Verona is the city of Romeo and Juliet, with a Roman amphitheatre that’s almost 2,000 years old and beautiful squares lined with old palazzi. The Old Town sits in a bend of the River Adige and it’s so compact that you can walk across it in a quarter of an hour, but staying by the busy Piazza Bra is a very different experience from staying in the quiet streets on the other side of the river.
That’s why your choice of area matters a lot, both for the price and for how your stay turns out. Here are my recommendations for six areas in Verona and hotels in several price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas in Verona
- Piazza Bra and the Arena - best area for first-time visitors
- Piazza delle Erbe - best area for couples and romance
- Veronetta - best area for budget and local atmosphere
- San Zeno - best area for peace and local trattorias
- Porta Nuova and the station - best area for day trips by train
- Borgo Trento - best area for drivers and a quiet stay
Below, I go through the six areas one by one, from the Arena and the romantic squares in the Old Town to the quieter neighbourhoods around the centre, with three hotels in each area in different price ranges.
1. Piazza Bra and the Arena - best area for first-time visitors 🏛️
- 📍 Distance to Piazza Bra: You’ll be staying on the city’s biggest square with the Arena right outside the door.
- 🚶 Transport: Everything in the Old Town is within walking distance. From Porta Nuova station, it’s around 15 to 20 minutes’ walk along Corso Porta Nuova, or you can take a city bus.
- ✈️ Time from Verona Airport: Around 15 minutes on the airport bus to Porta Nuova and then a short ride by bus or taxi, usually 30 to 40 minutes in total.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £110 to £270 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: It’s a safe area with lots of people around until late in the evening. Keep an eye on your bag in the crowds in front of the Arena and on the busy terraces.
Piazza Bra is where most people start their visit to Verona, and it’s where I’d stay the first time. The square is dominated by the Arena, a Roman amphitheatre from the first century that’s still used for concerts and opera. Along the square runs the wide pavement promenade known as the Liston, lined with restaurants and cafés, and this is where the locals take their evening stroll.
The whole historic centre is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and from Piazza Bra you can walk to most places in ten minutes. The elegant shopping street Via Mazzini leads straight to Piazza delle Erbe, and to the west you’ll find the Castelvecchio fortress with the red Ponte Scaligero bridge over the River Adige.
See hotels near Piazza Bra here.
In summer, the Arena di Verona hosts its big open-air opera festival, and that’s when the hotels around the square become both expensive and quickly sold out. If you’d like to see a performance, you can buy tickets for the opera in the Arena here, and if you’d just like to see the amphitheatre itself with a guide, there’s a skip-the-line guided tour of the Arena.
The advantage of Piazza Bra is that you’re staying in the middle of everything, with a short walk to both the station and the other neighbourhoods. The hotels here are often in old buildings with small rooms, so check the room size if you’re travelling with a lot of luggage.
The downside is the price and the crowds of tourists. The restaurants on the Liston have the view, but you’ll often eat better and for less a couple of streets away. If you’re arriving by car, bear in mind that most of the centre is a ZTL zone with restricted access for cars, so arrange parking with the hotel in advance.
Places to Stay near Piazza Bra
Hotel Milano & SPA - best hotel with a roof terrace and views of the Arena
Hotel Milano & SPA is on a small side street a few steps from the Arena and was the most expensive of my three picks near Piazza Bra. The hotel is known for its roof terrace with a bar and hot tub, where you can look out over the Arena, and it has a guest rating of 9.2 from more than 7,000 reviews. The spa costs extra, and parking has to be booked in advance.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The rooftop bar was a particular highlight, with views over the Arena and the square.”
See photos and book Hotel Milano & SPA here.
Hotel Europa - best mid-range hotel right by Piazza Bra
Hotel Europa is on Via Roma around 200 metres from Piazza Bra and is a classic three-star hotel with a 24-hour reception and its own car park for a fee. It’s a practical choice if you’re arriving by car and want to stay centrally. Guests mention that some of the rooms are small.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “The location is lovely. There are a couple of good cafés right nearby.”
See photos and book Hotel Europa here.
Residenza CuordiVerona - cheapest choice close to the Arena
Residenza CuordiVerona is a small guesthouse on Piazza Cittadella around 230 metres from Piazza Bra and was the cheapest of my three picks in the area. Guests praise the decor and the host, and the rooms have air conditioning. Breakfast isn’t included in every rate, so check when you book.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautifully decorated rooms and a wonderful, friendly host.”
