Things to Do in Verona: Our Top Highlights & Tips

Orientation: Verona Attractions on a Map

Before we dive into the individual highlights, we’ve marked everything on a map of Verona so you get a quick overview of where things are located.

You’ll find most of the sights north of the Adige River.

Top Things to Do in Verona

Verona is best known for its Arena and Juliet’s Balcony. But there’s so much more to discover: beautiful squares and bridges, ancient churches, and incredible viewpoints.

Here are the must-sees in Verona:

Arena di Verona

What do you need to know? The Arena di Verona is over 2,000 years old — and it’s the best-preserved Roman amphitheater in Italy. Parts had to be rebuilt after an earthquake, but it’s still remarkably intact.

Is it worth it? Absolutely. The Arena is the standout highlight of Verona — don’t skip it. You can explore on your own or join a guided tour for more context.

Our tip: If you’re visiting in summer, go to an opera at the amphitheater. Under the open sky inside those ancient walls, it’s seriously one of those experiences you’ll talk about for years. Rent a seat cushion so you’re not sitting on hard stone for the whole performance.

Guided tour of the Arena di Verona

Casa di Giulietta

What do you need to know? Shakespeare’s famous couple didn’t actually exist, but the Cappello family is said to have inspired the story. The balcony was added to their house afterward. You can visit the courtyard and the Juliet statue for free — entrance to the house itself costs 15 euros.

Is it worth it? If you’re already in Verona, yes — but keep your expectations in check. It’s not exactly a romantic spot. The small courtyard is almost always packed. Honestly, we’d stick to the free courtyard and skip paying for the house. It’s just not worth the money.

Our tip: Get there as early in the morning as possible if you want to avoid the worst of the tourist crowds.

Piazza delle Erbe and Torre dei Lamberti

What do you need to know? The Piazza delle Erbe is the heart of Verona. Beautiful old buildings with small cafés, bars, and shops line the square. Right on the piazza stands the medieval Torre dei Lamberti. An elevator takes you to the top, where you get a fantastic panorama over the entire city.

Is it worth it? Totally. At least one coffee break on the piazza is non-negotiable — or a glass of wine. Grab a seat at a café, enjoy your drink, and watch the world go by.

Our tip: Tower tickets cost 6 euros and are only available on-site. Plan for some wait time.

Piazza dei Signori

What do you need to know? Walk past the left side of the Torre dei Lamberti and you’ll come straight to the Piazza dei Signori. In the center stands a 3-meter-tall marble statue of Dante.

Is it worth it? Yes! The piazza is usually a bit quieter than the Piazza delle Erbe, even though it’s just as beautiful. Treat yourself to an ice cream, a pizza, or a double espresso with a view of the statue.

Our tip: Walk through the archway on the far side of the square. Behind it you’ll find the Scaliger Tombs and the church of Santa Maria Antica. The tombs are genuinely impressive and still a real under-the-radar find.

Castelvecchio and Ponte Scaligero

What do you need to know? Right next to the Arco dei Gavi stands the ancient Castelvecchio fortress. You can visit the courtyard for free. Inside there’s also an art museum with an admission fee — it focuses on Veronese painting and Venetian art.

Is it worth it? The fortress is one of Verona’s landmarks, and with the Ponte Scaligero in front of it, you’ll get some great photos. In our opinion, the museum is only worth it if you’re genuinely into art.

Our tip: Come back after sunset. The bridge and the fortress are beautifully lit up and make for an even better shot.

Even More Sights in Verona

Got a few extra days? Great — here are even more places to visit in Verona and the surrounding area.

Verona Cathedral

The Verona Cathedral is really an entire complex of buildings: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Matricolare, the Church of Sant’Elena, a cloister, a baptistery, and a library. It’s truly impressive, with beautiful sculptures and mosaics throughout.

Arco dei Gavi

The Arco dei Gavi is Verona’s former city gate, built in the first century AD. You can’t go up on the arch — it’s view-from-the-outside only — but it makes for a great photo opportunity.

Diagonally across the street, at Corso Cavour 43, you’ll find the Trattoria Arco dei Gavi. They serve incredibly delicious, genuinely Italian dishes.

Ponte Pietra

The Ponte Pietra is around 2,000 years old, making it the oldest bridge in Verona. With the rapids in front of the bridge and the colorful houses in the background, it’s a seriously photogenic spot.

Our insider tip: At the small Alimentari Salumeria Gironda right next to the bridge, you can pick up everything you need for a proper Italian snack break. Sit out on the terrace behind the shop and enjoy the view of the bridge while you eat.

Museo Archeologico al Teatro Romano

Verona’s archaeological museum is housed in a 15th-century monastery, where you can see finds from the Roman era from Verona and the surrounding region. In front of the museum stands an ancient amphitheater — from the upper rows you get a great view over the theater and the city beyond.

Castel San Pietro

For the best vista over all of Verona — especially at sunset — head up to Castel San Pietro. There’s a museum inside, but the real draw is the panorama over the city. A funicular takes you up from below if you’d rather skip the stairs.

