Verona is the city where the story of Romeo and Juliet is imagined. Shakespeare made it famous as the city of love through his play, though it’s unlikely that he ever saw the city.
So, where is Verona?
Verona is about 120 km from Venice towards Milan, in the province of Veneto in Northern Italy. It is easy to reach no matter where you are coming from. The train ride takes between 1 and 2 hours from both Venice and Milan. Check the schedules or buy your train tickets here. Furthermore, there is a small international airport in Verona.
The city is also close to Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. That makes Verona a great base to explore the lake area.
7 Things to do in Verona – The City of Romeo and Juliet
Beyond the story of Romeo and Juliet, Verona is a charming and elegant city with many things to enjoy. Here are the most popular things to do in Verona:
Piazza Bra
Piazza Bra is a broad square just outside the old city gates. The Piazza, lined with elegant palaces, restaurants, and coffee shops, is a perfect place to enjoy the atmosphere while sipping on a cappuccino.
A traditional fair takes place here every year from 11 to 13 December. Other events take place in Piazza Bra throughout the year.
The Roman Arena
This Roman Amphitheater was built in the first century AD. I’m always in awe when I see these amazing buildings, still standing after 2000 years. This particular one is still functional today, hosting music events and the famous Verona Opera Season every summer.
For a guided visit to the Roman Arena, book here.
Piazza delle Erbe
Another smaller beautiful Piazza, inside the city center this time. Piazza delle Erbe reminds me more of Piazza Campo dei Fiori in Rome, and it’s more atmospheric than Piazza Bra. The center is full of stalls selling local products, while all the sides are lined with small restaurants and bars.
Juliet’s house in Verona
Even though Romeo and Juliet were imagined by William Shakespeare, the names of the families involved in the romantic tragedy were inspired by real family names in Verona. So much so that they became real places. Today, a pilgrimage to the “house of Juliet” is a must for every traveler passing through Verona.
Juliet’s house belonged to the Cappelletti – Dal Capello family. It entered the collective memory as the house where the passionate balcony scene is placed. In reality, the famous balcony was only added in the 20th century.
In the courtyard, there is also Juliet’s bronze statue. Legend says that touching Juliet’s right breast brings love, so don’t be surprised to see people doing that. The truth is, the original statue is now inside the house, and the one in the courtyard is a copy.
The entrance to the courtyard is free. To visit the museum inside the house, you will pay a 6€ admission fee.
Ponte Castelvecchio
The red brick bridge over the Adige connects the medieval castle-Castelvecchio to the other side of the river. Also, the castle itself now hosts a museum, but the large courtyard is reason enough to visit.
Ponte Pietra
Another beautiful bridge across the Adige River is Ponte Pietra. The Romans originally built the bridge here in 100 BC. Though rebuilt a few times, part of the original structure is still there.
The Scaliger Tombs
Just outside Basilica Santa Maria Antica, you’ll find Le Arche Scaligere, a beautiful Gothic monument hosting tombs of the Scaliger family, rulers of Verona for 2 centuries.
These are just my top 7 things to do in Verona, Italy. There are many other things to discover, walking the streets of the old city or the river banks.
Where to stay in Verona
Verona is small around to walk everywhere and forget about cars and public transport. These are my 3 choices to stay in the city center and enjoy some Italian style as well.
More about Verona, Italy
The streets in the old part of Verona are made of pink and white Italian marble. That gives the city an elegant feeling. Stepping on the marble pavement, you know it’s a wealthy city.
Verona is the place Pandoro comes from, a similar to Panettone sweet bread, traditionally made for Christmas in Italy.
Don’t miss a day trip to Lake Garda from Verona. The largest lake in Italy offers a lot to discover.
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Oh, thank you for reminding me about that great city:) I have been there more than 10 years ago, I am sure I have to come back!
I loved Verona and I’d like to go back too. I’m glad I brought back good memories 🙂
Verona is such a lovely city, I go every year.. Truly an epic place..
Every year? That’s great, I’m a little jealous of you 🙂
Verona looks incredible! I went to Italy earlier this year for the first time in many years and fell completely back in love with the place. I had hoped to return in the summer – whilst that now looks doubtful, one day I know I will be back! Great post and suggestions x
Thank you, Ellie. I have the same feeling, I know I’m going back to Italy someday, hopefully soon.
