Verona is a city where stone keeps stories. Romans drafted amphitheaters here; medieval dynasties fortified bridges; Renaissance nobles polished palaces and piazzas. Shakespeare set a timeless tragedy among its lanes, and the city never stopped whispering of love.

You’ll see the Roman Arena still hosting grand opera, stroll beneath frescoed facades at Piazza delle Erbe, and watch the Adige river curl around towers and bridges. Beyond the walls, Valpolicella pours Amarone and Recioto, while nearby Lake Garda dazzles with castle views and lemon-scented breezes.

Expect excellent coffee, risotti perfumed with Amarone, and an aperitivo culture that rewards lingering. Practical note: summers are warm (siesta-friendly), opera season runs roughly June–September, and the VeronaCard (from ~€27) can save time and money on top sights and buses.

Verona

Compact, walkable, and endlessly photogenic, Verona layers Roman, medieval, and Venetian Republic heritage. The city’s heart beats around Piazza Bra and the Arena, then narrows into lanes toward Piazza delle Erbe and the Torre dei Lamberti. Cross the river for hilltop views from Castel San Pietro and quiet corners in Giardino Giusti.

• Top sights: Arena di Verona, Piazza delle Erbe, Juliet’s House and balcony, Castelvecchio & Ponte Scaligero, Torre dei Lamberti, Duomo complex, Roman Theater & Archaeological Museum, Ponte Pietra, Basilica di San Zeno.
• Do & taste: Risotto all’Amarone, tortellini di Valeggio, soppressa, Monte Veronese cheese, Valpolicella wines. Aperitivo at enoteche, gelato at classic parlors, and an opera night under the stars.
• Fun fact: Verona’s Arena predates the Colosseum and is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters still in active use.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Due Torri Hotel (historic five-star steps from Sant’Anastasia; terrace views over tiled rooftops): Check availability on Hotels.com
• Hotel Milano & Spa (modern boutique with a rooftop Arena-view hot tub; superb location off Piazza Bra): See rooms and rates
• Hotel San Marco Fitness Pool & Spa (good value with wellness area; handy for those driving): View deals
• More stays: Browse apartments and villas on VRBO Verona or compare hotels on Hotels.com Verona.

How to get to Verona (and around):

• Flights: Fly into Verona Villafranca (VRN). If you’re flying to or within Europe, compare options on Omio Flights. For long-haul itineraries originating outside Europe, check Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.
• Trains: Verona Porta Nuova station is ~1h10 from Milan or Venice, ~50 min from Bologna, ~3h from Rome on high-speed services. Search schedules and fares on Omio Trains. Typical costs: €15–30 Milan/Venice; €20–35 Bologna; €35–70 Rome (advance fares vary).
• Airport transfer: Aerobus to Porta Nuova (~15–20 min, ~€6) or taxi (~15–20 min, ~€25–35). Most old-town sights are walkable; city buses cover farther spots (Giardino Giusti/San Zeno).

Day 1: Arrival, Piazza Bra glow, and a first taste of Verona

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs with an easy loop: Porta Nuova to Piazza Bra, admire the Arena di Verona exterior, and note opera posters if you’re here in season. Cool down with gelato at Gelateria Savoia (since 1939—try stracciatella or zabaione).

Evening: Aperitivo at Osteria del Bugiardo (standing bar, great Valpolicella by the glass and cicchetti). Dinner at Locanda 4 Cuochi—seasonal plates, hand-cut tagliolini, and a deep local wine list. Stroll to Ponte Pietra for a river-lit skyline before turning in.

Day 2: Roman Verona, cable car views, and Shakespearean whispers

Morning: Espresso and brioche at Caffè Borsari (tiny, old-school, aromatic). Then join this small-group introduction to the city—Arena inside visit, funicular ride, and old-town icons:

Featured experience: Verona Small Group Walking Tour with Cable Car and Arena Tickets. You’ll see the Roman Amphitheater, Romeo’s House, Juliet’s Balcony, and savor the city’s layers with a guide.

Afternoon: Light lunch at Trattoria Al Pompiere (cured meats, Monte Veronese cheeses, house-made pastas). Visit Piazza delle Erbe and take the elevator or steps up Torre dei Lamberti for sweeping views. If crowds are light, step into Juliet’s House courtyard and explore lanes to Porta Borsari.

Evening: Dinner at the historic Antica Bottega del Vino—its wood-paneled rooms and encyclopedic wine list are a pilgrimage for oenophiles. Craft cocktails after at Archivio (try a Negroni variation); book an opera night if in season.

Day 3: Valpolicella—Amarone hills, cellar doors, and a country lunch

Morning: Cappuccino and kraphen at Pasticceria Perbellini in the center. Head out for a day devoted to Verona’s hills and one of Italy’s most distinctive reds: Amarone, made from partially dried grapes that intensify flavor and structure.

