We visited Verona recently and we squeezed so much into 24 hours. From the Verona Arena to Juliet’s House, here’s our detailed one-day itinerary for Verona.
Verona, a charming city in Northern Italy is often referred to as the “city of Romeo & Juliet” – that’s because Shakespeare’s iconic play was set in the city and on a visit here you can visit such spots as Juliet’s Balcony, Romeo’s House and Juliet’s Tomb. I remember studying “Romeo & Juliet” for my Leaving Certificate in Ireland (the equivalent of a high school diploma) and the thought of being able to see Juliet’s balcony in real life really struck a chord with me.
In fact, Juliet’s House was our first port of call when we visited the city recently and I wasn’t disappointed, despite the crowds. Yup, Verona is so popular with die-hard romantics like me, that the city has developed the “romantic trail” a tourist route through the city that passes Juliet’s House, Romeo’s House, and Juliet’s Tomb.
Besides, the famous play Verona also offers visitors well-preserved Roman ruins, like the Verona Arena, and medieval castles, such as Castelvecchio. It’s also a fantastic European foodie destination – with heaps of great restaurants lining the city’s cobbled streets.
How did we spend a day in Verona?
While we spent four nights in Verona, it’s definitely possible to see the city’s most important attractions in one day.
So, here’s how I’d spend a day in Verona…
I’d get up early, have a delicious breakfast at Cafe Carducci on Via Giosuè Carducci, and then head straight for the Verona Arena as soon as it opens at 9 am. Then, I’d go to Juliet’s House (where you’ll find Juliet’s Balcony) and I’d spend at least an hour there. Afterward, I’d go to Juliet’s Tomb and make a wish in the wishing well.
In the afternoon, I’d tick off Romeo’s House, Castelvecchio Bridge, and Torre dei Lamberti (there’s an awesome view of the city from here).
And finally, in the evening I’d walk across Ponte Pietra on my way to the Roman Theater and Piazzale Castel San Pietro (and I’d watch the sunset from here).
Top tip: The Verona Pass is well worth purchasing for your day in Verona as it includes entrance to Juliet’s House, a skip-the-line pass for the Verona Arena and, access to Torre dei Lamberti and Museo di Castelvecchio, among others. It also gives you free travel on the ATV bus network in Verona City. It costs from €30 per person and actually works out cheaper than buying a ticket to each attraction individually.
Morning – Verona Arena, Juliet’s House & Juliet’s Tomb
For your morning in Verona, we recommend ticking off the city’s top sights like Verona Arena, Juliet’s House, and Juliet’s Tomb as they tend to be quieter in the morning (before 11 am).
Verona Arena:
This impressive Roman Amphitheater dates back to 30 AD and it was originally built to host gladiator contests and other types of public entertainment. Today, the Verona Arena is famous for its summer opera season, attracting music lovers from around the world to experience world-class performances under the open sky. It’s a remarkably preserved building and the outstanding acoustics make it such a unique venue.
A friend of ours attended an Andrea Bocelli concert here and she said that it was something for the bucket list. Unfortunately, there were no concerts when we visited, but, it’s just another excuse to return to Verona – isn’t it?! You can check what concerts are on and book tickets here!
We recommend getting here as soon as it opens at 9 am, so, that you can experience it in quiet (without tour groups). It’s worth noting that the Verona Arena is closed on Mondays.
We suggest spending around an hour here, and afterward, take a stroll around the beautiful Piazza Bra which surrounds the arena. This is a lively area, filled with excellent restaurants and Cafes. On that note, if you’re seeking a caffeine hit (I know, I usually am at this time of the morning) – I recommend Ammazza Caffé a specialty coffee shop on Vicolo Volto Cittadella.
Juliet’s House/ Juliet’s Balcony:
This is probably the number one tourist attraction in Verona, especially for hopeless romantics, like me. As you can guess from its name – this 14th-century building with its charming stone balcony is said to be where Juliet was born. And said balcony is believed to be the inspiration for the famous balcony scene in “Romeo and Juliet”.
And so, Juliet’s House has become a romantic pilgrimage site. Visitors often leave love notes and messages on the walls, hoping for good fortune in their own love lives.
You can visit the courtyard in front of the house for free and look up at the famous balcony. But I recommend checking out the inside of the house so, that you can snap a photo on the famous balcony.
