Planning to visit Verona but only have one day? This city of history and romance has plenty to offer in a short time. In this itinerary, I gathered all the must-see sights for a perfect day in Verona.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links from booking platforms. By booking through my link you are supporting my work, thank you so much!
Table of Contents
Plan Your Trip
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Plan Your Trip
The Verona Card
To make the most of your one-day visit, consider purchasing the Verona Card. Available for 24 or 48 hours, this card grants access to most of the city’s top attractions, including the Arena di Verona, Castelvecchio, Juliet’s House, and the Torre dei Lamberti. It also lets you skip lines at certain attractions and includes unlimited use of Verona’s city buses. If you plan to visit every location in this guide, you will be able to save 25€ with the Verona Card, so it definitely offers great value and convenience.
- Price: 27€ for 24 hours, 32€ for 48 hours.
- Where to buy: Available online or at tourist offices and participating attractions.
Where to Stay
If you’re staying overnight, choose accommodation close to the city center to maximize your time. Here are some options:
- Luxury: Due Torri Hotel – A 5-star historic hotel really close to Verona’s landmarks.
- Mid-range: Hotel Milano & Spa – Located near the Arena, this hotel also features a rooftop bar with stunning views.
- Budget: Hotel Porta Palio – An affordable hotel near the heart of the city.
How to Get There
Verona is well-connected and easy to reach from major Italian cities:
- By Train: The easiest way to reach Verona is by train. High-speed trains from cities like Milan, Venice, and Florence frequently stop at Verona Porta Nuova Station. From Milan, it’s about a 1.5-hour journey, and from Venice, just over an hour.
- By Plane: If you’re flying in, Verona Villafranca Airport is located just 12 km from the city center. From the airport, you can take a shuttle bus to Verona Porta Nuova Station or a taxi for a quick ride.
- By Car: Driving to Verona is possible, but parking in the city center can be difficult. If you drive, park outside the historic center and walk or take public transportation.
How to Get Around
Verona’s compact size makes it perfect for walking, and most of the major sights are within a 15-20 minute walk from each other. However, for longer distances or if you’re in a rush or tired, you can take advantage of the city’s public transportation:
- Buses: The Verona Card includes access to city buses, which run frequently and can help you navigate faster.
- Biking: Verona is also bike-friendly, and many hotels offer bike rentals.
- Taxis: If needed, taxis are available, though walking is the best way to explore the city.
Morning
Basilica di San Zeno
Start your day at the impressive Basilica di San Zeno, one of Verona’s most important religious sites. This 12th-century Romanesque church is famous for its impressive façade and stunning frescoes inside. You can also view Mantegna’s altarpiece, a Renaissance masterpiece.
- Ticket Price: 4€ (Included in Verona Card)
- Opening Hours:
- March to October: Monday/Friday: 9:00 am – 6:30 pm; Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm; Sundays and holidays: 1:00 pm – 6:30 pm.
- November to February: Monday to Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Saturday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm; Sundays and holidays: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm.
Ponte Scaligero & Castelvecchio
From San Zeno, head to Castelvecchio, a beautiful medieval fortress with its red-brick walls and towers. The castle also houses an art museum filled with Renaissance works. Stroll across Ponte Scaligero, a beautiful bridge with stunning views of the Adige River and the city.
Ticket Price: 9€ (Included in Verona Card).- Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (last entrance at 5:15 pm).
Arena di Verona & Piazza Bra
Next, make your way to Piazza Bra, Verona’s largest square. Here, you’ll find the Arena di Verona, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. Piazza Bra is a great spot to grab a quick coffee or snack before continuing your tour.
Alert: The Arena di Verona will be closed to the public from October 15 to December 6, 2024, for restoration works.
- Ticket Price: 17€ (Included in Verona Card).
- Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm (last admission at 6:30 pm).
Afternoon
Piazza delle Erbe
After lunch, head to Piazza delle Erbe, the historic marketplace of Verona. It’s surrounded by colorful buildings, shops, and cafés. Enjoy the lively atmosphere and explore the surrounding streets.
Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta)
Just a short walk from Piazza delle Erbe, visit the famous Casa di Giulietta, home to the legendary balcony of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Despite rumors of a connection, there is no real evidence linking it to the story, and the balcony is only a 20th-century addition. The courtyard is free to visit, but there’s a ticket if you want to tour the inside of the house.
- Ticket Price: 12€ (Included in Verona Card, booking required).
- Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm (last entry at 6:30 pm).
Torre dei Lamberti
Right around the corner is Torre dei Lamberti, Verona’s tallest tower, offering panoramic views of the city. You can take the elevator or climb the 368 steps to the top, where you’ll get stunning views of Verona.
- Ticket Price: 6€ (Included in Verona Card).
- Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (last admission 45 minutes before closing).
Evening
Piazza dei Signori & Arche Scaligere
As evening approaches, head to Piazza dei Signori, often referred to as Verona’s “Lords Square.” It’s surrounded by grand palaces and a statue of Dante. Nearby, visit the Arche Scaligere, the Gothic tombs of the powerful Scaligeri family. These ornate, stone-carved tombs are a hidden gem and a glimpse into Verona’s medieval history.
Sant’Anastasia Church
Next, visit Sant’Anastasia Church, the largest church in Verona. This Gothic masterpiece features beautiful frescoes and impressive stone carvings. As it’s usually less crowded in the evening, it’s a great time to explore the church at your own pace.
- Ticket Price: 4€ (Included in Verona Card).
- Opening Hours:
- March to October: Monday/Friday: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm; Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm; Sundays and holidays: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
- November to February: Monday to Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm; Sundays and holidays: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm.
- March to October: Monday/Friday: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm; Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm; Sundays and holidays: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Ponte Pietra
End your day at Ponte Pietra, Verona’s oldest bridge. The views from here are especially magical at sunset, when the golden light reflects off the Adige River and the city takes on a romantic glow. This is the perfect spot to finish your day of exploring Verona.
With this Verona 1-Day Itinerary, you won’t miss any of the highlights of the city. The Verona Card will help you navigate the city with ease, saving both time and money as you explore this enchanting destination in a single day.
I hope this article “Verona 1-Day Itinerary: Explore Italy’s Romantic City in Just 24 Hours” helped you plan your trip to Verona! Leave your opinion in the comments and follow me on social networks so you don’t miss my next trips. Use #travelplannerholic to get noticed.
With Love,
Catarina Vieira
Your one day itinerary shows Verona is so much more than ‘a balcony’! I’m looking forward to getting back there.
Thank you so much for the feedback! The city definitely has plenty to offer
The Verona Card looks like a great option for a day of sightseeing, we’ll need to look into that for our next visit, thanks!
It was one of the few Italian cities I visited where the city card was actually a money saver, considering how many places I wanted to visit. Thank you for the feedback!
I visited Verona once before, but after reading your itinerary, I realize that I missed out on many sights. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for your comment! In case you visit again, I hope this itinerary helps!
Love this itinerary, very easy to follow!
So glad you found it helpful Mel, thank you!
I must admit that Verona is one of my favourite spots in Italy. Romantic for sure. But so much to see and do. Good to know you found the Verona Card to be good for your visit. You sure covered a lot in one day.
It was indeed a packed day, good thing that Verona’s attractions are so close to each other!
I’ve been to Italy a few times but still haven’t made it to Verona. It looks so lovely, and like 1 day is the perfect amount of time to spend there.
Exactly! It can be easily done as a day trip from Milan, Lake Como or Venice.
This is the first time I read a detailed post about Verona. Loved it. Juliet’s balcony must be such a hit.
Thank you so much for the feedback! The city is lovely!
I’ve been to Italy many times but haven’t yet been to Verona. I need to see Romeo and Juliet’s city, and the balcony of course. And I would also want to see the mini-Colosseum there.
It is definitely worth it, and perfect for a more relaxed day. Before planning the trip I had no idea it had the Arena, so impressive!