The best areas to stay in Verona for first-timers are the neighborhoods of Historic Centre, San Zeno, Borgo Trento, Veronetta, Porta Nuova, and Borgo Milano. These districts are the most popular places for tourist that offers a wide variety of tourist attractions and amenities. This blog will give more details about where to stay in Verona for tourist, for families, couples, as well as the best places to stay in each area.
Located between Venice and Milan in northern Italy near Lake Garda, Verona sits on both sides of the Adige river and has been awarded a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its urban structure and architecture. Despite being a modern Italian city, Verona is, at heart, a compact and attractive renaissance town.
The Historic Centre is the best area to stay in Verona for first time visitors because it is the most convenient location and it has a widest range of accommodation options for all budget travelers. If you book a hotel here, you will be located in the middle of action, within easy walking distance to the most famous sights of the city, as well as many restaurants, bars, and shops.
If you’re on a budget, Veronetta and the western suburb of San Zeno are excellent choices; just a short walk away from the center. Families and higher budget travelers will appreciate the suburban class of Valdonega, or travelers with kids who want to be a little closer to the center should consider riverside Borgo Trento.
| đź’– Best Area for First-Timers: | Centro Storico (Historic Centre) |
| đź’Ž Best luxury hotel: | Due Torri Hotel |
| 🏨 Best mid-range hotel: | Hotel Colomba d’Oro |
| đź’° Best budget hotel: | Residenza Elisabetta |
- Best Areas to Stay in Verona, Italy for tourist
- đź“ŚHistoric Centre, where to stay in Verona for first-timers
- đź“ŚPorta Nuova, best place to stay in verona for nightlife
- đź“ŚVeronetta, where to stay in Verona on a budget
- đź“ŚSan Zeno, short distance from historic center, more authentic experience
- đź“ŚVerona Fiere, best for business travelers
- đź“ŚBorgo Trento, where to stay in Verona for families
- đź“ŚBorgo Milano, best place for shopping
- đź“ŚMontorio, good area for budget travel
- đź“ŚValdonega, upmarket neighborhood in Verona
Best Areas to Stay in Verona, Italy for tourist
1. Historic Centre, where to stay in Verona for first-timers
Centro Storico, also known as Historic Centre of Verona, is the best area to stay in Verona for tourist due to its prime location. All of the main tourist sights are nearby, including Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House) with its iconic balcony, and Romeo’s House, purportedly from Shakespeare’s famed Romeo and Juliet.
You can easily explore the Historic Centre on foot and easy access to the main train station, and the tourist attractions like the famous Piazza Delle Erbe, Arena di Verona, and Castelvecchio Museum.
There is so much to see and do as you stroll through the ancient Piazza Delle Erbe, Verona’s central plaza, also known as Herbs square, located on the site of the old Roman forum. This beautiful historic market square is surrounded by historical buildings and monuments.
In the center of Piazza Delle Erbe, you will find the 14th-century Fountain of Madonna Verona (an important monument), and the ancient structure La Berlina (Tribuna o Capitello).
On the north of the square stand the 84-meter high tower built in 1172, the Tower of Love, or Torre dei Lamberti which is the tallest building in Verona. You can climb to the top to enjoy the breathtaking views of all of medieval Verona.
Nearby, you also find the group of Renaissance houses in Mazzanti House from the middle ages. Admire beautifully painted houses and try pasta and seafood linguine on the ground floor in of its restaurants.
On the west of the square stands the baroque historical palace, Palazzo Maffei. It was built in the 17th century by the Maffei family.
Adjacent to the Palazzo Maffei is a symbol of the Republic of Venice, a white marble column with a winged lion holding a copy of the bible on the top, St Mark’s Lion, and the 44 meters ancient bell clock-tower, Torre del Gardello.
South of the square lies the Domus Mercatorum (Merchant’s House), which was built in 1301 by the Scala family. The nearby Piazza dei Signori (Lords Square) is linked with Piazza Delle Erbe via the Arco della Costa, the arch hanging gigantic rib for centuries.
Another charming square in the heart of Verona is the Piazza dei Signori. It has Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architectural styles. At the center of the square stands a statue of Dante, a medieval Italian poet and philosopher.
The most magnificent building in the square is the Venetian Renaissance-style building Loggia del Consigli, which was built in 1476. The charming façade with its columned double windows and statues on the roof shines through the pastel colors of the walls even more magnificently.
