Introduction:
Verona is one of those cities that tourists can easily fall in love. This city is built along the Adige River, it merges Roman, Medieval and Renaissance structures, with lively piazzas dinning and entertainment throughout visit. Most importantly, it is the home of the world’s greatest love story.
You love it or hate it but everyone knows that Verona is where Romeo and Juliet gained world fame. However, most people do not know that there is so much more to the city than just unpopular balcony. For example, Verona has an incredible Roman amphitheater that is still in use today, along with several other Medieval towers that offer even more incredible views of the city. After visiting all of the historic sites and beautiful churches, what better way to end the day than with some local wine and food?
However, the best part of Verona is that its historic center is so small and walkable. The winding streets are full of little trinkets to find along the way and give you a completely different perspective of the city once you reach one of the best viewpoints along your walk.
If you’re planning a visit to Verona, here are the 25 best things to do in Verona which includes famous landmarks, hidden corners, food experiences, and easy day trips.
1. Arena di Verona:
This is the biggest attraction in Verona in my opinion. This place is iconic if you are a first time visitor. In addition, the government have been using this space for public performances since Roman times and it has been around for 2000 years.
In Roman times, this place would have been filled with crowds to watch public performances and gory games. Now it is filled with tourists to see what life was in roman times. During the summer, they hold open-air performances of opera at the arena.
- From June 5 to Sept 12 there will be 53 performances during the 2026 Arena Oper Festival.
This place is great for history lovers, first time visitors and opera fans. If you are planning on going during the summer performances, you should definitely check the schedule and see what you want to see to secure tickets because it can get really busy and the events sell out.
2. Piazza Bra:
After visiting most popular place in Arena, make sure to go to this central square in Verona.
This is not just a place you can visit before and after space for the arena. This place is filled with cool restaurants, historic buildings and coffee shops. This is a good place to unwind and watch the city. This place has good connections to the rest of Verona’s historic center and is a good starting point for the rest of Verona.
3. Visit Juliet’s House:
If you have question in your mind? What to do in Verona? then Visit Juliet’s House.
Based on Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, this attraction has a balcony and a courtyard that many travelers come to see. It’s also one of the most famous places in Italy that represents romance. Because the Italian characters in the story are purely fictional, most of Verona’s tourism is fairly new.
You won’t be regret have a good time here. You should appreciate it as a mix of different things including history and tourism.
Is it worth seeing place? Especially if it’s your first time here to visit! Just beware of the long lines.
4. Hang out in Piazza delle Erbe:
Many people say that the heart of Verona is in Piazza delle Erbe.
In Roman times, this was the city’s main center point. Now, it is filled with neat cafe’s and restaurants, and market stalls that sell a variety of items.
Moreover, you can take a beautiful picture and leave, but isn’t that the point? just take a seat and have a drink while observing the changes the square goes through during a day.
Early mornings are the quietest part of the day. As the day goes on and more tourists come, the square becomes more crowdy and alive with people.
This area is also close to other main tourist attractions such as Torre dei Lamberti, Piazza dei Signori, and other old Veronese streets.
5. Climb Torre dei Lamberti:
A major attraction of Verona is climbing Torre dei Lamberti for spectacular 360 degree views of the entire city. Standing beside Piazza delle Erbe, Torre dei Lamberti surpassed the landscape with its steeple reaching above the other buildings.
The views from the top show why Verona is known as the city of a thousand towers?
Photography Tip: Shoot in late afternoon to catch the warm glow of the setting sun on the rooftops.
6. Stroll Through Piazza dei Signori:
Across the Piazza is Piazza dei Signori, where a central statue of Dante greets you upon arrival. This square boasts a variety of beautiful palazzos.
If you have chance to get away from the larger groups touring Piazza Delle Erbe, this is a great place to praise architecture of the squares centered around Dante. Continue towards the Scaliger Tombs.
7. View the Scaliger Tombs:
The Gothic tombs honor members of the powerful Scaliger family who dominated Verona during the medieval ages. These structures defy comparison to anything else found in Verona. Take your time here and get the details present on every surface of the tombs.
8. Walk Across Ponte Pietra:
Ponte Pietra is probably the most beautiful of Verona’s many stone bridges.
If you want to enjoy the spectacular views of the river and the historic buildings bordering it, cross the bridge to the hill on the other side. The bridge becomes very scenic near sunset when the surrounding buildings become a soft, warm, golden hue. Because of its location, the bridge also helps to provide a easy way to continue your tour to the Roman Theatre and the Castel San Pietro.
9. Climb to Castel San Pietro for the Best View:
To get the classic, postcard view of Verona, you will need to climb to Castel San Pietro.
