How to Spend the Perfect 2 Days in Verona, Italy (2024): Itinerary + Tips

Looking to spend 2 days in Verona? We got you covered.

We recently spent one month in Verona visiting everything from the must-see sights to the hidden gems, and we’ve condensed it all into this perfect 2-day itinerary.

A UNESCO world heritage city with centuries of history, Verona is an enthralling destination. Located in northern Italy on the Adige river, it’s a small but very mighty city, and always has been.

This sample two day itinerary brings you through the highlights of the city — and don’t be surprised — there are a lot! Plus, we’re sharing some of our favorite local spots to dine and relax.

You’ll discover architecture built by the Romans and walk on ground gladiators once fought on. You’ll try pasta, and pizza, and wine. And we’re pretty sure you’re going to love it all.

The 48-Hour Verona Card: Is it worth it?

Based on our experience, yes the 48-hour Verona Card is absolutely worth it. If you make your way through all of our recommendations of how to spend two days in Verona your savings will total about $25 — definitely a worthwhile amount!

Plus, the Verona Card saves you time having to buy tickets at each attraction, and can also give you skip the line priority. 

The 48-hour Verona card costs around $27. Reserve your card in advance via GetYourGuide.

Once you’ve purchased the card online, make sure to go to the Verona Tourist Office to pick up your physical card before starting your visit.

Some sights, such as Juliet’s House and the Torre Lamberti, require reservations in advance, even with the Verona Card. In the guide, we’ve listed which sights require reservations to help you easily plan ahead.

Here are some of the main sights included in the Verona card: 

• Verona Arena
• Arche Scaligere tombs (only open in the summer)
• Church of Sant’Anastasia
• Church of San Zeno
• Juliet’s House (must book in advance)
• San Fermo Church
• Verona Cathedral
• Archeological Museum at the Roman Theatre
• Castelvecchio Museum
• Juliet’s Tomb and Frescoes museum
• Lamberti Tower

For more information and a complete list of everything included in the Verona card, check out the official website.

How to spend 2 days in Verona

There is so much to see in Verona, from churches and history to the most famous love story of all time — Romeo and Juliet. Let’s get started on all we recommend you do with your two days in Verona.

Day 1 Verona Itinerary

Verona Arena & Piazza Bra

Start your first day off deep in the epicenter of the city’s history. The Verona Arena is a Roman amphitheater which was built nearly two thousand years ago in 30 AD during the reign of Emperor Tiberius.

Not only is its age impressive, but it is also the most well preserved Roman theater still standing. The seating area has 44 levels and in its prime it fit up to 22,000 attendees, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes to walk through and explore all of that!

Now, the theater is still in use as it was originally intended with concerts, shows, operas, and more put on throughout the summer (June to September).

You can check the schedule here. If you want to visit an opera performance in the Verona Arena, make sure to book your tickets in advance. This is a popular event making it difficult to get last minute tickets.

Of course, during the day you can also visit just to explore the arena. Along with your ticket you can also get an audio guide to explain more about the amazing history you are walking through.

We spent about an hour wandering through the arena. Our favorite part was climbing all the way to the top of the steps for a view overlooking Piazza Bra.

Surrounding the arena is Piazza Bra. The square is a bustling center of life in Verona with cafes, restaurants, and shops encircling it.

In addition to the Verona Arena you can also find the current town hall (formerly Barbieri Palace) a neoclassical building, as well as Gran Guardia Palace with its eye-catching series of archways. 

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Ticket price: €10
Included in the Verona Card? Yes

Castelvecchio Museum & Bridge

Considered a jewel of northern Italy, the Castelvecchio Museum is the complete package — it has views to offer while it itself is stunning to look at. Plus, inside the “old castle” is a museum housing a medieval, renaissance, and modern art collection.

The medieval castle was built in the 1300s by the Della Scala family. On a visit to the museum you can walk through the courtyards and see the hanging gardens.