The courtyard is free to enter but there’s a fee for the house…
To access the inside of the house it will cost you €12 – it’s included in the Verona Card, that I mentioned above. But, you will need to book your slot in advance on the Musei Civici website – even if you have the Verona Card.
FYI. Inside the house, you can see period furniture, Veronese artwork, and even costumes from the movie version of “Romeo & Juliet”. You can also stand on Juliet’s Balcony – like I did in the photo above.
It’s also here that you can write a letter to Juliet. Yep, you know that movie “Letters to Juliet” with Amanda Seyfried? That’s based on real life. There’s a letter-writing station and a post box for you to post your letter. And you’ll get a response to your letter in a couple of weeks’ time, (cute!) This tradition is run by the Club di Giulietta (Juliet Club) and it started back in the 1930s.
You will also come across a statue of ‘Juliet’ in the courtyard and the folklore goes that if you rub her left breast you will be ‘lucky in love’.
Top tip, try to get here for around 10 am (or earlier if possible) to avoid the crowds. Please remember that Juliet’s House is closed on Mondays.
Juliet’s Tomb:
Keeping on the topic of Romeo & Juliet, our next suggested stop today is Juliet’s Tomb.
Located at the former convent of San Francesco al Corso, this site is where Juliet Capulet is said to be buried. The tomb is an empty, red marble sarcophagus set in a dimly lit crypt, adding a somber and mystical atmosphere to the experience.
Although the connection to Juliet is purely literary, the site has become a symbol of eternal love, attracting romantics who often leave notes or letters near the tomb.
There’s also a wishing well located in the courtyard, where you can toss coins for good luck in love. This tradition is believed to bring harmony and balance to existing relationships or help find a soulmate.
Additional Stop: Romeo’s House
Romeo’s supposed house, known as Casa di Romeo, is located on Via Arche Scaligere. This medieval building is less famous than Juliet’s house (as you can’t go inside Casa di Romeo), but it still offers visitors a glimpse into the world that inspired the timeless tale of star-crossed lovers.
Afternoon – Castlevecchio Bridge & Torre dei Lamberti
Before you hit up this afternoon’s list of attractions, stop for lunch in one of my favorite restaurants in the city – Osteria Il Bertoldo on Vicolo Cadrega. It specializes in regional dishes and has a homely, cozy vibe.
Volto Barbaro:
Volto Barbaro or Barbarian Face Passage connects Piazza Erbe to Piazza dei Signori and you may recognize the name from ‘Romeo & Juliet’ as the site for many clashes between the Capulets and Montagues. It’s here that Mercutio (Romeo’s best friend) was slain!
It’s also in the very alley that in (real-life) Italian commander, Leonardino della Scala was murdered in 1277. You can see a plaque dedicated to his memory in the alley.
Castelvecchio Bridge:
Also known as the Ponte Scaligero, this medieval bridge was built in the 14th century by the influential Scaliger family. The bridge was designed as both a defensive structure and a strategic escape route from the adjoining Castelvecchio castle.
Featuring distinctive red bricks and fortified battlements, its design reflects the Gothic style typical of the era. Unfortunately, the bridge was destroyed during World War II, but it was meticulously reconstructed (with most of the same bricks) post-war to preserve its historical significance.
In the fortress of Castelvecchio castle, next to the bridge is a museum that showcases an impressive collection of artworks spanning from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. Including masterpieces by renowned artists such as Pisanello, Tintoretto, and Veronese. We were tight on time so, we skipped this – but, if you’re an art lover you may want to make time for it.
Entry to the castle is included in the Verona Card, so, if you have one try to pop in for a short while.
Torre dei Lamberti:
The Torre dei Lamberti is the highest viewpoint in the city – it’s an impressive 84 meters tall! So, it’s a prime vantage point to see this stunning city. The tower was originally built in the 12th Century but it was hit by lightning in the year 1403. And during the restoration works (which took 16 years) the building was expanded upon.
It’s a (slightly) grueling climb up 368 steps to make it to the viewpoint, or you can pay a small fee to get the elevator up.
Entry to the tower costs €6, but it is included in the Verona Card. If you’re visiting on a weekend or in peak months, we strongly advise booking it in advance.
Evening: Ponte Pietra, Roman Theater & Piazzale Castel San Pietro
Ponte Pietra:
Your first stop this evening should be the Ponte Pietra, aka the oldest bridge in Verona. Built across the Adige River, walking across this ancient bridge provides a picturesque backdrop – you’ll see the surrounding hills and Verona’s skyline.