Featured experience: The Grand tour of Valpolicella: 2 Wineries, Lunch & Amarone focus. Visit two standout wineries, learn about appassimento drying racks, and pair wines with local specialties over a convivial lunch.

Afternoon: Continue tastings—look for Valpolicella Classico, Ripasso, and Amarone vintages. Note vineyard terraces framed by olive and cherry trees and the stone-walled drying lofts that define the region’s style.

Evening: Back in town, keep dinner simple: pizza tasting flight at Saporè Downtown (renowned doughs—canotto, tonda, and crunch), or share a fresh-baked romana with seasonal toppings. Gelato nightcap at La Romana (pistachio with warm melted chocolate in the cone).

Day 4: Across the Adige—Roman Theater, hilltop Verona, and secret gardens

Morning: Breakfast at Pasticceria Flego (sfoglie and fruit tarts), then cross Ponte Pietra to the Roman Theater & Archaeological Museum. The amphitheater’s stones and lapidarium provide a quieter, contemplative counterpart to the Arena.

Afternoon: Ride the Castel San Pietro funicular for postcard views (about €3 one-way/€5 return). Descend to wander Giardino Giusti, a Renaissance garden with cypresses, grottoes, and a petite labyrinth. Lunch near the garden at Osteria da Ugo (seasonal risotti, tender brasato in Amarone).

Evening: Dine at Osteria La Fontanina—a romantic, antique-filled setting with thoughtful tasting menus and strong pairings. If you’re after something lighter, try Osteria Le Vecete for hearty Veronese staples and a friendly hum.

Day 5: Lake Garda and Sirmione—castles, thermal waters, and lake air

Morning: Quick espresso at Caffè Filippini by Piazza delle Erbe, then head for Lake Garda. The easiest, most efficient way is a guided excursion from Verona:

Featured experience: Lake Garda and Sirmione Tour from Verona. Explore elegant Sirmione, see the Scaligero Castle, and cruise the lake when conditions permit.

Afternoon: Stroll Sirmione’s lanes for olive oil tastings and lemon confections; if time allows, peek at the Roman villa ruins of Grotte di Catullo. Independent alternative: train to Desenzano del Garda (~20–25 min; from ~€5–8 on Omio Trains), then ferry/bus to Sirmione.

Evening: Back in Verona, reserve Trattoria Greppia for comforting classics (bigoli, horse or beef brasato, gnocchi di malga). Digest with a passeggiata along the Adige.

Day 6: Markets, hands-on cooking, and shopping on Via Mazzini

Morning: Browse produce and spice stalls at Piazza delle Erbe; pick up Monte Veronese DOP to bring home. Coffee at Caffè Rialto (good cappuccino and standing-bar vibes). Late morning, trade street food for an apron.

Featured experience: Verona: Italian Cooking Class with Pasta, Risotto and Tiramisù. Learn to make fresh pasta, silky risotto, and Italy’s favorite dessert with a local chef, then enjoy your meal with a glass of wine.

Afternoon: Shop along Via Mazzini and peek into artisan boutiques around Corso Sant’Anastasia. Pause for a sweet pick-me-up at Pasticceria Barini (mignons and seasonal cakes).

Evening: Splurge at storied Ristorante 12 Apostoli—historic cellars, refined Venetian-Veronese cuisine, and attentive service. For a more casual trattoria alternative, try Osteria Sottoriva under medieval arcades next to the river.

Day 7: San Zeno, Castelvecchio, and farewell flavors

Morning: Breakfast at Officina dei Sapori (great pastries) then visit the Romanesque jewel Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore—its bronze doors and Mantegna altarpiece are worth the short detour. Amble to Castelvecchio Museum and walk the Ponte Scaligero for final river views.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Pane e Vino (board of local salumi and cheeses, seasonal salads), or Enoteca Segreta for a last glass of Amarone. Head to the station or airport: trains via Omio (Milan/Venice ~1h10), airport Aerobus (~15–20 min, ~€6), or taxi (~€25–35). Safe travels—arrivederci Verona!

Evening: Departure day; if your schedule allows, linger over a final espresso and a square of sbrisolona almond cake.

Practical Tips

• Seasonality: Opera at the Arena runs primarily summer; book early. Spring and fall are ideal for mild weather and vineyard visits.
• Tickets & passes: The VeronaCard (from ~€27) covers top sites and buses for 24/48 hours. The Castel San Pietro funicular is a quick, scenic link to the best overlook.
• Transit planning: For European trains/buses/ferries use Omio Trains and Omio Buses. For Europe-bound flights use Omio Flights; for long-haul compare Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights.

Optional Swap-ins (if you want to tweak a day)

• Prefer a food-focused walk? Consider this guided tasting stroll with cable car: Verona: Food Tasting and Walking Tour with Cable Car.

  

In one beautifully paced week, you’ll trace Roman stones, peer from bell towers and hilltops, taste Amarone where it’s born, and breathe Lake Garda’s light. Verona rewards both planners and wanderers—this itinerary gives you the scaffolding, the city supplies the magic.