Where to Stay in Verona: Best Areas (and Where to Avoid!)

Verona is one of my absolute favourite cities in Italy, and I’ve spent enough time both visiting and lurking on Immobilare.it to have formed some opinions about the neighbourhoods around the city. When it’s your first time visiting, it can be tricky to decide where to stay in Verona; you may see a hotel that looks pretty but it’s actually right next to a nightclub, or a villa that looks incredible, but it’s all the way out in a village where the buses stop running at 5pm.

In this post, I’ll talk you through my top picks of where to stay in Verona. I’ll look at options for weekend visits, longer stays, romantic getaways with your partner, or a fun solo trip. And because where you don’t stay is just as important as where you do, I’ll tell you which areas are probably best to skip for your visit.

At a Glance: Best Places to Stay in Verona

Neighbourhood	The Vibe	Best For	Top Pick
Centro Storico	Polished, romantic, and historic	First timers and special luxury trips	Hotel Due Torri
San Zeno	Authentic, local, and foodie	Slow travellers and second visits	Residence Antico San Zeno
Veronetta	Artsy, edgy, student neighbourhood	Budget travellers and cool seekers	The Hostello
Borgo Trento	Upscale, leafy, and quiet	Families and architecture lovers	Nobili Libardi Villa Basevi
Borgo Venezia	Realistic, affordable, and local	Longer stays and tight budgets	Musicisti House

Centro Storico: The Heart of Everything

Centro Storico is the obvious place to start when we’re looking at where to stay in Verona. It’s the absolute heart of the oldest part of the city, where you’ll find narrow medieval lanes that open up to the the market stalls of Piazza Erbe, or the tourists queueing to visit Juliet’s Balcony.

For most visitors to Verona, this is the most desirable place to stay, and for good reason. You’ll walk out of your hotel door and you’re immediately immersed in the postcard version of Verona. There’s no need for buses or long walks because you’re already exactly where you want to be.

Naturally, the price tag often reflects the postcode. You’re paying for the privilege of proximity. It’s also worth noting that while it’s a gorgeous part of the city, it can be loud. If you’re visiting during the Opera season during the summer, the streets are often buzzing well past midnight.

Who is Centro Storico best for?

Centro Storico is the area I’d recommend to first timers or people visiting Verona on a weekend. You’re naturally going to want to squeeze in everything, so it’s worth making room in the budget for a stay that helps you do that.

Top 3 Centro Storico Picks

The Splurge: Hotel Due Torri

The Boutique Hotel: Hotel Gabbia D’Oro

Hotel Gabbia D’Oro is where you want to go if you’re feeling regal. Think deep jewel tones, velvet furnishings, and chintz armchairs. It’s right next to Piazza delle Erbe, so it’s as central as it gets. Despite being 5 star, it feels very much like a hidden gem.

The Mid-Range Option: Hotel Aurora

San Zeno: Cool and Local

San Zeno will always make me think of my brother. Like most Irish kids in the 90s, we went to Catholic schools and made our Confirmations at the age of 12. Part of Confirmation is choosing a “confirmation name” after a saint you want to adopt as your patron. “You have to choose something cool,” I told my brother, “None of this Joseph or Patrick business”. We trawled through a list of saint names before we spotted Zeno, the Patron Saint of Verona, and that’s who my brother chose. (Mine was Blaise, Patron Saint of Throats. I’d probably swap throats for Verona these days.)

The neighbourhood named after its patron saint, San Zeno, is just west of the historic centre. It’s fairly residential, while also still being a 15 minute walk from the centre. Around here, you’ll find local trattorias, cobblestone streets, and a famous monthly flea market.

Who is San Zeno best for?

Because it’s such a locals neighbourhood, you’re not going to find many tourist menus around here, making San Zeno a great pick for foodies and people who really want to imagine what it’d feel like to live here.

If you’re a couple visiting Verona on a slow holiday, the 15 minute walk into the Centro Storico is a beautiful one along the Adige river. It’s for people who’d rather spend their morning at the flea market before grabbing a pastry for the walk, than queueing for a balcony.

I’d recommend San Zeno to those who are visiting Verona for the second time, or who are looking for a hub for a longer trip with day trips planned, like visiting Lake Garda.

