Verona is a city of layered stories—Roman splendor, medieval might, and Renaissance grace—neatly folded into a walkable old town along the Adige River. Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet here for a reason: balconies, bell towers, and sun-washed stones turn every corner into a ready-made photograph. Yet it’s also lived-in and convivial, with tiny espresso bars, market chatter in Piazza delle Erbe, and locals lingering for aperitivo.

Founded by the Romans, Verona’s amphitheater—the Arena—still hosts summer operas under the stars. Cross the crenellated Ponte Scaligero to the superb Castelvecchio Museum, ride the funicular to Castel San Pietro for panoramic cityscapes, and step into tranquil Giardino Giusti for a Renaissance garden pause. Day trips fan out to Lake Garda for breezes, boats, and pastel harbor towns.

Verona is compact, safe, and best explored on foot. To keep costs low (budget level ~38/100), consider a VeronaCard (24–48 hours; covers major sights and buses) and plan hearty but affordable meals—think “Bigoi” fresh pasta to go, classic osterie, and generous aperitivo spreads. Espresso is a ritual here: stand at the bar for the best price, sip, smile, and carry on.

Verona

Why you’ll love it: Ancient Arena, storybook lanes, river bends, and photogenic viewpoints make Verona ideal for a relaxed, culture-rich city break. You’ll find excellent museums, friendly coffee bars, and easy access to Lake Garda for a gentle boating interlude.

• Top sights: Arena di Verona, Piazza delle Erbe, Juliet’s House, Castelvecchio Museum, Ponte Pietra, Roman Theatre & Archaeological Museum, Giardino Giusti, Duomo, Basilica di San Zeno.
• Great for photographers: Golden hour at Ponte Pietra; panoramas from Castel San Pietro; moody arches along Via Sottoriva; the Arena at dusk; the river curve by Ponte Scaligero.
• Where to eat: Classic osterie (Osteria Sottoriva, Osteria Le Vecete), salumeria-and-pasta stalwarts (Trattoria al Pompiere), budget-friendly pasta-to-go (Bigoi), standout pizzas (Berberè, Da Salvatore), historic wine bars (Antica Bottega del Vino).
• Coffee & sweets: Caffè Borsari (tiny, excellent espresso), Pasticceria Flego (beautiful pastries), Caffè Filippini (people-watching in Piazza delle Erbe), Gelateria Savoia (vintage gelato near the Arena).

Where to stay (budget-aware picks):

• Search apartments/VRBOs (often best value): VRBO Verona
• Compare hotel deals: Hotels.com Verona
• Hotel Milano & Spa (central, good value; rooftop view of the Arena): View on Hotels.com
• Hotel San Marco Fitness Pool & Spa (wallet-friendly wellness, bus to center): View on Hotels.com
• Due Torri Hotel (historic splurge if deals drop): View on Hotels.com

Getting to Verona (choose what fits):

• Flights (within Europe or to nearby hubs): Compare fares to Verona (VRN) or nearby Venice/Milan on Omio Flights. From VRN, the Aerobus to Verona Porta Nuova runs ~15 min (~€6).
• International flights (from outside Europe): Check broad options on Trip.com Flights.
• Trains (easy and budget-friendly): Milan–Verona ~1h15, Venice–Verona ~1h10, Rome–Verona ~3h on high-speed; compare schedules/prices on Omio Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Piazza Bra, and Sunset on the Adige

Morning: Travel to Verona. If you arrive early, drop your bags and grab a standing espresso and a sfoglia at Caffè Borsari—tiny, old-school, and loved by locals.

Afternoon: Check in, then stroll to Piazza Bra to see the Roman Arena up close. Circle its honey-colored arches and people-watch from the square. For a sweet pick-me-up, try a slice of torta sbrisolona at Pasticceria Flego.

Evening: Walk Via Mazzini to Piazza delle Erbe for a photogenic first impression. Continue to Ponte Pietra for golden-hour views over terracotta roofs. Dinner at Osteria Sottoriva under the arcades—warm polenta with braised beef or a seasonal risotto pairs beautifully with a glass of Valpolicella. Post-dinner gelato at Gelateria Savoia near the Arena.

Day 2: Verona’s Icons—Arena, Juliet, and Castelvecchio

Morning: Quick cappuccino at Caffè Filippini in Piazza delle Erbe, then join a guided city intro that saves time and adds context:

Verona Small Group Walking Tour with Cable Car and Arena Tickets explores the Arena, Romeo’s House, Juliet’s Balcony, and rides up to Castel San Pietro for a beautiful city panorama—great for first photos.

