The city of love, as Verona is called, is located in the Veneto region between Italy’s largest lake, Lake Garda, and the lagoon city of Venice.
In this article, we share the best Verona attractions and essential tips for your trip to one of the most beautiful cities in North Italy.
What To See In Verona
Many visitors to Verona plan just one day for the Cittá dell’Amore (City of Love).
If you’re one of them, we have good news for you.
You can see the best highlights of Verona in just one day.
Read more about how to spend one perfect day in our carefully crafted one day in Verona itinerary.
If you have more time planned for Verona you can visit all the Verona attractions we share below.
Before we get to the most important attractions, here are our top favorites:
⭐ Good to know: Our top-picks are included in the Verona Card.
# 1 TOP-PICK
Roman amphitheater
The arena is not only the third-largest Roman amphitheater in the world but also the venue for the famous Verona Summer Opera Festival.
# 2 PICK
best viewpoint
The Torre dei Lamberti tower is located directly in the historic center, offering a view of the bustling Piazza Erbe.
# 3 PICK
Juliet’s house from Romeo and Juliet
The most romantic and famous corner in Verona is the courtyard and balcony of Juliet’s house (Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet).
At A Glance: Best Things To See In Verona
| Verona Arena | Ancient Roman Amphitheater |
| Old Town | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House) | Romantic Landmark |
| Torre dei Lamberti | Panoramic City Views |
| Palazzo della Ragione | Historic Courtyard and Art Gallery |
| Castelvecchio | Medieval Castle and Art Museum |
| Piazza delle Erbe | Bustling Market Square |
| Piazza dei Signori | Historic Square |
| Castel San Pietro | Sunset Viewpoint |
| Giardino Giusti | Renaissance Garden |
| Teatro Romano | Ancient Roman Theater |
| Churches | Verona Cathedral, Basilica di Santa Anastasia, Chiesa di San Fermo Maggiore, Chiesa di San Lorenzo |
1. Verona Arena
A visit to the Arena di Verona is a must.
The arena is not only the third-largest Roman amphitheater in the world but also the venue for the famous Verona Summer Opera Festival.
As one of the city’s landmarks and an impressive structure, it’s well-visited.
To avoid the queues, we recommend the Verona Card.
With it, the entry to the Verona Arena is included.
You can skip the lines and use the “fast track” at the entrance.
The arena was built in the 1st century.
Initially, the amphitheater was used for gladiator fights, and later for performances.
Parts of the arena were destroyed by an earthquake, including the outer wall, leaving a small section with four remaining arches.
Inside the Arena di Verona, information boards detail its history.
From the upper area, you get the best view over the arena, Piazza Bra, and parts of the old town.
2. Old Town
Almost all attractions are located in Verona’s historic city center, one of the most beautiful sights itself.
It’s no wonder Verona is named as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The narrow alleys, typical houses seemingly stuck together, Italian cafes, osterias, trattorias, and restaurants make Verona’s historic old town a highlight of a city trip to one of the most underrated cities in Italy.
Our tip is to let yourself get lost in the streets and feel like an adventurer in the labyrinth of alleys.
3. Casa di Giulietta: Juliet’s House
The most romantic and famous corner in Verona is the courtyard of Casa di Giulietta and Juliet’s house from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
In the courtyard, you might even witness a marriage proposal, as we did.
The courtyard with Juliet’s statue is freely accessible, but expect waiting times at this popular attraction.
To go onto the famous balcony, you need a ticket to the museum.
The entry is also included in the Verona Card.
Due to its popularity, you need to book a time slot online.
Enter the Verona Card and code on the website, then show the card and your booked time slot (you’ll receive a PDF by email) at the entrance for access.
Inside, you’ll find more information about Romeo and Juliet, beautiful wall paintings, coffered ceilings, and furnishings.
The costumes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet used in one of the most famous performances are also displayed inside the house.
The house was long owned by the Dal Cappello family, and due to the similarity of the name Capuleti with Cappello, it is now known as Juliet’s house.
