24hrs in Verona: a self-guided food tour

Come with me as I spend a day exploring this beautiful hub of history and culture, mapped out by the cities culinary delights.

Verona is located in Northern Italy, steeped in 2,000 years of history (development is traced back as far as 4th and 3rd century BCE), today it is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Of course, you may also recognise it from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. A fictional story, but Juliet's balcony is real and weaved into our walking tour below.

Built on the River Adige, the impressive stone city has been protected by urban and industrial development - no trains inside the city walls - adding to the charm of a visit.

Our quick trip to Verona marked the end of our amazing two weeks in Italy; Hiking the Dolomites and spending time by Lake Garda.

Being at the end of the trip, we wanted to embrace the Italian culinary delights for one more day, being conscious that end of trip bank balances can be light. Our work around? We booked budget accommodation through booking.com - I'm talking the second cheapest option on our search results, knowing we were really only going to be there to sleep and shower - it was a quick stop and we wanted to see as much as we could. This allowed more money to experience and eat our way around Verona. And because I had so much fun exploring and eating, I want to share that list with you. It's a wallet friendly list, that keeps things local and authentic.

So please, come along below as I take you on our self-guided food tour across 24hrs in Verona, as we taste our way around this historic charm in Northern Italy.

8am - 9am - Coffee at Caffe Borsari

A self confessed morning person, being in another country or city doesn't change that - if anything, it enhances it. Waking early, witnessing a new city as it wakes up. Quiet, with less people. The crowds of the hours to come only a figment of anticipation at this time, allowing for a level of connection to be felt, with this foreign and new place, that can't be felt at any other time of day.

Verona before the crowds, even in the rain (a 2024 Summer trend, sigh), displays quiet cobble stoned lanes, a deserted amphitheatre piazza, stylish Italian's on their way to work. It's a treasured moment of peace and culture, all the way to the first stop of the walking tour, a quintessential Italian Coffee Bar: Caffe Borsari.

If you've been to Italy before, you would have noticed that Italian's love to drink their espresso at the bar and then keep on moving with their day. This classic Italian bar had only a few stools available, that we managed to grab two of, inviting us to just sit, absorbing the magic in the morning moment. Caffe Borsari is a mix of traditional Italian bar and nostalgic morning accessories: old metal cereal boxes, an array of coffee pot types, faded mirrors and copper frames. The kindness of the staff, the smell of fresh coffee beans, and of course the welcoming sound of the Italian language ordering coffee and a mini pastry.

We felt immersed in local daily behaviours, worlds away from our tourist reality we were living. A special and treasured experience, the perfect way to start the day.

9am - 10am - Tiramisu at Caffe Colonial (via Juliet's balcony)

Because one coffee is never enough.

At this point, Tiramisu had been on my mind all trip, and being so eager to have one we almost made the mistake of rushing into one we found upon convenience, rather than quality - CC: our over-hungry dinner choice our first night in Paris. And, as expected, the wait was well worth it.

We wandered through the high-end shopping district of Verona, on our way to Caffe Colonial which is a beautiful stoned mall (mall sounds bland for the setting, but that is essentially what it was), with stunning window displays making for a day-dreaming morning. Again, this area was still very quiet, and when we happened along it later it was extremely crowded and much less day-dream inspiring.

No pre-Tiramisu moment is complete without dipping our toes into some fictional history,

dropping in by Juliet's balcony. A cool thing to be in the presence, but for us it was a quick photo opp from ground level - you can pay to go up on it, but we didn't feel the need to do this. It was the Piazza delle Erbe we walked through to get there that got our attention more - rich in history, today it is a jovial market square with happy locals and tourists jaunting around.

10am - 11.30am - Bruschetta at Bruschetteria Redoros (via Piazzale Castel S. Pietro)

Bruschetta is pencilled in for an early lunch, allowing for time to get our steps up and tick off another attractions we were keen to visit. The walk from Caffe Colonial up to Piazzale Castel S. Pietro was nothing short of cute, and charming. Crossing the Ponte Pietre (straight up translates to Stone Bridge), a historic structure that was destroyed by retreating Germans in the Second World War, you're washed with awe by the charming border of the city walls, against the running river below. Ponte Pietre stands today rebuilt and restored identical to it's original structure.

Leaving the river behind and below us, it's a weaving maze of old stone steps, up to the incredible view that looks out from Piazzale Castel S. Pietro. An early glimpse can be stolen just shy of the top, delivering the first state of wonder at the view.

Beating the lunch time crowd (do I really need to mention my love of getting up early when abroad, again?), providing us the opportunity to sit and stare in silence, taking in the moment.

Taking in the view.

Connecting and being present with where we're standing right now. The gradients of red and terracotta rooftops, varying in height adding texture and depth, sprawls out into the horizon. The Amphitheatre can be spotted, old church spirals and towers too.

Italian towns from above, no matter how many you see, continue to impress.

View absorbed, the pangs for Bruschetta become known again, so it's back down the weaving maze of stone steps toward Bruschetteria Redoros.

Located just outside of the city walls, beyond the Amphitheatre Piazza, this charming eatery delivers on the freshest flavours, contributing to the tastiest of tastes. There are many toppings to choose from, we went one traditional and one with meat on it, paired of course with a glass of Italian wine - and optional order, that's in my truest of opinions that it's recommended.

11.30am - 2pm - Focaccia from Focacceria Genovese ( via Scaligeri Tombs and wine date beside the river)

Flavours have burst, our taste buds have been tantalised, there's more to try but it's also time to ensure the step count remains up. Also, of course, lunch time Italian wine.

