“Two households, both alike in dignity. In fair Verona, where we set our scene…” Recognise these words from a very famous play? These lines in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ are what directly place the setting of the play in the Northern Italian city of Verona. Today, the city is visited by thousands of visitors each year with many opting for a Venice to Verona day trip, but despite its claim to fame through classic English literature, it is often missing from many itineraries.
Many people visiting Venice focus solely on Venice itself, rather than the surrounding Veneto region of Northern Italy in general. While Venice is a truly astonishing place to visit, it is definitely worth considering exploring the Veneto region and spend one day in Verona if your itinerary allows it. Thankfully, planning a Venice to Verona day trip is relatively easy and does not break the bank!
My partner and I never planned a day trip from Venice to Verona originally. The reason we decided to leave Venice and spend one day in Verona was that we visited Venice when the city suffered its highest Acqua Alta in fifty years. After being recommended to refrain from our planned day trip to Venice’s outer islands, we decided to opt for Verona instead…and I am so glad we did!
Verona itself is beautiful. It is surrounded by mountains, boasts lots of historic charm, and has its own amphitheatre (not as big as the colosseum in Rome, but still very impressive). The city’s inhabitants are lovely, outgoing people. Unsurprisingly, due to the Shakesperian link, Verona is also known to be one of the most romantic cities in the world. Add some fantastic food and wine to this list, and you have yourself a perfect day trip destination.
Have I sparked your interest yet? If so, then keep reading for my suggestions for your perfect Venice to Verona day trip.
How to Get from Venice to Verona
How far is Venice from Verona? The good news is that Verona is only approximately an hour away from Venice and can be reached by car, bus, train, or through organised tours.
Venice to Verona Train
Venice’s Santa Lucia train station is in the area of Santa Croce (next to Cannaregio) and beside the Grand Canal. Even from neighbourhoods further away such as San Marco, you can walk to the train station within about half an hour. Otherwise, some vaporettos will go along the Grand Canal.
Several train companies and lines are running between Venice and Verona and trains are as frequent as five times per hour. The journey from Venice to Verona by train is very pleasant. Some of the trains take longer than others, but the average journey time is about one hour. Ticket prices can vary. They can be as little as 10€ for a single journey if booked in advance but can also be up to 30€. Click here to view latest schedules and prices.
The best thing is to check beforehand what time you are thinking of going and then checking which provider offers the cheapest journey or – if money is not the issue – the best travel times for your day trip from Venice to Verona.
One thing to remember is that your train needs to be validated at one of the designated machines before you board the train. Otherwise, even if you purchased a ticket, you could be subject to a fine. Some tickets purchased online, however, are pre-validated. Just be sure to check the terms and conditions.
Once in Verona, you can either walk the 20 to 30 minutes needs from the train station to the centre, or you can take a bus for 1,50€ per journey. These buses leave just outside the main entrance of the train station and tickets can be purchased from the driver.
Venice to Verona Bus
Buses offer a great (and cheap) way to get from one city to the other on your Venice to Verona day trip. FlixBus provides bus tickets for as little as 5€ per journey and trips take about two hours. Buses run very frequently – often more than 10 times a day. Click here to check schedules and prices.
However, be sure to check where your bus is leaving from. Some of the coaches leave from Venice Tronchetto (an artificial island in the Venetian lagoon that is situated behind Venice’s train station) while others go from Venice Mestre (which is outside the main city of Venice and the main lagoon).
Venice to Verona by Car
The distance from Venice to Verona is only approximately 110km. It is therefore definitely possible to do your Verona day trip from Venice by car quite easily. When you are leaving the inner city of Venice, you will already be driving towards Venice Mestre. From there you will want to aim for the A13/Milano/Bologna and keep going until the exit Verona Sud from A4/E70.
The drive can take about 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. However, if you are going by car, it is essential to remember that Italy’s roads have tolls. You can always do some research before your trip to check for delays and toll charges here. Likely you will have to plan an additional 10€ for tolls and around 5€ for an all-day parking ticket in Verona.
Verona’s inner city has a pedestrianised area through which only license holders can drive, so ensure to park beforehand to avoid fines!
If you’re planning on renting a car in Venice, there are are plenty of options on Rentalcars.com which aggregates deals from many different providers.
