The fabled city of Romeo & Juliet is one of my favourite places in Italy. And thanks to its excellent rail connections, Verona is one of the best bases for visiting other destinations in the Veneto region and beyond.
I know because I have done exactly that.
Whether you want to relax by the shores of Lake Garda or learn more about the birth of Renaissance art in Padua, here are the best day trips from Verona by train.
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Getting Away From Verona
Trains to all of these destinations leave from Verona Porta Nuova station. This is a 15-minute stroll from the Roman Arena.
But first, a quick explainer about Italian trains:
- Trenitalia Regional Express (RV) trains: The backbone of Italy’s local transportation, slower but cheaper than high-speed services. As prices are fixed, there is no advantage to booking ahead. Simply buy your ticket from the self-service machine at the station or on the app on the day of departure.
- Trenitalia Regional (R) trains: Similar to the Regional Express services but with more stops. Suitable for short hops or destinations not served by RV trains.
- Trenitalia Frecciarossa trains: Comfortable, high-speed services, connecting major towns and cities. Book ahead for the cheapest fares.
- Italo trains: The new(ish) kid on the block, operating high-speed trains along key arteries. Like Frecciarossa services, fares are more expensive the closer you get to your date of departure.
Where possible, I recommend taking a regional express train. This keeps your plans flexible with the acceptable penalty of a marginally longer journey.
You can check the times of both Trenitalia and Italo trains here.
Best Day Trips from Verona by Train
- Padua – 1 hour by Regional Express train from Verona. Quicker high-speed trains are also available.
- Vicenza – 40 minutes by Regional Express train from Verona. Marginally quicker high-speed trains are also available.
- Lake Garda – 25 minutes by Regional train from Verona. Marginally quicker high-speed trains are also available.
- Venice – 1 hour 30 minutes by Regional Express train from Verona. Quicker high-speed trains are also available.
- Bologna – 55 minutes by Trenitalia or Italo high-speed train from Verona. Slower Regional Express trains are also available.
- Mantua – 45 minutes by Regional train from Verona.
- Milan – 1 hour 15 minutes by Trenitalia or Italo high-speed train from Verona. Slower Regional Express trains are also available.
1. Verona to Padua (Padova) Day Trip by Train
Art fangirls or fanboys should make a beeline for Padua. This is home to Giotto’s frescos in the Scrovegni Chapel, famous sculptures by Donatello and an extraordinary fresco cycle in the baptistery of Padua Cathedral.
These alone are worth the price of your train ticket.
READ THIS NEXT >>> Visiting the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua: Giotto’s Masterpiece
Religious pilgrims flock to the Basilica of St. Anthony. Built after the saint’s death in 1231, it’s a treasure chest of faith and art.
Padua has been a centre of academic excellence since medieval times. I joined a tour of Padua University, which counts Galileo, Copernicus and Dante amongst its alumni, to learn more about this prestigious university.
It also has the world’s oldest botanical garden. The UNESCO-listed Orto Botanico di Padova was founded in 1545 and contains the university’s vast collection of rare plants.
READ THIS NEXT >>> 10 Reasons Why I Love Padua
2. Verona to Vicenza Day Trip by Train
Visit Vicenza if you are an architecture buff.
This elegant Veneto city is known as la città di Palladio – the city of Palladio – and was recognised by UNESCO in 1994. It is celebrated for the buildings of Andrea Palladio (1508 – 1580), the Renaissance architect who developed the style that spread throughout the world, from the White House in Washington DC to the palaces of St. Petersburg.
The Dominicans built the Church of Santa Corona in the 13th century to house a relic from Christ’s crown of thorns, donated by King Louis IX of France. Its light-filled Gothic interior houses artistic masterpieces, including Paolo Veronese’s Adoration of the Magi.
Piazza dei Signori is home to several of the city’s landmark buildings, including Torre Bissara. Reaching a height of 269 feet, this is one of the tallest bell towers in Italy.
