Despite the fact that Italian winter can often reach temperatures below zero, especially in the Northern Regions, there are so many beautiful cities to visit that you can plan a weekend getaway in any season!
Verona is a great choice in winter, especially in February, when the city lights up to celebrate St Valentine’s Day, and many Italian and European couples spend some time there to visit Juliet’s House or to stroll in the city center and taste some local sweet treats.
The Christmas season is another excellent time for taking a short trip to Verona and buying some gifts at its German Christmas market! If you’re up for a short drive, go visit the smaller but picturesque Christmas markets held in the villages and towns overlooking Garda Lake!
The mountains are also close to Verona: Baldo Mount is 80 km away, and Lessinia Natural Park is only 50 km away!
If you bring warm clothes and an umbrella, you’ll surely be able to go sightseeing in Verona throughout the year!
Dive into lesser-known Verona’s winter!
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Things to do in Verona in Winter
Verona in November
Weather in Verona in November
The minimum temperature is 4°C and the maximum temperature is 12°C. Winter settles over Verona, but November is never too rainy, and you can still spend some time in the countryside or visit other smaller towns nearby.
Events, celebrations, and traditions in Verona in November
- Early November: Horse Fair and riding World Cup. Verona has a long tradition of horse breeding and horse riding. This annual event is very popular in Europe among horse lovers! More information at Jumping Verona.
- Late November: “Presepi dal Mondo” is a traditional nativity scenes exhibition lasting until the end of January and taking place at the Gran Guardia Palace. Find more information here.
Things to do in Verona in November
- Visit Verona’s beautiful churches: from the Romanic Basilica of San Zeno to the majestic complex of the Cathedral and the Gothic Basilica of S. Anastasia, you’ll be spoilt for choice!
- Enjoy a wine-tasting tour in the countryside! Valpolicella is a famous hilly winemaking area producing some prized wines like Amarone, Recioto della Valpolicella, Corvina Veronese, and Rosato Veronese. You can join this guided tour: Valpolicella: Champagne Experience with Premium Wines.
Why visit Verona in November
- Pros: not too rainy
- Cons: cold and grey
You might also like: How to spend one day in Verona.
Verona in December
Weather in Verona in December
The minimum temperature in Verona in December is -1°C, and the maximum temperature is 7°C. It’s rather cold, but not too rainy, so you can still spend some time outside.
Events, celebrations, and traditions in Verona in December
- December 13th: Feast of Saint Lucia and “Banchetti di Santa Lucia,” which is a large market held in Bra Square. Don’t miss the traditional “frittelle” (deep-fried pastries), and the arrival of the “Saint” on a donkey.
- Christmas Eve: you can attend the traditional midnight mass in Latin in the Cathedral
- Christmas Day: the local Christmas dessert is the famous pandoro, the main Italian Christmas food together with the Milanese panettone!
- New Year’s Eve: join the party in Bra Square with music, entertainment, and fireworks at midnight
Things to do in Verona in December
- Visit the local Christmas market and buy some original and handmade gifts. You can find it in Signori Square until December 26th. It features more than 100 stalls housed inside typical German wooden houses lit by Christmas lights.
- Bring your kids to Gardaland, one of the largest amusement parks in Italy. You can reach it in about 30 minutes by car from Verona, and you cannot miss the popular Gardaland Magic Winter! More information at Gardaland Magic Winter.
- Take the tourist train by the Arena and enjoy a ride through the old town listening to a tourist guide!
Why visit Verona in December
- Pros: enjoy the magic of Christmas in Verona!
- Cons: it’s cold, and the city center can get busy and chaotic, especially on the days before Christmas
Verona in January
Weather in Verona in January
The minimum temperature in Verona in January is -1°C and the maximum temperature is 6°C. The coldest month of the year is also very rainy!
Events, celebrations, and traditions in Verona in January
- Early January: winter sales are the perfect season to go shopping!
- January 6th: locals are used to burning the Befana! A fire is lit in Bra Square and people burn a 10m-high puppet made of wood and rags representing the old year which gives way to the new one. Before the fire ceremony, don’t miss the arrival of the Three Kings!
- Late January: Motorbike expo at Veronafiere for all motorbike and road-trip lovers
Things to do in Verona in January
- Go skiing on Baldo Mount! You can reach the ski resorts and 10 Km of slopes by taking a cable car from Malcesine, on Garda Lake.
- Spend a rainy day visiting the Civic Museum, housed inside Castelvecchio. Verona has many interesting museums to keep you entertained in case of bad weather! Take a look at Musei Civici di Verona.
- Take advantage of the winter sales to go shopping on Mazzini Street! Other famous shopping areas are Corso S. Anastasia, which specializes in antique shops; Cappello street (where you can also find Juliet’s House) with its many gift shops; and Stella Street, with its wineries and typical food shops.
Why visit Verona in January
- Pros: low season and low cost
- Cons: bad weather
Verona in February
Weather in Verona in February
The minimum temperature in Verona in February is 0°C and the maximum temperature is 9°C. February can be a rainy month, but it’s not so cold anymore. Anyway, it’s best to have some alternative plans in case of bad weather.
Events, celebrations, and traditions in Verona in February
- Carnival: Verona is home to one of the oldest Carnival celebrations in Europe. Parades, parties, and special events are on the agenda in February, and you can check out the dates at Carnevale 2023 Verona. Don’t miss the historic regatta on the Adige River and the famous parade of the “Venerdì Gnocolar”
- St. Valentine’s Day: Verona in Love is the name of the event which animates the city on this occasion. The place where Romeo and Juliet’s story took place is beloved by many couples who often choose to spend their special day wandering the decorated streets. There are also several themed tours on this day, so check out the program at Verona in Love.
Things to do in Verona in February
- Visit Juliet’s House and take a picture on her balcony! Keep in mind that you’ll have to wait in line for a long time unless you buy your tickets online!
- Enjoy a cooking class with your loved ones to spend a special day (ex: Verona Cooking Class: The Real Taste of Italy).
- Climb to the top of Lamberti Tower on St. Valentine’s Eve to admire the square all lit up and decorated in red! Lamberti Tower is 84m high, and it’s one of the main landmarks of the old town, together with the Arena.
Why visit Verona in February
- Pros: there are many events
- Cons: bad weather
What to pack for a winter trip to Verona
- Winter Jacket
- Gloves, hat, and scarf
- Winter waterproof jacket
- Sweaters
- Fleece
- Jeans/long trousers
- Long sleeves t-shirts or shirts
- Waterproof shoes or boots
- Umbrella
- Large bag
Remember to dress in layers to take something off inside the heated indoor spaces!
Where to eat and drink in Verona in winter
Restaurants
- L’Evangelista Ristorante Enoteca: a refined menu cooked with high-quality ingredients makes this restaurant the perfect location to celebrate a special occasion.
- Osteria del Bugiardo: a rustic atmosphere and some great wines makes it an excellent spot to spend a rainy night,
- Casa Perbellini: chic, gourmet (and expensive) for your St. Valentine’s dinner.
Cafés & Bakeries
- Caffè Montebaldo: taste the typical cicchetti and enjoy a happy hour in Veneto Style.
- Pasticceria Camesco: a modern location with a wide choice of brioches for breakfast.
- Pasticceria Dal Fior: another great spot to have breakfast and taste some classic cakes.
Why visit Verona in Winter
- To visit one of the most popular and largest Christmas markets in Italy
- To taste a slice of the authentic pandoro
- To celebrate St. Valentine’s Day in the city of Romeo and Juliet
- To attend the events of one of the oldest Carnivals in Europe
- To take advantage of the low-season discounts
- To visit Gardaland Magic Winter with your kids