Verona with children: between history and parks

Verona with children is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway: a beautiful art city that is also easy to experience as a family.
The story of Romeo and Juliet always fascinates, but what really surprises is how easy it is to get around.
The historic center is pedestrian friendly, cozy, full of squares where you can stop without hurrying. Here you can stroll around, treat yourself to an ice cream break, let the kids run around a bit, and continue your tour at a leisurely pace. And if the weather changes, no problem: between arcades and little stores you can always find a place to stop.

The great thing is that you can plan a really complete weekend without driving too many miles; on the one hand you enjoy Verona, with its leisurely pace, and on the other, in less than an hour, you have the Lake Garda: the Parco Natura viva is only 20 km away and Gardaland is about 30 km away, so both are super convenient.

You can do it this way:
- one day you devote to the city, between walks and small discoveries....
- the next day you choose one of the lake-garda parks

The historic center of Verona with children

The historic center of Verona is one of those places that can be easily experienced, even with children. Distances are short, squares open up one after another, and every corner has something to look at: a statue, an ornate facade, an attention-grabbing detail.

From Piazza Bra with the Arena of Verona to Piazza delle Erbe, passing through lesser-known alleys and glimpses, the visit flows naturally. No need to run: just walk, stop when you need to, and let the children lead the pace as well.

However, if you want to make it even more engaging, there's an easy way to turn the visit into an experience they're really passionate about: a treasure hunt in downtown Verona.
The city becomes a game: clues, puzzles and stages to reach accompany the family among the most beautiful places, making discovery active and fun. Children feel like protagonists, observe more and participate, while you experience the city more lightly.

It is the perfect way to visit Verona without getting bored, alternating culture and play in a natural way.

Here you can buy the treasure hunt tickets

Piazza Bra to admire the Arena of Verona

Piazza Bra is the largest square in the city and is the perfect spot from which to start your visit. Several streets lead from here into the heart of the historic center.

It is a must-see because this is where Palazzo Barbieri, the seat of the city hall, and the Palazzo della Gran Guardia overlook. But above all, it is here that the symbol of Verona is located: the Arena di Verona.

The Arena is a Roman amphitheater dating back to the first century AD, still used today for concerts and performances, capable of holding up to about 12,500 people. In the past it could hold many more, reaching nearly 30,000 spectators.

For children, it is a place that is immediately striking: it is easy to imagine the gladiators, shows and life of the time. Stopping for a few minutes on the bleachers is a small moment that lingers.

You can also visit the Arena inside. If you want to avoid the line, it is recommended to buy your ticket online.
Admission is included in the Verona Card

Staying around Piazza Bra, you can make a brief stop on the Liston, the large sidewalk where the people of Verona love to walk. It is a very heartfelt place in the city, especially on December 13, when Santa Lucia is celebrated and the area is filled with stalls and markets.

Juliet's House to know the story

Who doesn't know the story of Romeo and Juliet? Children maybe not, and this is just the right opportunity to tell it, perhaps under the famous balcony.
Here you can get a closer look at the symbolic place of the story: the Juliet's balcony, overlooking the courtyard that attracts visitors from all over the world every day.
Juliet's House is a medieval palace where the Dal Cappello family lived in the 13th century, whose name can still be seen on the entrance arch.

😎 A curiosity: William Shakespeare set the story here without ever having visited Verona.

The courtyard is accessible free of charge, while visiting the interior of the house museum requires a ticket.
This admission is also included in the Verona Card

Piazza delle Erbe, the oldest square in Verona

Piazza delle Erbe is one of the oldest squares in Verona and still retains its original charm. Here once stood the Roman Forum, the heart of city life, and it is still a place full of energy, color and movement.
Visiting Verona with children, it's almost impossible not to pass by-it's the perfect place to take a break, perhaps sit under the arcades and enjoy a good ice cream before leaving.
The square is also famous for the Torre dei Lamberti, from which you can admire Verona from above. The climb has 368 steps, but there is also a convenient elevator that makes the experience accessible even with children.

