Things to do in Verona, Italy as a tourist (in 2026)

Of all my recent trips to Italy, the place I enjoyed the most was Verona. It’s a beautiful city, packed full of history and some pretty awesome ruins. Plus, it doesn’t come with the same hordes of tourists as bigger cities like Florence.

It isn’t the biggest city. You could easily see most of it on a weekend trip. But if you like a relaxing getaway, you could also add a stay at the nearby Lake Garda and spend a few days by the water.

Whether you’re visiting for a day or a long weekend, here are my favourite things to do in Verona!

Get lost in the beautiful streets

The real charm of Verona is in the hundreds of winding side streets and historic buildings. I was happily wandering around, following whatever looked interesting, and kept stumbling across stunning architecture and quiet little corners.

If you prefer to learn some history along the way, I’d definitely recommend a walking tour. Verona is a really walkable city, and it felt noticeably less crowded and more relaxed than some of the bigger Italian tourist spots (like Florence).

Drink wine at a vineyard

Verona is bordered by many amazing vineyards and wineries. The area is known for making Amarone – a rich, full-bodied red wine.

If you love drinking wine, then you’ll be in heaven here. You can visit many of the surrounding vineyards and wineries for tastings and dinners.

There is a beautiful vineyard that I visited with incredible views over the city (see the Viator tour below). If you go on their late afternoon tour, you can enjoy the sunset over the city with a beautiful glass of locally made wine.

Discover the underground ruins

One of the magical things about Verona is its history, which you can see absolutely everywhere around you. What I came to learn is just how much more of it is hidden underneath the city. So many buried ruins, covered by centuries of new buildings.

I stumbled across a tour run by archaeologists who take you into two excavation sites beneath the streets, where you can learn about the original Roman city and what came after.

It was one of the most fascinating tours I’ve done, and the fact that it’s led by actual archaeologists rather than tour guides makes it all the more special. Check it out below:

Take a trip to Lake Garda

With the beautiful Lake Garda so close, it would be rude not to visit it. The lake itself is stunning. With many beach spots for sunbathing and/or swimming. But the towns that wrap around it are also worth visiting, like Sirmione with its medieval castle.

If possible, you should try to stay in Lake Garda for a night or two to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and explore the different places around the lake. I recommend the beautiful Il Mansio hotel (you can read my review here) as a base whilst in Lake Garda.

You can reach the eastern shores of Lake Garda in around 30-40 minutes from Verona by car. You can also take the bus or a train, but this will take a little longer.

Catch the view from Castel San Pietro

Verona is a beautiful city, both on the street level and from above. I really enjoyed walking up to Castel San Pietro on the east side of the city. From the top, you get the most magical view over the city.

You can see the river wrap around the old town, full of so many beautiful old buildings. There is also a bar up there, which is great for grabbing a drink and watching the sunset.

The walk doesn’t take too long, but you can also take the funicular up there if you prefer. This drops you off right next to the bar, and just around the corner from the viewpoint.

Visit the world’s oldest operating library

I stumbled across this library completely by chance. And I couldn’t resist the idea of seeing some super old books.

It’s the oldest library in the world. But it’s worth mentioning that it isn’t the oldest library to have ever existed, just the oldest one that’s still operating. That title goes to ancient libraries in the Middle East, thousands of years older but long since destroyed.

It cost me €7, and it was well worth it just to stare at the walls of super old books. There was also a mini museum where you could learn more about the library. But honestly, if you aren’t so fascinated by books, I’d say you could give this a miss and check out some other museums.

Here are some other museums in Verona you may want to check out:

• Castelvecchio Museum (medieval castle with art, sculptures and weapons)
• Archaeological Museum at the Roman Theatre (ancient Roman artefacts with great city views)
• Palazzo Maffei (over 600 artworks from the 14th century to modern day, right on Piazza delle Erbe)
• Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti (Italian modern art from 1840 to 1940)
• Natural History Museum (fossils and minerals)

Drink Aperol Spritz in a square

It wouldn’t be a trip to Italy without an Aperol Spritz or two in a beautiful square somewhere, unless you don’t drink alcohol, that is. In which case, an espresso will do the trick!

Piazza Erbe is the obvious choice, though the drinks will be pricier, and it is packed to the brim with tourists. I actually preferred finding a quieter spot away from the crowds, where you can soak up the architecture.

Take a photo on Juliet’s balcony

This really wasn’t too high on my list, I’m not a Romeo and Juliet fan per se, but whilst I was in Verona, I could see just how popular it was with other tourists. So it may well be your thing! But honestly, if it isn’t, then this isn’t a must – I personally abhor doing touristy things just for the sake of it.

It is a beautiful courtyard, but you will need to pay to get in. Or you can poke your head round and snap a quick picture, as most people do.

I actually stayed in the hotel in the same courtyard, Relais Balcone di Guilietta (see more below), so I got to see the balcony without any tourists, both first thing in the morning and late at night.

Where to stay in Verona

I stayed in Relais Balcone di Giulietta during my trip to Verona. It’s a beautiful design hotel with large rooms. My room also benefited from a large jacuzzi tub. There’s no breakfast, but the in-room minibar is completely free, stocked with snacks, drinks and even prosecco, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

The location is perfect for sightseeing, especially if you want to check out Juliet’s balcony before the crowds arrive. That is also the slight downside, though – you are right in the thick of the tourist bustle during the day.