Beautiful photos. Italy is on my bucket list of places to visit. I am not sure which city or which region to visit. Verona is worth taking a look at to me.
It is worth a look at and it’s easy to include in an itinerary from Venice to Milan for example. While you make up your mind, there are a few other regions of Italy I wrote about these last months 😀
Beautiful place…. Definitely I will visit… Thank you
Thank you for stopping by, glad you found a destination 🙂
Aw this makes me wanna go back to Verona & Lake Garda so bad. i went like 5/6 years ago for a school trip for Drama but we basically stayed at the hotel – I didn’t et to see Juliet’s balcony as it was soooo busy! I wanna go back and touch her boob for love – haha
Thanks for sharing x
You would need a couple of days to wonder around and see the city properly. Juliet’s house is a must, at least the courtyard 😀
Lovely review, I cannot wait to go to Verona one day!
Hope you make it there soon! Thanks for reading 😀
Verona is really high on my list for my next city break so loved reading your post!
Well, just do it as they say. It’s a beautiful place.
Oh how wonderful Verona seems – I am headed to Italy in just over a week and now I am even more excited! Italy just has ‘that charm’ doesn’t it? ♥
It does, I guess they appreciate beauty in all aspects of life and it shows. Charm is a good word that comes to mind everywhere you go in Italy. 😊
I’ve always wanted to go to Verona, being a huge Shakespeare fan! Now I want to go even more! Thanks for sharing!
It’s a place where you can definitely imagine the story 😀
Verona sounds lovely! Next time 🙂
It looks like a lovely trip. I definitely want to put this on my list.
🙂 Hope you get the chance to visit Verona soon, Linda. Thanks for reading.
Great post.
I do too.
I have not traveled much, so I enjoy reading about places far away. Verona sounds like a lovely destination.
It is a beautiful place. I hope you get the chance to travel more soon, Kelly. In the mean time, stop by again to read about Italy 🙂
Would love to visit Verona one day, one of my favourite films is Letters to Juliet which begins there & all your photos made me feel so nostalgic to watch it!
MB | http://www.megbeth.travel.blog
I like Letters to Juliet too. Did you see Under the Tuscan Sun? It’s another movie that inspired a couple of my trips to Italy, one of my favorite movies 🙂
I’ve never heard of it but I’ll definitely be giving it a go now!
Verona looks lovely place to visit, thank you for sharing of where to go 🙂
It is a beautiful place, one I’d like to visit again.
thanks so much for the recommendations about where to stay in Verona. This is so helpful as it’s a place in Italy I’ve always wanted to visit!
Hi Erin, I hope you’ll visit Verona soon. Thanks for stopping by!
Great photos! I would love to visit this city and have some Inspro to do so – hoping to be in Italy before the end of the year for a visit
That’s great news! Where are you planning to go in Italy? Besides Verona 😊
Florence Roma Pompeii .. haven’t got right into planning yet as it is a way off – any suggestions welcome 😊
Oh, tell me when you start planning, I’m sure I can help with a few suggestions. Of course, you shouldn’t miss any of the above 🙂
Thanks Anda I will!
Great info ~ thanks for putting this together ! Definitely on my bucket list
I hope you get to Verona really soon, Kathryn. It’s a beautiful place 😀
Thanks for this post. I’ve fallen in love with Verona ever since I saw Letter to Juliet. I still haven’t been but would really love to visit.
Oh, I saw the movie after being in Verona and it made me want to go back to the city and also explore Tuscany which is still on my bucket list. Thanks for reading, Corinne 😀
Definitely need to add this to my bucket list! Thank you so much for sharing – love the pictures <3 x
Hi Rachel! I’m so happy Verona made it to your bucket list, it deserves being there 🙂
So many more places I’d love to visit in Italy, Verona being one of them. It looks beautiful.
The truth is that Italy alone has too many places worth seeing for one lifetime. Verona is one of the most elegant cities I’ve ever been to and I’m starting to prefer smaller and less crowded cities to the ones completely taken over by tourists.