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Verona

Veneto, Italy

Italy Veneto
Verona

Famous as the setting for Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," Verona enchants thousands of visitors every year. Beyond Juliet's overrated balcony, you'll discover a picturesque, laid-back town you'll fall in love with. Wander through charming cobblestone streets, explore beautiful piazzas, and savor the vibrant culinary scene with its regional wine.

If you love music, enjoy a world-class opera performance in the famous Arena di Verona during summer — a unique experience in a very special setting.

Top Highlights of Verona

Where Antiquity Rocks
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Verona Arena
Verona
The Arena di Verona, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters, draws thousands of visitors each year. Built in 30 AD, it stands majestically over Piazza Bra, impressing with its grandeur and the distinctive pink marble that takes on a magical glow in Verona’s soft light.
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Piazza delle Erbe
Verona
On the Piazza delle Erbe, Verona's oldest square, you can feel the city's history very intensely - this was once the site of the Roman Forum, the political and economic center of the ancient city. The magnificent square is lined with impressive buildings, including the baroque Palazzo Maffei with its statues of Greek gods and the Torre dei Lamberti.
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Castelvecchio
Verona
In the heart of Verona stands Castelvecchio, an impressive medieval fortress from the 14th century, built by Cangrande II della Scala between 1354 and 1356. Originally designed as a military structure, the castle now houses the Museo di Castelvecchio, which features a valuable collection of medieval and Renaissance art, including works by Pisanello, Bellini, and Rubens.
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Ponte Pietra
Verona
The Ponte Pietra over the Adige is Verona's oldest bridge and the only preserved Roman structure of its kind in the city. Originally built in 148 BC as a wooden construction, it was later replaced by an impressive stone bridge with five arches, two of which date back to Roman times.
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Basilica of San Zeno
Verona
The Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore is one of the most significant masterpieces of Romanesque architecture and was built over the grave of Saint Zeno, who died in the 4th century. The basilica, in its current form, was mainly constructed between the late 11th and early 12th centuries, with its impressive tuff stone façade featuring a large rose window and a bronze portal adorned with 73 biblical reliefs being particularly striking.
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Castelvecchio Bridge
Verona
The impressive Ponte di Castelvecchio is one of the most remarkable structures of medieval Verona, built between 1354 and 1356 under Cangrande II della Scala as an escape route for the Castelvecchio fortress. With its main span of nearly 49 meters, this construction, also known as the "Scaligero Bridge," was one of the boldest bridge designs of its time in Europe.
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Verona Cathedral
Verona
In the heart of Verona stands the Duomo di Verona, the impressive cathedral with a history dating back to the 4th century. The current structure, officially called Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, was consecrated in 1187 by Pope Urban III. and combines Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance elements into a harmonious whole.
Sant'Anastasia
Verona
The largest church in Verona rises with its impressive Gothic facade near the Adige River in the historic center. Built by Dominican monks starting in 1290 and consecrated in 1471, the Chiesa di Sant'Anastasia captivates with its three-nave interior featuring powerful columns and numerous chapels.
Castel San Pietro
Verona
High above Verona stands the impressive Castel San Pietro, offering you one of the best panoramic views of the city. The history of the site dates back to pre-Roman times, but the current structure was built in the 1850s when the Austrians constructed a barracks in a neo-medieval style.
Piazza dei Signori
Verona
In the heart of Verona's historic center, you discover the Piazza dei Signori, an elegant square also known as Piazza Dante. Surrounded by medieval palaces connected by arcades and loggias, this place has been the political and administrative heart of the city since the Middle Ages.
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Inspiration

The 9 best activities in Verona
Verona is a splendid city southeast of Lake Garda and a popular destination for day trips. The city has a lot to offer, and you can easily spend one to two days here. We've compiled the most important and beautiful sights for you so you know what to do.

Travel Information

Is the Verona Card worth it?

If you visit more than two attractions a day, then yes. The Verona Card offers a cost-effective way to explore the city's major attractions, including the Arena, Juliet’s House, Castelvecchio Museum, the Cathedral and the Church of San Zeno. It costs €27 for 24 hours and €32 for 48 hours (2024), and includes free bus travel. Further discounts are available for various activities in and around town.

The card can be purchased at the Tourist Information Office, at the Verona Porta Nuova Train Station (money exchange office, Maccorp Italiana Spa - Forexchange), in museums (except for Tower of Lamberti, Lapidary Museum, Arche Scaligere and Juliet's House), and the main churches, like the Cathedral. You can also buy it online (e.g. GetyourGuide), but be aware that you will need to exchange your voucher for a phisical card at the Tourist Office in Verona.