Top 3 San Zeno Picks

The Romantic Stay: Il Relais dell’Abbazia

If you want to wake up to the sound of the Basilica bells and feel like you’ve stepped back into the 14th century, but with wifi, Il Relais dell’Abbazia is the one. The rooms are chic yet cosy, and there’s a pretty garden for you to enjoy your morning coffee in.

The Best of Both Worlds: Residence Antico San Zeno

If you want the convenience of your own apartment, but the luxury of a hotel bar, then Residence Antico San Zeno is your spot. There’s a bar and restaurant on the property, but instead of rooms, you’ll find apartments that give you the freedom to really pretend like you live there. For me, travelling to Verona as a vegan, I love having somewhere I can cook my own food, yet still feel the holiday vibes of a hotel.

The Boutique Hotel: Cinque Luxury Rooms

Cinque Luxury Rooms is all about design. You’ll find lovingly decorated rooms, rainfall showerheads, and a real boutique hotel experience, but for a fraction of what you’d pay in the Centro Storico.

Veronetta: The Artsy Hub

If Centro Storico is Verona’s polished, postcard perfect face, Veronetta is the slightly dishevelled younger sister who woke up in last night’s eyeliner and ripped tights. It’s located just across the Ponte Pietra, and was historically “little Verona”, the working-class side of the river. Today, it’s the city’s university district, which is basically code for “this is where you’ll find cheap wine and good music”.

What makes Veronetta special is its melting pot culture. You’ll find art galleries tucked into medieval basements, street art peering out around the narrow alleys, and a student population that keeps the vibes high.

It’s what Shoreditch in London was back in 2010: artsy and cool, and yet to open a Pret a Manger.

Who is Veronetta best for?

For travellers on a budget trying to decide where to stay in Verona, Veronetta is for you. You’ll get way more for your money here, not just in where you stay, but in the bars and restaurants around the area.

If you’re someone who wants to go out on a Tuesday night, this is where everything is happening. You’ll often see Veronetta pop up as the “coolest neighbourhood in Verona”, and it’s not a bad accolade.

I’d recommend Veronetta to people who have the energy and excitement to explore a less polished version of the city, and want to see where the locals actually hang out. And, incidentally, on my very first trip to Verona, it’s where I ended up in a bar with a bunch of locals, drinking extremely cheap and extremely good wine. Trust me, I speak from experience: Veronetta is fun.

Top 3 Veronetta Picks

The Cool Dorm Vibe: The Hostello

Don’t let the name put you off, the Hostello is a hostel like you haven’t seen before. It’s less like a grubby dorm and more like a cool loft you’ve found yourself in, and the reviews are outstanding. You’ll see exposed beams, beautifully chosen furniture, and a shared kitchen where you can cook your own meals.

The Cosy Stay: Veronetta House

Veronetta House is more like staying with a friend than staying in a hotel. This little guesthouse only has 3 rooms, each decorated differently, and it’s right by public transport to take you to the train station or further afield.

The Self Catering Option: Limehome Verona

If you’re travelling on a budget, renting an apartment rather than a hotel room is always a good shout. Limehome has a bunch of different apartment options, from a two-person studio to two-bedroom apartments that can sleep up to 5 people. If you’re travelling with friends, its a great way to keep costs down, and each apartment has its own cooking facilities.

Borgo Trento: Upscale and Quiet

If Veronetta is the rebellious younger sister, Borgo Trento is the sophisticated aunt who manages to wear white linen without getting it creased or covered in marinara stains. Just north of the river, across the iconic brickwork of the Castelvecchio Bridge, lies Borgo Trento.

This is Verona’s upscale residential district, and if you’ve ever found yourself lurking on Immobilare.it, this is where you’ll find the gorgeous villas you need a lottery win for. It’s completely separate to the chaos of the touristic centre. If you’re looking for quiet mornings and space for kids to run around in, this is your neighbourhood.

Who is Borgo Trento best for?

For families deciding where to stay in Verona, Borgo Trento is a great pick. Plenty of families live in the area, and it’s not uncommon to see people walking around with strollers, plus there are actual parks for kids to run around in.

