Soave: The Most Beautiful Town in Italy? 

Soave by Edoardo Bortoli via Unsplash

Outside of Italy, Soave's white wine is probably better known than the village itself. That's unfortunate because Soave dates back to Roman times and is one of the best preserved and loveliest of all the small towns of Italy. 

Where to Stay

The Monte Tondo Winery (click for details)is the place I recommend. The Monte Tondo is not in Soave, but rather in the vineyard-covered hills just outside of the village.

Awake to the fragrances and gentle sounds of rural Italy and enjoy walks through the vines that tumble and fall down the hill into the valley below.

Monte Tondo is a working vineyard producing some excellent wine—savor the country bliss and at the same time base yourself in an area that is extremely central for exploring the Veneto. Even Venice is less than an hour away.

If you would prefer something right in the village, then consider the Hotel Roxy Plaza.

Getting to Soave

By Car:  A car rental is definitely the best option. It allows you to explore the gorgeous countryside nearby and visit Lake Garda. Soave is conveniently located, just about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Verona heading toward Vicenza, and is easily accessible via the A4 motorway. It's a quick and scenic drive, making it a perfect day trip from either city.

By Train: Soave has no railway station, so you will need to get off the train at the nearby San Bonifacio railway station. Trains run to San Bonifacio from all major cities in Northern Italy.

From San Bonifacio, which is approximately 7 kilometers away from Soave, various transportation options, including buses and taxis, are available to reach Soave.

The buses leave from just outside the station, and the one you’ll need is the 130. The timetable always seems a bit higgledy-piggledy to me—on a couple of occasions, I’ve found myself waiting for ages because my train arrived just as the bus was leaving.

Officially, buses run every 90 minutes outside of peak hours. To avoid frustration, I recommend checking Google Maps beforehand and aiming for a train that arrives at least 20 minutes early. This gives you a buffer for potential delays and plenty of time to find the bus stop.

When to Visit

Soave wine by Brett Jordan via Pexels

Any time from May to October is ideal for a visit. However, I’d recommend avoiding July and August, as the past few years have brought sweltering heat during those months.

September and October are particularly lovely, and by mid-October, the vineyard-covered hills surrounding the town transform into a breathtaking display of russet-colored magnificence.

The third week of September is a fun time to visit. It is the month when the local grape festival—La Festa dell’Uva—is held, and the town is lined with stalls selling the best of local produce, and I can assure you that there is some seriously good stuff to eat and drink.

The festival continues late into the evening with a fireworks display, and the piazzas are buzzing with people until late into the night.

What to See

The highlight is the impressive castle. Built in the 13th century, it is very well preserved, and the castle contains some excellent 14th-century frescoes.

A tour around the castle is extremely interesting and well worth doing. I am morbidly fascinated by the torture chambers in this and other castles. The unbelievable cruelty of mankind horrifies me; hopefully, someday, we will learn to love and respect one another.

After visiting the castle and its grim torture chamber, visit one of the pleasant churches in the town and restore a little peace to your soul. If I had to pick one particular church, the 15th-century Santa Maria Dominican church, located on the hill leading up to the castle, would be the best choice.

Last on the list of must-see architectural sights are the 14th-century law courts, the Palazzo di Giustizia, in Piazza Antenna.

Still, visiting Soave is not only about history. Mostly, you should visit to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and beautiful setting. One experience you must not miss out on is the local outdoor market; you can explore on your own, but, better still, is to explore with a local—here's how.

Discover some of the nearby wineries, set in the delightful rolling hills that surround Soave, and enjoy the local cuisine at the many restaurants and trattorias. A couple of good ones to try are the Locanda lo Scudo or the Trattoria dal Moro.

For more on Italian boutique wineries and some of the best wines from the Veneto and other regions of Italy, visit our Fine Italian Wines site. 

Perhaps of interest too might be my hubby's guide to the Veneto wine routes.