Venice or Verona? Which City You Should Visit in 2026

Both Venice and Verona are charming, historic cities in Northern Italy. While they have some similarities, they also have some major differences. This makes choosing to visit Venice or Verona a tough choice – especially if you don’t have time to see both.

Verona is a smaller than Venice, but still has history dating back to the Roman times. Verona is also famous for being the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, and you can even step onto Juliet’s balcony while you are here.

On the other hand, Venice is a bucket-list destination that is world famous for its canals that weave throughout the medieval city. The sinking city has a strong history of its own, as the Venetian Empire was once a powerful force in Europe. Today, it is quite touristy but is also quite unique.

We visited both cities on our recent trip to Italy and in this guide I’m covering all the differences between Venice vs Verona so that you can decide which city is perfect for your next trip!

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Verona or Venice: The Pros and Cons

If you are short on time, here is a quick overview of the pros and cons of both Venice and Verona.

Key Differences: Venice vs Verona

Venice and Verona have many similarities in that they are both beautiful, historic, and have a good amount of things to do. However, if you still aren’t sure which one to visit then check out the key differences listed below between the two Italian cities.

Affordability: Verona ✅

If you are on a budget, Verona is going to be more affordable than Venice. Venice is extremely popular, and therefore has higher accommodation costs, food costs, and the attractions are even more costly compared to Verona.

In Verona it is much easier to find affordable hotels, even ones with a central location like Relais La Torre. Venice on the other hand is usually more expensive, especially in the more central tourist areas like the San Marco neighborhood.

History: Venice and Verona ✅

If you’re a history buff like I am, then you will be happy to know that BOTH Verona and Venice are incredibly historic. Below is a brief summary on the history of both cities.

Brief History of Venice

Venice was originally founded in the 5th century and was built on a lagoon of over 100 islands. Its strategic location made it a refugee from barbarian invasions after the fall of Rome.

By the 9th century, Venice became one of the most powerful city states in all of Europe. It dominated Mediterranean maritime trade routes, and Venice itself became a hub for exporting luxury goods like spices, silk, and precious metals. Venice also became famous for its Venetian gothic architecture, art, and for its production of Murano glass.

The powerful city state declined in the 17th century, and eventually it became a part of Italy in 1866. Today, it is considered an iconic destination for its stunning canals, Venetian architecture, culture, and unique its history.

Brief History of Verona

Verona was founded in the 1st century BCE by the Romans, and it became an important city due to the crossroads of major trade routes. One of the most iconic sites in Verona is the Verona Arena, which was built in 30 CE under the reign of Emperor Augustus.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Verona was ruled by the Ostrogoths, Lombards, and Franks. It was also under Venetian and Austrian control until joining Italy in 1866.

Another highlight of Verona is its ties to Shakespeare, as the town served as inspiration for the famous Romeo & Juliet. Today, you can visit Juliet’s house & balcony, Romeo’s house, and Juliet’s tomb.

Things to do: Venice ✅

Venice has so many things to do and you could easily take a few days to explore the city. Especially if you are someone who loves history and culture, you will have plenty to do in Venice for a few days.

Some of the famous Venetian landmarks include Doge’s Palace, the Basilica di San Marco, and the Ponte di Rialto. Of course, there is also the famous Venetian Gondola rides too.

Venice also has many hidden gems like the Libreria Acqua Alta. Additionally, I’d highly recommend taking a day to explore Murano & Burano from Venice.

Last but not least, you will want time just to soak in the experience of Venice and wander the smaller streets and canals – its absolutely beautiful there!

On our first trip to Venice we were pretty hesitant after hearing about how touristy the city has become. So, we only booked 3 nights thinking that we would “get the point.” Instead, we were actually sad to leave and ended up taking one of the last trains out so that we could add in a few more things.

Verona also has a good amount of things to do, which are mostly included as a part of the Verona Pass (read my review on the Verona Pass here). Some of the highlights include visiting Juliet’s House & Balcony, the Verona Arena, and taking in the stunning views from Castel San Pietro.

The biggest difference is that you can see most of Verona within 1 day where as there is enough to do in Venice for 3-4 days (depending on your interests).

Atmosphere and Friendly Locals: Verona ✅

In my experience, Verona has a more authentic atmosphere. We loved that the locals seemed so friendly and open with visitors, and we felt so welcomed in Verona. We spoke with lots of locals in Verona and just felt like we got a better understanding of the culture in Northern Italy from it.

Again, this is our personal experience but Verona felt much more like a true Italian city rather than a tourist trap.

Note: I recommend Caffe Borsari for a coffee and Enoteca Baraldi for a wine shop in Verona. Both of these are local small businesses and we had such a great experience at both. We even ordered a wine to be shipped home to the US!

Venice on the other hand is very touristy. This is especially true in the main tourist areas like San Marco. It feels too commercialized and in my opinion, the city really suffers from mass-tourism.

There are parts of Venice that feel more authentic. For example we stayed in the Dorsoduro neighborhood which was very quiet but felt more genuine than other parts of the city. We did really enjoy the quieter streets and the hidden wine bars and some delicious restaurants recommended by our Bed & Breakfast host.

However, when it comes to comparing Venice to Verona – my opinion is that Verona feels more authentic and is easier to enjoy.

Less Crowded: Verona ✅

When it comes to crowds, Verona is less crowded than Venice. Venice experiences some of the worst tourist crowds I think I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen a lot!). Luckily Venice is large enough that there are neighborhoods where you can escape the crowds, but all the main attractions are just packed!

Verona on the other hand is much better when it comes to crowds. It can get busy at Juliet’s Balcony (one of the city’s most popular attractions) but as long as you go early it is no problem. Similarly, the popular squares like Piazza Brà can feel a bit busy but it just doesn’t compare to the crowds of Venice.

Many of the other things to see in Verona are not too crowded. It is such a breath of fresh air to be able to experience such a beautiful Italian city without such big crowds!

Uniqueness: Venice ✅

Venice truly is a unique place to visit, and for many it is a bucketlist destination.

While Venice is certainly NOT the only historic canal city in Europe it does seem to be the canal city that everyone compares to. For example northern cities like Bruges and Amsterdam have claimed to be the “Venice of the North.”

So, while I love Verona and think it is unique – I think Venice takes the cake on this category.

Transportation: Venice ✅

Both Venice and Verona are very well connected by train to other major cities in Italy. You can easily fly into Milan or Rome and take a train to either city.

However, Venice benefits from having an international airport on the outskirts of the city. This means you can fly to and from other European cities or other places. There are even direct flights from the US to Venice.

Venice also has a unique waterbus transportation system (the vaporetto), which is actually very easy to use.

Last but not least, the central areas of both Venice and Verona are very walkable which is a huge plus for visitors.

FAQ: Verona or Venice

So, Should You Visit Venice or Verona?

Both Verona and Venice are worth visiting as they are both beautiful cities that are full of history. If you are short on time, you could stay in Venice while taking a day trip to Verona (or vice versa).

If you only have time to visit one, then you should visit Verona if you are looking for a less touristy, more authentic Italian city. Verona is also a good choice for those interested in Shakespeare or Roman history.

Venice is a better choice than Verona if this is the only trip you will take to Italy and you want to visit an iconic Italian destination. Venice is the perfect place to enjoy bucketlist experiences like riding a Gondola through the charming canals. Venice is also a great option for those who love history, art, & culture.