What to see In Verona Italy
Verona is a great city in northern Italy to explore and enjoy. The city became famous all over the world because Shakespeare set his masterpiece Romeo and Juliet in this very romantic city.
“For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”
William Shakespeare
The old downtown is small and perfect for a nice walk. The city was already an important center in Roman time, because of an important Roman road, Via Postumia, was cutting through the city. For this reason, in Verona, it is still possible to admire some of the best Roman artifacts outside Rome. The Roman
The Roman Arena
We start our exploration of Verona from this perfectly preserved Roman Arena. That is to say that the Arena is so well preserved that is still used today for operas and concerts.
The Arena was built in the first century and it has a capacity of 30,000 spectators. It is located in Piazza Bra and it represent an iconic landmark of Verona.
Walking Inside the Arena is like walking back in time. Above all, it is quite remarkable how perfect the acoustic of this amphitheater. For this reason, if you have the possibility, try to attend an opera performance in this Arena. It will be a lifetime experience!
Piazza Erbe
This beautiful piazza was the Forum of the Roman Verona. Therefore in Roman time, this was the political center of the city. During the middle ages, this became also the site of the town market. A market that is still in the piazza today.
The piazza is surrounded by amazing buildings frescoed on their facade. On the northern side of the piazza, site of the ancient Town Hall. Lastly in the center of the piazza, you can admire the fountain built-in 1368. The statue in the middle of the fountain is called “Madonna di Verona”, which is however an ancient Roman statue dating approximately 380 AD.
Arche Scaligere
The Scaliger Tombs is a group of five Gothic funerary monuments in Verona, Italy, celebrating the Scaliger family, who ruled in Verona from the 13th to the late 14th century.
Piazza dei Signori and Palazzo della Ragione
Verona’s piazza was the political center, with the Palazzo della Ragione (Now city hall) built in the twelfth century. On the north side, the Loggia del Consiglio was built to host the city council’s meeting in 1476. In the Palazzo della Ragione, you can admire the Torre dei Lamberti build in 1172. This is the only tower left of the towers that were around the palace during the middle age. In addition to the tower, the Scala della Ragione (the monumental staircase) is another important feature of this impressive palace.
Juliet Balcony
“Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.”
― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Few steps away from Piazza Erbe, you’ll find this medieval building with a balcony that according to the legend is Juliet’s balcony.
The best time to visit this site is early in the morning because during the day it can be really busy.
According to the superstition it is good luck to rub the breast of the the statue of Juliet that you can find in front of the house. Also many couples leave love notes on the wall of the house.
Ponte in Pietra
This is Roman Bridge, called Pons Marmoreus in Roman time. The bridge crosses the river Adige and it was part of the Via Postumia, the roman road that connected Genova with the city of Aquileia during the Roman Empire.
Castel San Pietro
just crossed the Ponte in Pietra over the Adige river you’ll find the old roman theatre. This theatre, even though it is not as well preserved as the Arena, it is used as well for concerts in the summertime. Continuing up the hill from there you’ll reach the Castel San Pietro. This is also known as the Castlnuovo (New Castle). From this hill, you can see a beautiful view of the city from the top..
The duomo
The Duomo of Verona is the main church of the city. The construction began in 1117 after a big earthquake devastated the previous church. The Duomo is built in Romanesque architecture. The current interior has been renovated in the 15th century.
Porta dei Borsari
During Roman Time this was the main gate to enter the city of Verona. This gate was on the Via Postumia and was the main access to the City of Verona. Today the gate still stands at the beginning of the modern Corso Porta Borsari, one of the main street in Verona for shopping, cafes and boutiques.
Castelvecchio and the Old Castelvecchio Bridge
This castle built between 1354 and 1357 by Cangrande the II lord of Verona. It is built as a Medieval fortress with a large wall outside and a surrounding mott. Big square-shaped towers are defending the fortress from the corners. Now the castle hosts the Civic Museum of Verona with painting, statues, and books.
Next to the castle, you’ll find the Castelvecchio Bridge. This medieval fortified bridge was build between 1354 and 1356 and was used to grant safe escape from the castle in case of a rebellion. The modern bridge was reconstructed in in 1949 because the retreating germans on April 24th 1945 completely destroyed the origina bridge.
Arco dei Gavi
This ancient white marble arch was built in Roman time, by the Gens Gavia a rich and powerful noble Roman Family. The construction dated at the first century AD.
Food of Verona
Verona has a great gastronomical scene and it is famous for a few dishes. One of the most important dishes of Verona is the Risotto all’ Amarone. This rice dish is made with one of the most famous local wine Amarone. Secondly, Verona is famous for Bigoli (Bigoi in the local dialect). This is thick noodle pasta usually served with a meat sauce typically made of horse or donkey meat.
“Don’t waste your love on somebody, who doesn’t value it.”
William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Verona is also really famous for its wines. The most famous of all is Amarone, a rich robust red wine. Also local is soave, a fresh and fruity white.
Verona FAQ
Yes you can. You’ll have buy the tickets at the ticket office or on line.
Yes you can. Verona it is not a very big city. It is incredibly easy to walk and all the major landmarks are very close to each others. Said that I would suggest to spend the night and enjoy what this amazing city has to offer at night.
Like any Italian city in Verona tap water is perfectly safe to drink. However most Italians prefer to drink bottled water.
Verona is located about 120km (75 miles) west of Venice. It can be reached by car in about one and half hour or by train in about the same time.
Verona is world famous for Amarone wine and a type of Christmas buttery cake named Pandoro. Above all Verona is famous in the world for Rome and Juliet.
You can visit Verona year round. Every season has something amazing to offer in Verona. For examples in the summer you can see the Opera in the Arena while around Christmas you can enjoy the many Christmas markets in the city.
Verona offers many great hotels and B&B. My favorite area to stay is right in the centro (The city center) and walk around without needing to drive. Alternatively you can stay outside the city in some great winery or by the shore of the nearby Garda Lake
Verona is extremely well connected. It can be reached by plane to the local airport (VRN). It can be reached by train from Milan or Venice or it is possible to drive to Verona. In fact Verona is located on the main Highway that connects Italy to Germany (E45 Autostrada del Brennero)
Verona is in the North East area of Italy. About 120 km west of Venice, 167km east of Milan and 500km north of Rome.
Verona has an excellent parking system. Just few steps from the Arena you will find a few huge underground parking lots. Also on the “Arsenale” area you will find another massive parking lot. All these are payed parking.
I hope you’ll enjoy this great city as much as I do!
Happy Traveling
Andrea was born and raised in Northern Italy. At the age of 30, he moved to Vancouver Canada. Over the years he traveled extensively in North America, Europe, Central America, and Asia. He is passionate about traveling, cruising, and travel photography. He likes to write about his traveling and shows his travel photos.