Throughout the collections you’ll be able to see Scala family jewels plus an impressive collection of sculptures and statues. 

Make sure to take your time walking on the castle walls for incredible views of the River Adige. This was one of our favorite parts about our visit.

Outside the castle and museum is the Castelvecchio bridge, once used for safe passage and to supply the castle, the original version was gradually destroyed between one war and another.

However, the version that stands today is a near exact replica — along with the high walls which make a walk across it quite a fun experience. 

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm | More info on official website
Ticket price: € 6.60 online | €6 at the museum
Included in the Verona Card? Yes

Piazza delle Erbe

The Piazza delle Erbe is the oldest square in Verona. In ancient Roman times it was used as the city’s forum.

Its continued importance is reflected in the amount of life that abounds throughout the square day in and day out. Surrounding it you can find a number of landmarks, such as the stunning Mazzanti houses which sport gorgeous frescoes and can easily be spotted from the square.

Here you’ll also find the Torre Lamberti as well as the centerpiece of the square — a Madonna fountain built by the Della Scala family in the 1300s.

Now, life lives on in the square with bars and restaurants a plenty plus a market that takes place in the middle each day of the week. Nowadays, the market mainly sells souvenirs but sometimes you’ll find produce stands as well.

We suggest grabbing a table outside at one of the many restaurants in the square for a refreshing glass of Aperol Spritz or aperitivo. Save your actual meal for one of our recommend restaurants in the Verona food guide below.

Torre Lamberti

The Torre Lamberti stands at an impressive 84 meters (about 275 feet) above Verona. Climb up it for amazing picture postcard perfect 360° views of the city.

For the best photo opportunities head up earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon when you’ll have a nice golden light over Verona. 

Getting up to the top is possible both by stairs — there are 368 of them. Or by elevator (but note that even with the elevator you’ll still need to take a few steps to the very top).

While the ticket price is included in the Verona card, it is highly recommended to book your time slot in advance to avoid waiting in line.

To book your time slot, you need to send an email to the ticket office, and they will get back to you with your confirmed reservation. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to reserve online on your own.

Hours: Monday – Friday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm & Saturday – Sunday from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Ticket price: €6 | Reservations are highly recommended by emailing in advance on the official website
Included in the Verona Card? Yes

Piazza dei Signori

Piazza dei Signori is also sometimes referred to as Piazza Dante for the statue of Dante Alighieri which sits pride of place in the middle of the square.

Around the edges of the square you’ll find the Palazzo della Raggione — a former palace built in the 1100s, and the Loggia del Capitanato — one of many designated UNESCO world heritage sites around the city. 

There is no market in this square, making it much more open than the nearby Piazza delle Erbe. 

GAM Achille Forti Modern Art Gallery

GAM — or the Gallery of Modern Art, is an extensive collection of more than 1,600 Italian art pieces ranging from the 19th century all the way through to present day.

You’ll find permanent and temporary collections of sculptures and paintings. Some of the most well known pieces in the gallery include ones by Umberto Boccioni and Francesco Hayez.

Recent temporary exhibits have included works portraying Romeo and Juliet as well as an exhibit of sculptures by contemporary German artist Angela Glajcar.

Hours: Tuesday – Wednesday: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm & Thursday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Ticket price: €4.40 online | More information on the official website
Included in the Verona Card? Yes

Scaliger Tombs

At this point in this 2 days in Verona itinerary you’ve probably gathered just how much of an influence the Della Scala family (Scaligeri in Italian) had on the city of Verona. They ruled everything (including the surrounding region) throughout the 13th and 14th centuries.

Ensuring they would never be forgotten, this funerary monument, covering an entire city block, is where that powerful family was buried. The monument was designed in the gothic style with amazing attention to detail.

Look out for those details on everything from the wrought iron fencing encompassing the entire complex, to the religious reliefs wrapping around each individual tomb.

The area is only open for visitors to go inside during the summer months; however, you can still see the tombs through the fence as you walk past.

