Free Walking Tours in Verona

The city that Shakespeare made famous, Verona, is more than the setting of tragic star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet. This ancient Italian city dates back several millennia and is dotted with sites worth experiencing. With a price in tips that you determine, free walking tours in Verona are the most affordable way to learn about this multifaceted city.

Here's all you need to know about free walking tours, one of the most engaging in sightseeing activities in Verona.

How do free walking tours work?

Free walking tours in Verona are a very budget-friendly and a popular way of discovering the city's sights. Guide operators in the city offer free tours covering many locations and providing insight into the attractions.

Free walking tours in Verona differ from standard walking tours because at the end of the tour, the visitors can tip the guide based on how they value their experience, with no additional charges.

How much should you tip?

Travelers typically decide on how much to tip their guide based on how they experienced the tour. Most people tend to tip €10 to €15 each, while some may even choose to tip upwards of €50.

When deciding how much to tip, consider how much you feel you learned on the tour, how you interacted with your guide and your level of enjoyment.

What are the best free walking tours in Verona?

Free Verona sightseeing tours

While tours may go by names like “the Secrets of Verona'' or “Fantastic Verona,” they focus on the highlights of the city. You’ll experience a great overview of the city in a short amount of time. Itineraries are very similar, and the tours provide you an excellent orientation to the town along with history, legends and insider tips.

Meet your knowledgeable guide at a well-known landmark in central Verona for a few hours of exploration. Although the order of places you’ll visit may vary, there are typical stops included in most free walking tours.

Common starting points are within short walks from each other, making all the tours conveniently close to the best of Verona. Tour highlights are mainly concentrated in Antica Verona on the south bank of the Adige River with one or two destinations on the north bank of the river.

Near the start of the tour, pass by the Roman Arco dei Gavi and the Porta Borsari. The original Arco dei Gavi was built in the first century A.D. The Porta Borsari was an entry point to the walled city and is protected by UNESCO.

Colorful and lively Piazza Bra is the largest square in the city. A dazzling concentration of historic sites dot the square. Piazza Bra is a car-free zone that’s perfect for strolling or sipping an aperitif at an outdoor cafe. Take in the opulence of the Palazzo Barbieri and the Palazzo della Gran Guardia while you’re in what some consider the largest square in the country.

The crowning glory of Piazza Bra is the 2,000-year-old Roman Arena. With destructive contenders like Napoleon and WWII bombing over the centuries, the arena’s level of preservation is astounding. Nearly all of the original seats and arches remain, and the arena still hosts concerts and events to this day.

Make a 5-minute walk from Piazza Bra to the Castelvecchio Museum and bridge. This “old castle” was once the home of nobles and now houses an impressive collection of religious and secular artifacts from the area. Connected to the castle is the reconstructed 14th-century Ponte di Castelvecchio. This bridge affords pleasant city views.

As you move from square to square, pause for photos of impressive ancient churches. Verona boasts a diverse collection of places of worship. The Duomo is Verona’s cathedral and also goes by the name of Cattedrale Santa Maria Matricolare. Both exterior and interior views are spectacular examples of medieval creation.

The fictional location of Romeo and Juliet’s secret wedding is the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore. This church is considered Verona’s most important religious building, although it is smaller and less grand than the Duomo.

In the western part of Antica Verona you’ll find the Piazza dei Signori and the Piazza delle Erbe. The Piazza dei Signori is the final resting place of five members of the illustrious Scaligere family.

See the gothic sarcophagi of Cangrade I, Mastino II, Cansignorio, Alberto II and Giovanni. Listen to the sordid story of the power struggles among these Lords of Verona in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Also in the Piazza dei Signori sits the red-bricked Palazzo del Capitano, also known as the Cansignorio. This sturdy edifice was the home of the Scaligeri family. While it’s not open to the public, take in its arcade, bell tower and “loggia” from the courtyard.

Just a few steps away is Piazza delle Erbe, a major social center in Verona. The square shelters several city landmarks. Spy the Torre Lamberti whose rooftop offers one of the best views in town and the palace-turned-art museum Palazzo Maffeita.

Saving the best for last, many tours conclude with locales made famous by Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy. Near the Piazza Pescheria, don’t miss the Romeo and Juliet tour. The evocative sculpture depicts the two lovers with open arms and and window-like hearts on the torsos of each character.

La Casa di Giulietta, or Juliet’s House, is arguably the most visited destination in Verona. The 14th-century gothic structure is said to be Shakespeare’s inspiration for the famed balcony scene shared by the couple. Linger in the courtyard after your tour for a chance to call out to your loved one from the balcony yourself.

In which languages is it operated?

You can book free walking tours in Verona in English and Spanish.

Where do the free walking tours start?

Verona’s free walking tours start at a variety of centrally-located landmarks. Common meeting points are the Giardini Vittorio Emanuele II, the Piazza San Nicolo and the Arco dei Gavi.

How long do they last?

Expect to spend between 1.5 and 2 hours on a free walking tour in Verona. Look forward to a relaxed pace that allows for lots of photo ops. Many services provide morning or afternoon options.

Is it wheelchair friendly?

Unfortunately, free walking tours in Verona are not wheelchair friendly.

When is the best time to join a free walking tour in Verona?

Verona, with its rich history and romantic allure is a treat for travelers year-round. However, when planning to join a free walking tour, spring and autumn are considered the best seasons. During this time, the temperatures are cooler and the popular spots, such as Giusti Garden, are less crowded.

Should you book tickets online?

It’s necessary to book your tickets online. Tours have limited amounts of spaces, and often have a minimum number of participants required for a tour ro happen. Reserving ahead of time ensures that you get a spot on a tour in a language you feel comfortable in.

It’s free of charge or obligation to reserve your spot. However, it’s highly recommended that you cancel your reservation online if you won’t be able to make it to your reserved time slot.

Travel Tips

• Even though the tour is free, many operators require prior booking to manage group sizes.
• Verona's streets can be cobblestoned in places. Wearing comfortable shoes is a must to ensure you can enjoy the walking tour fully.
• Join the gathering point a little earlier to ensure you don't miss the group and to get an introduction from the guide.