Verona – A medieval city at the gates of Lake Garda in the northern Italian region of Veneto. Not only amazing Verona sights await you here, but also plenty of Italian charm and flair. Perhaps you also know the city from the novel “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare or from the 1996 film adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes?
As part of our one-month European tour by train, my friends and I stopped in Verona and spent a few wonderful days there. In today’s post, I (Bolle) would like to introduce you to my top highlights of the city in more detail and give you a few helpful travel tips. Have fun browsing!
Other interesting travel destinations:
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- Our tour through Portugal
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- Other interesting travel destinations:
- The most beautiful Verona sights
- The best tours through Verona
- Save money with the Verona Card
- Getting from A to B
- Excursion tips from Verona
- Hotels in Verona
- Conclusion about Verona
The most beautiful sights in Verona
There are numerous sights in Verona, some of which I’ve marked on the map. Of course, there’s much more to discover, but the overview map should be sufficient for a first overview. Do you know another place in Verona that you absolutely shouldn’t miss? Feel free to write it in the comments below this post.
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1. Arena di Verona
While walking through the city, the Arena di Verona will surely immediately catch your eye. It is located today in the city center and was built in the 1st century AD. I always find it impressive to stand in front of buildings that were built so many centuries ago. The Arena in Verona is still considered one of the best-preserved amphitheaters from the Roman era. You can view the old and historic walls from the outside or purchase a ticket and marvel at everything from the inside.
The interior offers seat for around 25,000 people. During Roman times, the arena served primarily as a venue for gladiator and animal fights; today it is used for all kinds of events and performances (concerts, operas, etc.). The arena is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is currently €10 for adults and €7.50 for concessions. By the way, on the first Sunday of every month the entrance fee is only €1.
Popular tours of the arena:
- Verona: Guided tour of the arena – skip-the-line ticket*
- Arena di Verona: Opera ticket package*
- Guided walking tour of the city highlights*
2. Ponte Pietra (Stone Bridge)
The Ponte Pietra, a 120-meter-long arched bridge that crosses the Adige River, is truly beautiful to look at. It was destroyed many times by floods and wars, but was rebuilt from 1957 to 1959 using original materials. Elements from Roman times are clearly visible, such as the striking arches and pillars. A particularly beautiful view is from the other side of the river, looking towards the old town. Other beautiful bridges include the Ponte Garibaldi and the Ponte Scaligero.
3. Castel San Pietro & View
If you stroll across the bridge, after about 300 meters you will reach Castel San Pietro on the other side. Along the way, you will pass many pretty houses, some of which date back to the 19th century and are listed as historical monuments. The castle was built in 1398 and was primarily intended to showcase the wealth and influence of the Visconti family. In 1801, the castle was destroyed during the War of the Second Coalition and later rebuilt by the Austrians as a barracks.
The highlight up here on the hill is not only the historical sites but also the breathtakingly beautiful view over the city’s rooftops and the river. We enjoyed the view at sunset, and I still remember how thrilled we were by the sight. The Restaurant Re Teodorico, which is right next to the castle, also offers a spacious terrace and a fantastic view. If you don’t feel like walking to the castle, you can also take the funicular up the hill.
4. Piazza delle Erbe
A very popular square in Verona is the Piazza delle Erbe, which is located in the northern part of the medieval city. Even in ancient times, this square was used as a market and event venue, and even today, a colorful market takes place daily, offering a wide range of regional fruits and vegetables, as well as typical specialties from the region and Italy. Of course, you’ll also find plenty of souvenirs, restaurants, and cafés here. Also take a look at the many magnificent buildings that line the square here, as well as the historic Fontana Madonna Verona fountain.
5. Casa di Giulietta
“O Romeo, Romeo, why art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and renounce thy name; or, if thou wilt not, swear thy love to me, and I will be no more a Capulet.”