Verona Tour from Venice
If all the independent planning is not for you, or you are looking for a more immersive experience, then a Verona tour from Venice might be something for you. These tours do not only offer organised transport for your Venice to Verona day trip but also include several extra pitstops so that you can really soak in the sights of Northern Italy.
Tours often are still run with small groups of people, which is especially great if you are a solo traveller looking to share your experience of one day in Verona with some people.
This full-day Verona, Countryside, and Lake Garda Tour gives you the chance to explore Verona city centre at your leisure as well as enjoy stops at Lake Garda, Sirmione and a winery in Amarone. Click here to view availability. It’s also possible to book a similar private tour if you prefer to have your own transport.
If you are looking for a more wine-based experience, this organised day trip from Venice to Verona lets you wander the streets of Verona as well as allowing you to explore a Valpolicella winery and sample a selection of the famous, local Amarone red wine. Click here to view availability
Venice to Verona Day Trip Itinerary
What to do in Verona in one day? There are plenty of things to do in Verona during your day trip from Venice to Verona. The good news is that the inner city of Verona is very compact and most sights are within walking distance from one another.
There is the option to partake in a free walking tour should you be looking for a guided experience. There are also paid walking tours available if the timing of the free tours doesn’t work for you. However, should you want to discover the city at your own pace, here are some suggestions for stops to take.
Before I continue, I do want to mention that if you are a fan of cultural sites and museums, it is worth looking into a Verona card – especially if you are planning to stay longer than one day. Costs are 20€ for 24 hours and 25€ for 48 hours after the first validation. The card offers free or reduced entry to the city leading museums, monuments and churches as well as letting you travel on the ATV city bus which is great if trying to reduce your overall Venice trip cost.
1. Start your day at the Roman Arena
You will be standing in Verona’s largest piazza – Piazza Bra. The Roman Arena is right in the centre of the piazza and is surrounded by several cafes, restaurants and museums. Stroll along the piazza and take in the cities first charming vibes before visiting the Roman Arena.
The amphitheatre used to be outside the cities walls in Roman times and has lasted for centuries as the city expanded around it. While the entertainment program is very different from that of the Roman era, the arena still functions as an entertainment venue today, and it is possible to see operas and plays there.
There is an entry fee for the arena, but it is worth it! Once you are inside, you will notice how well preserved the arena is so that spending the 10€ feels worth it. The views from up top are pretty amazing, too. Standing in the arena, it is easy to imagine the role it played in the past.
The Verona Card gives you skip-the-line entry to the Roman Arena and it is also possible to take a guided tour which includes a skip-the-line ticket.
2. Trace the setting for the love story of Romeo and Juliet
Next to the Roman Arena, you will find signposts leading you towards the town centre and Romeo and Juliet’s house – or rather the houses that are said to have inspired the play. We heard that one of the houses was actually built after the play was written, but nonetheless, if you are a fan of the tale, both houses are worth the stop.
What you will notice is that these places are very popular with tourists. We visited Verona off-season in November and Juliet’s house was still packed. It is noticeable that the sight has a significance for lovers.
The walls are filled with names of loved ones – spread across the paper, on locks and lockets and anything else that enshrines the permanent gesture. Also, rumour has it that rubbing the breast of the statue of Juliet in front of ‘Juliet’s house’ brings good luck.
Should this not be something you fancy, or should you want to just explore a little more of the city, you are in luck in Verona. The city centre has plenty of beautiful hidden alleyways with some great places to eat, drink and shop. Our favourite spot was a rustic looking bar/ restaurant near the Roman Arena called La Tradision, which served up some excellent local cuisine!
3. Walk along the inner city
The Piazza Delle Erbe is not far from Juliet’s house in the centre of Verona. This piazza is bustling, and it again is surrounded by some great bars and restaurants. Depending on when you plan to make your day trip from Venice to Verona, you might even see a Christmas market here!
Near the Piazza Delle Erbe, you will find some great architecture including the Torre dei Lamberti or the beautiful little church Chiesa di Santa Maria Antica. Walk along, and you will find more piazzas (albeit smaller than Piazza Delle Erbe) but just as impressive. One of the smaller piazzas houses a statue of the famous, Italian poet Dante.
We had no set plans as to how and where to walk around the inner city and just strolled along. Verona has a magical feel to it, and I am sure if you stroll along yourself from the main piazza, you will not be disappointed.
