THE 11 BEST THINGS TO DO IN VERONA, ITALY IN ONE DAY

Verona is the second largest city in the Veneto region in northeastern Italy. Its nickname is “The City of Love”, thanks to Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, which is set in this beautiful city.

The Romans first arrived in the Veneto region in 300 BC and Verona became a Roman colonia (settlement) in 89 BC. 

In this guide, I’ve picked out the 11 Best Things to Do in Verona, Italy in One Day. It features historic and literary hotspots, cobblestone streets and charming Mediterranean buildings, and of course, mouthwatering Italian food!

I believe that visiting these top sights will make you fall in love with Verona! So without further ado, let’s get started 😀

Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Arena di Verona (Verona Arena)

Address: Piazza Brà, 1, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

Arena di Verona is a Roman amphitheater in the heart of the city which dates back to 30 AD. It consists of pink and white limestone. In ancient times, up to 30,000 visitors could watch gladiator fights and other events here! Besides, it’s one of the best preserved ancient structures and the third largest arena in Italy.

While smaller, Arena di Verona is less crowded, older, and more complete than the Colosseum in Rome, and just as breathtaking! It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

These days, Arena di Verona has a philharmonic theatre and often hosts concerts and opera performances under an open roof. The Arena di Verona Opera Festival lasts from 7th June to 7th September, 2024 and is supposed to be one of the best in the world!

The Arena di Verona. Photo #1 is by Claconvr and Photo #2 is by 66colpi on Wikimedia Commons.

Visitors can go inside Arena di Verona to see what life was like all those years ago. As one of Verona’s main landmarks, it’s highly recommended to buy tickets online before you visit. Guided tours are available as well.

Arena di Verona stands on Piazza Brà, where you can have a caffè or food at one of the outside cafés and restaurants! There’s also markets, shops, and a green space to relax in. Since this is a touristy area, be sure to expect higher prices than in other parts of Verona.

Left: Piazza Brà (Photo credit: dconvertini on Wikimedia Commons). Right: Green space and fountain by Piazza Brà.

Arena di Verona is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 7 pm, unless a performance is scheduled that day. It’s partially accessible for visitors with reduced mobility. Visit Verona has more details on this.

Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House)

Address: Via Cappello, 23, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

Casa di Giulietta is the main reason why tourists come to Verona, as this is where Giulietta (Juliet) lived in William Shakespeare’s famous play. In fact, the Gothic-style house has been standing in Verona since the 13th century and was the home of the Dal Cappello family for a long time.

Visitors can enter the courtyard of the house and look at the Juliet Statue and Juliet’s balcony at no cost. There’s also a wall next to the courtyard where visitors can check out many love notes!

It’s possible to go inside, too (at a fee of 6 EUR), stand on the balcony and look at Veronese frescoes and 19th century paintings showing love moments of the iconic couple. There’s also a desk where you can write a love letter to Juliet and check out some costumes used in the Romeo and Juliet movie from 1968.

Juliet’s Balcony and the Juliet Statue. Photo #2 is by World of Magic on Unsplash.

If you decide to go into Juliet’s House, it’s mandatory to buy a ticket online before your visit. Juliet’s House and the courtyard are open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm. Only the courtyard area is accessible for wheelchair users.

Just a short walk from Casa Giulietta is Casa di Romeo (Romeo’s House) (Via Arche Scaligere, 3a, 37121 Verona VR, Italy), that was also built in the 13th century. Today the house is privately owned, so visitors are not allowed to enter. But you can marvel at its outside Gothic façade and read about the tragic end of Romeo and Juliet’s love story on the information board.

Castelvecchio & Castelvecchio Museum

Address: Corso Castelvecchio, 2, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

The breathtaking Castelvecchio (Italian: “Old Castle”) is a historic fortress that was completed in the 14th century by the ruling Della Scala family. It sits inside Verona’s Old Town district and consists mostly of red bricks. Castelvecchio was the most important military structure of the Della Scala dynasty.

The square castle complex has seven towers and a super elevated keep with four main buildings. Besides, it is one most significant examples of Gothic architecture of the Middle Ages. Another unique feature of Castelvecchio are the M-shaped merlons next to its walls.

In 1797, Verona was occupied by Napoleon and soon after by the Austrians, who turned Castelvecchio into a barracks. It was restored in 1923 and again between 1963 and 1965.

Later, in 1925, Castelvecchio was transformed into Castelvecchio Museum. Here visitors can admire an impressive medieval and Renaissance collection from the 14th to the 18th century. The highlight is the gorgeous artwork by Veronese, Italian, and international painters.

