Have you visited the city of love and lovers, about which Shakespeare himself wrote? We are talking about Verona in northern Italy, which hides unique architecture, rich history, beautiful views, and picturesque canals.
In our article “Verona, Italy: 32 Best Things to Do and See”, you will find 32 tips on what to see and do in Verona, where to stay strategically, and when to go.
When to Visit Verona
You can visit Verona for most of the year, but you’ll probably have the best weather from late May to early October.
If you are a lover of opera and culture, then I recommend planning your visit for the summer, when open-air opera performances are held in the Verona Arena. If you want to avoid crowds of tourists, then visit Verona in spring or autumn.
And if you manage to plan your visit for the first Sunday of the month, you’ll find many sights with 1 euro admission, such as:
- Arena di Verona,
- Castelvecchio Museum,
- Maffeiano Stone Engraving Museum,
- Juliet’s Tomb,
- Frescoes Museum,
- Teatro Romano,
- Archaeological Museum,
- Natural History Museum.
Where to Stay in Verona: Tips for the Best Hotels
It’s always better to stay directly in the center of Verona; it’s worth it because you won’t have to worry about transport to the center and you can comfortably walk everywhere. If available, we recommend these hotels:
- Hotel Accademia (luxury option),
- Hotel Milano & SPA (mid-range option),
- Forum Suites (cheaper alternative).
Verona, Italy: 32 Best Things to Do and See
Verona is a beautiful city with a romantic atmosphere and magnificent historical monuments. I have compiled 32 tips on what to see and do in Verona for you.
TIP: Where to go for a holiday in Italy.
Arena Di Verona
Arena di Verona is an ancient amphitheater in the city center. This historical structure is one of the most significant monuments in Verona and formerly served as a venue for various public events and performances.
Currently, the Arena di Verona is primarily known as a venue for opera performances. Since 1913, it has hosted the Verona Opera Festival, one of the most prestigious opera festivals in the world.
Tip: If you don’t want to wait in lines for tickets, we recommend buying them online. We’ve been using the GetYourGuide portal for years for this.
Piazza Bra
Piazza Bra is a square in the center of Verona. The square is a great place for walks, relaxation, and admiring beautiful architecture. Around the square, you’ll find boutiques, souvenir shops, and other interesting local businesses.
Piazza Delle Erbe
Piazza delle Erbe is another significant square in the city. It has a rich history, dating back to Roman times. Around the square, there are various restaurants and cafes where you can sit, taste local specialties, and observe the surrounding atmosphere.
Madonna Verona
In Piazza delle Erbe, you will find a fountain called Madonna Verona, which dates back to the 14th century. This fountain is adorned with a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Casa Di Giulietta (Juliet’s House)
Casa di Giulietta, also known as Juliet’s House, is a historic house in Verona associated with the character of Juliet from William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet.
The history of the house dates back to the 13th century, but unfortunately, no Juliet ever lived there. The house was chosen as a tourist attraction with a reference to Shakespeare’s tragedy. Inside the house, there is a small garden where a statue of Juliet is located. Tourists can leave love letters here and touch the statue’s breast for good luck.
This monument usually attracts the most tourists.
Juliet’s Balcony
The most famous part of Casa di Giulietta is the balcony, which is traditionally associated with Juliet. Legend has it that Juliet stood here when Romeo declared his love for her. This monument usually has the longest queue.
Juliet’s Tomb
In Verona, you can also see Juliet’s Tomb, which was built in a romantic style and has a characteristic appearance with arches and stone details. Logically, no Juliet is buried there. In the inner courtyard of the tomb, you will find a statue of Juliet.
Casa Di Romeo (Romeo’s House)
Another monument associated with Shakespeare is Romeo’s House, which you can find in the historic center of Verona at Via Arche Scaligere 3. The house is older than Casa di Giulietta and has a history dating back to the 13th century. Again, no Romeo ever lived there.
Torre Dei Lamberti
Torre dei Lamberti is a tower that belongs to Verona’s significant historical monuments. The tower is approximately 84 meters high, making it one of the tallest towers in the city.
You can climb to its top and enjoy a panoramic view.
Piazza Dei Signori
Piazza dei Signori, also known as Lords’ Square, can be found in the city center. The square features several significant monuments, including a statue of Dante Alighieri, a column with a lion, and other historical buildings.
Scaliger Tombs
In the historic center, you will also find the tombs of the prominent Scaliger family. These tombs were built for members of the Scaliger family, who were rulers of the city in the Middle Ages. The tombs are adorned with symbols that refer to their political power, military strength, and wealth.
Porta Dei Borsari
Porta dei Borsari is a historic gate in the old part of Verona. The gate has roots in Roman times, when it served as an entrance to the city. Porta dei Borsari is built of limestone and has two arches for pedestrians and one for traffic. Characteristic features include stone elements and reliefs that adorn its structure.
Arco Dei Gavi
Another significant monument is the Arco dei Gavi arch, which was once part of a Roman gate that stood at the city’s entrance. Later, the arch was moved to its current location near the river.
Scaligero Bridge
Ponte Scaligero crosses the Adige River. The bridge was built in the 14th century during the Scaliger rule. It was part of the defensive system around Castelvecchio Castle.