The Verona Card also includes admission to the Tower.

Ponte Pietra: for 2000 years the access to the historic center

Ponte Pietra (the Stone Bridge) is one of the most striking symbols of Verona. Built by the Romans in the 1st century BC, it connected the city to the theater and hillside areas.
Today it is one of the most beautiful spots for a break: many families stop here to take a picture overlooking the Adige River and the rooftops of the city. Nearby there are also osterie and trattoria where you can stop for a typical meal.

After the historic center: ideas for continuing the day

Cross the bridge to a quieter, greener area at the foot of the Roman Theater. Here the pace changes: fewer crowds, more space to stop and calmly decide how to continue the day.

Depending on time and children's energy, you can choose from several options:

• If you love history, you can visit the Archaeological Museum, housed right above the theater (admission included in the Verona Card)
• Going up to Castel San Pietro, from which there is one of the most beautiful views of Verona, perfect especially at sunset. You can go up on foot or by funicular that starts near the Church of Santo Stefano
• Relaxing in some parks: a short distance away are the Parco delle Colombare and the Parco delle Mura, ideal for a break with the children

Where to relax in Verona with children

After touring the historic center, it is normal for children to need a break. Verona has several green corners perfect for slowing down a bit, leaving room for play, and recharging energy before setting off again.

Giusti Garden: a quiet corner waiting to be discovered

The Giardino Giusti is one of those surprising places: an elegant and well-kept Italian garden, but at the same time quiet and uncrowded compared to other areas of the city.
Here children can move freely, observe statues surrounded by greenery and have fun among pathways and hedge mazes, turning a visit into a little exploration.
It is located in the Veronetta district and is easily accessible on foot by crossing the river. Along the way it is worth stopping for a moment to look at the Adige and enjoy a different perspective of the city.

Holders of the Verona Card get a discount on admission.
Alternatively, you can purchase the ticket online.

Piazza Arsenale: an easy break near the center

If, on the other hand, you are looking for a quicker break without straying too far, Piazza Arsenale is a practical solution.
It is easily reached by crossing the striking Ponte di Castelvecchio e and offers an open space where you can stop for a while, let the kids run around, and indulge in a moment of relaxation.
In the center is a fountain, much appreciated on hot days, and all around are public gardens where you can sit on the grass and disconnect from the pace of sightseeing.
It is one of those simple but useful stops that help make the day more enjoyable for the whole family.

Museums in Verona with kids

If you want to alternate between walking around the historic center and something different during your stay, Verona offers several indoor experiences that are also perfect with children.
Whether it's for a rainy day or just a change of pace, there are museums that can really engage the little ones.

Museum of Natural History, between dinosaurs and nature

The Museum of Natural History is a stop that often surprises families. It is one of the most important museums of its kind in Europe and offers a varied tour of botany, geology, zoology and paleontology.
It is easy for children to get involved: fossils, animals, reconstructions and settings help them discover the history of the Earth in a visual and interesting way.
There are many rooms (over 16), and the museum also organizes labs and activities designed just for the little ones, making the visit even more dynamic.

It is located across the Adige River, in the direction of Porta Vittoria, and is easily reached from the center with a short walk.

Children's Museum: the museum where you learn by playing

If you're looking for a truly kid-friendly experience, the Children's Museum is the best choice.
It is an interactive museum of science and technology, where everything is designed to be touched, experienced, and experienced firsthand.
The heart of the experience is the ThinkLab, a space where children participate in workshops and hands-on activities, using tools and materials directly. Here learning becomes a game, following the "forbidden not to touch" principle.

It is located in the Verona Fiera area, so slightly outside the center, and is organized with shift entrances to ensure a quieter and more engaging experience.

