Should You Visit Verona, Italy? Why You Might Love or Hate It

Is Verona, Italy, worth visiting, or should you skip it for somewhere like Florence or Venice?

I’m glad you asked, because I have opinions on this one.

I’ve been to Verona more than once, and I don’t just think it’s worth visiting. I actually think it’s one of the best places to base yourself in Northern Italy.

From here, you can easily take day trips to places like Venice, Bologna, Sirmione, and even Florence. But what makes Verona stand out is how it feels compared to those cities.

It’s less crowded. A little more relaxed. And while it’s not dramatically cheaper, it can be slightly more affordable than Florence or Venice.

In this post, I’ll break down exactly why I think Verona is worth your time, and a few honest reasons why it might not be the right fit for everyone.

Is Verona worth visiting? My Honest Opinion

Yes. Verona is worth visiting if you want a beautiful, walkable Italian city without the intensity of Florence or Venice.

It’s especially a good choice if you plan to explore Northern Italy, since you can easily take day trips to Venice, Lake Garda, and Bologna.

If you prefer cities packed with major attractions and nonstop sightseeing, it might feel a little slow.

Why I loved Verona (and why I think you will too)

Verona is beautiful without feeling overwhelming.

If you’ve been to Rome, you probably know the feeling. It’s incredible, but it can also be a lot. The size, the crowds, the constant movement.

Verona is the opposite of that.

It’s a compact city that’s easy to walk, but still has a surprising amount to see and do. You get the charm, the history, and the atmosphere of Italy, without feeling like you’re constantly navigating chaos.

For me, this is exactly why Verona is worth visiting, especially if you prefer a smaller, more manageable destination that still feels full.

You can actually enjoy it without crazy crowds

Now, Verona isn’t a ghost town.

But compared to Florence or Venice, the difference in crowds is noticeable, especially depending on when you visit.

It feels more relaxed. You’re not constantly navigating packed streets or waiting in long lines just to see the main sights.

That said, don’t take that as a reason to completely wing it. You should still book restaurants you really want to try.

The difference is, you don’t need to plan every second of your trip months in advance just to have a good experience.

It’s a great base for day trips

One of the best things about staying in Verona is how easy it is to explore other parts of Northern Italy.

You’re close to some of the most desirable cities in the country, and many of them are easy day trips by train.

Bologna – Known as the food capital of Italy, Bologna is about 1 hour 30 minutes away by train, with tickets starting around €11.

This is the perfect day trip if you want to eat well. I recommend booking a food tour, exploring the city a bit, then heading back to Verona for dinner.

Venice – Just 1 hour 30 minutes by train, and you can often find tickets for around €11 each way. It’s an easy way to experience Venice without dealing with the crowds overnight.

I recommend you have a plan for Venice, and my plans always involve eating. One of my favorite ways to explore Venice was on this cicchetti tour.

Florence – Also about 1 hour 30 minutes by train, but this one is more of a full-day trip. Tickets are usually closer to €40, depending on timing. It’s worth it, just plan for a longer day since there’s a lot to see.

There is a lot to see in Florence, and a day trip might not feel like enough time. But if it is all you’ve got, then make the most of it and join an organized tour to maximize your time.

Lake Garda (Sirmione) – One of my favorite day trips from Verona. If you don’t want to rent a car, you can join an organized tour that takes you to Sirmione, which I think is absolutely worth visiting.

The kind of attractions Verona offers

Verona has a really nice mix of things to see, without feeling like you need to rush through a checklist.

Juliet’s Balcony – It’s the most famous spot in the city, and yes, it’s worth a quick stop. Just don’t come to Verona only for this.

Verona Arena – A smaller version of the Colosseum, right in the center of the city. In the summer, they host opera performances here, which is a pretty unique experience. You can check out their official site here to look for upcoming concerts.

Piazza delle Erbe – One of the prettiest squares in Verona, surrounded by colorful buildings, cafes, and a lively atmosphere. If you want to see an epic overview of the city, you can climb the Torre dei Lamberti. It’s about 84 meter talk. You can climb the stairs and take the lift part of the way.

Castelvecchio & Bridge – A medieval castle with a beautiful walkway over the river. This area really gives you that old-world Verona feel.

