The beautiful and fair city of Verona in Italy which is well known to many around the world as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has so much more to offer than just a tragic love story. The city’s historic centre – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is filled with historic castles and incredible architecture throughout and unlike the crowded streets of Rome, Florence or nearby Venice, Verona also feels so much more relaxed which makes it a perfect spot to explore Italy at a much slower pace.


I recently visited Verona and now that I am home from my trip, I have written this blog and travel guide and tried to include everything that you need to know before your visit as well as all of the things to see and do for first time visitors, all up to date information, directions, advice, photos, tips and tricks to help you make the most of your trip to Verona and make it an unforgettable (as well as romantic if that is what you desire) experience.

Where is Verona

The beautiful city of Verona is located in the Veneto region of northern Italy. It sits along the winding Adige River and is located roughly halfway between the cities of Milan and Venice. It lies just east of the famous Lake Garda and south of the Italian Alps and the Dolomites.

How to Get to Verona

Getting to Verona is incredibly easy as you have the choice to fly, drive or take the train.

You can fly directly to Verona Valerio Catullo Airport (VRN) – also known as Verona Villafranca Airport – which is located only eight miles from the city centre however the majority of flights to and from there only operate seasonally and from within Europe itself so it may be easier if travelling from further afield to fly into the much bigger Milan Malpensa (MXP), Milan Linate (LIN), Bologna Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ) or Venice Marco Polo (VCE) Airports as there are more international flights and then once you arrive, it is an easy drive or train ride to Verona.

Italy also has an extensive train network making it very easy and convenient to get a train to Verona from any major city in the country. The main train station in the city is Verona Porta Nuova which is an easy (as well as flat) twenty minute walk along Corso Porta Nuova to Piazza Bra however there are also local buses and taxis available outside the station to take you wherever you need to go.

As we flew into Bologna Airport we simply rented a car for our mini Italian road trip to Verona and San Marino and we were able to use Google Maps for directions with no issues whatsoever. Verona sits on the junction of the A4 Autostrada and the E45 European highway making the drive there very easy and convenient.

However once we arrived in the city we did not need to use our rental car whilst we were there so we simply parked it at the large Parcheggio Cittadella underground parking garage which cost €22 per day and which was located close to the Città Antica and also crucially located just outside the restricted ZTL Limited Traffic Zone.

When is the Best Time to Visit Verona

Verona experiences hot summers and mild winters making it a great place to visit any time of year. The most popular time to visit is during the summer months especially when you can attend one of the many opera performances at the Arena di Verona however it will also be very hot, busy and crowded with long lines at many of the attractions and hotels will also be a lot more expensive to stay at than at other times of the year.

However I personally believe that the best time to visit Verona is during Spring and Autumn when the temperatures are comfortable, hotel prices are much more reasonable and the crowd levels are lower which will make exploring Verona a much nicer experience.

The quietest (as well as the cheapest) time to visit Verona is during the winter months however this comes with the added bonus of being able to experience the Christmas Markets in the city if visiting during December.

How Long Should I Spend in Verona

As the majority of Verona’s attractions are located very close together in the Città Antica, it is completely possible to see all of the highlights in just one day especially if you are a fast walker or do not mind a busy schedule.

However I would recommend staying at least one night (or two like we did) to be able to fully experience Verona and enjoy the city at a much more relaxed pace. As many visitors only spend one day in Verona, staying the night allows you to take some time out and people watch with an Aperol Spritz in hand, enjoy a relaxed dinner out as well as experience a quiet and peaceful city late at night and early in the morning. Verona really is the perfect destination to spend a weekend away.

Where to Stay in Verona

For our two nights in Verona , we stayed at the beautiful Hotel Giulietta e Romeo which is located very close to Piazza Bra (we could see the Arena from our terrace) and only a few minutes walk from the Parcheggio Cittadella Car Park where we left our rental car during our time in the city.

Another wonderful hotel which I discovered after our trip is the Relais Balcone di Giulietta which is actually overlooks Juliet’s Balcony and offers access to the courtyard at all times of the day and night – even when it is closed to the public!

As our hotel was in the Città Antica it was very easy to get to everywhere that we wanted to go as well as run back to the hotel one afternoon when it started raining heavily. Staying in the heart of Verona also meant that we could start our sightseeing early – for example we were able to visit Juliet’s balcony first thing in the morning when it opened to the public to beat the crowds before heading back to our hotel for breakfast.

If you are planning to stay in Verona, make sure to book any accommodation in advance especially if visiting during the peak summer months.

