Itinerary & Tips (by an Italian)

 Itinerary & Tips (by an Italian)


Verona is one of the most enchanting cities in Northern Italy, boasting rich architecture, culture, and history. It’s particularly famous for being the setting of Romeo and Juliet’s love story, which earned it the reputation of one of Italy’s most romantic cities. 

And it truly is, with its charming narrow alleys, medieval palaces, and the peaceful Adige River flowing through the heart of the city. My husband who’s from Argentina fell in love with Verona the first time we visited, and to this day he keeps saying that he could see himself living there.

The UNESCO-listed historic center is an open-air museum and home to bustling piazzas surrounded by bars and cafés, where Veneto’s wine culture and culinary traditions are present. 

Terracotta rooftops of Verona seen from above

I would normally recommend spending a couple of days in the city to fully embrace all its beauty, attractions and activities, but if one day is all you have, then let’s make the most out of it.

I’ve curated this comprehensive itinerary to help you enjoy the best things to do in Verona in merely 24 hours.

HOW TO GET TO VERONA 

A red Frecciarossa train inside an Italian train stationA red Frecciarossa train inside an Italian train station

Verona is very well connected to Italy’s major cities by train. The two main stations, Verona Porta Nuova and Verona Porta Vescovo, are within walking distance of the historic center, making it easy to arrive and start exploring immediately. 

Verona is a 1-hour train ride away from Milan and Venice, 1.5 hours from Florence on the high-speed Frecciarossa train, and 3 hours from Rome. 

HOW TO GET AROUND VERONA 

Verona is an incredibly walkable city, and most of its major attractions are within walking distance from each other. The city’s historic center is relatively small, so you can easily explore it on foot. 

➤ An alternative is taking the public buses, which are efficient and have an extensive network of routes throughout the city. The buses are operated by Azienda Trasporti Verona, and you can get tickets at the local shops and newsstands, and at the vending machines at the bus stops. 

➤ You can also rent a bike to explore the city in an eco-friendly yet effective way, covering much more ground than on foot. Verona Bike is the city’s bike system, and you simply need to download the app to unlock a bike at any of the stations.  

SAVE MONEY WITH THE VERONA CITY CARD

The Verona Card is a city pass that grants you access to transportation and many attractions in the city.  The pass is valid for 24 or 48 hours – whichever you choose – and it can help you save money if you want to visit most of the city’s paid landmarks. 

The price of each site is considerably reduced when using the pass, and you’ll also get to use the urban transportation without having to book an extra ticket. However, it won’t be worth it if you only want to visit Juliet’s House and plan on walking around the city. 

To make sure getting the Verona Card is worth it for you, and will actually save you money, add up the entrance fee of the attractions you’d like to visit. If it equals or surpasses the price of the City Card, then it’s definitely worth buying! 

Some of the attractions included in the Verona Card are the Verona Arena, Juliet’s House & Balcony, Modern Art Gallery, Teatro Romano, and Torre dei Lamberti, as well as several museums. You’ll also have a reduced entrance to Giardino Giusti, Museo Africano, and the Miniscalchi Erizzo Museum. 

The Verona Card for 24 hours costs $29. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

BEST TOURS FOR FIRST-TIMERS

Visiting Verona for the first time? Get a crash introduction to the romantic city with one of these comprehensive tours. 

▶️ The Verona Highlights Walking Tour in Small Group is a 2-hour excursion around the city, led by a local guide. You’ll get in-depth information on Verona’s history as you stroll past its major buildings, including Juliet’s House, the Verona Arena, and Piazza delle Erbe. It’s a great introduction to the city, after which you’ll have plenty of time to keep exploring on your own. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ The Classic and the Unknown: Original Verona Bike Tour takes you pedaling through the city’s cobblestone streets. You’ll discover Verona’s popular old town and some rather unknown and unconventional neighborhoods. You’ll also enjoy a coffee break, and learn interesting details about the city’s fame, history, and customs. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

THE PERFECT ONE DAY IN VERONA ITINERARY 

If you’re traveling to Verona by train, you’ll likely get off at Porta Nuova Train Station, so that will be the starting point of this itinerary. Once you reach the city, you’ll walk along Corso Porta Nuova street into the heart of the Historic Center, where you’ll start your day. 

Soak Up History at Piazza Bra

An open-air square in Verona, with the Verona Arena in the background, and people walking An open-air square in Verona, with the Verona Arena in the background, and people walking

The first major landmark you’ll come across is Piazza Bra, a very historical square lined by iconic buildings and charming cafés and restaurants with outdoor seating areas. 

You’ll get to admire the architecture of Palazzo della Gran Guardia, a 17th-century palace that hosts exhibits and various events. On the opposite side of the piazza you’ll find the awe-striking Arena di Verona, the city’s Roman Colosseum. 

