15 Things to Do in Verona, Italy

Explore the best things to do in Verona, Italy, from Roman ruins and romantic piazzas to scenic viewpoints, historic gardens, local food, and hidden gems.

The first time I visited Verona was right after I moved to Italy for my master’s study in Padua, a nearby city. It was one of my very first trips in Italy, so I still remember the excitement of discovering a new country, a new culture, and a new way of life. Everything felt fresh and beautiful, and Verona did not disappoint me at all.

To me, Verona felt romantic, peaceful, beautiful, and sweet. It had everything I imagined from an Italian city: ancient Roman architecture, charming old streets, warm-colored rooftops, river views, pretty bridges, and golden sunset light. I spent the whole day wandering around Verona, exploring as much as I could on foot and by bike.

Here is my list of 15 things to do in Verona, Italy, perfect for a day trip, especially if you are visiting for the first time.

How to Get to Verona

Verona is very easy to reach, especially if you are already traveling in northern Italy. The main train station is Verona Porta Nuova, which connects the city with many major destinations such as Venice, Milan, Bologna, Florence, and Padua.

For me, Verona was a perfect day trip from Padua, where I moved for my master’s study. The train ride from Padua to Verona is simple and comfortable, so it was one of the first Italian cities I visited after arriving in Italy. If you are staying in Padua, Venice, or Milan, Verona can easily be added as a day trip.

You can also arrive by plane through Verona Villafranca Airport, which is located outside the city center. From the airport, you can take a shuttle bus or taxi to reach Verona Porta Nuova and then continue into the old town.

If you are traveling by car, Verona is also accessible by highway, but I personally think the train is the easiest option for a day trip. You do not need to worry about parking, and the historic center is best explored on foot anyway.

Transportation in Verona

Verona is a very walkable city. Most of the main attractions, including the Arena di Verona, Piazza Bra, Piazza delle Erbe, Juliet’s House, Ponte Pietra, and Torre dei Lamberti, are located within or near the historic center.

From Verona Porta Nuova train station, you can walk to Piazza Bra in around 20–25 minutes, or take a local bus if you prefer to save time. Once you reach the old town, walking is the best way to enjoy the city because many streets are narrow, scenic, and full of small details.

Another fun way to explore Verona is by bike. I rented a bike and loved the experience because it made the city feel even more relaxed. Cycling along the Adige River, crossing bridges, and stopping wherever something looked beautiful made the day feel spontaneous and sweet.

For places slightly farther away, such as Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore or Giardino Giusti, you can still walk if you enjoy slow travel, or you can use local buses.

Best Time to Visit Verona

The best time to visit Verona is usually spring or autumn, when the weather is pleasant and the city feels comfortable for walking. April, May, September, and October are especially nice because the temperature is milder, and the light is beautiful for photography.

Summer can also be a wonderful time to visit, especially if you want to attend an opera or concert at the Arena di Verona. However, it can be hot and more crowded, so it is better to start early in the morning and take breaks during the afternoon.

Winter is quieter and can feel very romantic, especially around Christmas. The city has a softer, calmer atmosphere, and it can be a good choice if you prefer fewer tourists.

For me, Verona is especially magical in the late afternoon and at sunset. The warm light over the Adige River, Ponte Pietra, and the rooftops makes the city look peaceful and golden.

How Many Days to Spend in Verona

You can see the highlights of Verona in one full day, especially if you are coming on a day trip from Padua, Venice, Milan, or Bologna. With one day, you can visit the Arena, explore the main piazzas, see Juliet’s House, walk along the Adige River, cross Ponte Pietra, and go up to Castel San Pietro for sunset.

That said, if you want to explore more slowly, two days in Verona would be even better. With two days, you can add Castelvecchio, Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, Giardino Giusti, more local restaurants, and a relaxed aperitivo without rushing.

For a first-time visit, I think Verona works beautifully as a day trip. That was how I experienced it the first time, and it still felt full and memorable. I spent the whole day wandering everywhere, enjoying the city without a strict plan, and Verona gave me exactly the kind of Italian charm I was hoping for.

15 Things to Do in Verona

Visit the Arena di Verona

The Arena di Verona is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and should be at the top of your Verona itinerary. This ancient Roman amphitheatre sits right in the heart of the city, in Piazza Bra, and is impossible to miss.

From the outside, the Arena is already impressive, with its massive stone arches and weathered Roman walls. Up close, you can really feel how old and powerful the structure is. Even if you do not go inside, walking around the exterior gives you a strong sense of Verona’s Roman past.

