10 Things to Do in Verona in June

Verona is the city of Romeo and Juliet and Shakespeare but also one of the most popular destinations in northern Italy, which during June hosts some of the most interesting festivals and fair events in the country.

Matías Rodríguez

Matías Rodríguez

11 min read

10 Things to Do in Verona in June

Casas en Verona |©M Rosa F

Verona is one of the most visited destinations in northern Italy. Juliet's House, the Cathedral and the Arena are some of the most popular attractions, but during the spring and summer there are also plenty of festivals and fair events that show another profile of the city.

Some of the best things to see and do in Verona in June include attending the Verona Festival, which is the city's main event, touring the Giusti Palace Garden, enjoying the discounts and bargains on Via Mazzini, celebrating Dante Alighieri's birthday and witnessing the Festival of Beauty.

1. Attend the opening of Verona Festival

Verona Festival in the arena|©Bernard Blanc
Verona Festival in the arena|©Bernard Blanc

The Verona Festival, which is organized every year in the local Roman amphitheater, is the main event in the city's calendar. This festival, which opens during the second week of June, has been organized for over 100 years and brings together the country's four best operas and leading Italian and world artists.

The festival is organized in the Arena of Verona, which is also one of the main attractions of the city, to make the most of its acoustics and preserving a Roman tradition lasts 3 months, until August, although the inauguration, which you can attend in June, is one of the main attractions of the event, since it is when all the artists who are going to be part of the festival are presented.

Opera, ballet shows and classical music concerts are present at the Verona Festival, which is one of the unmissable events offered by the city of Romeo and Juliet to celebrate the end of spring and the beginning of summer.

Interesting facts

  • Price... Tickets for a single performance have an initial cost of approximately 35 euros.
  • When... The opening is every year during the second week of June.
  • Where... Arena of Verona.

2. Visit the Garden of Palazzo Giusti during the Spring Festival

Giusti Garden|©Paolo
Giusti Garden|©Paolo

Palazzo Giusti is one of the Renaissance wonders of the city. Located in the downtown area, it is a huge building that survived the wars and invasions of the city and still stands with its sculptures, staircases, paths and gardens, built at the foot of a hill.

In the gardens, during the third week of June, the Spring Festival is held, an event celebrating the closing of the season that coincides with the time of greatest splendor of the palace paths. During the festival you can also access the interiors of the palace, which features Renaissance paintings and other works of art of the period.

Palazzo Giusti is also located very close to the main attractions of the city, so you can make the most of your tour and visit the Arena di Verona, Piazza Bra and the Bastion of San Giorgio.

Interesting facts

  • Price... Admission to the gardens and palace displays are free.
  • When... The Spring Festival starts during the third week of June.
  • Where... Via Giardino Giusti 2, Verona.

3. Tour the Sigurta Garden Park with the best weather

giardino sigurtà|©Marco Borsetti
giardino sigurtà|©Marco Borsetti

Built on the height of Mount Magrino, the Sigurta Garden Park is the main green space of Verona and also an ideal place to observe one of the open panoramic views of the city, since from there you can contemplate the Mincio River and the horizon from the 360° viewpoints. In June you can visit Sigurta with the best weather and clear skies to get the best views, in what is one of the best tours of Verona

In Sigurta you can walk the ponds, the paths and the Labyrinth of Lovers, a circuit of bushes in which according to the myth if you get lost with your partner and meet again you will stay together forever. In addition, from Sigurta you can also glimpse the town of Valeggio sul Mincio, as the boundaries of the gardens are blurred.

The gardens, located on the outskirts, can be reached from the city center by bus line 46 and also by the private services of some of Verona' s tour buses, but if you plan to tour the city in June I advise you not to miss the unobstructed views from Monte Magrino.

Book the best city tours to get to know Verona

4. Go shopping and enjoy the offers of Via Mazzini

Via Mazzini|©luigi valbusa
Via Mazzini|©luigi valbusa

If you are one of those who enjoy shopping while visiting cities and you are also a fan of high-end fashion I have good news for you, because you can combine it in a tour of Via Mazzini, which is one of the main shopping streets of Verona. In addition, in June it is sale time for the change of the season so you can squeeze the offers.

Via Mazzini is also the place where Veronese shop, so you can immerse yourself in the daily life of the locals and is also one of the main streets of the city to appreciate the stately buildings. Located between Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe, in this pedestrian street you can also participate in the best gastronomic tours in town.

If Via Mazzini is not enough for you , you can also walk along its parallel street, Via dei Pellicciai, which is characterized mainly by galleries and art stores, where you can get imitations of Renaissance works at a bargain price.

Book a gastronomic tour in Verona

5. Attend the Verona Shakespeare Theater Festival

Roman theater|©Carlos Werner Hackradt
Roman theater|©Carlos Werner Hackradt

Verona is the city that William Shakespeare chose to set Romeo and Juliet, which is one of the most famous plays, so it is no surprise that the city pays tribute to him every year with a theater event in his honor, which is organized every year in June.

The Shakespeare Theatre Festival has been held in the city since 1948 and its first inauguration was famous as it opened with a production of Romeo and Juliet translated by Nobel laureate Salvatore Quasimodo. Since then, the festival is organized every year at the Teatro Romano and is not only one of the main events of the summer opening but also one of the most famous Shakespeare festivals in the world.

During its duration this festival offers both daytime and evening performances, so if you plan to visit the city in June you can include it as oneof the best things to do in Verona during the night. In addition, you can also visit the Roman Theater, which is an outdoor enclosure that is over 2000 years old and is located on the banks of the Adige River.

Interesting facts

  • Price... The entrance to the festival has an approximate initial cost of 18 euros for adults. Children under 12 pay half price.
  • When... The festival takes place every year in June.
  • Where... Roman Theater, Verona.

6. Take part in the Verona Jazz Festival

Person playing saxophone|©Jens Thekkeveettil
Person playing saxophone|©Jens Thekkeveettil

Verona is one of the cities of the arts in Italy and since 1988 the Jazz Festival has been added to its theater and cinema events. It brings together the most outstanding artists of the country and Europe during the week of June when the event is organized and has become one of the references of the genre.

This festival consists of several stages in different locations, although the main ones are usually located every year in the Roman Theater and in the Old Market, a Renaissance building that is located in the heart of the city, very close to the Lamberti Tower and Juliet's House, which is one of the best museums in Verona.

The Verona Jazz Festival also coincides with other cultural events such as the Shakespeare Theater Festival or the Verona Festival, which is organized every year in the Roman amphitheater of the city, so if you want to make the most of your visit in June you can also enjoy these events.

Interesting facts

  • Price... The entrance to the festival has an initial cost of approximately 25 euros per person.
  • When... The festival takes place every year in June.
  • Where... In different parts of the city.

7. Attend the Beauty Festival in Verona

People at the theater in Verona|©Ib Aarmo
People at the theater in Verona|©Ib Aarmo

The Verona Beauty Festival is a variety event that, during the first week of June each year, brings together plays, musical concerts, conferences on cultural themes, art exhibitions and various interactive activities in different parts of the city, always with beauty as the common thread of the shows.

This itinerant festival has its strong point in the musical concerts, which each year summon more than 50,000 people with its main musicians, but also in its closing acts, which includes all the artists who were part of the Beauty Festival during that edition and is usually held at the Roman Theater.

The Verona Beauty Festival also proposes children's activities, so it is a plan you can take into account if you plan to visit Verona with children.

Interesting facts

  • Price... The entrance to the festival has an approximate initial cost of 20 euros per person. Tickets for children under 12 years old have a starting cost of approximately 12 euros.
  • When... The festival takes place every year in June.
  • Where... In different parts of the city.

8. Participate in the Veronafil Fair

VeronaFil|©gianka savo
VeronaFil|©gianka savo

Verona is since the Middle Ages one of the main cities of northern Italy and because of its location has always been a strategic place during wars, battles and Italian trade and all this has generated that the city remains interconnected, forming an extensive postal network. That is why, nowadays, Verona is one of the main cities of philately and numismatics in Italy.

