Verona is a historic city in northern Italy on the river Adige, famed for the romantic story of Romeo and Juliet, a Roman arena and medieval palaces. The old centre is a UNESCO site and strolling the cobbled streets among Renaissance squares and towers is a joy. The arena of the first century still serves for opera performances and is one of the best places in Europe for the experience of music under the stars. Verona lies half an hour by train from Lake Garda and an hour and a half from Venice and Milan, so it is an ideal base for trips. In the surroundings Valpolicella and Soave wine are grown. The best time is April to June and September to October; in summer it is hot and in winter foggy, but the pre-Christmas markets are magical. From Prague direct flights run in an hour and a half and by car it is around seven hundred and fifty kilometres. You pay in euros and prices are mid-range.
The places worth your time in Verona, and what to expect at each
Piazza Brà
A Roman amphitheatre of the first century, the third largest surviving in the world, with a capacity of thirty thousand spectators. Today it hosts opera festivals in summer and tours all year. It is the symbol of the city and the best monument.
Tip: Entry costs about ten euros. For the opera book months ahead; cheaper are places on the stone steps. Bring a cushion and a jacket for the evening.
centre
A Gothic house of the thirteenth century with a balcony that is linked with the character of Juliet in Shakespeare's play. The courtyard is full of tourists, the walls are covered in messages and the statue of Juliet is worn by touch. It is the most visited place in Verona.
Tip: The courtyard is free; the balcony and house cost about ten euros. Come early in the morning, when there are fewer people. Touching the statue is said to bring luck in love.
centre
The oldest square in Verona, a former Roman forum, ringed by baroque palaces, a fountain and a tower. Today there is a market and cafés. It is the heart of the city and the loveliest place for coffee.
Tip: In the morning a market is held. Coffee on the square is pricier; go into a side lane. In the evening the square is lit.
Piazza delle Erbe
A tower eighty-four metres high from the twelfth century by Piazza delle Erbe, from whose top there is a view of the roofs and the river. A lift or stairs lead up. It is the best viewpoint in the city.
Tip: Entry costs about eight euros; the lift is comfortable. Come at sunset.
centre
A Roman stone bridge of the first century BC over the Adige, partly rebuilt after the war. It is the oldest bridge in the city and a picturesque place at sunset. Behind the bridge is the Roman theatre.
Tip: Go in the evening, when the light is golden. From the bridge there is a view of San Pietro hill.
centre
A medieval castle of the fourteenth century on the bank of the Adige, today a museum of paintings, sculpture and weapons. The Ponte Scaligero bridge is a great place for photographs. The modern alterations were designed by Carlo Scarpa.
Tip: Entry costs about six euros. The museum is closed on Monday. Walk up on the ramparts and onto the bridge.
San Zeno
A Romanesque basilica of the twelfth century, one of the loveliest in Italy, with bronze doors and a famous altarpiece by Andrea Mantegna. The interior is calm and lovely. It lies away from the main tourist bustle.
Tip: Entry costs about five euros. Walk from the centre in twenty minutes and combine with a stroll by the river.
centre
A Roman theatre of the first century BC with a viewpoint above the city and the Renaissance garden Giardino Giusti with cypresses, a maze and fountains. Both offer calm and a view. The garden is a hidden gem.
Tip: Combine both in one afternoon. Entry to the garden costs about eight euros. There are fewer tourists than at the arena.
centre
A Romanesque-Gothic cathedral of the twelfth century with a marble portal and Titian's painting of the Assumption. It is calm and little visited. Next to it is the baptistery.
Tip: Entry is part of the combined ticket for Verona churches (Verona Chiese). Come in the morning and cover shoulders and knees.
Photos: The Verona Arena — Claconvr (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta) — Mauzzan (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Piazza delle Erbe — Didier Descouens (CC BY-SA 4.0) · The Lamberti Tower — Oliver Twentyman (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Ponte Pietra — Raphael Andres (CC BY 3.0) · Castelvecchio — Arne Müseler (CC BY-SA 3.0 de) · San Zeno Basilica — This Photo was taken by Andrea Bertozzi. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me (CC BY-SA 4.0) · The Roman Theatre and Giardino Giusti — Garden tourist (CC BY 2.0) · Verona Cathedral — Arne Müseler (CC BY-SA 3.0 de)
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Best for: monuments and shops
The area around the arena, Piazza delle Erbe and Juliet's House with hotels and restaurants. Everything is at hand. Best for a first visit.
Best for: students and calm
The district beyond Ponte Pietra with the Roman theatre, the university and cheaper hotels. It is lively and prices lower. A good choice for the young.
