Milan: Verona, Lake Garda & Sirmione Boat Cruise Day Trip

Verona's Arena and a Private Boat Around Lake Garda in One Day

You travel by air-conditioned coach from Milan to Verona for a walking tour and free time at the Arena and Juliet's House, then drive to Sirmione for a private boat cruise around Scaliger Castle and the lake's edge. Lunch is on your own in Verona. The boat, guide, headsets, and transport are included. The whole day runs about ten hours, and you return to Milan in the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Verona and Sirmione with boat cruise

• Travel from Milan to Verona
• Visit Juliet's House and Arena di Verona
• Enjoy walking tour and free time in Verona
• Travel to Sirmione village
• Take boat tour around Sirmione peninsula
• Explore Sirmione with free time

The Experience

The bus leaves Milan early, and by the time you reach Verona's historic center, the morning light is already hitting the Arena di Verona's pale stone. You get a walking tour through streets that still feel like the setting of a story (Juliet's House is there if you want it, the Roman Arena looms if you don't), but mostly you're moving through a city that hasn't rushed to modernize itself. Free time after means you choose: buy a ticket to climb inside the Arena, wander the quieter corners, grab lunch at a café that's been there longer than you've been alive. The guide narrates in English and Spanish, and if you've picked the AI translation option, the app on your phone renders it into whatever language you need, which sounds stranger than it works.

Then comes the drive to Sirmione, a town that sits on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Garda's southern shore. The boat waits at the dock: yours alone, with a captain who knows the water. You cruise out past Scaliger Castle, the medieval fortress that guards the peninsula's tip, and the lake spreads around you in that particular blue that photographs never quite capture. The boat swings close enough to see the castle's crenellations and the old walls dropping straight into the water. After the cruise, you have free time in Sirmione itself: the Grotte di Catullo (Roman ruins, tickets separate) sit at the peninsula's end, or you can sit in a lakeside café and let the afternoon happen. The whole day is structured but not rushed. You're not herded through. You're given the time and the transport, and the rest is yours.

One thing to know: the boat cruise only runs if the weather allows it. Lake Garda can turn rough, and safety comes first. If conditions aren't favorable, the cruise doesn't happen, and you get a local drink instead. It's not refundable, but it's also rare enough that most departures go out. The drive back to Milan takes the afternoon, and you arrive as the city's evening traffic is starting to thicken.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel or central Milan pickup, round-trip transport in an air-conditioned coach, a licensed English or Spanish-speaking guide, audio headsets for the narration, a private boat cruise around Sirmione peninsula with views of Scaliger Castle, and free time to explore Verona's historic center and Sirmione's streets at your own pace. Lunch is not included.
• you choose where and what to eat during the Verona stop. Entry fees to attractions like the Arena di Verona, Juliet's House, Grotte di Catullo, and Scaliger Castle are separate. If you select the AI translation option, a smartphone with real-time multilingual translation is provided.

Days and timesDaily · 08:00 · season until 30 Nov

AgesAges 12+ · 3 to 11 years · Under 3 — Free

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “Piazza IV Novembre, next to Hotel Excelsior Gallia. Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the starting time. In case of late arrival at the meeti…”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Veditalia

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see both Verona's Roman history and Lake Garda's landscape in one day without renting a car or planning the route yourself: the fixed itinerary and private boat are what make both stops fit into a single outing from Milan.

Traveler reviews

4.75★★★★★★★★★★

384 verified traveler reviews

5 ★316

4 ★51

3 ★8

2 ★6

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

3 to 11 years; under 3, free.

How long is the drive from Milan to Verona?

The drive is roughly two hours each way. Travel time is included in the total tour duration.

Are entry tickets to the Arena di Verona and Juliet's House included?

No. Both are optional and tickets are not included. You have free time to visit either or neither, depending on your preference.

What happens if the weather is bad and the boat cruise can't run?

If lake conditions are unsafe for sailing, the cruise is cancelled for safety reasons. You'll receive a local drink instead. This is not refundable, as it's considered a weather-related event beyond the operator's control.

Is lunch included in the tour?

No. You have free time for lunch in Verona, where you can choose from local restaurants and cafés.

Is the boat cruise suitable for people with mobility issues?

The boat cruise is accessible, but Sirmione's old town has narrow, uneven streets. Check with the operator about specific mobility needs before booking.

What should I bring for the boat cruise?

Bring sun protection, a light jacket (lake breezes can be cool), and comfortable walking shoes for Sirmione's streets.