How to Spend 3 Perfect Days in Verona + Wine & Mountain Escapes

If you’re planning a trip to Italy and wondering whether Verona deserves more than a quick stop between Venice and Milan, I’ll say this plainly: three days in Verona is exactly right.

Not rushed. Not padded. Just enough time to settle into the rhythm of the city, wander without an agenda, drink good wine, and still escape into vineyards or mountains without renting a car.

I’ve spent time in Verona both solo (I live in the area!) and as part of a longer Northern Italy itinerary, and it consistently surprises me. It’s elegant without being showy, historic without feeling frozen in time, and deeply livable, especially if you’re traveling alone and want a place that feels calm, safe, and quietly captivating.

This guide is written for first-time visitors and solo female travelers who want more than a checklist. We’ll cover the essentials, yes—but also the pauses, the slower afternoons, and the moments that make Verona feel personal.

This Post Pairs Well With:

Planning your Trip to Verona?

• Verona One Day Itinerary
• Verona Recommended Tours
• How to get around Verona, Italy
• Verona Accommodations
• Can You Do a day trip from Venice to Verona?

Verona Mini Guide

Best time to visit: April–May and September–October for pleasant weather and fewer crowds
Base: Verona
Ideal for: Solo travel in Verona, couples, first-time Italy trips, slow travelers
Getting there: Direct trains from Venice, Milan, and Bologna. No car needed
Getting around: Walkable historic center + local buses
Helpful tip: The Verona Card covers major sights and public transport and simplifies your first day enormously

If this is your first time here, I recommend starting with the Verona Card and anchoring yourself near the historic center. Everything else becomes easier once you do.

Recommended Add-Ons: Wine tastings, rooftop aperitivi, hidden boutiques

Where to Stay in Verona: See my Verona Accommodation Guide for curated hotel picks

Day 0: Arrival and Getting Oriented

This itinerary assumes three full days, so your arrival day is about settling in—not sightseeing.

Arriving by train into Verona Porta Nuova, you can walk, bus, or taxi to most central hotels in under 15 minutes. Drop your bags, take a short walk, and let the city introduce itself slowly.

This is the night for an easy dinner, a short stroll, and an early sleep. Verona rewards rested travelers.

Need a map of all the places listed here? I’ve got you

Day 1: The Heartbeat of the City

Morning: A Gentle Introduction to the City

There is something special about mornings in Verona—the light across Piazza Bra, the sound of cups clinking at cafés, the way the city feels like it’s stretching awake.

I always recommend beginning your first morning with a small-group walking tour. Not to rush you, but to give you context. Seeing the Verona Arena, winding through side streets, and learning the stories behind Juliet’s balcony helps the city click into place.

Think of this as reconnaissance. You’re not here to do everything—you’re learning what you’ll come back to later.

Insider Tip: Take mental notes during the tour. This is your scouting mission. You’ll likely want to return to a few places on your own later.

Lunch:

Walk straight to Locanda 4 Cuochi—warm interiors, seasonal plates, a menu that never disappoints. Get the pasta.

Afternoon:

After lunch, take it slow. You’re not here to rush.

• Visit Castelvecchio & Ponte Scaligero. I spent nearly an hour on the bridge just watching the water move.
• Follow the Adige River Loop. Bring a pastry, sit on a bench, let Verona come to you.

Evening:

• Aperitivo al Café Vittorio Emanuele. If the weather’s nice, sit outside.
• Dinner at Locandina Cappello. It’s intimate, a little tucked away, and the food is always excellent.

Day 2: Wine, Wandering, and the Verona You Don’t See on Postcards

Morning: Amarone E-Bike Tour

There are wine tours—and then there’s this. Picture this:

You’re cruising through Valpolicella on an e-bike, the breeze in your face, vineyards on either side. You stop at a winery that’s been in the same family for generations. You sip Amarone and nibble on local salami while the owner tells you about the grapes, the soil, the soul of their land.

It’s the kind of morning that makes you feel connected—to the place, to the people, to your own sense of presence.

Book your Amarone e-bike tour here. It’s solo-traveler friendly and worth every second.

Lunch:

Back in Verona, head to Elk Bakery. It’s modern, friendly, and good for a recharge. I’m partial to the quinoa bowl and cheesecake. Balance, right?

Afternoon:

• Wander through Botteghe Storiche. These are the city’s historic artisan shops—tailors, stationers, perfume makers. You’ll notice the plates on the front door.
• Swing by Pasticceria De Rossi. I left with three pastries and zero regrets. If you are here during Carnivale, try some traditional treats like fritelle!

Evening:

• Grab a glass of wine in San Zeno, a quieter, local-feeling neighborhood.
• Watch sunset from Ponte Pietra—maybe the prettiest view in town.

Day 3: Choose Your Own Adventure

This day is yours to shape. Do you want castles and wine, riverside charm, or Alpine drama? Here are three options depending on your mood.

Option A: Day Trip to Soave

A hilltop village wrapped in medieval walls and vineyards? Yes, please. A daytrip to Soave is exactly what’s needed.

• Take the train to San Bonifacio (30 mins), then a quick bus or taxi into Soave.
• Visit Soave Castle, sip Garganega wine, and stroll cobbled lanes lined with flower boxes.

Option B: Day Trip to Borghetto sul Mincio

This place feels like a secret. Waterwheels turning, pastel houses, lazy riverside cafés.

• Bus 160 from Verona Porta Nuova (under 1 hour)
• Lunch at Alla Borsa. The tortellini is life-changing.

Option C: Day Trip to the Dolomites

If you’re craving mountain air, this is the one.

• Book a Dolomites day tour with pickup in Verona.
• Expect dramatic landscapes, alpine villages, and cool mountain breezes.

Pro Tip: If this is your first time in the Dolomites, check out my First-Timers Guide.

Evening Farewell:

• Ride the funicular to Castel San Pietro for one last panoramic view.
• Sunset aperitivo at Re Teodorico.
• Final dinner at Osteria Ponte Pietra (book in advance—it’s worth it).

How to Get Around Verona

Hey, I have the perfect blog post about this: How to Get Around Verona

• You don’t need a car. Verona is made for walking.
• The Verona Card covers buses, museums, and major sights.
• Verona Porta Nuova train station is your gateway for day trips.
• For tours, I trust GetYourGuide and Viator.

Let Me Help You Plan Your Trip to Verona

If this post helped you? Tell me. Tag me. DM me. I love hearing from fellow travelers.

Want the full version of this itinerary—with maps, links, and my personal recs—in a printable format? (COMING SOON, BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS REACH OUT TO ME)

Is Verona Worth Three Days?

Yes—especially if you’re traveling solo.

Three days in Verona gives you space to feel grounded, not rushed. You see the icons, but you also experience the everyday beauty that makes people stay longer than planned.

If this itinerary helped you feel more confident planning your trip, that matters to me. And if you’d like help turning this into a larger Italy journey—or traveling with a group that values the same pace and depth—you know where to find me.

And if you’re planning your Italy trip and feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. I’m here to help.