The highlight is, of course, the balcony, offering a view of the courtyard and the crowd below.
You have two minutes to enjoy the view and take a selfie before being asked to move on to avoid long waiting times inside the museum.
4. Torre dei Lamberti and Palazzo della Ragione
Our favorite viewpoint in Verona is the Torre dei Lamberti.
The tower is located directly in the historic center, offering a view of the bustling Piazza Erbe.
The entrance (free with the Verona Card) is between Piazza Erbe and Piazza dei Signori.
You can take 240 steps to the 275.6 feet (84-meter) high Torre dei Lamberti or use the elevator for an additional fee.
The view from the Torre dei Lamberti provides an overview of Verona’s old town, the River Adige, the Arena di Verona, Teatro Romano, and Castel San Pietro.
Back down, you’ll stand in the courtyard of Palazzo della Ragione, home to the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti.
The museum showcases works by Italian artists.
A highlight is the chapel Cappella dei Notai, built in the 14th century, showcasing frescos and paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries.
5. Castelvecchio
The fortress Castelvecchio was built in the 14th century by the then-rulers of Verona, the Scaliger family.
Since 1926, Castelvecchio has served as the Municipal Collection of Fine Arts. It was restored by Carlo Scarpa in 1964, and today the castle houses a museum with medieval artworks and sculptures.
The paintings provide an overview of Veronese painting from the 14th to the 18th centuries, including works by Mantegna, Bellini, Carpaccio, Crivelli, and Tiepolo.
The exhibition also features lances, swords, and knight’s armor.
⭐ Tip: At Castelvecchio, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Adige River and the Ponte di Castelvecchio.
6. Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori
Like Piazza Bra in front of the Verona Arena, Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori are popular attractions.
Piazza delle Erbe features market stalls and is a busy place. Nearby, Piazza dei Signori is another square, quieter than the bustling Piazza delle Erbe.
Close by are the Scaliger tombs, impressive Gothic-style graves in front of Santa Maria Antica church.
The Scaliger tombs are almost as imposing as the graves at Cimitero Monumentale, a hidden gem in Milan.
Surrounding the squares are also shops, restaurants, and cafes.
7. Castel San Pietro and Giardino Giusti
Castel San Pietro is a popular viewpoint, especially at sunset, offering a view of Verona’s historic city center.
A funicular goes up to Castel San Pietro, but you can walk there in 10 minutes from Ponte Pietra.
Near the Castel San Pietro is the Giardino Giusti, a beautifully landscaped Renaissance garden and a lesser-known but impressive attraction in Verona.
⭐ Tip: From the terrace in front of Castel San Pietro and the Giardino Giusti, you have the best views of Verona.
8. Teatro Romano
To reach the Teatro Romano, walk from the Duomo and cross Ponte Pietra, the only Roman-era stone bridge.
On the opposite bank of the River Adige is the archaeological museum and old Roman theater.
The Teatro Romano was built in the 1st century AD.
Next to it is a church dedicated to the Saints Siro and Liberta.
If you don’t want to visit the museum you can enjoy a view of the theater from the Castel San Pietro funicular.
9. Churches in Verona
There are several significant churches in the center of Verona.
During a walk through the city, you’ll frequently come across these buildings.
The most important churches include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Matricolare, near Ponte Pietra and Ponte Garibaldi, Basilica di Santa Anastasia between Ponte Pietra and Ponte Nuovo near the river, Chiesa di San Fermo Maggiore near the riverbank and Ponte Navi, and Chiesa di San Lorenzo near Castelvecchio.
10. Shopping in Verona
Verona is great for shopping. As you visit the sights, you’ll come across many shops.
Designer stores like Louis Vuitton are located at Piazza Bra.
More shops can be found around Piazza delle Erbe.
Between Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe, there are stores to browse for clothing, shoes, and quality souvenirs.
Verona In A Day
Can you see Verona’s attractions in one day?
The short answer is “yes.”
Many visitors combine a vacation at Lake Garda or Venice with a day trip to Verona.
