10 things to do in Verona, Italy

Last Updated on November 30, 2024

When you hear the name “Verona” one thing comes immediately to your mind: the city where it took place the most famous story of all times, the one with Romeo and Juliet. Even though some people think that Shakespeare never actually visited Verona, there are so many things to see in Verona, this Italian city that inspired the English playwriter.

My Pretty Travels Tip – Get the Verona Card for free admission to museums, attractions, and unlimited use of public transportation

Verona was since the Roman Empire a very important trade center and in the middle ages flourished under the rule of the Scaligeri family. So the city has a very rich history and definitely hosted many real stories full of drama, love and feudal families.

VERONA – A QUICK GLIMPSE 

Why have a quick glimpse of Verona? Like in every city, I strongly advise before visiting to have a quick look in what the city has to offer in order to decide if it’s a destination for you if you will really like it and adjust your expectations. In this way, you can reduce the possibilities to get disappointed (even though I think it’s very rare to get disappointed in Italy!) and you can have an amazing adventure.

Do you think that I exaggerate? Well, once someone who I met in Rome complained that the city has “a lot of ancient stones” and “no skyscrapers” (!). So what about Verona?

• The city is not huge, is a middle size Italian city that can actually be discovered in 2 days
• It’s VERY romantic, so yes, it’s a wedding proposal destination for many Italians and foreigners. Lovers come here also to celebrate Saint Valentine’s or just have a romantic weekend.
• It has a university, so yes, you can see a lot of students.
• Verona’s historic center is so beautiful that is an official UNESCO world heritage site.
• Like in the past, nowadays the city is a little bit “rich”. In other words, don’t be surprised if you see very expensive cars passing by. The prices in the restaurants are a little bit high and you cannot find easily a cheap hostel. Even if you go shopping you will notice that there are many expensive clothes and brands. Why? Well, from what I heard (it’s just something that someone told me, so not an official thing!) there are many factories in the area and they pay very good wages. Italians love to get dressed elegant and they love to drive beautiful cars, so yes, this may be an explanation to the city prices.

10 THINGS TO SEE IN VERONA

#1. THE ROMAN ARENA

The Roman Arena is the crown jewel of Verona’s attractions. This ancient amphitheater is a sight to behold in the stunning Piazza Bra. While it may remind you of Rome’s Colosseum, the Arena of Verona stands out for its remarkable state of preservation and continued use. 

Built in the 1st century AD, the Arena has survived for nearly two millennia and can seat up to 15,000 spectators. Its excellent acoustics make it an ideal venue for concerts and operas! Every summer, the Arena hosts the renowned Verona Opera Festival, drawing music lovers from around the world!

The Arena’s summer concert series has featured a who’s who of international superstars. In recent years, artists like Robbie Williams, Sting, and Elton John have graced its stage. The 2025 season promises to be equally spectacular, with performances by some of opera’s biggest names!

If you are planning to explore Verona’s cultural treasures, the Verona Card is an excellent investment. You can buy it online here.  Priced at €27 for 24 hours or €32 for 48 hours, it offers free entry to 15 attractions, including the Arena, as well as free use of city buses.

The card also allows you to skip the line at the Arena, saving you valuable time during peak tourist seasons.

Pretty Travels Tip: To make the most of your Arena visit, consider attending an evening performance. The atmosphere is magical as the sun sets and the ancient stones come alive with music and light.

#2. JULIET’S BALCONY IN VERONA

As you probably know, Shakespeare’s story of Romeo and Juliet is fictional, and neither of these characters ever truly existed. So, why is there a “balcony of Juliet and Romeo” in Verona?

Since 1930, the city of Verona recognized the potential for tourism that the brand of R&J could bring. They chose a charming balcony from a random building and dubbed it “Juliet’s Balcony.” This clever marketing strategy has made it one of the most popular attractions in the city.

You can enter the courtyard in front of the balcony for free and take pictures, but be prepared for crowds. This spot is famous and often packed with visitors. If you want to experience the balcony up close, you can pay to enter Juliet’s house and step out onto the balcony to shout to your Romeo.

Personally, I skipped that part. As you explore the area, you’ll notice love letters, graffiti, chewing gum, and love locks left by couples who have visited before. It’s quite strange, isn’t it?

If you’re into this Romeo and Juliet theme, you can take a 10-minute walk to visit Juliet’s tomb as well. The gardens are free to enter, but if you want to go inside the museum, you’ll need a ticket or the Verona Card.

