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Your guide to Verona’s best bits
Romeo and Juliet may have helped put Verona on the map, but there’s so much more to the city than Shakespeare’s star-crossed couple. We’re talking a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can discover over 2,000 years of history, from Medieval piazzas to impressively preserved Roman buildings. Inspired? Here’s what you need to know to spend a day in the ‘city of love’.
Where is Verona?
Verona’s in northern Italy, just east of Lake Garda’s southern shore, so it’s perfectly placed to visit during your getaway. Catch a direct bus from Sirmione or Bardolino to get there in around an hour, or take a 20-minute train from Desenzano instead. If you fancy being picked up from your hotel and seeing the sights with a local guide, why not book a day trip to Verona?
Top things to see and do in Verona
Whether you’re on the lookout for souvenirs, the next photo opp or the best local eats around, this centuries-old city has you covered.
Must-see sites
Go-to viewpoints
Shops and markets
Food and drink
Verona Arena
There’s no missing this historical highlight that stands in the centre of the grand Piazza Brà. Back in Roman times, over 30,000 people packed out the amphitheatre to watch public games and celebrations, and it’s so well-preserved that it still hosts regular opera performances. The building’s open to the public during the day, so head inside to get a gladiator’s-eye view of the stands from the centre.
Juliet's balcony
The balcony of this 13th-century townhouse in the centre of Verona may only have been added in 1935 for the first film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, but that hasn’t stopped it becoming a must-visit for fans of the world’s favourite love story. It definitely looks the part, and you can even step out onto it to recreate the famous balcony scene for yourself. Then afterwards, pop back inside the house to check out some original costumes from the film.
Giusti Garden
Overlooking the city are these hilltop gardens that date way back to 1591. They haven’t changed much over the years and the gravel paths, clipped hedges and fountains look just as they did in Shakespeare’s day. Pay a small fee to get inside, then stroll down tree-shaded avenues to get to the centre, where you can have a go at finding your way through a hedge maze. It’s one of the oldest in Europe, and legend has it that couples who manage to meet in the middle of the maze are destined to stay together.
Piazzale Castel San Pietro
Used as a lookout spot by everyone from Napoleon to the Romans, the summit of St Pietro hill is your go-to place to get panoramic city views. It’s a 10-minute walk up steps and winding alleyways to get there – or you can pay a few euros for a round trip on the funicular instead. At the top, it’s cameras at the ready as you gaze across the river, with its four ancient bridges, to the tiled roofs and bell towers of the city beyond.
The Lamberti Tower
This has been the city’s tallest building since it was built back in 1172 and there’s nowhere better if you’re after a bird’s-eye view of the Old Town. Climb the stairs (or hop in the lift) to take in the cityscape of alleyways and terracotta rooftops – and look out for the brightly decorated houses in one corner of the square below. In medieval times, livening up the outside of your home with eye-catching colours was all the rage, so it’s easy to imagine why Verona was called ‘the painted city’ back then.
Piazza delle Erbe
Venture into Verona’s Old Town and this lively piazza is one of the first places that you’ll come to. The daily market that’s held here dates back to Roman times, when local famers gathered to trade the herbs that helped give the square its name. There’s a lot more to tempt you nowadays though, so bring along your tote and browse canvas-covered stalls selling everything from leatherwork to cheeses and freshly baked bread.
Giuseppe Mazzini Street
Want to check out the latest fashions? Make a beeline for Verona’s most popular shopping street, Via Mazzini. Running through the centre of the Old Town, with Piazza delle Erbe at one end and Piazza Brà at the other, its shining shopfronts showcase a who’s who of Italian designers, from Versace to Gucci. Splash the cash on this season’s must-have accessories or stick to window shopping as you stroll along its marbled pavements, past boutiques decked with vines and hanging baskets.
Where to eat and drink in Verona
Whether you’re lunching on salads and slices of pizza or sipping a proper Italian coffee, tucking in like a local is the order of the day in Verona. Tempt your taste buds at these top spots.
Fresh pastries at Pasticceria Flego
There’s no shortage of baked goodies to try at this pick, but if you’re after something classically local, try Veronese cake. Made from a crisp pastry shell filled with a scoop of rice pudding, it’s sweet, rich and really moreish. You’ll find three branches of Pasticceria Flego dotted around the city, but our fave is the one on Via Stella in the Old Town – it’s got tables outside so you can sit and watch the world go by.
Scoop of the day at Gelateria Ponte Pietra
If you’re after some standout Italian gelato, check out this spot near the Ponte Pietra bridge, where they make it fresh each day right there in the shop. You’ll find all the Italian classics, from biscotti to a vanilla and chocolate flake combo called stracciatella. Whatever you pick, you won’t be able to resist that extra scoop. Or if you fancy switching things up, you can order an ice-cream sandwich to get your favourite flavour served in a brioche bun instead.
Filling focaccia at La Figaccia
A grab-and-go lunch is just the thing if you’ve only got one day in Verona – and this crowd-pleasing pick five minutes’ walk from Piazza Brà ticks all the boxes. Sandwiches done Italian style are the speciality here, so get set for chunky slabs of warm focaccia chock-full of whatever you fancy, from gooey cheese to cured ham and tangy sundried tomatoes. Simple and delish.
Al fresco tipples at Terrazza Bar al Ponte
Take a spritz stop at this little bar-cum-bistro that’s right by the riverside. The flower-decked terrace has a great view of the Pointe Pietra bridge, as well as St Pietro hill on the opposite bank. Plus, there’s a great menu of antipasti, so you can pair your drink with a platter of tasty nibbles.
Fall in love with fair Verona on your next Lake Garda holiday.
Want an expert local guide to show you the sights? Take a look at our top TUI experiences and add a guided tour to your trip.
Author: Mathew Robinson
Last updated: 18/03/2024