The Bridges & River Views – The Adige River runs through the city, and the bridges are honestly part of the charm. This is what makes Verona feel so picturesque.

Castel San Pietro (viewpoint) – You can take a funicular up for one of the best views over Verona. It’s one of those simple things that ends up being a highlight.

The churches are actually worth stepping into

I’m not a museum person, and I’m not religious, but I do love architecture. So I almost always step into a few churches when I travel.

Verona has some really beautiful, historic ones that are worth your time.

The ones I would prioritize are:

Verona Cathedral (Duomo) – A mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, with a quieter, more local feel.

Basilica di San Zeno – One of the most important churches in Verona, and honestly one of the most impressive. It feels a bit removed from the main tourist areas, which makes it even better.

Sant’Anastasia – The largest church in Verona, known for its detailed interior and unique frescoes.

What I like about visiting churches in Verona is that you can actually take your time.

You’re not dealing with huge crowds, and it doesn’t feel rushed, which makes the experience a lot more enjoyable.

You’re Traveling Alone

Verona is a great choice for solo travel. It feels safe, easy to navigate, and not overwhelming. I’ve even named it one of the best European cities for solo female travelers for that reason.

And while I thought it might feel too romantic, being the Romeo and Juliet town and all, it didn’t. 

Good Italian Food Is A Priority

This is Italy, so of course the food is good. But Verona has its own specialties that feel very different from places like Naples or Rome.

The food here is hearty, local, and deeply tied to the region:

• Pastissada de Caval – a slow-cooked horse meat stew braised in red wine, usually served with polenta
• Risotto all’Amarone – creamy risotto made with local Amarone wine, rich and bold
• Bollito con la Pearà – boiled meats served with a traditional bread, pepper, and bone marrow sauce
• Bigoli pasta – thick, rustic pasta often paired with duck ragù or anchovy-based sauces
• Monte Veronese cheese – a local mountain cheese that ranges from mild to sharp
• Pandoro – a soft, buttery cake that originated in Verona, especially popular around Christmas

It’s not flashy food, but it’s very traditional, and that’s kind of the point.

My favorite restaurants are: 

• Locanda Ai Portici
• Osteria Il Bertoldo
• Trattoria al Pompiere

Why Verona might not be for you

As much as I like Verona, it’s not going to be the right fit for everyone.

You want nonstop, big-ticket attractions

Verona has plenty to see, but it doesn’t have the same level of major museums and iconic sights as Florence or Rome.

If your goal is to pack your days with “must-sees,” you might feel like you run out of things to do.

You’re looking for that over-the-top Italy feeling

If your dream is canals like Venice or massive landmarks like the Colosseum, Verona is a bit more subtle. It’s charming, but in a quieter way.

You don’t plan on leaving the city

Verona really shines when you use it as a base. If you’re not interested in day trips, you might not get the full value of staying here. You could get bored if you want big-city energy.

How many days do you need in Verona?

If you’re visiting Verona just for the city itself, 3 nights is a great amount of time. It gives you enough space to see the main sights, enjoy the atmosphere, and not feel rushed.

If you’re planning to use Verona as a base, then around 7 nights works really well. This gives you time to explore the city while also taking a few day trips without cramming everything in.

After that, I’d recommend moving south and choosing another base to explore a different part of Italy.

For example, I really like using Bari as a base in Southern Italy. From there, you can easily visit places like Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, and Alberobello.

So, are you going to visit Verona?

If you’ve made it this far, you probably already know your answer.

If you’re looking for a beautiful, walkable Italian city that feels more relaxed than Florence or Venice, then yes, Verona is absolutely worth visiting. Especially if you like the idea of using one place as a base and exploring from there.

And if you’re sitting there thinking, okay yes, I want to go… but planning this feels like a lot, that’s exactly where I can help.

I create customized itineraries, and I’m a certified travel advisor with years of experience planning trips like this. The biggest difference when you work with someone like me is the pacing.

You’re not running across the city trying to fit everything in. You’re not overbooking your days. Everything flows the way it should.

That said, working with a travel advisor isn’t for everyone, and I’m very upfront about that.

If you’re curious, you can read more about my itinerary planning services and see if it’s the right fit for you.