See photos and book Residenza CuordiVerona here.
2. Piazza delle Erbe - best area for couples and romance 💕
- 📍 Distance to Piazza Bra: Around 600 metres, and the walk along Via Mazzini takes less than ten minutes.
- 🚶 Transport: You’ll walk everywhere. The streets are narrow and cobbled, so take a taxi from the station if you’ve got a big suitcase.
- ✈️ Time from Verona Airport: Around 35 to 45 minutes by airport bus and then a city bus or taxi from Porta Nuova.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £130 to £445 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: It’s safe but very busy. Watch out for pickpockets in the crowds by the market stalls and in the courtyard at Casa di Giulietta.
Piazza delle Erbe is the city’s old Roman forum, and in my opinion it’s the most beautiful spot in Verona. The square is surrounded by colourful palazzi with frescoes on their façades, and in the middle there are market stalls and a fountain. In the evening, the outdoor tables fill up with people drinking a spritz, and there’s a great atmosphere.
Right next door is the quiet Piazza dei Signori with its statue of Dante, and the Torre dei Lamberti tower rises above it all. If you go up to the top, you’ll get one of the best views over the city’s rooftops. A couple of minutes away are the Arche Scaligere, the Gothic tombs of the Scaliger family, who ruled Verona in the Middle Ages.
See hotels near Piazza delle Erbe here.
This is also where you’ll find Casa di Giulietta on Via Cappello, with the famous balcony from the story of Romeo and Juliet. The courtyard is often packed with visitors, and the rules on access and admission to both the courtyard and the house have changed several times, so check the current rules before you go. If you come early in the morning, before the day-trippers arrive, it’s much calmer.
I’d choose the area around Piazza delle Erbe for a romantic weekend when you want to go out for dinner without having to think about transport. Many of the hotels are in old palazzi, and you can walk to the river and Ponte Pietra in five minutes.
The downside is the noise. The square is busy until late in the evening, and in the morning the market stalls and deliveries arrive. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room facing the courtyard when you book.
Places to Stay near Piazza delle Erbe
Hotel Gabbia d’Oro - best luxury hotel in a historic palazzo
Hotel Gabbia d’Oro is a five-star boutique hotel in an old palazzo on Corso Porta Borsari, less than 50 metres from Piazza delle Erbe. It was the most expensive hotel in my search of the area and has a guest rating of 9.0. The hotel has a small garden and a bar, and parking is handled by valet for a fee. Several guests mention that it’s expensive.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel has a very special atmosphere, the staff were very friendly and the location is excellent.”
See photos and book Hotel Gabbia d’Oro here.
Hotel Accademia - best four-star hotel between the two squares
Hotel Accademia is on Via Scala close to Via Mazzini, around 250 metres from Piazza delle Erbe and 400 metres from Piazza Bra. The hotel has a guest rating of 9.2 from more than 4,600 reviews, a breakfast buffet and a private garage for a fee. Guests mention that the rooms don’t have a view because of the surrounding buildings.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “The location couldn’t have been better, with less than a five-minute walk to Piazza Bra.”
See photos and book Hotel Accademia here.
Residenza Della Samaritana - cheapest choice close to Juliet’s balcony
Residenza Della Samaritana is a guesthouse on a small side street around 190 metres from Piazza delle Erbe and a couple of minutes’ walk from Casa di Giulietta. It was the cheapest of the three when I searched, and with 9.6 it has one of the highest guest ratings in this guide. There’s no parking, and some of the rooms only have limited kitchen equipment.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was excellent, very close to Piazza Bra and extremely convenient for getting around the city.”
See photos and book Residenza Della Samaritana here.
3. Veronetta - best area for budget and local atmosphere 🎓
- 📍 Distance to Piazza Bra: Around 1 kilometre. Piazza delle Erbe is less than ten minutes’ walk across the river.
- 🚶 Transport: You walk across Ponte Pietra or Ponte Navi to the Old Town. City buses run along the river and to the station.
- ✈️ Time from Verona Airport: Around 40 to 50 minutes by airport bus and then a city bus or taxi from Porta Nuova.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £85 to £140 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: It’s generally safe. A few streets are dark and quiet at night, so stick to the main streets when you’re walking home late.
Veronetta lies on the eastern side of the Adige and is Verona’s student quarter, with the university, small bars and cheaper restaurants. It feels more like an ordinary Italian neighbourhood than the Old Town, and here you’ll be staying among locals rather than other tourists. At the same time, some of the city’s finest sights are right here.
