The Local's Verona travel guide
I have been to Verona quite a few times, most recently going with my friends. It was not somewhere I thought I would go in Italy, but it was known as the setting of Romeo and Juliet from Shakespeare. Some of my family had been there and said it was definitely worth a few days. So I went with my friends, and from there I made this verona travel guide to make it easier for you when going to this town.
I will talk about the Arena di Verona, where you can still go to the opera through the summer nights, and about the restaurants in Verona and some of the unique foods, such as bigoli pasta, which is like spaghetti but thicker, originally made from buckwheat flour and a classic Venetian dish. I will also talk you through some of the landmarks and local places to go.
About Verona
Verona has about 250,000 residents and sits along the Adige River. Out of all the places in northern Italy, it is one of the top tourist destinations in the region. In terms of the city itself, it reached its golden age under the Della Scala family in the 13th and 14th century, and they left behind some magnificent monuments.
I talked earlier about how it was the setting for Romeo and Juliet. It was also the birthplace of Renaissance scholar Isotta Nogarola, one of the first prominent female scholars in history. UNESCO also made Verona a World Heritage Site in the year 2000 for its design, architecture, and Roman structures.
What is Verona known for?
These are some of the things that made me go to Verona and write this Verona Italy guide.
Ancient Roman Heritage and Architecture
First is the ancient Roman heritage. You have got the Arena di Verona, which is Verona's crown jewel and one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres. It was built in the first century AD, and you can still go to opera performances and concerts there.
Medieval Glory Under the Della Scala Dynasty
You also have the medieval period. I talked earlier about the Della Scala family's rule and how Verona transformed into a powerful state that produced a lot of Gothic architecture. The Scaliger tombs are open during the summer and give you an idea of the wealth and power of the family.
Shakespearean Legacy and Literary Fame
You have got the Shakespearean legacy, with Romeo and Juliet immortalising Verona. The city established itself through real-life feuds, with the Montecchi and Capuleti families inspiring the famous Montagues and Capulets.
UNESCO World Heritage Architecture
There is also the UNESCO World Heritage architecture, with Roman ruins, Romanesque churches, Gothic palaces and Renaissance gardens. Then there is the Piazza delle Erbe, originally a Roman forum and really the heart of the city. I walked through here quite a few times when I was in Verona, along with the medieval towers, which are some of the reasons Verona became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cultural and Academic Significance
There is also the academic significance, since Verona has a real sense of art and learning, as I mentioned earlier with Isotta Nogarola, one of the most important female humanists. Verona also positions itself well for opera, and the annual summer opera festival draws world-class performers and audiences globally. I managed to go to the arena but did not have time to book a show, so definitely do that.
Strategic Location and Regional Importance
Then there is the location, very close to Lake Garda and the Valpolicella wine region, famous for Amarone wines. Historically, because it sits at the Alps foothills, it facilitated trade between Italy and northern Europe, making it a great economic centre in northern Italy.
Great winery for a tasting? Brunelli Wine.
Verona Italy guide for when to visit
I also have some notes on some of the best months to visit Verona, because I have been at different months. I went in July, and I also went in September. So, I will break it down.
Spring (April to June)
You have got that spring period. Temperatures are between 10 and 18 degrees. You have got fewer tourists, but then you have also got Vinitaly, which is the world's largest wine fair in April. May goes up a little bit more, up to 22 degrees. I really like this time because then you can start to dine al fresco. And then June, it goes up to 26 degrees, and that is the start of the opera season at the Arena di Verona. And then you have got the Verona Opera Festival that begins in late June. It is gonna start to get a little bit busier there.
You have got July and August, but I would probably say this is the peak tourist season. And that picture that I took in the streets, that was July, so it was pretty busy. And then you have got September and October. In September, it starts to go down a little bit, down to between 15 and 24 degrees.
It is also harvest season for wine lovers; it is still a bit busy, but not as much as summer. You still get wine festivals and food events. And then you have also got October. It does kind of shoot down to between 10 and 18 degrees, but then you get the autumn colours and fewer tourists, so you can really relax around the town.
Fall (September to October)
You have got July and August, but I would probably say this is the peak tourist season. And that picture that I took in the streets, that was July, so it was pretty busy. And then you have September and October. In September, it starts to go down a little bit, down to between 15 and 24 degrees.
