Verona Travel Guide: What to See, How Long to Stay, and How to Plan Your Trip
Last Updated on December 17, 2025 by Charlotte
In all honesty, Verona was supposed to be a stopover city. We needed a place to break up the journey to the Dolomites, and Verona was conveniently located in the middle. One night, maybe two. Just enough time to see that famous balcony and check it off the list. Reader, we stayed three days, and I’m already planning when to go back. Yes, Verona is the “Romeo and Juliet city,” but it’s also a place with a Roman amphitheater older than the Colosseum in Rome, cedar-lined Renaissance era gardens that feel like a secret, and medieval bridges so beautiful that I kept finding excuses to walk across them.
I loved that the whole city is compact enough that you can wander without a plan and stumble into something wonderful around every corner. This guide covers everything you need to plan your trip to Verona, including what to see, how long to stay, where to sleep, and all the little details I wish I’d known before I went. Whether you’re giving Verona a full trip or (like us, originally) just squeezing it in as a stopover, I hope you fall for it the way I did.
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The Best Things to Do in Verona
Verona is full of those places where you walk in skeptical and leave completely charmed. Here’s what I loved most:
Arena di Verona
This 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater is actually older than the Colosseum, and unlike Rome’s famous ruin, you can wander freely here. Climb the steep stone seats, soak in the scale of the place, and imagine what it must have been like long ago, filled with 30,000 spectators. Today, it’s still a working venue, and in the summer, visitors can enjoy live music during the summer opera series.
More details: Is the Arena di Verona Worth It?
Giardino Giusti
This garden was my favorite discovery in Verona, and one I stumbled on completely by accident while scrolling Google Maps. This Renaissance garden has been owned by the same family since the 1400s, and between all the secret mazes and hidden passageways, walking through it feels like an adventure. In the gardens there are manicured hedges, a little labyrinth lined with cypresses, and a viewpoint at the top that looks out over the whole city.
More details: Giardino Giusti: Verona’s Hidden Renaissance Garden
Castel San Pietro
The best views in Verona, hands down. You can take the funicular up (which is an experience in itself — it was built in 1939 and recently restored) or walk if you’re feeling energetic. At the top, there’s a bar where you can grab an aperitivo and watch the sunset turn the city golden. The “castle” is actually Austrian barracks designed to look medieval, which I find kind of endearing.
More details: Castel San Pietro and the Verona Funicular
Torre dei Lamberti
The Torre dei Lamberti is Verona’s tallest tower, with 368 steps and panoramic views from the top. There’s an elevator if you’d rather save your legs, but we made it our personal mission to race it to the top. (I won. It was very satisfying.)
More details: Torre dei Lamberti: Verona’s Medieval Tower
Castelvecchio Bridge and Museum
A medieval fortress with the most photogenic bridge in Verona, with all red brick and white stone crenellations reflected in the river. You can walk across the bridge, climb the ramparts, and explore the museum inside (lots of Renaissance religious art if that’s your thing). But honestly? The highlight for me was a medieval fresco with the most absurd-looking horse I’ve ever seen. I laughed so hard I cried, and then had to try to explain myself to a concerned security guard in very broken Italian. It’s a whole story. You’ll just have to read the post to understand ha ha ha.
More details: Castelvecchio: Verona’s Medieval Bridge and Museum
Juliet’s Balcony (Casa di Giulietta)
Okay yes, it’s touristy. But you know what? I still loved it. The courtyard is chaotic and joyful, covered in love notes and full of people taking photos with the bronze Juliet statue. There’s a whole wall of gum and letters. It’s cheesy and romantic and a little absurd, and I think that’s exactly what it should be. Our visit was included for free with our Verona Card, so I felt like we got our money’s worth.
More details: Is Juliet’s Balcony Worth It?
Piazza delle Erbe
I don’t have a dedicated post for this one because honestly, you don’t need a plan — you’ll end up here naturally. It’s Verona’s main square, lined with colorful buildings and outdoor cafes, and it’s lovely for a morning coffee or an evening spritz. More of a “you’ll wander through it a dozen times” place than a destination, but worth soaking in when you do.
Plan Your Visit to Verona
Now that you’ve got a feel for what makes Verona special, let’s talk logistics. Planning a trip here is refreshingly simple thanks to the city’s compact size and excellent transport connections. Below, I’ll walk through how long to stay, when to visit, how to get around, and all the practical details that make a Verona trip feel easy instead of overwhelming.
How Many Days Do You Need in Verona?
In our opinion, three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Verona. In three days, you can see most of the highlights at a relaxed pace, and leave while still wanting more instead of feeling like you’ve exhausted yourself of things to do.
- One day: Doable if you’re just passing through, but you’ll be rushing. You can hit the Arena, Juliet’s Balcony, and maybe one viewpoint, but you will be rushing about and will have to hope that your timed entry reservations line up!
- Two to three days: This is the sweet spot. Enough time to see all the main sights at a relaxed pace, have a sunset aperitivo (or three), and actually feel like you’ve been somewhere rather than just ticked boxes.
