Verona: Food & Wine Walking Tour with Lunch & Cable Car

Summary

Verona flavors, stories, laughter and city views by cable car

You’ll wander Verona’s lively streets with a local guide, tasting cheeses and wines in hidden spots before sitting down for pasta at a real trattoria. Ride the cable car up to Castel San Pietro for those famous city views—and finish with artisan gelato or winter sweets if it’s cold out. It’s not about ticking boxes; it’s about feeling part of Verona for an afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the smell of warm pastries drifting out from the little bakery near Piazza Brà—our meeting point. Our guide, Sara, handed us flaky bites dusted with sugar while she grinned and said something in rapid Italian to the baker. I caught maybe two words (my Italian’s tragic), but it didn’t matter. The city felt awake, even though it was just mid-morning. There were locals weaving past us on bikes, someone shouting “Ciao!” across the square. It felt like we’d stepped into someone else’s routine for a bit.

We wandered through Verona’s historic center, ducking into tight alleys that opened up suddenly onto sunlit piazzas. Sara told us about old legends—she pointed at Juliet’s balcony and rolled her eyes a little (“It’s mostly for tourists,” she whispered). Every so often we’d stop for something new: slices of DOP cheese that tasted almost grassy, salty prosciutto, then later a plate of fresh tortelli with melted cheese that clung to my fork in the best way. I tried to say “grazie” properly; Sara laughed and corrected me (I probably butchered it again). The wine tasting was in this cozy vineria where the sommelier explained Amarone like it was an old friend—rich, deep, almost smoky. I still think about that first sip paired with something savory from Lake Garda.

After lunch at a trattoria (the kind where the waiter just nods when you order and brings what he thinks you’ll like), we took the funicular up to Castel San Pietro. The view over Verona stopped everyone mid-sentence—even Sara got quiet for a second. The rooftops looked pink in the late light and you could hear church bells somewhere far off. It wasn’t dramatic or anything; just peaceful in this way I didn’t expect. We ended with gelato from a tiny shop tucked behind some market stalls—mine dripped down my wrist before I finished it. Not perfect, but honestly kind of perfect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Verona food, wine, and culture tour

• Meet local Foody guide
• Walk through historic streets
• Visit Juliet's house balcony
• Stop at historical Fornaio bakery
• Enjoy several gourmet food stops
• Have traditional lunch at trattoria
• Taste holiday specialties in winter
• Attend wine tasting session with lesson
• Sample at least three DOC wines and Amarone
• Visit Christmas markets in winter
• Ride funicular to panoramic viewpoint
• End with artisan ice cream

Top questions

How long is the Verona food & wine walking tour?

The tour covers about 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) and lasts several hours, including all food stops and the cable car ride.

Is lunch included on this Verona walking tour?

Yes, lunch or dinner at a traditional trattoria is included depending on your tour time.

Are vegetarian options available on this food & wine tour?

Yes, the tour is suitable for vegetarians and can accommodate dietary needs.

Does this day trip include wine tasting?

Yes, there is a proper wine tasting session featuring Amarone DOCG and other local wines paired with snacks.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is provided; you meet at Piazza Brà in central Verona.

Do you visit Juliet's house on this tour?

Yes, there is a stop by Juliet's house to see the famous balcony.

Is the cable car ride included in the price?

Yes, skip-the-line tickets for the panoramic cable car are included.

What happens if shops are closed or it's winter?

The itinerary changes based on seasonality; in winter you visit Christmas markets and enjoy seasonal treats instead of gelato.

What’s included

Your day includes guided tastings of regional cheeses and charcuterie DOP, lunch or dinner at an authentic trattoria with hot Veronese dishes like tortelli or polenta (vegetarian options available), DOCG wine tasting led by a sommelier in a cozy vineria—with Amarone featured—plus skip-the-line tickets for Verona’s panoramic cable car up to Castel San Pietro. You’ll also get artisan gelato or winter desserts along the way—all guided by a certified Veronese local who adapts each stop to match the season.