Verona Travel Guide

“There is no world without Verona walls.” – William Shakespeare

Verona packs Roman ruins, Renaissance palaces, river views and that famous balcony into a city centre you can cross in 20 minutes. Yet look closer and you will find wine bars tucked under medieval arches, a café where Mozart once played, and an 84‑m tower with a staircase that spirals like fusilli. Our Verona travel guide at VayCay Couple, sticks to bulletproof logistics, clear prices and short paragraphs, so you spend less time planning and more time sipping Valpolicella.

Updated July 2025

(Reading time: ~8 min / 1 300 words)

1. Fast facts

2. Getting in and around

From the airport

• Bus 199 every 20 min to Porta Nuova (15 min, €6). Runs 05:15‑23:30.
  
• Taxi flat fare €30 (pay card or cash).
  
• Car rental desks outside arrivals—skip if you only visit city; ZTL (limited‑traffic zone) fines are steep.
  

Inside the city

Walk! Everything sits within a 1.5 km radius. In bad weather use ATV buses; tap contactless (cap €4/day).
Maps: Download maps.me + the offline Verona layer.
Cycling: Two‑way bike lanes follow the river; Verona Bike share €2/day.

3. One‑day essentials (09:00–18:00 loop)

1. Verona Arena (45 min) – Roman amphitheater older than the Colosseum, still stages 15 000‑seat opera (Jun–Sept). Arrive 08:30 to beat tours. Ticket €12 or Verona Card. Official site: www.arena.it
   
2. Piazza delle Erbe (30 min) – fruit market, fountain of Madonna Verona, painted Mazzanti houses. Climb Lamberti Tower (368 steps or lift) for skyline (€6).
   
3. Juliet’s House (15 min) – A must for romantics. Snap a selfie on the free courtyard balcony where Juliet is said to have sighed. Inside (€6), museum fans can view love letters, Renaissance furniture, and costumes from Zeffirelli’s iconic Romeo and Juliet film.
   
4. Lunch in Via Sottoriva – arcaded street by the river. Try Antica Bottega del Vino for a standing glass of Amarone and porchetta panino.
   
5. Ponte Pietra & Castel San Pietro (60 min) – cross the stone bridge, ride funicular (€2.50 return) or hike 10 min up stairs for postcard view.
   
6. Castelvecchio Museum (60 min) – red‑brick fort + bridge; see Mantegna’s Madonna of the Quail and medieval swords.
   

4. Deeper dives (choose two)

Verona Card covers all four.

5. Eat & drink (with rough prices)

Tips: Cover charge (coperto) €2‑3 is normal. Water is charged unless you ask for tap (acqua del rubinetto). Kitchen closes 14:30 lunch / 22:30 dinner.

6. Where to sleep (expanded)

Book three months ahead for opera season (Jun‑Sept) and Christmas markets.

7. 48‑hour itinerary (if you have two nights)

Day 1 (Friday)
• AM: Arena → Erbe → Lamberti Tower
• Lunch: Via Sottoriva food crawl
• PM: Castel San Pietro sunset
• Dinner + opera at Arena (grab seat cushion €3)

Day 2 (Saturday)
• AM: San Zeno basilica, coffee at adjacent square
• Noon: Train 15 min to Peschiera del Garda, rent bike, roll along lakefront path
• PM: Return Verona 17:00; shop Via Mazzini (shoes & leather)
• Aperitivo in Piazza Bra
• Dinner: Risotto + Valpolicella pairing at Il Desco Bistrot

Optional Day 3 (Sunday)
Morning market at Borgo Trento, stroll Giardino Giusti, brunch at Duchi Café, train out by 15:00.

8. Side trips (all by regional train)

Trenitalia regional tickets need validation before boarding (stamp machine).

9. Festivals & events

Book opera tickets on arena.it (choose “gradinata numerata” for best value).

10. Money & practicalities

• ATMs everywhere; best rates at bank machines, not Euronet.
  
• Tap water safe. Bottle refill points at Piazza Bra & Castelvecchio bridge.
  
• Supermarket (Conad) in Via Massalongo open 08:00‑21:00 for picnic supplies.
  
• Luggage lockers at Porta Nuova (€5/6 h) and Arena parking (€7/day).
  

Average spend per person per day
• Budget: hostel + takeaway = €60
• Comfort: B&B + trattoria = €140
• Splash‑out: suite + opera box = €400+

11. Safety & common scams

Verona scores high on safety indexes. Still, note:

• Bracelets/roses scam at Juliet’s House; keep hands in pockets.
  
• Counterfeit leather on Via Mazzini; check stitching & ask for receipt.
  
• Pedestrian crossings: cars often slow late; make eye contact before stepping.

Emergency numbers: 112 (general), 118 (medical).

Pack comfy shoes, an empty stomach and this guide, Verona will handle the rest.

Make sure you check out our articles on Michelin-starred restaurants in Rome and our Cernobbio travel guide for lakeside luxury and fine dining.