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 7:30 am – 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm (only open during the summer months)
Ticket price: Free with ticket to other Verona museums & monuments
Included in the Verona Card? Yes

Juliet’s House

One of the most famous Veronese is Juliet Capulet of Shaespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. While she is a fictional character, this home was once inhabited by the Dal Cappello family — the family the Capulet’s are believed to have been based on.

This home therefore has been immortalized as the birthplace of the fictional Juliet. 

Here you can find a relief of a hat — the coat of arms of the family, in the courtyard (with free access) you can find a statue of Juliet. It is believed you should rub her right breast in order to gain luck in love.

From that courtyard you can also see the famous Juliet balcony — though this was only added recently in the 20th century. Inside the house is a museum which combines information about the house, its history and architecture, with artifacts from the 1968 movie version of Romeo & Juliet.

There is also a tradition of writing love letters and leaving them here, you can see thousands attached to the home’s entryway. 

Our personal opinion: While we love the book Romeo & Juliet, we think the house is a bit overrated. The courtyard with the statue and balcony is worth seeing, but the inside of the house is just a touristy gimmick with nothing of real interest.

If you purchase the Verona card, then it’s worth a visit if you really want to go. Otherwise, we suggest spending more time at the other sights.

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Ticket price: €6
Included in the Verona Card? Yes — but advanced booking of a time for your visit is mandatory. Book online at the official website.

Basilica di Santa Anastasia

This church took over one hundred years to finish, but in fact still has elements which remain incomplete. It combines the Romanesque and Gothic styles and remains an important place of Catholic worship.

It is also Verona’s largest church. Make sure to take a moment to admire the many frescoes around the ornate interior — especially the fresco of St. George and the Princess by 15th-century artist Pisanello.

Hours: Monday – Friday: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm & Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm & Sunday: 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Ticket price: €4
Included in the Verona Card? Yes

San Fermo Church

The San Fermo Church is actually two churches in one. The upper part is in the Gothic style — with French architectural influences, while the bottom, the older section, is in the Romanesque style and was built in the 11th century.

The former was built directly over the latter, but luckily the Franciscan monks who constructed it left the original church intact. 

While the overall building is impressive, make sure to note the unique wooden ceiling in the Gothic section. It’s one of the most unique architectural features we’ve seen in an Italian church.

Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm & Saturday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm & Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Ticket price: €4
Included in the Verona Card? Yes

Wander around the streets

As you wrap up the first of your two days in Verona, take some time to just wander around the beautiful city. Scope out a little cafe down an alleyway, or find one right in the middle of a busy square.

Revisit anything that piqued your interest throughout the day. And perhaps most importantly, just allow yourself to get a little lost — put away the map and the itinerary and see what magic you uncover. 

Wandering around the city at dusk is particularly wonderful.

Day 2 Verona Itinerary

San Zeno Basilica

San Zeno Basilica is the site of Romeo and Juliet’s wedding. And while that does indeed make it famous and worthy of a visit, the architecture it boasts is also worthy of attention.

While the church was first built in the 5th century, iterations of that original structure as it changed hands, was destroyed by invaders or time, continued to evolve until about the 13th century. 

Now the church we see today has elements of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. The most striking aspect of its features though is the multi-colored, detailed ceiling and facade.

Inside you can still visit the crypt where the remains of Saint Zeno are housed. 

We get that visiting churches can get old after awhile; however, this is our favorite church in Verona, and it is worth the walk.

Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm & Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm & Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Ticket price: €4
Include in the Verona Card: Yes

Ponte Pietra

The Pietra bridge is not only the oldest bridge in Verona but it also has an impressive history which makes it truly astounding that it’s still standing today.

Built by the Romans in the first century BC, it is the oldest bridge in Verona. The bridge survived through centuries and many floods only to be destroyed by German troops in World War II. However, the bricks of the bridge were recovered from the river and it was rebuilt with its original components to its former glory. 

Now the bridge spans the Adige river once more and is a gorgeous pedestrian crossing. The views from the bridge are spectacular, as is the bridge itself. 

