Verona from Milan ( A guide to a perfect self-guided day trip to Verona from Milan)
- Guidemyvoyage
- Jul 26
- 12 min read
This article is focused on the perfect self-guided day trip to Verona from Milan, but can also be referred for places to visit in Verona in one day. It covers everything you need to know about the perfect self-guided day trip to Verona from Milan, including how to reach Verona from Milan and the best places to visit in one day in Verona, with options for wine tours. The places can be visited in the sequence it is provided in the article.
Verona is a city where History meets with love and romance. It is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway for a history enthusiast and those who prefer to get immersed in the romantic Atmosphere of the City.
The city was made popular to the world by the master of literature, William Shakespeare, through his setting in "Romeo and Juliet". It is based on the love story of Romeo and Juliet, which revolved around Verona.
Besides Shakespeare, Verona also has more than 2000 years of rich history. Different reigns have ruled the city in history, including the Romans, Ostrogoths, Lombards, Scalinger and the Austrian Empire. The city particularly prospered in the reign of the Romans and the Scalinger family. The traces of the rich history of the city are evident through the well-preserved architecture from Roman, the Middle Ages and Renaissance times.
In addition to the old city, Verona is surrounded by the stunning countryside of Valpolicella, which is known for producing legendary Italian wines. It is also a few kilometres away from Lake Garda, which is the largest Lake in Italy. Altogether it makes a perfect destination to visit and spend a couple of days.
Verona is located 158 kilometres east of Milan and can be comfortably visited as a day trip from Milan. This article will guide you through it.
Let's get started with the day trip to Verona from Milan!
Reaching Verona from Milan
By Train:
The best and fastest mode of transport to reach Verona from Milan is the Train. Typically, trains run from Milan's central train station (Milano Centrale) to Verona every 30 Minutes.
The high-speed train takes 1 hour and 13 minutes, and the regional train takes 1 hour and 52 Minutes to reach Verona from Milan.
It is recommended to take a regional train as it offers more flexibility, and fares are comparatively cheaper than fast trains. Also, the fares for regional trains are constant, while for high-speed trains, it is incremental based on demand.
Regional trains depart every hour to Verona from Milano Centrale train station. Leave as early as possible from Milan to Verona to have enough time to visit the major attractions of Verona. Make sure you board the regional train at least 15 minutes before departure to find a good seat on the train.
Always remember to check the latest train timings on Trenitalia.
By Car:
Verona from Milan can be reached by car via highway A4 in around 2 hours. However, the travel time can vary based on traffic. The route on the weekends or public holidays is typically jammed with traffic, especially at the highway exit points of the Lake Garda region.
You will find ample options for free and paid parking in Verona. Try reaching as early as possible to get parking near the city centre.
Guided tours to Verona from Milan are recommended for first-timers as the tour operators usually have a well-crafted itinerary for the wonderful day trip to Verona from Milan, and also take care of your transport to Verona from Milan.
Also, the tour guide knows the city very well, including its rich history and guides you systematically through different attractions, explaining their historic significance.
The guided tours to Verona from Milan include a tour of Sirmione Village in the Lake Garda region. It is tiny but picturesque, and one of the most charming villages in Italy.
Exploring Verona
Verona can be visited comfortably in one day. The old city centre is walkable, and you probably will not use the public transport or taxis to explore the city centre and nearby attractions like Piazzale Castel San Pietro. The city also has good mobility options for physically challenged people, such as taxis or public buses.
Verona Card
The Verona card is the economic and convenient option to explore Verona. It includes free entry to almost all the main attractions of the city and free travel on the public buses. You will also have fast-track access to the attractions in Verona, which saves a lot of time.
The Verona card costs Euro 27 for 24 hours and Euro 32 for 48 Hours. The Verona Card can be purchased online or directly at different tourist and money exchange offices in Verona. At the train station of Verona, you can buy the Verona card at the tourist office or at the money exchange office located close to the tourist office in the same corridor. It is recommended to buy a Verona Card if you are visiting Verona for a day. You will definitely end up saving a lot of time and money.
1. Arena di Verona
Start your day trip to Verona from Milan by exploring the gem of the city: Arena di Verona. It is one of the best preserved architectural sites from Roman times in Italy and closely resembles the Colosseum of Rome. The historians have not been able to trace the exact year it was built, but it is believed to have been built in the 1st century AD and said to be a little older than Rome's Colosseum if we consider the completion date. It was built primarily to host fierce Roman sports like Gladiator battles. However, it was also used to host entertainment events like circuses, theatrical performances and Jousts games. It still hosts popular music concerts and Operas in the present day. It can accommodate 30000 people at a time (15000 with the modern seating).