Best for: calm and authenticity
A quiet district by the basilica with small restaurants and pubs. It is authentic and cheaper. Suits a longer stay.
Best for: calm and parks
A residential district across the river with parks and lower prices. The centre is ten minutes' walk. Suits families.
Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN) is twelve kilometres from the centre, with flights from Prague. A bus runs to the centre in twenty minutes. A train runs from Verona Porta Nuova to Venice in an hour and a quarter and to Milan in an hour and a half. By car from the Czech Republic it is around seven hundred and fifty kilometres through Austria and the Brenner. You need an Austrian motorway vignette.
Verona Villafranca (VRN) · 12 km
The centre of Verona can be walked in a day. City buses run to the station and districts. Trains run to Lake Garda, Venice and Milan. Bikes are rented. For the Valpolicella vineyards a car or an organised trip is handy.
Useful apps: Google Maps, Trenitalia, Italo, Moovit
Verona has a mild continental climate with a hot summer and a cold winter. In July it is around thirty-one degrees, in January around six and often foggy. The best time is April to June and September to October. In summer opera festivals are held.
Best time
April to June and September to October
What to avoid
January (fog and cold)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 6° | 9° | 14° | 19° | 24° | 28° | 31° | 30° | 25° | 19° | 12° | 7° |
| Night | -1° | 0° | 4° | 8° | 13° | 17° | 19° | 19° | 15° | 10° | 5° | 0° |
| Rainy days | 50 | 55 | 60 | 85 | 90 | 75 | 60 | 75 | 70 | 85 | 80 | 50 |
Verona cooking is north Italian: risotto, gnocchi, horse meat and wine. A main dish costs fifteen to thirty euros. People drink Valpolicella, Amarone and Soave.
Risotto all'Amarone
Risotto cooked with Amarone wine, dark and intense. A typical dish of Verona.
Pastissada de caval
Horse meat stewed in red wine, a traditional Veronese speciality. Served with polenta.
Bigoli
Thick pasta of wholemeal flour, served with anchovies or duck sauce. A traditional dish of the region.
Gnocchi
Potato dumplings, in Verona eaten at the Bacanal del Gnoco festival. Served with butter and sage.
Pandoro
A sweet yeast cake in the shape of a star from Verona, a traditional Christmas dessert. Dusted with sugar.
Amarone
A strong red wine from dried Valpolicella grapes. Drunk with meat and cheese.
Soave
A fresh white wine from around Verona. Suits fish and light dishes.
Espresso
€1.2–2
Lunch in a trattoria
€15–30
Risotto
€12–18
A beer
€4–6
Arena (entry)
€10
Opera in the arena
€30–200
3★ hotel (night)
€100–200
Bus from the airport
€6
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
1 day
2 days
3 days
Lake Garda
30 km · 30 min by train
Italy's largest lake with the towns of Sirmione, Peschiera and Malcesine. It suits a full-day trip.
Venice
120 km · 1 hr 15 min by train
A city on water with the Grand Canal, St Mark's Square and gondolas. It suits a full-day trip.
Valpolicella
15 km · 30 min by car
A wine region with the famous red Amarone. It suits half a day with a tasting.
Two days suffice for the centre, the arena and Juliet's House. For Lake Garda or Valpolicella add a day. Verona is a good base for northern Italy.
By direct flights in an hour and a half or by car, around seven hundred and fifty kilometres through Austria. You need an Austrian motorway vignette. By train via Munich and the Brenner.
April to June and September to October. In summer opera festivals are held in the arena, but it is hot. In December there are markets.
Online on the official site arena.it, ideally months ahead. Cheaper are places on the stone steps. For a performance bring a cushion.
It is mid-range: lunch costs fifteen to thirty euros, a hotel a hundred to two hundred euros a night. Cheapest is accommodation out of the centre.
No, it is a tourist attraction; the balcony was added in the twentieth century. Even so it is a favourite place. The story comes from Shakespeare's play.
Yes, it is small and safe, with an arena and a tower. Children will enjoy Lake Garda and the Gardaland theme park. The pedestrian zone is comfortable.
Yes, by train to Peschiera in half an hour or by bus to Sirmione. It is a popular full-day trip. Boat cruises run daily.
Vérifiez les conditions de visa actuelles pour entrer dans ce pays.
Vérifier les conditions de visaLangue
Italian
Devise
EUR
Fuseau
Europe/Rome
Indicatif
+39
Population
59M
Superficie
301,340 km²
Tension
230V / 50Hz
Côté de conduite
Droite