Roman Theater:
Not to be confused with the Roman amphitheater (the Verona Arena) which you ticked off first thing this morning, the Roman Theater is built alongside the Adige River at the foot of San Pietro hill.
It was constructed back in the late 1st century BC and was designed to host a variety of entertainment events, such as plays, concerts, and gladiatorial games. It is one of the best-preserved ancient theaters in Italy, with its original tiers carved into the hillside! Today, the theater continues to serve as a cultural hub, hosting the annual Verona Summer Theatre Festival.
Piazzale Castel San Pietro:
In time for sunset, make your way to Piazzale Castel San Pietro, which isn’t far from your previous stop. This is what locals say, is the best sunset spot in Verona as from here you can see the Adige River, the Torre dei Lamberti, and pretty much all the iconic sights in the city.
You can’t enter the castle (as it has sadly deteriorated to the point of neglect over the years), but there is a restaurant near here called Re Teodorico – where we grabbed some drinks and a pizza to watch the sunset. Or you could just sit on the grassy areas next to the fortress and take in the scenery below.
You can access the castle on foot from the stairs in front of the Ponte Pietra bridge, but, if you don’t fancy the steep-ish climb up, there’s a funicular that takes you up. In the summer months, it runs until 9 pm and in the winter it closes at 5 pm.
If you didn’t opt for the pizza option while watching the sunset, like we did, then I recommend heading back into the city for a late dinner. One of my favorite dinner spots in Verona is La Griglia on Via Leoncino.
Our top tips for spending 24 hours in Verona:
Try not to visit on a Monday: Several attractions in Verona are closed on Mondays including the Verona Arena, Juliet’s House, and Juliet’s Balcony.
Save money by buying the 24-hour Verona Pass: Honestly, it’s well worth purchasing the Verona Card. As I said, it includes entrance to Juliet’s House, a skip-the-line pass for the Verona Arena, and, access to Torre dei Lamberti and Museo di Castelvecchio, among others. It costs from €30 per person and actually works out cheaper than buying a ticket to each attraction individually.
Get up early: To successfully squeeze all of the above spots into your day in Verona, you will need to get up early. In fact, we recommend being at the Verona Arena (our first recommended stop) as soon as It opens at 9 am.
Where to Stay in Verona:
We stayed at Lady Verona Residence, a stunning, historic 4-star hotel that’s just 400 meters from Piazza Bra. Our room was very spacious and styled in a typically Italian way – high beam ceilings and white linens.
Whereas if you’re keen for a home-from-home whilst in Verona this apartment by Palazzo delle Guglie by Postcardsfrom is a fantastic option. It’s only 200 meters from Verona Arena and the apartments come with a balcony – offering garden or city views. Each apartment comes with a kitchenette and washing machine. Expect to pay around 100 per night for a one-bedroom apartment.
Ponte Postumio is another fantastic option, the views from this studio apartment are astounding. And it costs around 80 per night.
Getting to Verona:
If you’re traveling by plane, the closest airport is Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN), also known as Valerio Catullo Airport. From the airport, you can reach the city center by taxi or shuttle bus in about 15-20 minutes.
When we visited, we booked a welcome pickup from the airport into the city instead of getting a cab. Why did we do that? The drivers from Welcome Pickups are English speaking and you’ll pay a flat rate. So, you know exactly how much you’re paying before hopping in.
If you plan to come via train, Verona Porta Nuova is the main railway station, and it is well-served by high-speed and regional trains from major Italian cities like Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome.
If you prefer driving, Verona is easily accessible via major highways, such as the A4 and A22, which connect it to neighboring cities and regions. Once you arrive, you’ll find Verona’s compact city center ideal for exploring on foot – so, I’d say park your car at your hotel for the time you’re in Verona.
You can use Discover Cars to rent your car, this price comparison booking site allows you to filter to exactly what type of car you want.
Thanks for Reading!
Cheers for taking the time to read my guide to spending a day in Verona. I came here to visit the iconic “Romeo & Juliet” locations and left having fallen a little in love with this city. One of my favorite parts of our trip here was watching the sunset from Piazzale Castel San Pietro.
You can check out my other Italy blog posts here –
48 Hours in Florence: The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary for Florence
Day Trip from Milan to Lake Como (Perfect One Day Itinerary)
How Many Days Should I Stay in Lake Como? (3-Day Lake Como Itinerary)
PIN IT
Last Updated on May 22, 2025 by snaphappytravel