🏛️ Verona guide: ticket prices, museum opening hours and a one-day route

Verona packs antiquity and the Renaissance into a compact center that you can realistically walk across in one day. The Roman amphitheater stands a two-minute walk from Juliet's balcony, and nearby the Adige flows under an ancient stone bridge.

Most tourists come for the Arena and Juliet's House, then regret not making it to the Roman theater, the Galleria d'Arte Moderna Achille Forti, and the Giusti Garden. We've put the city's main sights into one list.

First you'll see a short overview and a comparison table, then each sight is covered separately: what to see, how to get there, and how much admission costs. Hours and prices were checked against the Verona tourist office data for 09/2026 (official website).

Everything you need to know in advance is in the short block and table below.

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Our picks: 23 places in Verona

💡 In short:

Verona's center is compact, and the main sights are within walking distance of each other.
The best time for sightseeing: early morning and evening, when popular spots have almost no lines.
Tickets, opening hours, and prices: 09/2026, checked on the official website of the Verona tourist office.

Sight	Why it's interesting	Admission
Arena di Verona	Roman amphitheater and summer opera	ticketed
Juliet's House	Balcony and bronze statue in the courtyard	paid
Castelvecchio	Gothic fortress and museum	paid
Roman theater	Ancient tiers and city panorama	paid
Giusti Garden	Italian garden with a cypress avenue	paid
Piazza Bra	Main square by the Arena walls	free

Next we go in order: from the ancient amphitheater to the Scaliger Bridge.

1. Arena di Verona

Ancient Roman amphitheater Arena di Verona on the square

Arena di Verona is an ancient amphitheater built around 30 AD (history of the Arena). In size it is second only to the Colosseum and the amphitheater in Capua, and its seating holds about 22,000 spectators. A major earthquake in 1117 damaged the upper tiers, and some of the stone was later taken for city buildings.

In antiquity, gladiator fights took place here, and in the Middle Ages the arena hosted knightly tournaments and public executions. Today you can go inside with a tour or in the evening for an opera.

The summer opera festival has been held here since 1913 (festival program). Listening to opera inside ancient walls is an experience in itself, and tickets for well-known productions sell out months in advance.

Who it's for: lovers of antiquity and opera fans.
How to get there: the Arena stands on Piazza Bra, a few minutes' walk from Piazza delle Erbe.
The catch: in summer you can't get inside without an evening ticket.

2. Juliet's House

Facade of Juliet's House with balcony and ivy

© This Photo was taken by Andrea Bertozzi . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a · CC BY-SAPhoto: This Photo was taken by Andrea Bertozzi . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Juliet's House is a 13th-century brick mansion linked to the Capulet family from Shakespeare's play. In reality, the building belonged to the Cappello family, and it only got its romantic look with the balcony after restoration in the 20th century.

In the inner courtyard stands a bronze statue of Juliet, and visitors rub it for luck. The courtyard is small, in summer it's packed, and there's a line to the balcony.

Admission to the house is paid, and tickets are sold on site and online. Want to photograph the courtyard in peace? Come at opening time. Tours of Romeo and Juliet sites are easy to book in advance (options on GetYourGuide).

Location: Via Cappello, near Piazza delle Erbe.
Who it's for: Shakespeare fans and those looking for romance.
The catch: in summer the courtyard is crowded, and admission is paid.

3. Archaeological Museum

Courtyard of the archaeological museum with arches and a well

The Archaeological Museum occupies the former monastery of St. Jerome on a hill above the Roman Theater. The halls bring together finds from all over Verona and its surroundings: Roman tablets, ceramics, bronze, glass, statues, and mosaics. Part of the collection was discovered right on the theater site, and part was given to the city by private individuals.

From the museum terrace there is a panorama of the center and the Adige River. Admission is paid, and people who came for just one day rarely make it here.

How to get there: climb the stairs from the Roman Theater up to San Pietro Hill.
Who it's for: those who want to see Roman Verona as a whole.
The catch: you have to go up a hill to reach the museum, and admission is paid.

4. Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore

Facade of the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore in Verona

The Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore is one of the main Romanesque churches in Verona. It was built from local tuff with marble inlays, and the facade is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting scenes of the Last Judgment. In the center of the facade is a rose window known as the "Wheel of Fortune."

Inside there is a collection of artworks from different eras, and Saint Zeno of Verona rests in the crypt. Admission is paid, although the amount is symbolic.

How to get there: the basilica stands away from the center, closer to the railway station.
Who it's for: lovers of Romanesque architecture and frescoes.
The catch: admission is paid, and the site stands away from the main route.

5. Castelvecchio Castle

Castelvecchio Castle and bridge over the Adige River

Castelvecchio Castle was built in 1354-1356 by order of Cangrande II della Scala (about the castle). It is the most powerful fortress of the Scaliger dynasty: a square of red brick with seven towers and battlements shaped like the letter M.

The castle walls served as both a prison and an arsenal under Napoleon. Today the Castelvecchio Museum operates inside, with paintings, weapons, ceramics, and medieval sculpture.

How to get there: the castle stands on the bank of the Adige, next to the Scaliger Bridge.
Who it's for: those who love fortresses and medieval art.
The catch: museum admission is paid, and the courtyard itself can be seen quickly.

6. Galleria Forti

Vaulted hall of the Galleria Forti with columns and paintings

Galleria Forti grew out of the private collection of the wealthy Veronese Achille Forti, which he bequeathed to the city. The gallery's holdings number about 1,400 works (museums of Verona), although only part of the collection is considered modern art.

The permanent exhibition with works by Veronese masters opened in 2006. Today it is a serious exhibition center occupying one wing of a palace in the city center.

The gallery stands near Piazza Erbe and Piazza dei Signori, so it is easy to combine with a walk through the center. The rooms are small, and the visit proceeds calmly and without queues.

Who it's for: lovers of painting and quiet rooms away from the crowds.
The catch: there is less modern art here than a visitor expects from the name.

7. Porta Borsari Street

Porta Borsari gate and pedestrian street behind the arch

Porta Borsari Street runs from Piazza Erbe to the old gates that were part of Verona's ancient walls. The Porta Borsari gates were built in the first century (Verona tourist office), and the street's name comes from the Italian "borsari," meaning customs officers. A duty collection point once really stood here.

Nowadays it is a street of shops and boutiques that work from morning until late evening. A small fountain on it is a relief in the summer heat.

Who it's for: those who want to combine antiquity and shopping.
The catch: during the day the street is noisy and always full of people.

8. Piazza Erbe

Piazza delle Erbe in Verona with Palazzo Maffei

Piazza Erbe grew up on the site of the Roman forum and still remains the heart of Verona. The rectangle is surrounded by palaces with Renaissance frescoes, and the walls here are painted rather than plastered. In the center stands the fountain of the Madonna of Verona.

On the square there is a column with a winged lion, the symbol of the Venetian Republic. In the building with Ghibelline battlements a bank operates today, while in the Middle Ages the city's first financial corporations sat here.

How to get there: the square is in the center, a few minutes' walk from the Arena.
Who it's for: everyone who wants to see Verona's city life.
The catch: during the day the square is full of tourists and noisy.

9. Lamberti Tower

Bells of the Lamberti Tower, view from below

Lamberti Tower rises almost 85 meters above Piazza delle Erbe (about the tower). Construction began in the 12th century, and the upper section was rebuilt several times after lightning strikes and fires. The construction was funded by the Lamberti family, one of the wealthiest in the city.

At the top there is an observation deck with the best view of Verona. The tower's bells have different shapes: the large one called citizens to assemblies, the small one warned of fire.

How to get there: the tower stands right on Piazza delle Erbe, entrance from the square.
Who it's for: those willing to climb for a panorama of the city.
The catch: climbing the tower is paid, even if you take the elevator.