By Ponte Pietra, the Roman stone bridge over the river, you’ll find the Roman theatre and the archaeological museum. From here, the funicular runs up the hill to Castel San Pietro, where you get the classic view over Verona and the bend in the river. You can also walk up the steps if you’re feeling fit.
A short distance further east is Giardino Giusti, a historic garden with cypress trees, hedges and views over the city. There’s an admission fee and the opening hours change with the seasons, so check the garden’s website before you go.
I’d choose Veronetta if you want more for your money and don’t mind a ten-minute walk to Piazza delle Erbe. The accommodation is mostly guesthouses and apartments, and many have a kitchen, so it’s a good choice for a slightly longer trip.
The downside is that the neighbourhood is less polished. Some streets are a bit run-down, and there are fewer classic hotels with a reception. If you’re staying in the southern part of Veronetta, it can also be a bit of a walk to the nicest streets by the river.
Places to Stay in Veronetta
Veronetta House - best adults-only guesthouse
Veronetta House is an adults-only guesthouse on Via Scrimiari, around 600 metres from Piazza delle Erbe. It was the most expensive of my three picks in Veronetta and has a guest rating of 9.2. Guests especially praise the breakfast, which is served in your room. There’s no free parking, but you can park in a private car park nearby for a fee.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic guesthouse with an excellent breakfast brought to the door every morning!”
See photos and book Veronetta House here.
Giardino Giusti House & Court - best mid-range choice close to Giardino Giusti
Giardino Giusti House & Court is a few steps from the garden of the same name and has a small courtyard, private parking for a fee and breakfast in a bistro. It’s a good choice if you’re arriving by car and want parking right by the hotel. Guests do mention, though, that the rooms need renovating and that the soundproofing is poor.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “Lovely location, 7 minutes from the main sights.”
See photos and book Giardino Giusti House & Court here.
Casa Marzia - cheapest choice with your own kitchen
Casa Marzia offers apartments on Via Nicola Mazza in the southern part of Veronetta and was the cheapest place in the whole guide when I searched. You get a kitchenette and the option of parking for a fee, and the guest rating is 9.3. It’s around a quarter of an hour’s walk to Piazza delle Erbe, and some guests mention noise from the neighbours.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Great location and a really lovely host.”
See photos and book Casa Marzia here.
4. San Zeno - best area for peace and local trattorias 🍝
- 📍 Distance to Piazza Bra: Around 1.2 kilometres, which is 15 to 20 minutes’ walk past Castelvecchio.
- 🚶 Transport: You can walk along the river to the Old Town, and city buses run towards the centre and the station.
- ✈️ Time from Verona Airport: Around 35 to 45 minutes by airport bus to Porta Nuova and then a bus or taxi.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £125 to £205 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: It’s a quiet residential area that feels safe. In the evening, there’s much less going on than in the Old Town.
San Zeno is the neighbourhood west of the Old Town, and it’s built around the Basilica di San Zeno, one of Italy’s most beautiful Romanesque churches. The church has bronze doors with 48 medieval reliefs and an altarpiece by Andrea Mantegna, and in front of it lies the large, open Piazza San Zeno.
The neighbourhood is quiet and local, with small shops, bars and trattorias where you’ll often eat better and for less than at Piazza Bra. In the morning, the locals sit in the café bars, and in the evening it’s far calmer than in the busy streets of the centre.
The walk into town is one of the prettiest in Verona. You follow the River Adige past Castelvecchio and Ponte Scaligero and reach Piazza Bra in fifteen to twenty minutes. That makes San Zeno a good choice if you’re happy to walk a bit every day and don’t need to stay in the thick of the crowds.
I’d choose San Zeno for a long weekend, or if you’ve been to Verona before and want to see a different side of the city. Many of the places to stay are apartments and small bed and breakfasts, and several have a garden or courtyard.
The downside is that you’ll have a bit of a walk to most of the sights, and there isn’t much nightlife. If you’ve only got one night in Verona, it’s better to stay closer to Piazza Bra.
Places to Stay in San Zeno
Il Relais dell’Abbazia - best bed and breakfast with a garden
Il Relais dell’Abbazia is a small bed and breakfast around 200 metres from Piazza San Zeno and was the most expensive of my three picks in the neighbourhood. The breakfast buffet is served in the garden, and it has a guest rating of 9.4. There’s only street parking, and it can be hard to find a space nearby.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A fabulous place with a good location, a fantastic host and a perfect breakfast.”
