Day Trip to Soave Italy: Wine Tasting, Castle Views, and Slow Travel Guide

Soave is one of those rare places that manages to feel familiar and new every time you step behind its medieval walls. I’ve visited several times now, and each trip gives me something different to hold onto — a softer angle of the castle, an alley I somehow missed before, or that quiet moment when the whole town seems to exhale. It’s only thirty minutes from Verona and forty from Vicenza, yet it feels worlds apart from the pace of either city. That’s the magic of Soave: it nudges you toward connection instead of checklisting.

Most people arrive expecting a simple wine town. But if you give Soave a day — a real day, not a rushed hour between more “important” sights — it pulls you into its rhythm. Couples seem to find their way naturally here, especially if they’re looking to trade busier cities for something slower and more thoughtful. Solo travelers can absolutely enjoy Soave, too; you just need to plan for the fact that many wineries require two people per tasting. But the castle, the cafés, the medieval walls, the quiet lanes — those are for anyone willing to wander.

If you’re starting in Verona, it’s easy to pair this with a few slow days in the city itself. If you’re coming from Vicenza like I usually do, it’s an effortless half-day escape. Either way, Soave is one of the best low-key places to visit in Northern Italy when you want a day that feels both grounded and scenic.

This Post Pairs Well With:

• Read my Italy Guide
• The Perfect Guide to Verona, Italy for First-Timers
• How to Take a Day Trip from Venice to Verona (By train, car, or bus)
• Where to Stay in Verona for First-Timers (by neighborhood + map)
• 5+ Best Tours to Take While in Verona
• An Honest Guide to the Verona Christmas Market

Where Soave Actually Is (And Why That Matters)

Soave sits in the heart of Veneto’s wine country, tucked between the rolling Garganega vineyards that define the Soave Classico region. What makes its location so appealing for travelers is how close it is to major hubs without losing that medieval, small-town calm.

As soon as you step through Porta Verona — the main gate — the modern world fades. The old town is compact, walkable, and framed by fortress walls that rise all the way up to Castello di Soave. Everything you’ll want to see is within minutes of each other, which makes this one of the easiest day trips from Verona, Vicenza, or even Venice if you’re ambitious.

The Best Time to Visit Soave (Based on Actually Being There)

My answer would be anytime you want. however….

Spring and early fall are when Soave feels its best — the light is soft, the vineyards glow, and the heat or cold hasn’t settled in yet. April through June and September through October are sweet spots for castle climbs, wine tastings, scenic walks, and outdoor meals. These shoulder months also make Soave an incredibly peaceful slow-travel destination, especially on weekdays when the old town feels like it belongs to you.

The summer months in Soave might be a bit more crowded and have more people around.

A Slow Morning Inside the Medieval Walls

Walk through Porta Verona and take a moment to look up, the castle walls curve above you like a stone crown. This is when Soave starts to work its quiet magic. I usually stop in Piazza Antenna for a cappuccino and brioche, just letting the town wake up around me. There’s no need to rush here. Soave rewards anyone willing to move at an unhurried pace.

I think that it’s absolutely beautiful because the alleys are narrow and cobblestoned, the buildings are washed in warm earth tones, and vines spill over half the doorways. The whole place feels like it was designed for wandering. On your way toward the castle, you’ll pass side streets that somehow look different depending on the light — morning is especially beautiful.

The Climb to Castello di Soave

The walk up to the castle is short but steep, so bring good shoes and refill water at the public fountain before you begin. Once you’re inside the fortress, the views open up instantly: ordered rows of vineyards, terracotta rooftops, and, on a clear day, the faint silhouette of the Alps.

The castle isn’t large, but that’s part of its charm. It feels like a pause — a quiet lookout point with enough history beneath its stones to keep you there longer than you planned.

Wine Tasting at Cantina del Castello (The Heart of This Trip)

Just below the castle walls sits Cantina del Castello — easily one of the most atmospheric wineries in the region. This isn’t one of those massive wineries with buses unloading outside. Tastings are intimate, personal, and rooted in the history of Soave itself. Stefanie, our guide, brought the whole place to life with her enthusiasm and her ability to explain winemaking in a way that felt both grounded and fascinating.

