Perfect Bologna to Verona Day Trip: What to Do & Eat 2024

Looking for the perfect itinerary for your Bologna to Verona day trip? We’re sharing all you need to know in this guide.

Verona is one of the most beautiful cities in northern Italy. The city is famous for its connections to the Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet, but there are plenty of other fun things to do in Verona.

From Roman arenas to ancient scenenic bridges, to bustling piazzas and unforgettable sunset viewpoints. It’s all just over a one-hour train ride from Bologna!

We’ve spent a lot of time in Verona, so we know a thing or two about this special city. While there are many incredible day trips from Bologna, Verona is by far one of our favorites.

On your day trip, you’ll have enough time to see the main sights in Verona and try out one of our favorite restaurants for lunch or dinner.

This guide covers all the essential information you need to know to plan a Bologna to Verona day trip including how to get to Verona and all the best things to do. Let’s dive in!

Know Before You Go: Bologna to Verona Day Trip

• There are around 30 trains to Verona from Bologna every day. Try to take the high-speed that will allow you to arrive in Verona by 9 am so that you can enjoy a full day (including breakfast!) in the city.
• We highly recommend purchasing the Verona Card to save money on the city’s top attractions. You can buy it online and pick up the physical card at the Verona Tourist Information Office from 9 am.
• The 24-hour card currently costs ~€21, and if you were staying an extra day you’d only need to pay ~€26 for a 48-hour Verona Card. It includes Juliet’s House, Castelvecchio Museum, most of the churches, and so much more.

Is a Bologna to Verona Day Trip Worth It? 

Absolutely! Verona has the nickname ‘Little Rome’ for a good reason. While you would get a better feel for Verona with a two-night stay, the city is so compact that you can see most of the top things to do in Verona on a day trip.

How To Get To Verona From Bologna

The best way to get from Bologna to Verona is by train. Book your tickets from Bologna Centrale to Verona Porta Nuova in advance via Trenitalia.com, the main booking site for trains in Italy.

We book all of our trains in Italy through the Trenitalia App, which is a more convenient option. You can book your tickets here, access your e-tickets, and see updates about the status of your train through the App too.

Book your train tickets at least 3 weeks in advance to get the best prices. The high-speed trains, in particular, get quite expensive the closer to the date you book.

Because of this, you’ll want to book both your ticket there and return ticket ahead of time. We recommend arriving in Verona by 9 am and returning to Bologna later in the evening, so you can enjoy dinner or sunset in the city.

How Long Is Verona From Bologna by Train? 

The fastest Bologna to Verona train takes 52 minutes. This is a high-speed, Frecciarossa train, but there are also some regional services that take as long as two hours because they stop at many local stations en route.

While the regional services are usually cheaper (sometimes even half the price), the faster trains mean you have much more time to enjoy your Bologna to Verona day trip! 

How To Get From the Verona Train Station to the City Center 

Although it takes around 23 minutes to walk from Verona Station to Piazza Bra, walking is still the best and cheapest option. 

If you have limited mobility, jump in a taxi outside of the train station. The ride from the train station is only 10 minutes.

Buses are much cheaper than taking the taxi, and you can buy a ticket on board. Bus tickets cost around €1.50 per single journey. If you purchase the Verona card, buses rides around the city are included in the price.

For the buses, we recommend using Google Maps to find the best and most current routes.

How to Get Around Verona 

Verona is a walkable city. Its historic center is super compact, many of the streets are pedestrian-only, and all the sights are within a 10 to 20-minute walk.

There’s no metro or tram network, but if you have accessibility needs then you can use the buses or taxis.

What To Do on a Bologna to Verona Day Trip 

Many of the top things to do in Verona are included on the Verona Card. We purchased the card during our stay in the city, and it ended up saving us a lot of money!

We recommend purchasing your card in advance online, and then you’ll have to pick up the pre-paid card at the Verona Tourist Information Office near the Verona Arena.