If you are looking out from your vantage point above the city, you will see the winding Adige, with Verona’s historic center, church towers, and rooftops filled with the warm, terra cotta, and tile.
You can either reach the viewpoint by climbing the steps beginning in the Ponte Pietra area, or use the funicular to reach the viewpoint and avoid the climb. The viewpoint is highlighted by the Verona tourism information as one of the best views in the city.
Best for: Photographers, Couples, History buffs
10. Roman Theatre:
The Roman Theatre of Verona is located on the slope below Castel San Pietro, and this is another testimonial to Verona’s ancient history, long before the medieval and Shakespearean times.
You can efficiently group the Roman Theatre, Castel San Pietro and Ponte Pietra in your itinerary, as they are all in the same general vicinity.
11. Castelvecchio:
Just across the Adige river from San Zeno Maggiore is Castelvecchio. Art and history lovers will not want to miss Castelvecchio.
The medieval fortress is home to the Museo Civico which houses priceless paintings, sculptures, and other artistic, historical and cultural items of the Veronese area. Castelvecchio serves well to integrate art and architecture in one single structure, as the outbuilding houses the collection.
12. Walk Across Castelvecchio Bridge:
While Castelvecchio is worth seeing on its own, the fortified bridge is an impressive site. It is also known as Ponte Scaligero, the bridge provides a great photo opportunities.
Its defensive medieval architecture sets it apart from the more elegant bridges within the city. Because it is pedestrian friendly, you can take your time to visit in the site.
13. Basilica di San Zeno:
The Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore is an architectural gem of Verona and another must see site for tourist. It is also home to some great Romanesque architecture. It has great bronze doors and a beautiful interior. Because it is set a bit further from the main attractions, it offers a nice reprieve from the more crowded areas.
14. Verona Cathedral:
Another great church to see while in Verona is the Duomo di Verona (also known as Verona Cathedral). The cathedral illustrates Verona’s historical growth and development over the years with its varying architecture styles over the years. It is located near the Roman Theater and Ponte Pietra, making it easy to include in a tour of the eastern side of Verona’s old town.
15. Walk Along the Adige River:
A great and simple activity in Verona is to stroll along the Adige River. The river gives you a different view of the city. Instead of rushing to the next attraction, sit back, relax, and appreciate Verona’s beautiful bridges and old buildings. Couples may enjoy this site especially at night. Unlike most major attractions, a riverside walk doesn’t charge an admission fee.
16. Discover Via Sottoriva:
There’s a more traditional side to Verona, and to see it, walk along Via Sottoriva. This street runs close to the Adige and is known for its old taverns and romantic architecture. Italia.it names Via Sottoriva as one of Verona’s characteristic streets. Italia.it It’s the perfect place for aimless wandering when you don’t feel like touring museums.
17. Explore Giardino Giusti:
Have you tired of Verona’s museums and church?
Get some peace and quite at Giardino Giusti, a renaissance garden on the eastern part of the city.
In addition to nice gardens and peaceful atmosphere, the views from the gardens are breathtaking, and the path ways provide nice strolls.
If you need a calm and quite end to the day after touring Verona’s historic center, then the gardens offer relaxing place to you.
18. Stroll Along Via Mazzini:
Along Via Mazzini, you will find some of the best shopping in Verona.
Between Piazza Bra and the area around Piazza delle Erbe, you will find a wide range of clothing stores and Italian designs, as well as smaller shops. This is a fun spot to do some shopping or just take a stroll between the attractions in Verona. Italia.it calls Via Mazzini Verona’s main shopping area. Italia.it
19. Eat Traditional Veronese Food:
Sightseeing is just a part of the Verona experience.
Make sure you try the following traditional dishes:
- Risotto all’Amarone
- Bigoli
- Pastissada de caval
- Gnocchi
- Polenta
- Local cheeses and meats
- Pandoro during the Christmas season
Because of its location next to the wine producing region of Veneto, Verona has a food culture that’s similar to the rest of the Veneto region.
If you want to enjoy the best food, you will have to stray away from the restaurants next to the most popular attractions.
20. Taste Amarone in Valpolicella:
If you want to go wine tasting and are staying in Verona, you’ll want to take a day trip to Valpolicella to the north. It’s known for its Amarone wines.
Visiting a winery there gives you the opportunity to learn the winemaking process and sample the wines in their local environment.
If you’re without a car, you can easily find a guided tour that’ll take you there.
Combining wine tourism and a visit to Valpolicella for a second day in Verona is a great way to spend your time if you have already seen all the main attractions of the city.