The square is also home to a great number of sculptures, among which stands out the statue of Vittorio Emmanuele II, and a fountain in the center. It’s Verona’s largest piazza, and is considered to be the epicenter of the city

Go Back in Time at the Arena di Verona

An image of the Verona Arena, and a couple walking in front of it An image of the Verona Arena, and a couple walking in front of it

The Verona Arena is a Roman Amphitheater dating back to the early decades of the 1st century AD. It pre-dates the better-known Colosseum in Rome, and it’s one of the largest and best-preserved amphitheaters in the world. 

The Arena was built for entertainment purposes and hosted gladiator fights, tournaments, and other blood sports that amused the Roman citizens and emperors so much. 

The landmark is arguably the most important one in Verona, and it has been turned into an elite open-air opera house that accommodates 20,000 spectators. The opera shows are as magnificent as they are sought after, so if you’d like to enjoy a performance, you need to get your tickets in advance.  

You can also visit the Arena di Verona for a historical tour, getting to admire its architecture and discover its rich past as you walk among the 2,000-year-old stones. It’s one of the most jaw-dropping things to see in town. 

➤ Join a Verona Arena Skip-the-Line Tour, and enjoy priority access to the landmark. You’ll tour around the Arena with a professional guide, learning interesting insights about the attraction, its construction, and life in ancient Rome. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ If you’re looking to enjoy an unforgettable performance at the historic location, book your Arena di Verona Opera Ticket in advance. You’ll get to see astounding classic operas on the world’s most unique opera stage. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Visit Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta)

The patio from Juliet's House, with an archway entrance and Juliet's BalconyThe patio from Juliet's House, with an archway entrance and Juliet's Balcony

From the Arena di Verona, make your way to Casa di Giulietta, stopping to admire the historical Porta Leoni along the way. 

Juliet’s House is one of the most popular attractions and a must-see in Verona. It features a small courtyard with a statue of the heroine and the famous balcony from where Juliet has her late-night conversations with Romeo. 

The house isn’t really connected to Shakespeare or the actual play at all – in fact, the balcony wasn’t built until the 20th century! However, it stands as a symbol of the tragic love story beloved by all, and if you’re in the city where the action happened, you can’t miss it. 

Expect it to be crowded, though, as it’s among the top attractions in the city and there are usually queues to get pictures with the statue of Juliet and on the balcony. 

➤ Join the Passionate Verona: Living Romeo and Juliet Story to discover the link between the tragic play and the city. You’ll learn about the life of Verona’s citizens during the lovers’ time, visit attractions related to them, and check out locations of the movie Letters to Juliet, including Juliet’s House. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

People Watch at Piazza delle Erbe

Piazza delle Erbe in Verona, with a clock tower in the backgroundPiazza delle Erbe in Verona, with a clock tower in the background

Piazza delle Erbe, one of the main squares in Verona, is right by Juliet’s House. It’s the perfect spot to take a break and have lunch! 

The historic piazza was the city’s Market Square back in the day, and it was also used as a forum during the Roman Empire.

It’s surrounded by medieval buildings, the most striking one being the iconic Lamberti Tower, and it offers fantastic people-watching while you sip an espresso or have a bite at one of its outdoor cafés. 

See the city life unfold, and once refueled and rested, get back on your feet – there’s still plenty of Verona to explore! 

Catch the Views from Torre dei Lamberti

An overview image of Verona, with a sea of terracotta rooftops and mountains in the distanceAn overview image of Verona, with a sea of terracotta rooftops and mountains in the distance

The medieval Torre dei Lamberti is one of the most distinctive attractions in the city, standing 275 feet (84 meters) tall. It was built in the 12th century, although lighting struck it in the 15th century, and parts of it had to be restored. 

The views from the top are legendary, as Lamberti Tower overlooks the entire historic center,  offering 360-degree vistas of the maze of streets and buildings. 

It takes 368 steps to reach the top of the tower, with its panoramic terraces and the belfry. You could alternatively take the transparent elevator. 

Check Out the Scaliger Tombs 

Image of the Scaliger Tombs in VeronaImage of the Scaliger Tombs in Verona

After the visit, walk across Piazza dei Signori, soaking up its atmosphere and admiring its majestic buildings and statues, which include one of Dante in the center. Right outside the square, you’ll find the Arche Scaligere, also known as the Scaliger Tombs.  

They are five funerary monuments in Gothic style that pay homage to the Scaliger, the ruling family of Verona between the 13th and 14th centuries. 

They’re an incredible work of craftsmanship, featuring intricate details and carvings. The elevated tombs are in the courtyard of Santa Maria Antica Church, which you can enter for free with the Verona Card

You can also see the monuments through the ironwork fence that encloses them, though not from up close. 