The Verona Tourist Information Office opens at 9 am, so head there first!

Visit the Verona Arena 

Rome’s Colosseum might be the biggest and most famous amphitheater in Italy, but the Verona Arena is better preserved and still an impressive structure.

Completed in 30 AD during the reign of Emporer Augustus, the Verona Arena was built to hold up to 30,000 spectators. Like the Colosseum, it was an entertainment venue for gladiatorial performances and other Roman sports.

It’s in such good condition that the Arena still hosts dozens of open-air performances every year. It boasts a world-class opera program in the summer! If you’re visiting between June and September, we highly recommend looking into booking tickets for a performance.

You might not be able to stay late enough on your day trip to Verona from Bologna to catch a show, but you can still explore the amphitheater during the day. Walk up to the top of the pink and white marble stone seats for a wonderful view overlooking Piazza Bra.

Verona Arena is open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm every day. 

Tickets: Full-price tickets cost €10 and can be bought at the arena. Entrance is included in the Verona card.

Wander around Piazza Bra

Piazza Bra is the largest piazza in the city and somewhere you will inevitably visit on your day trip to Verona. It’s where you’ll find the Verona Arena, a row of colorful bars and restaurants with outdoor seating, and Giardini Vittorio Emanuele II.

Yes, the prices for drinks in any bar in Piazza Bra will be more expensive than most other bars in the city. But you get to sip on your spritz enjoying one of the city’s best views!

Giardini Vittorio Emanuele II provides some much-needed leafy shade during hot Italian summers. There are benches, a statue in honor of Italy’s famous king, and a drinking fountain.

Part of the Verona Christmas market and other seasonal markets usually pop up in Piazza Bra.

Want to learn about the history of Verona with a local guide? Check out this walking tour to many of the top sights in the city.

Check out the Castelvecchio Bridge

Castelvecchio Bridge (or Ponte Scaligero, named after the family who ruled Verona during the Renaissance) is just one of Verona’s many beautiful bridges.

It crosses the River Adige to the west of Verona’s historic center. Consisting of brick and marble, this bridge spans three arches with several ledges and staircases you can climb up to better admire the view.

Although it was built during the 14th century, the Castelvecchio Bridge was totally destroyed by German troops at the end of WWII in 1945. Thankfully, the bridge was authentically rebuilt, allowing it to reopen in 1951.

When the waterline is high and the weather is pleasant, you can usually watch rafters sail underneath the bridge. 

Castelvecchio Museum

Connected to the bridge is the Castelvecchio Museum, one of the best museums to visit in Verona!

Also built during the 14th century, this palace was once the home of the Della Scala (Scaliger) family. They were the rulers of Verona in the 13th and 14th centuries until the city became a part of the Venetian Republic in 1404.

The palace was totally remodeled in 1957 and is now a fine art gallery with an impressive weapons collection. You’ll find beautiful portraits, landscape paintings, and sculptures mostly created in the local region.

Castelvecchio Museum is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm every day except Tuesday when it is closed. 

Tickets: Full-price tickets are €6 and you can buy them directly from the museum. Entrance is included in the Verona card.

Piazza Delle Erbe

Piazza Delle Erbe is a must-visit during your Bologna to Verona day trip! 

This piazza is truly in the heart of Verona. It’s located right in the center of the historic town close to Piazza dei Signori, the main shopping street of Via Cappello, and the Gardello Tower.

Every building in this piazza is uniquely beautiful. Some have ornate stone carvings on their façade, some have frescoes and green shutters, and others were built with Verona’s quintessential Renaissance style with terracotta bricks and pink marble.

Almost every day, market stalls selling fresh produce and souvenirs ensure the piazza is always full of life.

There are plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can sit outside and people-watch while you sip on a cappuccino or Aperol Spritz.

Piazza Delle Erbe also has a beautiful fountain called Fontana Madonna Verona. It’s one of the most beloved landmarks in Verona as the statue of the woman in the center of the fountain personifies the city.