21. Visit Lake Garda:
Being central to a lot of other important cities, Verona has the advantage of being a great home base to visit other places.
Lake Garda is one of the best day trips destination if you have two or three days to spend in the area.
There are lots of things to see and do in the town of Sirmione. It’s known for its historic center and beautiful lakeside location as well as for being built on a long peninsula.
If you are limited to only one day trip from Verona, Lake Garda is a great choice for people looking for scenery rather than a city.
22. Discover Verona’s Roman History:
There’s a lot to do and see in Verona and you might think that it’s only famous for its connection to Shakespeare, but it has a much longer history above all these things.
You can visit the Arena and Roman Theatre, there’s a lot of evidence of Verona’s Roman history throughout the historic center. One thing easy to see is Porta Borsari is one of the city’s main Roman gates. There are a lot of great walking routes through Verona. They help give a good idea as to how the rest of the city looked before the middle ages.
23. Experience Verona Evening Rhythms:
One of the best free activities in Verona is to simply experience the evening rhythms of the city. Choose a historic piazza, find a café or bar, order an aperitivo and enjoy the show.
If you’re not in the mood for wine, try a local spritz, or any of the other Italian aperitivi. They’re all light, bubbly, and a nice change from the normal alcohols.
They’re also served with small appetizers.
If you’re only doing the major attractions, you’re missing out on the real Verona. Slower travelers know the best ways to see a city.
24. Explore Verona at Night:
Don’t make the mistake of thinking Verona ends when its museums close. The historic center is especially charming at night. Start at Piazza Bra and make your way to Piazza delle Erbe, and continue to the winding small streets that lead you to the river.
During the opera season, attending a performance at the Arena is a must see destination. The 2026 summer festival will feature several opera and other performances in Arena
25. Get Lost in Verona’s Historic Center:
The easiest and perhaps best activity in Verona is taking a leisurely stroll, with no real destination in mind. This is a city filled with winding, narrow streets, historic buildings, small courtyards, cafes, churches, local shops, hidden vistas, and unexpected architectural details.
You don’t need to see a major attraction every 20 minutes. Take a couple of hours to wander and really experience Verona.
Best Things To Do in Verona in One Day:
There are more than 25 things to do in Verona, so if you only have one day to see the city, don’t try to do it all. This route will help you see the best of Verona in just one day.
MORNING
Begin early at the Arena before the crowds and heat of the day, then walk through the shopping streets to Juliet’s House. Afterwards, continue on to Piazza delle Erbe for a coffee or meal before the heat of the day.
AFTERNOON
Devote the afternoons to medieval Verona. The Scaliger Tombs and the remains of Castelvecchio and its bridge will round out your day before sunset at Castel San Pietro.
Evening
Take a walk over Ponte Pietra before your dinner in the historic center.
While you may want to take in all of the sights of Verona in one day, give yourself some free time in between to enjoy a meal, or a coffee, and some of the awesome people watching of Verona, especially in Piazza delle Erbe.
How to Spend One Day in Verona:
Here’s how to see as many places as possible in just one day.
Morning:
Start at the Arena di Verona and walk down Via Mazzini to visit Juliet’s House. Next, continue onto Piazza delle Erbe.
You can also climb Torre dei Lamberti for some great views of the city.
Lunch:
Stay in the historic center and stop in for a traditional lunch at a trattoria or osteria.
Afternoon:
Head over to Piazza dei Signori to see the Scaliger Tombs.
Next, walk to Castelvecchio and cross the Castelvecchio bridge.
Late Afternoon
As you’re heading back toward the historic center, walk along the Adige.
Near Ponte Pietra, you’ll have the option to see the Roman Theatre and climb Castel San Pietro.
Sunset:
Castel San Pietro is a great place to watch the sun go down.
Evening:
Savor an aperitivo and a good meal in the historic center.
While this route covers a decent amount of the sights in Verona, you’ll also get some great local experiences and the chance to see some of the best of Romeo and Juliet Verona.
Take a day trip to Lake Garda:
One of the most beautiful things about Italy is some beautiful areas, you can experience famous tourist sites but always take time to slow down and enjoy the simple, romantic things. The largest lake in Italy is Lake Garda and sits between the two most popular sites in Italy; the Dolomites and Venice.
The lake is very long and you can spend the day along the water or taking walks in the mountains. You can take day trips to smaller towns along the lake and explore vineyards and museums. There are buses and trains that go frequently and can transport you to the lake from either the Verona area or from Venice.
Free Things to do in Verona:
Verona can be an affordable destination since there are many memorable things to do for little to no cost.
