When it comes to Italy, I have yet to be disappointed. Every city and town has its own unique beauty.

Verona is a charming and romantic city in northern Italy, best known for being the setting of the world’s most famous love story, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The entire central area is a UNESCO Heritage Site, filled with classic cobblestone roads and stunning Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance architecture.

Here’s how to spend one day in Verona!

Getting There

If you’re staying in Milan or Venice, Verona is only about 1 hour by train. Once you arrive, Porta Nuova Station is roughly a 25-minute walk from the main square. From there, you can easily access all of the main sites.

Verona also has an airport just 10km south of the city.

When to visit

The best time to visit Italy for nice weather is between May and October. It can get very crowded in July and August, as most of Europe does. So if you’re looking to avoid the crowds but still want to have enjoyable weather, May/June and September/October will be perfect.

Verona has some beautiful Christmas markets in the winter if you don’t mind getting a bit chilly. If you’re Canadian like me, it won’t even feel cold!

Things to Do

Walk beside the old city walls

“There is no world without Verona walls”- Shakespeare.

Verona’s walls date back to Roman times and were rebuilt by the Scaliger family during the Middle Ages. They prevented industry and railroad development in the 19th century and were part of the reason Verona became a UNESCO site.

Explore Piazza Bra

The main piazza in Verona, lined with outdoor cafes and restaurants on one side and the city walls on another.

This square is full of activity and historical buildings and is one of the largest squares in not only Italy but also Europe.

Check out the Verona Arena

Verona’s version of the Colosseum was built in the 1st century AD from pink Veronese marble. It is located in the heart of the city centre in Piazza Bra.

One of the world’s best-preserved Roman arenas, it’s still in use today! Every year since 1936, from June to September, the arena hosts the Arena Opera Festival attracting crowds from around the world.

It’s the third-largest amphitheatre in Italy after the Roman Colosseum and the Amphitheatre of Capua, and in ancient times the arena could seat up to 30,000 people.

Take a walk down the main shopping street

Via Giuseppe Mazzini can be found at the north end of Piazza Bra, right next to the Verona Arena. A narrow pedestrian street where you can find cafes, gelato shops and many of Italy’s high-end fashion brands. This was definitely the busiest area while I was there.

Visit Casa de Giulietta

You can’t take a trip to Verona and not visit the iconic house of Juliet. Of course, it’s a tourist trap, but it was still fun to check out.

Located on Via Cappello, the house was built in the 1300s. You can pay to take a tour inside; it’s set up like a museum with the story of Romeo and Juliet being told as you walk through each room.

I skipped paying for the museum and just went to see the courtyard. As you enter, you’ll pass through a tunnel with walls covered in love letters.

Inside, along with the crowds, you’ll find the famous balcony where she called down to Romeo(this wasn’t actually built until the 1900s) and a statue of Juliet. It’s said that if you rub her breast you’ll have good luck in love- I didn’t bother lol.

Walk around the corner to find Casa Di Romeo

A much less popular stop than Juliet’s house, Romeo’s house is a medieval palace right in the centre of the town. Until the fourteen hundreds, it was owned by the Montecchi family, who Romeo’s family was said to be inspired by.

Due to people still living there, you can only see Romeo’s house from the outside.

Shop at the market in Piazza delle Erbe

Originally a Roman forum, Piazza delle Erbe is the city’s central square.

Translating to “Square of Herbs”, it’s home to the local market which sells fresh fruit, vegetables and souvenirs. It’s a great place to sit at an outdoor cafe and people watch, or do some shopping.

In the centre of the square, you’ll find a fountain with a statue of Madonna Verona, also known as the Virgin of Verona, built in the 14th century.

Climb Lamberti Torre

At 84m tall, Lamberti Torre is the tallest tower in Verona.

For 8€, you can climb the 368 steps to the top for stunning 360° views (they also have a transparent elevator). It’s open every day of the year except December 25th.

Relax in Piazza dei Signori

Also known as Piazza Dante, it’s not as popular as the other piazzas, but has some seriously stunning architecture. This is the perfect spot to come sit on some steps and relax with gelato.

Basilica of St Aniastasia

This 13th-century gothic-style church is the largest church in Verona. For 3€ you can go inside and explore the

supported by massive pillars made from red Veronese marble.

large collection of paintings

Churches aren’t really my thing, but I wanted to go inside at least one of the cathedrals in Verona. Italian architecture is too beautiful to miss.

Take a walk across the river

There are a few bridges connecting the old city with Teatro Romano where you can find beautiful views of Castel San Pietro and the old city.

Verona Cathedral

Duomo Cattedrale di Santa Maria Matricolare is the third church to be built in that spot, both previously destroyed by earthquakes.

Stop at Porta Borsari

An ancient Roman gate that dates back to the 1st century AD was once used as the main entrance to the city.

Previously called Porta Lovia and Porta San Zeno, before the current name- Porta Borsari, comes from the guards that used to stand at the gate collecting entry and exit tariffs or “bursaries”.

Museo di Castelvecchio

A very well-preserved medieval castle looking over the river, also built by the Scala family in the mid-1300s. Home to a large collection of Renaissance art.

The Verona Card

If you plan on going inside all the museums, I definitely recommend getting the Verona Card. For 20 euros, you can get a 24-hour card which includes admission to the Arena, the Arche Scaligere tombs, Basilica di Sant’Anastasia, Juliet’s House, Castelvecchio Museum, the Lamberti Towers and more! Plus discounts on a variety of other activities.

It can be purchased at the train station, from the Verona tourist office in Piazza Bra or from one of the attractions covered by the card.

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