Piazzale Castel San Pietro

The San Pietro Castle stands at the top of Saint Peter’s Hill. From there you can see views out across the entirety of Verona. And while the views from Torre Lamberti are no doubt amazing, the great thing about the views from the hill is that they include the tower and the entirety of the city and the River Adige.

You can make your way up the hill either by climbing steps or taking the funicular. The hill is a great place to post up for a beautiful sunset. There is also a small restaurant at the top which has nice drinks. 

Funicular hours: Summer (April – October) 10:00 am – 9:00 pm & Winter (November – March) 10:00 am – 5:00 pm 
Funicular ticket price: €3 roundtrip
Included in the Verona Card? No

Teatro Romano

This theater was built by the Romans in the first century BC. Its ruins were uncovered in the 1800s, and while they are partially visible today, much of the space has been revamped or covered with modern materials as it continues to be a working theater with events on throughout the year.

Regardless, the Roman theater is a sight to be seen in order to get a feel for what life was like in Verona during Roman times — the grandeur of the way the people lived then. 

And of course, don’t miss the attached museum with mosaics, Roman statues, tombs, as well as everyday items recovered from excavations of ancient Verona.

Hours: Tuesday – Wednesday 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm & Thursday – Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Ticket price: €6 | More info on the official website
Included in the Verona Card? Yes

Giusti Gardens

The Giusti Gardens are attached to the Giusti family home which you can now also visit. The family was made rich thanks to the wool-dyeing trade in Verona. The space where the gardens now are was originally used to boil huge cauldrons of dye for wool to be soaked in. 

On a visit today you can explore Apartment 900 — one section of the main house. There you can see stunning artworks and the amazingly appointed private spaces.

Outside, the gardens are much as they were when originally created in the 16th century. They are small but magnificent, laid out in a Renaissance style — full of hedges, mazes, fountains, and impressive trees and greenery.

Our personal opinion: The Giusti Gardens are one of the top hidden gems in Verona. We visited the gardens in November, and they were spectacular even during the fall with the changing leaves and fall foliage. Our visit lasted around 1.5 hours.

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
Ticket price: €11
Included in the Verona Card? Discounted price of €8

Go on a food tour

There is never any better way to get to know a city than to taste its favorite foods. A food tour (along with wine tasting) is the perfect way to experience a lot of dishes all at once, and it’s one of our preferred activities when we’re discovering a new city in Italy.

Between pastas and risottos and gnocchis and polentas, there are plenty of traditional dishes to try out on your visit to Verona.

Plus, the wines – did you know that the region Verona is in (Veneto) is actually the largest wine producing region in Italy by volume? You’ll certainly not forget it after all of the wines you get to taste on a tour. 

Here are a couple of Verona food tours we recommend:

• Verona Food, Wine & History tour: This is the tour to take if you want a bit of history and a bit of food. You’ll wander through the streets of Verona with a guide learning about the main sights all while sipping and eating your way through the city.
• 3-hour Verona Food Tour – On this food tour, you’ll get to taste five different dishes plus some local wine while wandering the historic streets of Verona.
• Amarone wine-tasting tour – Looking for a half-day wine tasting experience? On this small-group wine tour you’ll head to the famous Valpolicella region for a visit to a winery, plus a tasting of local wines.

Simply looking for a guided walking tour of Verona? Check out this Verona Highlights Walking Tour where you’ll learn about all of the city’s important sights with an expert guide.

2 Days in Verona Map

To help you best navigate your way around during your day in Verona, here is a map of all of the sights and restaurants listed in this itinerary.

To save the map to Google Maps on your phone or computer, click on the star next to the title. Once you do this, you’ll be able to find the map in your “saved maps” list on your phone.

To see a list of all the items on the map, click the box with arrow on the left. To enlarge the map, click the box on the right.

How to get around Verona?

Verona is a very walkable city. Most of the sights in this itinerary are within a 15 minute walk, so you shouldn’t need to take any public transportation.

