Travel Guide to
Verona Italy
The city of Verona rests on the banks of the Adige River in northern Italy. With over 250,000 people it is one of the larger cities in the region, and is a popular tourist destination due to its history, architecture, art, and position as a convenient stopover to and from other destinations. Though lacking the size of Rome, the flair of Milan, and the physical notoriety of Venice, Verona is a healthy mix of all that is good in Italy. It is colorful, peaceful, and quiet enough to enjoy in delightful contemplation. Even though it may enjoy less popularity than some of the other Italian cities, it is by no means disregarded as an important piece of Italian nationality. In 2026, Verona has been selected to host the Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games as well as the Paralympic Games later that same year, at the Verona Arena.
Verona’s history hails all the way back to antiquity, being founded in the 1st century BC. Living through Roman rule, Rome’s decay and fall, through the politics and prosperity of powerful families, and the mastery of the Republic of Venice, Verona comes through the centuries to us relatively unscathed by the ravages heaped on larger and more strategically important cities. Such are the extensive remains Verona’s time under the Empire that it has earned the nickname “Little Rome”.
There are telltale signs of the different stages of Verona’s history everywhere. An interesting one, without any signs or explanation, is a column in the Piazza delle Erbe featuring a winged lion with a book, symbol of both Verona and Venice. Not to be confused with a griffin and hearkening back to the rule of the Venetian powerhouse in the 15th-18th centuries, the statue is remarkably similar to those you can find all over Venice.
What to Do and Where to Go in Verona
To begin with the elephant in the room (or the arena?), the Arena of Verona simply must be on your itinerary if you are passing through the area or are on a tour of northern Italy in general.
There are not many of the arenas of the Roman era left in the world (just over 200, and not all in recognizable or usable shape), and this is an excellently well preserved example; arguable the best preserved, as it is still in use today. Used to host games and shows the arena was built in the year 30 AD and is used today as a venue for opera performances, as well as other shows. In the era when gladiatorial events were in demand, this arena could hold around 30,000 spectators at once on its bench style seats. It ranks as the 3rd largest Roman arena still standing.
The operatic performances are quite popular and if you happen to be in Verona during the opera season, we recommend you take in a show. If you detest opera, perhaps the novelty of an outdoor performance in Roman ruins will tip the scales for you. It is truly a unique experience.
The Piazza delle Erbe, meaning Square of Herbs, is the next destination of note that you can reach on foot, and we recommend taking in the shops on the Via Giuseppe Mazzini. On your walk you can admire the architecture of Verona, grab a cafe and cornetto, or stop in one of the many vendors or clothing stores. After making the trek to the Piazza, you can stop to appreciate the many layers of the city, left by previous inhabitants. Looking past the restaurants, cafes, and vendors that set up in the square, you can see the Winged Lion of Venice, the fountain and sculpture dating back to before 400 AD, and a whalebone hanging from a chain on a street leading out of the square. We’ll touch on that in a minute.
Juliette’s House in Verona is an interesting tourist destination for the simple fact that it is based entirely on the premise of fiction. William Shakespeare and his play, Romeo and Juliette, certainly exist but the house and city of Verona have only a theoretical connection to the English playwright, as there is no evidence the man ever visited Verona. Another of his plays is also based in Verona, the aptly named Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Despite the necessity of a suspension of reality, Juliette’s house in Verona elicits a real and surpassing emotion in many people who visit and envision one of their favorite plays by standing in, more or less, the setting where it would have occurred in reality. Featured at the house is the famous balcony, a perfect place for romantic pictures of your heart’s desire.
In the courtyard is a statue of the feminine protagonist of the play, Juliette herself. The statue has developed a natural patina from being exposed to the air and elements, except on the breasts where it is a bit of questionable tradition for visitors to touch so they will be lucky in love. The rest of the house, which has a courtyard, several floors, many rooms, and, of course, a gift shop, is decorated with pieces reminiscent of the play and numerous topical passages inscribed on displays for guests to enjoy
Throughout the rooms are spread paraphernalia from the story, including the original costume and other props from the 1968 film, Romeo and Juliet. Such is the fanfare of this place, and the story, that for decades there has been a mail service that answers letters from lovers the world over. Each letter that is received is answered, and kept in an archive by the Juliet Club, which performs this task for thousands of letters every year.