Walk Across Ponte Pietra

After your visit to the Arche Scaligere, find your way to the Adige River and turn left, following the course of the river as you make your way to Ponte Pietra

This historic Roman arch bridge was originally built in the first century BC, though it had to be rebuilt after being destroyed in WWII. It’s a beautiful construction that offers scenic views of the Adige River and the city on both sides. 

It is believed that the Ponte was the first construction in Verona after it became a settlement of the Romans, and it played a key role in the city’s trade routes. However, it’s likely that it’s primary use was entertainment: the bridge offered the citizens access to the Amphitheater, where they enjoyed the blood games and other spectacles. 

The bridge has the Verona Cathedral on the side of the historic center, and Castel San Pietro on the opposite end. 

Visit Castel San Pietro

A woman sitting on a wall overlooking the city of Verona and the river below herA woman sitting on a wall overlooking the city of Verona and the river below her

Castel San Pietro is a former military fortress perched on top of the hill, and overlooking the city of Verona. Its history dates back to Roman times, even if the current structure was only built in the 19th century. 

The interior of the castle is not open to the public, but its surrounding park and beautiful exterior are very worth the trip up the hill. Especially the panoramic views of the city you’ll get from Piazzale San Pietro!  

To reach Castel San Pietro, you can either climb the steps that lead there from Ponte Pietra, or take a scenic funicular for 2€. 

Wander Around Verona’s Old Town

A cobblestone street in Verona, with colorful buildings on the left, and people walking along itA cobblestone street in Verona, with colorful buildings on the left, and people walking along it

If you have any time left in your day, soak up Verona’s historical ambiance by strolling along the narrow, picturesque alleys of its city center. 

You’ll be walking past Roman ruins, striking Austrian-style architecture, and some of the more epic Romeo and Juliet locations. 

While you’ve already visited the major attractions in the old town, it’s a different experience to walk aimlessly and get lost in every corner, discovering the more authentic side of the city

The Castelvecchio Bridge and Castelvecchio Museum, Palazzo della Gran Guardia, and Basilica di Santa Anastasia are other worthy attractions to check out. 

Cap off the Day with Wine Tasting 

The Veneto region, of which Verona is part, is renowned for its Valpolicella and Amarone wine production. If you’re a wine lover, you can’t leave the area without a proper introduction – and tasting! – of the local wine. 

You can either book a wine tasting experience in Verona, or pop by an enoteca and improvise your own tasting. 

➤ This Wine Tasting with Panoramic View of Verona is a 1.5-hour experience. You’ll visit the vineyards at Giovanni Ederle, followed by a tasting of 5 local wines paired with typical products. The tasting takes place in a beautiful terrace overlooking the city. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Otherwise, you can visit Antica Bottega del Vino, Symposio Wine & Food, Baraldi Enoteca, or Osteria Enoteca Zero 7 (or all of them!) for a glass of local Venetian wine.

WHERE TO STAY IN VERONA 

Unless you’re visiting on a day trip from another city, you’ll need a place to stay, even if you’re only staying 1 day in Verona! These are the best accommodation options for all budgets. 

LUXURY: Vista Palazzo is a 5-star accommodation. It features a spa, a fitness center, and an indoor swimming pool. There’s a restaurant and bar on-site, and rooms are ample and elegantly decorated. They all boast a separate living room and an en-suite bathroom.  

BOUTIQUE: Relais Balcone di Giulietta is a cozy hotel in the heart of Verona. It offers fully equipped rooms with a working desk, a minibar, a coffee maker, and a private bathroom with a hot tub. 

MID-RANGE: Veronetta House is a B&B featuring private rooms with an en-suite bathroom. They all boast a flat-screen TV, coffee-making facilities, and either a private patio or a balcony. Breakfast in the room is included. 

ON A BUDGET: Musicisti House is the perfect accommodation for those on a budget. The rooms have a private entrance and are equipped with a coffee maker or a minibar with wine or champagne. Family rooms are available, as well as free bike and walking tours.

WHAT’S THE BEST TIME TO VISIT VERONA? 

The shoulder seasons, from April to June and September to October, are the best time to visit. The weather will still be mild and pleasant, but without the crowds. 

Another beautiful season to travel to Verona is during the holidays, to wander around the city’s Christmas Markets and take in its lively ambiance, adorned with ornaments and lights. 

  • Stefania GuglielmiStefania Guglielmi

    Stefania Guglielmi is the founder of Every Steph. Originally from Bologna, Italy, she’s been traveling full-time since 2016 and has visited over 50 countries across 6 continents.
    She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Stefania’s advice and travel experiences have been featured in important publications such as Business Insider, Refinery29, and Yahoo Money.



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