There are some historical buildings on the square like the court, Palazzo dei Tribunali, and the seat of power of the Scaliger family, Palazzo del Governo, and the Captain’s Palace (Palazzo del Capitano).
More buildings are worth checking including the Palazzo della Ragione (Town Hall), the Arco della Tortura, the Gothic Basilica di Sant’Anastasia, and the last palace Palazzo dei Giudici.
Verona is the setting of three Shakespeare plays: Romeo and Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Taming of the Shrew. A Roman arena is a place where you can see these plays and other events.
Verona Arena (Arena di Verona) is set on Verona’s main square Piazza BrĂ . It’s an open-air Roman amphitheater, built in the first century. It’s one of the best-preserved ancient structures and still works today, and home to the world-famous annual opera festival, several events, shows, and concerts.
One sight not to miss in the Historic center is the Castelvecchio, a splendid Riverside building that houses a magnificent collection of artwork and sculptures.
For dining, you can check the area around Via Cappello, Via Giuseppe Mazzini and near Piazza Bra. You can try traditional dishes like tastasal, polenta infasola, osei, and sample some of the local wines such as Bardolino or Valpolicella.
Since Centro Storico is the city’s tourist center, there is an excellent range of accommodation for individuals, couples, families, and groups. The hotels here can be a little more pricey than other areas simply because of the convenience of the central location, but if you look hard, you can also find budget options.
Stay in Historical Centre if you are visiting Verona as a first time tourist; you want a fantastic culture on your doorstep;
Best places to stay in Verona in Historic Centre:
luxury ($$$): Due Torri Hotel This 5-star hotel is set in the heart of Verona, next to the Church of Saint Anastasia and a 5-minute walk from Juliet’s balcony. It has a large roof terrace, an impressive lobby, an on-site restaurant, a lounge bar, and 6 modern meeting rooms. It also provides large and comfortable rooms with a satellite TV, and free wifi.
mid-range ($$$): Hotel Colomba d’Oro is one of the luxury hotels in Venora. It is a fabulous, 4-star hotel, located in a restored medieval convent in the historic centre of Verona, in an easy walking distance from the banks of the Adige River.
budget ($): Residenza Elisabetta is an exceptional property, where rooms are styled and decorated with regal elegance, giving your stay a sense of true Italian nobility.
🔍FIND BEST HOTELS IN CENTERSee more:
2. Porta Nuova, best area to stay in Verona for nightlife
This central area of Verona is located just to the South of the Historic Centre. Porto Nouva is an extremely convenient place to stay, with plenty of local sites of interest and proximity to the center.
Porta Nuova is a lovely area just to stroll around, observing the beautiful Renaissance architecture. There are also a seemingly endless number of excellent bars here where nightlife lovers can dine, drink, and party to their heart’s content.
Porta Nuova is home to Verona’s central train station (Stazione Porta Nuova). It is a convenient place to stay if you plan to arrive or leave by rail. Bologna is only 50-minute, Mantova, Venice, and Milan are around 1 hour, Verona airport is around 15 minutes away!
In the Porta Nuova neighborhood, you will see the Radio Museum Guglielmo Marconi, the only museum in the world designed for Guglielmo Marconi. In 1896 the first WiFi signal of history was sent from its own antenna.
There is also Juliet’s Tomb and Frescoes Museum which is located in a former convent. The G.B. Cavalcaselle Museum has interesting and well-preserved paintings and frescoes.
You can also easily reach the historic center within 20 minutes walking with plenty of attractions like the city’s largest square, Piazza Bra, Gran Guardia palace, ancient Roman amphitheater, Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House), among others.
Stay in Porta Nuova if you want to stay close to the central station; you love nightlife;
Best places to stay in Verona in Porta Nuova:
StraVagante Hostel & Rooms is attractively set in the Porta Nuova district, within walking distance from the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore. Close proximity to Castelvecchio Museum, Verona Philharmonic Theatre, and Piazza Bra.
Hotel Giberti is set between Verona’s Arena and Porta Nuova Station, in the heart of Verona. This hotel is a superb, pet-friendly, 4-star hotel, boasting a modern, elegant style, buffet-style breakfast, a bar, and room service Additionally, if you visit between April and November you will be loaned a bicycle free of charge, with which to better explore your historic surroundings
Boutique Hotel Scalzi – Adults Only is a pet-friendly, over 18’s hotel, with stunningly decorated rooms that perfectly blend into the building’s historic surroundings. A bar is present on-site and breakfast is served each morning, while maps and bicycles are freely lent to guests, to help them explore their famous location. At the Scalzi, you will have easy access to Verona Porta Nuova Railway Station, 700 m away.