- Three or more days: Perfect if you want to add day trips to Lake Garda, explore the wine country, or just have slow mornings and long lunches. Verona is a lovely place to not have a plan.
Best Times to Visit Verona
There’s no bad time to visit Verona, but each season brings something a little different:
- Spring (April–May): Beautiful weather, fewer crowds than summer. Just note that Vinitaly, one of the world’s biggest wine festivals, happens in April and the city gets busy and accommodation books up fast.
- Summer (June–September): Peak season, and for good reason. The Arena di Verona hosts its famous opera festival, which is genuinely magical if you can snag tickets. But it’s hot (we were there in August and our attic apartment would have been an oven without AC), and the crowds are at their thickest.
- Fall (September–October): In fall, the summer heat fades, the tourists thin out, and the light gets that golden quality that makes everything look even prettier than it already is.
- Winter (November–March): Quieter and colder, but Verona has a lovely Christmas market if you’re visiting in December. Some attractions have reduced hours, so check ahead.
How to Get to Verona
Verona sits right in the middle of northern Italy, which makes it easy to reach from just about anywhere, whether you’re coming from Venice, Milan, Florence, or further abroad.
By Train
This is how most people arrive, us included, and it’s easy. Verona Porta Nuova is the main station, with direct connections to Venice (~1 hour), Milan (~1.5 hours), and Bologna (~1 hour). The Verona Porta Nuova Station is about a 15-minute walk from Piazza Brà and the historic center.
By Bus
Long-distance bus companies like FlixBus connect Verona to cities across Italy and Europe. It’s usually the cheapest option, though slower than the train. Buses arrive at Verona Porta Nuova, right next to the train station, so you’re still just a 15-minute walk from the historic center.
By Plane
Verona has its own Valerio Catullo/Villafranca airport (VRN), about 20 minutes from the city center by bus or taxi. But if you’re flying internationally, you might find better flight options into Venice Marco Polo, which is about 1.5 hours away by train.
By Car
Verona is well-connected to the Italian highway system, so driving is straightforward. But fair warning: the historic center has ZTL restrictions (limited traffic zones), and parking is either scarce or expensive. If you’re renting a car for the Dolomites or Lake Garda, I’d suggest picking it up after your time in Verona rather than dealing with city parking.
A Note from Charlotte: We did end up renting a car via Auto Europe for pickup at the Verona Rail Station Office and had a smooth experience, although driving INSIDE Verona’s urban center was a bit of a terrifying experience!
How to Get Around In Verona
Verona is tiny and walkable, but it also has a comprehensive bus system, as well as bike and scooter rideshares, which we thought were heaps of fun.
Here are the primary ways to get around once you are in Verona.
Walking
Walking is your main mode of transport. The historic center is compact, and wandering is half the fun. Even attractions that feel “far” on the map (like Giardino Giusti or San Zeno) are only 15-20 minutes on foot.
City Buses
Verona has a solid bus system if you need it. We stayed in Veronetta and had multiple bus stops within a two-minute walk of our apartment. Our bus fare was also completely free with our Verona Cards. The city buses run from around 5 am to midnight. We used the Google Maps app to plan our bus routes. If you don’t have a Verona Card, you can also buy individual tickets and day passes.
Driving
Unless you’re heading out of the city for day trips, skip driving in Verona. The ZTL zones make driving in the center a headache, and parking is a hassle. If you do have a car, look for accommodation outside the centro storico with parking included.
Taxi
We only took one Taxi in Verona, which was from the train station to our B&B on the day of our arrival. Luckily, the Verona Porta Nuova station had a taxi stand, because later on, we had extreme difficulty finding a taxi back to the train station on the day of our departure. As it turns out, Taxis in Verona require that you make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance.
Bike and Scooter Rideshare
We were happily surprised to find multiple brands of scooter and bike share all over the city! I still remember the feeling of zipping along the bike path next to the river, the wind tossing my hair, the sun on my face, I’ve never felt so free.
Where to Stay in Verona
Most visitors choose to stay either in the Città Antica (Historic Center) or just across the river in Veronetta or Valdonega.
I have a whole post on this (Where to Stay in Verona), but here’s a quick summary:
- Città Antica (Historic Center): Maximum atmosphere, walking distance to everything, but pricier and can be noisy at night. Best for first-timers and short stays.
- Veronetta and Valdonega: Where we stayed, and I’d do it again. It’s the university neighborhood just across the river and was more affordable, more local, and still only a 10-15 minute walk to the centro storico. Great if you want an apartment with a kitchen (more on that in a second).
- San Zeno & Borgo Trento: Quieter residential neighborhoods, good for families or anyone with a car who needs parking.
The Case for Staying in an Apartment in Verona
We arrived in Verona two weeks into our Italy trip, and I’ll be honest: I was tired of eating out. I just wanted to cook something with vegetables. We booked a studio apartment in Veronetta with a little kitchen, and it was the best decision. That first night, making a simple salad with groceries from the market was everything I needed. If you’re mid-trip and craving some independence (or just want breakfast on your own schedule), consider choosing an apartment over a hotel.