10. Roman theater and Ponte Pietra

Ponte Pietra stone bridge over the Adige in Verona

The Roman Theater on San Pietro Hill was built in the first century (ancient theater), and performances are still staged here in summer. The wide cavea rests in a semicircle against the hillside, with walls rising above it. Because of its proximity to the river, the theater once suffered badly from floods.

From above there is a panorama of the Adige and the old center, so people come here for the view as well. Above the theater on the hill stands Castel San Pietro.

The nearby Ponte Pietra is considered one of the oldest bridges in Verona. In 1945 it was blown up by retreating German troops, and the Veronese restored the span using old photographs and stones recovered from the riverbed. Today it is one of photographers' favorite spots.

The theater terraces are open to visitors, and you can climb them to the former monastery. From here you can see how the ancient tiers are built into the hillside, with walls looming over the cavea. For photography, the best time is early morning or sunset, when the light falls on the river and the bridge.

How to get there: from Piazza delle Erbe walk north along the river toward Ponte Pietra.
Who it's for: lovers of antiquity and city views.
The catch: the climb to the theater is uphill.

11. Giusti Palace and Garden

Wall of the Giusti Garden with gate and cypresses

The Giusti Garden was laid out by the Giusti family at the foot of the hill and is considered a model of the Italian formal garden. A cypress avenue leads to a terrace with a grotto and belvedere, offering a view of half the city. Goethe walked in the shade of these avenues and mentioned the garden in his writings.

The Giusti Palace sits very close to the ground, so the living quarters and inner courtyard are unusually low. The garden is open year-round and closed only on December 25: in winter from 10:00 to 18:00, in summer from 9:00 to 19:00 (Giusti Garden opening hours). Address: Via Giardino Giusti, 2.

How to get there: the garden is on the other bank of the Adige, away from the main squares.
Who it's for: those who want quiet and greenery after the squares.
The catch: admission is paid, and the walk from the center is not short.

12. San Fermo

Brick church of San Fermo with bell tower behind the bridge

The Church of San Fermo combines two eras in one building. The lower part was built in the Romanesque style, while the upper part is Gothic and resembles a ship's keel. You will see this combination of styles inside as well.

The interior preserves 14th-century frescoes and reliefs with scenes from the lives of saints, as well as ancient sarcophagi (San Fermo frescoes). The church stands on Stradone San Fermo, not far from the Adige.

Who it's for: those who appreciate frescoes and Gothic without large crowds.
The catch: admission is paid, and the church itself is small.

13. Church of San Lorenzo

Romanesque church of San Lorenzo with round tower and bell tower

The Church of San Lorenzo on Corso Cavour is one of the finest examples of Veronese Romanesque style (about San Lorenzo). It was built in the 12th century after the devastating earthquake of 1117. The masonry alternates brick and stone, which is why the walls and columns inside look striped.

On the facade, two towers conceal spiral staircases leading up to the matroneum gallery. The bell tower was added in 1468. Inside there is an altarpiece with the Madonna by Domenico Brusasorci, painted in 1566, and fragments of frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries.

The church stands on Corso Cavour, between the train station and Castelvecchio, so it's convenient to see on the way to the center. Inside, pay attention to the alternation of brick and stone: it makes the columns and apse look striped rather than smooth. The matroneum upstairs was once occupied by women during services. The church may be closed outside of services, so it's best to check opening hours on site.

Who it's for: lovers of Romanesque architecture and rare details.
The catch: the church is not always open, so check the hours on site.

14. Juliet's Tomb

Stone sarcophagus in the brick hall of Juliet's Tomb

Juliet's Tomb is an empty red marble sarcophagus shown to tourists as the resting place of Shakespeare's heroine. It became famous after the novella by Luigi da Porto, and later after Shakespeare's play.

Pilgrims chipped off pieces of the sarcophagus as souvenirs, so it was moved into the church and protected by an arched fence. Nearby stands a mailbox for letters to Juliet, and for years they were answered by the complex's caretaker, Ettore Solimani.

