Car Hire in Verona

About Verona

Beautiful Verona, the medieval old city, home of Shakespeare's famous love story Romeo and Juliet, lies on the banks of the Adige River between Milan and Venice. Verona is a city that is easy to explore on foot, so you will not have to take tourist busses or trams. Note, however, that you can not take your car into the old town as it's considered a 'zona traffic limitations, but there are plenty of secure garages just a 5-minute walk away. Once you arrive in the city you will be amazed by the colourful streets, Unesco protected historic buildings, hidden corners and stunning squares and piazzas. Like most Italian cities, Verona is worth a visit for its delicious food, tasty wine and excellent gelato. You will be also thrilled by the vibrancy of the city, the colourful Roman streets and the hospitable people.

Basic info and car hire in Verona

• Location: Northern Italy
• Population: 633.000
• Official language: Italian
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Moderately Continental Climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Verona are in good condition.
• Car hire in Verona:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Verona is at the Verona Airport. You can also hire a car at Verona Railway Station if you arrive by train. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks before your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Verona!

 Driving in Verona

If you are taking a road trip through the northern part of Italy, Verona is a must-stop on the map. The city of love will impress you with its beautiful sights and streets with real Italian charm. Although the city centre is more or less within walking distance, a car will help you explore the beautiful surroundings. In the city centre, watch out for the frequent TLZ zones where driving is prohibited for tourists and you can easily get a fine. Although the roads are well maintained, driving in the city centre can be very chaotic. Stay calm despite the many honks and concerned looks. The closer you get to the city centre, the more cyclists and pedestrians there are on the road, so it pays to drive carefully and patiently. If you have enough time or are staying in Verona for several days, you certainly will not be disappointed by the surrounding places like Lake Garda or the Dolomites. Verona is also a great base for further exploration in Italy. It is only an hour and a half drive from Venice and Milan.

• Age limits: 21 years old-25 for larger vehicles
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passport), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance.   
• Additional requirements: Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), warning triangle (2 are required for all vehicles registered in Italy and one if coming from abroad), high visibility vest (recently made compulsory)- First aid kit (not mandatory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car: Children up to the age of 12 may only be taken in the back seat, and a suitable child seat must be available up to a height of 1.50 meters.
• Driving side of the road: Right hand
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although, in certain areas, the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h.

Popular day trips from Verona

Although Verona itself is a great place to experience true Italian culture, it also offers a great location to explore the surrounding cities. Located in the centre of northern Italy, Verona offers a variety of day trips to surrounding cities, either by tour, rental car, or train, and none require unrealistic mammoth travel times.
For those with rental cars, there are many more options - we recommend planning a solid itinerary where you do not try to visit too much. For example, if you are dying to see Garda Lake or Venice's main square, make that the main attraction and stop along the way rather than trying to reach all the points on the map.
If you are staying in Verona for more than a few days, it's a good idea to take a day trip to the vineyards of the Veneto region and spend a sunny day in the Italian countryside with a glass in hand.

For those who have never been to Italy, Venice is a must-see and one of the best day trips from Verona. A beautiful city with canals and countless bridges will impress you. Take your time and have a coffee or lunch in the beautiful piazze, where time stops and the fun begins. Venice is also a true shopper's paradise. Even if you are just looking for souvenirs, you will be impressed by the small shops in the city, because they are full of soul.
You will be also delighted by a day trip to the largest Italian lake, Lake Garda. One day there is enough for a pleasant walk and a cappuccino on the Lazise waterfront. You can also visit the peninsula of Sirmione, where the famous thermal baths are located, still a fashionable resort with interesting architecture and many restaurants and shops. And if you like adrenaline, the nearby Gardaland is a suitable place to have fun, especially if you are travelling with older children.

For architecture lovers, Vicencio is a good choice and close enough for a day trip. This small town, surrounded by hills and countryside, is known for its natural beauty and especially for the architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance genius Palladio. The best way to explore the city is on foot, as the city centre is very compact and very pleasant to explore. The streets are paved with cobblestones and surrounded by beautiful buildings, and there are several outdoor cafes here and there.

Bologna is also a popular choice when it comes to 1-day trips from Verona. The city is the culinary capital of Italy, and you probably will not be the only one who first thinks of Spaghetti Bolognese or Lasagna Bolognese when planning a trip there. Bologna is also very famous for its nightlife. So be sure to plan an evening stroll through the beautiful streets and watch the shadows play in the popular arcades.

What to see in Verona

Piazza Bra
Piazza Bra is the main square in the heart of Verona. The square is home to the 1st-century ARENA, considered one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the Roman world. When it was built, it could seat 20,000 spectators, but today it still hosts events such as the Summer Opera Festival. The opera festival takes place in July and August, and a visit is considered an unforgettable experience. Piazzo Bra is also surrounded by many restaurants and cafes.

Piazza Delle Erbe
A beautiful square surrounded by Renaissance palaces and medieval townhouses. The square features St Mark's Column with a Venetian lion and a fountain called Madonna Verona. There is also a city market where you can buy vegetables and fruits or a souvenir.

Piazza Dei Signori
A charming and less beleaguered square with a monument to Dante dating back to 1865, the square houses three interesting buildings, a 14th-century courthouse with a tall tower, the Loggia del Consiglio decorated with frescoes and statues of important Romans, and the Arche Scaligere, which is one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Italy. Here are the tombs of the Scaligers, including Cangrade I. - the great dog, the protector of Dante and the patron saint of artists.

Castelvecchio
A fortress with a castle and the former seat of the Scaligeri, which now houses a museum. Behind the castle, on the other side of the river, stands the Scaliger Bridge (Castelvecchio Bridge), considered the largest arched bridge in the world.

Teatro Romano
The ruins of the Roman theatre. The theatre was built in the 1st century BC. It was inactive for many centuries and was later converted to residential use. In the 18th century, the wealthy Andrea Monga bought all the houses built around the theatre, demolished them and preserved the monument.

Ponte di Pietra
Near the Roman theatre, there is a stone Roman bridge that is still preserved today.

Casa Di Giulietta (Julia's house)
Lovers from all over the world visit Juliet's famous house, where Romeo is said to be courting her. The surroundings are almost completely covered with the desires of the visitors. Of course, three people are standing at the foot of the balcony, but you must wait patiently to enter.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Verona

Italy is all about food and wine, and like almost any Italian city, you definitely will not go hungry or thirsty at all. The food in Verona is simple and always served with delicious wine. Verona is famous for gnocchi, risotto all Amarone (with red wine), bigoli pasta(thick spaghetti), Bollito Misto (Italian Boiled Meats With Red and Green Sauces) and in this region, a stew with horse meat is very common. Those with a sweet tooth should try the pandoro, the city's most common dessert, which is very similar to Milan's panettone. If you visit Verona during Carnival season, try the fritole, which you can buy at any bakery.

And if you are a wine lover, you can taste delicious wines from the Garda region such as Amarone and Recioto di Valpolicella in any restaurant or café. Moreover, Verona is very close to the famous wine regions like Prosecco and Franciacorta, which you can reach within an hour's drive.

Best restaurant in Verona

Ristorante Il Desco
Locanda 4 Cuochi
Il Cenacolo
Osteria La Fontanina
Osteria al Carro Armato
Casa Perbellini
Flora, Stradone Scipione Maffei
Tre Marchetti
L'Evangelista Ristorante & Enoteca
Dari Ristorante & Enoteca
Casa Perbellini