Or, even for those without children, if you’re a light sleeper who wants to be close to the centre but have a peaceful retreat at night, this is a great spot for you. It’s only about a 15 minute walk to the centre, but with a completely different vibe.

Top Borgo Trento Picks

Because Borgo Trento is a more expensive neighbourhood than other parts of Verona, the prices here often reflect that. You’re more likely to find boutique guesthouses and luxury apartment rentals here, so it’s an ideal place for a family or a chill group of friends.

The Showstopper: Nobili Libardi Villa Basevi

Nobili Libardi is a 19th century villa will insanely high ratings, and it perfectly captures the Liberty style architecture that makes Borgo Trento special. The villa itself is absolutely stunning, surrounded by greenery and with plenty of little nooks to sit outside in the gardens with a spritz in the evening. If you’re looking for that real Italian aristocrat experience, this is for you.

The Family Picks: Apartment Rentals

If you’re travelling with a family or a group of friends, choosing a beautiful apartment gives you more freedom and peace in Borgo Trento. There are plenty of great options, but here are some of the best I’ve found:

• A 2 Bedroom Luxury Apartment, 8 minutes walk from Piazza delle Erbe.
• A 3 Bedroom Apartment that sleeps 6 people, plus a children’s area. Perfect for families.
• A 1 Bedroom Apartment, walking distance from the arena, ideal for a couple

Borgo Venezia: Budget and Authentic

If you’re looking at the hotel prices in Centro Storico and feeling a sense of dread, Borgo Venezia might be the right pick for you. Located just east of the city, this is a real local neighbourhood. You won’t find tourist shops here, just local bakeries, shops, and Veronese people going about their day to day lives.

For travellers on a budget, this is where to stay in Verona. The tradeoff is that you’re a little bit further out from the centre of the city. It’s about a 25-30 minute walk to the Arena, or a quick bus ride. On the flip side though, your morning coffee will cost about half of what it does in Piazza Bra.

Who is Borgo Venezia best for?

Backpackers, slow travellers on a budget, and anyone who wants to see Verona without the tourist filter.

Top 3 Borgo Venezia Picks

There are fewer options in Borgo Venezia than other parts of the city, and you’re more likely to find apartment rentals or rooms in shared apartments here, which can help keep the costs down. Here are some of the best-rated options in this neighbourhood:

The Affordable Apartment Rooms: Musicisti House

Remember the old days of Airbnb, when you’d rent a room in someone’s house rather than a buy-to-let apartment that raises local rent? Musicisti House is that kind of vibe. Some of their rooms have private bathrooms, some are shared. You’re renting a room in an apartment, and the common areas are shared amongst everyone. It’s super reasonably priced, and gives you the best of both worlds: your own space, and a chance to meet fellow travellers.

The Villa Stay: Dorigny Historic Villa

If you want the vibe of a period villa without the price tag of staying in Centro Storico, this is for you. It’s a gorgeous one bedroom apartment that’s stayed true to its historic roots. You’ll be right in the heart of Borgo Venezia, sleeping somewhere beautiful, and spending far less than you would in the centre.

The Slow Travel Choice: Atrium Verona

This villa offers rooms with views of the garden, and private bathrooms. At certain times of the year, they have a 4-night minimum stay, but the prices can be as low as about £100 a night, making it a great budget option for longer-stay visitors to Verona.

Where I’d Avoid: Porta Nuova

When is it a good choice?

If you have a super early morning train and literally only need a pillow for a few hours, then fine. It makes sense to pick a hotel by the station (and the Moxy is the best nearby) so you can get up and go the next morning.

Likewise, if you’ve only got a brief stopover in Verona before an onward flight, then maybe it makes sense as the airport bus leaves from the station and will get you out there in 15 minutes.

But if you’re planning on spending any time in Verona itself, the station is a pretty drab, 20 minute walk into the centre. For the price you’d pay for the station hotels, you’re genuinely better off getting a basic guesthouse in the city centre and just enjoying the time you have there.

Final Verdict

So, we’ve talked through the historic centre, the edgy Veronetta, and the residential hubs of San Zeno and Borgo Trento. Deciding where to stay in Verona all boils down to what kind of trip you’re looking for, what your budget looks like, and what your priorities are.