Hotel Indigo Verona – Grand Hotel Des Arts, an IHG hotel This fabulous, 4-star hotel was once home to Austrian nobility and lies only within walking distance from the city’s Roman arena. The rooms are decorated with antique furniture and contemporary paintings, so you can sit back and imagine just how the lords and ladies who once stayed in the same room would have felt.
🔍FIND BEST HOTELS IN PORTA NUOVA3. Veronetta, where to stay in Verona on a budget
Veronetta, or little Verona is an area on the east side of the city separate from the historic center by the Adige River. You can easily reach by walking across the Ponte Pietra, Ponte Nuovo, or Ponte Navi bridges.
The name Veronetta originated in 1801 when Veneto town was divided into two areas: the right bank was controlled by the French and the left bank was dominated by Austro-Hungarians.
It offers lower-budget accommodation to both visitors and locals. This is a popular student area with the presence of the Santa Marta university campus, and its multicultural population makes it a thriving and fascinating place to stay.
Veronetta has a rocking nightlife scene with lots of bars and restaurants that run till late. It’s not a place for families or people who aren’t comfortable with a bustling, bohemian urban area. But if you love cities and want to be in an exciting place where there’s always something going on, then Veronetta is an excellent budget choice.
There are plenty of sights to see in this neighborhood. There is one of the oldest bridges in the city, Ponte Pietra, a 5-arched Roman stone bridge crossing the Adige River.
Nearby, you will see the first century BCE, Teatro Romano at the base of Castel San Pietro hill. it hosts some events such as the Verona Summer Theatre Season, the Festival della Bellezza, Rumors Festival, and Verona Jazz.
In this complex lies the archaeological museum where you can learn the history from Roman times.
On the top of St. Peter hill stands the 19th-century Austrian Fortress, Castel San Pietro. You can walk up through the staircase, or take a funicular railway.
There are also stunning religious buildings such as the churches of Santo Stefano, San Tomaso Cantuariense, Santi Siro e Libera, San Giovanni in Valle, Santa Maria in Organo, and Santi Nazaro e Celso.
And be sure to visit the famous Italian Renaissance garden, the Giardino dei Giusti, or the Giusti Garden. It’s open to the public all year round, a great place to relax!
Other places of interest are the Natural History Museum and the Centro di Documentazione Verona CittĂ Fortificata.
Veronetta is also close to Verona Porta Vescovo, outside the 19th-century Habsburg city fortifications. It’s the second-biggest train station in Verona.
Stay in Veronetta if you’re looking for the best place to stay in Verona for nightlife; you’re on a budget; you want an urban area with lots of character.
🔍FIND BEST HOTELS IN VERONETTA4. San Zeno, short distance from historic center, more authentic experience
If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to stay in a charming, villagey area that’s full of charm, then you will be delighted by the cool neighborhood of San Zeno. The area is only a kilometer, or so away from the Historic Centre, so everything is accessible with just a short walk.
San Zeno is a suburban area with a beautiful sleepy atmosphere and authentic vibe. It is quieter and more peaceful but also has many markets and souvenir shops.
The Central Piazza here near the 16h-century Romanesque Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore is home to an excellent and enormous weekend antique market, full of fascinating items for sale.
The Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore is the major tourist draw of this area. This splendid edifice dates back to the 12th century and was a major destination for pilgrims in the past. In fact, these days, the ancient graffiti carved by these pilgrims is one of the most fascinating things to see here.
You can also explore the Museo degli Affreschi, the Teatro Romano e Museo Archeologico, and Benedictine abbey.
Best Places to Stay in San Zeno:
Cinque Rooms is a modern, chicly styled hotel, where rooms feature air-conditioning and high-tech amenities like satellite LCD TVs and free WiFi. Located in a district with a distinctly local feel and surrounded by bars and restaurants, it gives you a fabulous chance to get out and experience the traditional culture of the area. Close to Verona Philharmonic Theatre and Verona Arena.
LeNotti Verona is a superb guest house, where visitors will be able to enjoy modern, stylishly decorated rooms, all of which feature air-conditioning, a private bathroom, and amenities like a flat-screen TV. A fabulous, Italian-style breakfast is served each morning, while savory options are available on request. Facilities for disabled guests are also offered at the property.