If you have the time, make sure to climb up to the top of the Lamberti Tower. You’ll find some of the best views of Verona from the top! Tickets to the tower are include in the Verona card, just make sure to reserve your time slot in advance.

Visit Juliet’s House

Strolling down Via Cappello without getting swept up into the crowds can be a challenge. This is where you’ll find the house of the famous character Juliet Capulet!

While the house is ticketed, exploring the courtyard outside is open and free. Walls covered in gum and love notes are now hidden behind plywood to preserve the medieval stonework, but the statue of Juliet still stands tall.

You’ll notice that the statue of Juliet’s right breast is much shinier than her left! Visitors cup this one in the hopes it will bring them good luck in love. 

There are also stone plaques with the most famous quotes from Shakespeare’s play. Plus, you can see the iconic balcony from the courtyard.

Visiting the Gothic-style, 14th-century house is possible from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm every day except Monday when it is closed. This house is now a museum featuring props and costumes from the Zeffirelli movie Romeo and Juliet (1968).

You can even leave notes seeking advice from the Secretaries of Juliet here!

Although Juliet is a fictional character (and the balcony was only added in the 1930s), the magic of this house is enough to bring out the romantic in any skeptic.

Tickets: Full-price tickets are €6. You can buy a combination ticket for Juliet’s Tomb for €7, or a ticket for the house, tomb, and Achille Forti Gallery of Modern Art for €8. Entrance to all three is included in the Verona Card but you will need to pre-book a timeslot for the house.

Piazza dei Signori

Yet another stunning piazza in Verona! Piazza Dei Signori is just off Piazza Delle Erbe and is usually much quieter.

One of the focal points of Piazza dei Signori is the statue of the poet Dante Alighieri who wrote The Divine Comedy. He lived in Verona from 1312 to 1318 and even dedicated his Paradiso poem to Cangrande della Scala who hosted his stay.

Some of the spectacular buildings in this 14th-century piazza include the Palace of Cansignorio with its 84-meter tower and the 15th-century Loggia del Consiglio with its arched marble columns.

Visit Arche Scaligere Tombs

Stroll through Piazza dei Signori and you’ll eventually see the Arche Scaligere Tombs. 

These are the sarcophagi of five members of the Scaliger family who ruled Verona (and much of the Veneto region) for over 100 years. Many landmarks, including all of the piazzas mentioned in this guide, were constructed during their rule.

It’s fair to say the Scaliger family made Verona into the city we all know and you soon will love!

These raised Gothic monuments are covered in carved religious motifs and other symbols related to the family topped with equestrian statues. Cangrande della Scala, one of the greatest rulers of Verona, has dogs carved into his tomb as his name translates to ‘big dog’. 

Although the Arche Scaligere Tombs are enclosed behind a wrought iron fence, you can still see and admire them from below. During the summer months, you can visit the tombs but opening times are inconsistent.

Enjoy the best views of Verona from Piazzale Castel San Pietro

For most of your Bologna to Verona day trip, you’ll stay within the fluid borders of the River Adige, with one exception. 

You need to visit Piazzale Castel San Pietro for unbelievable views across Verona’s historic center!

Cross the old Roman bridge Ponte Pietra (also destroyed in WWII and rebuilt) and either take the funicular or walk up the hill. It’s not a strenuous climb, but if you’d rather save your thighs then the hillside cable car is €2 per ride and is open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm every day.

Castel San Pietro is an old Roman fortress that is currently closed to visitors. But it makes no difference because the large panoramic viewpoint you get of Verona with cypress trees and mountain scenery is why you want to visit!

Basilica di Santa Anastasia

Stood at the end of Verona’s Roman road, the Basilica di Santa Anastasia is Verona’s largest church and most beloved by locals and tourists alike.