Bring a few snacks, grab a cold drink at the bar by the funicular, and settle in for the view.

Basilica San Zeno Maggiore

The Basilica di San Zeno is one of the most important Romanesque-Gothic churches in northern Italy. From the outside it’s not all that striking, but inside it’s really something — huge arches and beautiful ornamentation throughout. Admission costs 3 euros.

The basilica is a bit off the main tourist trail, which means it’s far less busy than the Arena or Juliet’s Balcony. It’s a perfect spot to take a breather from the crowds.

Market on the Piazza delle Erbe

A daily market takes place on the Piazza delle Erbe, where you can pick up fresh fruits and vegetables, Italian specialties, and souvenirs. Get there early — it fills up fast.

Day Trip to Lake Garda

Lake Garda is just a short drive from Verona, and if you have extra time, a day trip there is absolutely worth it. It’s stunning: a huge lake surrounded by mountains, with charming little towns, vineyards, and olive groves.

A great option is a half-day trip from Verona to Sirmione on Lake Garda — the peninsula is one of the most popular highlights on the lake.

Half-day tour to Lake Garda

Our Hotel Tips for Verona

As in most cities, it pays to look for a centrally located hotel in Verona — that way none of the highlights are far away. We’ve picked out three hotels that are well-located and offer great value for the money.

You’ll find even more recommendations in our article on boutique hotels in Verona.

City Tours in Verona

Want insider knowledge while you explore? The best way to experience Verona is with a local guide. There are plenty of tours to choose from — here are our three favorites.

Small-group highlights walking tour with Arena tickets: You’ll discover Verona’s most beautiful sights with a knowledgeable guide — and Arena entry is already included in the price.

Food tour with wine tasting: On this tour through the historic center, you’ll sample the best Italian specialties — from cheese and bruschetta to chocolates and local wine.

Bike tour through Verona: Not feeling like walking? On this cycling tour you’ll cruise at a relaxed pace to the main highlights and a few lesser-known vantage points.

Is the Verona Card Worth It?

Verona has a city pass that gets you free admission to many attractions plus unlimited public transportation. It includes entry to the Arena without waiting in line and the Torre dei Lamberti, as well as Juliet’s House and several museums and churches.

The Verona Card is available for either 24 or 48 hours for 30 or 35 euros respectively.

If you’re planning to visit the Arena, the tower, and one or two other highlights, the card is worth it — you’ll also save yourself the hassle of buying individual tickets everywhere. That said, if you only want to see the Arena and the tower from the inside and are happy to view everything else from the outside, you don’t necessarily need it.

You can order the card online and pick it up on-site.

Get the Verona Card for 24 or 48 hours

Practical Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Time in Verona

Public Transportation

Verona has no metro or tram — the only public transit option is buses. But honestly, you won’t need them. Verona is compact and you can easily reach all the highlights on foot.

If you do want to take the bus, a single ride within the city costs 1.50 euros.

Note: The machine on the bus does not give change. You need to have exact change of 1.50 euros.

The Best Time to Visit Verona

The best time to visit Verona is in spring or fall.

For the most comfortable temperatures, aim for April through June or September and October. The weather is perfect for sightseeing — though the main attractions will be busy with other visitors too.

If you prefer a quieter trip, consider going in March or November. It’ll be a bit cooler — usually between 50 and 59°F — but noticeably less crowded.

July and August can get so hot that a city trip becomes pretty uncomfortable. December through February is the opposite extreme, with temperatures rarely climbing above 41°F. We’d generally skip those months.

How Many Days Should You Plan for Verona?

To hit the key highlights — the Arena, Juliet’s Balcony, and the Piazza delle Erbe — one day is plenty.

We’d recommend, though, that you plan for two or three nights. That gives you time to explore more and really soak up the laid-back Italian lifestyle.

Bonus: the day-trippers from Lake Garda head back in the evening, so the streets get noticeably quieter — a totally different atmosphere.

Getting to Verona

The easiest ways to reach Verona are by car, train, or plane. Direct flights are available from Frankfurt and Munich. From the airport, you can get into the city by scheduled bus or private transfer.

Private transfer from the airport to the city

If you’re driving, here’s some good news: at the attended parking garage Parcheggio Centro, you can park for 1 euro per hour and 10 euros per day. From the garage, it’s just a ten-minute walk to the Arena.

Food and Drink in Verona

As anywhere in Italy, Verona has plenty of great restaurants and pizzerias. Unfortunately, a few tourist traps have sprung up around the main attractions. It’s worth checking Google Maps reviews before you sit down.

In most Italian restaurants you’ll pay a coperto — a cover charge that typically ranges from 1.50 to 5.00 euros. One common misconception: the coperto does not replace a tip.

Always check for the coperto before ordering. It’s usually listed at the bottom of the first or last page of the menu. At some tourist-heavy spots, you might end up paying a significantly higher coperto per person, regardless of how little you order.

For a quick snack on the go, you absolutely have to try northern Italian piadina — a very thin flatbread with all kinds of fillings like ham and cheese or tomato and mozzarella.