But if you have time, entering the Arena is worth it. You can climb the stone steps, look across the amphitheatre, and imagine the thousands of spectators who once gathered there. Today, the Arena is still used for concerts and opera performances, making it one of the most atmospheric venues in Italy.

Rent a Bike and Explore the City

Verona is compact enough to explore on foot, but renting a bike gives you a different kind of freedom. You can move easily between the river, bridges, viewpoints, and quieter neighborhoods.

Biking along the Adige River is especially enjoyable. You can stop for photos, cross different bridges, and see the city from both sides of the water. It is also a fun way to discover areas outside the most crowded tourist streets.

For me, biking around Verona made the city feel even sweeter and more relaxed. It was a simple experience, but it gave me the feeling of really enjoying the city instead of just visiting attractions one by one.

Wander around Piazza Bra

Right beside the Arena is Piazza Bra, one of Verona’s largest and liveliest squares. It is a great place to begin your visit because many of the city’s main streets and sights connect from here.

The square is lined with cafés, restaurants, historic buildings, and open walking areas. You can sit down for a coffee, admire the Arena from a distance, or simply enjoy the busy but relaxed atmosphere.

Piazza Bra is especially beautiful in the evening, when the buildings glow warmly and people gather before dinner or before a performance at the Arena. It is touristy, yes, but it is also one of those places where Verona immediately feels grand and welcoming.

Explore Piazza delle Erbe

Piazza delle Erbe is one of the most charming squares in Verona. It used to be the city’s Roman forum, and today it is surrounded by colorful buildings, frescoed façades, market stalls, cafés, and elegant towers.

This is a lovely place to slow down. You can browse the market, take photos of the historic buildings, or order a drink and watch people pass by. The square has a more intimate and old-world feeling than Piazza Bra, and it is one of the best places to feel the daily rhythm of Verona.

If you enjoy architecture, look up as you walk around. Many of the buildings have painted details, balconies, statues, and decorative windows that are easy to miss if you only look at the shops and restaurants.

Climb Torre dei Lamberti for a Rooftop View

For one of the best views over Verona, climb Torre dei Lamberti. The tower rises above the historic center and gives you a wide view over the city’s orange rooftops, church towers, hills, and surrounding landscape.

From above, Verona looks especially beautiful because of its warm roof colors and compact old town. You can see how the city sits between the river and the hills, and it becomes easier to understand its layout.

This is a great stop if you love photography. The view is bright and colorful during the day, while late afternoon gives the rooftops a softer golden tone.

See Juliet’s House and Balcony

Even though it is one of the most touristy places in Verona, Juliet’s House, or Casa di Giulietta, is still worth visiting if it is your first time in the city. The courtyard is famous for Juliet’s balcony, which is connected to the legend of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

The entrance area is often covered with love notes, names, hearts, and graffiti. It can feel chaotic and crowded, but it is also part of the experience. People from all over the world come here to leave a small mark, take photos, or simply enjoy the romantic myth associated with Verona.

You do not need to spend a long time here. A short visit is enough, especially if the courtyard is busy. But it is such an iconic Verona stop that it deserves a place on the list.

Cross Ponte Pietra

Ponte Pietra is one of the most beautiful bridges in Verona. It crosses the Adige River and connects the historic center with the hillside area leading up toward Castel San Pietro.

The bridge is especially photogenic because of its arches, stone structure, and river reflections. From the bridge, you get lovely views of the water, the old buildings, and the hills beyond the city.

Try to visit Ponte Pietra in the late afternoon or near sunset. The warm light makes the stone bridge and riverside buildings glow, creating one of the most peaceful scenes in Verona.

Walk along the Adige River

The Adige River gives Verona much of its beauty. It curves around the old town and creates many scenic walking routes, especially near Ponte Pietra, Castelvecchio, and the hillside viewpoints.

A riverside walk is one of the simplest but most enjoyable things to do in Verona. You can admire the bridges, watch the light change on the water, and see the city from a quieter angle. It is also a good way to escape the busiest tourist streets without leaving the center.

This is a nice activity at any time of day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful. The reflections on the water, the old buildings, and the soft light make Verona feel calm and romantic.

Go up to Castel San Pietro Viewpoint

For the most iconic panoramic view of Verona, go up to Castel San Pietro. The viewpoint overlooks the Adige River, Ponte Pietra, church towers, rooftops, and the historic center.

You can either walk up the hill or take the funicular. Walking gives you more chances to stop and admire the city from different angles, but the funicular is convenient if you want to save energy. I did choose to walk up the hill, panting and complaining the whole way, but when I saw the radiant sunset spreading over Verona, all the tiredness seemed to melt away!