It is also harvest season for wine lovers; it is still a bit busy, but not as much as summer. You still get wine festivals and food events. And then you have also got October. It does kind of shoot down to between 10 and 18 degrees, but then you get the autumn colours and fewer tourists, so you can really relax around the town.
So my recommendation would probably be either June or September, to be honest. Maybe even May, if you do not mind one cold night now and again. Also, luxury hotels in Verona tend to be a little bit less in price around those shoulder periods. If you go more into that winter period, some of them actually close down, so check that before booking as well.
Transport to Verona city centre
Transport options from Verona Airport to Verona city
Aerobus (Shuttle Bus):
- Description: You have the Aerobus Line that takes you from Valerio Catullo Airport to Verona Porta Nuova Train Station, which is the 199 bus. And then from there, you have to take another bus (and there are loads) or walk that 20 minutes into town as I did.
- Frequency: Approximately every 20 minutes.
- Duration: About 15 minutes.
- Cost: Around €6 per ticket
Taxi:
- Description: Then you have got taxis. Taxis will take about 15 to 20 minutes to get into the city centre from the airport, and they do charge about €20 to €30. That has probably gone up since I last went.
- Duration: Approximately 15-20 minutes to the city centre, depending on traffic.
- Cost: Usually around €20-€30, so cost effective with a large group.
Car rental:
- Description: Then you have car rentals, so Verona Airport has a lot of car rentals, but you just want to double-check if there is parking at the luxury hotels in Verona.
- Convenience: Ideal for those planning to explore the surrounding region.
- Duration: Around 15-20 minutes to the city centre, depending on traffic.
Private transfer:
- Description: Then you have also got private transfers. So, most of the luxury hotels in Verona actually have a private transfer, and I like that because then your name is on the board and you know you are not gonna get ripped off. You already know the price if you have contacted the hotel.
- Cost: Varies based on the service provider and vehicle type, however, look at the taxi prices and add a bit on as a rule of thumb.
Parking in Verona
Now I will talk about parking in Verona, which I think is such an important part of this verona travel guide. My best tip is to find parking places outside the historic centre.
Paid parking
There is the Cittadella car park, just outside the city centre, where you will find most of the spaces. It is open 24 hours a day and costs 3.50 euros for an hour, with a maximum day rate of 23 euros last time I checked.
Just before the Citadella, there is the Arena parking garage, which was a little less at 2.60 euros, with a daily rate of 22 euros when I was there, so a little cheaper. I think these are the best spots to park in Verona.
What I noticed is that in the afternoon, there were people on the street trying to direct you to their garages. These are private owners, so make sure to check the price before you agree. You might get a little closer, but you do not want to be ripped off, so 22 to 23 euros is pretty good.
Free parking in Verona
If you are looking for free parking in Verona guide tips, there is the Stadio Bentegodi. That is a little further out and will take about 30 minutes to walk into town.
Address: Via Frà Giocondo, 79, 37138 Verona VR, Italy
Outside of town on the east there is the Parcheggio Stazione Verona Porta Nuova, which is free parking, though it can be harder to find a space because it gets busy in summer, and it is about a 30 minute walk into town.
Address: Viale Stazione Porta Vescovo, 10, 37133 Verona VR, Italy
So it is hard to find free parking in Verona, but I would recommend the Cittadella or the Arena parking garage. If you are at a hotel, check if they offer parking and how much it costs. Some hotels charge 30 euros plus, though sometimes it is worth it for convenience, and some also offer free parking, so I always double-check. For more ways to cut costs on your trip, see this how to save money on a trip guide.
Driving into Verona centre warning
In terms of driving into Verona city centre, Verona has what is called a ZTL, a limited traffic zone. It exists because the city is trying to preserve the centre, so it does not want many cars entering at certain times.
Usually, residents are allowed to drive into the city, or use special vehicles, but tourists cannot. Verona has cameras that photograph the licence plates of unauthorised vehicles, and you may receive a fine many months later, especially with rental companies. You may get a bill from them or from the council directly.
I thought I would mention this because sometimes the GPS in rental cars does not know about the ZTLs and their times, and this is a big thing in Italy that I have written about in many other guides, making it a very important part of this Verona travel blog.