If you do need an alternative — especially for a trip like getting to or from the airport, there are bus lines which run around the city. You can purchase tickets directly on the bus (make sure to have cash on hand), or on the ATV app.

Is 2 days enough in Verona?

Yes. Two days in Verona is ample time to explore the city. You’ll be able to make your way fairly leisurely through this itinerary of things to do in Verona in two days, but you definitely won’t have time to get bored.

You’ll also get a chance for a good few meals which means plenty of pasta and wine.

Don’t have enough time to spend 2 days in Verona? Check out our one-day Verona itinerary.

Where to eat in Verona

Verona is brimming with restaurant options featuring local cuisine, such as risotto and gnocchi. We are foodies at heart and alway seek out the best restaurant and food options everywhere we go in Italy.

Here are our top picks for some delicious meals in Verona: 

Cafes:

• Pasticerria Flego – The perfect spot to start your morning. Grab a cappuccino and a stuffed brioche for breakfast, our personal favorite.
• Café Carducci – A gorgeous cafe near the Giusti Gardens with delicious coffees, pastries, and omelets for breakfast. They also have lunch and dinner options, but we prefer the breakfast.

Quick eats: 

• La Bottega della Gina XXL – If you stop by to take a look at this spot you’re guaranteed to be drawn in by the pasta being freshly handmade in the window. Each day fresh tortelloni, tortellini, tagliatelle, gnocchi, lasagna is on the menu and is cooked to order. If you want to try a bit of everything, go for the mixed tortellini option.
• La Figaccia – For a reliably amazing focaccia sandwich, this is your spot. The menu is small, the meat is fresh, and there are vegetarian as well as vegan options available. Nothing else is on the menu — so you can rest assured the intense focus on the sandwiches means they are being done right. 
• Dal Grano – Enjoy a square slice of this pizza to go. The toppings are usually presented in unique and delicious ways but always include reliable stars like tomato and burrata, for example. The crust of the pizza is light and fluffy and it’s agreed this is the best slice in Verona. 
• PanzeRé – Panzerotteria – Serving panzerotti, or an Italian turnover, this little shop is a must-try. You can get the fried bread stuffed with tomatoes and mozzarella, Arancino, or a number of other options including some for vegetarians. This is also an important spot to keep in mind for any midnight snackers, as it stays open until 2 am during the week and doesn’t shut until 4 am on Friday and Saturday. 

Italian Restaurants: 

• Caffè Monte Baldo – Osteria con cucina – Serving fantastic food since 1909, you can depend on over a century of good cooking. There are small plates and cicchetti (small side dishes) to enjoy, as well as a full a la carte menu with typical options like gnocchi, pasta, and risotto. You can sit in the cozy inside dining room or at an outside table. The friendly staff will take care of you and can recommend amazing wine from the extensive list to complement your meal. 
• Trattoria alla Colonna – Head here to try the famous fried veal cutlets — called cotoletta in Italian. But of course if that is not to your liking, there is plenty else to choose from. You can enjoy the cozy atmosphere and being taken care of by the friendly staff. 
• Locanda di Castelvecchio – Enjoy boiled meats and amazing pastas at this historic venue where the incredible, ornate interior is half the experience. The meat here is definitely a focus, so while there are veggie options, it may not be the best choice for a vegetarian. 
• Trattoria al Pompiere – While not starred, this trattoria is featured in Michelin’s guide. Therefore, it is unsurprising that everything on the menu is delicious. Try one of the pastas for dinner and finish off with the tiramisu — but really, anything will be amazing. 

Where to stay in Verona

We love finding the best hotels in every city that we visit. Verona has a wonderful selection of hotels that accommodate every type of budget. Here are our top picks:

Luxury: Vista Palazzo | This 5-star hotel features gorgeous modern rooms, rooftop views, and top amenities like a spa and gym.

Boutique: Hotel Accademia | A wonderful hotel located in the heart of the old town with amenities like a gym and breakfast.