Nicolis Museum: perfect for those who love motors and movement

For a slightly different outing, especially if there are vehicle enthusiasts in the family, the Museo Nicolis is an interesting proposition.
Located in Villafranca di Verona, just a few kilometers from the city, it is one of the most important transportation museums in Italy.
Inside, spread over several floors, are vintage cars, motorcycles, bicycles and other vehicles that tell the story of the evolution of mobility over time. Even children are fascinated in front of models so different from those of today.

You can buy the Nicolis Museumskip-the-line tickets here.

What to eat in Verona with kids?

It is impossible to think of planning a trip out of town or a weekend getaway without thinking about the food or local products of a city. So let's look at some useful information on what to order at restaurants in Verona with children.

Veronese cuisine appetizers

There are really a lot of Veronese appetizers that can be tasted to please the taste buds of young and old alike. In fact, in Verona you can order flatbreads made with beets, spinach and scamorza cheese or lightly spiced croquettes.

However, it is also possible to request to taste rosemary lentil porridge, which is really good and suitable even for children. Children who do not like special dishes, however, can request variations to these dishes with some local cured meats or cheeses with a milder taste.

Veronese first and second courses

A really good first course that can fit the tastes of even the youngest children is Tastasal rice. This is a risotto made of salted and sometimes peppered ground pork, of which, however, you can remove the pepper so that the children can eat it. You can also try variations of this dish by adding a good salami or sausage.
Pasta e fasoi, so called in Veronese dialect, is a pasta and bean dish suitable for almost all age groups. According to historical records, this dish even dates back to the time of the Roman Empire and was prepared with leftover pasta.

After that we have polenta, which can be a worthy substitute for bread. Usually polenta is eaten together with herring or sausages in tomato sauce. Polenta is a great dish that children can enjoy, as it has a delicate flavor and can accompany any food.

The typical desserts of Verona

There are really many typical sweets of Verona and among them we want to start with Romeo and Juliet's Kisses. Generally this sweet made of almonds and hazelnut filling is enjoyed by couples on Valentine's Day. It is a tradition of Verona couples to exchange this sweet on Valentine's Day precisely to celebrate the love of Romeo and Juliet's most famous lovers.

Immediately after that we have the Verona Russian cake: a dessert consisting of a puff pastry shell filled with almonds and macaroons. According to a legend, this cake was invented by a pastry chef who, on board a ship in the port of Odessa, fell in love with a Russian girl and decided to prepare this cake for her as a token of his love.

How to forget pandoro? Pandoro is one of the best-known Italian Christmas desserts, which owes its name to the Veneto term "pan de oro." Pandoro was born in 1884 by the family of Domenico Melegatti, who succeeded in making it one of the Christmas sweets enjoyed throughout Italy.

Practical information for visiting Verona with kids

Moms from the Its4kids Facebook community, have been really helpful in getting lots of information for visiting Verona with kids in comfort.

Where to park in Verona?

Parking in Verona is not very difficult since this city boasts so many covered and uncovered parking lots. There are some free parking lots, such as the Porta Palio parking lot, Piazzale Olimpia, and Piazzale Guardini.

Since there would seem to be only three free parking lots, let's list some names of a few paid parking lots in case they are full. The paid parking lots in Verona closest to the historic center are the Cittadella parking lot, Parking Arena, Parking Italia, Paradiso garage, and the Tribunale parking lot.

How to visit Verona?

As anticipated before, Verona can be easily visited on foot by walking through the most famous streets and areas of the historic center.

However, in case tiredness sets in, it is possible to visit this city by ATV city buses. All ATV buses operate from early in the morning from 5:00 a.m. until midnight during the week and on weekends.
In any case, we recommend staying in Verona at least a couple of days if the intent is to visit it well and at leisure.

Where to sleep in Verona?

There are so many hotels and b&b's in the city, really you are spoiled for choice. Here you can find the one best suited for your family: Booking.com.
Otherwise, Verona is a very convenient destination from Lake Garda, so why not sleep in the midst of nature in an accommodation near the Lake, combining a visit to Verona with a visit to some Lake Garda Park?
Here is where to sleep near Lake Garda