Verona ZTL times
In terms of the Verona ZTL times that you can drive in, from Monday to Friday they run from 10 am to 6 pm and then 8 pm to 11 pm. This applies to residents of Verona, along with mopeds and bicycles, but not to non-residents. Sometimes the hotel you are staying in can give you access, but you will need to double-check with them, and you also have to reserve to enter during ZTL times.
On Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, the ZTL runs from 10 am to 1.30 pm. You really only have a few hours to go in there, and then you have to find parking within Verona, which can be quite difficult. So is it really worth it, or do you just park nearby outside the ZTL area? It makes things complicated, especially if you want dinner in another part of Verona.
Verona ZTL map
There is also a Verona ZTL map I have made, which is worth looking at if you plan to go inside the ZTL area, since the signs can be hard to see. I missed them even while walking around Verona making this Verona travel guide. What I like to do is print the map out to make sure I do not enter the wrong area. The Cittadella car park is about a two-minute walk into town and sits outside the ZTL area, so I would recommend that.
I made this Verona ZTL map straight from the official government website. I also drew in green the roads you can still access, such as on the left, Ponte Della Vittoria; on the right, Ponte Nuovo, Ponte delle Navi & Aleardo Aleardi can still be driven on.
Also on my ZTL Verona map, I put in the parking in a green icon so you can see how close it is to the centre and where I stayed to avoid getting any fines with the car.
The top 5 things to check out in Verona
Now that you are in Verona, here are the top attractions. This is why you go to Verona, and I have a whole blog on the best things to do in Verona if you want more detail.
1. Visit the Arena di Verona
First, visit the arena. It dates back to the first century AD and is really special during summer evenings, when you can see opera performances under the stars. It should not be missed if you have a few days in Verona.
If you don't have a few days you book a 30m - 1h Verona Arena tour here. Purchasing in advance means you don't have to wait in the line that sometimes has lines over 1 hour just to get in. Also you will be in a small tour group with a local guide.
2. Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta)
Then there is Juliet's house, a 13th-century home with the famous balcony inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. When I went, there was a huge line around midday, so I went back later, and the line eased off. Most people stop to take pictures next to the statue, and there is a belief that rubbing Juliet's right breast brings good luck in finding love, which is partly why it takes longer to get through.
3. Castel San Pietro
Next is Castel San Pietro, an awesome place to visit. To get there, you cross the Ponte Pietra and take a long walk upstairs, and it is a really great viewpoint within Verona where you can see the whole city. You can take a cable car up for two euros one way, or three euros return, though the price may have changed since I wrote this. I went up in the cable car and enjoyed the walk back down, but if you want to keep up your fitness on holiday, go up and down on foot.
4. Castelvecchio
Then there is Castelvecchio, an impressive medieval castle that now houses a museum of art. I found this on a walking tour, which cost under ten euros and took about two to three hours. From there, you can go to the Castelvecchio courtyard for free, which was a great deal.
Walking tour tickets can be purchased here.
5. Torre dei Lamberti
If you are looking for more views, there is the Torre dei Lamberti, an 84-metre tower with breathtaking views of Verona when you climb up. It has been around since 1172 and is the tallest tower in Verona, so you can see all the red roofs, the monuments and the mountains in the distance. My friends told me it was sold out when they went, so try calling ahead a few days before. It costs about six euros, and I have included a link in the Verona travel guide.
Torre dei Lamberti ticket office.
My favourite places to stay in Verona
Now for some places to stay in Verona. I got recommendations from my family, who I have a lot of in Italy, and also from friends who stayed at different places from me, and we popped over to visit each other. Here are some recommendations across historic palaces and boutique stays for this Verona guide.
NH Collection Palazzo Verona
There is the NH Collection Palazzo Verona, a five-star property right in the city, so perfectly located. It is housed in a 14th-century building with about 70 stylish rooms, and some of the suites have rooftop views; there is a restaurant on site.
View the prices & availability for NH Collection Palazzo Verona
Hotel Gabbia d'Oro
Then there is Hotel Gabbia d'Oro, an awesome property in an 18th-century building on the Piazza delle Erbe, again very well located. It has oriental carpets and luxurious fabrics in the rooms, along with flat screen TVs and private bathrooms, and it is about 250 metres from Juliet's balcony or a 10-minute walk from the arena.