Budget: Casa Esvael | This charming b&b is located just a 5-minute walk from the center of Verona and offers a lovely rustic Italian stay.

How to get to Verona

Getting to Verona by plane

The airport in Verona is called Valerio Catullo Airport, it is located about 10 km (around 6 miles) from the city center.

There are plenty of options of airlines with direct flights to Verona from about 80 destinations — mostly in Europe. You can fly in from cities like Frankfurt, London, and Munich.

To get from the airport into the city center, you have a few options. You can get the 199 bus which costs €6 for a one way ticket.

If you want to get a taxi it’ll be around €25 one way (don’t forget to ask for the meter to be turned on).

If you’re getting a rental car, it’s easy to pick that up at the airport and drive into town — the drive is about 15 minutes, but keep in mind you really won’t need it during your time in Verona. 

Getting to Verona by train

There are two train stations in Verona — the main one is Verona Porta Nuova, and the secondary one is Verona Porta Vescovo.

Porta Nuova is likely where your train will come in. It’s located just to the west of the city center. You can catch the train from most major cities around Italy. Milan, Venice, and Trieste are quite close to Verona and the train journeys will only take about 60 to 90 minutes. 

The walk from the train station into town is pretty easy and if you’re happy to do it should only take around 20 minutes.

If you have a lot of luggage to carry, a bus or taxi may be a better option, there are several buses which will get you downtown quickly. 

We recommend using Google Maps to find the best bus route.

Getting to Verona by car

You can get to Verona easily by land from major cities like Venice, Bologna, and Milan. The trip is between 90 minutes and two hours from any of these cities.

That being said, a drive is a great opportunity to take some time to go slow and explore the Italian countryside — so plan to take the day for a road trip if you have the space in your itinerary.

If you do come by car, you won’t be needing it for your two days in Verona, so plan to find a good, secure parking spot where you won’t have to worry about it.

Best Time to Visit Verona

The best time to visit Verona is during the shoulder season — either spring or fall. However, fall is often more preferable due to the pleasant weather with less chance of rain.

In September you can still expect daytime highs in the mid-80s, but a light breeze helps keep that a comfortable temperature. By October daytime temps fall to around the mid-70s and can fluctuate a lot more. 

Along with more pleasant temperatures, shoulder season sees far fewer crowds than in the height of summer when you might end up wasting parts of your two days in Verona waiting in lines to enter various attractions. 

We spent a month in Verona during the month of November. The weather was cooler and rainier, but there were practically no tourists, which was amazing. If you visit in November and December, you can experience the Verona Christmas Market, which is one of the best in northern Italy.

Best day trips from Verona

Spending an extra day in the city and planning to do a day trip from Verona? During our month in Verona, we took a ton of day trips. These are our top 5 recommendations.

• Venice: A day trip from Verona to Venice is a great idea, especially considering accommodation is much cheaper in Verona! With the train only taking 1-1.5 hours, you’ll have the entire day to traverse the canals of Venice and explore this magical city.
• Padua (Padova): The train from Verona to Padua only takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. This city is filled with historical charm and has plenty of unique sights to keep you busy for the day, such as the Scrovegni Chapel and Prato della Valle.
• Mantua (Mantova): One of our favorite cities in northern Italy, Mantua is only a 45 minute train ride from Verona. The Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Te are both must-sees.
• Bologna: If you’re looking to visit Italy’s food capital, then a day trip to Bologna is a must! The train takes between 1-1.5 hours and so many wonderful things to do in Bologna, such as climbing the two towers and hiking up the world’s longest portico.
• Madonna della Corona Sanctuary: This is an incredible 17th century church that is built into a rocky cliffside. It’s more tricky to get here, but the best way to do it is by renting a car from Verona for the day.

More information for your trip to northern Italy

• One Day in Verona Itinerary
• Bologna to Verona day trip
• Milan to Verona day trip
• 20 Reasons to visit Bologna, Italy