CĂ dell’Orto Rooms & Apartments provides a range of exceptional, air-conditioned studios and apartments, surrounded by a beautiful garden and boasting an outdoor swimming pool. A hearty breakfast of omelets, cold cuts, and freshly baked cakes is served in the garden each morning, while free parking and free Wifi is also offered at the site.
🔍FIND BEST HOTELS IN SAN ZENO5. Verona Fiere, best for business travelers
Verona Fiere is a suburb on the southern outskirts of the city that is home to several event venues and exhibition centers such as Veronafiere and Fieragricola.
If you visit the city for business or take part in an event at one of these exhibition halls, this is an extremely convenient place to stay.
There is an excellent choice of accommodation, designed explicitly with convention visitors in mind. Because of this good accommodation, this area is also an interesting choice for visitors who have previously visited Verona and want to enjoy the suburbs’ calm and comfort instead of the busy and bustling Historic Centre.
Stay in Verona Fiere if you’re visiting an exhibition or event; you’re a business traveler; you want to stay out of town.
Best places to stay in Verona Fiere:
Corte Ongaro Hotel is a stylish, modern property, boasting a sensational rooftop garden and hot tub, where you can kick back and relax while taking in the stunning views. Also within walking distance from Veronafiere Exhibition Centre and Porta Nuova Station.
B&B Hotel Verona Sud is a pleasant, reasonably priced, pet-friendly bed and breakfast, featuring smartly styled rooms that boast air-conditioning and an En suite bathroom. Free WiFi and parking are offered to all guests, while a buffet breakfast is available on request.
Leonardo Hotel Verona is a fabulous, modern, pet friendly hotel, where the classically furnished rooms all feature air-conditioning, an En suite bathroom, and a flat-screen TV. The fabulous, on-site restaurant serves both Italian and international cuisine, while the bar is open 24 hours a day for you to purchase drinks and snacks.
🔍FIND BEST HOTELS IN VERONA FIERE6. Borgo Trento, where to stay in Verona for families
Borgo Trento is an area to the West of town that offers an appealing combination of proximity to the historical center and peace and quiet. For this reason, this is an excellent place for families to stay.
The area lies just to the north of the historical center, across the river. In fact, the way that the river Adige meanders through Verona means that this area is bounded by water to the East, West, and South. Anywhere close to the river offers superb views of the city.
A great place to visit in the Borgo Trento area is the large local parks such as Arsenale Franz Josef I and the Cesare Lombroso Park, which is an excellent way to escape the city’s rush.
You can also enjoy one of the best viewpoints in the whole of Verona by climbing the hill to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.
There are also sights such as Santuario della Nostra Signora di Lourdes to climb up, Castelvecchio Bridge with charming sunset view, Franz Josef I Arsenal Museum, and Ponte Garibaldi.
Stay in Borgo Trento if you’re family; you want a quiet but central location; you’re looking for good mid-range accommodation.
Best Places to Stay in Verona in Borgo Trento:
Arsenale Suites features beautiful, traditionally styled, pet-friendly suites, just 200 yards from Castelvecchio Bridge. An Italian breakfast is provided for guests each morning, while a beautiful garden is also available for you to enjoy. Meanwhile, bicycle rental is offered on-site, to help you get around and explore your historic surroundings much more easily.
Corte San Mattia gives you the chance to stay on a fully functioning farm, where you can enjoy the Italian countryside, stunning views of the city, and a range of fresh products like wine, oil, olives, and marmalades. Rooms are all rustic yet elegant, while each booking receives a tour of the farm and a buffet breakfast of local produce each morning, which can be enjoyed in the beautiful garden.
Hotel Italia is a simple yet stylish hotel, where the rooms are all pet-friendly and air-conditioned, featuring a range of styles from classic to modern. Piazza Delle Erbe square, Borgo Trento Hospital, and Juliet’s balcony are within walking distance from this property.
Alla Riva is an exceptional bed and breakfast, located near the Castelvecchio Bridge, boasting air-conditioned rooms that all have a private bathroom and flat-screen TV. Close proximity to attractions like Ponte Pietra and Castelvecchio Museum.
🔍FIND BEST HOTELS IN BORGO TRENTO7. Borgo Milano, best place for shopping
This is a residential district within Verona, west of San Zeno. Close by there is a very fashionable area of Corso Milano with its stores, good restaurants, and bars. It has become a trendy area itself though without the style of its neighbor. Borgo Milano is also where you will find the city’s soccer stadium, the Marc’Antonio Bentegodi Stadium.
The Saturday market close to the stadium is worth a visit, and from time to time it hosts concerts. Borgo Milano has a good range of accommodation including guest houses, hostels, apartments, and some mid-range hotels.
The transport system within the city is good so it is easy to get to its many highlights without paying the higher accommodation prices more centrally.
Stay in Borgo Milano if you love shopping; you want a good choice of accommodation; your choice of base needs to have plenty of amenities; you prefer to avoid the city center.
Best places to stay in Borgo Milano:
🔍FIND BEST HOTELS IN BORGO MILANO8. Montorio, good area for budget travel
This small neighborhood is less than 4 miles northeast of the city center, close to the Ponte Florio, Borgo Venezia, and Mizzole. There have been people living here since before the Romans and today its population is around 6,000.
The castle on the hill is a reminder of past times. The walk up to Castello di Montorio is steep but the rewards of reaching it are some lovely views. It was expanded in the 19th Century to form an important part of Verona’s defense system. Its initial origins were the 10th Century, built where there was once a Roman fortress.
There are limited accommodation options in Montorio, much of it is basic, clean, and budget-friendly.
Stay in Montorio if You are happy with the budget accommodation; Good transport connections are important; Castello di Montorio interests you.
Best places to stay in Montorio:
🔍FIND BEST HOTELS IN MONTORIO9. Valdonega, upmarket neighborhood in Verona
Valdonega is an excellent place to stay if you’re looking for an upmarket and sophisticated out-of-town base from which to explore Verona.
This quiet and leafy area is a suburb popular with the more well-heeled residents of the city. So while it’s a suburban part of town, you will find some very classy restaurants and bars scattered around.
Valdonega is a good choice for families or anyone happy to sacrifice a central location for some peace and quiet. It is also important to remember that Verona is not the largest of cities, and even a relatively non-central area like this is just a few minutes’ walk from the historical center.
Stay in Valdonega if you are looking for the best neighborhoods in Verona Italy with family; you want to stay outside the center; you want a classy and sophisticated area; you want peace and tranquility.
Best places to stay in Valdonega:
🔍FIND BEST HOTELS IN NEAR VALDONEGACheck out my virtual tour about the best places to stay in Verona in this video:
Getting around Verona with / without a car
Located 11km from city centre, to travel from Verona Airport to city centre, you can take Verona Airport bus ATV, taxi, or rent a car. The trip by Verona Airport bus takes 15 minutes and costs €6. You can buy ticket from the driver when boarding or from machine at the airport. The tickets are valid in 75 minutes.The bus will take you to Porta Nuova railway station.
If you traveling with family, or a group of tourist, it’s best to book taxi, or airport transfer. It’s cost in range from €40 to €60. If you can aslo rent the car but you’ll need deposit from €100–€300.
Covering roughly 3 sq km, Historical Verona is incredibly compact and walkable. The best way to explore the historic center is by foot. Famous landmarks such as Verona Arena, Piazzale Castel San Pietro, and Castelvecchio Bridge are within easy walking distance. But bicycles are also a popular way to get around. Checkout out the Verona Bike if you’re interested in cycling.
You can consider to buy a Verona Card which gives you free or discounted entry to many attractions and unlimited use of ATV bus networks. It valid from 24h to 48h.
See Also:
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- Best areas to Stay in Cinque Terre
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- Best areas to Stay in Florence
- Best areas to Stay in Rome
- Best areas To Stay In Naples
- How Much Does a Trip to Europe Cost?
- How to Spend 10 Days in Europe
- How to Plan Your First European Vacation
- Best areas to stay in Sorrento
Overall, Centro Storico is the best place to stay in Verona for tourist because it has a super central location and it has a wide range of tourist amenities. If you stay here, you will be located within easy walking distance to famous tourist attractions, as well as mnay shopping, dining, and nightlife venues in the city.
Once you picked a neighborhood, you need to decide how many days do you need to stay in Verona to book hotel. Well, if this is your first time, I recommend to spend at least three days to explore this Italian treasure, which is enough to see big sights, enjoy foods and wines, as well as get the sense of the local culture and history. You can always come back next visit, and explore more!