To see Verona for free, you can walk around Piazza Bra and explore Piazza Delle Erbe. You can also walk along the Adige river and take a stone bridge crossing at Ponte Pietra or Castelvecchio. You can also go explore Verona’s historic streets or Roman buildings.
You can walk around Verona’s Castel San Pietro area and enjoy the evenings in Verona during the passeggiata (romantic strolls through the city that happen in the evenings).
Is the Verona Card Worth It?
If you are visiting numerous attractions, the Verona Card can be beneficial.
The card was also converted to a digital version in September 2026, as noted by the City of Verona.
That said, don’t rush to buy it.
First decide which attractions you want to visit.
The card can be advantageous if you want to visit a number of museums and monuments within a short time frame. If you’ll just be strolling around and want to visit some free attractions and maybe pay to visit a couple others, the individual tickets would be the better option. Always check the official current terms before purchasing because things can change.
How Many Days Do You Need in Verona?
One Day in Verona
A one day Verona itinerary can help you see the most important sites.
Prioritize:
- Arena
- Piazza Bra
- Juliet’s House
- Piazza delle Erbe
- Torre dei Lamberti
- Ponte Pietra
- Castel San Pietro
Two Day in Verona
Seeing Verona in 2 days gives you more flexibility and less of a need to rush:
- Basilica di San Zeno
- Roman Theatre
- Castelvecchio
- Cathedral
- Giardino Giusti
Three Days or More
Three days is plenty to explore Verona, but you can use it as a base to explore the surrounding areas as well.
Consider:
- Lake Garda
- Valpolicella
- Sirmione
- Soave
Best Time to Visit Verona:
Spring
- Spring can bring great weather without the large crowds of summer.
Summer
- July and August are the busiest months due to the Arena Opera Season. August can also be hot with temperatures regularly in the 90’s.
Autumn
September and October are great for food and wine, especially the nearby wine country.
Winter
Less crowded, colder, and ideal for travelers who like to take their time and explore. Christmas brings a bit of activity and beautiful decorations.
Is Verona Worth Visiting?
Verona is totally worth visiting for first time visitor. Many people just use Verona as a short stop on their way to other places in northern Italy. Verona deserves more than a few hours. The different periods of history made Verona very unique. You can walk through time and see the difference in architecture and gardens. The historical center is breathtaking for everyone. If you only have one day to explore, stick to the historical center, but if you have two days, you can take your time and wander a little farther away from the main tourist spots. If you have three days or more, you can venture to nearby Lake Garda, or the wonderful Valpolicella wine country.
There’s a tendency to want to check sights off a list when you’re traveling, especially when you’ve only got a short time in a city. Don’t do this in Verona. The fastest way to become unmemorable and mundane to a city is to treat it this way. Always see the main sights? Great, now wander and enjoy! That’s when Verona becomes a destination you’ll want to revisit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Verona:
What is Verona known for?
Verona is known for its association with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the Arena di Verona, various piazzas and medieval architecture, and nearby wine regions like Valpolicella.
Is one day in Verona enough?
One day is enough to see the main sights like the Arena, Juliet’s House, Piazza delle Erbe, Torre dei Lamberti, and Castel San Pietro. Two days is better if you want to take it a little easier.
What should you not miss in Verona?
The Arena di Verona is definitely not to be missed. However, there are the musts see destination including Piazzas, especially Piazza delle Erbe and Ponte Pietra.
Is Verona walkable?
Most of Verona’s historic center is compact and you’ll find all the main sights on foot. Other travel guides even say Verona is very walkable.
What are the most romantic things to do in Verona?
Some of the most romantic things to do in Verona include watching the sunset from Castel San Pietro, taking a stroll along the Adige, crossing Ponte Pietra, and attending an opera at the Arena if the season is right.
What are some free things to do in Verona?
Walking through Verona’s Centro Storico, exploring Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe, crossing Ponte Pietra, walking along the Adige, and taking in the view around Castel San Pietro are all fun and free to do.
Is Verona family friendly?
Yes. Being able to easily see the major sites makes Verona family friendly. The Arena, bridges, towers, and lookout points are interesting for children.
Is it possible to visit Lake Garda from Verona?
Yes, Lake Garda is not far from Verona, and can be a good day trip. Many people like to pair Verona and Sirmione together.
Is Verona a good alternative to Venice?
If your itinerary allows, visiting both is ideal because they are fairly close together. Venice has more attractions, and while Verona is smaller, it packs a relaxed punch.
What should I eat in Verona?
Try local specialties such as risottos, polenta, gnocchi, pastissada de caval, and regional cheeses and salumi. Wash it all down with some local wines.
