HOW TO SPEND TWO DAYS IN VERONA ITALY - the perfect verona itinerary
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Last summer Payton and I spent two weeks traveling around Italy. We started our trip in Northern Italy exploring the Dolomites and Verona, before making our way south to the Amalfi Coast.
If you're planning a trip to northern Italy and wondering how to spend two days in Verona, this detailed Verona itinerary will help you make the most of your visit. From Roman ruins and Juliet’s balcony to charming piazzas and incredible Italian food, Verona is one of Italy’s most romantic and underrated cities.
Whether you're visiting as a day trip from Venice or including it in a northern Italy itinerary, here’s exactly what to see, where to stay, and how to get around in Verona in 2 days.
how to get to verona, italy
Verona is in Northern Italy and is located halfway between Milan and Venice. Verona is a great starting point if you’re visiting Lake Garda or the Dolomites and is worth a stop if you’re traveling between Venice and Milan.
Verona is located almost halfway between Venice and Milan
by train to verona
Verona’s main train station is Verona Porta Nuova. You can catch a taxi, bus or Uber right in front (this is where we grabbed our uber).
From Venice: 1.5-hour train ride from Venice Santa Lucia Station to Verona Porta Nuova
From Milan: 1.5-hour train ride from Milan Centrale to Verona Porta Nuova (this is what we did).
I like to book trains in Italy on either the Italo or Trenitalia websites. Make sure that you create an account and that you are logged in before making your bookings. This makes it super easy when you’re traveling since all the information will be on the train app. For route information, I like to reference Seat61.com
by air: flying into verona
If arriving from another European city you can easily travel on one of the many low-cost European carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet. We actually flew out of Verona to Naples on Ryanair. The Verona airport is super small. Check in doesn’t open until two hours before departure and the gate area is tiny so no need to arrive any sooner.
Getting into Town from Verona Airport or Train Station
From the train station:
Walk - It is about a 20-minute walk into the historic city center from the train station.
Bus - If you don’t want to walk and have luggage, another option is to take a bus into town. You can buy a bus ticket inside a tobacco shop in the train station or the ticket kiosk near the bus stalls. You can find ticket and schedule information here.
Taxi: You’ll see the taxi stand right when you exit the train station. Rides range from €10-€12 to get to city center
From Verona Airport to city center:
Airlink - is a shuttle bus that connects passengers to the main train station in town. You can purchase tickets on board or at the ticket machine in the Arrivals Hall. For more information click here.
Uber/Taxi - This is what we did. It’s pricey but super convenient to be dropped right at the door of your hotel with your luggage
WHERE TO STAY IN VERONA:
If you're spending two days in Verona, staying inside the historic center is ideal. This allows you to walk to major attractions like the Verona Arena, Piazza delle Erbe, and Juliet’s House.
Best areas to stay in Verona:
Centro Storico – Best for first-time visitors
Near Piazza Bra – Close to the Arena and restaurants
Along the Adige River – Beautiful views and quieter streets
If you're visiting Verona as part of a northern Italy itinerary and traveling by train, staying within walking distance of the center will save time and make your trip much smoother.
Corte Realdi Suites Piazza Erbe - this hotel has wonderful views over the Piazza. Great location, you’re right in the middle of everything.
Hotel Accademia: located in the center of Verona, just a short walk to the arena and Juliet’s balcony
Relais Balcone di Giulietta - this hotel has views of Juliet’s Balcony
Verona Suites - some rooms have views of the colosseum
Where we stayed in Verona
We booked one night at the Albergo Mazzanti using the $300 annual credit from my Capital One Venture X Rewards card. The hotel is literally steps from the Piazza delle Erbe, shops, restaurants, etc. Our room was huge, the bathroom had only a shower, the A/C worked great (because honestly, this is the most important thing when traveling in the summertime right?) and breakfast was included in our rate. Staff was attentive and even met us in the street when we got lost. We would definitely choose this property again.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO in verona in TWO DAYS
Verona is so small that it’s entirely possible to see the highlights in one day. But for a more relaxing pace, I recommend spending two days
Verona Arena
Day 1: Roman History, Piazzas & Classic Verona
Verona Arena - Did you know there is more than one colosseum in Italy? The Verona Arena (built in 30 AD, which makes it older than the Roman Colosseum) sits in the heart of city center. We were just strolling around and happened upon it. It’s pretty amazing. Every summer there is a world-class opera festival (mid-June- September) held in the Arena. Make sure to check here for schedule and tickets before you arrive. I would come back to Verona just to see a performance inside.