The Arena di Verona is one of the most popular spots in Verona, and there is always a long queue of visitors waiting for tickets. Therefore, make sure to reserve your entry tickets in advance.
The entry tickets per person cost €12 per adult,€9 for senior citizens or large groups and €3 for young European Union citizens between 18 and 24 years old. Verona card owners can enter for free.
The tickets can be purchased online at the Midaticket site.
2. Juliet's House
A few minutes walk from the Arena di Verona will take you to Juliet's house in the city centre. Many of us do not know that it's not Juliet who stayed there. There is no evidence of the existence of Romeo and Juliet, which makes Romeo and Juliet fictional characters in the play. Then whose house do people visit in Verona? Well, even Romeo and Juliet are fictional characters, Shekspear was inspired by the real love story of the Montechhi and Capuleti families of Verona, who were political rivals, and the love story of a young boy and girl revolves around the feuding families in Verona. The Juliet's house that everyone visits is the house of the Capuleti family of Verona.
Juliet's house is one of the most visited places in Verona. Everyone wants to visit Juliet's house and take photos from Juliet's balcony. Because of the narrow passage leading to the house, you will have to wait for your turn in the queue.
In front of Juliet's house in the courtyard, you will see the statue of Juliet and people taking photos by touching her breasts. It is believed that touching the breast of the statue brings good luck.
The entry tickets to Juliet's house cost €12 per adult, €9 for senior citizens or big groups, €3 for young European Union citizens between 18 and 25 years of age.
The entry tickets can be purchased online at Midaticket.
3. Piazza Delle Erbe
Just a few steps away from Juliet's house, you will reach the stunning Piazza Delle Erbe, which is the beautiful and artistic square of Verona. Piazza Delle Erbe is a good reminder of the rich history of Verona. It was originally a Roman forum when the city was founded by the Romans, and it has been the centre of the city ever since. Now it is the Main hub of the city, occupied with the markets, restaurants and shops. The square is also used for occasional public events.
Some of the Historic buildings that remind the artistic history of Verona are the Madonna di Verona fountain, Palazzo del Comune, Palazzo Maffei, Torri dei Lambreti and Torre del Gardello. The fountain Modena di Verona is the Oldest monument in Piazza delle Erbe.
You will also find a lot of bars, cafes and shops for some serious souvenir shopping.
4. Arche Scaligere (Della Scala Arche)
Just a few steps away from the Piazza delle Arbe, you can reach Arche Scaligere, also known as the Della Scala Arche, which is the tomb of the most notable members of the Scaliger family (Also known as the Della Scala Family). The Scaliger family were the most influential rulers of Verona in the 13th and 14th centuries.
The Arche Scaligere is a group of five monuments, more than 500 years old. It is a great work of Gothic architecture and deserves a visit.
The Arche Scaligere is fenced with iron grills, but you can have a good view of it from outside. The fenced area is open for visitors only during the summer months. The entrance during the summer months is free, but the only condition is that you must have a ticket from other monuments in Verona or hold a Verona Card.
5. Piezzale Castel San Pietro
The next spot to visit in Verona is the Pièzzale Castel San Pietro, which is a Panoramic terrace that offers stunning views of the city. This place is a must-visit during a day trip to Verona from Milan. You need to climb the steps for around 10 minutes or take a funicular to reach the top. The funicular tickets cost €3 per person for a return journey and €2 for a single journey. The castle is not open for visitors, but you can enjoy the beautiful views of the city and the Adige River from the top.
We have kept this place at number 5, but you can choose to visit at the time you want based on your priority from below:
Good Photos: If you want good panoramic photos of the city, visit during good sunlight for the best photos, preferably in the morning or afternoon.
Sunset: If you want to enjoy the romantic atmosphere of a slow sunset over the city, visit during the sunset hours. Consider that you won't get the best photos at sunset because of low light. A good camera or good photographic skills can do it though.
5. Archaeological Museum and Roman Theatre
In addition to the Arena di Verona, there is one more Roman theatre in Verona, which visitors often forget to visit. Located at the base of the hill of Piezzale Castel San Pietro, the archaeological Roman site and the museum housing Roman artefacts are good places to visit to understand the Roman influence in Verona.
