Verona travel guide: the arena, pink squares and Valpolicella
Verona is a compact old city on a bend of the Adige river, with a Roman arena, pink marble squares and a reputation tied to Romeo and Juliet. Most visitors do it in a day, and it is better in two, with an evening at the opera in summer and a trip to the wine hills.
The short answer
- First trip
- See the Arena, Piazza delle Erbe and the Castelvecchio, and climb to Castel San Pietro at sunset.
- Where to stay
- The old town near Piazza delle Erbe, or Veronetta across the river for a quieter base.
- How many days
- Two days is ideal, and one day gets you the main sights.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October. The opera festival runs in summer.
- Book ahead
- Opera tickets in the Arena in summer, months ahead. Museums rarely need a booking.
- From the airport
- Verona Villafranca Airport is about 20 minutes from the center by Aerobus or taxi.
Where to stay in Verona, in brief
Centro storico, near Piazza delle Erbe
first visits
In the middle of the old town, with the Arena and shops close by. It is busy in the evening.
Veronetta
a local feel and lower prices
Across the Adige, with the Roman theater, students and bars. Ten minutes on foot to the main squares.
Near Porta Nuova station
arriving by train
A short walk from the station and Piazza Bra, with convenient hotels, and a less pretty setting.
Things to do in Verona
Verona Arena
A well-preserved Roman amphitheater in Piazza Bra. Climb to the top for views, or see an opera in summer.
opera tickets months ahead
Piazza delle Erbe
The old market square with frescoed houses and the Lamberti Tower. Climb the tower for views over the roofs.
Juliet's House
A medieval house with a balcony and a courtyard that is always crowded. The balcony is a fiction, so go for the atmosphere, not for history.
Castelvecchio and its bridge
A 14th-century castle with a museum of art and a fortified bridge over the Adige. Quiet and worth an hour.
Castel San Pietro
A hill across the river with the best view over the old town. Walk up from the Ponte Pietra, and go at sunset.
Basilica of San Zeno
A Romanesque church outside the center, with a rose window and a crypt. A calm break from the crowds.
Roman Theatre and Ponte Pietra
A small Roman theater on the hillside and a Roman stone bridge. Quiet and photogenic.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Verona can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Verona, and which to pick- Arena opera tickets3 to 6 months ahead for popular nights
The summer festival sells out for the best nights.
- Hotels in opera season2 to 3 months ahead
Rooms fill during the festival from June to September.
What to skip in Verona
- Queueing at Juliet's balcony
The balcony is a 20th-century addition and the courtyard is packed. Take a photo from the gate and move on.
- Restaurants on Piazza Bra
The views are good but the food is average. Walk a few streets to the side for better meals.
Best time to visit Verona
April to June and September to October are the best months, with mild weather and a lively old town. The opera season in the Arena runs from June to early September.
Winter is quiet and foggy, with Christmas markets in December. July and August are hot, with warm evenings that suit the open-air opera.
- From Verona AirportThe Aerobus runs to Porta Nuova station in about 15 minutes. A taxi takes about 20 minutes.
- On footThe old town is small and flat, and you can walk across it in 20 minutes.
- TrainsPorta Nuova station has fast trains to Venice in about 75 minutes, Milan in about 90 minutes and Bologna in about an hour.
Verona in two days
- Day 1
The Arena, Piazza delle Erbe and the Lamberti Tower, then Juliet's House and the Castelvecchio. Climb Castel San Pietro for sunset.
- Day 2
San Zeno in the morning, the Roman Theatre, and a trip to a wine estate in Valpolicella in the afternoon.
Day trips from Verona
- Lake GardaSirmione and Lazise are about 30 to 45 minutes away by bus or train. Take a boat on the lake.
- Valpolicella wine regionAbout 20 minutes north, with the Amarone and Valpolicella producers. Many offer tastings if you book.
Verona: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Verona?
Two days is ideal, and one day covers the main sights. Add a day for Lake Garda or the wine hills.
Is Verona worth visiting?
Yes. It is a small, walkable city with Roman monuments, good food and a pleasant river setting.
Where should I stay in Verona?
The old center near Piazza delle Erbe is the most convenient. Veronetta is quieter and more local.
When is the opera season in Verona?
The Arena opera festival runs from about June to early September. Book tickets months ahead.