Key Information for 2024

• Location: Juliet’s House is located at Via Cappello no. 23 in Verona.
• Entry Fee: The standard ticket price is €12 for adults, €9 for seniors and groups of 15 or more, and €3 for ages 18-25. Children under 17 can enter for free.
• Opening Hours: The house is open daily from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM (1:30 PM on Mondays).

Pretty Travels Tip – If you’re visiting during peak tourist season, try to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds. And don’t forget to rub Juliet’s right breast on her bronze statue for good luck in love—it’s a popular tradition! Remember you can see the gardens for free but if you want to enter the museum you must buy the ticket or have the Verona Card. 

#3. CASTELVECCHIO

This castle was built in 1350 but was bombarded by Napoleon and later took some other hits from the Second World War. Everybody was thinking that the time to say goodbye to the castle had come, but Carlo Scarpa, an architect with a vision managed to give a new life to the castle. For example, wherever the bombs left a hole, he created windows. How cool is that?!

Now the castle hosts the biggest museum in Verona, so if you like art don’t forget to visit it!

Some history: Castelvecchio, which means “Old Castle” in Italian, is one of the most important military constructions from the Middle Ages in Verona. Built between 1354 and 1376 by the Scaliger dynasty, it served as both a fortress and a residence. The castle’s restoration in the 1960s by Carlo Scarpa is considered one of his finest projects, blending medieval architecture with modern design elements.

The museum spans 29 exhibition halls, showcasing over 600 pieces of art. But that’s not all – there are also specialized cabinets containing about 90,000 coins and medals, 2,650 drawings, and 8,000 prints.

#4. PANORAMIC VIEWS OF VERONA FROM LAMBERTI TOWER  AND CASTEL SAN PIETRO

Almost every Italian city offers a spot where you can climb up and enjoy a panoramic view. In Verona, you can take the elevator in Lamberti Tower for a romantic panoramic view.

My tip: Something you won’t read anywhere else and nobody tells you until you’re in the elevator is that you’re heading right under some giant BELLS. These bells are still working, so when you buy your ticket to the top, they just casually mention, “Hey, enjoy the view, but remember the bells ring every half hour.” In other words, if you don’t want to risk your hearing, you should hurry up and get out of there before the bells start ringing.

Looking for another beautiful place to have a panoramic view of Verona? Just cross the beautiful Ponte Scaligero or Ponte Pietra bridges and head to Castel San Pietro. You can take the funicular – for just 2 euros, it takes you to the top in 1 minute! It’s a very romantic spot where you can linger longer with your loved one. The first picture in this article was taken from there.

Pretty Travels Tip: The funicular to Castel San Pietro operates daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM in summer (April-October) and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in winter (November-March). It’s a great alternative if you want to avoid the crowds at Lamberti Tower.

#5. CHURCH SANT’ANASTASIA AND DUOMO

The truth is that after so much traveling in Italy, especially after seeing the Vatican, churches don‘t impress me as much anymore. However, the church of Sant‘Anastasia is truly beautiful and a must-see attraction in Verona that’s definitely worth your time.

Sant’Anastasia is the largest church in Verona and a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture. Built between 1290 and 1481, it features a stunning interior with three large aisles supported by twelve impressive pillars in red Veronese marble. The church is known for its intricate frescoes, including works by Pisanello, and unique features like the “hunchback” holy water fonts

Don’t miss the Pellegrini Chapel with its 24 terracotta reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Christ. It’s a hidden gem within the church!

You can also visit the Duomo (which means cathedral) of Verona. While not as grand as Sant’Anastasia, the Duomo has its own charm. Built in Romanesque style in 1187 and later renovated in Gothic style, it houses notable artworks including Titian’s “Assumption of the Virgin” from 1535.The Duomo complex includes other interesting structures:

• The Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte, with its impressive 13th-century octagonal font
• The Chapter cloister, a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture
• The Canonical museum, which houses religious artifacts and artworks

Pretty Travels Tip: If you’re short on time, prioritize Sant’Anastasia over the Duomo. But if you’re a history buff or art lover, both are worth exploring!

#6. PIAZZA DELLE ERBE

Piazza Delle Erbe is Verona’s most famous square and a highly recommended tourist attraction. You can chill and have a coffee in the cafes there, have an aperitivo or do some shopping. It is not the same as shopping in Rome, but still a very nice experience.

This bustling square has been the heart of Verona’s city life since Roman times. Originally the site of the Roman Forum, it’s now surrounded by beautiful medieval and Renaissance buildings. The square is always lively, with a daily market that’s been running for centuries.

