Verona with Kids: Why Home Exchange is Perfect for Family Travel in Italy

My daughter was three years old when she learned to say "gelato" before "please." We were in Verona with kids for the first time, staying in a home exchange apartment near Piazza delle Erbe, and the woman at the gelateria on the corner had become her best friend. Every evening, same routine: we'd walk down the cobblestones, my daughter would point at the pistachio, and Maria would hand her a tiny cup with a wink.

That trip changed how I think about family travel entirely.

Seven years of home swapping with families—mine and others—and here's what I know now: Verona isn't just Shakespeare's city of star-crossed lovers. It's secretly one of Italy's best destinations for traveling with children. Compact enough to walk everywhere. Safe enough to let kids run ahead. And absolutely packed with things that fascinate little minds—Roman ruins they can touch, towers they can climb, pizza they can watch being made.

But the thing that makes it all work? Home exchange transforms Verona from a "nice trip" into something your kids will remember forever.

Why Home Exchange in Verona Works Better Than Hotels for Families

Let me paint you two pictures.

Trip A: You book two hotel rooms because your family of four can't fit in one. Italian hotel rooms run small—really small. You're paying €180-220 per night, per room. That's roughly $400-480 USD every single night. Breakfast is an extra €15 per person. There's nowhere to store the snacks your toddler needs constantly. When someone has a meltdown at 2 PM, you're stuck in a cramped room with thin walls and judgy glances from the couple next door.

Trip B: You stay in a three-bedroom apartment through home exchange, spending zero on accommodation. There's a kitchen where you can make pasta when everyone's too tired for restaurants. A living room where kids can spread out with coloring books during the afternoon heat. A washing machine—and if you've traveled with kids, you know why this matters. Maybe there's even a small terrace where you can drink wine after bedtime while the baby monitor glows on the table.

I've done both. Trip B wins every single time.

The math alone is staggering. A week in Verona during shoulder season—April-May or September-October—would cost a family of four approximately $2,800-3,300 USD in hotel rooms alone. Through home exchange on SwappaHome, that cost drops to zero. You're using credits you earned by hosting other travelers in your own home. One credit per night, whether you're staying in a studio or a villa.

But honestly? The money isn't even the best part.

The Real Magic: Living in a Verona Neighborhood with Your Family

Tourists stay in hotels. Families doing home exchange become—even just for a week—temporary residents.

There's a difference. Your kids will feel it.

When we stayed in that apartment near Piazza delle Erbe, our host left us a note about the bakery around the corner. "They open at 6:30," she wrote. "Get the cornetti before 8 or they sell out." So every morning, my husband would slip out early while the kids and I were still in pajamas. He'd come back with warm pastries, and we'd eat them on the tiny balcony overlooking the street below.

That bakery wasn't in any guidebook. Neither was the playground tucked behind the church on Via Cappello, or the family who ran the alimentari and started saving the good prosciutto for us after day three.

This is what home exchange gives you: local knowledge, passed from one family to another.

On SwappaHome, hosts often leave detailed notes about their neighborhoods—where to find the best playgrounds, which restaurants have high chairs, what time the gelato shop gets a fresh batch. They're parents too. They know what you need.

Best Verona Neighborhoods for Home Exchange with Kids

Not all parts of Verona are equally family-friendly. Here's where I'd look:

Centro Storico (Historic Center)

The obvious choice, and for good reason. Everything is walkable—the Arena, Juliet's House, Piazza delle Erbe, the Duomo—all within a 15-minute stroll from anywhere in the centro. Streets are pedestrianized in many areas, which means less stress about traffic.

The downside? Apartments here tend to be older, sometimes without elevators. Imagine hauling a stroller up four flights of stone stairs. Ask your potential swap partner about building access before committing.

Veronetta

Just across the Ponte Pietra from the centro, Veronetta is where university students and young families live. It's less polished than the tourist center—more graffiti, more laundry hanging from windows—but that's part of its charm. Rents are lower here, which means home exchange listings often offer more space for your credits.

There's a fantastic playground along the Adige River. And the neighborhood has some of Verona's best casual pizzerias. Pizzeria Du de Cope on Via XX Settembre does a kids' pizza for about €6 that my daughter still talks about.

San Zeno

This is my personal favorite for families. San Zeno sits just west of the centro, centered around the stunning Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore—the crypt is genuinely fascinating for older kids with all those medieval carvings. The neighborhood has a village-within-a-city feel: local shops, a weekly market, families who've lived here for generations.

The Saturday morning market in Piazza San Zeno is perfect for kids. Cheese samples, fruit vendors who'll let them pick their own peaches, the occasional puppet show. We spent three hours there once and only covered half the stalls.

Home exchange apartments in San Zeno often have more outdoor space—small gardens or shared courtyards where kids can play.

Borgo Trento

If you're traveling with babies or toddlers and need maximum convenience, consider Borgo Trento. It's a residential area north of the centro with wider sidewalks, more parks, and easier parking if you're renting a car for day trips. You'll find larger apartments here, sometimes with dedicated parking spots—a rarity in central Verona.

