48-Hours in Verona, Italy

Train to Verona. Verona is located at the intersection of the Milan - Venice (east-west) and Bologna - Brenner (north-south) railways. Trains leave every 30 minutes from Milan Centrale station and it's about an hour and 15 min train ride. Cost around $20 pp.

Check into your hotel in Verona.

Tour Verona Arena - The Arena is located in Verona’s main square, the Piazza Brà. It is decades older than the Rome Collesium and is the 3rd largest ancient amphitheater in the world. The Arena remains in use today for public events, including the world-famous open-air opera series held each summer. It can host crowds of up to 22,000. If you are visiting in the summer months, I would definitely recommend attending an opera show. Admission is €10 or free with the Verona Card (pro tip below). Admission hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 7pm, with the last admission at 6:30pm. Hours can be reduced when preparations are being made for events.

Lunch/aperitivo at Teta De Giulieta – This restaurant is located in the Piazza della Erbe, which is known for being one of the most picturesque piazza's in all of Italy, with colorful, historical buildings, shops and restaurants around the square. Most of the buildings in this square trace back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Teta De Giulieta offers the traditional cuisine of Verona.

Romeo & Giulieta Show

Experience Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet performed in its original setting of Verona, Italy.

Walk to the Piazza Brà to find a restaurant to have dinner while people watching in the square. The piazza is lined with many colorful ancient buildings, as well as cafes, bars and gelato shops. Make sure to have some gelato to end your first day in Verona.

Pro tip - The Verona Card. The Verona Card can be purchased online, at the sites in Verona that accept the Card and at several hotels in Verona.

The Verona Card covers most of the main sites in the city. The Card can be purchased for 24 hours (€20) or for 48 hours (€25). If you plan on visiting many of the sites that have an entrance fee (such as the Arena, Castelvecchio, Torre dei Lamberti, the museum at Juliette’s house, Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, Teatro Romano, etc.) then buying the card is worth it. Once you purchase the Verona Card, it allows you to enter these sites for free.

Wake up and have breakfast at a local cafe with fresh pastries and coffee

Tour Torre dei Lamberti and the Basilica of St. Anastasia. Torre dei Lamberti is the tallest tower in Verona, where you can get one of the best views of the city. It is located next to Piazza delle Erbe. Basilica of St. Anastasia is a 13th century Gothic church featuring famous frescoes and a stunning interior. This is also located near Ponte Pietra, which is a bridge that connects the old city of Verona with Teatro Romano and Castel San Pietro.

Head up the Funicolare di Verona for 360 views of the city . This is a small gondola that only takes a few minutes to reach Colle San Pietro and the views are spectacular! Make sure to take some pictures before making your way back to Ponte Pietra.

Food & Wine walking tour of Verona .

Visit local shops and restaurants that provide the true flavor of Verona. The tour starts with a tasting of espresso and Veronese pastries, then you will be taken to a local market for a sampling of Sopressa salami and Monte Veronese cheese. Indulge in a tasting of local wines from the region at a local wine merchant, including the rich red wine, Amarone. The tour also includes a behind-the-scenes look and tasting of how tortellini is made. The tour concludes at Verona's oldest gelateria cafe.

Head to Terrazza Bar Al Ponte for a nightcap while overlooking the river and historical monuments.