What to do in Verona in one day: a 24 hour itinerary in the city of Romeo and Juliet

It is one of the most famous Italian city in the world and one of the most visited every year, this is Verona with its elegant city center, the superb Arena and the famous balcony of Juliet's house, the main character of William Shakespeare’s masterpiece Romeo and Juliet. Located in the north of Italy and well connected by train, by car and even by plane thanks to the international airport Verona-Villafranca located at only 12 kilometers from the city center, Verona is a must see destination during a trip in Italy.

With a small city center, some unmissable spots and a beautiful riverside, Verona is the perfect city to be discovered in a day, a 24hours visit to enjoy its most famous monuments, its unforgettable corners, discovering in the meanwhile the flavors and the rituals of the city like a real local. Let's find out our complete itinerary to explore one of the most romantic Italian cities, with details about what to do in only one day, without wasting time. Let's go together.

Leaving the riverside and back inside the old city center, you can go to visit Verona’s cathedral officially named Santa Maria Matricolare Cathedral, the most important and stately church of Verona. Built up a paleochristianic basilica destroyed by an earthquake, today’s cathedral - made in Romanesque style in the XII century - has been renovated during the past. The Cathedral of Verona deserves a visit inside its aisles made with Verona red marble, also to admire the Assumption of the Virgin, the masterpiece painting made by Tiziano.

After a morning day spent riding and walking through the main attractions of Verona, it’s time to taste some traditional plates for lunch. Verona is full of delicious restaurants some of them awarded by the Michelin guide. Our suggestion is to have a lunch in a traditional tavern of the old city, to taste some Verona’s specialities such as the risotto with Amarone, rice cooked with Amarone, a dry red wine originary from Valpolicella a Veneto region close to Verona. Since this part of Italy produces some of the most famous wines in the world, after lunch you can do a wine tasting of typical Valpolicella wines.
Taste with us Valpolicella wines❯

Leaving on the back Juliet’s house you can spend some time strolling through Via Mazzini, the main street of the city center, famous for hosting the most elegant shops of Verona. Walking around via Mazzini, it is possible to see some beautiful corners of the old city with some medieval and renaissance buildings such as Saint Tomio church and the Giusti palace. Via Mazzini, which during the Roman age was the decumanus, nowadays connects two of the most important squares: Piazza Bra and Piazza Erbe.

In an itinerary of one day in Verona, do not forget to have your aperitif time at Piazza Erbe, the most important and oldest square of Verona. Built as a Roman forum and renovated during the Middle Age, the square hosts some of the most beautiful buildings of Verona as the city hall, the Maffei palace and the Lamberti tower from where it is possible admire a wonderful view. Verona is the capital of spritz – that’s why Piazza Erbe, with its bars overlooking the square, remains the perfect place to do an aperitif as many locals are used to do every day.

Visit Maffei palace❯

Thanks to the wonderful location of the Arena of Verona, which is still used as a venue for lyrical events and for concerts of international pop and rock starts, attending a music show inside this magnificent Roman-age theatre is the best way to end a day in Verona. The lyrical season takes place during the summer, but some concerts are played during the spring and the beginning of autumn, our suggestions is to look what it is scheduled during your vacation in Italy.
Attend a concert inside the Arena❯