[All photos and opinions are my own unless stated otherwise. All links are non-affiliated. All prices were correct at time of writing. Prices may vary at time of reading.]
Home to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Verona is a city located in the north of Italy. Less well known than neighbouring Venice, Verona has a lot to offer for tourists, even for those on a budget. In the summer of 2019, I spent 2 days in Verona whilst Interrailing and managed to explore most of the city, so in this post I'll cover my top 9 things to do when visiting Verona on a budget.
1. Castelvecchio
The first thing I did when I arrived in Verona was visit Castelvecchio. This medieval castle was restored in the 1900s and now houses a museum where you can see ancient sculptures, paintings and weaponry. The medieval bridge takes you across the River Adige, where you can appreciate views of the city on one side and distant mountains on the other. Entry to the museum cost €6 for full-priced tickets but crossing the bridge is free. Personally, I just opted to cross the bridge as I was on a budget and I had seen a lot of ancient artefacts whilst I was in Rome.
Castelvecchio Museum and Bridge
2. Piazza dei Signori
As you head towards the centre of the city, you're likely stumble across Piazza dei Signori. This scenic square shows off the city's impressive architecture, with many of the structures dating back to the 1400s. The square is definitely worth a look as it's free!
Piazza dei Signori
3. Verona Arena
Significantly smaller than Rome's Colosseum, Verona Arena is still worth a visit. This Roman amphitheatre is better preserved than the Colosseum but unfortunately, it's only possible to visit it from the outside. The arena is now used as a theatre for plays and concerts, with a capacity of 15,000 spectators. Therefore, if you plan ahead you may be able to get tickets for one of the many performances being shown there. If you're on a budget however, then you'll have to make do with seeing it from the outside.
Verona Arena
4. Juliet's Balcony (Casa di Giulietta)
Located close to Verona Arena, Juliet's Balcony is probably one of the biggest attractions in the city. A slightly gross alleyway, covered in graffiti, chewing gum and plasters, takes you to the balcony. When I went it was packed full of people and there was only a small amount of time where the balcony was empty for photos. It's possible to walk onto the balcony and visit a museum in the house but personally I thought it wasn't worth it as I was on a budget and the building has no real relation to Shakespeare's story. However, if you do want to visit, full-priced tickets start at €6.
Juliet's Balcony
5. Piazzale Castel San Pietro
Without a doubt, one of my favourite places in the city was Piazzale Castel San Pietro. This medieval fortress overlooks the city, with stunning views. For the two nights I was in Verona, I visited this place for sunset each evening. From here, you can admire the city, the river and the distant mountains. But be warned, its also a popular sunset make-out spot!
Whilst it wasn't possible to enter the fortress when I visited, the trek up was worth it for the views. If you're unable to walk up the hill, then there is a funicular with full-priced return tickets costing €2.
Admiring the views from Castel San Pietro
Sunset views over Verona from Castel San Pietro
6. Palazzo Giusti and Gardens
Located towards the edge of the city, Palazzo Giusti and Gardens are worth a visit if you want to get away from the crowds. Built in the 1500s, the gardens are fun to explore, with Renaissance architecture, statues and a small maze. Full-priced tickets cost €10 but students can get tickets for €7 with valid student ID.
Palazzo Giusti and Gardens with views over the city
7. Roman Theatre
The Roman Theatre is located below Castel San Pietro and here you can visit a museum containing ancient Roman artefacts, above which used to be an ancient temple. The theatre itself is now sometimes used for performances but is much smaller than Verona Arena. Adult tickets cost €4.50 whereas student tickets cost €3 with valid student ID.
The ruins of Verona's Roman Theatre
8. Santuario della Nostra di Lourdes
Located on the hilltop opposite Castel San Pietro, this church and former fort offers a nice escape from the city whilst providing incredible views. It took longer to walk here than Castel San Pietro but it's less crowded and the views are just as good. By walking here you'll also get to see less well-known parts of the city.
Santuario della Nostra di Lourdes overlooking the hillside
9. Visit one of Verona's many OTHER churches
Verona is definitely not lacking in churches, so why not visit one of them? Most of these churches charge an entry fee of €3 for adults, which is why I would only recommend visiting one or two if you're on a budget; however, entry is free with a valid Verona Card. All the churches I saw had incredible architecture but one of the best was probably Verona Cathedral.
Verona Cathedral
Where To Stay
When looking for accommodation in Verona, I found it hard to find cheap hostels. That said, I did leave it quite late but luckily I managed to find a lovely hostel called Posada Verona Hostel. This only had a female-only dorm-room (so sorry to all the lads reading this), conveniently located within 10 minutes of the train station and about a 20-minute walk from the centre. It was a small hostel but had a shared kitchen and was very clean. However, it was a bit difficult to find as I arrived early and no one was there to greet me. Despite this, I would definitely recommend this hostel and it only cost around €25 per night, which is cheap compared to other accommodation options in Verona!
The view from Ponte Pietra Bridge
Overall, I loved my time in Verona and I would love to visit again, especially to explore areas outside the city, such as the mountains around Lake Garda. Verona is a city full of history, beautiful architecture and nature, which I found Rome and Naples to be lacking in. Personally, of the three cities I visited in Italy last summer, Verona was by far my favourite and I hope this blog inspires you to visit too.
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