The ultimate romantic weekend, an original Valentine’s gift, or a simple short break to escape routine: Verona is always a great choice!
Not far from Venice and the beautiful countryside full of vineyards of the so-called Prosecco Valley, this charming city offers an elegant vibe and countless picturesque corners, other than several museums, beautiful churches, and historical monuments.
Only have one day in Verona? Check out my detailed one-day Verona itinerary.
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Table of Contents
Two days in Verona: Where to Stay?
- The best neighborhood for your short stay in Verona is the Old Town, also referred to as Città Antica. Choose it if you want to be literally a few meters away from the main attractions, and you feel like enjoying some local nightlife too.
Hotel Giulietta e Romeo: located only 50m away from the Arena, it has excellent value for money. Click here for more information.
- San Zeno district is located within walking distance from the main points of interest, but it’s quieter and less touristy than the Old Town.
Cinque Rooms: quiet, modern, and cozy, it will allow you to reach the main attractions in less than 10 minutes. Click here for more information.
- Cittadella district is not too far from the city center, and it’s also cheaper and quieter than the Old Town. This neighborhood includes the area around the railway station and up to Piazza Bra.
Hotel Piccolo: You’ll be able to reach the Arena within a 20-minute walk, and the railway station is only 400m away, so it’s perfect if you plan to reach Verona by train. Click here for more information.
Tip: A great way to explore Verona is with a Verona Card that includes Arena Priority Entrance.
Two days in Verona: a perfect itinerary
Two days are enough to explore Verona fully, and you’ll also be able to visit its most secret spots as well as all the attractions that are not usually included in the typical 1day itinerary from Venice.
The city center is small, and you can easily wander through its elegant squares and picturesque streets to reach any point of interest in a few minutes.
Verona in 2 Days: Day One
Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore
Start your visit from this Romanesque Basilica which is famous for the reddish coloring of its façade made with tuff and bricks. It is dedicated to the Saint Patron of Verona, and it houses the first piece of Renaissance art in Northern Italy: an altarpiece painted by Andrea Mantegna in 1459.
Castelvecchio Museum
Less famous than the art museums of Venice, Florence, or Rome, it houses an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, pottery, and jewels displayed in 29 rooms. The location is also stunning: the former Scaligera Fortress overlooks River Adige. Climb up to its walls to enjoy the view!
Piazza Bra
The largest square of the Old Town is surrounded by several elegant mansions, cafés, and restaurants, and it’s a great place to have lunch sitting at an outdoor table to immerse yourself in the typical local atmosphere.
Arena
A glimpse of Imperial Rome: this amphitheater is a bit smaller than the Colosseum, but it’s equally impressive! It was built at the beginning of the 1st century AD to accommodate more than 20.000 people watching the gladiatorial combats.
It’s the main attraction of Verona, and it’s always crowded, so a skip-the-line ticket (ex: Verona Card: Arena Priority Entrance) is definitely a must.
Mazzini Street
The main shopping street features all the most popular national and international brands. It was one of the first pedestrian streets in Europe, built in the 14th century.
Piazza delle Erbe
Its evocative name (literally Herb Square) hints at an idyllic rural past, but its origin is much more prosaic: it was the former market square, and the so-called “herb” was a generic term to indicate fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs that farmers used to sell here! You can still find many stalls in Piazza delle Erbe, but it’s all about souvenirs now!
Cathedral of Santa Maria Matricolare
Art and architecture lovers cannot miss this large complex of religious buildings: S. Giovanni Baptistery, Church of S. Elena, Cloister of the Canons, Chapter Library, Bishop’s Palace, and S. Maria Assunta Cathedral.
The buildings show an impressive mix of Romanesque and Gothic elements, and they are full of works of art, especially the Cathedral itself housing the famous altarpiece titled “Assumption” painted by Tiziano.
Verona in 2 Days: Day Two
Juliet’s House
At the heart of Verona’s Old Town, you can visit the actual residence of the Capuleti family, that is, Juliet’s family, according to Shakespeare! Needless to say, it is always crowded with couples taking pictures and literature lovers willing to see this iconic place and visit the inside of the house.
A picture from the balcony is a must, even if you’ll probably have to wait your turn in line. Just below the balcony, there is also a copy of Juliet’s bronze statue (the original one is inside): touch it for good luck!
Palazzo della Ragione
This historic mansion houses a Modern Art Gallery featuring several artistic masterpieces from a period that goes from 1840 to 1960. It’s also worth a visit for its architectural features and for the beautiful Chapel of the Notaries decorated with precious frescoes dating back to the XVIII century.
Lamberti Tower
The view from its top is unmissable, and it will provide you with the best pictures you can take in Verona. The tower is 84m high, and you can visit it with the same ticket used to enter Palazzo della Ragione.
You can choose whether to climb its 368 steps or to take the transparent lift and enjoy the view in the meantime. On sunny days, you’ll also be able to see the mountains in the background.
Click here for more information and to book your tickets for the Lamberti Tower.
Piazza dei Signori
In the middle of this elegant square, you can see the statue of Dante Alighieri, who used to spend a lot of time in Verona during his exile. Though it’s located only a few meters away from Piazza delle Erbe, the difference is evident: Piazza dei Signori has a noble and aristocratic vibe, while Piazza delle Erbe is more vibrant and picturesque.
Scaligeri Tombs
This funerary complex in Flamboyant Gothic style belonged to the Scaligeri family, who ruled Verona from 1262 to 1387. It’s a small private cemetery, but it still shows the importance and the rank of the members of this ancient family who contributed so much to the development of the city.
Romeo’s House
It’s now privately owned and therefore not open for visits, but you can still see a plate on its external wall saying it was the former residence of the Montecchi family, that is, Romeo’s family.
As an alternative, you can spend a few hours taking a wine tour in the countryside to taste local wines and learn more about the Valpolicella area (ex: Verona: Vineyard and Winery Tour with Wine Tasting)
Two days in Verona: where to eat?
Verona is mostly famous for its wines, but risotto (one of the most typical Northern Italy dishes) is also widespread and cooked with local ingredients.
For a romantic and classy dinner:
- Darì: amazing location and refined cuisine. Definitely not cheap, but perfect for St. Valentine’s Day
- Ristorante il Desco: another historical restaurant offering starred cuisine and a high-standing experience
To taste some authentic and local dishes:
- Trattoria al Bersagliere: taste local Amarone Risotto cooked using local Amarone wine
- Ristorante Scaligero: taste Tastasal Risotto, a risotto made with a local product named tastasal and consisting of salted pork meat.
Practical Information For Your 2 Days Verona Itinerary
When is the Best Time to Visit Verona?
Verona rhymes with St. Valentine’s Day, so February is the best month for your stay. On St. Valentine’s week, the city center is full of lights and decorations making it even more charming, especially at night.
May and September are also excellent months to enjoy sunny and warm weather and explore the countryside.
In October, a wine festival is held in Piazza dei Signori.
How to Get from the Airport to Verona’s Center
A local shuttle bus connects Verona Airport to the railway station. From there, you can easily reach the city center on foot (about 20 minutes) or by taxi. The journey from Verona airport to the railway station takes about 15 minutes, and the ticket costs 6 euros.
Taxis are just in front of the Arrival Terminal, and a ride to the city center costs about 25 euros.
However, the best way to reach Verona is by taking a train from Venice or Milan.
How to Get Around Verona
You can walk your way through the small city center to reach every point of interest in a bunch of minutes.