72 Perfect Hours in Verona: Where to Eat, Drink, Tour, & Stay
There’s nothing like Verona, home to Romeo and Juliet and so much more. It is a fabulous destination, and not just for lovers. Verona is home to history, amazing food, incredible views, and some of the world's best wines (Amarone anyone?)
With 72 hours on the clock, you can have one spectacular time in Verona. The best approach is the perfect mix of sites and local favorites. And, we have just the list for you. Here are all the places you need to know to eat, drink, tour, and stay on your next trip to the Italian city of love.
Where to Eat
Salumeria Gironda
Just around the corner from Ponte Pietra is a deli where you can have the picnic of your dreams. Yes, we said picnic! This salumeria fills a basket with all the cheese, meat, and accompaniments you please for a riverfront picnic. Choose a chilled bottle of wine from the fridge before heading out to their patio right on the Adige. Pro tip: pick a bottle of Durello over Prosecco - a sparkling very unique to the area!
Al Pompiere
When in Verona, you must visit Al Pompiere. It is one of the most famous trattorias in town, with its portrait-adorned walls, green tablecloths, and old-school hospitality. The place has a ridiculous selection of salumior cured meats - we best advise that you order a selection before your pasta and entrees. But, do save room. Their dishes - with locally sourced ingredients - are exceptional and a lovely representation of Veneto’s unique cuisine. No matter what you chose, everything will go down wonderfully with one of the Valpolicella wines they have on their list.
Il Localino di Verona
For a more local feel, head to Il Localino. This spot is in San Zeno, a cozy neighborhood just a short walk outside the historic center. It’s filled with excellent bars for all the spritz and the gorgeous San Zeno Basilica. Back to the food - this relaxed restaurant is run by a mighty husband and wife team dedicated to creativity and quality, changing their menu every 10 days. Their wine list is unbeatable. You can opt for something by the glass or bottle. But it’s always fun to stir things up with their misteriosooption, aka let the house pick something for you! You will surely be pleasantly surprised.
Trattoria Molinara
Meat lovers - rejoice! Trattoria Molinara is a local’s spot in the center, serving up some of the best tartare and steak around. And, we’re not talking just beef here. Verona is famous for horse meat and Molinara knows just how to prepare it. If that might seem a little too adventurous for you, do not worry. Everything at this trattoria is delicious, from their unique appetizers to pasta. But, what steals the show is this spot’s old-world interior and hospitality. You’re greeted with mortadella and bread on the table. Can it get any better than that?
Where to Drink
Amaro Bar
The all-day spot to get your fix - whether that’s a spritz fix, lunch fix, or perfect martini fix. This bar is the latest spot from the team behind Archivio, an excellent little cocktail bar in the city center. Amaro is a modern version of your classic Italian bar. You can eat, drink, read the newspaper, and party here. From hanging outside on their large patio to sipping a specialty cocktail at the Green Room (their downstairs cocktail lounge open from 10 pm on), Amaro always keeps things exciting. Follow them on Instagram to keep up with their events, and even get a peek at their menu - they make some mean bar snacks.
Antica Bottega del Vino
You can’t visit this city without paying homage to this spot. It is the wine institution of Verona, dating back to 1890 (with roots back to the 16th century.) You’ll get the history upon entering - its elegant tavern-like interior will transport you to another time. Wine professionals flock here to get their fix - Bottega’s wine list is out of this world. It’s a place to choose a glass from their extensive by-the-glass selection and hang it outside in the streets. It’s also excellent for dinner. If you’re aiming for the latter, best book ahead - Bottega gets filled up fast.
Soda Jerk
Cocktail lovers, this is for you. Soda Jerk brings the energy of a speakeasy with the mastery of an upscale cocktail bar. This spot is on the opposite side of the Adige, in Veronetta - just a few minutes walk from the center. Their drink list is some kind of wizardry - they keep things exciting with unique flavor combinations and eye-catching cocktail names. You can try one of their creations, or opt for a simple cocktail.
Alma
A newcomer to Verona, Alma brings cool contemporary vibes that complement Verona’s historical charm. Located in Piazza Isolo, Alma is an easy destination after a visit to the Roman Theater or a hike up to Castel San Pietro. The sprawling patio is the perfect place to relax, whether for an afternoon spritz or a late nightcap.
Tours
Discover Valpolicella
You can’t visit Verona without a stop in Valpolicella. This historic wine region is home to gorgeous views, incredible producers, and - of course - the famous Amarone wines. Fortunately, you do not need a rental car to explore all this goodness. Ways Tours makes winery tours easy for curious wine lovers. This company curates unique tour experiences for groups of various sizes for an afternoon or all-day adventure.
Museo di Castelvecchio
It’s hard to miss Castelvecchio on a visit to Verona. It’s a defining architectural attribute of the city. For art lovers, planning a visit to the museum is a must. It's home to fascinating medieval artwork and special seasonal exhibitions!
A Visit to Lago di Garda
Verona is blessed with the best of both worlds - mountains, and lakes. Just a half-hour train ride or drive is Lago di Garda - one of Italy’s most beautiful glacial lakes. It’s quite huge, with multiple towns to explore and stunning vistas to relish in. While you can take the train to Desenzano del Garda easily, we suggest a guided tour that gives you a lit bit of everything - visits to the towns, culinary experiences, and - most importantly - a boat excursion on the lake.
Stay
Hotel Gabbia d’Oro
Location is the name of the game for this 5-star hotel. Right next to Verona’s iconic Piazza dell Erbe, Gabbia d’Oro puts you right in the heart of the city. Its design is eclectic. Its mix of new and old-world charm makes you feel as if you were a modern Veronese Duke or Duchess.
Hotel Giberti Verona
This is a four star business hotel located about a half a mile away from the train station, near Porta Nuovo. Always packed by wine professionals around Vinitaly in April, the rooms are clean, but somewhat small, as is the case in most four star hotels in Europe. The upper floors appear to be slightly larger, with updated wooden flooring. There is a small gym with a few Technogym equipment pieces. The gym only fits only 3-4 people and is located on the sixth floor. Gelateria Romana is only a block away if you need a sugar fix.
Opera Relais de Charme
The cozy apartment-style rooms of this small hotel make you feel just like a local. The rates are incredibly reasonable, especially for how adorable and spacious the rooms are. It is also a great pick for those with kids with small kitchens lending much-needed storage for snacks, water bottles, and more. Opera Relais de Charme also has an excellent location, right off of Verona’s most popular shopping streets.
VISTA Palazzo
For a luxurious stay in Verona, there’s no better option than VISTA Palazzo. Tucked away next to Via Amanti (yes, the street of lovers!) this boutique hotel is an elegant oasis. It has just 16 rooms - all chic, colorful, and contemporary with gorgeous marble touches. The rooftop terrace is quite the secret - it offers an extraordinary aperitivo experience with delicious drinks, complimentary chef-curated bites, and a panoramic view of the historic center. And, their wellness center is a real escape from reality.
Feeling ready for your visit to Verona? With these recommendations, you can have yourself the most perfect weekend in Veneto's most romantic city no matter if you’re traveling solo, with your partner, or the whole family.
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