One of the first things you learn is that Soave produces only white wine, by law. Everything here is built around the Garganega grape — from the stainless-steel tanks with temperature control, to the way fermentation is paused or restarted depending on conditions, to their more experimental sparkling and skin-contact wines.

What stuck with me the most was their pacing. Some tanks sat empty simply because the vines weren’t ready yet. Instead of rushing production or importing grapes, they let things develop naturally. They make only six wines, and every single one is handled with care.

The cellar tour was a highlight — a stone-lined space once connected to the castle through a tunnel, dating back to when the Sanbonifacio family controlled the land. It’s believed the cellar may have been used as part of a monastery where Templar knights stopped to rest. That history hangs in the air.

If you want to taste here (and you should), tastings require two people and a booking. It’s worth carving out the time.

Afternoon in the Vineyards: Ask About E-Bikes

Stefanie mentioned that the winery was starting bike rentals soon, which is worth asking about. Soave is perfect for slow cycling — long vineyard roads, minimal traffic if you stick to the back routes, and the kind of scenery that makes you want to stop every five minutes to take pictures.

This is slow travel at its best. No schedule. No stress. Just you and the vineyards.

Dinner in Soave

When evening settles in, I like to wander over to L’Osteria di Via Roma. It’s cozy, unfussy, and thoughtful — the kind of place where the food tastes exactly like the region you’ve been walking through all day. If you’re driving, designate someone ahead of time. The pours are generous, and the roads narrow fast.

Hiking in Soave, Italy

There are all sorts of long-distance paths that will take you around the town and into other parts of the Soave area. One walk I love is the La Vecia Via della Lana, the old wool road. This is one of the most atmospheric trails in the area. It gently climbs through vineyards and olive groves before opening up toward panoramic views of the Soave Classico hills. If you’re someone who likes to balance wine tasting with movement — or you simply want a glimpse of what rural Veneto looked like before tourism ever touched it — this trail is a perfect addition to your day.

The path still carries the feeling of what it once was: a connection route for artisans and shepherds, linking the countryside with Soave’s fortified gates. You can walk it from the edge of town, following a steady mix of dirt paths and small country lanes. The scenery changes in those subtle, satisfying ways that make hiking in Italy so memorable — pockets of forest, stone farmhouses, rows of Garganega grapes glowing in the afternoon sun.

Trail Difficulty and More Information

It’s not a difficult trail, and that’s part of its charm. You don’t need gear or serious training. Just comfortable shoes, water, and enough curiosity to let the route unfold. If you’ve already visited Cantina del Castello, this hike is a beautiful way to stretch your legs before dinner or to turn your Soave day trip into something deeper and more grounded.

For hikers and slow travelers, this is where Soave reveals an entirely different side of itself. It’s not just medieval walls and wine glasses — it’s a living countryside shaped by centuries of work, movement, and tradition. La Vecia Via della Lana is one of the easiest ways to feel that history under your feet.

If you love combining hiking with cultural travel — which I always do — save a little time in your Soave itinerary for this trail. It ties the whole day together in a way that lets you end your visit feeling both connected and restored.

La Vecia Via della Lana – Quick Take

A historic wool route that passes through Soave’s hills with sweeping vineyard views.

Length: 30 km
Time: ~15 hours
Elevation: ~400 m
Difficulty: High

Most visitors hike only the Soave section for an easier, scenic taste of the trail.

Where to Stay in Soave for Every Type of Traveler

Soave’s Old Town Stays & Vineyard Views
Whether you’re after a charming B&B inside the historic walls or a countryside escape surrounded by vines, the map below makes it easy to find and book your ideal spot.

Prefer walkable locations? Look near Porta Verona or Piazza Antenna.

• B&B Antique Mason – A cozy guesthouse with vineyard views, local character, and a homemade breakfast.
• Wine Resort Corte dei Soavi – A scenic countryside stay surrounded by vineyards, ideal for a slow and peaceful experience.

If you don’t know where to stay in Soave, have you checked out my Where to Stay in Verona Guide?