3 days in Verona itinerary

Welcome to this complete guide on how to can spend 3 days in Verona!

If you didn’t already know, Verona is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Northern Italy and rightfully competes with Venice as the ‘City of Love’.

Its fortunate geographical position, half way between the mountains, Lake Garda and the Po valley, made Verona an important crossroads between north and south.

Not far from one of the most renowned wine regions, the Valpolicella and the spectacular Dolomites, if you visit Verona you’re in for a great Italian adventure!

Whether you’re captivated by the love story of Romeo and Juliet, the ancient Roman amphitheatre or the cobblestoned streets and piazzas, this 3 days in Verona itinerary is perfect to cover all the best of this city and beyond.

3 days in Verona itinerary

This 3 days in Verona itinerary is perfect for you if you have a couple of days you can spend here and you’re eager to learn about Verona’s history and culture.

You also want to explore famous attractions but also go a bit off the beaten track and include a day trip to a nearby destination such as Lake Garda or Valpolicella.

You can find a map below that you can save, information on how to get from Venice to Verona, where to stay in Verona and the complete day by day itinerary.

3 days in Verona itinerary Map

I have created a Google Map itinerary that you can download by simply clicking on it. Google Maps will automatically save it to your maps.

I’ve included popular sites as well as less touristy places that I think are worth visiting while in Verona. You’ll also see destinations for a day pinpointed so together with my guide, you can double check directly on Google Maps how to get there.

If you have less time I suggest you look at my guide that cover how many days to spend in Verona as that has options for traveller with 1 or 2 days to spend in the city.

How to get to Verona from Venice

Verona is located 121 kilometres from Venice, approximately a 1 hour and 15-minute drive. Travelling from Venice to Verona is easy, whether you choose to rent a car and drive or take a train to Verona Porta Nuova, Verona’s main railway station.

There are over 70 trains connecting the two cities every single day, giving you plenty of options to visit Verona for a day or a bit longer.

Buses options are always available but not recommended as they take about 15-20 minutes more than the train. I invite you to read my guide on on how to get to Verona from Venice to learn more about each of the available transportation options.

Where to Stay in Verona

For your stay in Verona I recommend staying in Verona historic centre or very close to it, so you can reach the attractions in no time and go back to your hotel any time you wish without having to do much walking.

Here’s my selection of some of the best hotels in Verona for each budget:

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3 days in Verona itinerary

Let’s now dive to the heart of this 3 days in Verona itinerary so you can understand a bit better how to spend your days in Verona and book activities accordingly. Let’s go!

Day 1 in Verona

Start your day at Piazza Bra, the largest piazza in Verona, packed with historic cafes from where you can admire the Arena of Verona and other historical buildings.

Begin your exploration by visiting the Roman Arena, an ancient amphitheatre that dates back to the 1st century AD and is still in use today for operas and concerts.

Get your Arena skip the line ticket to avoid queues, especially if you’re visiting Verona in the summer when it is packed with tourists.

Next, visit Juliet’s House, a 14th-century residence and the famous Juliet’s balcony said to be the place where Juliet used to whisper love words to her Romeo.

Visitors from all over also queue to touch the right breast of Juliet’s statue in the front courtyard, just outside the house, that it’s said to bring good luck.

Continue to Piazza delle Erbe, Verona’s oldest square, that used to be a Roman forum back in the Roman era. Take some time to stroll around the market stalls, buy some souvenirs and relax by the Fountain of Madonna Verona.

While here, you can enjoy the view of Verona from above by climbing the Lamberti Tower, an 84-metre high tower offering spectacular bird eye views of the city.

From here, walk towards Piazza dei Signori, a smaller square with at its centre Dante Alighieri’s statue (in Italy we call him ‘il padre della lingua italiana’, Italian language’s father). Then exit the square and take a look at Scaliger Tombs, the burial monuments of the Scaliger family, who once ruled Verona.

Head towards the Adige River and enjoy a Lungadige walk, a stroll along its banks, taking in the picturesque views of the city and its historic bridges like the iconic Ponte Pietra.

There are several bars and restaurants on Via Sottoriva, a quaint street known for its excellent local cuisine and cosy atmosphere.

In the afternoon, visit Castelvecchio, a mediaeval castle that now houses an important museum, learn about its history and after your visit, go for a relaxing walk on top of its walls. Be sure to carry sunscreen for protection if here in the summer.

💡 Smart travel tip: get the 24 or 48 hours Verona city card that includes access to the main city museums and attractions and unlimited bus rides around the city.

With your Verona Card, you can visit the most beautiful churches in Verona:

Day 2 in Verona

On your second day, uncover some of Verona’s hidden treasures. Start your morning at the Giardino Giusti, a beautifully landscaped Renaissance garden (you get the reduced entrance with the Verona card) just a short walk from Ponte Pietra.

Next, head to the Archaeological Museum at the Roman Theatre (included in the Verona card), where you can learn more about Verona’s ancient past.

Explore the museum’s collection of Roman artefacts, including mosaics, sculptures, and inscriptions that tell visitors how living in Verona was during the Roman era.

Step outside the museum to admire the adjacent Roman Theatre, one of the most well-preserved amphitheatres in Northern Italy and still in use today.

In the afternoon you can either go on a journey that will take you back to 2000 years old in Verona by discovering Underground Verona. The only way to do that is by booking a private guided tour here with which you will go with an authorised guide.

To conclude your day, go shopping along via Mazzini where you can find both famous brands shops but also small boutique stores, perfect to buy good quality made in Italy products.

Day 3 in Verona

On your final day, take a day trip to the stunning surroundings of Verona. You’ll be spoiled by choice! Here’s my suggestions so you can easily make up your mind.

Lake Garda (Option 1)

Many travellers to Verona visit Lake Garda, Italy’s largest and most beautiful lake, where you can relax by visiting one or two charming towns along its shores.

I suggest visiting Peschiera del Garda by getting a train from Verona Porta Nuova (13 minutes ride), famous for its fortress and lakeside promenades.

From there, get a bus to Sirmione (only 30 minutes ride away), famous for its well-preserved mediaeval Scaliger Castle, the ancient Roman ruins of the Grottoes of Catullus and the picturesque cobblestone alleyways. Alternatively, explore Desenzano del Garda, with its Roman villa and mediaeval castle.

Valpolicella Wine Region (Option 2)

If you’re a wine lover, take a half day trip to the Valpolicella wine region where the Amarone wine is produced.

You can join this 1.5-Hour Guided Winery Tour with Wine Tasting, spend a couple of hours visiting a local vineyard and wine cellar, where you can learn about the winemaking process and enjoy tastings of different Valpolicella wines.

Gardaland (Option 3)

For families or groups of friends looking for a fun-filled day, Gardaland is the perfect destination. This is the largest amusement park in Europe!

From roller coasters, to water rides and entertaining shows to themed areas, a fun day out is guaranteed here! Grab your open date Gardaland ticket here.

Back to Verona and fancy a romantic dinner with a view? Then head over Castel San Pietro for sunset then have dinner at the restaurant and pizzeria Re Teodorico.

3 days in Verona itinerary

Spending 3 days in Verona is an ideal amount of time to be able to cover the most popular attractions but also explore Verona at relatively a slow pace.

You’ll have time to include a few hidden gems in your itinerary and a day trip or half day trip to Lake Garda, the Valpolicella region or Gardaland.

If you’re looking to explore more of northern Italy, I invite you to read my 10 days Northern Italy itinerary and start planning together your next Italian getaway!

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