Giardino Giusti: One of the Best Sites in Verona Italy

Giardino Giusti is a must for your time in Verona.

This Italian city, located in the Veneto region (home of Venice), has a lot to offer.

There is the famous Arena, the kitschy (and over-touristed) balcony di Giulietta (Juliet’s balcony — yes THAT Juliet), Piazza Brá and Piazza Erbe as well as many churches with Sant’Anastasia being one of the most popular.

But the Giardino Giusti is a special spot. 

And I’m going to tell you why — and why it really needs to be on your Verona itinerary.

Let’s dive into this garden and its palazzo.

The palazzo

Giardino Giusti is located on the other side of the Adige River from the historic center.

And because of this, many folks won’t make it here.

It’s a bit of a walk, but well worth it to escape the crowds in the city center.

This site is both a garden and a home. 

Let’s start with the home.

The Giusti family have had this land since around 1400. 

But it wasn’t until the 1500’s that they built this beautiful palazzo.

And the Giusti family still own it today.

The apartment that you can now visit (it’s just a small part of the palazzo), had been destroyed in the early part of the 20th century.

But it was restored after WWII by the grandparents of Lodovica Gelmi who owns B&B Palazzo Gelmi where I am staying. 

I know.

Small world!

The apartment is stunning with frescoes and sculptures and photos of the Giusti family.

You can meander through the rooms and imagine what it might have been like to live there — especially back in the 1500 or 1600’s.

Take your time and really notice all the little details — especially all the frescoes.

And be sure to look up!

The gardens

When the Giusti family moved to Verona from Tuscany and bought the land, it was originally used for dyeing wool.

But once the palazzo was built, the land became a formal garden.

And the gardens are gorgeous!

There are sculptures, a grotto and even a labyrinth (maze). 

As you make your way away from the palazzo you’ll go from very manicured gardens to more wild and natural vegetation as you climb up some nature paths.

The views of Verona from up here are fabulous.

Interestingly enough, as the Grand Tour of Europe became a ‘thing’ in the 18th century, Giardino Giusti did too as it was on the list of ‘must see’ for those passing through Verona.

In fact, a few famous people such as Goethe, Mozart and Czar Alexander of Russia visited Giardino Giusti.

So you can see why I’m recommending it!

Final thoughts on Giardino Giusti

Admittedly, I didn’t know of this site.

On my first very short trip to Verona I knew of the Arena, the whole Juliet connection and just knew that the city looked intriguing.

So on this second visit, I wanted to dig a bit deeper.

I am grateful that Lodovica handed me this brochure and that I actually took the time to look at it.

Because I was very impressed by Giardino Giusti — the apartment, the gardens and the history.

So here are a couple of lessons learned.

First of all, when your host makes a recommendation, listen.

Seriously.

I’ve sometimes been, “whatever” about recommendations.

But I’ve learned over the years to at least give these suggestions a good hard think.

And usually I’ve been really happy with the advice.

Secondly do be open to some of these sites that may not be “first tier” sites.

Go check out the lesser known place as often they are less crowded and actually more interesting — like Giardino Giusti.

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