Soave is the City of Wine and, according to legend, owes its name to Dante Alighieri who, fascinated by the place, the wine, and the hospitality of the inhabitants, defined the town as “soave” (sweet).
Getting to Soave is quite convenient, whether you're starting from an apartment in Verona or a house in Vicenza . It's located just off the highway: if you've driven the A4 highway from Verona to Vicenza , you've probably noticed a castle perched on a hill overlooking the town below... it's Soave Castle .
The Castle of Soave
The castle, which dominates the town from atop a hill, can be easily reached by car or on foot from the town center, choosing between the scenic path from Porta Vicenza or the shorter climb along the original medieval road. Ascending the path, you'll also encounter the Olive Park , a relaxing green space we recommend for a picnic lunch or simply for the kids to play in.
Soave Castle can be visited every day from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 4pm. For more information, visit castellodisoave .
Soave: What to See in the Center
If you're arriving in Soave by car, the most convenient parking is the free one near Porta Bassano , the northern entrance to the medieval village. From here, you can begin your stroll through the historic center, along the main road that leads straight to Porta Verona.
Don't miss a visit to the historic center to discover interesting architecture such as the Palazzo Scaligero , the Palazzo San Bonifacio , or the 15th-century Palazzo Cavalli . You'll also find the statue of a very young Ippolito Nievo, who spent several years of his childhood in Soave when his father worked here as a magistrate.
For more detailed information on what to see in Soave, I'll leave you the link to the Soave tourism website, where you'll find a list and description of the town's most important sights.
Soave Road
In the historic center, you'll also notice several wine shops and cellars: yes, the famous Soave is born right here, a white wine considered one of Italy's finest: it was Italy's first DOC (1936), and the area is considered the largest vineyard in Europe. The Soave DOC was followed, in more recent years, by two other important denominations: Recioto di Soave DOCG (1998) and Soave Superiore DOCG (2011).
Soave road is therefore a must-see , a route of approximately 50 km divided into different itineraries along which you can discover wineries, taste wines, sample the best of the local cuisine and enjoy the bucolic landscape.
