3 days in Verona

Day by day

1. Day 1: Arena di Verona and Piazza delle Erbe

   Arena di Verona, Piazza delle Erbe and Juliet's House, then Opera at the Arena in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Arena di Verona

      Built around 30 AD, the Arena is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres, with its pinkish limestone tiers almost intact, although most of the outer ring fell in an earthquake in 1117.

   2. Late morning

      Piazza delle Erbe

      For aperitivo, sit at one of the cafés on the square's edges and order a spritz or a glass of Soave as the light fades.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Risotto all'Amarone

      Osterie in the old town and wine-estate restaurants in Valpolicella.

   4. Afternoon

      Juliet's House

      This medieval house on Via Cappello, once owned by the Dal Cappello family whose name resembles Capulet, has been promoted as Juliet's home since the 20th century, when the famous balcony was added.

   5. Evening

      Opera at the Arena

      On the stone steps, rent or bring a cushion, arrive early for a good spot and pack a layer; performances often end after midnight.

2. Day 2: Torre dei Lamberti and Piazza dei Signori and the Scaliger Tombs

   Torre dei Lamberti, Piazza dei Signori and the Scaliger Tombs and Verona Cathedral, then Ponte Pietra in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Torre dei Lamberti

      Go late in the afternoon for warm light over the terracotta roofs.

   2. Late morning

      Piazza dei Signori and the Scaliger Tombs

      Just behind Piazza delle Erbe, the quieter Piazza dei Signori was the seat of Verona's rulers, with a statue of Dante, who was sheltered here in exile, the Renaissance Loggia del Consiglio and the Palazzo della Ragione with its outdoor Scala della Ragione staircase.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Risotto al tastasal

      Traditional trattorie in Verona and Isola della Scala, especially during the autumn rice fair.

   4. Afternoon

      Verona Cathedral

      The cathedral sits in a quiet corner of the river bend; continue to Ponte Pietra, a couple of minutes away.

   5. Evening

      Ponte Pietra

      Cross at dusk and look back towards the cathedral's bell tower as the lights of the old town come on.

3. Day 3: Castelvecchio and Ponte Scaligero and Castel San Pietro viewpoint

   Castelvecchio and Ponte Scaligero, Castel San Pietro viewpoint and Roman Theatre and Archaeological Museum, then Piazza delle Erbe in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Castelvecchio and Ponte Scaligero

      Cangrande II della Scala built this brick fortress on the Adige in the 1350s, together with the fortified Ponte Scaligero across the river.

   2. Late morning

      Castel San Pietro viewpoint

      Come for sunset, when the old town turns gold, and walk down by the steps for changing views.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bigoli

      Osterie and trattorie across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Roman Theatre and Archaeological Museum

      Built into the hillside below Castel San Pietro in the 1st century BC, the Roman Theatre's restored seating still hosts summer theatre, including Shakespeare in Italian.

   5. Evening

      Piazza delle Erbe

      Café and wine-bar terraces for spritz and Soave, busy from early evening until late in summer.

Before you go

• Opera at the Arena: Book weeks ahead for weekend performances and the most popular operas; the unreserved step seats are the least expensive.

If it rains

• Swap in Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore (San Zeno): A combined ticket covers San Zeno, Sant'Anastasia, the Duomo and San Fermo if you plan to visit several churches.
• Swap in Sant'Anastasia (Città Antica (Piazza delle Erbe)): Use your phone's zoom for Pisanello's fresco, which is high above the chapel arch.
• Swap in Juliet's Tomb and Fresco Museum (San Francesco al Corso): It is far quieter than Juliet's House and makes a more reflective stop for couples.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Piazza Bra and the Arena keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Città Antica (Piazza delle Erbe) ($$$$) suits couples, culture, food lovers and luxury. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 11–14 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.7 hours in December to 15.7 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Verona
• 2 days in Verona

Questions travellers ask