Verona is a city with a Roman forum square at its center, an amphitheatre on Piazza Bra and UNESCO World Heritage recognition since 2000. Lake Garda, whose clear water and gentle hills are a draw of their own, makes a natural second chapter for the same trip. The city and the lake suit travelers who want history and outdoor time together.
Getting in is simple: a shuttle takes 15 minutes between Valerio Catullo airport and Verona Porta Nuova station. A car in the center is where the trouble starts.
At a glance
- Airport: Valerio Catullo, 15 minutes by shuttle to Porta Nuova station
- Shuttle: every 20 minutes, every day
- Heritage: UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 2000
- Warmest month: July, with afternoons of 87°F (30°C)
- Nearby lake: Lake Garda, with the town of Garda that gave it its name
Where is Verona and what is it like?
Verona has its own airport, Valerio Catullo, and its main railway station, Porta Nuova, with a shuttle linking the two. In the old town, Piazza Erbe lies between the decumanus maximus (corso Santa Anastasia) and the cardo maximus (via Cappello), the two main Roman streets.
The city center is a set of squares. Piazza Erbe has bars and restaurants along its north side, a market of souvenirs and clothing, and the baroque Palazzo Maffei closing the west side. Piazza Bra, with the Arena, is the other main address. Lake Garda sits farther out, between gentle hills and clear water, and three tourism boards promote it: Veneto, Lombardy and Trentino.
History is easy to read on the ground. Piazza Erbe is the oldest square in Verona and stands on the Roman forum. It took its present name in the 14th century, when a small fruit and vegetable market set up there. In 1368 Cansignorio della Scala had the Madonna Verona fountain placed in the square, and in 1523 architect Michele Leoni made the column bearing the Lion of San Marco. An itinerary through the city also follows the steps of Dante Alighieri, who had a particular bond with Verona.
What is there to do in Verona?
The Arena and Piazza Bra
The Arena amphitheatre stands at Piazza Bra, 37121 Verona. The square is the natural starting point for a first day, since the amphitheatre and several other sights sit around it.
The Squares of Flavors, a food event, is held in Piazza Bra itself, so the square can be busy when it runs.
Opening hours and admission are not given for the Arena, so check them before going. For a first look, walk around the square and see how the Arena and the surrounding buildings sit together.
Piazza Erbe and the old Roman center
Piazza Erbe is the place to see how the city grew from the Roman forum. The fountain from 1368 and the Lion of San Marco column from 1523 stand in the square.
The north side is lined with bars and restaurants, which makes it an easy stop for a coffee or a meal. A market sells souvenirs and clothing, so you can pick up gifts while you are there.
Corso Santa Anastasia and via Cappello, the old Roman streets, lead out of the square.
Juliet’s House and the city museums
Juliet’s House is reached through the Teatro Nuovo in Piazzetta Navona, with the exit at Via Cappello 23. The Museo degli Affreschi ‘G.B. Cavalcaselle’ is at Juliet’s tomb, via Luigi da Porto 5.
Other museums are spread through the center. Castelvecchio is at corso Castelvecchio 2, the Museo Archeologico al Teatro Romano at Regaste Redentore 2, and the Museo di Storia Naturale at lungadige Porta Vittoria 9. The Centro Internazionale di Fotografia Scavi Scaligeri is at cortile Mercato Vecchio 8, next to the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti. The Bastione delle Maddalene has a Visitor Center open to the public, and the Castel San Pietro funicular runs every day.
It is valid for one year from purchase and does not include the Aerobus. It also gives free entry to some Trentino attractions, including the Mart and the Muse.
Lake Garda and the town of Garda
Garda is the town from which the whole lake takes its name. It sits between gentle hills and clear water, and it has Renaissance villas such as Villa Brenzoni-Guarienti and the Venetian Palazzo dei Capitani.
Outdoor activities include trekking, cycling and water sports. The town also has more than 200 engraved rocks, a good reason to bring walking shoes.
In winter, the Monte Baldo cable car reaches over 5,900 ft (1,800 m), with about 25 miles (40 km) of ski slopes. Garda can be a day outside the city in warm months or a ski day in winter.
If you want Roman and Renaissance history, start with Piazza Erbe and the Arena. Walkers, cyclists and water-sports fans should head for Lake Garda.
Where to stay in Verona
A tourist tax applies to overnight stays in any type of accommodation in the Municipality of Verona. That covers hotels, tourist rentals and short-term rental properties.
If you arrive by car, parking decides where a base works best. In the ZTL, the limited-traffic zone, parking costs €2 per hour every day from 8 a.m. to midnight, with no time limit. The new Zona Blu, within 350 to 450 meters of the center, charges €1.50 per hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the Zona Azzurra, farther out, charges €1 per hour. Parking subscriptions are available for Borgo Trento, at the Borgo Trento and Arsenale car parks, and for the Città antica, at the Arena and Isolo car parks.
How do you get to Verona and get around?
Verona Airlink is a train and bus service connecting Verona Porta Nuova railway station with Valerio Catullo airport. The bus stop is at the exit of the airport on the arrivals side. The journey takes 15 minutes, and the bus runs every day, every 20 minutes (every 40 minutes at Christmas and on New Year’s Day). A one-way ticket costs €6.00, in addition to the train fare. The bus is equipped for passengers with disabilities.
In the city, the VeronaCard gives free travel on urban buses, though it does not include the Aerobus. The Castel San Pietro funicular is open every day.
For drivers, the new parking rules are in force from July, once signage and payment systems are complete. The two-hour limit is abolished and payment now applies at weekends too. The Via Città di Nimes car parks are back at full capacity, with the first half hour free for Porta Nuova station users.
When should you go to Verona?
May and June are the comfortable window for sightseeing, with afternoons of 75°F (24°C) in May and 83°F (28°C) in June.
July and August are the hottest months. Skip winter for a sightseeing trip: January afternoons reach only 45°F (7°C), and November is the wettest month at 3 inches (85 mm) of rain.
Food and wine events add a reason to visit. The Hostaria wine festival runs from October 16 to 18 and is described as one of the most loved and attended wine and food events. The Bollito Fair is held at Isola della Scala, Pala Riso.
What to know before visiting Verona
According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov), U.S. citizens can stay in Italy for 90 days without a tourist or business visa.
- Passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area. A 6-month validity is recommended, and passports must have 2 blank pages for the entry stamp.
- You will need proof of sufficient funds and a return plane ticket.
- Italy sets a currency limit of 10,000 euros, or the equivalent, on entry and on exit.
- The travel advisory for Italy is Level 2, Exercise increased caution, due to terrorism, issued September 10, 2026. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Buy travel insurance before you go.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/italy.html), checked 2026-10-30
- comune.verona.it (https://www.comune.verona.it/Novita/Comunicati/Piano-della-sosta-piu-stalli-per-i-residenti-e-convenzioni-con-i-parcheggi-per-residenti-e-lavoratori-delle-zone-interessate), checked 2026-10-30
- museicivici.comune.verona.it (https://museicivici.comune.verona.it/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=43239), checked 2026-10-30
- visitverona.it (https://www.visitverona.it/en/poi/piazza-erbe), checked 2026-10-30
- conssanfrancisco.esteri.it (https://conssanfrancisco.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/visti/instructions-for-visas/), checked 2026-10-25
- atv.verona.it (https://www.atv.verona.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/EN/IDPagina/90/UT/systemPrint), checked 2026-10-30
- lagodigardaveneto.com (https://www.lagodigardaveneto.com/it/scopri/le-localita-lago-di-garda-veneto/garda), checked 2026-10-30