Priority access is available only at the Arena. For Juliet’s House, booking a time slot is mandatory.

Note: The card is not valid for the Aerobus airport shuttle, the extraurban bus service or the Funicular.

For more details, visit Visit Verona.

How long should you stay?

Visit Verona on an independent city getaway, or include it in a longer North Italy or Dolomites road trip.
Many visitors stay for just a day, either as a day trip from Lake Garda or as a stop during a road trip. However, you can easily stay for a weekend break of 2 to 3 days. This allows you enough time to visit the main attractions, enjoy the local cuisine, and possibly take a nearby day trip to Lake Garda or the Valpolicella wine region. Additionally, you will need to stay overnight if you want to see an opera in the arena.

Best time to visit?

The best time to visit Verona is during late spring (May-June) or early autumn (September-October) when the weather is mild and the tourist crowds are a bit thinner.

How to get to Verona?

By Plane

If you are coming from farther away, book a flight to Verona's airport, Verona Villafranca Airport. It is located just a short drive from the city center. From the airport, you can take a taxi, bus, or rental car to reach your destination in Verona.

By Train

If you are from southern Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, you can easily take the train to Verona. There are great connections, and you can travel overnight and arrive fresh in the morning to explore the town. The city's main railway station is Verona Porta Nuova, which is one of the major hubs in Italy. High-speed trains also connect Verona to larger Italian cities like Venice, Milan, and Florence, if you want to travel further by train from Verona.

Additionally, there are regular bus services that connect Verona to nearby towns, good for day trips out of town.

Fancy a roadtrip?

Be inspired by our hand-picked road trips.

Trip map
Delicious Round Trip from Bologna to Lake Garda
8
52
510 km
11 days
Trip map
The Ultimate Classic Italy Tour for Art and Culture Lovers
8
168
905 km
13 days

Interested?
Start planning your next adventure!

Day Trips from Verona

Lake Garda

Just an hour away from Verona, Lake Garda awaits with its breathtaking scenery, crystal-clear waters, and majestic mountains. You can take a boat tour, indulge in sailing or windsurfing, or simply relax in one of the charming lakeside towns like Sirmione or Malcesine. And don't forget to explore the historic castles – they are absolutely worth seeing.

Valpolicella Wine Region

Less than an hour's drive from Verona, lies the Valpolicella wine region – a paradise for wine lovers. This picturesque area is renowned for its lush vineyards and the exquisite Amarone wine. Enjoy a leisurely tour of the local wineries, sample fine wines, and learn more about traditional winemaking. The idyllic landscape, dotted with ancient villas and gentle hills, is perfect for a relaxing day.

Culinary Specialties

What to Drink

  • Amarone della Valpolicella: A robust, dry red wine from the Valpolicella region.
  • Soave: A crisp, dry white wine produced in the nearby Soave region.
  • Aperol Spritz

What to Eat

  • Risotto all'Amarone: A rich risotto made with the famous local Amarone wine.
  • Gnocchi di Patate: Traditional potato dumplings often served with rich sauces.
  • Pastissada de Caval: A hearty horse meat stew, a Veronese specialty.
  • Pandoro: A sweet, star-shaped cake traditionally eaten around Christmas.

History

Originally founded by the ancient Romans, Verona flourished as a bustling commercial center along the Adige River, due to its strategic position. It was during this time that the famous Roman amphitheater, the Arena, was built.

Verona's history is also intertwined with the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, immortalized by William Shakespeare in his iconic play. Visitors can still visit Juliet's house, complete with a balcony where lovers from around the world come to leave letters and tokens of affection.

During the Middle Ages, Verona flourished under the rule of the Scaliger family from the 13th to the 14th centuries. The Scaligers transformed Verona into a fortified city with impressive structures like Castelvecchio and the Scaliger Tombs, and their rule marked a period of cultural and economic prosperity.

The Renaissance era saw Verona becoming part of the Venetian Republic in 1405, which brought stability and further artistic growth. Many of the city's stunning palaces and churches, adorned with frescoes and intricate designs, were built during this period.

In the 19th century, Verona was annexed to the Austrian Empire, before becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866 following the Third Italian War of Independence. Throughout its history, Verona has been a crossroads of trade, culture, and political power, which is reflected in its diverse architectural styles and historical landmarks.

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