Moveover, you can look at fabrics and weapons from the Lombard era. Castelvecchio Museum also features sculptures, coins, medals, furniture, and drawings! But the most iconic artifact is the 14th century Cangrande I della Scala statue sitting on a horse.

Castelvecchio Museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm (last entry is at 5:15 pm). It’s 6 EUR to enter the museum and walking around the castle complex, including Ponte Scaligero, is free of charge!

Here’s a video about Castelvecchio Museum by Inside Verona:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhF4TKKLFeQ

Walk across Ponte Scaligero & Adige River

Address: Corso Castelvecchio, 2, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

Next, keep walking to the picturesque Ponte Scaligero (Scaligero Bridge), which crosses the Adige River, and was also built in the 14th century. Cangrande II della Scala, the Lord of Verona, needed it as a safe escape way in case the local population would rebel against his tyrannical rule.

The upper part of Ponte Scaligero consists of red bricks and the lower part of white marble. It is 120 meters (393 ft) long and the best part, in my opinion, is that visitors can walk up the stairs and look at Adige river through the many M-shaped merlons!

Retreating German troops completely destroyed Ponte Scaligero on April 24, 1945. But fortunately, the bridge was quickly restored to its original look (except for the left tower) in 1951.

Next, take a break in the beautiful gardens and park areas along Adige river for a while. This is a great spot to recover from the hoards of tourists as well. Or if you need more excitement, check out one of the nice walking/hiking trails next to the riverbanks!

Walk Through Arco dei Gavi

Address: Corso Cavour, 2, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

Just a few steps from Castelvecchio, you can’t miss Arco dei Gavi. This stunning Roman arch consists of white marble and was commissioned by the wealthy Gavi family and the architect L. Vitruvius Cerdo built it in the 1st century AD.

In the beginning, Arco dei Gavi stood on Via Postumia, just outside of Verona. It used to be one of the major gateways to the city.

Sadly, in 1805, French military engineers tore down the arch, but it was reassembled (true to the original) in 1932 and has been standing next to Castelvecchio ever since.

Indulge in an Authentic Italian Meal

After all this walking around Verona, you now deserve a delicious and authentic Italian meal!

The Veneto region is famous for several local dishes, e.g. gnocchi, risotto, horse meat, polenta, and Sfogliatelle (a shell-shaped sweet pastry). This area is also known for their wine and of course, there are tons of choices for pizza and pasta dishes!

I had a super yummy Pizza Caprese and Aperol Spritz at Pizza e Caffe (Via Scala, 2, 37121 Verona VR, Italy), which is not far from Juliet’s House and other attractions. In fact, it was the best pizza I ate during my Italy trip!

They have a nice outdoor area to sit and even though it was busy, the food arrived very quickly. Besides, the servers were very attentive and the total price was affordable (under 20 EUR). The pizza was large as well, so it kept my belly full for a long time!

Get Lost around Verona’s Cobblestone Streets & Admire Colourful Italian Houses

Walking on Verona’s cobblestone streets is a great way to get lost around the city. Everywhere you go, there’s something new to see! Some of these streets are a bit uneven though, so it’s crucial to bring good walking shoes!

Also, if you look up while wandering around Verona, you’ll spot many warm-coloured Italian residential buildings! Some have frescoes on the walls, colourful window shutters on the left and right, and balconies with plants or flowers on them.

These buildings fit in perfectly with Verona’s romantic and positive vibe as “The City of Love”! Also, if you see an Italian nonna (grandma) looking out the window, don’t forget to wave and say “Buongiorno, signora!”

Piazza delle Erbe (Market Square)

Vibrant Piazza delle Erbe is the oldest square in Verona and has been around since Roman times, when it acted as the city’s forum. It was even voted the most beautiful square in the world! Besides, it’s a popular meeting spot for locals and visitors alike.

Piazza delle Erbe is home to Volto Barbaro (a famous street in Romeo & Juliet) and the Palazzo Maffei Casa museum. There are also street cafés and the gorgeous Fontana Madonna Verona (Madonna Verona Fountain), that has been standing here since 1368.

Moreover, buzzing Piazza delle Erbe has tons of market stalls, where you can get pretty much anything, and an arch with a whalebone!

