Is Verona Worth Visiting? Pros, Cons, and Travel Tips

Is Verona Worth Visiting?

Verona is absolutely worth visiting if you’re looking for a mix of history, culture, and a romantic getaway.

On the plus side, it’s one of Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites with beautifully preserved Roman and medieval architecture. It offers a compact city center that’s perfect for walking and with fewer crowds compared to other cities like Venice, Milan, Rome or Florence it’s an easy city to navigate and explore. And, it’s also a convenient stop between major destinations in northern Italy and makes for a great day or weekend trip.

However, there are some drawbacks too. Verona can feel pricey, especially for accommodations and dining. Many parts of the city get very crowded detracting from your overall experience. And many of the sought-after restaurants are not open from Sunday to Tuesday which forced me to dine at restaurants aimed at tourists.

With all that said, Verona is a photographer’s dream, with its stunning medieval architecture, charming piazzas, and beautifully preserved Roman landmarks, making it one of the most picturesque cities in Italy. I was happy to have spent a couple of days in this small Italian city.

What is Verona Famous For?

When most people think of Verona, the timeless love story of Romeo and Juliet immediately comes to mind. Shakespeare’s famous play cemented the city’s association with romance, even though there’s no historical evidence that the story was based on real events or that Shakespeare ever visited Verona. The play draws on older Italian tales, and Verona’s medieval charm provides the perfect backdrop for this legendary drama.

For travellers, Verona embraces its connection to the star-crossed lovers with landmarks like Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta), where you’ll find a balcony that stirs the imagination of reciting those famous lines we all learned in school—“O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?”.

While the house itself was once a 13th-century inn, it’s now a museum dedicated to the romantic myth. Take a tour inside you can also see Juliet’s tomb and Romeo’s supposed home.

More Facts that Answer What is Verona Known For?

Verona’s history stretches back over 2,000 years, beginning as a Roman settlement in 89 BCE. Its strategic location at the crossroads of major trade routes helped it flourish. With that, a legacy of this era lays the foundation for much of what Verona is famous for.

• The Verona Arena: Verona’s ancient Roman amphitheatre is one of the best-preserved Roman structures of its kind. It hosts concerts and opera performances, making it a key cultural landmark and a top reason to visit Verona.

• Scaliger Tombs: These ornate Gothic monuments honour the Scaliger family, who once ruled Verona and shaped its medieval architecture.

• Roman and Medieval Gates: Landmarks like Porta Borsari and Porta Leoni reflect Verona’s ancient origins and its strategic importance over the centuries.

• UNESCO World Heritage Status: Verona’s well-preserved Roman, medieval, and Renaissance architecture earned it a spot on the UNESCO list of 60 sites in Italy.

• The Adige River: The river winds through Verona, offering scenic views and scenic walks along its banks or across its historic bridges like Ponte Pietra.

• The Verona Opera Festival: Hosted in the Roman Arena, this annual event draws music lovers from around the world for its stunning performances in a historic setting. This is a bucket list experience that sadly wasn’t available during my visit.

• Piazza delle Erbe: This lively square, once a Roman forum, turned into a marketplace when the city became part of the Venetian Republic in the 15th century. Today, it continues that tradition as it’s the city’s main hub of activity with markets, cafes, and historical landmarks in its Renaissnce-influenced-styled architecture.

• Wine and Local Cuisine: Verona is in the heart of the Veneto wine region, known for its Valpolicella and Amarone wines, paired perfectly with local specialties like risotto all’Amarone.

Planning Tips to Visit Verona Italy

Here’s what you need to know:

• Location: Verona is in northern Italy, in the Veneto region, near the Adige River and just east of Lake Garda. It’s approximately 120 km (75 miles) west of Venice and 140 km (87 miles) east of Milan.
• When to Visit: The best times to visit Verona are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). During these seasons, the weather is pleasant, and the city is less crowded compared to the peak summer months. If you’re attending Verona’s famous opera performances at the Arena, summer evenings are ideal​.
• How Many Days You Need in Verona: For most travellers, one full day in Verona is enough to see the major attractions, like Juliet’s House, the Arena, and the historic center. However, if you want to explore more slowly, make this your home base for exploring nearby destinations like Lake Garda, Verona makes for a great short weekend city break in Italy.
• Getting Around: Verona’s historic center is compact and walkable. Public buses and taxis are available, but you won’t need to use them while exploring the city centre.
• Accommodation Options: I don’t recommend you stay anywhere near Piazza Bra or Piazza delle Erbe as they are far too busy. Instead, just a few streets away from the city centre are ideal, and for a quieter experience, consider accommodations across the Adige River near Castel San Pietro.
  • I stayed at “Lady Capulet Apartments” located on a quiet street (near the train station) that I recommend.

Day Trips from Verona: YES! Make Verona your home base, and I recommend you explore any of all of these:

• Lake Garda: Just 30 minutes by train, this stunning lake is perfect for a scenic day trip
• Padua: Only 45 minutes by train this hidden gem is known for its frescoes
• Milan: Just 60 minutes by train, visit the fashion powerhouse city known for its Doumo
• Venice: A 90-minute train ride makes this iconic city an easy addition to your itinerary

Travel Tip for Visiting Juliet’s House: This is one of the busiest tourist attractions I’ve visited in a long time. Be prepared to wait in line (no matter the time of day) but thankfully it moves fairly quickly. You can visit the courtyard and see the balcony for free. If you’re closterphobic this might be something you might want to skip.