Last Updated on 6 April, 2024
During a long weekend trip to Milan with my friend Karolina, we decided to spend one day in Verona. I don’t remember whose idea it was, but I do recall the frenzy of buying train tickets.
We queued in Milan’s ticket office for quite some time only to be sold tickets to Varenna!?
Immediately after realising the mistake, we returned to the ticket office and asked them to issue the correct ones, but they refused. Maybe they didn’t understand us properly or just wanted more money from us. I don’t remember exactly, but the queue behind us started to form longer and longer, and people were getting annoyed at us. Eventually, a kind Italian man who spoke some English jumped in and saved us.
Verona is an ancient city full of great history, winding medieval streets, bustling piazzas, and, of course, romance. It is famous for being the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Verona’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with many impressive landmarks and monuments to explore. One day in Verona might not be enough to see everything, but it’s the perfect amount of time to see all the highlights.
Visit Verona Arena
Upon arrival, the Romans themselves will greet you outside the famous Verona Arena. It’s an open-air Roman amphitheatre built in the 1st century that is still in use today, which means it has seen everything from gladiator games to an Adele concert. It’s also one of the best places in the world to see opera at the yearly summer festival.
These Romans will expect some money from you for having a picture taken with them, so if you don’t want to give them any, just politely decline when they come up to you.
![A girl with a Roman kissing her hand in front of Verona Arena](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-verona-4-1-1024x683.jpg)
Make sure to go inside to see how magnificent a piece of historical architecture the arena is. If you have longer than one day in Verona, you should attend a concert or opera in the arena.
![How to Spend One Day in Verona, Italy - Verona Arena](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-verona-5-1-1024x683.jpg)
![A girl in Verona Areana](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-verona-8-1-683x1024.jpg)
Visit Juliet’s Balcony at Casa di Giulietta
After you finish checking out the arena, take a 10 minute walk to Casa di Giulietta to see the famous Juliet’s Balcony.
It was the main reason for our trip, although I’m not sure why we were so desperate to see it because Juliet never lived there. In fact, she never “lived” anywhere as she was a fictional character by Shakespeare.
Nevertheless, it can be fun to feed your imagination, and the house is beautiful and charming.
This attraction is top-rated and gets busy, especially since the courtyard is tiny, so keep that in mind before visiting.
![Juliet's balcony in Verona](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-verona-12-1-1024x683.jpg)
Have a Stroll Along River Adige
After visiting Casa di Giulietta, continue walking through the beautiful streets of Verona towards the river Adige. A beautiful view of the hill, greenery, and cute houses will open up.
![River Adige in Verona](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-verona-26-1-1024x683.jpg)
The Scaliger Tombs
Walk about 5 mins from the waterfront to see the beautiful Scaliger Tombs building. This masterpiece of 14th-century Gothic art was a funerary complex built by the Della Scala family, who ruled the city between the 13th and 14th centuries. The tombs are in a court outside the church of Santa Maria Antica.
![The Scaliger Tombs in Verona](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-verona-21-1-1024x683.jpg)
The monument that stands out the most was built for Cangrande (1291-1329), the aristocratic dynasty’s most important and famous member.
![The Scaliger Tombs in Verona](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-verona-20-1-683x1024.jpg)
Piazza dei Signori
Check out Piazza dei Signori, just around the corner from the Scalinger Tombs. This is where the famous Dante Alighieri statue stands, looking rather thoughtful. Dante was an Italian poet during the Late Middle Ages.
![Piazza Dei Signori in Verona](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-verona-18-1-1024x683.jpg)
Scala della Ragione Staircase
Check out the famous 15th century staircase, Scala della Ragione, next to Piazza dei Signori. It’s part of the monumental complex of Palazzo della Ragione in Verona. Over the centuries, the Palazzo della Ragione was the heart of the town’s political power.
![Scalla della Ragione staircase in Verona](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-verona-17-1-1024x683.jpg)
Indulge at Loacker Point Cafรฉ
If you only have one day in Verona, you simply cannot miss visiting this amazing cafรฉ! Loacker Point serves the most delicious coffee, desserts, and, of course, its signature wafers. There is also a brand store where you can stock up on wafers for later.
![Lots of loacker waffles hanging off the ceiling in a cafe in Verona](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-verona-28-1-1024x683.jpg)
How to Get There
By Plane
Verona Villafranca Airport, also known as Valerio Catullo Airport, is an international airport 15km (9 mi) from the city centre.
By Train
Verona Porta Nuova is a major cross-junction train station that can be reached from Italy. It is located 2km (1.3 many cities in mi) from the city centre.
![Verona Porta Nuova train station](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-verona-31-1-1024x683.jpg)
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![How to Spend One Day in Verona, Italy - Pin](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Spend-One-Day-in-Verona-Italy-683x1024.jpg)
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