The best time to visit is around sunset. As the sun goes down, the whole city turns orange and gold. From this viewpoint, Verona looks like a painting, with the river curving through the city and the rooftops glowing below.

This was one of my favorite moments in Verona. After a full day of walking and exploring, seeing the city from above in the golden light made the whole trip feel even more magical.

Visit Castelvecchio and Ponte Scaligero

Castelvecchio is a medieval castle near the Adige River. It was built by the Scaliger family, who once ruled Verona, and today it houses a museum with paintings, sculptures, weapons, and historic objects.

Even if you do not visit the museum, the outside of the castle is worth seeing. Its red-brick walls, towers, and fortified design give a very different feeling from the Roman Arena and the elegant piazzas.

Next to the castle is Ponte Scaligero, a dramatic fortified bridge crossing the river. Walking across it gives you beautiful views of the water and the castle walls. It is also one of the best photo spots in Verona, especially if you enjoy medieval architecture.

Visit Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore

The Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore is one of Verona’s most important churches and one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in northern Italy.

It is a little farther from the busiest tourist center, which makes the visit feel calmer. The church has a beautiful façade, bronze doors, frescoes, a peaceful cloister, and an elegant interior. It is also traditionally connected to the story of Romeo and Juliet, as some say their fictional wedding took place here.

San Zeno is a good choice if you enjoy history, architecture, or quieter cultural stops. It gives you a deeper view of Verona beyond the main squares.

Discover Piazza dei Signori

Close to Piazza delle Erbe is Piazza dei Signori, another elegant square in the historic center. It is sometimes called Verona’s “living room” because of its graceful architecture and refined atmosphere.

At the center of the square stands a statue of Dante, who lived in Verona for a period of exile. Around the square, you can see historic palaces and archways that reflect the city’s medieval and Renaissance past.

Piazza dei Signori is usually quieter than Piazza delle Erbe, making it a lovely place to pause, take photos, and enjoy the architecture without too much noise.

Relax in Giardino Giusti

If you want a peaceful break from sightseeing, visit Giardino Giusti. This historic garden is located on the eastern side of Verona, not far from the river and the route up toward Castel San Pietro.

The garden has cypress trees, hedges, statues, terraces, and lovely views over the city. It is a calm and elegant place, especially if you enjoy gardens or want a slower moment during your trip.

Giardino Giusti is also a good stop on a warm day because it offers shade and quiet corners. After walking through busy streets and squares, the garden feels refreshing.

Try Local Veronese Food

A trip to Verona is not complete without enjoying local food. The city has many traditional dishes that are rich, comforting, and full of northern Italian character.

One of the most famous dishes is risotto all’Amarone, made with Amarone wine from the nearby Valpolicella region. You can also try bigoli, a thick pasta often served with duck ragù or other savory sauces. Another traditional dish is pastissada de caval, a slow-cooked horse meat stew, though it may not be for everyone.

For something easier, look for local cheeses, salumi, fresh pasta, and a glass of Valpolicella wine. Verona is a great city for a relaxed dinner after a day of walking.

Enjoy Aperitivo in the Old Town

In the evening, Verona becomes even more charming. Before dinner, join the local rhythm with an aperitivo in the old town.

Aperitivo usually means ordering a drink, such as a spritz or a glass of wine, often served with small snacks. Piazza delle Erbe and the nearby streets are lively places for this, but you can also find quieter bars in smaller side streets.

This is one of the nicest ways to experience Verona slowly. After visiting monuments and viewpoints, sitting outside with a drink and watching the evening atmosphere is simple but memorable.

Suggested One-Day Verona Itinerary

If you only have one day in Verona, you can combine many of these places into a beautiful walking route.

Start at Piazza Bra and visit the Arena di Verona. Then walk toward Piazza delle Erbe, climb Torre dei Lamberti, and stop by Piazza dei Signori. After that, visit Juliet’s House before heading toward the river.

In the afternoon, cross Ponte Pietra and go up to Castel San Pietro for the best view over Verona. Stay for sunset if you can. In the evening, return to the old town for aperitivo and dinner.

If you have extra time, add Castelvecchio, Ponte Scaligero, San Zeno, or a bike ride along the river.

If you are already in northern Italy, Verona is a city I would definitely recommend adding to your itinerary. It is perfect for a day trip, but also lovely enough for a slower weekend!

More Italy Travel Guide

• Things to Do in Genoa, Italy
• Things to Do in Venice, Italy
• Things to Do in Rome, Italy

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