10 Things to Do and See in Verona

One cannot think of Verona without envisioning the tragic scene of the love story of Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare's drama has certainly made the fortunes of this Venetian city: a significant part of Verona's economy relies on this "romantic tourism", which finds its fitting conclusion under the famous balcony of Juliet.

Yet identifying Verona solely as the city of Romeo and Juliet has overshadowed other beauties of this town, aptly called the "Gateway to Italy", as it presents the face, beauty, and substance of our Country to those coming from the north.

A concentration of artistic, historical, and cultural testimonies immersed in the evocative atmosphere of alleys and squares, complemented by the flavors of traditional and local cuisine.

If you like to look beyond the famous balcony, we propose a journey through Verona's famous places, typical flavors, and enjoyable entertainment to seduce you with a city whose charm will convince you to return.

To visit Verona, we recommend purchasing the VeronaCard, available in two versions: 20 euros valid for 24 hours and 25 euros valid for 48.

With the VeronaCard, you can enter the following places for free: Museum of Castelvecchio, Museum of Frescoes G. B. Cavalcaselle at the Tomb of Juliet, Achille Forti Modern Art Gallery, House of Juliet, Natural History Museum, Arena Amphitheater, and Archaeological Museum at the Roman Theatre.

Here is what to see in Verona during a weekend or a short vacation.

1

The Roman Amphitheater, better known as the "Arena", is, along with Romeo and Juliet, the symbol that makes Verona famous worldwide and the first thing tourists choose to see upon arriving in the city.

Probably built around the 1st century, the Arena, like all amphitheaters, hosted gladiator shows.

It was the fourth amphitheater after the Colosseum in Rome, the one in Capua, and the one in Milan, with a solid and imposing structure featuring an exterior clad in bricks and Verona stone that creates a shimmering chromatic effect.

Inside, the concentric movement of the tiers instills a unique sense of grandeur among the spectators.

It takes its name from "rena", the sand that was found in the central part where the shows took place. It could hold up to 30,000 spectators, leaving ample space for performers. A grand stage for major musical performances, the Arena continues to preserve its millennia-old function, though with less bloody spectacles!

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 7 PM (last entry at 6:30 PM). Closed on Mondays Ticket price: 10 €. Free with the Verona Card. How to get there: Piazza Bra, right in the historic center.

2

Verona is the stage where the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet unfolded, immortalized by William Shakespeare's pen. In a 13th-century building located in the historic center,

the Veronese have recognized the house of the Capulets: the legend intertwines with reality, finding points of reference within.

A beautiful facade covered in bricks with a Gothic-style portal leads visitors inside: in the courtyard, there is a bronze statue of Juliet and the famous balcony where the love between the two young lovers began.

Visitors can explore the courtyard, the ground floor, the first floor with the balcony of Juliet, and the second floor with the room displaying the bed created for Zeffirelli's film Romeo and Juliet.

The House of Juliet is a must-see, albeit very touristy, for anyone wanting to discover the locations that inspired the quintessential love story. Whether you believe in the legend or not, it remains one of the things to see in Verona.

Less fortunate is the House of Romeo, now a private residence, not far from the Scaliger Tombs (point 8).

On the Gothic facade, an inscription reads, "Oh! Where is Romeo?... Silence, I have lost myself: I am not here and not Romeo, Romeo is elsewhere" (Act 1, Scene 1).

Juliet's Tomb is located in an ancient Capuchin convent from the 13th century at Via del Pontiere, 35. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM - Monday 1:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Full ticket € 4.50.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 7 PM (last entry at 6:30 PM) Closed on Mondays Ticket price: 6 €. Free with the Verona Card. How to get there: Via Cappello 23, right in the historic center.

3

The legend tells that during the flood of the Adige in 589 that submerged Verona, the water stopped at the threshold of this Church built on the burial site of Bishop Zeno. St. Zeno, of African origin, was the eighth bishop of Verona (circa 362-380) and converted the city to Christianity.

The Church of San Zeno Maggiore is one of the greatest examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy and its current appearance dates back to the 12th century.

In addition to housing the body of the Saint, the Church is rich in sculptures and paintings from the 12th to the 16th centuries, among which particular attention should be given to the San Zeno Altarpiece by Andrea Mantegna, the first example of "sacra conversazione" featuring the Madonna with Child at its center.

From the left, we can recognize St. Peter with the keys, St. Paul with the sword, St. John the Evangelist with the rosy robe, St. Zeno in episcopal garments, St. Benedict in monastic robes, St. Lawrence with the gridiron, St. Gregory the Great dressed as a pope, and St. John the Baptist in the typical hermit's robe in the desert.

It is evident that this is a conversation because the direction and gestures create the impression that the saints are talking to one another.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Sunday from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Ticket price: Free but a voluntary contribution of € 3 is requested. How to get there: Piazza San Zeno, historic center.

4

A colorful fruit and vegetable market with its array of umbrellas, surrounded by buildings and historic monuments is the main characteristic of Piazza delle Erbe: the oldest square in Verona, where medieval buildings have gradually replaced Roman ones.