See photos and book Il Relais dell’Abbazia here.
Residence Antico San Zeno - best mid-range choice with apartments
Residence Antico San Zeno is on Via Rosmini between the basilica and Castelvecchio, around 270 metres from Piazza San Zeno. You stay in apartment-style rooms, there’s a bar and a terrace, and the guest rating is 8.6. Guests mention that parking in the area can be difficult.
One guest highlights the neighbourhood on Booking.com: “A really lovely neighbourhood within walking distance of the historic centre.”
See photos and book Residence Antico San Zeno here.
La Nuova Corte Verona - cheapest choice with a garden and parking
La Nuova Corte Verona offers apartments on Stradone Antonio Provolo in the southern part of San Zeno and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. There’s a kitchenette, a garden and parking for a fee, and the guest rating is 8.7 from more than 2,000 reviews. Some guests mention that the heating could be better in winter.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Excellent accommodation with spacious rooms and a fantastic location.”
See photos and book La Nuova Corte Verona here.
5. Porta Nuova and the station - best area for day trips by train 🚆
- 📍 Distance to Piazza Bra: Around 1.3 kilometres along Corso Porta Nuova, which is 15 to 20 minutes’ walk.
- 🚆 Transport: Verona Porta Nuova is the city’s main railway station with trains in every direction, and the city buses to the centre stop right outside.
- ✈️ Time from Verona Airport: Around 15 minutes on the airport bus, which runs straight to the station.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £120 to £270 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: As at most big stations, there are people hanging around on the square out front. Keep a firm hold of your luggage, and stick to well-lit streets in the evening.
The area around Porta Nuova isn’t the prettiest in Verona, but it’s the most practical if you want to use the city as a base. Verona Airlink runs between the airport and the station in around 15 minutes, so you can be at your hotel shortly after landing.
Day trips are easy from here. On the fast trains, it takes just over an hour to Venice and an hour and a quarter to Milan, and you’ll reach Desenzano del Garda on Lake Garda in around 20 minutes. The train towards Venice also stops at Vicenza and Padua, and it’s worth getting to know the different ticket types before you travel.
See hotels near Porta Nuova here.
If you’d rather spend a couple of nights by the lake, I’ve written a guide to where to stay on Lake Garda. The same goes if Verona is part of a longer tour, because then you can read about where to stay in Venice and where to stay in Milan.
From the station, you walk through the old Porta Nuova city gate and along the wide Corso Porta Nuova straight to Piazza Bra. The hotels are both right by the station and up along Corso Porta Nuova towards the gate, and the closer to the gate you stay, the shorter the walk to the Arena.
The downside is that the area around the station is modern and busy with traffic, and there are far fewer good restaurants than in the Old Town. I’d choose it for a short trip with an early departure or a late arrival, or if you want to see several cities in northern Italy with Verona as your base.
Places to Stay near Porta Nuova
Hotel Indigo Verona - Grand Hotel des Arts - best four-star hotel between the station and the Arena
Hotel Indigo is on Corso Porta Nuova just inside the city gate, around 750 metres from the station and 600 metres from Piazza Bra. It was the most expensive of my three picks near Porta Nuova and has a garden, a bar and a breakfast that guests praise. Parking costs extra, and a few guests feel the bathrooms could do with an update.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Good location and a lovely breakfast with plenty to choose from.”
See photos and book Hotel Indigo Verona - Grand Hotel des Arts here.
Moxy Verona - best mid-range hotel right by the station
Moxy Verona is on Piazzale XXV Aprile, just 150 metres from the station entrance. The hotel has a modern, colourful design with a bar, a restaurant and a 24-hour reception, and there’s free parking. It’s an obvious choice for an early train, but guests miss having a kettle in the room.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “We absolutely loved this hotel! The design of the hotel and the room was beautiful.”
See photos and book Moxy Verona here.
Novo Hotel Rossi - cheapest choice close to the station
Novo Hotel Rossi is on Via delle Coste around 350 metres from the station and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. It has a guest rating of 8.9 from more than 4,500 reviews, and breakfast is included. There’s parking for a fee, but guests mention that there aren’t many places to eat in the immediate area.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “It’s clean, tidy and modern, and it’s fantastically close to the main station.”
See photos and book Novo Hotel Rossi here.
6. Borgo Trento - best area for drivers and a quiet stay 🌳
- 📍 Distance to Piazza Bra: Around 1 to 1.5 kilometres. Piazza delle Erbe is 10 to 15 minutes’ walk across the river.
