The most common mistake I see families make when visiting Verona is this: leaving Giardino Giusti for the end of the itinerary, after the Arena and Casa di Giulietta, when the kids' shoes already feel twice as heavy. Giardino Giusti is not a backup stop. It's a place that deserves to be chosen deliberately, put on the morning schedule, and experienced without watching the clock.
Giardino Giusti Verona with kids: what to really expect
Giardino Giusti is located in the Veronetta neighbourhood, on the left bank of the Adige, about 15 minutes on foot from Piazza Bra and the Arena via Ponte Nuovo and Via Carducci. It's not far — but it's just far enough across the river to have stayed off the mass-tour circuit. That's its great fortune.
Once inside, the garden unfolds across two distinct levels of experience. At the bottom, the formal Italian section: geometric flowerbeds, boxwood hedges, fragrant citrus in terracotta pots, fountains and mythological statues. Children tend to slow down here, drawn in by the tortoises moving through the shrubs and the shimmer of water in the basins. This is the right place to stop, touch things, and breathe in the scent of cypress resin warmed by the sun.
Then there's the maze. One of the oldest in Europe, redesigned in the eighteenth century and still perfectly capable of pleasantly disorienting even adults. Children between 6 and 10 take it as a personal challenge. Let them — that's exactly the point.
How to climb to the belvedere with young children (and enjoy every step)
The upper part of the garden is where many visitors rush through to reach the panorama, missing everything else along the way. A mistake. The uphill path through the centuries-old cypresses is the spectacle in itself: narrow, shaded trails, worn stone steps, the muffled sound of the distant city fading away little by little.
Halfway up, children will encounter the grotto with stalactites and the mascherone carved into the rock: an enormous face that once erupted with tongues of fire and smoke during Renaissance festivities. Just tell them the story and the climb becomes something else entirely.
At the top, the panoramic belvedere offers one of the most beautiful views over the city of Verona: terracotta-coloured rooftops, the grey-green ribbon of the Adige, the Torre dei Lamberti rising among the bell towers. It's not the highest viewpoint in Verona, but it's the one with the most silence around it. Sit down. It doesn't matter how long it took you to get up here.
Local tip: arrive by 10 in the morning. The light is low and raking, the garden is nearly empty, and the climb through the cypresses still smells of wet grass.
The app, the treasure hunt and the Appartamento '900: everything you didn't know
The entrance ticket also includes a visit to the Appartamento '900, the section of the palazzo where the Giusti family lived until the twentieth century: eighteenth-century frescoes, period furnishings, family objects. It's not designed with very young children in mind, but older kids are often struck by the unusual intimacy of the space.
For younger children, there is the official Giardino Giusti app (downloadable from the App Store and Google Play), which includes an audio guide and a treasure hunt available in four languages — Italian, English, French and German. It's free to download; activation happens via QR code at the ticket office. For families with curious children, it's the ideal tool for turning the climb into a structured adventure.
The garden also hosts art workshops for children and adults throughout the year, as well as concerts and performances. Before you visit, it's worth checking the calendar at giardinogiusti.com.
2026 hours, prices and practical information for families
Giardino Giusti is open every day from 9:00 to 19:00 (last entry at 18:00). Hours may vary during private events: always check the official website before you go.
Updated 2026 prices:
- Full price: € 14,00
- Reduced (students, Verona Card, groups): € 10,00
- Family Ticket 1 (2 adults + 1 child aged 6–18): € 25,00
- Family Ticket 2 (2 adults + 2 or more children aged 6–18): € 35,00
- Children aged 0–5: free
The garden is located at Via Giardino Giusti, 2 – 37129 Verona. On foot from the Arena area it takes about 15 minutes. Alternatively, ATV bus no. 73 connects Piazza Cittadella to Piazza Isolo in around 5 minutes; from there the garden is just a short walk away.
What age is Giardino Giusti suitable for?
The lower section is accessible with a pushchair. The climb to the belvedere involves steps and uneven ground: recommended from age 4–5 and up, with closed-toe shoes. Children aged 6 and over can do the treasure hunt via the app.
How much time do you need for the visit?
With children, allow 90–120 minutes to do everything at a relaxed pace: the lower garden, the maze, the climb to the belvedere and the Appartamento '900. If you really want to enjoy the view at the top without rushing, add another 20 minutes.
Is Giardino Giusti a good choice on very hot days?
Yes — the double row of cypresses creates natural shade along the entire climb. On summer days it's one of the coolest spots in Verona's historic centre. Do bring water though: there is no café inside.
For your next stay in Verona, the apartments at The Verona Stay are just a few minutes' walk from the Arena and Ponte Nuovo: heading out on foot to Giardino Giusti in the morning becomes the most natural thing in the world.