12 Best Things to Do in Verona, Italy

Have you ever visited a new place and instantly fallen in love with it? For us, that was Verona.

Verona may not be as popular as other Italian cities like Florence and Venice, but don’t let that fool you. Verona is underrated as an Italian destination, as we just discovered.

Tim and I only had a few hours to tour Verona. We visited this city as a quick side trip while traveling between Cervia (for Ironman Italy) and Venice.

Verona is gorgeous, similar to Venice but without the canals, the decay, and the huge numbers of tourists. We were pleasantly surprised, and we were here just long enough to know that we can’t wait to return again someday.

If you have plans to visit Italy and are not sure if Verona should be included in your itinerary, keep reading. In this post are lots of photos and ideas of things to do. I have a hunch that if you include Verona in your travel plans, you will be thrilled you did so.

12 Best Things to Do in Verona

#1 Wander through Centro Storico

Centro storico is the historic center of Verona. This is where you will find many of the main sights in the city, like the wide piazzas, Juliette’s house, and churches galore. This part of the city is made for wandering (and for taking tons of photographs). Wander the side streets, have lunch in an outdoor café, and have fun exploring Verona.

Walking through Verona best things to do in Verona

#2 Piazza Bra

This is main piazza in Verona. It’s a huge open square lined on one side with outdoor cafes. Many people start their tour of Verona in Piazza Bra, as this square sits on the edge of centro storico.

Julie in Verona best things to do in Verona

Piazza Bra

#3 The Verona Arena

The Verona Arena sits adjacent to Piazza Bra. This is one of the best preserved Roman ampitheaters and it is still is use today. You can purchase tickets to tour the inside of the arena or, if your timing is right, see a performance here.

Verona arena

For the performance schedule, visit the Arena’s official website.

You can also take a guided tour of the inside of the arena, which includes your entrance ticket and allows you to skip the line.

Italy Travel Guide

See all of our articles

#4 Take in the View from Torre dei Lamberti

For one of the best views of the city, visit Torre dei Lamberti. The quickest way to the top is via the elevator, but if you want to eat more gelato, take the steps to the top.

Torre dei Lamberti

Overlooking Piazza delle Erbe

The tower is open everyday of the year except December 25th. Get hours and pricing on the official website. It is located next to Piazza delle Erbe.

#5 Piazza delle Erbe

This is another scenic spot in Verona. It’s also a great place for people watching, to go shopping, or to dine at an outdoor café if the weather is nice.

Piazza delle Erbe

#6 Join the Crowds at Juliette’s House

Touristy? Yes.

Overcrowded? Very.

Worth it? Maybe.

Verona is home to Shakespeare’s legendary love story, Romeo and Juliette. While in this city, you have the chance to see the famous balcony of Juliette’s house. Thousands of people cram into this small square everyday to see this balcony and to have their picture taken with the statue of Juliette. Just be aware that the balcony was built in the 20th century and this really is nothing more than a tourist trap.

But if you know to expect the crowds and the tacky stores that sit all around the square, it can be a short but entertaining visit. Tim and I had fun watching people eagerly waiting in line to have their photo taken with Juliette.

Crowds at Juliette's House best things to do in Verona

You can pay to tour the museum and stand on the balcony, if you want the full experience.

Get hours and pricing on the official website.

#7 Walk across Ponte Pietra

This is one of the prettiest bridges in the city. Ponte Pietra connects the old city of Verona with Teatro Romano and Castel San Pietro.

Ponte Pietra

#8 Piazzale Castel San Pietro

For another great view, climb up the stairs or take the funicular to Piazzale Castel San Pietro. From here you get one of the best views of Verona.

The view from Piazzale Castel San Pietro

Just down the hill, sitting near Ponte Pietra, is Teatro Romano, an ancient Roman theater and Archaeological Museum you can tour.

#9 Basilica of St. Anastasia

Also located near Ponte Pietra is Santa Anastasia church. This is a 13th century Gothic church featuring famous frescoes and a stunning interior.

Click here for hours and to check pricing.

Sant Anastasia best things to do in Verona

#10 Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore

Remember when I said that Tim and I had just a few hours in Verona? With our limited time, we did not get to see everything on this list. This Basilica is one of those places that we missed, but I wanted to include it in this post simply because other visitors to Verona rave about this place.

Why is this basilica worth a visit? For one thing, the crypt is the location of the wedding in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This basilica was also recently renovated and is home to stunning frescoes and ornate bronze doors.

The Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore is located a little outside of the main city center, which is why we missed it with our limited time. But if you enjoy visiting churches, this may be the best one in Verona.

Get hours and pricing on the official website.

#11 Arco dei Gavi

This Roman gate was constructed in the 1st century over the Roman road leading into Verona. It stood for centuries until French engineers destroyed it during Napoleonic rule. It was reassemble in 1932.

Arco dei Gavi

#12 Ponte Scaligero and Castelvecchio

This old, medieval bridge is one of Verona’s iconic spots to visit. This is also a great spot for a photo-op.

Ponte Scaligero

You can also visit the museum in Castelvecchio, a medieval castle that was constructed in 1354. Get hours and pricing on the official website.

Should You Buy the Verona Card?

