Things to do in Verona

Verona, known as the most romantic city in the world, inspired Shakespeare. Many travels here attracted by the fact that it is the setting of the ultimate tragic love story, Romeo and Juliet. This story has indeed endowed the city with a special aura. However, beyond the romantic Verona of Shakespeare, this medieval city is the perfect destination to get to know Italy for the first time. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this northern Italian city and soak up its poetic essence. There are endless places to see and things to do in Verona. Here is a selection of the most interesting ones.

Things to see in Verona

Piazza Bra

The Piazza Bra is the largest and most famous square in Verona, located in the historic centre of the city. A wide and open space, it is home to some of the most representative buildings of the city. Such as the Arena, the communal walls, the Palazzo della Gran Guardia, Palazzo Barbieri, and the famous Ribbon, at the end of which is Via Mazzini.

The Ribbon of Verona is the long pavement that runs along the west side of Piazza Bra. It links Corso Porta Nuova with Via Mazzini. Also, this famous ribbon is due to the many bars that occupy the pavement. This, over the years, has created a large space of terraces and tables that remain all year round. It is the place to sit and have a drink and look around and is a good starting point for a trip.

Giuseppe Mazzini Street

This is the main street in the old town, which is known to be the most renowned shopping street. This pedestrian street dedicated exclusively to shopping is home to many of the most important brands such as Gucci, Etro, Vuitton, Versace and Prada.

The arena of Verona

The arena of Verona is the famous Roman amphitheatre built in 30 A.D. with a capacity of 30.000 spectators. Considered one of the best-preserved amphitheatres of Ancient Rome, it is one of the must-see places in the city.
This impressive amphitheatre still has the original seats and exterior arches. Today, thanks to its spectacular acoustics, it is still used for music concerts and opera.

Piazza delle Erbe

Next to the amphitheatre, a long, narrow pedestrian street leads from Piazza Bra to another of Verona’s most important squares, Piazza delle Erbe. Verona’s Piazza delle Erbe, or Herb Square, is a strategic point in the city. Here, many of Verona’s symbolic buildings and monuments are located. It is very representative of this square, the great variety and mixture of architectural styles found on the façades that line it. The Piazza delle erbe was formerly a Roman forum. Also, its buildings reflect the styles of all the epochs that have passed through this square.

At first glance, one of the monuments that stands out from the rest in Piazza delle erbe is the Lamberti Tower. It is one of the places in the city from which to contemplate the beauty of Verona.

The Lamberti Tower

Situated next to the Palazzo della Razione, this medieval tower, at 84 metres, is the highest tower in Verona. It dominates the old town of Verona and was built with different materials: tufa brick and marble. One of the things to do if you travel to Verona is to climb to the top of the tower and admire the views of the whole city. You can reach the top by stairs, but also by lift, for people with reduced mobility. It is open to the public every day of the year, except on 25 December.

This tower has two bells, the “Marangona” which was used to mark the working hours of the artisans. And the second one, called “Rengo”, was used to gather the Communal Council or to call the citizens to defend the city.

What to do in Juliet’s house?

This is the house where Shakespeare is believed to have set the world’s best-known tragic love story Romeo and Juliet. It is a beautiful palace from the early 13th century that belonged to a Veronese family with the surname Dal Capello. As can be read on the insignia that still remains on the façade. It was because of these two facts, the date of the palace and the surname on the insignia, that the popular legend was born that this house belonged to the “Capuletti” family of William Shakespeare’s play.

Juliet’s house is located via Cappello 23, very close to Piazza delle Erbe. Once you enter, you will see the mythical bronze statue of Juliet at the back of the luminous inner courtyard. The walls are full of messages and padlocks that visitors leave for Juliet, in the hope that their wishes will be granted. You can also climb up to Juliet’s famous balcony where the lovers swore eternal love to each other. Shakespeare does not mention the balcony in the play. But, that is how the scene is known and how it has remained in history. Be that as it may, this is one of the most important spots in the city, attracting thousands of tourists. It is advisable to arrive early so that the crowds don’t spoil the magic of the moment.

The Stone Bridge

The Stone Bridge is the oldest Roman monument in Verona and perhaps the most striking. Known in Verona as Ponte di Pietra, it is one of those places to see where it is worth stopping. The Stone Bridge of Verona has great historical value in the city as it was built during the splendour of the Roman Empire. In addition, it is a very pleasant walk, which will offer you a beautiful perspective of the city.

What to see in Castelvecchio?

This castle is a medieval building from 1354. It is situated on the banks of the river Adige, which stands out for its seven towers. This gothic-style castle also houses the most important museum in the town. The castle is connected to the impressive Castelvecchio bridge, a fortified bridge built for the powerful Scaligeri family. It is one of the must-see stops in Verona for its imposing structure and presence.