Castelvecchio Castle
Castelvecchio Castle is located on the banks of the Adige River. It was built in the 14th century, specifically between 1354 and 1376, during the rule of the Scaliger lords. The original purpose of the castle was to provide defense for the city.
Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore
The Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore is one of Verona’s significant churches, known for its beautiful architecture and rich history. The basilica’s architecture is truly remarkable. The facade is adorned with many statues and reliefs, some of which tell stories from the life of Saint Zeno. The church also has a beautiful Romanesque crypt.
Roman Theatre
The Roman Theatre is located in the old city center, not far from other significant monuments, including Castelvecchio Castle and Scaligero Bridge.
This theatre was built in the first century AD and served as a venue for theatrical performances, plays, and other cultural events. It is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in Italy.
Castel San Pietro
Castel San Pietro is located on a hill above the Adige River, offering a magnificent view of the city. The castle can be reached by foot or by cable car.
Arena Museum Opera
For opera lovers, I recommend visiting the Arena Museum Opera. It is located in the historic Palazzo Forti, where you can explore exhibitions about famous operas held there, including costumes and performance photographs.
Nicolis Museum
The Nicolis Museum in Verona is an art and technical museum specializing in collections of vintage cars, motorcycles, historical clocks, and other exhibits.
The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions dedicated to various topics related to art, technology, and history.
Orto Botanico Del Monte Baldo
Visit the beautiful botanical garden with views of Lake Garda. The garden is a bit further from Verona, but if you are interested in flowers and interesting plants, then it’s worth the trip.
Giardino Giusti
Giardino Giusti is a historic garden in Verona known for its terraced gardens, as well as architectural elements such as arcades, fountains, and historic statues.
Verona Cathedral
Verona Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria Matricolare, is one of Verona’s most significant ecclesiastical buildings. Verona Cathedral is built in Romanesque-Gothic style. Its exterior is adorned with many statues and ornamental elements.
The cathedral also includes an impressive bell tower (Campanile) and a Baptistery. The bell tower offers views of the city and the surrounding landscape.
Loggia Del Consiglio
Loggia del Consiglio is a historic building found in Piazza dei Signori. It features beautiful Renaissance architecture. It is built of local limestone and adorned with arches, columns, and other characteristic elements of this period.
Palazzo Miniscalchi
Palazzo Miniscalchi is a historic building named after the Miniscalchi family, a prominent noble family in the city. Today, the building is used for various cultural events, exhibitions, or as a museum.
Day Trips around Verona
From Verona, you can take several trips. Lake Garda or the pilgrimage site Madonna della Corona are very close. You can book organized tours on the GetYourGuide portal.
TIP: In Italy, it’s usually not a problem to get from point A to point B. Check train schedules on Trenitalia.com and plan a trip to several cities at once.
Verona: Map with Points of Interest for your Phone
Save a map of the best places in Verona directly to your phone. After purchase, you will receive a link to a private Google Map, which you can save by clicking ‘Follow’. This will copy it to your Google account and display it on all devices where you use Google
Maps.
Lake Garda
Visit Italy’s largest lake, Lago di Garda. You can take a day trip to Lake Garda or spend several days there. The lake not only boasts beautiful natural scenery but also offers many opportunities for recreational activities and cultural experiences.
Madonna Della Corona
Approximately 45 km from Verona lies the pilgrimage site Madonna della Corona, a beautiful church clinging to a rock face at an altitude of 774 meters above sea level. The easiest way to get here is by car, but buses also run here.
Gardaland
Gardaland is a popular amusement park located on the shores of Lake Garda in northern Italy. This park is known for its attractions, entertaining shows, and diverse offerings for all ages. If you have children, it’s definitely a place you must visit. It’s better to buy tickets in advance through GetYourGuide or another portal, so you don’t have to queue.
Venice
If you want to see a city full of canals, then visit the famous Venice. Venice is a unique place with magnificent architecture and a romantic atmosphere. You can reach Venice from Verona by train in an hour and a half.
TIP: You can find the complete itinerary for Venice HERE.
Padua
Padua, also known as Padova, is a historic city in northern Italy located between Verona and Venice. Trains between Verona and Padua are regular, and the journey usually takes around 1 hour.
Dolomites
From Verona, you can relatively easily reach the Dolomites, which are considered one of the most picturesque mountain regions in Italy. If you enjoy mountaineering or simply love admiring mountain landscapes, then don’t miss a trip to the Dolomites.
TIP: Read our article on what to do in the Dolomites.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I get to Verona?
Verona is easily accessible by air, via Valerio Catullo Airport, as well as by train or bus. The city is located in northern Italy and offers good connections to other European cities.
What are the most famous sights in Verona?
Verona is primarily known for its amphitheater, the Arena di Verona, Juliet’s Balcony, and Juliet’s Tomb. Other interesting places include Ponte Scaligero, Piazza delle Erbe, and Castelvecchio.
How to get around the city?
Verona has a well-functioning public transport system, including buses and taxis. However, the city is also suitable for pedestrians, as most sights are easily accessible on foot.
What to do in Verona with kids?
Take a trip to Gardaland, an amusement park with plenty of attractions for children of all ages. You can easily buy tickets through GetYourGuide.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