The Verona Card covers most of the main sites in the city. The Card can be purchased for 24 hours (€27) or for 48 hours (€32). If you plan on visiting many of the sites that have an entrance fee (such as the Arena, Castelvecchio, Torre dei Lamberti, the museum at Juliette’s house, Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, Teatro Romano, etc.) then buying the card is worth it. Once you purchase the Verona Card, it allows you to enter these sites for free.

The Verona Card can be purchased online, at the sites in Verona that accept the Card, and at several hotels in the city.

Click here to learn more about the Verona Card.

Click here to purchase the Verona Card online. You will receive a voucher which you then exchange for the card at the tourist information office located in Piazza Bra.

Timed Entry Reservations

Some of the more popular sites (such as the Arena, Juliette’s House, etc.) have a limited number of entries. Therefore, it is advisable to reserve a specific date and time for entry to these busier sites in advance. You can do this by clicking here.

You should do this even if you purchased the Verona Card. During the timed entry reservation process deselect the default option to purchase the entry ticket and select the Verona Card option since your entry is free with the Verona Card.

If you don’t plan on purchasing the Verona Card then you can purchase your entry to the individual sites at the same time you are making your timed entry reservation.

How Much Time Do You Need in Verona?

One day is just enough to visit all of these sites. We saw everything in just under four hours, only skipping the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, Castelvecchio, and a walk across Ponte Scaligero. But we did move super fast, quicker than we would have liked, but we had a plane to catch later in the day.

However, when we return to Verona (which we will someday…how we loved it here!) we will spend at least one night here. There is a tradition throughout Italy called the passeggiata, an evening stroll through the city, and it is quite popular in Verona. Italian families dress up for a leisurely walk through the city. Join the locals or have a glass of wine at an outdoor café and enjoy the view. It sounds like a wonderful way to spend an evening in Italy.

Tours of Verona

If you prefer to explore Verona with an experienced guide or take a day trip from Verona, then here are several highly rated tours to consider:

Tours of Verona

Powered by GetYourGuide

With More Time in Verona

Take a break from exploring the historic sites of Verona to learn Italian cooking tips and techniques, to learn how to make Italy’s famous gelato, or to indulge in a wine tour of the nearby Valpolicella Valley.

Take a Cooking Class

In this hands-on cooking class you will make fresh pasta and tiramisu. Yum!

Learn how to make Gelato

In this family friendly cooking class you will learn how to make gelato from scratch. If only I could sample your creations!

Take a Wine Tour of Valpolicella Valley

In this guided tour you will visit two wine cellars of the Valpolicella wine region. Just make sure you save some Ripasso and Amarone wine for me!

Day Trip to Lake Garda

Lake Garda is just a short drive or a short train ride from Verona. The easiest place to visit is Sirmione, a tiny, fun to explore town that is located at the end of a peninsula jutting into the southern end of the lake. From Sirmione, Peschiera, or Desenzano, you can take a boat tour of Lake Garda or explore the lake using the ferries.

You can visit Lake Garda independently or take this tour from Verona.

Here is more information to help you plan your trip to Lake Garda:

Lake Garda Bucket List: 25 Things to Do in Lake Garda, Italy

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. With brightly colored towns, castles and Roman ruins, beaches and vineyards, amusement parks and historical sites, there is plenty here to keep you busy for days. The list of things to do in Lake Garda is long and we cover the top sights in this guide. This […]

Lake Garda Itinerary: The Best Way to Spend 1 to 4 Days in Lake Garda

Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake, spanning three provinces of Italy (Trentino, Verona, and Brescia). On a visit to Lake Garda, not only can you visit the long list of lovely towns that line the lake, but you can also cruise to Lake Garda’s islands, take your pick from hikes in the area, visit vineyards […]

9 Wonderful Things to Do in Sirmione, Lake Garda, Italy

Perched on the tip of a long, narrow peninsula, Sirmione is a medieval town surrounded by gardens, thermal spas, beaches, and the aquamarine water of Lake Garda. Explore an ancient castle, wander the narrow city streets, tour historical sites, and go on a sunset cruise around the peninsula. Here are the best things to do […]

One Last Place to Visit: Madonna della Corona

Madonna della Corona is not located within the city of Verona. It is one hour north of Verona, just over 45 kilometers away. This church literally clings to the side of a mountain. It is quite the sight to see.

Santuario Madonna della Corona

How to Visit Santuario Madonna della Corona

The walking path to Santuario Madonna della Corona begins at the intersection of Strada Provinciale 8 (SP8) and Localita Gabbiola. SP8 is the main road leading to this area and Localita Gabbiola is a paved pedestrian track you follow to Santuario Madonna della Corona. This walking path is about 0.8 km (0.5 miles) long with about 90 m (300 feet) of elevation change each way. All of the elevation change will be down on the way to the sanctuary and then up on the return.

There is also a bus that runs from Spiazzi to the church.

Hotel Corona serves as a good landmark for GPS devices when driving to this area as it is near the above-mentioned intersection and there are several parking lots along SP8 between Hotel Corona and Residence Stella Alpina Hotel. There is also a track that leads to Santuario Madonna della Corona from Residence Stella Alpina Hotel but just note that it is a steeper track.

If you don’t feel like organizing this on your own, this day trip tour from Verona gets great reviews: