The hills surrounding Verona are among the most famous wine lands in Italy. To the north lies Valpolicella, the land of Amarone, one of the great Italian reds, with its vineyard hills, Venetian villas and historic cellars; to the east, at the foot of the hills, stands Soave, a walled village and home of the white wine of the same name. It’s an ideal destination for lovers of food, wine and slow travel, where you sleep set among the vine rows, in farmhouses and charming B&Bs, between tastings, nature and good food.
Choosing where to stay in Valpolicella and Soave means choosing the green heart of the Verona area, a step from Verona and Lake Garda. In this guide we tell you about the two areas, with practical tips and a selection of properties among the most appreciated by travellers.
Valpolicella: the land of Amarone
Valpolicella, north of Verona, is a succession of gentle hills covered with vineyards, villas and ancient courts. It’s the home of Amarone, the great red obtained from dried grapes, but also of Recioto, Ripasso and Valpolicella Classico. Its municipalities — Negrar, San Pietro in Cariano, Sant’Ambrogio, Fumane and Marano — hold historic cellars, Renaissance villas like Villa della Torre and jewels like the Pieve di San Giorgio. Sleeping here means immersing yourself in a postcard landscape, between cellar visits and tastings, with Verona a few minutes away.
It’s the ideal choice for those who love wine, nature and calm, with the convenience of being close to the city and Garda. Many properties are farmhouses or charming residences set among the vineyards, often with a pool and hill views, designed for a stay in the name of relaxation and food and wine. Here are four recommended addresses among the hills.
Relais La Magioca
An exclusive adults-only relais among the Valpolicella hills in Negrar, with a seasonal pool and hot tub set in the vineyards. An elegant, romantic retreat in the heart of the land of Amarone, for a stay of pure relaxation among the cellars.
B&B Agorà
A welcoming B&B in Negrar, in the heart of Valpolicella, with an outdoor pool and parking. Well-kept and well located among the vineyards, it’s a convenient and pleasant base for exploring the cellars and villages of the area, with Verona a few minutes’ drive away.
A Casa di Tom
A B&B in Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella with a garden, private parking and a hot tub. Set in the land of marble and great wines, it’s a well-kept and welcoming base for experiencing authentic Valpolicella, between cellars, nature and the Pieve di San Giorgio.
Corte Tre Vigne
A B&B in Marano di Valpolicella with a garden, free parking and air-conditioned accommodation. Surrounded by vineyards in the highest and most panoramic part of the valley, it’s a quiet retreat ideal for those seeking calm, nature and excellent wine a stone’s throw away.
Soave: the white wine village
Soave, east of Verona, is one of the loveliest villages in Veneto: an enchanting medieval town enclosed in its Scaliger walls and dominated by the striking castle perched on the hill. It’s the home of Soave, the famous white wine, and its landscape of terraced vineyards is recognised as a globally important agricultural heritage. Strolling through its streets, climbing to the castle and tasting the wine in the wine bars of the centre are unmissable experiences. It’s the perfect base for combining history, wine and calm. Less known and more intimate than Valpolicella, Soave wins over those seeking authenticity and a slow pace, with the convenience of still being a few minutes from Verona and well connected to the motorway. Here are two recommended addresses.
Corte Tamellini
A welcoming guesthouse on the hills of Soave, with an outdoor pool and views over the vineyards. Set in the white-wine landscape, it’s a quiet and panoramic base for enjoying the village, the castle and the cellars, away from the crowds.
Locanda Lo Scudo
An elegant adults-only guesthouse in the centre of Soave, a short walk from the castle. The large crowd of loyal guests confirms well-kept hospitality: a refined base for experiencing the walled village on foot, among wine bars, walls and medieval lanes.
What to do and how to get around
The wine hills of Verona are an invitation to wine tourism. In Valpolicella you visit the cellars where Amarone is born, discover the grape-drying method and taste the wines paired with local flavours, like Valeggio tortellini or tastasal. In Soave you climb to the Scaliger castle, stroll along the walls and try the white wine in the wine bars. All around, Venetian villas, Romanesque parish churches, trails among the vineyards and views that, in autumn, light up with the colours of the harvest.
The area is comfortably explored by car, essential for reaching the cellars scattered among the hills; both Valpolicella and Soave are a few minutes from Verona and the motorway exits. Many cellars offer visits and tastings by appointment, so it’s best to organise in advance. For those tasting, it’s wise to plan a designated driver or rely on organised tours. To plan your travel, see the guide on how to get to Veneto. The most evocative season is autumn, that of the harvest.
This guide is part of our journey through the region: discover all the areas and destinations in Where to Stay in Veneto.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Valpolicella and Soave.
Where to stay in Valpolicella to visit the cellars?
Valpolicella is dotted with farmhouses, B&Bs and relais set among the vineyards, many in the municipalities of Negrar, San Pietro in Cariano, Sant’Ambrogio and Marano. Sleeping in a property among the hills lets you easily reach the cellars and experience the wine landscape. It’s best to book visits and tastings in advance. The area is also handy as a base for Verona and Lake Garda, a few minutes away.
What to see in Soave besides the wine?
Soave is one of the loveliest villages in Veneto: don’t miss the Scaliger castle perched on the hill, with the walls descending to encircle the village, the medieval centre with the Palazzo di Giustizia and the wine bars where you can taste the white wine. The landscape of terraced vineyards is recognised as a globally important agricultural heritage. It’s a perfect destination for combining history, walks and food and wine, a few minutes from Verona.
Is Valpolicella a good base for Verona and Garda?
Yes, excellent. Valpolicella is a few minutes from Verona and about half an hour from Lake Garda, which makes it an ideal base for combining art cities, lake and wine hills in a single trip. Many choose a farmhouse or a B&B among the vineyards as a quiet retreat from which to explore the area, alternating tastings with cultural visits. A car is recommended for moving around freely.
What’s the difference between Amarone, Ripasso and Valpolicella?
They are the symbol wines of Valpolicella, made from the same grapes but with different methods. Valpolicella is the base red, fresh and easy-drinking; Ripasso is more structured, “re-passed” over the Amarone marc; Amarone is the great meditation red, obtained from grapes dried for months, powerful and complex. There’s also Recioto, the sweet version. Visiting the cellars is the best way to discover the differences with a guided tasting.
When to go to Valpolicella and Soave?
The wine hills are good to visit all year round, but autumn, with the harvest and the colours of the vineyards, is the most evocative season and the one loved by wine tourists. Spring and summer offer pleasant weather and long days for walks and cellar visits. It’s best to book accommodation and tastings in advance, especially at weekends and during the harvest period, which is much in demand.
