When people say Verona, you inevitably think of Romeo and Juliet. But, if Verona is known worldwide for being the city of the famous lovers of Shakespeare, it is also considered one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Between superb squares, charming little streets, arenas, Roman remains and of course Juliet's balcony, Verona knows how to seduce its visitors. To guide you in organizing your next trip to Verona, we have prepared a selection of the main points of interest to visit in Verona. In this article, you will also find some practical advice to prepare your stay well and ideas of places to visit around Verona.
Summary:
- Juliet's House
- Verona Arena
- The Piazza delle Erbe
- The Lamberti Tower
- The Castelvecchio
- The Scaliger Bridge
- The Giusti Garden
- The Cathédrale Santa Maria Matricolare
- The Ponte Pietra
- The Porte Borsari
- The Church of Sant'Anastasia
- The view from Castel San Pietro
Practical tips for visiting Verona
- How to come to Verona?
- What is the best season to visit Verona?
- How long to visit Verona?
- Where to sleep in Verona?
Opt for a city pass and simplify your visit to Verona. Free entries, discounts and other advantages for your stay in Verona. Book your pass
Visit Verona: what to do?
If the historic center of Verona can be visited very well by strolling without a map in the small alleys with Italian charm, many buildings are also essential to discover during your trip. To help you spot them, we present a list of the main sites not to be missed during your next visit to Verona.
- Juliet's House
- Verona Arena
- The Piazza delle Erbe
- The Lamberti Tower
- The Castelvecchio
- The Scaliger Bridge
- The Giusti Garden
- The Cathédrale Santa Maria Matricolare
- The Ponte Pietra
- The Porte Borsari
- The Church of Sant'Anastasia
- The view from Castel San Pietro
Juliet's House
Juliet's house, or casa di Giulietta in Italian, is a palace dating from the XNUMXth century which belonged to the Cappello family, which can be translated as Capulet in French, therefore one of the two famous rival families of Romeo and Juliet, the Shakespeare's work. Located on Calle Cappello in the historic center of the city, a visit to Juliet's Balcony is absolutely a must for any visitor to Verona. If there is a charge to visit Juliette's house, you can nevertheless enter the courtyard for free to admire the famous balcony. The opportunity also to touch the left breast of the bronze statue of Juliet. You will then notice that it is impossible to take the wrong side since it has changed color as it has been touched by visitors looking for love. According to legend, touching this statue located in the courtyard of Juliet's house would bring you eternal love and fertility. You can also like many tourists in love leave sweet messages on small papers.
Note that if you visit Juliette's house, you will have the opportunity to climb onto the balcony and play romantic for a photo.
To continue in Shakespeare's footsteps, be sure to visit Romeo's house, even if it cannot be visited. Indeed, the house that the Montaigu family would have lived in is also in the center of Verona a few small streets from that of Juliette. You will find just a plaque reminding you that this pretty house from the Middle Ages was once that of the Montaigu family.
Book your Romeo and Juliet guided tour
Verona Arena
Particularly well preserved, the Roman amphitheater is one of the emblematic monuments of the city and can be considered a mini Colosseum. These Arenas, which held 30 people in Roman times, can now be visited all year round and offer a rich cultural programme. So, if you are in Verona on a show night, we strongly advise you to attend a performance instead of a simple visit to the Roman building. With its exceptional acoustics, the amphitheater hosts the Verona Festival every year as well as numerous opera performances. What to discover the Arena of Verona in a grandiose way.
Note that the Arena of Verona is located in Piazza Bra, one of the most beautiful and large squares in the city. With a garden and many restaurants, we also recommend that you take your time in this magnificent square when you come to the Roman amphitheater.
The Piazza delle Erbe
Verona's central square, Piazza delle Erbe housed the forum in Roman times. This superb square is thus the oldest in the city and is today a must for locals and visitors alike with its colorful houses and its entertainment. On this lively square day and night, you will find the Tower of the Lamberti as well as many cafes. In the center of Piazza delle Erbe, the lion of Saint Mark sits proudly. Finally, be sure to take the time to stroll through the city's famous market, which is set up in this square every day.
The Lamberti Tower
From the top of its 84 meters, the Lamberti Tower dominates Verona. Located in Piazza delle Erbe, it offers a magnificent 360° view of the whole city and its surroundings from its summit. To visit the Torre dei Lamberti and climb the bell tower, two solutions are available to you. You can first take a panoramic elevator. You also have the possibility of climbing the 368 steps of the staircase on foot for the bravest. Note that your admission ticket to the Lamberti Tower also allows you to visit the Modern Art Gallery which is located a few steps away.
Book your ticket for the Lamberti Tower
The Castelvecchio
Located on the banks of the Adige River, the Castelvecchio is a magnificent building dating back to medieval times. Very well preserved, this XNUMXth century red brick castle now houses the town's Municipal Museum. On entering the Castelvecchio, you can therefore admire many works of art between paintings and sculptures by Pisanello, Bellini or Veronese among others. This museum also offers an interesting room of weapons and armor to immerse you in the history of the city. Don't miss a short break in the pretty gardens of the castle at the edge of one of its ponds.