The tomb is located at the Church of San Francesco al Corso on Via del Pontiere. The complex is open daily, but on Monday only in the afternoon. The ticket costs a few euros, and nearby you can leave a letter to the heroine.

The complex lies away from Piazza Erbe, closer to the train station, and many people get here by evening. The church and the courtyard with the sarcophagus form a quiet corner with noticeably fewer people than at Juliet's House. The visit doesn't take long, but it's worth stopping by if you're following the entire Romeo and Juliet route. Bring a pen: you can leave a note in the mailbox right on the spot.

Who it's for: those following in the footsteps of Romeo and Juliet.
The catch: the sarcophagus is empty, and the complex itself is small.

15. Romeo's House

Brick facade of Romeo's House with arched gateway

Romeo's House is a Gothic mansion with a crenellated wall, standing in an inner courtyard. The building has changed many owners: it was owned by the Nogarollo family, and there were plans for an office of Verona's literary society and a Shakespeare museum, but neither project came to fruition. Today it is private property.

The house can only be viewed from the outside. Juliet's House is about 200 meters to the south (Romeo's House on the city map). There is no evidence that the Montagues lived here, but the Romeo family definitely lived in this area.

The exterior facade and the spirit of old history draw tourists here. It's best to photograph the house in the morning, when the courtyard is less crowded.

Who it's for: those doing the entire Romeo and Juliet route.
The catch: you can't go inside, everything is viewed from the street.

16. Piazza Bra

Piazza Bra is Verona's main square and a meeting place for locals. The name is translated from Lombard as "wide." On one side, the square faces the facade of the Arena, which is why it's always crowded here.

From the medieval wall, the 15th-century Portoni della Bra gates and a pentagonal tower remain (Piazza Bra). The park with tall cedars is a pleasant place to rest, and in summer cafes and pizzerias operate along the edges of the square.

How to get there: the square is in the very center, and most routes start from it.
Who it's for: anyone visiting Verona for the first time.
The catch: in warm months the square is noisy and crowded.

17. Piazza dei Signori

Piazza dei Signori in Verona with the Lamberti Tower

Piazza dei Signori is smaller and quieter than Piazza Erbe, and it's tied to city government. Verona's governing bodies met in its palaces, and some of the buildings are still occupied by institutions today. The name "dei Signori" directly points to the place's connection with power. Here stands the Loggia del Consiglio with antique statues on its roof.

The two squares are a very short walk apart, so it's convenient to see them one after another.

Who it's for: those who want to see Verona without the crowds.
The catch: the square is small, so you can see it quickly.

18. Palazzo Maffei

Palazzo Maffei has adorned the corner of Piazza Erbe since 1668 (Palazzo Maffei). The Baroque facade with balconies is topped by statues of ancient gods and heroes on the roof. In front of the building stands a column with a marble lion.

Baroque facade of Palazzo Maffei with statues on the roof

Today the palazzo houses a hotel with a restaurant, and the windows overlook the entire Piazza Erbe. Those who want to stay right in the heart of the old city choose to spend the night here.

Who it's for: those looking for accommodation right on Piazza Erbe.
The catch: you can only get inside as a guest of the hotel or restaurant.

19. Verona Cathedral

Verona Cathedral has stood on the square of the same name since the 12th century and has been rebuilt several times (Verona Cathedral). Inside are massive red marble columns, Romanesque frescoes, and paintings by Italian masters. During services, two historic organs are played here.

Entry to the cathedral is tied to purchasing an audio guide and a guidebook; the audio guide is available in several European languages. The cathedral sits away from Piazza delle Erbe, toward the river.

Who it's for: those who love church architecture and frescoes.
The catch: there is essentially no free entry without buying the audio guide.

20. Basilica of Sant'Anastasia

The Basilica of Sant'Anastasia is the largest Gothic church in Verona. It took over a century to build and was completed only in 1481 (Sant'Anastasia). At the entrance stand holy water stoups resting on the backs of hunchbacked figures.