It is the place where one can best grasp the more popular and vibrant side of the city, without sacrificing the cultural aspect of your vacation.

During the market, on Saturdays and Sundays, it serves as the city's living room, where Veronese meet to shop or for the evening aperitif ritual.

The square is flanked by the Town Hall, the Lamberti Tower, the House of Judges, and the Mazzanti houses. On the smaller side stands the Baroque Palazzo Maffei adorned with various statues of Greek gods: Jupiter, Hercules, Minerva, Venus, Mercury, and Apollo.

The beautiful Casa dei Mercanti (or Domus Mercatorum), where today the Banca Popolare di Verona is located, is also found in the square. In the square, there is a fountain called "Madonna Verona" competing for attention with the Capitello, also known as the Tribune and mistakenly referred to as Berline.

It has existed since the 13th century when under it sat the podestà for the inauguration ceremony and the praetors before their inauguration.

5

Palazzo Maffei is located in Piazza Erbe, two hundred meters from the House of Juliet. The building, restored to perfection, is worth the visit on its own. It dates back to the 17th century and is one of the most scenic in Verona. The collection is superb for the variety and beauty of the works present. It's an absolute must-see and should be included among the things to see when visiting Verona.

The Casa Museo di Palazzo Maffei houses more than 350 works collected over a period of more than 50 years by collector and patron Luigi Carlon. The collection spans from ancient to contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, and period furniture.

An interesting section is dedicated to the masterpieces of 20th-century painting, with notable authors including Giacomo Balla, Lucio Fontana, De Chirico, Burri, and Morandi. Works by Magritte, Duchamp, and Picasso can also be found. There is a section dedicated to art objects: furniture, glass and ceramics, oriental vases.

Guided tours are available by reservation, organized in groups of 15 people at a time. This option is recommended for those with limited time, allowing for a deeper focus on the collection without missing out on the highlights.

If you prefer to explore the palace on your own, it is suggested to dedicate at least a couple of hours to the visit to have a fairly broad view of the museum route. For a small supplement, it is worth going up to the panoramic terrace of Palazzo Maffei to admire Piazza Erbe and Verona from a delightful perspective.

Opening hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday, December 25, and August 15.

Ticket price: full €14 (15 with access to the terrace). Tickets can be purchased online or on-site at the ticket office. Reduced Ticket: Over 65: €13; Youths aged 11 to 26: €6; Children aged 6 to 10: €3.50.

How to get there: On foot to Piazza delle Erbe. Bus: Line 11-12-13 or Line 21-22-23-24-41-42

6

The Adige River traverses and cleaves Verona in two: thus, bridges have always played an essential role for the city. Today, there are 7 that share the fate of having been destroyed by the Nazis in retreat and then rebuilt in the following years.

The oldest of all is the Ponte di Pietra, of Roman origin that still connects the Roman Theatre with the city center.

Fortunately, the stone blocks and bricks, projected into the riverbed by the explosion, were retrieved and used to faithfully reconstruct the bridge.

Another representative bridge is the Scaligero, located directly opposite Castelvecchio. Built in the second half of the 14th century with three unequal arches, it met the same fate as the Ponte di Pietra and, like it, was reconstructed in 1951 with the original stones and bricks retrieved from the bottom of the Adige.

7

The administrative power of Verona has always concentrated in this beautiful square surrounded by monumental buildings connected by porticos and arcades.

At the center of the square, the large statue of Dante immediately catches the eye, as he found refuge in Verona just after his exile from Florence.

You enter the square from the Arco della Costa, and immediately to the left is the facade of the Domus Nova. Continuing clockwise, you encounter the Loggia del Consiglio and the Palazzo degli Scaligeri, Lords of Verona from 1260 to 1387.

Next is the Palazzo del Capitanio with the corner tower dominating the square, connected by an arch to the Palazzo della Ragione. From the arch, one accesses the courtyard of the Mercato Vecchio with the splendid Scala della Ragione. From the Torre dei Lamberti, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the square and the rooftops of Verona.

In a slightly separate square, you will find the Church of Santa Maria Antica, whose courtyard hosts the Scaliger Tombs. This evocative funerary complex is an extraordinary example of Gothic architecture in Italy.

The Tombs were built to house the remains of some representatives of the della Scala family. The tombs of Cangrande I, Mastino II, and Cansignorio stand out for their monumentality and decorations.

8

Piazza Brà is one of the largest squares in Europe, dominated by the silhouette of the Arena and enhanced by some historic buildings. The square's name comes from the German term breit, which means wide.

In Piazza Brà, there is the liston, the pink marble paving from Valpolicella, the same used to build the Roman Amphitheater. On the liston, the Veronese love to meet, stroll, and chat before sitting at the bar tables for a coffee or an aperitif.