View the prices & availability for Hotel Gabbia D'Oro
Due Torri Hotel
There is also the Due Torri Hotel, a really grand five-star property very close to the Church of St Anastasia, as well as Juliet's balcony and the arena. It has elegant period finishings, visible in the chandeliers, good-sized beds, and you can choose from carpeted or hand-painted parquet flooring. This is my fave place in my Verona travel guide for cosiness.
View the prices & availability for Due Torri Hotel
Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amista
Next up is the Byblos Art Hotel, a little further from the city but a really luxurious property that doubles as an art exhibition space. Here you get five-star service and vintage champagne at their pieces bar, and from June to September they also have an outdoor pool.
View the prices & availability for Byblos Art Hotel Style
Vista Verona
If you want something a little more luxurious, there is the Vista Verona hotel, right in the centre and about a three-minute walk from Juliet's house. It has a full-service spa and a beautiful bar. My friends stayed there, so we met them for a few cocktails before heading out for dinner.
View the prices & availability for Vista Verona
For a deeper dive, I have a whole blog on the luxury hotels in Verona that is worth checking too
My top restaurants in Verona Italy
This Verona travel guide would not be complete without talking about the restaurants in Verona. I spent a lot of time looking forward to the authentic dishes of the region, and as a big foodie, I try to avoid restaurants right in the centre, looking instead for the places down the alleys where the locals go.
La Griglia
First is La Griglia, about 20 metres from the arena, located in a 19th-century building with more elegant dining. It has two rooms with an open fireplace, and specialises in meat grilled on the flame, so you can get Florentine steak or homemade gnocchetti with black truffle, complemented by aged Parmesan. I really enjoyed my night there.
View more details for La Griglia
Ristorante Il Cenacolo
Next is Ristorante il Cenacolo, down one of the side streets and known to locals since 1980. Here you get Italian and Veronese cuisine with grilled meat and a good wine selection, brick flooring, and a slightly darker atmosphere, though full of locals eating. Some of the best dishes were the tagliata, cooked over the fireplace as you walk in, and for dessert I had an awesome millefoglie, one of my favourite dishes to look for anywhere in the world.
View the Ristorante Il Cenacolo menu
Antica Trattoria Pero D'Oro
For something a little more unique, there is Antica Trattoria outside the city centre in the Veronetta quarter, so you have to cross the bridge to get there, but it is well worth it. It sits on the ground floor of a 15th century palace, so you feel the classic decor and warm atmosphere that trattorias tend to have.
It is authentic, family-friendly dining, and when I went, there were not many people there because it is outside the tourist area. This was where I really found a lot of Veronese cuisine and some really delicious dishes, and of all the restaurants, this one was my favourite.
View the Antica Trattoria Pero D'Oro menu
I hope this verona travel guide gives you some tips for your next trip to Verona. If you have been and done anything a little different, please leave a comment in the box below, I would love to share it with my readers.
Verona travel guide FAQ's
What is the best month to visit verona
I have been to Verona a couple of times, once in July and once in September, so I have seen the busiest peak periods. July was absolutely packed, while September was still busy but with beautiful weather. I would probably recommend going around September or October, since you still get good temperatures, but it is a little less busy and easier to get into restaurants. Hotels also seem to be a bit cheaper around that time compared with July, and since it is not the biggest town, walking down the main strip in July felt completely packed.
How many days is enough to visit Verona
I would recommend at least three days, so you can go to the arena, watch a show, visit all the viewpoints and various tourist attractions, and still have time for shopping, since Verona has a lot of luxury shopping too.
What should you not miss in Verona
My favourite thing was going to Castel San Pietro, which had a remarkable building and a remarkable view of the whole city. But what the city is most known for in this Verona travel guide is Juliet's balcony, which you cannot miss.
Is Verona a tourist trap
Verona can be quite touristy during the summer months, but there are not that many touristy things to do there, since it is a fairly limited list, and I have a whole blog on it. Most of what draws crowds is historical, like Juliet's balcony, and once you walk five minutes outside and cross the bridge, it becomes a lot more relaxed and traditional, without people trying to pull you into different places. I have been to far more touristy areas in Italy, so I would definitely say Verona is not a tourist trap.