Best Tours in Verona: Five I Recommend to Friends and Family
Last Updated on November 2, 2026 by Kimberly
Planning a trip to Verona and trying to figure out which tours are actually worth your time and money?
I lived in Vicenza, about 30 minutes from Verona by train, and these are the 5 best tours in Verona that I send friends and family to when they visit. I’ve taken several of them myself, including one on a girls’ trip and one with my mother-in-law, who isn’t easily impressed by food.
Below you’ll find what each tour covers, who it’s best for, and where to book it, so you can pick one (or two) and get back to planning. All five work for solo travelers, couples, and families.
Short on time? The box below has the one tour I’d book first and the three hotels I’d stay at in Verona.
In a Rush?
My Top Verona Tour and Where I’d Stay
Top Tour
Verona: History Guided Walking Tour
The tour I started with when we moved to Vicenza. Piazza delle Erbe, Juliet’s balcony, and the Arena in a couple of hours, with a guide who tells a great story.
Check availability and pricesSplurge
Hotel Milano & SPA Centro Storico
Rooftop terrace with views of the Arena, plus a steam bath and sauna you can book.
Check rates and availabilityMid-Range
Nuova Opera Rooms Borgo Trento
Rooftop terrace and a family-friendly layout in a quieter, residential part of town.
Check rates and availabilityBudget
The Hostello Veronetta
Where I stayed. Stylish, with a courtyard and wonderful staff, and great for solo female travelers on a budget.
Check rates and availabilityComparing neighborhoods? See my guide to where to stay in Verona.
Important information
Some of the tours I recommend in this post include walking on uneven surfaces, cobblestones, or mild inclines that might be challenging for travelers with limited mobility. That being said, you know your body best. If you’re comfortable walking for a few hours and wearing the right shoes, you’ll likely be just fine. Always check the tour descriptions for accessibility info before booking, and when in doubt, comfy shoes are a must in Verona!
1. Verona Food Tasting and Walking Tour with Cable Car
If you have read my Ultimate Guide to Verona for First-timers, you’ll know I recommend this tour, and I personally took this tour on a girls’ trip.
If you’re looking for one tour that brings together Verona’s beauty, history, and flavors, this is it. I always recommend this one to friends visiting for the first time, because it really feels like Verona.
You’ll start by walking through the city’s most iconic sites: the Roman Arena, Juliet’s Balcony, and Porta Borsari, places that tell the story of Verona’s past. But what makes this tour stand out is the cable car ride up to Castel San Pietro, where you’ll get that panoramic view of the whole city. It’s a wow moment.
And then, my favorite part, you’ll taste your way through some local wines, cheeses, and cold cuts in a cozy spot that feels anything but touristy.
Pros:
Cons:
Why I love it:
This tour is perfect if you’re short on time but want a rich taste of the city, literally and figuratively. It hits all the Verona highlights without ever feeling rushed or overwhelming.
2. Verona: History and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour
This was the tour I first started with when we moved to Vicenza.
Honestly, it sets the tone for how much I fell in love with this city.
If it’s your first visit, I highly recommend starting here.
This tour packs a powerful punch: in just a couple of hours, you’ll see Verona’s biggest landmarks like Juliet’s Balcony, Piazza delle Erbe, the Arena, and plenty of charming corners that you might otherwise walk right by.
What I especially loved was the storytelling. Our guide layered in history, folklore, and even personal restaurant recommendations (My family loves the chosen recommendation, why would I tell you what it is? YOU HAVE TO GO ON THE TOUR!
Verona: History and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour
Prefer a Free Walking Tour in Verona?
If you’re traveling on a budget, I always use FreeTour.com for free walking tours. You reserve a spot online, and at the end you tip the guide what you think the tour was worth. It’s a good option if you want a guided introduction to Verona without paying upfront, though groups are usually larger than on the paid small-group tours above.
3. Verona: Culinary Tour with Amarone Wine Tasting
If you’re heading to Verona and want a taste of the real thing, think local bites, rich red wines, and charming cobbled streets, this culinary walking tour with Amarone wine tasting is the one to book. In just 3.5 hours, you’ll sip espresso like a local, sample fresh pastries, dive into traditional Veronese dishes (hello, handmade tortellini!), and end with a tasting of the bold and velvety Amarone wine, straight from the nearby Valpolicella region.
Even my mother-in-law, who isn’t easily impressed with food tours, absolutely loved this experience. She couldn’t stop talking about the wine tasting and how much she learned about the local food culture.
It was the perfect mix of flavor, history, and a fun walk through the city.
This is it if you’re looking for a short but meaningful way to experience Verona.
Ready to sip, savor, and stroll your way through Verona? Book this unforgettable food and wine tour and experience the city like a local, just like my mother-in-law did (and she’s still raving about it!).
Click here to reserve your spot now with GetYourGuide. Spots fill fast, especially in wine season!
4. Verona: Italian Small-Group Cooking Class with Pasta and Tiramisu
You’d be silly not to book this one!
I recommend this tour for friends visiting Verona, it’s hands-on, welcoming, and delicious. You’ll start with a few classic Italian cooking techniques, then dive into making homemade pasta and authentic tiramisu, guided by a local chef.
Everything is made from scratch, and yes, you’ll get to feast on your creations with a glass of wine at the end.
The space is cozy, and the vibe is social, perfect for solo travelers or couples who want something more memorable than another restaurant dinner. You leave full, happy, and with recipes to take home!
Reserve your spot for this small-group Italian cooking class here, it fills fast.