Not to be confused with the Arena the Teatro Romano, or Roman Theater, is a second amphitheater in Verona that is still in use today, and was constructed way back in the 1st century AD. This amphitheater is also in use today. As a smaller venue it offers a different kind of entertainment by way of small concerts, comedians, and Shakespearian plays. As several of the great playwright’s works are set in the city of Verona, that should come as a surprise to no one. The seats are set facing the Adige River, which acts a backdrop to the stage, making this a great place to visit, even if you’re not going to take in a show
The famous and influential Italian poet Dante Alighieri lived in Verona for a total of 7 years as a guest of the della Scala. Such were the bonds between the writer and his hosts that he dedicated the third part of his Divine Comedy, Paradiso, to Cangrande della Scala. He is commemorated is several places throughout the city, including this statue in the Piazza di Signori.
The House of Della Scala, or the Scaligeri, were a powerful family that ruled Verona and surrounding areas for over 120 years. Their name lives on through their tombs, which lie just off the Piazza delle Erbe in Verona, and the Castle Scaligeri, on a small peninsula in nearby Sirmione. The name of della Scala will adorn various things throughout the city and though they were an important family for some time, today they are a footnote in history. Their impressive tombs lie just off the Piazza di Signori and are viewable all year to anyone passing by.
On the street leading from the Piazza delle Erbe to the Piazza del Signori and hanging in the Arco Della Costa, there is an interesting and amusing tidbit of Verona lore. A whalebone, a rib, hangs from a chain at the bottom of the arch. It has been there for centuries, how long exactly we have not been able to discover.
The arch itself is the bottom of a walkway between two buildings, the old city hall and the magistrate’s office. The walkway was constructed so that the officials of the city would not have to descend to the earth and walk amongst the common folk when going between the two buildings. There is a folktale about the whalebone that says it will fall on the first just, innocent, or truthful person to walk under it. As of yet, despite millions of passerby’s, including popes and other clergy, the bone has stayed in place. Nobody’s perfect.
Bridges of Verona
There are several bridges of particular note in Verona, both for their age and their construction. The Ponte di Vecchio is a 14th century bridge featuring three arches in its span. Damaged in the second World War it was reconstructed and repaired to its former state, and today is an impressive pedestrian walkway.
A second impressive river crossing of note is the Ponte Pietra. Originally built in the first century BC this bridge was also damaged in World War II when retreating Nazi Germany destroyed four of its five arches. It too has been restored with original materials and is an excellent representation of the enduring construction left by the Romans.
The Castelvecchio Museum is located on the southern end of the Ponte di Vecchio. It holds numerous sculptures and other notable works of art, and is included in the Verona Card, which we cover in detail below.
The Verona football club, also known as Hellas Verona, plays in Serie A which is the the top soccer league in Italy. They play at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on the west side of the city. Founded in 1903, Hellas Verona are the premier sporting team in Verona and, as of now, host the other top flight teams for a ticket price that can be somewhat cheaper than the larger metro areas.
How to Get Around Verona
It is unlikely that you are going to be flying directly into Valerio Catullo Airport. If you are it is only 15 minutes by car and 30 minutes by train to get into the older sections of the city, where most of the tourist destinations are. If you are coming by train or by bus, as most people will end up doing, then
If you’re going to spend a day or longer in Verona, we suggest investing in the Verona Card. The card is similar in function to many other city passes. It comes in a 24 hour (€27) or 48 (€32) hour version, and grants the user unlimited access to the city buses. So if you’re coming by train, this can be a great time and money saver. In addition, it grants the holder free access to the Arena, Juliet’s House, the Castelvecchio, the Museo Archeologico, and the Teatro Romano among many other sites and places. There is a secondary list of places where the Verona Card allows the holder to visit for a reduced price. For a full list, follow the link above. If you plan on using the bus even a couple of times and visiting two of these places, the Verona Card pays for itself.
There are limitations to the Verona Card of course, so go to their website and do your research to see if it is right for you. If you buy the Card online, you will be provided with a receipt and voucher, but will need to pick up the actual card at a Tourist Office in Verona. You could start your tour of the city at Juliet’s House, and pick up your card there.
If, like us, you are only passing through Verona, you may need a place to store your bags. There is luggage storage available at the train station itself, and there are many services that are available further into the city. We used the service Bounce, and we were happy with. it. Plan on paying at least €2/hour, and probably a little more for the service, wherever you get it. Look around though, prices will vary.