Verona is a city in northern Italy's Veneto region, known for its artistic heritage, its annual opera season in the ancient Roman Arena, and its associations with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Visitors come for the Arena, the historic centre, and the surrounding hills and countryside.
For a visitor, the city divides fairly simply. The historic centre holds the Arena and the main monuments, and most of the accommodation options sit within or just outside it. The main train station, Porta Nuova, anchors the southern edge of the centre, and the surrounding province offers quieter, greener alternatives for those with a car. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, and what kind of accommodation you will find at each budget level.
Best areas to stay in Verona
1. The historic centre
The heart of the city, within walking distance of the Arena and the other monuments. This is the most convenient base for first-time visitors who want to be close to the sights and the opera season.
You will find bed and breakfasts and apartments here, as well as larger hotels in aristocratic buildings. Note that during the annual Arena opera performances in July and August, accommodation should be booked months in advance, and it can be difficult to find any bed in the city if you arrive without a reservation.
2. The Filippini area
A quiet area next to the Arena, about a five-minute walk from it. It suits visitors who want to be close to the centre but away from its noise.
Accommodation here includes apartments and smaller places. Its main practical advantage is that you can reach the Arena and the rest of the historic centre on foot.
3. Near Piazza Isolo
This area, northeast of the centre, is served by regular buses from Porta Nuova. It is a good option for budget travellers.
It is home to one of the city's youth hostels, set in a converted Renaissance complex with porticoes, verandas and a large garden. The hostels in Verona are all within walking distance of the town centre and a short bus ride from the main train station.
4. Torricelle and the hills north of the city
The suburban hills north of Verona, including the Torricelle area, offer a quieter, panoramic setting away from the centre. This suits travellers with a car who prefer green surroundings.
You will find farm-stay accommodation here, in a sunny and panoramic position on the southern side of a hill. It can be reached by car or by urban bus, and the train station takes about twenty minutes by car.
5. The province and surrounding countryside
The countryside around Verona, including the Venetian plain and the Veneto hills, offers farm-stays and small bed and breakfasts. This suits travellers who plan to explore the surroundings and do not mind driving.
Some properties are close to the A4 motorway exit at Verona Est, and driving times to the Arena and to the city centre are around twenty minutes. A car is needed to reach most of these places and to move around.
6. San Michele Extra
A district east of the centre, with hotel accommodation and restaurant service. It suits visitors who prefer a quieter base with easy road access.
It is outside the historic centre, so you will rely on transport or a car to reach the Arena and the monuments.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: youth hostels within walking distance of the centre and a short bus ride from Porta Nuova; small bed and breakfasts in the province; campsites with cabins and tents for rent; farm-stays in the surrounding area.
- Mid-range: bed and breakfasts and full apartments in the historic centre; apartments in quiet areas next to the Arena; farm-stays and agriturismo properties in the countryside and hills; economical hotels outside the centre.
- Splurge: larger hotels in elegant historic buildings, including de luxe rooms in an 18th-century palazzo in the centre.
Best area for a first visit
The historic centre is the best base for a first visit. It puts you within walking distance of the Arena and the other monuments, which is the main reason most visitors come. If you want the same convenience with less noise, the quiet Filippini area next to the Arena is a close alternative.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book accommodation in Verona?
If you are visiting during the annual Arena opera performances in July and August, book months in advance. Arriving without a reservation at that time can mean finding every bed in the city taken.
What if I cannot find accommodation in Verona?
Cheaper alternatives may be found in nearby Vicenza or Padua.
Do I need a car to stay outside the centre?
For farm-stays and bed and breakfasts in the province, a car is generally needed to reach the property and to move around. Some hill properties can also be reached by urban bus.
Where are the hostels in Verona?
The city's youth hostels are within walking distance of the town centre and a short bus ride from the main train station, Porta Nuova. A tourist map from the station's tourist information centre will point you to their locations.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide.