UNESCO-listed city on the Adige with a Roman arena, Scaliger castles and the legend of Romeo and Juliet
Verona wears its two thousand years lightly. At its heart, the Roman Arena rises above the broad Piazza Bra, still used for opera and concerts under the stars. From there, elegant shopping streets lead to the market square of Piazza delle Erbe, the medieval Lamberti tower and the courtyard with the balcony linked to Shakespeare's Juliet.
The historic centre sits within a loop of the fast-flowing Adige river, crossed by the Roman Ponte Pietra and overlooked by hills with views across rooftops and church towers. It is compact, walkable and less crowded than Venice, making it a rewarding day trip or a relaxed base for exploring Lake Garda and the Veneto.
A small settlement became a Roman municipium in the 1st century BC, and Verona grew into an important city on the routes between Italy and northern Europe. Its Roman legacy is one of the richest in northern Italy, including the Arena, the Roman Theatre, the Porta Borsari gate and the Ponte Pietra.
In the 13th and 14th centuries the della Scala (Scaliger) family ruled the city, rebuilding its walls and leaving monuments such as Castelvecchio, begun in 1354 by Cangrande II. Verona came under Venice in 1405 and remained part of the Venetian Republic for nearly four centuries. Its continuous development over two millennia led UNESCO to inscribe the City of Verona as a World Heritage site in 2000.
Veronese life plays out in its squares, from the morning market stalls of Piazza delle Erbe to the evening passeggiata along Via Mazzini and Piazza Bra. The city is the capital of a major wine area that includes Valpolicella and Soave, and wine is central to local culture. The passageway to Juliet's courtyard is covered in love notes left by visitors from around the world.
Start at Piazza Bra and visit the Arena on a day without performances, then walk Via Mazzini to Piazza delle Erbe and climb the Torre dei Lamberti. Cross the Ponte Pietra to the Roman Theatre and continue up the hill for sunset views over the river and the old town.
In summer, an evening opera performance in the Arena is an unforgettable experience; bring a cushion for the stone steps if you buy unreserved seats. Castelvecchio's museum, the Romanesque Basilica of San Zeno and riverside walks round out a two-day visit.
April to June and September to October offer the most comfortable weather for walking. The summer opera season in the Arena runs mainly from June to early September and brings lively evenings, but also heat and higher prices. December is pleasant for Christmas markets, while January and February are cold and quiet.
Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.
General guidance from our specialists, not official information.
Verona Porta Nuova railway station is about 15-20 minutes' walk or a short bus ride from Piazza Bra. Lake Garda lies around 30 km to the west, and the Valpolicella wine area is just north of the city. Piazza delle Erbe hosts market stalls, and the streets around it are full of cafes and shops. Venice is roughly an hour by fast train.
Italy · 2 nights4★ HotelItaly · 7 nights4★ HotelItaly · 7 nights4★ HotelThis guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.