The trade-off: you're about a 20-minute walk from the main attractions, or a quick bus ride.

What to Do in Verona with Kids: A Local's Perspective

I've taken my daughter to Verona three times now—at ages 3, 5, and 7. Here's what actually worked at each stage. Not the generic "top 10" stuff, but the real hits.

For Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2-5)

The Arena (but strategically): Yes, take them to see the Roman amphitheater. But don't pay the €10 adult admission to go inside unless your kid is genuinely interested in old stones. Standing in Piazza Brà and looking at the Arena from outside is often enough for little ones. Save the interior visit for when they're older.

Giardino Giusti: These Renaissance gardens have something magical: a hedge maze. It's small enough that you won't actually lose your child, but big enough that they feel like adventurers. There's also a grotto with a creepy monster face that my daughter found terrifying at 3 and hilarious at 5. Entry is €10 for adults, €7 for kids over 7, free under 7.

Gelato Tasting Mission: Turn dessert into an activity. We created a "gelato passport"—a little notebook where my daughter drew a picture of each flavor she tried and rated it with stars. By the end of the week, she had strong opinions about which shop had the best stracciatella. Her verdict: Gelateria Savoia on Via Roma.

River Walks: The paths along the Adige River are flat, stroller-friendly, and perfect for burning energy. Start at Ponte Pietra, walk toward Castelvecchio, and let them run.

For School-Age Kids (Ages 6-10)

Torre dei Lamberti: This medieval tower has 368 steps to the top—or an elevator, if legs are tired. The views over Verona's terracotta rooftops are spectacular, and there's something about climbing a tower that makes kids feel accomplished. €8 for adults, €5 for kids 8-14, free under 8. Go in the late afternoon for golden light.

Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta): Yes, it's touristy. Yes, the balcony was added in the 1930s. But if your kids have any sense of romance or drama, they'll love it. The courtyard is free; the house museum is €6. Pro tip: go early—it opens at 8:30 AM—or late, after 5 PM, to avoid cruise ship crowds.

Castelvecchio Museum: This medieval castle-turned-museum is genuinely fascinating for kids who like knights, armor, and old weapons. The building itself is half the attraction—all crenellated walls and drawbridges. €6 adults, €4.50 reduced, free under 8. Closed Mondays.

Day Trip to Lake Garda: Only 30 minutes by car or bus from Verona, Lake Garda is perfect for a beach day. Bardolino and Lazise are the most family-friendly towns—small beaches, shallow water, gelato shops everywhere. If you're doing a home exchange, ask your host if they have beach gear you can borrow.

For Tweens and Teens (Ages 11+)

Opera at the Arena: If your trip falls between June and September, the Arena hosts open-air opera performances. It's an unforgettable experience even for kids who think they hate opera—there's something about watching Aida under the stars in a 2,000-year-old amphitheater. Tickets range from €30 for stone steps to €200+ for cushioned seats. Book well in advance.

Bike Rental: Verona is surprisingly bikeable. Rent bikes and cycle along the Adige River to the Parco dell'Adige, a huge park south of the city with trails, picnic areas, and space to explore. Rentals run about €15-20 per day.

Cooking Class: Several places offer family cooking classes where you make fresh pasta together. It's hands-on, delicious, and gives everyone a skill to take home. Expect €60-80 per person for a 3-hour class.

How Home Exchange Makes Family Travel in Verona Affordable

Let's talk real numbers.

A typical week in Verona for a family of four:

Traditional Hotel Approach:

• 2 hotel rooms × 7 nights × €200 average = €2,800 ($3,080 USD)
• Breakfast (if not included): €60/day × 7 = €420 ($460 USD)
• Lunch out daily: €80/day × 7 = €560 ($615 USD)
• Dinner out daily: €120/day × 7 = €840 ($925 USD)
• Laundry service: €50 ($55 USD)
• Total: approximately $5,135 USD

Home Exchange Approach:

• Accommodation: 0 credits earned back (you hosted someone at your home)
• Groceries for breakfasts and some dinners: €250 ($275 USD)
• Lunch out daily: €80/day × 7 = €560 ($615 USD)
• Dinner out 4 nights: €120 × 4 = €480 ($530 USD)
• Laundry: free (apartment has washing machine)
• Total: approximately $1,420 USD

Savings: $3,715 USD

That's enough for another entire trip. Or a year of swimming lessons. Or the fancy stroller you've been eyeing.

And here's what those numbers don't capture: the stress reduction. When you're not hemorrhaging money on hotels, you relax differently. You say yes to the extra gelato. You don't panic when your kid refuses to eat at the restaurant you researched. You linger in the piazza instead of rushing to "get your money's worth."

Setting Up Your First Family Home Exchange in Verona

New to home exchange? Verona is a fantastic place to start. The city attracts a lot of families, which means plenty of kid-friendly homes are listed on platforms like SwappaHome.