How to Explore Verona

Exploring Verona on foot is very easy as the city is so small and compact making everything an easy walk from wherever you are as most of the major attractions are located very close to each other inside the Città Antica – once we parked our car we walked everywhere for the entirety of our stay. The streets are also pedestrian friendly with signs pointing the way everywhere you look and getting lost in the tiny side streets and piazzas and seeing what new places you can discover is great fun and one of my favourite ways to explore somewhere new.

If visiting Verona during the busy summer months, make sure to start your day as early as possible before the crowds and tour buses arrive in the city as well as enjoy the peaceful and quiet streets once more in the evening when everyone on a day trip has left after a busy day of sightseeing.

What to See in Verona

Juliet’s House and Balcony

The most popular tourist attraction in Verona is Juliet’s House and Balcony (Casa di Giulietta) which is located on Via Cappello in the centre of the Città Antica. Even though William Shakespeare never actually visited Verona and the story of Romeo and Juliet is completely fictional, the building (as well as the balcony which was added on in the 1930’s to draw tourists to the city) attracts thousands of visitors every day from all over the world.

In reality with the crowds as well as the endless graffiti, crappy padlocks, tacky souvenir shops and the disgusting chewing gum on the walls, it’s the least romantic place you could ever visit! And to make matters even worse, there is an endless line of people waiting to grope the breasts on the statue of Juliet in the courtyard as someone once said that it was “lucky” to do so but as Juliet was only thirteen years old in the story, it quickly becomes creepy and just a little bit disturbing.

If you want to go up to the balcony itself, there is a charge to go inside the house but many people say that it is not worth the cost as all there is to see once inside the museum are some props and costumes from some of the different Romeo and Juliet films from over the years.

The courtyard where you can look up at the balcony is free of charge to visit (although it is not open on Mondays) and if you want to see it with no crowds (as it does get incredibly busy), be there for when the gates open in the morning as we were and you will have the place to yourself along with only a handful of others so you can get photos with no one else in them before heading off and exploring the rest of Verona.

Piazza Bra

Piazza Bra is Verona’s largest square where you will also find the famous Verona Arena. The square is also home to several other historical buildings such as the Palazzo della Gran Guardia, Palazzo Malfatti, Palazzo Barbieri as well as a statue of Vittorio Emanuele II. There is also a small garden in the centre which is a perfect spot to sit on a bench and watch the world go by.

Verona Arena

The Verona Arena (Arena di Verona) is an old Roman amphitheatre located in Piazza Bra and is one of the most famous and popular landmarks in the city. It was built in the 1st Century AD and is still used during the summer to host concerts as well as operas under the stars. It is also possible to visit the Arena during the day and you can also get great views of the city and the piazza below.

Castelvecchio Museum And Bridge

The Castelvecchio Museum (Museo di Castelvecchio) is a former medieval castle which was constructed by the Scaliger family in 1350 and has been fully restored and displays a collection of statues, paintings, sculptures and weapons whilst the red brick Castelvecchio Bridge which is also known as the Scaliger Bridge is next to the museum and offers views along the Adige River. Be aware though that the museum is closed on a Monday.

Ponte Pietra

The Ponte Pietra (Stone Bridge) which was originally built by the Romans in 100 BC is the oldest bridge in Verona and crosses the Adige River from the Città Antica towards the Castel San Pietro and is one of the most photographed spots in the city. It has five arches in total and has been rebuilt several times over the years due to either flood damage or destruction during the war.

Castel San Pietro

One of the best views of Verona is from the terrace in front of the Castel San Pietro which sits on a hill overlooking the city. To reach the viewpoint you can either walk up or take the Funicular for only €3 return. Standing at the top and looking down at the amazing panoramic view of Verona with a Spritz in hand (yes there is a bar up there!) is one of my favourite memories of our trip.

Piazza Delle Erbe

Right in the centre of Verona’s Città Antica is the Piazza delle Erbe which is one of the city’s busiest and historic squares and the location of a daily market selling food and souvenirs. It used to be the Roman forum and in the square you can find the Madonna Verona Fountain and the Leone Marciano along with many other beautiful and colourful buildings including the Torre dei Lamberti, the Palazzo Maffei and the Domus Mercatorum.

Torre dei Lamberti

The Torre dei Lamberti (Lamberti Tower) is an 84 metre high clock tower built in 1172 which offers amazing views over the city of Verona, the Adige River and the surrounding areas. You can either climb the 368 steps to the top or take the much quicker and easier elevator! Just remember that if you are at the top of the tower when the bells ring every half an hour, it will be loud!

The Scaliger Tombs

Close to the Piazza delle Erbe are the Arche Scaligere which are the detailed and elaborate tombs of the powerful Scaliger family who ruled the city during the 13th and 14th centuries. They are located by the Church of Santa Maria Antica and showcase the family’s wealth, power and influence in Verona.

