One of Verona’s most iconic landmarks, the Arena is a remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheater dating back nearly 2,000 years. Located right in the heart of the city, it’s the perfect place to soak in Verona’s history, architecture, and lively atmosphere. If you have the chance, we highly recommend attending an opera here during your stay — watching a performance in this ancient arena is an unforgettable experience and one of the most unique things to do in Verona. On the night of our welcome party, "Aida" will be showing at 9 PM (August 30th). After the party wraps up, heading over to the Arena to catch the performance would be a great way to end the evening in Verona. If interested in attending the show, click “View” below to see tickets for the opera!
Castel San Pietro has one of the best views in Verona. You can walk up the stairs or take the funicular to the top, where you’ll get a great overlook of the entire city and the Adige River. It’s especially worth visiting around sunset — a perfect spot for photos, a spritz, or just taking in the view of Verona.
Castelvecchio is a medieval castle along the Adige River and one of the most recognizable spots in Verona. The castle and bridge are great to walk through, and the views along the river are beautiful. If you have time, you can also go inside the castle and visit the museum, but even just exploring the outside and crossing the bridge is worth the stop.
Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta) is one of the most famous stops in Verona, known for the balcony from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The courtyard is a small space where visitors can take photos and leave love notes on the walls. You can step into the courtyard for a quick visit, see the balcony, and take a photo with the Juliet statue.
Piazza delle Erbe is one of Verona’s main squares and is known for its daily market stalls selling fruit, souvenirs, and local goods. It’s a great place to walk through, browse the markets, and grab a drink or gelato nearby.
Giardino Giusti is a quiet, well-kept Renaissance garden on the edge of Verona. It’s known for its tall hedges, walking paths, and small maze you can explore. If you make it to the top terrace, you get a nice view over the city. It’s a good break from the busier parts of Verona and an easy place to slow down for a bit.
La Bottega della Gina XXL is a small, popular pasta shop in Verona known for fresh, handmade pasta you can take away or eat quickly nearby. They make stuffed pasta like tortellini and other filled shapes fresh each day, and you can see everything prepared right in front of you. It’s a simple, high-quality stop for a quick and really good pasta lunch while walking around the city.
Focacceria La Figaccia is a casual spot in Verona known for focaccia sandwiches made fresh throughout the day. The bread is baked daily and filled with freshly sliced meats and cheeses made to order. We consider it to be the best sandwich spot in Verona, and a great quick stop while walking around the city.
La Prosciutteria Verona is a casual wine bar-style spot focused on cured meats, cheeses, and simple Italian plates. You can build your own charcuterie board, paired with wine or spritz. It’s a good place to sit down, share a few plates, and have an easy, relaxed meal while overlooking Piazza Erbe.
Elk Bakery is a popular café in Verona known for breakfast, brunch, coffee, and pastries. It’s a relaxed spot with plenty of seating, making it a good place to start the day or stop in for a mid-morning break. They offer a mix of fresh baked goods, eggs, sandwiches, and lighter dishes, along with good coffee and juices. In our opinion, this is the best breakfast spot in Verona.
Hosteria Punta Rosa is a traditional-style restaurant in Verona serving classic local dishes in a simple, relaxed setting. The space is small and cozy, with a warm atmosphere that makes it a nice spot for a slow dinner. The menu focuses on regional pasta, meat dishes, and seasonal ingredients, paired with a solid wine list (we highly recommend the Truffle Cacio E Pepe).
Ristorante Greppia is set in a historic space just off the main streets of Verona, with vaulted ceilings and a more classic, slightly formal feel compared to many of the smaller osterias. The menu focuses on traditional Veronese dishes and seasonal ingredients, with well-executed pasta and meat courses and a strong wine list. It’s a good choice for a more polished sit-down dinner while still feeling rooted in local cuisine.
Terrazza Arena Sky Lounge Bar & Restaurant is a rooftop spot right by the Arena with views over Verona’s historic Piazza Bra. We recommend going around sunset when the city starts to light up. They’re known for yummy cocktails and excellent views with a relaxed rooftop atmosphere, making it a great stop before dinner or after walking around the city. Calling ahead or booking in advance is usually recommended.
Terrazza Bar al Ponte is a small terrace bar right by the river with views of Ponte Pietra and the Adige. It’s a great spot to stop for a drink, especially outside on the back patio. It’s simple: grab a spritz or glass of wine, sit outside, and enjoy a beautiful view of Verona.
Lake Garda is an easy and popular day trip from Verona. It’s a great break from the city and gives you a mix of lakeside views, small towns, and good places to eat and relax. You can reach a few main towns from Verona by train: Peschiera del Garda: ~15 minutes by train (closest option) Desenzano del Garda: ~20 minutes by train (good for walking, cafés, and ferry access) Sirmione (via Desenzano + bus or taxi): ~20 minutes to Desenzano, then ~15–20 minutes onward to Sirmione Sirmione is one of the most famous stops on the lake, sitting on a narrow peninsula with a castle, old streets, and great lake views. It’s a very scenic place to walk around and spend a few hours.
Venice is an easy day trip from Verona and feels completely different from anywhere else in Italy. The train is the simplest way to get there: Verona → Venice Santa Lucia: ~1 to 1.5 hours by train From the station, you step straight into the canals and can explore on foot or by vaporetto (water bus). Main areas worth seeing: St. Mark’s Square – main square with the basilica and open views Grand Canal – the main waterway through the city, best seen by boat or bridge Smaller canals and bridges – the best part of Venice is just wandering and crossing bridges as you go It’s an easy and very memorable day trip, and a nice contrast to Verona’s smaller, walkable historic center.
Milan is an easy and popular day trip from Verona if you want a bigger city feel with shopping, architecture, and museums. The train is the best way to go: Verona → Milan (Milano Centrale): ~1 to 1.5 hours by train Once there, most of the main sights are close together: Duomo di Milano and the rooftop views are the main highlight Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is right next to it and great for a quick walk or coffee Sforza Castle is another easy stop if you want a bit more history The city also has good shopping areas and cafés if you just want to explore It’s a fast trip, so you can comfortably see the main sights in a day and be back in Verona by evening.
The Dolomites are about 2.5–3 hours from Verona and make a beautiful day trip if you are up for a longer travel day. A typical route by train is: Verona → Bolzano: ~1.5–2 hours by train Bolzano → Ortisei (Val Gardena): ~1–1.25 hours by bus or taxi From Ortisei, you can easily take the cable cars up to Seceda, where you’ll get the famous ridge views and wide-open mountain scenery. It is not the quickest trip, but the combination of train, bus, and cable car makes it pretty straightforward, and the views at the top are absolutely worth it when the weather is clear.