Construction started on this church at the end of the 13th century and continued throughout the 15th century. Although the façade was never completed, it’s the beautiful marble interiors and artwork that make Basilica di Santa Anatasia special.

If you only have time to visit one church on your day trip from Bologna to Verona, make it this one! 

It’s open from 10 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 6 pm on Saturdays, and 1:00 pm to 6 pm on Sundays. During the winter months, the church shuts at 5 pm.

Tickets: Full-price tickets are €4. You can also buy a combination ticket for €8 which will also give you entrance to Verona Cathedral, the Church of San Fermo Maggiore, and the Church of San Zeno. Entrance is included in the Verona card.

Church of San Fermo Maggiore

Speaking of the Church of San Fermo Maggiore, if you have the time, then absolutely visit this church as well!

Construction was completed on this church in the 15th century and is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. What’s unique about this church is the much older first floor which is pretty plain compared to what’s on the second floor.

The Church of San Fermo Maggiore’s second floor has a striking dark wooden ceiling with incredibly intricate carvings, you may not have ever seen something like it!

Opening times for the Church of San Fermo Maggiore are the same as Basilica di Santa Anastasia: 10 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 6 pm on Saturdays, and 1:00 pm to 6 pm on Sundays. It also closes at 5 pm from November to March.

Tickets: Like Basilica di Santa Anastasia, full-price tickets are €4. Combination tickets are €8 which will also allow you to visit Verona Cathedral, the Church of San Zeno, and the Basilica di Santa Anastasia. Entrance is included in the Verona card.

Where to Eat in Verona on Your Day Trip From Bologna

Verona’s culinary scene is mostly quaint trattorias and elegant ristorantes with red gingham tablecloths and antique, dark wooden furniture. 

After spending a month in the city, we created a list of some of our favorite spots! Here are some of our recommendations for your day trip to Verona.

• Breakfast: Pasticceria Flego – Although their specialty is patisserie and elegant sweet treats, this is a great place to go for a quintessential Italian breakfast of espresso or cappuccino with a croissant.
• Lunch: Trattoria al Pompiere – The authentic Italian restaurant is one of our favorite spots in the city. Both the pastas and meat dishes are fantastic.
• Dinner: Locanda Di Castelvecchio – Swapping checkered table coverings for white tablecloths and chandeliers, this restaurant has an old-world dining room serving authentic Veneto dishes.
• Quick Bite: La Bottega della Gina XXL – No time for a sit-down lunch? This eat-in or take-out restaurant serves fresh tortelloni with a variety of fillings. We recommend getting the mixed bowl to try one of each flavor!
• Gelato: Gelateria Ponte Pietra – No Bologna to Verona day trip is complete without a scoop of gelato or two, and this shop serves homemade gelato close to Castel San Pietro.

Tips for Your Day Trip From Bologna to Verona

• Don’t expect to see everything in one day – Verona is small but dense, so you may not be able to see every church and visit every garden and museum.
• Book restaurants in advance – If you’re planning to sit down at a restaurant for lunch or dinner, we highly suggest calling at least a couple of days in advance to make a reservation. Tables fill up fast, especially during the high season.
• Wear comfortable shoes – You will be walking a lot!
• Bring a water bottle – Verona has lots of drinking fountains (one in Piazza Bra and one at Piazzale Castel San Pietro plus others), so you can refill on hot days.

More information for your trip to Italy:

• VERONA: Planning to visit Verona during the holiday season? Check out our guide to the Verona Christmas Market. Spending time in Verona? Read our post on the best day trips from Verona.
• VENICE: Wondering if Venice is worth visiting during your stay in northern Italy? Check our our post on 15 Reasons to Visit Venice.
• BOLOGNA: Bologna is one of our favorite cities in all of Italy. Check out our guides on the Best Things to do in Bologna and if you’re wondering where to visit in the region, our Emilia Romagna Travel Guide.
• MILAN: Check out our guide on how to plan a day trip from Milan to Verona.