- 🚶 Transport: You walk across Ponte della Vittoria or Ponte Garibaldi to the Old Town. City buses connect the neighbourhood with the station.
- ✈️ Time from Verona Airport: Around 40 to 50 minutes by airport bus and city bus, or around 20 to 25 minutes by car.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £100 to £200 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: It’s a quiet, well-kept residential area that feels safe both during the day and in the evening.
Borgo Trento lies on the north side of the Adige, opposite the Old Town, and it’s a quiet residential area where many of the city’s residents live. The streets are wide and green, with villas and apartment blocks, and the city’s main hospital is here too. It’s not a tourist area, but it’s a good base if you want peace and space.
The biggest advantage is that it’s easier to come and go by car here than in the Old Town, where the ZTL zone makes driving a hassle. Several of the places to stay have their own parking, and you’ll quickly be on the roads towards Lake Garda and Valpolicella.
See hotels in Borgo Trento here.
If you’re driving around the region, Lake Garda is only a short drive away, and it’s easy to combine a couple of nights in Verona with a stay by the lake. If you’d like to stay there, have a look at my suggestions for where to stay on Lake Garda.
The walk into the centre runs along the river and over one of the bridges, and from Ponte della Vittoria it’s only a few minutes to Castelvecchio and Via Mazzini. In the evening, the Lungadige, the promenade along the river, is a nice place for a stroll.
The downside is that there are few restaurants and bars in the neighbourhood itself, so you’ll have to cross the river to eat out in the evening. I’d choose Borgo Trento if you’re arriving by car or want a quiet room, but not for a short weekend when you want everything right outside the door.
Places to Stay in Borgo Trento
Nobili Libardi - Villa Basevi - best choice in a villa with a garden
Nobili Libardi - Villa Basevi is a guesthouse in a villa with a garden on Via dei Mille, around 770 metres from Piazza delle Erbe. It was the most expensive of my three picks in Borgo Trento and has a very high guest rating of 9.5. There’s parking for a fee, but breakfast isn’t served, and some guests feel the bathroom doesn’t offer enough privacy.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “An absolutely stunning hotel with lovely gardens and very kind, helpful owners.”
See photos and book Nobili Libardi - Villa Basevi here.
Hotel Italia - best mid-range hotel with parking
Hotel Italia is on Via Goffredo Mameli in the northern part of Borgo Trento and is a classic hotel with a bar, a terrace and a garage for a fee. It suits you well if you’re arriving by car and want a hotel with a reception and breakfast. It’s around 15 minutes’ walk to the centre, and some guests feel the breakfast is a bit modest.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The rooms and common areas exceeded our expectations. Everything was very nice, clean and comfortable.”
See photos and book Hotel Italia here.
Borgo Trento Residence - cheapest choice with apartments
Borgo Trento Residence offers modern apartments on Salita Monte Grappa and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. You get a kitchenette and a guest rating of 8.4 from more than 1,100 reviews. Breakfast isn’t served, and it’s just over a kilometre to Piazza delle Erbe.
One guest highlights the apartment on Booking.com: “The apartment is absolutely gorgeous, modern, stylish and spotlessly clean.”
See photos and book Borgo Trento Residence here.
Where should you avoid staying in Verona?
I wouldn’t stay in the area around the Verona Fiere exhibition centre south of the station unless you’re going to a trade fair. The area is dominated by big roads and business hotels, and it’s a long way to the Old Town. During the big trade fairs, such as the Vinitaly wine fair, prices go up across the whole city, so check the trade fair calendar before you book.
Be careful with hotels in Borgo Milano around the stadium and in the suburbs, too. They’re often cheaper and have free parking, but without a car you’ll have to take the bus every time you want to go into the centre.
And I wouldn’t stay out in the countryside in Valpolicella if you don’t have a car. The wine region is beautiful, but the bus connections are limited, and you can’t walk home after dinner in town.
If it’s your first time in Verona, I’d stay near Piazza Bra or Piazza delle Erbe, so you’ve got everything within walking distance. If you want more for your money and a local atmosphere, Veronetta is my first choice, San Zeno suits a quiet weekend, and Borgo Trento is easiest if you’re arriving by car. If you’re planning day trips by train, Porta Nuova is the most practical choice.
Verona also makes a great stop on a trip around northern Italy. From here, the fastest trains take around an hour to Bologna, and you can read about where to stay in Bologna here. If you’re heading further north into the mountains, I’ve also written a guide to where to stay in the Dolomites.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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