Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €22–40 | €80–140 |
| Food | €12–20 | €30–50 |
| Transport | €2–5 | €8–15 |
| Activities | €0–10 | €15–30 |
| Drinks | €5–10 | €12–22 |
| Daily Total | €41–85 | €145–257 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Visa & Entry
- Schengen Zone — 90 days visa-free for most nationalities within any 180-day period
- Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN) is 12km from centre. Aerobus to Verona Porta Nuova station (€6, 15 min). Taxi: €25–30
- Fast trains: Milan (1.5 hrs, €12–25), Venice (1 hr, €9–20), Bologna (1 hr, €12–25). Verona Porta Nuova is the main station
Health & Safety
- No vaccinations required. EHIC covers EU citizens. Italian pharmacies are well-stocked and helpful
- Tap water is safe and excellent — Verona draws from Alpine aquifers. Public fountains for free refills
- Verona is very safe — one of Italy's most peaceful cities. Minor pickpocketing at Juliet's House and the Arena
Getting Around
- ATV buses serve the city — single ticket €1.30 (90 min), day pass €4. Buy at tabacchi or on the ATV app
- Verona is tiny and flat — everything in the centro storico is walkable in 15 minutes. No metro or tram
- Taxis at Porta Nuova station and Piazza Brà. Uber doesn't operate — use the IT Taxi app or call +39 045 532666
Connectivity
- EU roaming for European SIMs. Local SIMs from TIM, Vodafone, or Wind Tre (€10–15 for 5–10GB)
- Free WiFi in cafés and some piazzas. Good 4G/5G coverage across the city and Lake Garda area
- Download Trenitalia for train tickets, ATV Verona for buses, and Google Maps for navigating the old town lanes
Money
- Euro (€) everywhere. Cards accepted widely — some smaller trattorias and market stalls are cash-only
- ATMs from Intesa Sanpaolo and UniCredit have lowest fees. Avoid currency exchange near tourist sites
- Coperto (cover charge, €1–3) is standard at restaurants. Tipping is not expected but appreciated for excellent service
Packing Tips
- Comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones. Light layers — Verona has hot summers (35°C) and cold foggy winters
- A cushion or jacket to sit on for Arena opera — the stone steps are hard after 3 hours. Bring a light layer for evening
- Swimwear if visiting Lake Garda. Sunscreen and hat for summer sightseeing. Smart-casual for evening restaurants
Cultural tips
Opera Culture
The Arena opera season (June–September) is Verona's cultural crown. Dress smartly for the numbered seats, casually for stone steps. Bring a candle (tradition) — at dusk, thousands of tiny flames light up the amphitheatre. It's transcendent.
Wine Veneto
Verona is Italy's wine capital — Amarone, Valpolicella, Soave, Prosecco, and Bardolino all come from this province. Order "un bicchiere di Valpolicella" at any bar. Wine is integral to meals — lunch without wine is incomplete.
Coffee Ritual
Espresso at the bar: €1–1.20. Cappuccino is a morning-only drink (before 11am). Standing at the bar is cheaper than sitting. The "caffè sospeso" tradition (paying for an extra coffee for a stranger) exists here.
Romeo & Juliet
Verona takes its Shakespeare connection seriously — even though the story is fictional. Juliet's Club answers love letters from around the world (you can write one). The Juliet statue, balcony, and tombs are treated with genuine romantic reverence.
Passeggiata
The evening passeggiata (stroll) is sacred — between 6–8pm, Veronese dress up and walk Via Mazzini, the Liston on Piazza Brà, and the river. It's for seeing and being seen. Join in — it's one of Italy's most civilised traditions.
Meal Structure
Italian meals have a structure: antipasto, primo (pasta/risotto), secondo (meat/fish), contorno (vegetables), dolce. You don't have to order everything — a primo and dolce is perfectly acceptable. Bread comes without butter.
