What to see in the lower Verona area
To the south of Verona lie the vast plains of the Veronese lowlands, an area with a strong agricultural vocation, particularly known for the cultivation of the famous Vialone Nano rice. In addition to the vast expanses of rice fields and cultivated land, the lower Verona valleys also offer a wealth of traditions, culture and historical testimonies that tell the story of the development of this area. Fields bordered by hedges and waterways invite you to explore the valleys by bike, on foot or on horseback. In addition to nature excursions, there are farmhouses, castles, parish churches, ancient villas and museums to visit. Small, lesser-known gems, perfect for travelers looking for unexpected surprises and less-traveled paths. Here are our suggestions for organizing a tour in the lower Verona area.
The villages to discover south of Verona
The plains of the lower Verona area are rich in waterways. The most important ones are the Mincio, the Po and the Adige. Along the Mincio River are some of the most picturesque villages in Northern Italy, including Valeggio sul Mincio and Borghetto. A fairy tale landscape with small houses and bridges that cross the river in the hamlet of Borghetto, water mills that are still in use, and the Scaliger Castle that towers over the village. A few kilometers from Valeggio you can visit Parco Giardino Sigurtà, a spectacular 600,000 square meter green oasis that houses the largest collection of tulips in Italy. Not to be missed are the tortellini of Valeggio, accompanied by a glass of Custoza wine.
Custoza itself is the second stop on our tour. An ancient village perched on the morainic hills, Custoza is famous for its wines. There are many wineries that organize tours and tastings of wines and local products. Just south of Custoza is Villafranca di Verona, where the Scala family castle stands, with eight defensive towers that now house the Museum of Italian Risorgimento. Villafranca is a lively center with shops, small restaurants and the interesting Nicolis Museum with a prestigious collection of vintage cars, motorcycles and bicycles. The gastronomic highlight? The bigoli with pumpkin and sausage, to be enjoyed with a nice glass of Valpolicella.
Near Sorgà, Cologna Veneta, a medieval agricultural village, and Legnago are worth a visit. Strolling through the center of Cologna Veneta, you can admire the beautiful 12th century Civic Tower, the 19th century Cathedral with paintings from the 1500s, and the Civic Archaeological Museum, which houses artifacts from the Roman and Medieval periods. Legnago is a bustling industrial center with prehistoric roots. The musician Antonio Salieri, to whom the 19th century theater is dedicated, was born here. Also in the center is a 15th century Venetian villa: Palazzetto Bianchi.
Nature trips around Verona
For lovers of trekking, cycling and horseback riding, the lower Verona area offers many trails suitable for all levels of difficulty. Not far from Sorgà is the Carpaneta forest, a protected reforestation area created in 2003. To the east of Sorgà is the Menago Valley Park: 35 hectares of wet habitat with woods, educational orchards, an animal farm with apiary, ponds, a deer farm and an artificial island where a prehistoric village has been reconstructed. The perfect destination for a trip with children!
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