← Milan Marathon·2 nights

Verona and Lake Garda: Two Flat Nights

A compact Roman and medieval city, then a short train to the southern shore of Lake Garda. A flat route for tired legs.

Duration2 nights
TransitFast train from Milano Centrale to Verona Porta Nuova, about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, then a 13-minute train to Peschiera del Garda
DepartsMilano Centrale

After the Milan Marathon: Verona and Lake Garda

The Route: Milano Centrale → Verona → Peschiera del Garda → Verona → Milan airport or Verona airport Logistics: A fast train to Verona, then a 13-minute regional train to the lake. Verona's old town is flat and walkable. Marathon Month: April Duration: 2 nights

Milano Centrale ──(about 1h15-1h30 fast train)──> Verona ──(13 mins train)──> Peschiera del Garda
                                                      ▲                              │
                                                      └──────(13 mins train)─────────┘
                                          Verona Villafranca (VRN) ◄──(bus or taxi)── Verona

The race is on a Sunday in early April, and the fast trains between Milan and Verona make this a simple Monday exit. Frecciarossa and Italo run the route in about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the train, with fares that rise as the date approaches. Book at trenitalia.com or italotreno.it in advance and compare prices.

April in Verona and Garda: the weather is mild, with showers likely. The Arena's summer opera festival has not started in April, but the Roman amphitheatre is normally open for visits, so check the days. The Garda shore is quiet, the lake is cold and boat services run on a reduced timetable. Some seasonal hotels and restaurants are still closed, so check before you travel.

Nights One and Two: Verona

Verona's old town sits inside a bend of the river Adige, and the centre is flat and mostly pedestrianised. Start at Piazza Bra, where the Roman Arena stands, and walk the paved Via Mazzini to Piazza delle Erbe, the old market square, a distance of about 800 m. Check the opening days and prices for the Arena, Juliet's House and the Torre dei Lamberti, the tower on the Piazza delle Erbe, which has a lift. The balcony of Juliet's House is in a courtyard that is crowded at every hour; go early.

The river walk along the Adige is flat and has seating, and the Ponte Pietra, the Roman bridge, is the best view. The Castelvecchio museum and its bridge are a short walk from the Arena, and the museum is closed on at least one weekday, so check the days.

Where to stay. Hotel Accademia is in the historic centre and Hotel Gabbia d'Oro is on Corso Porta Borsari, also in the old town. Check rates, the distance to the station and your room before booking.

Where to eat. The local dishes are risotto all'Amarone, a rich red-wine risotto, and bigoli pasta with duck sauce. Book a table for the evening.

Day Two: Lake Garda

The train from Verona Porta Nuova to Peschiera del Garda takes about 13 minutes on a regular service, so you can go to the lake and return the same day. Peschiera is a small fortified town on the water, with a flat walk along the canal and the old walls, which are a UNESCO site. Sirmione is a peninsula with a castle, reached by bus from Peschiera or Desenzano; check the bus timetable and allow time. The lake ferries run a reduced timetable in April, so check before planning any crossing.

Getting home

For Verona Villafranca airport (VRN), take a bus or taxi from Verona; check the shuttle times. For Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Linate (LIN), return by fast train to Milano Centrale and continue by the airport link. Allow extra time for a delay.