Verona, Italy travel guide

The city of Romeo and Juliet: a Roman arena, romantic squares, a river bend and gateway to Lake Garda.

Best time to visit: April-June and September-October
Average daily budget: $95 to $160 USD
Ideal trip length: 1 to 2 days

Verona is one of northern Italy's most romantic and beautifully preserved cities, immortalised by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and built around a magnificent Roman arena that still hosts summer opera. Wrapped in a bend of the Adige river, its marble squares, frescoed houses and hilltop views make it a perfect short break and a gateway to Lake Garda. Joy Plus shapes the arena, the squares, the viewpoints and the lake into an easy day or two.

Verona itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Verona Arena. Visit the remarkably intact 1st-century Roman amphitheatre, host to a famous summer opera festival.

Afternoon: Explore Città Antica (Old Town), The historic core within the river bend, home to the arena, Piazza Bra and the marble Piazza delle Erbe.

Evening: Castel San Pietro viewpoint. Climb or ride up for the classic panorama over the rooftops and the river bend.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Piazza delle Erbe & Piazza dei Signori. Soak up the city's beautiful market and civic squares ringed by frescoed palaces.

Afternoon: Explore Veronetta, The atmospheric, student-flavoured quarter across the river, with churches, bars and the Roman theatre.

Evening: Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta). See the famous balcony and courtyard of Shakespeare's heroine in the old town.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: The Romanesque Basilica of San Zeno, with its bronze doors and Mantegna altarpiece.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Borgo Trento, An elegant, leafy residential area along the river, quieter and away from the crowds.

Evening: Sunset over the city from the steps below Castel San Pietro.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

Città Antica (Old Town): The historic core within the river bend, home to the arena, Piazza Bra and the marble Piazza delle Erbe.
Veronetta: The atmospheric, student-flavoured quarter across the river, with churches, bars and the Roman theatre.
Borgo Trento: An elegant, leafy residential area along the river, quieter and away from the crowds.
Castel San Pietro hill: The hillside above Veronetta with the city's best panoramic viewpoint.

Must-do experiences

Verona Arena: Visit the remarkably intact 1st-century Roman amphitheatre, host to a famous summer opera festival.
Piazza delle Erbe & Piazza dei Signori: Soak up the city's beautiful market and civic squares ringed by frescoed palaces.
Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta): See the famous balcony and courtyard of Shakespeare's heroine in the old town.
Castel San Pietro viewpoint: Climb or ride up for the classic panorama over the rooftops and the river bend.

Hidden gems

The Romanesque Basilica of San Zeno, with its bronze doors and Mantegna altarpiece.
Sunset over the city from the steps below Castel San Pietro.
The Giardino Giusti, a serene Renaissance garden with a cypress avenue.
Crossing the ancient Ponte Pietra Roman bridge to quieter Veronetta.

Daily budget

$95 to $160 USD per day.

What to eat

Risotto all'Amarone, made with the region's powerful red wine
Pastissada de caval, a traditional horse-meat stew (a local classic)
Bigoli, thick fresh pasta, often with duck ragù
Amarone and Valpolicella wines from the surrounding hills

Getting around

Verona's old town is compact and best explored on foot, with the arena, squares and river all close together. Cheap city buses cover longer hops and reach the train station, and the airport links to the centre by shuttle bus in about 15 to 20 minutes. Fast trains make it easy to combine with Venice, Milan or Lake Garda, all close by.

Safety

Verona is very safe and comfortable for solo travellers including women, day and night. Violent crime is rare and the old town feels relaxed and welcoming. The main caution is minor pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots like Juliet's House and around the arena on opera nights, so use normal city sense.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Verona?

One full day covers the arena, the squares, Juliet's House and a viewpoint, but two days let you slow down, see San Zeno and the gardens, and take a half-day trip to Lake Garda, just 30 minutes away. It also pairs well with Venice or Milan.

Is Verona safe for solo travellers?

Yes, very. Verona is a safe, relaxed city and excellent for solo travellers including women at any hour. Violent crime is rare; the only minor caution is pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots like Juliet's House and the arena on busy opera nights.

When is the best time to visit Verona?

April to June and September to October bring pleasant weather and lighter crowds. The famous opera festival runs in the arena from June to early September, a magical but busy time. Summer is hot, while winter is quiet and atmospheric with Christmas markets.

Is Verona worth visiting?

Yes. Verona blends a magnificent Roman arena, romantic squares, the Romeo and Juliet legend, a scenic river setting and great food and wine into one of northern Italy's most charming cities. It's also an ideal base for Lake Garda and an easy stop between Venice and Milan.

How do I get from Verona Airport to the city?

An Aerobus shuttle links Verona Villafranca Airport to the central railway station in about 15 to 20 minutes and is cheap and frequent. Taxis and ride-hailing take around 15 minutes to the old town.

Can you see opera at the Verona Arena?

Yes. The Roman arena hosts one of the world's most spectacular open-air opera festivals each summer, roughly from June to early September. Tickets range from grand numbered seats to cheaper unreserved stone steps, and an evening under the stars is unforgettable.

Can you do a day trip to Lake Garda from Verona?

Yes, easily. The southern shore of Lake Garda, including the pretty resort town of Sirmione on its peninsula, is around 30 to 40 minutes from Verona by train or bus, making it a perfect half-day or full-day escape.

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