Do you remember this scene from Shakespeare’s masterpiece “Romeo and Juliet”? Just 150 meters from Piazza delle Erbe is the famous balcony, which gained even more attention through the film “Romeo and Juliet” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The house was originally home to the Capello family, who inspired Shakespeare to create the play. In fact, the balcony was added later for tourists. In the courtyard, you’ll find the golden statue of Juliet and the walls decorated with love messages and graffiti.
This place is by far one of the most popular sights in Verona and is always well-visited during the day. It’s best to choose the early morning or evening hours if you want to avoid the crowds. You can visit the balcony free of charge; you only have to pay an entrance fee for the museum. The “Casa di Giulietta” is located at Via Cappello 23 and is open Mondays from 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesdays to Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can even step out onto the balcony and feel like Juliet for a brief moment^^. Admission to the museum currently costs €6.
6. Castelvecchio (Castle)
Even from the banks of the Adige River, you can catch a glimpse of the imposing Castelvecchio Castle. This historic building was built between 1354 and 1356 and once served as a fortress, later as barracks, and now as a museum. In the museum, you can view works by artists from the early Christian period to the 18th century, as well as weapons, sculptures, and reliefs. Across the 120-meter-long Ponte di Castelvecchio bridge, which incidentally served as an escape route for the castle’s residents, you reach the castle’s pretty and, above all, green courtyard.
The castle is open Mondays from 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesdays to Sundays from 8:30 a.m. Adults pay an entrance fee of €6, and students and schoolchildren only €4.50.
7. Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore
On our exploration tours, we generally like to visit churches because the buildings never cease to impress us. The Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore is one of the most important churches in the city and was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. Even from the outside, you can see the large window and the freestanding bell tower (campanile). Inside, the portal, the nave, the detailed bronze doors, and the cloister are particularly worth seeing. You can visit the church for just €3.
8. View from the Torre dei Lamberti
In the center of the old town stands the “Torre dei Lamberti” tower, which, at 84 meters high, is one of the tallest buildings in the city. The tower is just a stone’s throw from the Arena and Piazza delle Erbe. You can take the elevator to the top or climb the 368 steps to enjoy the view over the city’s rooftops from the observation deck.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission: €6, reduced €4.50. You can book your ticket in advance here*.
9. Piazza dei Signori
Another beautiful square in Verona is the Piazza dei Signori, located north of the old town and just a few meters from the Torre dei Lamberti. Here, too, you will find numerous historical buildings, such as the government building with the courthouse or the Scaliger Palace. As you stroll across this spacious square, you will also pass the statue of the poet Dante. The best thing to do is just go with the flow and watch the hustle and bustle in the alleys and on the square.
Tip: Right next to the square is the impressive 12th-century “Palazzo della Ragione” (museum), with a beautiful and very photogenic courtyard.
10. Teatro Romano di Verona
A popular attraction in Verona is the Teatro Romano di Verona, which is located below Castel San Pietro on the Adige River. This ancient Roman theater was built around 20 BC. Built in the 1st century BC, it once boasted richly decorated entrances, several arcades, a massive stage complex, and an ancient dance floor (orchestra). Due to storms, adverse weather conditions, and lack of maintenance, the theater increasingly lost its importance and gradually fell into disrepair. Today, a 105-meter-wide semicircle with numerous rows of spectators awaits you here. Events still take place regularly.
12. Piazza Bra
A very lively square is Piazza Bra, located directly behind the Arena. It is the largest square in the city and awaits you with plenty of open spaces and numerous cozy street eateries. All around, you can discover a variety of historic buildings dating from various eras. Particularly worth seeing are the promenade with its pink marble, the fountain, the equestrian statue of King Vittoro Emanuele II, the town hall, and the Palazzo della Gran Guardia.
13. Arco dei Gavi Verona
Paris and Barcelona have triumphal arches, and Verona also has one. The Roman triumphal arch dates back to the 1st century AD and is one of Verona’s top attractions. During French rule, the monument was demolished in 1805 and not rebuilt until 1932. The 12.69-meter-high Arco dei Gavi is located in a small park directly next to Castelvecchio.