5. E-Bike Tour of Medieval Villages and Castles from Verona
If you want to get out of the city and see the countryside around Verona, this is the tour I’d point you to. The medieval villages on this route are beautiful, and I’ve been meaning to write about a few of them for a while.
The tour starts in Villafranca di Verona, about 20 minutes from the city, at the Scaliger Castle, a fortress built more than 800 years ago. From there you ride about an hour along the Tione River, past vineyards and orchards, to Borghetto sul Mincio, one of the most picturesque villages in Italy.
Once you arrive, you’ll stop for an Italian aperitivo, browse a few local shops, and have time to take photos of the village.
The e-bike does the work on the hills, so you don’t need to be a cyclist to enjoy it.
It’s an easy way to see the countryside beyond Verona in an afternoon. Villafranca is a short drive, taxi, or train ride from the city.
Ideal for solo travelers, couples, or friends who want something a little different.
Click here to check availability and book the e-bike tour with GetYourGuide
Bonus: Verona: Juliet’s House Fast-Track Entry Ticket & Audio Guide
I’ll be honest, I debated adding this one.
Juliet’s House is popular, it’s busy, and it’s not exactly off the beaten path. But it’s one of those iconic spots in Verona that people genuinely want to see, and after doing it myself, I totally get the appeal.
With this fast-track ticket, you skip the long wait outside (huge win), and the included audio guide lets you take your time exploring the house.
You’ll walk through rooms filled with antique furniture, historic artwork, and exhibits that tie into the Romeo and Juliet legend.
Yes, it’s a fictional story, but there’s something undeniably charming about standing on the little balcony and imagining all the travelers who’ve done the same.
The courtyard is where most people linger, snapping photos with the statue of Juliet and adding love notes to the walls.
And yes, that tradition of grabbing Juliet’s breast? Still going strong. Cheesy? yes. Honestly, I think it’s weird.
If you’ve never been to Verona, this is one of those places you’ll want to say you’ve seen, and the fast-track ticket makes it easy, efficient!
Want to see what all the fuss is about? Skip the line and experience one of Verona’s most iconic spots at your own pace.
Book your Juliet’s House fast-track ticket with audio guide here and enjoy a little Shakespearean charm, no waiting required.
FAQs: Best Tours in Verona
Yes, especially during high season (spring through early fall). The most popular tours, like food tastings, Amarone wine experiences, and cooking classes, can fill up quickly. I always recommend booking a few weeks in advance to avoid missing out.
Totally. I’ve taken several of these on my own and felt welcome every time. The small-group nature of the experiences makes it easy to connect with others or simply enjoy on your own terms. Plus, guides are usually great about making solo guests feel included.
Most involve walking through Verona’s historic center, which means cobblestones, mild inclines, and sometimes stairs (looking at you, Castel San Pietro). Wear comfortable shoes and check the tour description for accessibility notes. If you’re unsure, send the tour operator a quick message, they’re usually very responsive.
It depends on your vibe. Is it a bit cheesy? Yes. But it’s also iconic. With the fast-track ticket, you skip the line and enjoy the audio guide at your own pace, which makes it feel less chaotic. If you’re even slightly into Shakespeare, romance, or bucket-list sites, it’s worth doing once.
Comfort is key. Think breathable layers, closed-toe shoes, and sunglasses. The countryside e-bike tour (#5) rides along country roads and past vineyards, and the e-bike makes the hills manageable for most fitness levels. Bring a small backpack for water and sunscreen.
If you want to stay in the city, book the Culinary Tour with Amarone Wine Tasting (#3). You’ll taste Amarone, Valpolicella’s best-known red, along with local cheese and prosciutto while you walk through the historic center. If you’d rather see the vineyards, the e-bike tour of the medieval villages (#5) rides through wine country outside Verona and ends with an aperitivo.
Yes. I always use FreeTour.com for free walking tours in Verona. You reserve your spot online, and at the end you tip the guide what you think the tour was worth. It’s a great budget-friendly way to get your bearings on your first day, and you can add one of the paid small-group tours above if you want food, wine, or more time with a guide.
Yes. For the countryside, the e-bike tour of the medieval villages and castles (#5) starts in Villafranca di Verona and rides to Borghetto sul Mincio. If you want to stay in the city, there’s also a Verona e-bike tour of the city center and panoramic views on Viator, which is a fun way to cover more ground than you would on foot.
Which Verona Tour Should You Book?
If it’s your first time in Verona, start with the history walking tour (#2) or the food tasting tour with the cable car (#1). You’ll get your bearings in the old town and the view over the city from Castel San Pietro.
If you plan your trips around food, book the culinary tour with Amarone (#3) or the pasta and tiramisu cooking class (#4). If you’ve already seen the center and want the countryside, the e-bike tour to the medieval villages (#5) gets you out of the city for an afternoon.
Whichever you pick, book a few weeks ahead between spring and early fall, and wear comfortable shoes. Verona’s cobblestones are not kind to cute sandals.
Still deciding where to stay? My guide to where to stay in Verona breaks it down by neighborhood, with a map and my top hotel in each one.
Plan the Rest of Your Verona Trip
- An Honest Guide to the Verona Christmas Market
- Your Ultimate Guide to Verona: Perfect for first-timers
- Where to Stay in Verona: Which Neighborhood is Best + Map
- How to get from Venice to Verona
- Is One Day Enough For Verona, Italy?
Research and Sources
Firsthand experience: I lived in Vicenza, about 30 minutes from Verona, and these recommendations come from my own visits and the tours I’ve taken with friends and family. Tour details, inclusions, and meeting points come from each tour’s official GetYourGuide or Viator listing, linked in the sections above.
