Things to do in Verona

Verona is full of bars and pastry shops, from the renowned historic cafes to the bars that follow the most innovative trends in the "bakery & pastry" field. The morning in the city is a moment to savour, indulging in traditional (Italian and Veronese) desserts. If you plan to come at the weekend, know that in Verona you will also find plenty of options for a delicious brunch.

Piazza San Zeno with its majestic medieval basilica, Piazza delle Erbe (the oldest and most loved in the city) framed by the palaces of the historic Veronese families, Piazza dei Signori dominated by the statue of Dante and located next to the funerary complex of the Scaliger Tombs (one of the finest examples of European Gothic art) and, of course, the immense Piazza Brà (from "braida", which in turn derives from the Lombard term breit, "wide"), cradle of the Arena: each of them houses a unique part of Verona. Don't just walk through them quickly, explore them and enjoy all their beauty.

A stop that, if you come to Verona with your sweetheart, becomes almost mandatory, is the famous Juliet's House. The house dates back to the 13th century (it was owned by the Cappello family) and was restored in the early 20th century. To reach the inner courtyard, overlooked by the famous balcony, you have to cross an entrance hall whose walls are completely covered with the love notes and signatures of lovers from all over the world.

The Adige River, which flows through Verona, can be followed for large stretches by walking alongside it, in the shade of the trees, along the Lungadige promenade or along the regaste, the stone barriers built in the past to protect the city from the water and which today allow one to admire the opposite bank from a privileged perspective.

There are many bridges over the Adige in Verona, but the most beautiful are undoubtedly Ponte Scaligero ("Scaliger Bridge") (also known as Ponte di Castelvecchio, which starts from the Mastio Tower of the castle of the same name and spans the river in a superb example of 14th-century engineering) and Ponte Pietra ("Stone Bridge"), the only one remaining from the Roman era. Both bridges are exclusively for pedestrians, so once you start your walk, your only concern will be finding the most attractive corner to take a souvenir photo. And you'll probably take dozens of them before you get to the other side.

Do you want to discover one of the most beautiful viewpoints of Verona? Starting from Ponte Pietra, cross the street and, on your right, you will discover a narrow staircase that climbs between the houses. If the idea of climbing 267 steps doesn't frighten you, you will be rewarded not only with a route that allows you to immerse yourself in a semi-hidden dimension of Verona, amidst ancient houses and climbing plants, but also by the arrival at a spectacular view: the one offered by Castel San Pietro, a castle whose construction dominates the hill of the same name (under which the Roman Theatre is located) and the entire city. Those who are unable to climb on foot can still reach Castel San Pietro by car following the road signs.

Verona is the city of Vinitaly, the most important fair in the world for wine and oenology. So, if you also love to indulge in a good glass and are interested in finding out more about the subject, why not book a visit to the cellar with a tasting session? The range of proposals available is wide and authentic food and wine mini-tours are also possible. And, if you don't have a car available, don't worry: there are special solutions organised by bus or on foot.

One of the most characteristic streets of the historic centre of Verona, Via Sottoriva allows you to find the city's old taverns. For those travelling on foot, it is also a strategic link between the Ponte Nuovo bridge and the Basilica of Saint Anastasia.

Feel like going shopping? It's impossible to go wrong: Via Mazzini, Verona's main shopping street, starts from Piazza Bra (right next to the Arena), and is crossed by smaller streets that lead to other shops. Once at the end, you can turn right and continue through Via Cappello (where you will also find Juliet's House) or turn left, cross Piazza delle Erbe and head up to Piazza Bra along Corso Porta Borsari. At the end of the latter, you can cross the majestic Roman gate, dating back to the first century AD.

Besides being the entrance to the historical centre of Verona, Piazza Bra is also the foyer of the Arena, thanks to the "listòn", the long arcade full of places to eat and drink, before or after the show, while admiring the Amphitheatre, the gardens, the Palazzo della Gran Guardia and the Palazzo Barbieri. To enjoy a performance to the fullest, we suggest that you enter the Arena without weighing yourself down, opting for a tasty aperitif, a light snack or a good ice cream, and dine after the opera, enjoying the festive night-time atmosphere of the Bra together with many other spectators.

Content based on information provided by the Arena di Verona Foundation Partner