Sometimes the places you expect the least end up becoming your favorites. That was exactly how I felt about Verona. Originally, we planned to spend just a few nights there to recover from jet lag before continuing on to the Dolomites. I honestly didn't expect much. I thought of Verona simply as a convenient stopover. I couldn't have been more wrong. Verona quickly became one of my favorite cities in all of Italy. It's elegant without feeling crowded, historic without being overwhelming, and charming in a way that immediately makes you want to slow down. In many ways, it reminded me of a cleaner, quieter, and more relaxed version of Rome.
Getting There
Although we flew into Venice, rented a car, and drove to Verona before continuing to the Dolomites, Verona actually has its own international airport, making it a very convenient destination to visit on its own or as part of a northern Italy itinerary. The city is also incredibly walkable, so once you arrive, you won't need your car again until you leave.
Sanaz's tip: Verona has its own airport — you can fly in directly rather than routing through Venice if you're making it a standalone destination.
Where We Stayed: Lords of Verona Luxury Apartments
Rather than staying at one of the larger hotel brands, we chose Lords of Verona Luxury Apartments, and it turned out to be the perfect choice. Located in the heart of the historic center, the location simply couldn't have been better. Our apartment was spacious, modern, and beautifully designed, with a separate bedroom, large living room, dining area, and one feature I came to appreciate more than almost anything else during the Italian summer — excellent air conditioning. With temperatures reaching 85–90°F during our visit, returning to a wonderfully cool room after a day of sightseeing was pure luxury. One thing to keep in mind is that the hotel sits within Verona's pedestrian-only historic center. We parked our rental car in a nearby parking garage and walked about 15 minutes with our luggage through the charming cobblestone streets to reach the hotel. When we checked out, we opted for a taxi back to the parking garage, which made things much easier.
Sanaz's tip: Take a taxi back to the parking garage on checkout day — walking with luggage through the cobblestone streets in summer heat is no fun.
Exploring Verona
One of my favorite things about Verona is that there really isn't a long sightseeing checklist. Instead, it's a city that's meant to be enjoyed. We spent our days wandering through narrow cobblestone streets, discovering beautiful boutiques, stopping for coffee, shopping, and simply soaking in the atmosphere. Unlike larger Italian cities that are filled with international chain stores, Verona offers wonderful independent boutiques featuring handcrafted leather handbags, shoes, clothing, and artisan goods. I ended up buying several beautiful leather purses that remain some of my favorite souvenirs from Italy. Of course, no evening was complete without gelato, which quickly became my daughters' favorite tradition.
Sanaz's tip: Budget extra time — and luggage space — for Verona's independent leather boutiques. The handcrafted bags are unlike anything you'll find in larger Italian cities.
Juliet's Balcony
No visit to Verona would be complete without seeing Juliet's Balcony, inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Whether you're a fan of the story or simply appreciate history, it's a fun stop and one of the city's most photographed landmarks.
Sanaz's tip: Visit early morning to beat the crowds — by midday the courtyard gets very busy.
An Evening at the Arena di Verona
One of the highlights of our stay was attending an opera at the Arena di Verona. Watching an Italian opera beneath the stars inside a remarkably preserved Roman amphitheater was an unforgettable experience. The arena itself resembles a smaller version of Rome's Colosseum and creates an atmosphere unlike any modern theater could ever replicate. Our daughters were fascinated by the experience at first, although after about 20 to 30 minutes they were ready to leave since they couldn't understand the language. For that reason, I would probably recommend the opera more as an adults' evening out. Even if you don't attend a performance, simply seeing the Arena illuminated at night is worth the visit.
Sanaz's tip: The opera is best as an adults' evening — young children lose interest quickly. But seeing the Arena lit up at night is worth it regardless.
Piazza delle Erbe
The heart of Verona is Piazza delle Erbe, one of the city's liveliest and most beautiful squares. During the day, it's filled with market vendors selling everything from fresh produce and local foods to clothing, toys, artwork, and souvenirs. As evening arrives, the square transforms into one of the city's most charming gathering places. Families stroll through the piazza, friends linger over coffee or aperitivos, and children happily enjoy gelato while musicians perform nearby. It's one of those places where you can easily spend hours doing absolutely nothing — and thoroughly enjoy every minute.
Sanaz's tip: Come back to Piazza delle Erbe in the evening — the transformation from daytime market to evening gathering place is one of Verona's best experiences.
Ponte Pietra
Another beautiful walk takes you to Ponte Pietra, Verona's ancient Roman stone bridge spanning the Adige River. The views from the bridge are spectacular, especially around sunset, and it's only a short walk from the historic center. It's one of those simple moments that perfectly captures Verona's timeless beauty.
Sanaz's tip: Time your walk to Ponte Pietra for sunset — the light on the river and the old city is stunning.
Final Thoughts
Verona was one of the biggest surprises of our entire Italian vacation. It combines history, romance, outstanding food, wonderful shopping, and a relaxed atmosphere into a city that's incredibly easy to explore on foot. Unlike larger destinations that can sometimes feel rushed or overwhelming, Verona invites you to slow down, wander without a plan, and simply enjoy being there. I think two to three nights is the perfect amount of time to experience everything the city has to offer before continuing on to destinations like the Dolomites, Lake Garda, or Venice. If you're planning a trip to northern Italy, don't make the mistake I almost did by treating Verona as just a stop along the way. It deserves to be a destination in its own right — and it may just surprise you as much as it surprised me.
Sanaz's tip: Two to three nights is the sweet spot — enough to feel unhurried without running out of things to do.
Where to Eat & Drink
Verona's food scene is unpretentious and excellent — the best meals were often the simplest ones.
Restaurant Next to Lords of Verona
Best Margherita pizzaThe restaurant immediately next door to our apartment served one of the most delicious Margherita pizzas we've had anywhere in Italy. Simple, unpretentious, and absolutely perfect.
Piazza delle Erbe Cafés
Evening ritualThe cafés ringing Piazza delle Erbe are perfect for an aperitivo as the evening light fades and the square fills with locals. Order a Spritz, find a table, and watch Verona come alive.