At the center of the piazza, you’ll spot the Madonna Verona fountain, a Roman statue from 380 AD. Look up, and you’ll see the impressive Torre dei Lamberti towering over the square. If you’re feeling energetic, climb to the top for stunning views of Verona (just watch out for those bells I mentioned earlier!)

Visit the square early in the morning to see the market come to life, or come in the evening for a magical atmosphere when the buildings are beautifully lit up. And if you’re looking for a unique souvenir, check out the market stalls – you might find some local crafts or delicious regional specialties to take home.

#7.  SCALIGERI GRAVES

#8. DO SOME SHOPPING IN VIA MAZZINI

This street has shops like Zara etc. but not only. You can find some boutiques and some other shops to buy quality Italian clothes. If you are searching for cheap “made in China” stuff you will have a hard time finding them. What to buy in Verona? Leather shoes. The prices and the quality are really good. This street reminds me a lot of the famous “via del corso“ in Rome” 

#9. HAVE AN APERITIVO  

Aperitivo was born in Northern Italy and it’s unacceptable to visit Verona without having at least one Spritz. Aperitivo is really cheap here, with 5€ you can get a spritz and some snacks before dinner.

It’s a perfect way to open your appetite and soak in the local culture. I know not everyone can afford to eat out every night while traveling, but I strongly recommend skipping McDonald’s, sandwiches, or other cheap supermarket eats and treating yourself to a proper Italian dinner in a local restaurant!

#9. DINE  IN A LOCAL RESTAURANT

Food is culture, darling, and you won’t truly understand Italy if you skip the local cuisine. In Verona, I had dinner at Osteria Sottoriva (around 40 euros per person), a place where locals usually go. Start with an appetizer of cheese and prosciutto, and pair it with a glass of Valpolicella wine. For the main course, be adventurous and try the horse meatballs or the pork with mushrooms.

It is a very romantic restaurant so you have to make a reservation.

For pizza go to Olivo, it’s less romantic but is an easy going place: if you are a lot of people, you haven’t’ had a reservation for dinner go to Olivo because the place is huge and they have so many other options not only pizza.

For a nice aperitivo try Il coloniale piccolo. It is a very small bar but they have tables also outside. 

For coffee, breakfast and tasty sweets go to Caffè Wallner. Some other addresses (not tried personally but recommended) 

1. Antica Bottega del Vino: A historic wine bar with excellent traditional dishes.
2. Il Desco: For a more upscale experience, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers innovative takes on Veronese cuisine.
3. Trattoria Al Pompiere: Famous for its extensive selection of cold cuts and cheeses.
4. Osteria Caffè Monte Baldo: A cozy spot for cicchetti (Italian tapas) and local wines.

WHERE TO STAY IN VERONA

I had a beautiful weekend in Verona, even during the winter. Dedicating 2 days in this beautiful atmospheric city of northern Italy is a great decision. It is a perfect getaway also for Saint Valentine’s and a valid alternative to packed Venezia. I stayed in an Airbnb, but if you’re looking for a hotel, here are some fantastic options to consider:

Romantic Retreats

• For couples seeking a romantic escape, the Relais Ristori is a dreamy choice. With just six rooms named after famous lovers and decor reminiscent of a Baroque fairytale palace, it’s perfect for Valentine’s in Italy! 
• Another intimate option is the Relais Fra Lorenzo, an impressively converted villa overlooking the city center. Its peaceful setting and outdoor pool make it ideal for a tranquil getaway

Luxury Lovers

• If you’re after luxury, the Palazzo Victoria is hard to beat. Just a short stroll from the Arena di Verona, it offers a blend of historic charm and modern amenities. With 58 rooms and 12 suites featuring original frescoes alongside state-of-the-art gadgets, it’s a luxurious base for exploring the city!

Budget-Friendly Options

• For those watching their wallet, the Hotel Leon D’Oro offers comfortable rooms at a reasonable price. Located in the Porta Nuova district, it’s within easy reach of major attractions like Piazza Bra and Juliet’s House

Unique Stays

Art enthusiasts should check out the Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amista just outside town. This unique hotel blends Baroque architecture with contemporary art, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that’s perfect for design-conscious travelers

Pretty Travels Tip: No matter where you choose to stay, make sure to book in advance, especially if you’re visiting during peak seasons or for special events like the Verona Opera Festival. And remember, you can always check these deals from Booking.com below ! Booking.com

VERONA AND NEARBY CITIES

Keep in mind that Milan is relatively close to Verona. If you’re planning to visit, read here:

MILAN IN A DAY: THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS

Other “well-known” cities near Verona include Padua, Trieste, and Bologna.

Did you fall in love with Verona yet? Pin it or share your thoughts in the comments below!

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