Porta Borsari - Verona was once a walled city built by the Romans and this was the main entrance to ancient Verona.
Juliet’s House (Casa Di Giuletta)- You can’t come to Verona without seeing Juliet’s Balcony and to rub the breast of Juliet’s bronze statue in front (to help find a lover). There was a line to do this by the way. You can also drop off a letter in the red mailbox to the Juliet Club which was made famous by the movie And Juliet (which you should watch before your trip). Free views of the courtyard head up to the 2nd floor of the gift shop.
Explore a Piazza - Sitting at a table in a piazza may be one of my favorite things to do in Italy. Whether it’s with an aperitivo in the evening or a cappuccino in the morning, I love people watching and just taking it all in. Verona is so small, just start walking and you’ll run right into one
Piazza dei Signori - this was a small piazza near our hotel and if you want to escape the bustle of the Piazza delle Erbe, just take a few steps through the breezeway to find it.
Piazza delle Erbe - There was a large market on the day we were there, but I woke up early the next morning and had the place to myself. Be on the lookout for the 14th Century Madonna Verona Fountain. Climb up Lamberti Tower for fantastic city views. An elevator takes you up two-thirds of the way, then you’ll have to climb 300 steps to reach the top. Book your entrance ahead of time if visiting in peak season.
Piazza Bra - this is the large piazza outside of the arena. Great for having a pre-show dinner, a drink at sunset and people watching
Day 2: Castles, Views & Hidden Gems
Castelvecchio & Castelvecchio Bridge
Castelvecchio is a medieval fortress overlooking the Adige River. Walk across the iconic Castelvecchio Bridge for one of the best photo spots in Verona.
Climb to Castel San Pietro
For the best views in Verona, head up to Castel San Pietro. You can hike up or take the funicular. Sunset here is unforgettable.
Visit the Duomo di Verona
Verona’s cathedral is often overlooked but absolutely worth visiting for its stunning frescoes and Romanesque architecture.
Stroll Along the Adige River
The Adige River runs through Verona which means that any direction you go from the historic city center you’ll run into the river and one of several historic bridges. If you cross just one, make sure it's the Ponte Pietra. The walk there is beautiful, especially in the morning or close to sunset.
The Ponte Pietra (Stone Bridge) - Built by the Romans in the first century B.C. and destroyed during wars and flooding. Head across the bridge and look back for stunning city views then continue on the Castel San Pietro
Is 2 Days in Verona Enough?
Yes. Two days in Verona is the perfect amount of time. You’ll see the major highlights, enjoy incredible Italian food, and still have time to slow down.
Verona is smaller and less overwhelming than cities like Rome or Florence, making it ideal for a relaxed Italian city break.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Verona, Italy
Verona is one of the most romantic cities in Italy, but it’s also full of history, architecture, and charm beyond Romeo and Juliet.
If you're planning a northern Italy itinerary, spending 2 days in Verona is absolutely worth it. With its Roman arena, medieval bridges, and beautiful piazzas, it’s a city that surprises visitors in the best way.
We really love pairing a big city visit with the slower pace and vibe of a smaller town, especially in Europe. Verona definitely fits the bill and was a great place to recharge and relax after spending a few days hiking in the Dolomites. I absolutely think Verona is worth a stop on your Italian adventure.
Happy Travels!