A tradition that dates back because Goethe already wrote in his essay Italian Journey, "...on the wide paving of Brà, a multitude of people walked." Besides the Arena, the square features the Palazzo della Gran Guardia, home to exhibitions and events, and the Palazzo Barbieri, the seat of the Municipality of Verona.

9

Cangrande II della Scala commissioned the construction of Castelvecchio to secure a fortress against external dangers that could arise from the bridge, but also against possible uprisings from the population of Verona following the internal struggles of the Scaliger family.

The Scaligero Bridge, to which it is connected, projected the castle across the river, ensuring an escape route to the countryside. Like the bridge, the castle has experienced alternating fortunes.

After the fall of the Scaligers, it was used by the Venetians as an armory and later became barracks during the French and Austrian rule. The restoration in 1926 removed military elements and incorporated late Gothic and Renaissance references.

Castelvecchio has two cores: in the right one are the main courtyard and the parade ground; in the left one is the Scaliger royal palace where the lords lived, with a narrower courtyard and a double wall structure.

In the center stands the high Mastio Tower, which provides access to the Scaligero Bridge over the Adige. Today, it houses a museum with works of medieval, Renaissance, and modern art.

The museum is not very large, but there are at least 20 masterpieces: among them, Mantegna's Sacra Famiglia, Caroto's Boy with the Puppet, Rubens' Female Portrait, the Madonna of the Quails attributed to Pisanello, Bellini's St. Jerome Penitent, and many others.

Museum opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM (last entry at 5:30 PM) Closed: Monday

Ticket price: €6 How to get there: On foot in the historic center.

10

In 1801, with the arrival of the French in the city, Verona was divided in two: on the left bank of the Adige were the Austrians, and on the right bank, the troops of Napoleon. Quite tellingly, it was Bonaparte who derogatorily renamed this part of Verona "Veronette", meaning the lower Verona. This neighborhood of Verona lived for centuries off of mills, tanneries, spinning mills, and other water-related activities.

After more than a century of abandonment, since the 70s, the Veronetta has regained its development and today is a typically Veronese neighborhood, one could say, of the "old Verona."

Artisan shops, artists, restaurants make it a lively neighborhood, alternative to the tourist shopping of the right bank.

There are no shortage of monuments and sights as you climb along Colle San Pietro, revealing a wonderful panorama. First of all, the remains of the marvelous Roman Theatre, built in the 1st century BC, even before the more famous Arena. The theater is the venue for unmissable summer festivals and performances.

The Roman Theatre is associated with the Archaeological Museum, which collects valuable finds from the time of the ancient Romans and interesting temporary thematic exhibitions.

Above the Roman Theatre stands Castel San Pietro, a fortress that can be reached with a pleasant walk or funicular to enjoy a coffee on the terrace. The jewel of Veronetta is the Giardino Giusti with the noble palace: a wonderful Italian-style green space that has fascinated travelers from all over Europe over the centuries.

11

The itinerary proposed on this page is sufficient for spending 3 days in Verona, visiting it at a leisurely pace and enjoying it. But if you still have some time, the surroundings of Verona offer the opportunity to explore villages, history, and nature.

The first thought goes immediately to the Lake Garda, not only on the Veronese shore but also on the Brescia and Trentino sides.

An itinerary that allows passage from the thermal waters of Sirmione, to surfing in Torbole, from the elegant atmospheres of Riva del Garda to mountain excursions in just a few kilometers.

Less than an hour's drive from Verona are Mantova with two unmissable villages: Castellaro Lagusello and Borghetto sul Mincio. In that area, do not miss a visit to the Sigurtà Park, one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.

Also about an hour away are two of the most beautiful art cities in Veneto: Vicenza and Padua, not to mention that with a little more walking, you arrive in Venice!

12

Verona has a centuries-old culinary tradition, stemming from the kitchens of local lords and is now continued by restaurants and trattorias. Not only rice and polenta but some lesser-known specialties outside local borders that you simply must try:

the "pearà", for instance, boiled beef with a bread sauce, peppery cheese, the "pastisada de caval", horse meat stew that accompanies local gnocchi; or the "paparele", tagliatelle with peas and beans.

You should also try the Renga de Parona di Verona, made with anchovies.

Among the desserts, Pandoro, known worldwide, the nadalìn (star-shaped with eight points), and the mandorlato of Cologna Veneta.

It should not be forgotten that Verona is the leading province in Italy for the production of D.O.C. wines, so don't miss out on a pleasant Bardolino or a full-bodied Valpolicella at the table.

H

Charming and romantic, Verona is the second center in Veneto for both Italian and international tourist flows.

The area, along with the province and the Lake Garda, attracts a large number of tourists every year. The city meets this trend with a range of hotels and bed & breakfasts or more comfortable, and certainly less expensive, youth hostels and agritourisms.

Prices are generally high and it can be difficult to find a room at a good price in spring, especially during the holidays, during Christmas, and during musical events at the Arena.

The advice is to book well in advance during these periods. Prices for a 3-star hotel in the center start from 70 euros but can rise significantly for more luxurious accommodations or in more monumental areas.