Gothic facade of the Basilica of Santa Anastasia in Verona

Inside are high vaults, round columns, eleven chapels, and five altars. The basilica is open from 10:00 to 17:00, later on weekends. The conditions are the same as at the Verona Cathedral: audio guide and guidebook.

Who it's for: those who want to see the city's largest Gothic church.
The catch: entry is tied to purchasing the audio guide.

21. Scaliger Tombs

Gothic funerary arches of the Scaligeri in Verona

The Scaliger Tombs are Gothic funerary monuments of Verona's rulers from the della Scala family, more commonly known as the Scaligeri. Three tombs are enclosed by a wrought-iron fence in a small square by the Church of Santa Maria Antica.

The most famous of them, the tomb of Cansignorio, resembles a small cathedral. The tombs are easy to view while walking through the center or with a guide.

Who it's for: those interested in the history of the Scaligeri dynasty.
The catch: the area is small, and viewing takes only a few minutes.

22. Arco dei Gavi

Ancient Roman Gavi Arch of white stone in Verona

The Arco dei Gavi is a Roman triumphal arch honoring the noble Gavi family. It was erected in the first century, dismantled under Napoleon, and reassembled only in 1932 (Arco dei Gavi). The sculptures of the family's noble members have not survived.

Half-columns on the facade and floral ornamentation give the arch a stately appearance. It stands near Castelvecchio.

How to get there: the arch is next to Castelvecchio, on the way to the Scaliger Bridge.
The catch: only the frame of the arch remains, without statues.

23. Scaliger Bridge

Scaliger Bridge with towers and castle in Verona

The Scaliger Bridge connects Castelvecchio with the opposite bank of the Adige. It was built from marble and red brick in 1356 (Scaliger Bridge) as an escape route for the rulers. In 1945, retreating German troops blew up the bridge, and the people of Verona restored it by 1951.

The crenellations on the parapet recall the walls of ancient fortresses. The bridge offers one of the best views of the castle and the river.

How to get there: from Castelvecchio on foot through the courtyard, toward the river.
The catch: there is almost no shade on the bridge, and it gets hot here during the day.

If you want to see several sights with a guide and without queues, check out ready-made ticket and tour options for Verona.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to see Verona's main sights?

Individual museum tickets are inexpensive, but the Verona Card is a better deal: it covers entry to city museums, towers, and churches. Check exact prices and the full list of participants on the official Verona tourism office website before your trip so you can calculate the savings for your itinerary.

How many days do you need for Verona?

One packed day is enough for the Arena, Juliet's House, and the center. If you add the Roman Theater, Giusti Garden, and the large churches, take two days. You can walk the center without a car, so time goes only to sightseeing.

When is the best time to visit Verona?

The best months are April to June and September to October: mild weather and fewer tourists. In summer it's hot and crowded, but the opera festival runs in the Arena. In winter it's quiet and cheaper, but some viewpoints operate on shorter hours.

Do you need to buy tickets in advance?

Yes, if you want to attend an opera at the Arena or visit Juliet's House in high season. For other Verona museums, tickets are usually available on site. Popular tours also sell out, so book a few days ahead.

How to get from the train station to the center?

From Verona Porta Nuova station to Piazza Bra, it's easy to walk straight along Corso Porta Nuova. You can also take a bus for a couple of stops. A taxi or transfer is useful if you arrive with suitcases or late in the evening.

In short: what's worth booking

Verona is compact, so you can see a lot in one or two days. If you're short on time, go for the Arena and Juliet's House. If you love art, add the Galleria d'Arte Moderna Achille Forti and Castelvecchio. If you want some quiet, head to the Giusti Garden and the Church of San Lorenzo.

The selection matrix is simple. If you have one day: the Arena, Piazza delle Erbe, and Juliet's House. If you have two days: add the Roman Theater, Giusti Garden, and Castelvecchio. If you have a car: take a trip to Lake Garda, it's nearby.

Museum tickets and tours are easy to book in advance (options on GetYourGuide), and before your trip compare insurance options.

What to see in Verona: 23 places from the Arena to the Scaliger Bridge