Visit Torre dei Lamberti (Lamberti Tower)

Here’s another great thing to do in Verona: Torre dei Lamberti (Via della Costa, 1, 37121 Verona VR, Italy). This medieval clocktower dates back to 1172 and was built by the Lamberti family. It’s 84 meters (275 ft) high, which makes it Verona’s tallest building!

The two bells were later added to the tower in 1295. Sadly, the top of Torre dei Lamberti was struck by lightning in 1403 and wasn’t repaired until 1463!

Today visitors are welcome to climb all 368 steps to the top (or take an elevator) and will be rewarded with an amazing 360° birds-eye view of Verona and its surroundings!

Torre dei Lamberti is open daily (except December 25th): Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and 11 am to 7 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is 6 EUR per person.

Visit Cattedrale Santa Maria Matricolare (Duomo) di Verona (Verona Cathedral)

Address: Piazza Vescovado, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

The impressive Cattedrale Santa Maria Matricolare is a Roman Catholic cathedral worth visiting on your Verona trip as well! It is the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Verona, which makes it one of the most important religious buildings in the city.

Aside from the Verona Cathedral, you can also find the Church of Sant’Elena, the Church of San Giovanni in Fonte, the Cloister of the Canons, the Capitoline Library, a bell tower, and the Bishopric here.

In Roman times, villas with a swimming pool, public bathrooms, and temples stood in this area. The first Christian basilica was built in the 4th century and a second one was added soon after. With time, fires and earthquakes damaged both basilicas, which led to their collapse in 1117.

But only 70 years later, the Romanesque-style cathedral as we know it today was added to the complex. Besides, visitors can see traces of the two early basilicas underneath the Church of Sant’Elena and in the Canonicale Cloister.

Cattedrale Santa Maria Matricolare is open Monday-Friday from 11 am to 5:30 pm, Saturdays from 11 am to 3:30 pm, and 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm on Sundays and religious holidays. Admission is 3 EUR for only the cathedral and 6 EUR for the four churches inside the complex.

A few Unique Punk Rock attractions in Verona

If you’re an antifascist Punk Rocker always looking for something unusual, Verona has you covered as well! For example, I stumbled upon Al Buso Rock Store (Via Leoni, 4/a, 37121 Verona VR, Italy), as I walked to the Old Town district.

From punk/rock/metal band merch (t-shirts, socks, buttons, patches, hats, stickers, etc.), studded belts, posters, bracelets, to official movie and TV merch (e.g. Stranger Things, Harry Potter, A Nightmare Before Christmas, and superhero movies), you’ll find whatever your heart desires here!

Lastly, I was psyched to find a sticker of the antifascist action group in Verona. Italy has been ruled by a far right-wing party since 2022, so it’s a huge relief that a counter movement group exists here (and in other places in Italy I visited)!

Bonus Tip: Get the 24-Hour Verona Card

If you’re in Verona for One Day, are on a budget, and want to see as much as possible, getting the 24-Hour Verona Card is a great idea! For 27 EUR, you can access all tourist attractions mentioned in this guide, plus ride the local bus in Verona for free!

As a Verona Card holder, you also get a discount when visiting other museums and historic and cultural hotspots, such as the Arena di Verona Opera Festival, and you can ride the tourist train around the city centre for a cheaper price as well!

The Verona Card is also available for 48 hours if you decide to extend your stay (for 32 EUR).

Also, on the first Sunday of the month, admission to every Verona attraction is only 1 EUR!

Final Thoughts on the 11 Best Things to Do in Verona in One Day

So, this is a wrap on the 11 Best Things to Do in Verona in One Day! As you can see, Verona offers a great mix of breathtaking Roman and medieval architecture, culture, food, unique stores, and so much more! So it’s perfect for history buffs, art lovers, Shakespeare fans, foodies, and cultural travelers.

Besides, whether you’re visiting Verona with your significant other, family, friends, or by yourself, its rich cultural and historic heritage and picturesque attractions will surely leave a lasting impression on you! So without a doubt, Verona is worth a visit for at least one day!

While Verona is quite busy with tourists (especially during the summer months), it’s not as crowded as other Italian cities, like Rome, Florence, or Milan. This contributes to its friendly vibe and slower pace. Moreover, once you step away from the main attractions (The Arena and Juliet’s House), there’s way less people around!

Verona is also very walkable and most attractions are not far away from each other. If you prefer to have a guide with you, Guided Walking Tours are also available.

Here’s a Map of the 11 Best Things to Do in Verona in One Day:

Spending more time in Italy? Then check out this post:

Is Rimini, Italy Worth a Visit?

 

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