Explore Verona: The Best Things to Do in Italy’s City of Romeo and Juliet

Begin with the Arena di Verona, a 1st-century Roman amphitheatre and one of the best-preserved in the world, still hosting opera and concerts for up to 22,000 spectators. Explore the Roman Theatre across the river and trace the city's two-thousand-year history through its ancient gates and streets.

Verona is the setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and visiting Juliet's House on Via Cappello is one of the most popular things to do in the city. See the famous balcony, leave a note on the love-letter wall, and touch the bronze statue of Juliet for luck before wandering the romantic lanes of the old town.

Soak up the atmosphere of Piazza delle Erbe, Verona's market square since Roman times, then climb the 84-metre Torre dei Lamberti for panoramic views over the red rooftops. Stroll to the elegant Piazza dei Signori, the Scaliger Tombs, and across the Adige via the medieval Ponte Pietra and Ponte Scaligero.

Taste your way through Veronese cuisine: risotto all'Amarone, pastissada de caval, and bigoli with duck ragù, paired with the region's celebrated reds. Browse the stalls of Piazza delle Erbe, settle in for aperitivo under the arches of Via Sottoriva, and toast with a glass of Valpolicella or Amarone.

Catch a summer opera under the stars at the Arena di Verona Opera Festival, climb to Castel San Pietro for the best sunset view over the city, and follow the Adige past Castelvecchio. From open-air performances to riverside walks, these experiences reveal a different side of Verona beyond its landmarks.

The heart of Verona, the Città Antica is a UNESCO-listed maze of Roman ruins, medieval lanes, and Renaissance squares. Stay here for a five-minute walk to the Arena di Verona, Piazza delle Erbe, and Juliet's House, plus the city's most atmospheric cafés and trattorias right on your doorstep.

On the eastern bank of the Adige, Veronetta is Verona's youthful, student-driven quarter, full of affordable trattorias, wine bars, and street art. It's a great-value base and the gateway to the Roman Theatre and the climb up to Castel San Pietro for sweeping views of the old town.

Across the river to the north, Borgo Trento is Verona's elegant residential district, lined with Art Nouveau villas and leafy streets. Quieter and more local than the centre, it's ideal for families and travellers who want peaceful evenings while staying within walking distance of the main sights.

A characterful neighbourhood west of the centre, San Zeno is built around the magnificent Romanesque Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore. With its local markets, relaxed squares, and authentic osterias, it offers a more residential, lived-in side of Verona away from the busiest tourist routes.

Just south of the Arena and Piazza Bra, Cittadella blends the historic centre with everyday Verona. It's a convenient, well-connected area for shopping along Corso Porta Nuova, with easy access to the Arena and a short walk to Porta Nuova station, making it handy for visitors arriving by train.

Surrounding Verona Porta Nuova station, Borgo Roma is the city's main transport gateway and a practical, budget-friendly base. With modern hotels, good rail and bus links, and quick access to the airport shuttle, it suits travellers prioritising convenience and easy onward connections to Lake Garda and beyond.

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Italy's largest lake is just 30 minutes from Verona, with the lakeside towns of Peschiera and Desenzano reachable by train in around 20–30 minutes. Expect turquoise waters, charming harbours, lakefront promenades, and boat trips between picture-perfect villages.

Perched on a slender peninsula reaching into Lake Garda, Sirmione is one of the most beautiful towns near Verona. Explore the moated Scaligero Castle, the Roman ruins of the Grotte di Catullo, and thermal spas, all reachable by bus from Porta Nuova.

Just 15 km northwest of Verona, the rolling vineyards of Valpolicella are the birthplace of the rich, full-bodied Amarone. Tour historic estates, enjoy cellar-door tastings, and take in countryside views, all within a short drive or bus ride of the city.

A UNESCO-listed Renaissance gem about 40–45 minutes by train, Mantua is encircled by lakes and rich in history. Wander palatial squares, visit the vast Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Te, and savour the city's celebrated local cuisine.

The floating city is only about an hour from Verona by high-speed train, with frequent departures from Porta Nuova. Glide along the Grand Canal, marvel at St Mark's Square and Basilica, and lose yourself in Venice's labyrinth of canals and bridges.

Around 30 minutes from Verona by train, Vicenza is the UNESCO-listed city of architect Andrea Palladio. Admire his elegant villas and palazzi, the striking Basilica Palladiana, and the remarkable Teatro Olimpico, the world's oldest surviving indoor theatre.