The Verona Card
The Verona Card is a tourist pass that gives you entry to most of the city’s major attractions plus unlimited public bus travel. It costs €27 for a 24-hour card or €32 for a 48-hour card, and you can buy it in person at the tourist office, online in advance, or at most attraction entrances.
We picked up the 48-hour card at the tourist office on our first morning, and it more than paid for itself. It covered everything we wanted to see: the Arena di Verona, Juliet’s House, Torre dei Lamberti, Castelvecchio Museum, plus several other museums and churches. The card also includes unlimited travel on the local bus system, which came in handy for getting around the city.
The best part is that you can skip the ticket lines at the Arena. Just show your card and walk in. If you’re planning to visit three or more paid attractions, it’s almost certainly worth getting. Plus, you don’t have to fumble for cash or cards at each stop. The card is activated from your first use and runs for exactly 24 or 48 hours from that moment.
Is the Verona Card Worth It?
If you’re planning to visit three or more paid attractions, yes, it pays for itself quickly. The Arena alone is €12, Torre dei Lamberti is €6, and Giardino Giusti is €13. Do the math for your itinerary, but for most visitors spending 2-3 days, it’s a good deal. You can buy the Verona Card online, at the tourist offices in Verona, or at participating attractions.
Food & Drink You Have to Try in Verona
Verona is in the Veneto region, so you’ll see Venetian influences alongside local specialties. We LOVE LOVED LOVED Osteria La Fregola – Cucina della Mamma. I still dream of their Carbonara. Just go try it!
Dishes to look for:
- Risotto all’Amarone: Creamy risotto made with the region’s famous red wine
- Pastissada de caval: A slow-cooked horse meat stew (traditional, not for everyone, but worth knowing about)
- Bigoli con le sarde: Thick spaghetti with sardines
- Pandoro: Verona’s famous Christmas.
- Wine: You’re in wine country. Valpolicella, Amarone, and Soave are all produced nearby. Even the house wine at most restaurants is good.
Aperitivo Culture
Apertivo culture is big in Verona — and honestly, this is kind of necessary! We found it surprisingly hard to find dinner before 7 or 8 pm because most restaurants simply aren’t open yet! But that’s where aperitivo comes in.
Find a spot with a view (Castel San Pietro is my top pick), order a spritz or a glass of local wine, and let the evening unfold. Many bars serve snacks with your drink, so you won’t be starving while you wait for dinner to become an option.
Practical Tips for Visiting Verona
After our own visit, we’ve pulled together a list of information that we wish we’d known.
Tourist Resources
Luckily for you, Verona has a fantastic tourism office right near the Arena di Verona. We made this our very first stop on our first full day in Verona. The ladies working the desk were extremely friendly and helpful, and we purchased our Verona Cards here, in person.
Language
English is widely spoken in the tourist areas, less so in residential neighborhoods. A few basic Italian phrases go a long way, and people truly appreciate the effort. But to be very clear, Verona is totally doable for people who don’t speak any Italian at all (unlike in Turin, where practically everybody only speaks Italian).
Staying Connected in Verona
Luckily for us, we had great cellular reception all over the city. For this trip, we purchased Italy e-sims in advance and had them installed on our phones before we even landed in Rome. The wifi at our B&B in Verona wasn’t the best, so we found ourselves relying on cellular data more than we had anticipated.
Money and ATMs
During our visit, we found that most vendors accepted credit cards. Italy uses the Euro, and our main use for euros was to pay to access public toilets. Like most Italian cities, Verona has those scammy “Euronet” ATMs that charge huge fees, so we tried to stick to more local banks.
Public Drinking Fountains
We were pleased to find that Verona has public drinking fountains scattered throughout the city. Bring a reusable bottle and save yourself from buying plastic.
Easy Day Trips from Verona
Verona’s prime location between Lake Garda, the Dolomites, and Venice makes it a great base for exploring the region.
Lake Garda & Sirmione
The most popular day trip, and for good reason. Sirmione is a stunning little peninsula town with a castle, thermal baths, and Roman ruins. About 30-40 minutes by car, or you can take a bus/train combo. (Full Sirmione day trip guide coming soon!)
Valpolicella Wine Country
If you love wine (especially Amarone), the rolling hills north of Verona are dotted with wineries offering tastings. Best done with a car or organized tour.
Venice
Yes, you can day trip to Venice from Verona as it’s only about an hour by train. I’d recommend giving Venice more time if you can, but if you’re short on days, it’s totally doable.
Ready to Plan Your Trip to Verona?
Now that you’ve got the overview, it’s time to dig into the details. My 3-Day Verona Itinerary maps out exactly how we structured our trip day-by-day, including what to do and when to visit each attraction to beat the crowds.
And if you’re still deciding where to base yourself, my full guide to Where to Stay in Verona breaks down the neighborhoods and makes the case for why an apartment might be exactly what you need (especially if you’re dreaming of vegetables by week two).