14. Verona Cathedral
Last but not least, I would like to introduce you to the Cathedral of Verona. This cathedral complex consists of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Matricolare, the Church of Santa Elena, the Church of Giovanni en Fonte, the Cloister of the Canons, and the Bishop’s Palace. Many buildings were destroyed by a severe earthquake in 1147 and were fortunately rebuilt after 20 years of construction. Admission to the entire cathedral complex currently costs €6.
The Cathedral Library, with over 100,000 books, documents, and parchments, is also very interesting. The oldest written document in the collection is said to date back to the 13th century. The library is open Thursday to Sunday and admission is €3. Allow yourself plenty of time to explore the spacious cathedral complex.
The Best Tours of Verona
There are countless tours through the romantic city of Verona. I’ve done a little research on GetyourGuide and picked out the most popular ones for you.
Save money with the Verona Card
Would you like to see a lot of the city and explore numerous Verona sights? Then the Verona Card might be of interest to you. With this card, you get free entry to many museums and monuments, such as the Arena, the Casa di Giulietta, the Torre dei Lamberti, and the Verona Cathedral complex. Travel on public transport is also completely free. The card costs €20 for 24 hours and €25 for 48 hours. You can purchase the Verona Card here*.
Getting from A to B
In Verona, we traveled exclusively on foot and didn’t take the bus once (only for the trip to Lake Garda, but more on that later). However, you can of course also travel by bus. If you buy your ticket directly on the bus, you only pay €1.50. There you will find ticket machines, but these do NOT give change. So you should always keep some change in your wallet. The tickets are then valid for a single journey.
You can also purchase your ticket at one of the ATV ticket offices and then travel for 60 minutes on the entire city’s public transport network. If you plan to travel a lot by bus, it might be worth buying a day ticket for just €4. This allows you to make unlimited journeys for 24 hours.
Remember to stamp your ticket before boarding; only then is it valid. You can purchase tickets here. Alternatively, the hop-on/hop-off ticket* for the bus might be of interest to you. This is available from just €20 and takes you to the most beautiful sights in the city of Verona.
Excursion tips from Verona
Lake Garda
Of course, there’s plenty to discover outside the city as well, such as the picturesque Lake Garda, which is only 30 kilometers from Verona. We took the bus to Lake Garda and rented a pedal boat there. We then sailed across the lake in perfect weather and jumped into the refreshing water from the boat. Highly recommended!
The LN026 and 164 buses run regularly from Verona to Peschiera del Garda, a town on the southern shore of the lake. The journey takes around 30 to 35 minutes (tickets approx. €4). Alternatively, you can also take the train to Lake Garda. However, these also take half an hour and are a bit more expensive. You can book train tickets here: Trenitalia.
Monte Baldo
If you’re a bit more flexible and fancy a hike, the route to Monte Baldo is recommended. At over 2000 meters, it’s the highest mountain massif around Lake Garda and awaits you with stunning views. Since over 600 different plant species grow on its slopes, the area is often called “Europe’s largest botanical garden”. You can go hiking (there are numerous trails) or take the cable car up. You can find all the information here: Monte Baldo Cable Car.
Hotels in Verona
Are you still looking for nice accommodations in Verona? No problem! Verona has a lot to offer. However, if you’re traveling during peak season, you should book your hotel in advance. I’ve picked out a few really great hotels and guesthouses for you that I would definitely book myself. When selecting them, I paid particular attention to the location, reviews, and amenities. If you have any great recommendations, please let me know!
We stayed in a motel on the outskirts of town, which was primarily functional and inexpensive (backpacker, that’s what you’d expect). However, I don’t remember the name or the exact location.
Conclusion on Verona
Verona is a fantastic city! The atmosphere is very special, especially due to the many beautiful buildings, the proximity to the water, the beautiful views, the bustling hustle and bustle in the alleys, and the delicious food. Bella Italia at its best! If you’re ever traveling in Northern Italy, be sure to stop in Verona and spend 2 to 3 days there. Of course, Verona is a very touristy city, but a trip there is still worthwhile! Have you ever been to this city? What did you particularly like? Let us know in the comments below this post.