4. Walk along the river and visit the Roman Theatre and find some fantastic views
Walking along the Adige river, you can gaze across the banks and get a glimpse of some of the great architecture that awaits on the other side. Cross over the Ponte Pietra, and you will be able to directly immerse yourself. You already got a glimpse of Verona’s Roman history when you visited the Roman Arena at the start of your trip.
The Roman theatre was built in Verona at about the same time as the Roman arena. If you walk up the steps, you will also find the archaeological museum, which is a great way to educate yourself about the city’s history. Do note that an entry fee is applicable again, which is 10€.
Behind the theatre, you will also find the Castel San Pietro. There is also the option to take the Funicolare di Castel San Pietro – a short gondola ride – up the mountain. Once you are on top of the hill, you will be rewarded with some absolutely breathtaking views of Verona – especially at sunset. Can you ask for a better end to your Venice to Verona day trip?
5. End your day with some amazing food
Okay, I already mentioned restaurants quite frequently in the other pitstops, but seriously: Do not end your one day in Verona without eating some of its cuisine. Everything I ate in Verona was 100% delicious, and I wish I would have known about all the local delights I could have tried beforehand.
A sweet dish I was recommended to try after our visit to Verona was Baci di Giulietta (Juliet’s Kiss) which are small cakes with chocolate filling, and they sound heavenly! If you did eat along the way, why not kick back and sip an aperitivo or two at the Piazza Delle Erbe or the Piazza Bra before making your way back to Venice?
Have more time in Verona?
If you have 2 or 3 days in Verona or plan to see more of the region after your Venice to Verona day trip, then there are definitely plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of my personal suggestions:
Watch a show at the Teatro Romana or the Roman Arena
Both these amazing places actually offer an extensive program of theatre plays, musicals and concerts. You can find more information about shows in the Roman Arena here.
Camp at Castel San Pietro
If you liked what you saw after taking a gondola ride up the mountain, it is possible to camp at this beautiful location. The Camping Castel San Pietro offers some fantastic views for when you wake up in the morning to explore Verona some more.
Spend some time at Lake Garda
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and is known for its beautiful lakeside towns and stunning scenery. The lake is only approximately 50km away from Verona and therefore provides an excellent chance for an additional day trip if you haven’t already visited it through the tour mentioned above. This full-day tour from Verona is a great way to explore Lake Garda if you prefer not to go independently.
Visit other cities in the region: Milan, Bologna, Padua
Verona’s location provides an excellent stepping stone to visit other cities in Northern Italy. Padua actually is an excellent option for an additional city to visit on or after your Venice to Verona da trip as it is right between the two cities.
Other cities you could visit include Bologna, the seventh most populous city in Italy. It is only approximately 150km from Verona and can be reached by several forms of transport.
The famous city of Milan can also be reached by train within about an hour as it is about 160km away from Verona.
Where to Stay in Venice
Before you go on your Verona day trip, you’re going to need to find a great place to stay in Venice. Luckily, the city is one of the most popular to visit in all of Italy and there are ample accommodation options to choose from. If you are wondering where to stay in Venice, then have a look at these top suggestions:
Ca’ Angeli — This small hotel centrally located in the San Polo neighbourhood is a great option if your budget allows for a bit more than a hostel. There are a handful of clean and cosy rooms available, it’s within walking distance of most of Venice’s main attractions and there is breakfast included in the nightly rate. Click here to see their availability
Riva del Vin Boutique Hotel — This boutique hotel is situated within a couple hundred metres of the iconic Rialto Bridge and it is the perfect place to stay for those looking for a bit of luxury and romance on their trip to Venice. They have a number of plush rooms available and a great breakfast included in the room rate. Click here to see their availability
Combo Venezia — This small hostel located in the Cannaregio neighbourhood is the ideal place to stay for budget and solo travellers. Locally owned and operated, they have both dorm beds and private rooms available and it is one of the highest-rated hostels in the city. Click here to see their availability
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Venice hotels!
I definitely highly recommend considering a day trip to somewhere in the Northern Italian region while you are visiting Venice. Venice has so much to offer, but so does Verona and other cities in Northern Italy!
Hopefully, this itinerary has inspired you to partake on your Venice to Verona day trip and spend one day in Verona (or maybe even more). I will definitely be returning again to try out all that food I missed out on and to top up on some Amarone wine.
Are you planning a Venice to Verona day trip? Have you been recently? Let us know in the comments!
this is soooo helpful thanks