Verona in 7 days

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.

Day 1, Land & wander

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

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.

Eat: Risotto all'Amarone, made with the region's powerful red wine

Day 2, Iconic sights

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

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.

Eat: Pastissada de caval, a traditional horse-meat stew (a local classic)

Day 3, Food & markets

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

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.

Eat: Bigoli, thick fresh pasta, often with duck ragù

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Castel San Pietro hill, The hillside above Veronetta with the city's best panoramic viewpoint.

Morning: The Giardino Giusti, a serene Renaissance garden with a cypress avenue.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Castel San Pietro hill, The hillside above Veronetta with the city's best panoramic viewpoint.

Evening: Crossing the ancient Ponte Pietra Roman bridge to quieter Veronetta.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Amarone and Valpolicella wines from the surrounding hills

Day 5, Day trip

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Città Antica (Old Town), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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: Dinner at Risotto all'Amarone, made with the region's powerful red wine, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Città Antica (Old Town).

Eat: Risotto all'Amarone, made with the region's powerful red wine

Day 6, Hidden gems

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Veronetta, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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

Evening: Dinner at Pastissada de caval, a traditional horse-meat stew (a local classic), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Veronetta.

Eat: Pastissada de caval, a traditional horse-meat stew (a local classic)

Day 7, Slow finish

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Borgo Trento, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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

Evening: Dinner at Bigoli, thick fresh pasta, often with duck ragù, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Borgo Trento.

Eat: Bigoli, thick fresh pasta, often with duck ragù

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.

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.

Verona in 3 days | Verona in 5 days | Full Verona guide