Piazza dei Signori or Square of the Lords

This is another of Verona’s important squares and was the centre of power of the Scaligeri family during the Middle Ages. It is a space surrounded by the Scaligeri palaces. It is also called Dante’s square because in the centre of the square there is a statue in honour of Dante. He is the father of the Italian language, who lived in this city for a long period of time.

The Roman Theatre

The Roman Theatre of Verona dates back to the 1st century B.C., and only a few of the stands remain. It is one of the most important monuments in the city. Also, it is the stage of some shows during the summer. It was rediscovered in the 19th century when several parts of the building were salvaged and converted into a summer theatre for the city.
Situated next to a beautiful neoclassical palace, very close to the Roman theatre, is the Giardino dei Giusti. This is a peaceful garden to stroll in and enjoy the Renaissance-style surroundings.

San Pietro Castle viewpoint

Located on the hill of San Pietro, the San Pietro Castle is one of the main stops in Verona. In addition, it offers the most representative perspective of the city. It is located about 15 minutes’ walk from the historic city centre and acts as a viewpoint for visitors. In addition, it is easily accessible on foot, although there is also a funicular railway. Also, it is located about 15 minutes walk from the historic city centre. It is an essential place to see in Verona, from where you can see a complete panorama of the city that will make you fall even more in love with Verona.

Basilica of St. Zeno

This is another of Verona’s landmarks and is considered the most famous religious building in the city. According to Shakespeare’s play, this was the place where Romeo and Juliet were secretly married. It was built and rebuilt between the 5th and 12th century, and has a captivating façade.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see in and around Verona?

If you have time to visit Verona, one thing that will complete your trip in a charming way is a visit to Lake Garda. This lake is lesser-known but just as moving as Lake Como, and the largest of the Italian lakes. Lake Garda, surrounded by beautiful and captivating villages, is the summer resort for many Italians. Among all the towns of Lake Garda, we highlight Perchiera del Garda and Sirmione, which is the best known.

Peschiera del Garda

Peschiera del Garda is a town on Lake Garda and one of the most characteristic and beautiful towns in the area. This town has a wall that is a world heritage site and a beautiful historic centre. Peschiera del Garda is a small and picturesque village that can be visited in a morning or an afternoon, although it invites you to stay and enjoy it all day long. Moreover, it is a charming medieval village, perfect for a day trip. Also, it is one of the easiest to visit because it is very well connected to Verona. It is about half an hour by car from Verona and 16 minutes by train.

Sirmione

Known as the “Pearl of Garda” for the beauty of the surrounding landscape and for the harmony of the houses, streets and squares that compose it. Located south of Lake Garda, Sirmione takes you back in time with the beautiful gardens that border it, the path that leads to the Villa Vecchia, the Castle, the Grotte di Catullo, and its wonderful historic centre. It is a magical place to spend a peaceful and carefree day. It is about 50 minutes by car and 55 minutes by train.

What is the typical food in Verona?

Besides being a city rich in art and culture, Verona is also known for its cuisine of traditional dishes and good wine.

Risotto with tastasal is a typical dish of Verona’s cuisine, this risotto is made with minced pork meat, salted and seasoned. The potato gnocchis of Verona are also a classic and traditional recipe of Verona’s gastronomy. It is a very typical recipe in the cuisine of Italian families and is usually present in most celebrations. The most recommended restaurants to try the recipes that characterise the city of Verona are; Il Ciottolo of varied Italian food, located very close to Piazza Bra. La Risotteria Porto Mancino, to taste the typical Veronese Risotto, and La Bottega della Gina for authentic gnocchi.

What to see in Verona in 1 day?

If you can only enjoy this exciting city for one day, it is important that you see what best defines Verona. First enter Juliet’s House and climb its famous balcony to avoid the queues, then Piazza delle erbe and climb the Lamberti Tower to get a panoramic view of the city. Then enter the beautiful Piazza Bra, and see the arena of Verona, and to end the day stroll along the ponte di piedra to the Castel de San Pietro for the best view of the city.

What to see in Verona in 2 days?

In a two-day trip to Verona you will have just enough time to get to know it completely and enjoy it, and you will want to come back.

Route day 1: Juliet’s House, Piazza delle Erbe, Lamberti Tower, Piazza dei Signori, Castelvechio and Basilica of San Zeno.

Route day 2: Piazza Bra, Via Mazzini, Verona’s Arena, Ponte di Pietra, Roman Theatre and San Pietro’s Belvedere.

How to organise what to see in Verona?

If you don’t know how to organise your trip, or where to start to visit all the points of interest in Verona, download the Passporter App and we will help you.

• First of all, get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Then, create your own itinerary and add the suggestions of the app to it.
• Also, add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest that we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Later, organise your itinerary by days of the route according to its location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
• In addition, you can check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited on your trip to the app to inspire other users.

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