How to Visit Torre dei Lamberti | Verona’s Best Viewpoint
Last Updated on December 15, 2025 by Charlotte
If you want the best panoramic views of Verona, skip the crowds at Castel San Pietro and head to Torre dei Lamberti instead. This 84-meter medieval tower sits right in the heart of the historic center, and from the top you can see everything the light touches: the Arena, the river, the terracotta rooftops, and the hills beyond. It’s Verona’s tallest tower, and the 360ยฐ views are absolutely worth the climb.
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A Quick History (With a Side of Murder)
Torre dei Lamberti was built in 1172 by the Lamberti family, a powerful clan who were later banished from Verona and died out entirely. Why were they banished? Nobody actually knowsโthe historical record is mysteriously silent, which honestly makes it more intriguing. But there IS a local legend about the tower’s bells, and it’s delightfully dark.
According to the story, the lady of the Lamberti house discovered her husband was having an affair with a carpenter’s wife and murdered her. Seeking absolution, she confessed to a priest, who ordered her to build a tower with a bell that would ring every hour to remind her of her crime until the end of her days. That bell? The Marangona, named after “marangon”โthe local dialect word for carpenter.
Whether or not you believe the legend, the bells are real. The Marangona bell signaled work hours, while the larger Rengo bell was rung to summon the city council or call citizens to arms. They still chime on the hour, so don’t be startled if you’re up there when they go off!
Stairs vs. Elevator: We Raced It
Here’s the thing: you can take the stairs (all 368 of them) or pay an extra โฌ1 for a glass elevator that takes you most of the way up. We were cheap, so we took the stairs. But we also turned it into a competition; Could we beat the elevator to the top?
The answer was YES. The elevator is in high demand, so staff wait until it’s completely full before sending it up. If you’re reasonably fit and motivated by petty victory, you can absolutely beat it.
We arrived at the viewing platform sweaty, triumphant, and deeply smug, while the elevator folks were still being packed in below. (You’ll still need to climb some stairs even if you take the elevator because it doesn’t go all the way to the very top.)
How to Plan Your Visit
The Torre dei Lamberti is located on Via della Costa 1, which is right off Piazza delle Erbe in the historic center. You can’t miss it.
Hours
Open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am-6:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am-7:00 pm. Closed on December 25th.
Tickets
- Adults: โฌ6
- Children 8-14 years: โฌ 4,50
- Children under 8 years: free
- Verona Card holders: entry is included, but the elevator costs an extra โฌ1
There is a ticket office onsite, but if you’d like to make an advance reservation, you can do so by email at [email protected]. If you do not make a reservation, you might be waiting in line while other people with reservations pass you by!
You can learn more about ticketing, reservations, and available discounts on the official website.
Time Needed To Visit
You can expect to spend 20-30 minutes, including the climb and time to enjoy the views. Honestly, you might spend more time waiting in line to get in than you’ll spend in the tower itself.
Accessibility
The elevator makes the tower partially accessible, but beware that the elevator doesn’t reach the very top! The final stretch of the tower requires stairs, which would be incredibly disappointing if you were not aware of that in advance.
Tips for Your Visit
- Get there early. We visited right when it opened and had the viewing platform mostly to ourselves. By mid-morning, it gets busy.
- Take your time at the top. The views are stunning in every direction, so bring your camera and do the full 360ยฐ.
- Watch for the bells. They ring on the hour and they’re LOUD. Fun if you’re expecting it, startling if you’re not.
- There is a metal cage around the viewpoint at the top: Unfortunately, the view is not entirely unobstructed. We were able to hold up our phones to the holes in the mesh cage, but those looking for a completely wide open view might leave disappointed.
- Try not to get pooped on by a bird: birds LOVE towers, and I got pooped on.
Planning Your Verona Trip?
Torre dei Lamberti was one of our favorite stops during our three days in Verona. For a complete itinerary including the Arena, Giardino Giusti, and that carbonara spot we loved so much that we went back twice, check out my full 3-Day Verona Itinerary. For a deeper look at how to plan your time in the city, including what to see, when to go, and where to stay, check out my complete Verona Travel Guide.
