If you’re on holiday in the Lake Garda area of Italy, a day trip to the historic city of Verona is an absolute must. It’s just a short 20-minute train ride away and has a perfect mix of history, Italian culture and sights. It’s also the setting for the world’s most infamous love story, Romeo & Juliet!
In our travel vlog, we take you along for a magical evening as we explore the city at our own pace, seeing Verona Arena, the stunning sunset views from Castel San Pietro and much more. We loved it!
Watch the Full Vlog Here:
Highlights from Our Visit to Verona
We didn’t have a strict itinerary so didn’t plan anything in advance. We just wanted to soak up the atmosphere of the city. Here’s the main spots we explored during our evening, which you can see in detail in the video above.
1. Piazza Bra & The Verona Arena
Our evening began in Piazza Bra, the largest piazza in Verona and the perfect place to start any tour. You’re immediately greeted by the stunning Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheatre built in the 1st century AD that is still in use today. It’s actually older than the Colosseum in Rome! While it once hosted gladiator fights, it’s now world-famous for its open-air opera festival and massive concerts. We found out the Italian Music Awards were taking place on the evening of our visit so we didn’t get to see inside but even from the exterior, it’s VERY impressive.
2. Strolling Via Mazzini & Piazza delle Erbe
From the Arena, we strolled down Via Mazzini. This is Verona’s main shopping street, famous for being paved with elegant marble rather than cobblestones. It connects the two main squares and is lined with high-end fashion boutiques, though we made a very important pit stop at Captain Candy for some pick ‘n’ mix! This street leads you straight into Piazza delle Erbe, the city’s ancient Roman Forum. Today, it’s the heart of the city, filled with market stalls and surrounded by buildings featuring beautiful medieval frescoes and the historic Madonna Verona fountain. Just through the archway is the quieter Piazza dei Signori, home to the statue of Dante Alighieri, famous for his Inferno and 9 levels of hell!
3. Visiting Juliet’s House
Of course, Verona is the home of Romeo & Juliet, the star-crossed lovers made famous by William Shakespeare. You can visit both of their houses and Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta) in particular is one of the most popular sights in Verona. The 13th-century building features the famous balcony (which we later found out was actually added in the 20th century!) and a bronze statue of Juliet in the courtyard. Legend says that rubbing the statue brings luck in love, although we’re already married. However, learn from our mistake: We arrived just as the gates were closing! The courtyard closes earlier than you might expect (often around 7:00 PM), and they stop letting people in before that. If this is on your bucket list, make it your first stop, not your last! If you’re worried about missing out or want to learn the real history behind the tragedy, you can book a specific Romeo & Juliet Walking Tour that ensures you get to see the balcony and hear the stories.
4. Castelvecchio Bridge & The Adige River
Moving away from the busy centre, we walked along the riverbank to the Castelvecchio Bridge (Ponte Scaligero). This fortified medieval bridge was built in the 14th century with red brick and white marble, originally designed as an escape route for the ruling Scaliger family. It’s really beautiful and has fantastic views over the Adige River. It’s a great spot for photos, especially in the evening light.
5. The Best View in Verona from Castel San Pietro
We saved the best for last. For the most incredible panoramic views of the city, head to Castel San Pietro. While you can hike up the stairs, we recommend taking the Funicolare di Castel San Pietro (funicular) because it’s a bit of a trek. From the terrace at the top, there’s a breathtaking view of Verona’s red terracotta rooftops, the winding Adige River and the stone bridges. We timed our visit for sunset, which we were told is the best time to go as the city is bathed in a golden glow. It was the perfect end to our evening in Verona.
Verona Day Trip Essentials: Our Top Tips
Planning your own day trip to Verona? Here are the practical details to help you plan.
Getting to Verona from Lake Garda
We visited Verona as a day trip while staying in Gardaland at the southern end of Lake Garda. It’s easy enough to reach from there.
- By Train: There’s frequent direct trains from Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda to Verona Porta Nuova. The journey takes only 20–30 minutes. We recommend checking times on Omio to book tickets on your phone and skip the station queues.
- By Car: It is a short drive (approx. 30-45 minutes depending on traffic) via the A4 motorway. However, parking in Verona city centre can be expensive and busy. If you’re planning to rent a car to explore the Lake Garda area, we recommend checking Discover Cars to compare the local agencies as they’re usually much cheaper than the big international brands.
Food & Drink
You’re in Italy, so food is a huge part of the experience!
- The Aperitivo Ritual: In Verona, the pre-dinner drink is a way of life. Around 6:00 PM, head to Piazza delle Erbe or the bars around Piazza Bra to enjoy an Aperol Spritz. It’s the perfect way to rest your feet and people-watch as the sun goes down.
- When to Eat: Remember that Italians eat late! Most restaurants don’t open for dinner until 7:00 PM or 7:30 PM.
- Where to Eat: While the restaurants right on Piazza Bra have amazing views of the Arena, they can be pricier. For a more authentic (and often better value) meal, wander into the side streets off Via Mazzini.
The Verona Card
If you plan on going inside the attractions rather than just walking around like we did, look into the Verona Card. It is a pass that includes skip-the-line entry to the Arena, Juliet’s House and the Castel San Pietro Funicular. If you plan to visit two or more of these, it usually saves you money and time. You can buy the 24-hour pass online here so you have it ready on your phone when you arrive.
Our Final Thoughts on Verona
We honestly fell in love with Verona. It strikes the perfect balance between preserving its incredible Roman past and being a vibrant, modern Italian city. Unlike some larger Italian cities that can feel overwhelming, Verona feels manageable, safe and compact.
If you are visiting Lake Garda, this is the ideal day trip to add some culture and history to your trip. It’s got a completely different vibe to the lakeside towns and shows you a different side of the region. Because it’s so close and compact, you can see all the major highlights in a single afternoon and be back at the lake in time for a late dinner, or do what we did and have an evening stroll and dinner in Verona. We can’t recommend it enough!
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