Veronafil, which is the city's philatelic association, organizes twice a year an exhibition where collectors and dealers of stamps, stamps and old telephone cards meet and organize conferences, meetings and other events open to the public. The main of these fairs is organized every year during the first weekend of June.

This event aimed at promoting philately and numismatics is also an ideal excuse to learn more about the past and history of the city and also to participate in one of the most traditional events in Verona, as more than 100 editions of the Veronafil Fairs have been organized.

Interesting facts

  • Price... The entrance to the fair has an approximate initial cost of 6 euro per person.
  • When... The festival takes place during the first weekend of June every year.
  • Where... Corso Cavour 2, Verona.

9. Walk through Dante Alighieri's Verona on the anniversary of his birthday

Dante Alighieri is cycling|©Mauro Castagna
Dante Alighieri is cycling|©Mauro Castagna

Dante Alighieri is the most famous writer in the history of Italy and during his life, once he was banished from Florence, he saw how all the cities refused to receive him. All except one, Verona, so Dante developed a deep affection for the city that translated into his writings and now serves to review his years as a Veronese.

The date of his birth remains a mystery but from the clues that the writer left in the Divine Comedy and other fragments of his works, it is believed that he was born on June 21, 1265, which generates that every year in Verona during that date are organized tours and guided tours to celebrate the anniversary of Dante's birthday touring the sites of his stay in Verona.

Touring Verona through Dante's eyes is a journey through time and one of the best excursions offered by the city. In addition, these tours usually last about 2 hours, so they are compatible if you are planning a short stay in the city. If that is your case, here is a list of activities to discover Verona in 3 days.

10. Visit Lake Garda at the best time of the year

Lake Garda|©maria luisa novela
Lake Garda|©maria luisa novela

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and one of the main ones in the north of the country. Located 75 kilometers from Verona's center, visiting it on a full-day excursion is one of the best things to do from Verona, especially in June, when the weather is ideal and the influx of tourists is relatively low.

Lake Garda is a glacial lake but for its size and importance it is almost a sea that divides the Alps and the Padana plain, hence the difference in height of its surrounding mountains and the beauty of its landscapes, which are able to overshadow even Lake Como, which is the most illustrious of Italy, just outside Milan.

If you plan to visit Verona in summer you will find that Lake Garda will offer unobstructed views of the landscape, but the heat can be sweltering and you will also come across many visitors. In June, towards the end of spring, you will be able to enjoy the site without the winter cold, with a mild climate and also with a lower tourist influx, as Verona's high season restarts in July with the formal start of the summer period.

Book an excursion to Lake Garda

Temperatures in Verona in June

Building stairs|©M Rosa F
Building stairs|©M Rosa F

In June, spring ends and summer begins and maximum temperatures reach 30° while minimum temperatures are 18°. Temperatures average 26° and while Verona has a humid climate, rainfall in June is very sporadic.

The change of season favors excursions on lakes and mountains as the sky clears of the fog, which is very common in Verona, and in turn offers a mild climate, as in summer the heat can be scorching.

The influx of tourists in Verona in June

Fruit sales in Verona|©M Rosa F
Fruit sales in Verona|©M Rosa F

The high season in Verona starts in July, with the formal start of the summer, so June is an ideal month to visit the city with a moderate influx of tourists and also a suitable climate to enjoy the attractions.

The city has a very high average number of visitors throughout the year, especially if you visit Verona at Christmas or during the summer, so June, during the change of season, is a good time to take it easy.

Prices in Verona in June

wallet with cards|© Emil Kalibradov
wallet with cards|© Emil Kalibradov

In Verona in June prices do not reach the costs of July and August, which are the hottest months, so it is a good time to travel more economically and enjoy the good weather that the city offers.

If you visit Verona in June you will find that you can save money on excursions and accommodation, especially if you book in advance online. If you organize an itinerary you can also book tickets to festivals and fair events.

What to pack when visiting Verona in June

Summer bag|© Arnel Hasanovic
Summer bag|© Arnel Hasanovic

During the spring Verona offers pleasant and at times hot weather, so I recommend that you include the following items in your suitcase:

  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sun hat
  • Light T-shirt
  • Lightweight coat
  • Lightweight pants
  • Mountain shoes
  • Light sweaters