One Day in Verona: Best Things to Do & Free Map

Verona, best known for Juliet’s balcony from a famous Shakespeare novel, is considered one of the most romantic destinations in the world. If you have only one day in Verona, don’t worry. It is possible to soo most of the attractions of Verona in just one day because the historic center of Verona is rather small and it is possible to visit all the attractions on foot. Moreover, there are many great places to stay in Verona to make your trip unforgettable. I have created a comprehensive list of top things to do in Verona and attractions that you will manage to see within a day.

Table of Contents

• Arena di Verona
• Castelvecchio Castle
• Ponte di Castelvecchio
• Piazza Delle Erbe
• Torre dei Lamberti
• Casa di Giulietta
• Piazza dei Signori
• Scaliger Tombs
• Verona Cathedral
• Giardino Giusti
• Castel San Pietro
• Best Day Trips from Verona

Things to do in Verona in One Day

1. Arena di Verona

The Verona Arena, built in the first century, is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in Italy.  Located at Piazza Bra, the Verona Arena is 3d biggest Roman amphitheater existing today and it can hold up to 22,000 spectators. Thousands of people from all over the world visit Verona Arena annually to feel the history and special atmosphere of this place. Every year it becomes home to the famous annual summer opera festival. La Traviata, Aida, Carmen, you name it. Most of the visitors say that watching the Opera in Verona Arena at night was the most exciting thing during their entire trip. Bear in mind that the queues can get very long, so you better go there an hour earlier.

2. Castelvecchio Castle

Castelvecchio was built in the Middle Ages by the Scaliger dynasty. Nowadays it is home to an art gallery that hosts an exclusive collection of art and antiquities. You can take a walk around the upper ramparts to enjoy beautiful views of the river Adige. If you are staying in Verona for more than a day, you can buy here Verona city card. It is the cheapest way to explore all the main attractions in Verona.

3. Ponte di Castelvecchio

Castle Vecchio Bridge is a fortified bridge across the Adige River. It was built to allow the lord of Verona to escape safely to the Tyrol in the event of a rebellion of the population. The bridge has a total length of 120 meters and is constructed completely with red bricks. 

4. Piazza Delle Erbe

The Erbe Square is the heart of Verona. It is a crossroads where the past meets the present. It contains many historic buildings, sculptures, and ancient fountains which were built in 1368. Today it hosts a colorful market overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables. The Erbe Square is also surrounded by the best restaurants and shops in Verona.

5. Torre dei Lamberti

Torre dei Lamberti is an ancient tower located at the Erbe square.  The construction of the tower started in 1172 and it was reconstructed many times till 1463. The Lamberti tower is 84 meters high and offers a 360-degree view over Verona. You can walk up the stairs or take a lift to go up. 

6. Casa di Giulietta

Italy has many beautiful cities and villages with beautiful architecture but Verona receives more tourist attention thanks to Shakespeare. His tragic story “Romeo and Juliet” has taken place in Verona. The fictional Juliet’s house with its famous balcony is located close to Piazza delle Erbe. All the walls in Juliet’s house courtyard are covered up with love letters. Unless you go there in the early morning, Juliet’s house courtyard is always overcrowded.

7. Piazza dei Signori

Situated just behind Erbe Square, Signori Square is surrounded by buildings of great historical importance. Veronese government used to be located here in former times. In the middle of the square is located Dante’s statue.

8. Scaliger Tombs

The Scaliger Tombs, built by the Scaliger family in the 14th century, contain the remains of the medieval rulers of the city. The funerary complex built in Gothic style consists of five tombs and is located directly in front of the Scaliger family church.

9. Verona Cathedral

The Verona Cathedral, also known as Duomo Santa Maria Matricolare, was built in the Romanesque style in the 12th century. Two previous versions of the cathedral were destroyed by earthquakes. The Library of Verona Cathedral (Biblioteca Capitolare della Cattedrale di Verona) is one of the world’s oldest libraries and hosts many ancient works.

10. Giardino Giusti

Giusti Garden was built in the 15th century and is regarded as one of the most beautiful Renaissance gardens in Europe. It was designed as a background for Giusti Palace and has various terraces with views over the city. Be aware that there is an entrance fee of around 9 euros for adults.

11. Castel San Pietro

Probably the best views of Verona open up from the top of Saint Peter’s Hill where the castle with the same name is located. The hill is only a few hundred meters high and you can reach the top either by taking the funicular or walking up the stairs. Although the castle is closed to visitors, you can still enjoy the view of the city and a beautiful sunset. On the way back to the city you can choose to walk alongside an ancient Roman theater.

Day Trips from Verona

If you have more than a day or two to explore Verona and the surrounding regions, there are many other exciting things to do in this region. My recommended activities include shopping and visiting Lake Garda.

Lake Garda

Just one hour from Verona is located one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. Lake Garda is surrounded by many resort towns and beautiful mountains. You can get from Verona to Lake Garda, within an hour by bus from Verona Porta Nova Bus station.  Just take bus line LN026 from Verona-Porta Nuova to Sirmione. Lake Garda is 51.9 km long with the deepest point at 346 m (1,135 ft). The most famous towns in the south are Sirmione, Lazise, and Bardolino, and in the north Malcesine, Limone, and Riva del Garda. The northern part of the lake is the best option for you if you love sports and active vacations.  Some activities that you can do here include mountain biking, paragliding, windsurfing, kayaking, and much more. If you prefer a more relaxed and laid-back vacation, you can stay in the southern part of Lake Garda. The best luxury hotels and spa resorts are located here. My recommendation is to explore local vineyards and try wine from this region. I also recommend renting a car to be more flexible and explore all the beautiful towns of Lake Garda.

Shopping

You have probably heard of the famous shopping mall in Milan and the fashion weeks. But what you don’t know is that practically any popular Italian city offers a wide variety of shopping experiences. Some of the shops represent well-known brands but some represent lesser-known exclusive local designs. It may open up an opportunity for you to discover new designs that fit you perfectly and contribute to the local economy.  

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