The Scaliger Bridge
As an extension of the Castelvecchio, the Ponte Scaligero is built with the same red bricks as the castle. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this bridge is a true work of art reminiscent of the medieval era of Verona with its battlements and guard posts. We therefore advise you to take the time to admire this magnificent fortified bridge and cross it to offer you a view of Castelvecchio and the Adige River. And, if you are in Verona in the evening, we strongly suggest that you return to see the Scaliger Bridge since the lighting set up on the building highlights it beautifully.
The Giusti Garden
We then give you an appointment in one of our favorite gardens for a moment of relaxation in a unique setting. Across the Adige River from the historic center, the Giardino Giusti overlooks Verona and is considered a must-see among Renaissance-era landscape gardens. In these sculpted gardens, you can treat yourself to a real moment of calm in the middle of the cypresses. Caves, fountains and a labyrinth add even more charm to the Jardin Giusti.
Book your entrance to the Giusti GardenThe Cathédrale Santa Maria Matricolare
Also called the Duomo, the Santa Maria Matricolare Cathedral is located a few lanes from the heart of the historic district. It therefore seems impossible to visit Verona without taking the time to pass in front of the magnificent facade of the building. If you want to visit the interior, know that the entrance is paying and will cost you 2,5 euros.
The Ponte Pietra
Another magnificent bridge to see in Verona, the Stone Bridge or Ponte Pietra in Italian, is one of the entrances to the historic district. Rebuilt identically after the Second World War, this bridge was originally built in Roman times. A red brick part also dates from the Middle Ages to offer an interesting architectural mix.
The Porte Borsari
If you choose to enter through the Borsari gate in the center of Verona, you will then take one of the historic accesses to the city. Perfectly preserved, the Porta Borsari has indeed been an entrance to the city since the time of Ancient Rome. Even if you arrive by another place in the center, we advise you to go and see this historical monument in perfect condition.
Discover Verona with a guided tourThe Church of Sant'Anastasia
Known for its frescoes, the Church of Sant'Anastasia is also the largest in the city. Built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, this Gothic-style building is a must for lovers of Italian art. The church indeed offers its visitors a collection of exceptional frescoes.
The view from Castel San Pietro
Finally, if you are looking for a wonderful view of Verona, we suggest you go up the hill to Castel San Pietro. From there, you can admire a unique panorama of the whole city and the surrounding area.
What to visit around Verona?
Now that you know a little more about the places to visit in Verona, we strongly advise you to take advantage of the proximity of Lake Garda to discover the region for a day or more. We therefore offer you two ideas for excursions around Verona.
A day at Lake Garda
Verona is located near Lake Garda which is none other than the largest lake in Italy with an area of 368 km2. In the Italian Alps, this lake is a paradise for tourists with many leisure options in a dream setting. Between nautical activities, visits to the charming towns that border it, hiking, swimming or even cruises, you will inevitably find what you are looking for around Lake Garda. On our side, we advise you to go and discover Sirmione, one of the most popular destinations for tourists and to take a cruise on the lake.
Book your tripA day in the Gardaland amusement park
Another idea for a day near Verona, you can go and enjoy the Gardaland amusement park. Located in Castelnuovo del Garda, this theme park offers 34 attractions and numerous show and entertainment areas. Between roller coasters, water attractions, shows and walks in the different worlds offered by the park, Gardaland promises you a wonderful day of relaxation with family or friends.
Entrance to Gardaland ParkPractical tips for visiting Verona
Before concluding this article, we will answer some practical questions that will help you in preparing for your stay in Verona.
- How to come to Verona?
- What is the best season to visit Verona?
- How long to visit Verona?
- Where to sleep in Verona?
How to come to Verona?
The city of Verona is located between Milan and Venice. To reach it, several options are available to you: plane, train or even car!- By plane : the airport is located about ten kilometers from the city center, which is therefore very convenient. Different flights serve the city, but you will have to make at least one stopover, often in Germany or Italy. Book your plane ticket to Verona
- By train or bus : if you prefer to travel on land when in the air, you will have possibilities from France. Buses or trains with change will allow you to connect cities like Lyon or Paris to Verona. For fans of night journeys, some buses offer to leave in the evening and you will wake up in Verona. The main advantage is that it is direct. Book your train or bus ticket
- By car : last possibility, which can turn out to be very practical if you are not far from the Italian border, to go to Verona by car. Located 6 hours by road from Lyon for example, you will have the advantage of having a vehicle on site to visit the surroundings. Rent a car in Verona
What is the best season to visit Verona?
Verona is located in the northern part of Italy, not far from the Alps and in the Italian Lakes region. The climate will therefore be rather hot and stormy in summer; and cold and wet in winter. If you want to take advantage of the city, then plan a stay on sunny days, from June to September approximately.How long to visit Verona?
The city of Verona can be visited rather quickly. If you want to take a walk in its historic center and take the time to visit the main unmissable places presented in this article, then plan around 2 days. If you also want to plan excursions in the surrounding area, such as Lake Garda for example, then add one or even two days.Where to sleep in Verona?
The accommodation possibilities in Verona are quite diverse, which is why we have decided to dedicate a specific article to answering this question. Article: Where to stay in VeronaAll accommodations in Verona
To conclude this article dedicated to the visit of Verona, I would say that this city is to be visited. Perhaps less famous than its neighbors Milan and Venice, it has just as much charm and has some nice surprises in store for you. An ideal destination for an extended weekend, Verona will appeal to couples, romantic souls and lovers of history and architecture. Tell us in the comments if you know this city and what you preferred to visit in Verona.