The Roman theatre was built in the 1st century BC by the Romans. After the era of Roman influence, many different structures and buildings were erected on the ruins of the Roman theatre, until 1834, when it was unearthed by a local merchant. The theatre is now survived by the base area where the audience used to sit and the actors used to perform. The museum is located in a religious convent near the ruins and exhibits the artefacts from Verona and the surrounding area, including the artefacts recovered from the theatre site.
The entry tickets to the Archaeological site and Museum cost €9 per adult, €6 for senior citizens and €2 for EU citizens aged between 18 to 25 years. If you hold a Verona card, then entry is free.
6. Castelvecchio
Castelvechhio, translated as old castle, is a military castle built by the Scaliger family in the 14th century. The main purpose of the castle was to protect the city from Invaders. Throughout its life, the castle has undergone a lot of repairs and reformation as it was damaged several times during the wars. The castle is connected with the bridge over the Adige River, connecting it to the Old City. The bridge was also majorly damaged during World War 2; however, it was again rebuilt using the same debris from the destroyed bridge.
In the present day, the castle houses the Museum with a vast collection of artefacts and paintings.
The entrance to the castle costs 9 Euros per adult, 6 Euros for Senior citizens, and 3 Euros for young EU citizens aged 18 to 24 years. The entrance is free of cost if you hold a Vernoa Card.
7. Old centre of Verona
Verona's old city centre is a good reminder of the city's 2000-year-old history. The old centre of Verona is a UNESCO World Heritage site and gives a glimpse of Roman, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance Era in Verona.
In addition to the Arena di Verona and Roman theatre, you can also find Roman remains scattered in the city, like Borta Borsari, Arche dei Gavi and Ponte Pietra.
Piazza delle Erbe is the main city square, but wandering through the squares like Piazza del Signore and Piazza Bra also gives a glimpse of the rich heritage of Verona.
8. Valpolicella wine tours from Verona
The wine tour is totally optional during the day trip from Milan to Verona; however, if you are spending more than 1 day in Verona, then it is a must. If you are a day tripper, love exploring the vineyards and are curious about the unique wine-making process of Valpolicella, then you can consider visiting the vineyards of Valpolicella for half a day and spend the rest of the day exploring the city.
Valpolicella is popular for producing legendary red wines Amarone della Valpolicella, Valpolicella Classico and Ripasso. Valpolicella Amarone is the popular one worldwide, which is made with a unique process that involves drying grapes, fermentation and ageing for 2 to 5 years.
The wine tour to Valpolicella typically involves an introduction of the property, a visit to vineyards where the guide explains about the grape harvesting, a visit to the wine cellars where wine wine-making process is explained and finally the best part where you get to taste the variety of Valpolicella Wines with the traditional pairings. You also get to buy your favourite wines as a souvenir.
There are a lot of guided wine tours that take you to the Valpolicella from Verona. The tour typically takes 4 to 5 hours. The transport for the guided wine tour from Verona is provided in a private Vehicle.
Where to Eat in Verona
Verona has a lot of great options to try some local delicacies. We have given some options for the best trattorias in the city, which serve great traditional food.
Ristorante Maffei:
Located very close to Piazza delle Erbe, Ristorante Maffei is a great place to try some Veronese delicacies prepared with Amarone wine (Google map location)
Trattoria al Pompiere:
The local trattoria located close to Juliette's house and Piazza delle Erbe is another good pick to try some local dishes. This restaurant is always crowded; therefore, make sure you make reservations in advance (Google Map Location).
II Vicoletto Trattoria:
Another trattoria in the heart of the city is a good pick for Italian cuisine. Bigoli di Pasta Fresca is a good dish to try (Google Map Location).
Locanda Degli Scaligeri
Locanda degli Scaligeri is located a little far from the city centre, but a great place to eat if you are staying around. The local Veronese food made with Amarone wine is a speciality of this restaurant. You will also get an option for good Pizza (Google Map Location)
Return to Milan from Verona
You can end your day trip to Verona from Milan based on the time you need to explore the attractions in Verona. Regional trains are again the great option to reach Milan from Verona. The regional train departs every hour from Verona and takes 1 hour and 50 minutes to reach Milan. The last regional train to Milan from Verona departs at 21.43.
Always check the latest train timing on the Trenitalia site and plan your time for a day trip to Verona from Milan accordingly.
Make sure you board the train at least 15 to 20 minutes before departure to get a good seat, as the regional trains on this route are always crowded, especially during the weekend and public holidays.
We hope that you liked this article and it will help you plan a perfect day trip to Verona from Milan. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section. If you have questions about Verona or other places in Italy and Europe, please write to us. We will be happy to help you.
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