Verona holidays

For a collection of over 130 stores of international and Italian brands, head to the Adigeo shopping centre. It’s about 15 minutes from the historic city centre and easily accessible from the Verona Arena area by buses 51, 62, and 61 – and with shops open until late each day, it’s perfect for the seasoned shopper.

Alongside the designer stores on Via Mazzini, there are many more affordable shops and boutiques including Sisley and United Colors of Benetton. Stroll along the marbled streets and see what takes your fancy. Or for more choice, take a trip to the new Adigeo shopping mall just outside the city, which has an extensive range of stores.

Via Mazzini is the most popular shopping street of Verona. Shiny marbled walkways and sparkling shop windows line the way between Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Bra. On this busy, pedestrianised street, you’ll find all major Italian designers including the high-end Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton. Splash the cash and treat yourself in true Italian style.

Take a wander into Piazza Bra and choose one of the pavement bars for a drink. Even if you’re not planning on seeing an opera, it’s wonderful to watch the atmosphere and excitement build as others arrive. If you love people watching, Piazza delle Erbe is another great spot with bars and cafés lining the square, perfect for a laid-back evening drink.

You won’t get more of an evening atmosphere than at the Verona Arena. Famous opera performances like Carmen, Aida, Turandot and Nabucco take place throughout the summer months, and it’s best to book tickets in advance. For a memorable experience, sit higher up on the Roman stone steps to get a view across the arena.

Delicious Veronese specialities are carefully prepared with local produce – risotto radicchio uses the Vialone Nano variety of rice from Veneto – and can be accompanied by their D.O.C. range of wines, produced in the hills of Verona. Most restaurants are in the very centre of town, near the arena. And for a scenic setting, you can also grab a table on the promenade of the Adige River.

With the very best location in Verona, in the Piazza Bra, Liston 12 is an extremely well-priced restaurant overlooking the Verona Arena. Enjoy a cocktail and a pizza or pasta dish while watching everyone arrive for an evening at the opera.

Once a simple inn run by a retired fireman, Trattoria al Pompiere is a true local favourite. Cosy and rustic, it’s known for generous platters of cold cuts and cheeses, plenty of regional red wine, and classic desserts like zabaione – a light, creamy custard with a hint of Marsala – and lemon crostata, a simple citrus tart.

Hidden away on the Piazza San Zano is the Michelin-starred Casa Perbellini. This small restaurant serves exquisite 13-course tasting menus and inventive dishes at incredible prices – and you can delight in watching the chefs at work in the open kitchen.

Next to the train station is the main bus station. The service runs throughout the city and is very easy to use. You can also take a bus trip out to Lake Garda, though these longer journeys can be unreliable at times.

The train station is at the top of Piazzale Porta Nuova, a 20-minute walk from the city centre. From there, you can hop on a train to lots of places in Northern Italy, including cities like Milan (1 hour 20 minutes) and Venice (1 hour 45 minutes), as well as stunning Lake Garda (20 minutes to Peschiera).

Verona is a warren of narrow, cobbled streets and open piazzas which are best explored on foot. Use the time to admire the medieval architecture. The main sights in the city, such as the arena and Castel Vecchio, are all in the centre so they’re easy to get to.