Is Verona, Italy, Worth Visiting?

Are you considering visiting Verona, Italy, and wondering if it is worth your time? Verona is a very charming city with a rich history and culture, but it will require you to take a side trip away from the more populous areas that you might be visiting, like Venice or Bologna.

Are there enough things to do there, and enough tourist infrastructure to make it worth it? In this post, we’ve broken the argument down into two sections – what makes it worth it, and what might deter you from visiting.

With this knowledge at hand, you should be able to make an informed decision about whether to add it to your itinerary or not.

» Here is our 2-week Italy itinerary to help you plan your trip around Italy’s top cities. We also have a travel guide for Venice, a 3-day Rome itinerary, things to see in Florence, foodie things to do in Bologna, and a guide to the top landmarks in Italy. Learn about renting a car in Italy. Be sure to check out our 2-week Europe Itinerary.

Is Verona Italy Worth Visiting?

Verona is a beautiful city in northern Italy that is definitely worth visiting. Located in the Veneto region, Verona has a rich history and culture, making it a fascinating destination for tourists.

Here are some of the top reasons to add Verona to your Italy itinerary:

• Roman Arena – Verona’s incredibly well-preserved 1st-century Roman amphitheater is its top attraction. This arena is the third largest in Italy after the Colosseum and the arena in Capua. It is still used today for concerts and opera performances.
• Juliet’s House – Shakespeare fans won’t want to miss Casa di Giulietta, the supposed house of Juliet from Romeo and Juliet. Even if the connection is fictional, it’s fun to stand on the balcony and touch the bronze statue of Juliet for good luck in love.
• Castelvecchio – This imposing 14th-century castle houses a museum with a collection of medieval artifacts, Renaissance artwork, and Roman sculptures. The views of the Adige River from the castle grounds are also impressive.
• Piazzas – Verona is full of beautiful piazzas that serve as gathering places for tourists and locals. Top ones include Piazza Bra with its Roman arena, Piazza dei Signori with its historic buildings, and Piazza delle Erbe with its lively atmosphere.
• Proximity to Lake Garda – Verona is just a short drive away from Italy’s largest lake, Lago di Garda. The city makes an excellent base to explore picturesque lakeside towns like Sirmione and Lazise.

With its mix of history, culture, architecture, and natural beauty, Verona has something to offer all types of travelers. Foodies will also appreciate Verona’s excellent dining scene with regional wines and cuisine. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a longer stay, Verona’s charms and vibrant atmosphere is enchanting and captivating.

For all of these reasons, I think that Verona is definitely worth visiting if you have the time to add it to your plan without feeling stressed about it. If you don’t have a lot of time and want to see the major sights, then Verona might not be the right addition for you.

Why You May Want to Skip Verona

While Verona has a lot going for it, the city isn’t for everyone. Here are a few potential downsides to consider:

• Crowds – As one of the most popular side trips from Venice, Verona receives a lot of day trippers, especially in the summer high season. The crowded piazzas and lines at major sights like the Arena can be turnoffs if you prefer a more off-the-beaten-path Italian experience.
• Limited nightlife – Compared to Italy’s bigger cities, Verona has a pretty subdued nightlife scene. Aside from some opera at the Arena, you won’t find many bars, clubs or late-night dining options.
• Compact size – You can see the main attractions in Verona in just 1-2 days, which may not warrant a special trip for some travelers. While charming, Verona is much smaller than nearby cities like Milan and Venice.
• Expensive hotels – With high demand during peak season, accommodation in Verona can be pricey compared to other parts of Italy. Budget travelers may have a hard time finding affordable rates.
• Out of the way location – Verona requires a bit of effort to reach from other popular Italian destinations. It involves changing trains if coming from Florence or Rome and lacks an international airport.

For those looking to party all night or have a very convenient home base to see multiple regions of Italy, Verona may not be the best choice. But if you don’t mind the crowds and want to immerse yourself in a romantic medieval atmosphere, Verona absolutely delivers.

Getting to Verona

Verona is located in northeastern Italy, not too far from Venice, however it will take extra measures to get there unless you fly into one of Verona’s nearby airports. Many visitors to this area fly into the more major airports of Venice, Bologna, or Milan. Then you will need to either rent a car or take the train or bus.

Here are some of the best transportation options for reaching the city:

Train – One of the easiest ways to get to Verona is by train. Direct high-speed trains connect Verona with Italy’s major cities like Venice, Milan, Florence, and Rome. Trains run frequently and the Verona Porta Nuova station is centrally located.

Car – Driving to Verona is also fairly straightforward as it sits right near the intersection of two major highways, the A4 and A22. Having a car allows easy access to explore the surrounding Lake Garda region. Parking in the historic center is restricted, so park on the outskirts and walk or take public transportation.

Plane – Verona Villafranca Airport has domestic connections within Italy and some European destinations primarily via budget airlines like Ryanair. The airport is just 10 km outside the city center. A shuttle bus takes passengers directly to the train station. There are many other airports near Verona.

Bus – Buses connect Verona with other nearby cities in the Veneto region. However, the train is significantly faster for reaching Verona from major Italian cities.

The excellent transportation links make Verona easy to incorporate into most Italian itineraries. Whether coming from Venice, Lake Garda or further afield, travelers will find getting to Verona smooth and straightforward. Just be sure to purchase tickets in advance during peak season to avoid long lines and sellouts.

Tips for Visiting Verona

If you do decide to add Verona to your Italy itinerary, you want to be fully prepared for it. Here are 6 tips to know before visiting Verona to help make your trip go more smoothly:

1. Buy Verona Cards – These tourist cards provide free or discounted access to top attractions like the Arena and Castelvecchio. They can save you time and money.
2. Reserve opera tickets in advance – Tickets for popular opera performances at the Arena sell out weeks or months early. Book yours ahead online.
3. Wear comfortable shoes – With its cobblestone streets and bridges, Verona does a lot of walking. Leave the heels at home.
4. Know restaurant hours – Many restaurants close between lunch (around 3pm) and dinner (after 7pm). Plan accordingly to avoid going hungry.
5. Buy bus tickets before boarding – Tickets must be purchased at tabacchi shops or machines and validated once on board. Otherwise, you risk a fine.
6. Expect crowds at peak times – Be prepared for mobs of tourists if visiting in summer or during special events like Vinitaly. Visit attractions early in the day for smaller crowds.

Doing a bit of trip planning and research before arriving in Verona will make your time in the city much more enjoyable. With tickets booked, comfy shoes on and crowd expectations set, you’ll be ready to fully experience Verona’s magic.

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Laura Lynch

Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.