Here's how I'd approach it:

Start with your own listing. Create something detailed. Mention everything that makes your home family-friendly: the crib in the closet, the backyard, the proximity to parks, the drawer full of kids' DVDs. Families looking for exchanges want to know their kids will be comfortable.

Search 3-6 months in advance. Popular Verona apartments book up, especially for summer and during opera season. Shoulder seasons—April-May, September-October—offer more availability and better weather for kids anyway.

Look for specific family amenities. High chair, crib, baby gates, toys, books in English, washing machine, bathtub (not just a shower), outdoor space. Most SwappaHome listings include these details, but message hosts to confirm.

Ask about the neighborhood. Where's the nearest playground? Supermarket? Pharmacy? Is the building stroller-accessible? Are there stairs? These details matter enormously with kids.

Discuss house rules clearly. Some hosts have different expectations about kids in their space. Better to know upfront if there are areas that are off-limits or fragile items to be careful around.

Tips for a Smooth Home Exchange Experience with Kids

After 40+ swaps, many with my daughter in tow, here's what I've learned:

Leave your home better than you found it. Even more important when kids are involved. Bring stain remover. Check under cushions for cracker crumbs. Strip the beds before you leave. Your reputation in the home exchange community is everything.

Pack a small bag of familiar items. A favorite stuffed animal, a beloved book, their own pillow case. Home exchange apartments are wonderful, but they're not home. Familiar objects help kids settle.

Build in downtime. This is the gift of home exchange—you don't have to be "on" constantly. Some of our best Verona memories are from lazy mornings in the apartment, making pancakes and reading books, before venturing out around 10 AM.

Connect with your host family. If they have kids too, ask for their recommendations. Where do their children like to play? What's their favorite rainy-day activity? Local parent knowledge is gold.

Consider travel insurance. SwappaHome connects you with hosts, but it's a platform—not an insurance provider. For peace of mind, especially when traveling with kids, I always get comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and personal liability. Usually $100-200 for a family for a week-long trip. Worth every penny.

The Unexpected Benefits of Home Exchange for Kids

I want to end with something that surprised me.

My daughter is seven now. She's been on maybe a dozen home exchanges in her life. And somewhere along the way, she developed this remarkable comfort with other people's spaces, other people's lives.

She walks into a new apartment and immediately looks for the things that are the same—kitchen, bathroom, beds—and the things that are different: the art on the walls, the books on the shelves, the view from the window. She's curious without being intrusive. She understands that people live differently, and that different isn't wrong. It's interesting.

Last year, we stayed in an apartment in Verona that belonged to an Italian grandmother. Crocheted doilies on every surface. Religious icons in every room. My daughter studied them carefully, asked questions about what they meant, and told me she thought the apartment felt "loved."

She was right. It did.

That's what home exchange teaches kids: empathy. Curiosity. The understanding that behind every front door is a whole life, a whole story.

You can't buy that at a hotel.

So if you're considering Verona with kids, consider doing it through home exchange. You'll save money, yes. You'll have more space, absolutely. But more than that, you'll give your children something rare—the chance to live, even briefly, in someone else's world.

And maybe, if you're lucky, you'll find a gelateria on the corner where someone learns your daughter's name.

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Ready to plan your family's Verona adventure? SwappaHome makes it easy to find kid-friendly homes around the world. Create your listing, earn credits by hosting, and start exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Verona a good destination for families with young children?

Verona is excellent for families with young kids. The historic center is compact and largely pedestrianized, making it safe for little ones to walk—or run ahead, which they will. You'll find playgrounds tucked throughout the city, family-friendly restaurants with high chairs, and attractions like the Giardino Giusti gardens with a hedge maze perfect for children. The city's manageable size means you're never far from your accommodation when naptime calls.

How much can families save with home exchange in Verona compared to hotels?

A family of four can save approximately $2,800-3,500 USD per week by using home exchange instead of hotels. Hotels typically require booking two rooms at €180-220 per night each, while home exchange costs zero for accommodation. Additional savings come from having a kitchen for meals and a washing machine for laundry—easily another $500-700 per week.

What neighborhoods in Verona are best for home exchange with kids?

San Zeno and Veronetta are ideal for families. San Zeno offers a village-like atmosphere with a fantastic Saturday market and more apartments with outdoor space. Veronetta provides larger, more affordable apartments just across the river from the centro, with excellent playgrounds along the Adige. Centro Storico works well if walkability to attractions is your priority.

What age is best for taking kids to Verona?

Verona works well for all ages, but each stage offers different highlights. Toddlers love the gelato shops, river walks, and Giardino Giusti maze. School-age kids enjoy climbing Torre dei Lamberti and exploring Castelvecchio castle. Tweens and teens appreciate the history, can handle longer museum visits, and might even enjoy an opera performance at the Arena during summer.

Is home exchange safe for families traveling with children?

Home exchange is generally very safe for families. SwappaHome's review system means you can read feedback from previous guests before committing. The mutual trust inherent in home exchange—you're staying in someone's home while they may stay in yours—creates accountability. For additional peace of mind, consider purchasing travel insurance that covers personal liability and medical emergencies.