Afternoon: Snack on fresh Bigoi pasta-to-go (try duck ragù or cacio e pepe), then head to the Castelvecchio Museum. Carlo Scarpa’s brilliant design guides you through medieval art, Venetian paintings, and sculpture. Step onto Ponte Scaligero for river vistas and castle angles.

Evening: Aperitivo at Antica Bottega del Vino (one of Italy’s storied enoteche; ask for a by-the-glass Amarone). Dinner at Trattoria al Pompiere, a former salumeria known for its cured meats counter, homemade pastas, and Veronese classics. Night stroll back via the softly lit Arena.

Day 3: Gardens, Roman Theatre, and Tastes of Valpolicella

Morning: Begin at the serene Giardino Giusti—cypress alleys, grotto, and a lovely belvedere. It’s quiet in the morning and perfect for photography. Coffee and a pastry at Pasticceria Barini nearby keeps things local and budget-friendly.

Afternoon: Cross Ponte Pietra to the Roman Theatre & Archaeological Museum; the terrace views sweep over Verona’s rooftops. If you didn’t ride yesterday, take the Funicolare di Castel San Pietro (a few euros) for another mellow panorama. Pause for a light lunch—sourdough pizza at Berberè (easy to share) or a salad and schiacciata at a neighborhood café.

Evening: Sample local wines without leaving the center:

Wine Tasting near Juliet’s House & Arena walks you through Veneto styles—from sparkling and Soave whites to Valpolicella and Amarone—friendly, short, and informative. Dinner after at Osteria Le Vecete for handmade pastas and seasonal plates; end with tiramisù or a grappa.

Day 4: Gentle Lake Garda Day Trip (Boating + Village Time)

Morning: From Verona Porta Nuova, take a regional train to Peschiera del Garda (~13–20 min) or Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione (~20–25 min). Compare times and fares on Omio Trains. From either town, hop a ferry to scenic Sirmione for castle views and calm lakeside walks. If you prefer a guided option with a boat segment, consider:

The Original Lake Garda Tour with Boat Trip adds narration and curated stops. DIY travelers can buy a day ferry pass to float between a couple of southern towns at a slow pace.

Afternoon: Explore Sirmione’s peninsula lanes and views by Scaliger Castle and the lakefront promenades. Keep lunch simple—panini, olives, fruit, and a bench with a breeze—or a lake-fish dish at a casual trattoria. Mid-afternoon ferry back to your rail hub and train to Verona.

Evening: Back in Verona, unwind with pizza at Da Salvatore (classic, good value) or share a few small plates at a cozy bacaro-style spot near the Arena. Gelato nightcap at Gelateria La Romana (excellent pistachio and crema).

Day 5: Art, Last Photos, and Departure

Morning: Coffee crawl finale: an espresso at Caffè Borsari, then a spin through the produce stalls of Piazza delle Erbe. Art lovers can pop into the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti (inside Palazzo della Ragione) for a compact, well-curated collection.

Optional, kid-at-heart friendly finale: Homemade Gelato Making Class in Verona—a fun, hands-on way to learn recipes you can recreate at home.

Afternoon: Quick farewell photos on Ponte Pietra or a quiet moment in Basilica di San Zeno if time allows. Depart via train or flight—compare options on Omio Trains and Omio Flights; long-haul options on Trip.com.

Extra Ideas (swap-in if you like)

• Hands-on cooking: If you’d rather cook a full meal, consider a pasta-and-tiramisù class:

  

  Pasta & Tiramisù Cooking Course.
• Juliet-focused stroll: Visit Juliet’s House early to avoid crowds, then the Scaliger Tombs and Santa Anastasia for fine Gothic details and a cool, quiet nave.
• Money-saver: A 24–48h VeronaCard can bundle Arena, Juliet’s House, San Zeno, Castelvecchio, and buses—great value if you’re museum-hopping.

Budget tips woven in: Walk everywhere (the center is compact), stand at the bar for cheaper coffee, share pizzas and antipasti, and prioritize viewpoint stops (free!) for photography. Regional trains to Lake Garda are inexpensive and fast; ferries are flexible—mix a short cruise with village time to keep it calm and affordable.