If you want to visit the main attractions in Verona, you can do it in one day.
The fact that Verona is relatively small with many great attractions close by, makes it one of the best cities to visit in Italy for the first time.
However, you should book tickets for the top highlights like the Arena di Verona, Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s house), and Torre dei Lamberti in advance, especially in peak season.
The easiest way to save time and money is to buy a Verona Card in advance or book a guided city tour to ensure you don’t miss any attractions.
This gives you time to relax in one of the cafes in the city’s most beautiful squares and enjoy the Italian city’s flair or its excellent cuisine.
There are plenty of choices in Verona. We share with you our favorites further below.
Where To Eat in Verona (Personal Recommendations)
Aperitif (Aperitivo)
In Verona, an aperitif is often enjoyed before dinner. Various osterias serve aperitifs with snacks like olives and chips.
For the best view go to the rooftop bar of Hotel Milano & Spa. It gives you a view of the Arena di Verona.
Good aperitifs are also available at Via Fama Café, located at Via Fama, at the intersection with Corso di Porta Borsari.
Dinner
We received the following tip from a local: Hosteria La Vecchia Fontanina in Via Trota serves Veronese risotto and other local dishes.
There are few vegetarian options on the menu, but it’s no problem to get vegetarian dishes upon request.
Tips For The Verona Attractions And How To Plan Your Verona Trip
The Verona Card
The Verona Card is a combined admission ticket giving you free access to most attractions, including museums and other highlights.
Public transportation is also included in the card. Additionally, you’ll receive discounts for other attractions and activities upon presenting the card.
The Verona Card is available for 24 or 48 hours.
You can purchase it online in advance, saving you time and money.
All information, including the current prices for the affordable city card, can be found here: Verona Card
Guided Tours And Activities In Verona
Especially if you have limited time for a visit to the city, we recommend joining a guided tour, such as a Verona city tour covering the highlights:
→ Guided city tour with attractions and insider tips
→ Guided bike tour to the main sights
→ Food-Tour in Verona with Amarone wine tasting
How To Get To Verona
✈️ Flying To Verona
Verona has a small airport on the outskirts, Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN). You can check for flights to Verona from your location on the comparison portal Expedia.
Bigger airports are in Venice, Florence, Milan, and Rome.
🚅 Taking The Train To Verona
There are direct train connections from major cities like Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice to Verona.
You can find the best deals for tickets on the comparison portal Trainline.
🚘 Driving To Verona
There are parking garages outside the old town.
We wanted a hotel with a parking garage and supervised parking and chose a hotel in the Old Town of Verona with a parking garage.
The Hotel Milano & Spa offers a valet service. Staff will park the car in the nearby garage, costing about €25 to €30 per day.
Where To Stay In Verona
Looking for accommodation in Verona?
It’s best to book a hotel in the Old Town.
It doesn’t make much sense to look for accommodation outside since the hotels in central Verona are relatively affordable.
Here are our hotel tips:
- Hotel Milano & Spa: Next to the Arena di Verona with the best rooftop bar
- Hotel Accademia: Near Piazza delle Erbe; former residence of opera singer Maria Callas
- Hotel Colomba d’Oro: Elegant hotel in a restored medieval monastery
- Hotel Vista Palazzo: Luxurious rooms and pool in the old town
- Alternatively, you can find affordable B&Bs, hostels, and selected hotels on Hostelworld.
Map Of The Best Things To See In Verona
Conclusion About The Things To Do In Verona
Verona, the city of love, is one of the most beautiful cities in Northern Italy.
From the Verona Arena to the romantic Casa di Giulietta, every corner of the historic city brings you the Italian flair you’re looking for.
Our last tip: Make the most of your visit with the Verona Card.
It helps you to save a lot of time and money and gives you hassle-free access to the main attractions and public transport.
Want more tips for planning your perfect trip to Verona?
Check out our other articles for Verona:
Verona in one day: The only itinerary you need
Verona in the rain: Activities and ideas for bad weather days