Walking back through the Amphitheatre Piazza, that's now more abuzz than the earlier jaunts. Winding and wondering through the streets, finding our way to the wrought iron fence tombs of the Scaligeri - the graves of members of The House Della Scala. A once ruling family of Verona and Veneto, the tombs are packed with history of Verona's past - our accommodation was actually near and old military structures they commissioned . So you can sense that their impact on history was notable - 125 years (!!) of ruling will do that, write you into history's footprint.

Having not pre-purchased a pass we settled for just taking in the impressive external view of the tomb. That was ok though, because the outside was truly impressive in its own right to tick the box of historic landmark seen.

I love visiting places like this, that ignite questions in your mind of how and who built these. The intricacies of the detail in the heavy gothic stone and wrought iron build, is incredible. I recommend reading about the family too, before or during your visit. Viewing the tombs really brings to life their power.

History ticked off, we were still in need to reach the Foccacia, though not before stopping by the river for a vino break. A stunning and quaint way to pass an hour in between eating stops, discussing life, debriefing our amazing Italian holiday, and taking in the atmosphere encompassing our surrounds.

Focacceria Genovese is the definition of a hole in the wall establishment that I implore you to visit. They too, like the variety of bruschetta options mentioned earlier, have a variety of focaccia to choose from. The soft and fluffy, yet mildly dense texture, along with the authentic flavours of the topping, create a memorable experience of a cheap Italian eats - and honestly leaves you wanting more. But more we shall not, we still have four stops left on this self guided food tour of Verona.

2pm - 2.30pm - Affogato at Bar at the Cathedral Cafe

Admittedly this place came into play due to Focacceria Genovese being a literal hole in the wall with no bathroom. And well, this girl needs a bathroom after a couple of glasses of Italian wine, ok?

But it worked out well as I'd also been eager to try an Affogato and now seemed the perfect time. Located next to the Piazza Duomo, Bar at the Cathedral Cafe was the cutest Italian court yard bar, with tiny disney-type birds tweeting and flitting around the courtyard. They flew among the twisting vine walls and canopy, while cheekily landing on the backs of spare chairs and abandoned plates - it sounds intrusive but somehow they enchant you, mesmerising you to smile at their energetic presence.

It wasn't a long sit here, but enough to sit a minute, admire Piazza Duomo, before making our way back to the hotel for a rest.

2.30pm - 3.30pm - Italian Sweet Treat at Pasticceria De Rossi

We'd passed Pasticceria De Rossi earlier in the day and made a mental note to come back. Was it a coincidence it was on the route back to the hotel? You can decide that.

Pasticceria De Rossi was perfect for an afternoon treat. A array of pastry, breads, cakes and biscuits you're spoiled for choice. Picking something up to share there, or taking it for later - it's a highly desirable to pay them a visit for an authentic Italian sweet.

The beauty of this stop is that we'd wandered from the top bend of Verona back through the quieter residential and academic streets, through the market square, picked up the treats before strolling through the walls of Castelvecchia Museum onto (yet another) impressive bridge to take in the afternoon sun. It's in these moments that you can really connect and be present to the experience of the day.

3.30pm - 5.30pm - Rest and Aperitif at Cavò 24

Ok, we were tired. We'd been eating, and walking most of the day, so a little feet up moment back at the hotel, and freshen up for Aperitif hour was a welcomed choice.

Fast forward through the sitting and freshening up, we decided on an Aperitif from Cavò 24, it wasn't far from dinner and we felt we'd seen a lot during the day already, ticking off the main things we wanted to see across 24hrs in Verona. So finding a quiet but vibey stoop was all we needed. Cavò 24 was perfect for playing cards and watching the people of Verona pass by on this Italian city lane way. A long list of local wines to choose from, we came for one and stayed for two

5.30pm - 7pm - Dinner at La Piazzetta Osteria Enoteca

The finale of the day (and the trip). We had already had such a wonderful day, and the welcoming, friendly staff at La Piazzetta Osteria Enoteca only enhanced that further. The positioning and location was what caught my attention first, having spied it from the perpendicular street it intersects with. Sitting down the end of a narrow-ish lane, catching to the eye with it's yellow and terracotta Italian style homes. Thankfully arriving early before any lines, meant we were seated in the frontier courtyard allowing for me to soak up the quaint surrounds for the final evening. For our final meal in Italy, it provided on all aspects. Kind staff, delicious food and romanticised Italian surrounds. Just promise me you'll try the Ragu when you go!

7pm - 7.30pm - Gelato at Gelateria La Romana

Ok, I fibbed, This was the finale, and with good reason. We were locked in on the idea of having one last Italian Gelato for old times sake, I mean why not. When in .. Verona.. right?

And I feel it's my duty to let you know about Gelateria La Romana, because oh my goodness guys, it was the biggest ice cream scoop I've ever seen! I'm not one to shy away from a big serving of ice cream, the bigger the better I say. But this scoop ...ok scoops... were so big, by the time we were finished, there is no way known we could eat or drink anything more.

But it was certainly a delightful way to end the day. Located outside the city walls, many locals were coming in for take away tubs too. The experience of sitting among the locals eating our ice cream, reminiscing on our trip and day, was a beautiful moment.

And so with that, we wondered (or rolled?) back to our hotel ready to return home the following day.

To explore 24hrs in Verona, we wanted to move at our own pace, on our own time. Having only a short time a self-guide food tour seemed the most fitting, and valuable to us.

The city itself is incredibly walkable, and of course filled with an abundance of local culinary delights.

Save this article for your next Italian adventure, and let me know your favourite Italian dish in the comments below. As always, I love to hear from each you reading through Londani Life.

Thanks for coming by, and exploring Verona with me.

Ciao for now,

Dani xx