Is the Verona Card Worth it?

The Verona Card can a great option for visitors who want to explore multiple landmarks and museums during their stay. Nearly all of the main attractions in Verona require a ticket however most of them are included with the Verona Card which costs €27 for 24 hours or €32 for 48 hours and also includes bus travel on the ATV network in the city.

A full list of places where you can use the Verona Card can be found here on the official Visit Verona website.

Before purchasing the Verona Card, make a list of everything that you want to see and do and add up the entrance prices to work out if the card is worth it for you. If you plan on visiting a minimum of three attractions whilst in Verona such as the Arena, Juliet’s House and the Castelvecchio Museum, the card will very quickly pay for itself and any additional entries to other attractions in the time period will effectively be free.

You can purchase the Verona Card online in advance from Klook.

The above is an affiliate link through Klook. Any tickets purchased from this link earns myself a small commission at no additional cost to you.

While city passes are not always worth it for short trips, Verona is an exception to the rule. As the city is so small, you can see a lot in 24 hours and as the card’s validity begins when you first use it, you can split your time over two days.

However the Verona Card may not be ideal if you qualify for reduced entrance rates, are visiting on a Monday (when many places are closed) or only want to visit one or two attractions. Also be aware that on the first Sunday of every month from November to March, many entrance fees drop to only €1 so buying individual tickets might work out cheaper.

Day Trips from Verona

If you are planning to explore more of the area, make sure to stay longer as Verona is a great place to base yourself to see much more of the beautiful Veneto region or even further afield on day trips either by driving or be using the Trenitalia or Italo high speed trains.

Some of the fun places and incredible cities nearby include:

Lake Garda (Peschiera del Garda) – 18 Miles Away – 15 Minute Train Ride / 25 Minute Drive
Venice – 72 Miles Away – 1 Hour 15 Minute Train Ride / 1 Hour 20 Minute Drive
Milan – 105 Miles Away – 1 Hour 20 Minute Train Ride / 2 Hour Drive
Bologna – 90 Miles Away – 50 Minute Train Ride / 1 Hour 30 Minute Drive
Florence – 150 Miles – 1 Hour 30 Minute Train Ride / 2 Hour 30 Minute Drive
The Dolomites – 118 Miles Away – 2 Hour 30 Minute Drive
Valpolicella Region (for Wine Tasting) – 10 Miles Away – 25 Minute Drive
Gardaland Theme Park – 16 Miles Away – 30 Minute Drive
Movieland Theme Park – 17 Miles Away – 30 Minute Drive

Other Information to Know When Visiting Verona

Whilst there are many restaurants and cafés lining the edge of Piazza Bra, try to avoid these tourist traps as they have poor quality food as well as a lot of bad reviews and you will find much better food and drink at a much better price just a short walk away.

It is incredibly easy to save money whilst visiting Verona as you can simply enjoy the city for free whilst walking around without feeling like you are missing out on anything as most places are just as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside. The only two things we paid for during our stay was the Funicular to Castel San Pietro for €3 and the entrance fee to the Torre dei Lamberti for €6 so we could enjoy the views overlooking the city from both.

Italy uses the Euro however we did not need to use cash once during our entire stay as we paid for absolutely everything either by credit card or by Apple Pay.

Even though English is widely spoken in the tourist areas of Verona, make sure to learn a little Italian before your trip such as Buongiorno (Good Morning), Ciao (Hello), Buonasera (Good Evening), Per Favore (Please), Mi Scusi (Excuse Me), Vorrei (I Would Like), Grazie (Thank You) and Arrivederci (Goodbye).

Make sure to wear comfortable and supportive shoes such as trainers when walking around Verona as there are many cobblestone paths throughout the old city.

If you want to go shopping, make sure to head to Via Mazzini which connects Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe which is lined with a wide variety of shops. There is also a large shopping mall with every shop you could possibly want called Adigeo on the outskirts of the city if needed.

Bring an umbrella with you – I’m adding this one from personal experience!

If you need to access mobile data whilst travelling through Italy, you can purchase a travel E-Sim through Airalo. If you would like to use my referral code NIKKI8866 when signing up, you will receive £2.50 / US$3 off your first purchase.

Verona is one of the most beautiful (as well as walkable) cities in Italy and is definitely worth a visit and you will quickly discover that it is so much more than just the setting for Romeo and Juliet. It is a perfect city break to enjoy at a much slower pace than other more popular cities in the country and a great place to base yourself to explore more of the Veneto region of Italy.

Have a great time in Verona and enjoy every moment in this incredible city!

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