historic center. Built by the influential Lamberti family in 1172, this tower stands an impressive 84 meters tall, making it the highest medieval building in town. I especially love noticing the blend of different architectural styles as you move upward—from the solid Romanesque base to the elegant Gothic and Renaissance details above.

For amazing panoramic views of Verona’s rooftops and bustling squares, you can take the elevator or tackle the stairs to the top. Once there, you’ll spot two historic bells, Marangona and Rengo, that used to ring out daily routines and city meetings—really bringing Verona’s history to life.

Just a heads-up: online ticket reservations are fully booked at the moment. I highly recommend reserving your spot ahead of time by contacting them via phone at 045 9273027 or checking directly on-site.

You can visit Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, and on weekends and holidays from 11:00 to 19:00. Remember, last entry is 45 minutes before closing, and it’s good to know that the ticket office and entry close slightly earlier.

Piazza dei Signori (2 min)

Just around the corner, you’ll find Piazza dei Signori, a more refined and elegant square often called “Verona’s Living Room.” The Dante Statue in the center honors the great poet, who once lived in Verona.

One of Verona’s charming secrets involves the Torre dei Lamberti’s famous neighbor—the striking statue of Dante Alighieri in Piazza dei Signori, just steps away. Legend has it that Dante himself drew inspiration from Verona during his exile from Florence.

Standing beneath his thoughtful gaze, locals often share stories about how Dante watched the city evolve from the shadow of Torre dei Lamberti.

According to local folklore, if you circle Dante’s statue three times, you’re destined to gain wisdom—maybe even a poetic spark of your own! It’s just another delightful layer of magic to explore when visiting this picturesque corner of Verona.

Piazza delle Erbe (10 min)

Stroll through Verona’s historic center to Piazza delle Erbe, the heart of the city’s social and commercial life since Roman times. The square is lined with colorful buildings, medieval towers, and lively market stalls. Hold off on grabbing any drinks here, I have a better surprise for you coming upthat has a beautiful view!

Afternoon: Indulge in Food & Wine

For the afternoon portion of your day, you can choose to make your way to Castel San Pietro and take the cable car up for stunning city views. Here you can relax with an Aperol Spritz. Verona knows how to do Aperol Spriz, and you can get one at Re Teodorico

• Check out the menu below:
  • Starters: Dishes such as Marinated Beef are approximately €14.
  • First Courses (Primi Piatti): Pasta dishes like Spaghettone Benedetto Cavalieri are about €13.
  • Main Courses (Secondi Piatti): Entrées like Wild Boar Stew are priced around €21.
    • Overall, diners can expect to spend between €15 to €37 per person

Evening: Enjoy a Classic Veronese Dinner

• Dine at Locandina Cappello – Try Risotto all’Amarone or Bigoli pasta. I loved this restaurant and I talk about it in The ULTIMATE First-Timers guide to Verona, Italy
• End with Pistachio Tiramisu – Because every trip to Italy needs dessert. Locandina Cappello has one of the best Pistachio Tiramisus I have ever had. I am so sorry I didn’t take a picture of it but this is where you get to be surprised.

Essential Tips for Your Venice to Verona Day Trip

✅ Book train tickets in advance (especially high-speed ones!) Want to book tickets? Use Omio to book your tickets in Italy

✅ Wear comfortable shoes – Verona is very walkable but has some cobblestone streets. Want to know what my favorite shoes are? If you’re looking for a comfortable and stylish pair of walking shoes for exploring Verona, I highly recommend the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1440. I wore them throughout my trip, and they provided excellent support for a full day of sightseeing! Check them out here

✅ Check for events at Arena di Verona – If there’s an opera, it’s worth considering an evening return! Usually Opera season starts in the summer but here is the website to buy tickets! 102^nd  Arena di Verona Opera Festival 2025

✅ Watch out for pickpockets in crowded tourist areas like Piazza delle Erbe.

✅ Pack light – If you’re taking the train, you don’t want to lug around a heavy bag. I love my North Face Sling bag, which you can find here. It fits my Sony A7II, wallet, phone, and keys!

Final Thoughts: Is a Day Trip from Venice to Verona Worth It?

Absolutely! Verona is charming, historic, and packed with things to see in just one day. Whether you’re into Shakespeare, Roman history, or just incredible Italian food, it’s an easy and rewarding day trip from Venice.

👉 Have you visited Verona on a day trip? Let me know your favorite spots in the comments!

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