READ THIS NEXT >>> Best Things to Do in Vicenza in One Day: A Palladian Paradise
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3. Lake Garda Day Trip from Verona by Train
If you have had your fill of cities, take a day trip to Lake Garda from Verona. In all my years travelling around Italy, I had never visited the country’s largest lake and grabbed this opportunity when it presented itself.
I am so glad that I did. Reports of Lake Garda’s beauty are not exaggerated.
Desenzano is one of the easiest lakeside towns to reach by train from Verona. If you tire of relaxing by the lake or at the picturesque Little Harbour, there is a castle and an Archaeological Museum to visit.
I liked the Roman Villa of Desenzano del Garda. This is one of the best-preserved late antiquity villas of northern Italy and is famous for its exceptional mosaic floors.
For adventures (slightly) further afield, jump on a boat to the gorgeous town of Sirmione. This takes 20 minutes and services run throughout the day.
4. Verona to Venice (Venezia) Day Trip by Train
I’ll level with you. You will only scratch the surface of Venice in one day.
However, if this is your one chance to visit La Serenissima, grab it with both hands. But don’t try to shoehorn too much into your visit.
Start by jumping on vaporetto #1 from outside Venezia Santa Lucia train station for the 40-minute ride along the Grand Canal to Piazza San Marco. Decide whether to linger for an outrageously overpriced coffee before hitting St. Mark’s Basilica.
Take a tour of the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and then make your way to the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto).
If time permits, stroll around the Cannaregio district. It’s one of my favourite corners of Venice and relatively free from tourist glitz.
READ THIS NEXT >>> 20 Famous Venice Landmarks
5. Bologna Day Trip from Verona by Train
Our next day trip from Verona takes us to the Emilia-Romagna region and is unmissable if you are a foodie.
Bologna reigns supreme as Italy’s culinary capital and is one of the country’s best destinations for authentic cuisine. At least that’s what my stomach told me.
This is your opportunity to try real Bolognese sauce, handmade pasta and an array of cured meats and cheeses.
Beyond food, Bologna’s historic centre is home to architectural treasures like the iconic Two Towers and the Basilica di San Petronio.
READ THIS NEXT >>> Bologna’s Historic Centre: The Red, The Fat and The Learned
6. Day Trip to Mantua (Mantova) from Verona by Train
Encircled by lakes, gorgeous Mantua is a magnet for history buffs.
Although this Lombardy city’s history stretches back to the Etruscans, its claim to fame lies in its association with the Gonzaga lordship. This noble family wielded significant influence in Renaissance Italy and Palazzo Ducale bears testament to their legacy.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, Mantua is the home of Virgil and the guardian of Mantegna‘s masterpieces. Other must-see sights include Palazzo Te and the Clock Tower.
7. Milan (Milano) Day Trip from Verona by Train
Milan may be Italy’s financial hub but it also has a rich cultural heritage.
Like Mantua, its origins go back to the Etruscans, but Milan thrived during the Renaissance heritage. It’s here that you can see Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper, one of the most famous paintings in the history of art.
I saw it more than 30 years ago and still vividly remember the experience.
Milan is renowned for its thriving arts scene and is home to world-class museums like the Pinacoteca di Brera. Milan Cathedral, or Duomo, is one of the world’s greatest examples of Gothic architecture.
As the world’s fashion capital, this is the place for you if you are into your designer clobber (don’t miss Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II). But if your interests verge towards the operatic, add La Scala opera house (Teatro alla Scala) to your itinerary.
And That’s a Wrap
I hope this article inspires you to visit one of these fabulous places near Verona. If you would like to learn more about Verona, take a look at these articles:
- One Day in Verona, Italy: Fall in Love with the City of Romance
- Shakespeare’s Verona: A Romeo and Juliet Treasure Hunt in the City of Love
- Is the Verona Card Worth It?
- Top 10 Luxury Hotels in Verona, Italy
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.