As you know, we love this part of Italy, and after Lake Como, we decided to explore Lake Garda, adding Verona, the famous city of lovers, to our itinerary.
This intense, busy day immersed us in a city whereRoman history blends with Venetian traditions.
If you too are planning a city trip to Verona, this itinerary should help you plan your day.
1-day walking tour of Verona
Click on a day to go directly to its schedule.
Day 1
Day 2
Morning: Piazza Bra, Verona Arena and Juliet’s house
Arrive early at Piazza Bra to enjoy the morning light and the quiet, as it’s obviously a very touristy square. The square is large, colorful, and lively, and—most importantly—at the far end, the Roman amphitheater will be right in front of you. Built in the 1st century AD, it is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world and is part of Verona’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
If this type of relic fascinates you, you can also discover Pompeii near Naples and explore one of Italy’s most impressive ancient sites.
The Colosseum: Of course, this is the one place you can’t miss. The stands offer a magnificent view of the city and the structure of this nearly 2,000-year-old amphitheater. (full price €10 – 1h tour)
Great tip: With the Verona City Card, you can skip the line.
Explore the medieval alleyways as you leave the Arena. The colorful facades and small shops create a quintessentially Italian setting. Then head toward Via Mazzini, the most famous shopping street.
For a coffee break, avoid the Piazza Bra terraces, where prices rise quickly, and go instead to the Bar San Nicolò: simple, authentic and frequented almost exclusively by locals.
Juliet’s House: To get there, you’ll walk through a narrow passageway and emerge into the famous courtyard of Juliet’s House, known for the balcony associated with the scene from Shakespeare’s *Romeo and Juliet*. Sure, it’s touristy… but it’s a must-see in the city. (free admission to the courtyard)
Of course,the balcony is worth a visit : even if its history is more symbolic than authentic, it remains a place steeped in romance. (included in Verona city card – full price €12 – 45-minute tour of balcony + museum)
Tip: Visit the interior of Juliet’s House and go out onto the balcony during the lunch break; it’s often a little less crowded at that time.
Lunch in the center
Head for La Taverna di Via Stella, right next door, a great address with tasty local cuisine (homemade pasta), fresh produce and a typically Italian ambience.
Afternoon: Piazza delle Erbe & Torre dei Lamberti
Another must-see is the Piazza delle Erbe, surrounded by superb medieval and Renaissance palaces, including the Casa Mazzanti with its colorful frescoes and the Torre del Gardello, which dominates the square. In the center, you’ll find the Madonna Verona fountain, one of the symbols of the city…
Torre dei Lamberti: climb the stairs or take the elevator. The 360° view is magnificent: red rooftops, narrow streets, cathedrals, the curves of the Adige River… a highlight of the day (included with the Verona City Card—full price €6)
Head to the Verona Duomo (Santa Maria Matricolare Cathedral in Verona)—the interior is magnificent, with its polychrome marble, large arches, and peaceful atmosphere. (Included with the Verona City Card—full price €5—20 to 30 minutes)
Then cross the Ponte Pietra, Verona’s oldest bridge. The view of the river is superb, especially when the light reflects off the pastel facades.
Getting to Castel San Pietro: Take the funicular or walk up if you enjoy a challenging climb.
From the top, you’ll have an incredible view of the city.
Finally, head down to the Roman Theater, a more intimate site than the Arena, which is also very pleasant to visit.
The small museum just above it contains a number of interesting archaeological artifacts. (included in Verona city card – full price €5 – 30 minutes)
Practical tips for a day out in Verona
Verona is just a stone’s throw from Lake Garda, making it the perfect day trip.
How to get to Verona
- Car: direct access via theA4 (Milan – Venice axis).
- Plane:Verona-Villafranca airport is about 12 km from the city center, with bus and cab connections.
To reach Lake Garda by train: approx. 15-20 minutes from Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda, two towns on the shores of Lake Garda.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Lake Garda or a road trip through Veneto, we recommend carefully comparing car rental offers to find the best value for your money. After testing several today, we’ve settled on the Discover Cars price comparison tool—it’s reliable and easy to use for car rentals.
Another important point: the comprehensive insurance offered through DiscoverCars is often much cheaper than the insurance added directly at the rental counter, while providing broader coverage. It’s a real time-saver—and, above all, a way to avoid unpleasant surprises when picking up or returning the vehicle.
To give you an idea of the price, we found a car for €30 a day that we could pick up at the Verona airport.
Where to park?
- Parcheggio Cittadella: covered, pay parking lot, ideally located 5 minutes’ walk from Piazza Bra for quick access to the historic center.
- Parcheggio Arena: underground pay parking lot, extremely central and perfect for visiting the Arena and the old town without long walks.
Most of Verona’s historic center is designated as a ZTL, a restricted-traffic zone accessible only at certain times and to authorized vehicles, which means you must park in the parking lots located on the immediate outskirts of the center to avoid fines.
It covers the entire historic center around Piazza Bra, Piazza delle Erbe and the Duomo, and is easy to spot thanks to the illuminated “ZTL” signs at the entrances to the streets concerned, which indicate whether access is prohibited or authorized depending on the time of day.
Good deals in Verona
This is clearly the best value option. The pass includes all the must-see sights free of charge: Verona Duomo, Teatro Romano Archaeological Museum, Verona Arena (with priority entry), Torre dei Lamberti, Casa di Giulietta…
And, above all, it saves time thanks to ticket-free access, especially to the Arena.
Why is the pass so profitable?
If you add up the day’s visits, you can easily reach around €40:
- Arena: €10
- Juliette’s house + balcony: €12
- Torre dei Lamberti: €6
- Duomo + other churches: €10
- Archaeological Museum: €5
Verona City Card (24 hours): ~€30
This saves you about €10 and makes sightseeing much more convenient.
Where to sleep in Verona
Express summary
| A Must-See | With / without City Pass | Recommended time |
|---|---|---|
| Verona Arena | 10 € (included in pass) | 30 min – 1 h |
| Juliette’s house + balcony | 12 € (included) | 40-60 min |
| Verona Duomo | 5 € (included) | 20-30 min |
| Torre dei Lamberti | 6 € (included) | 30-45 min |
| Ponte Pietra | Free | 10 min. |
| Castel San Pietro | Free (paying funicular) | 30 min. |
| Teatro Romano Archaeological Museum | 5 € (included) | 20-30 min |
Our map
Find all the above locations on our interactive map.
Feel free to leave us a note below to let us know if you are planning this trip, ask any questions or share on social networks(our Instagram) we will answer you with great pleasure!
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