Welcome to my guide that looks at my best reasons to visit Verona in Italy.
Did you know that Verona is one of Veneto’s provinces and the one that registers the highest number of tourist arrivals after Venice? This city counts on a millennary history that spans from the Roman era to the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Verona is known for the setting of Shakespeare’s tragic love story, “Romeo and Juliet,” and the imposing Roman amphitheatre called Arena di Verona.
While you’re here be sure to visit its picturesque squares, bustling markets in Piazza delle Erbe, go for walks along the Adige river and enjoy some al fresco dining.
Verona offers a blend of tradition and modernity that captures the hearts of all who wander through its ancient gates and narrow streets.
So if you’re currently asking yourself, is Verona worth visiting? Look no further, as below I’ll go into further detail and explain all the reasons why I believe it is!
Is Verona worth visiting?
The one thing I love about Verona and keeps me travelling back to this city is simply its historic centre, the vast choice of cool bars for aperitivo and to go shopping.
Then of course, no visit to Verona is complete without going for the Lungadige walk to Ponte Pietra and up to Castel San Pietro for the best view of Verona from above!
I’ve covered many attractions with my 3 days in Verona itinerary which you can follow.
In this guide, I’m going to explain where Verona is situated and how easy it is to get to as well as 8 reasons why it’s worth visiting from my personal experience. Let’s go!
Where is Verona?
Verona is situated in the Veneto region, in north east Italy and it’s one of the most touristic cities in Italy. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site too.
Historic crossroads between southern Italy and the Alps, Verona has always drawn political and military interest over the centuries. It’s about 121 kilometres west of Venice (1 hour and 15 minutes drive), making it an easy day trip, especially by train.
It’s roughly 150 kilometres east of Milan and 30 kilometres east of Lake Garda (Peschiera del Garda). Verona is not only one of the most beautiful cities to discover, but also the perfect base to explore northern Italy and you can see it as a stop in my 10 days northern Italy itinerary where I have outlined things to do as well.
Other areas of interest and easy to reach from Verona are the Valpolicella wine region, the Dolomites and smaller towns such as Valeggio sul Mincio, the Natural Regional Park of Lessinia, Mantua and Brescia in Lombardy.
How far is Verona from Venice?
Verona is located 121 kilometres from Venice, a drive of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Getting to Verona from Venice is pretty simple for the most part.
You can either rent a car and drive down the A4 motorway (Autostrada Serenissima) or get a high-speed train from Venezia Santa Lucia to Verona Porta Nuova.
With over 70 trains running daily between the two cities, connectivity is excellent and you can also choose between two companies: Trenitalia and Italo.
There are also buses connecting the two cities on a daily basis. Although this option takes a bit more time, it’s worth considering, especially if travelling on a tight budget.
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8 Reasons to Visit Verona
Now that we have the logistics out the way, it is time to dive into this travel guide and take a better look at all the best reasons why Verona is worth visiting.
If you’re still unsure whether Verona will be your next travel destination in Italy or whether it’s worth visiting as a day trip from Milan (or even Venice), you can finally clear the air as below you’ll find all the information needed to make the right decision.
In case you didn’t already know, one reason many people visit Verona is because…
It’s the city of Romeo and Juliet
For those who are already in the know, we can safely say that Verona equals Romeo and Juliet, right? In fact, it is becoming common knowledge that visitors from all over the world travel to Verona especially to visit Juliet’s House and Juliet’s Balcony.
Then, in the courtyard, just in front of the house, there’s also Juliet’s statue. The legend has it, touching the left breast of Juliet’s statue will bring you good luck! Despite the extreme popularity of this attraction, it’s worth stopping by the balcony and if you want, visit the former Capuleti’s palace (Juliet’s family name).
The tragic love story between Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare’s most iconic masterpieces, is one of the most famous love stories of all time and will always be linked to Verona! Some visitors even do this footprints tour along with a local guide.
To see the exact balcony where Juliet used to whisper love words to her Romeo has its why and is definitely worth adding it to your Verona itinerary.
For the Arena di Verona
The Arena di Verona is a Roman amphitheatre dating back to the 1st century! The famous attraction stands imperiously in the heart of Verona, Piazza Bra, as a bold testament of this city’s millenary history.
This Roman amphitheatre is one of the most well-preserved in the world and this alone, is a valid reason to travel to Verona! On top of that, it is worth noting that the Arena is not just some ‘dead’ ruin standing in the middle of the city but rather a lively opera theatre, that attracts classic music lovers from all over.
During summer, you can attend one or more performances during the summer opera festival. Throughout the year there are several live performances taking place in the Arena, from music concerts to ballet shows.
This historic venue not only showcases operatic masterpieces such as:
- Turandot by Giacomo Puccini
- Aida by Giudeppe Verdi
- The Barber of Seville by Giochino Rossini
But it also hosts an eclectic selection of concerts by Italian and international stars, making it a cultural hub in the heart of Verona which is open to all visitors.
💡 Local tip: By getting the 24 or 48 hours Verona City Card you can skip the lines at the Arena and get free entrance to many city museums including the Torre dei Lamberti, Castelvecchio museum and the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore.
To cross Ponte Pietra
This is one of those landmarks where there is no need for me to over describe it as you’ll understand as soon as you step foot on it. Ponte Pietra is the oldest bridge in Verona and by simply crossing it, it’s like making a journey back in time.
It was restored after World War II and it offers unparalleled views of the Adige River and the city. It’s a stone bridge that leads you to the cable car to get to Castel San Pietro and the Archeological Museum and Roman theatre.
Then, depending on how many days in Verona you have to spare, a stroll here at sunset and then up to the hilltop of Castel San Pietro, can offer you a moment of timeless beauty. Not to mention, this is also a favourite spot for many photographers and romantics, capturing the enduring allure of Verona’s storied past.
Stroll along the Adige river
A tranquil walk along the Adige River is a must if you want to experience Verona like a local. The river surrounds Verona’s historic centre as if it was there to protect it.
I recommend the Lungadige Tullio Donatelli walk that offers lovely views of the river and Ponte Pietra. If you’re going for a stroll around sunset time, take the street via Sottoriva, packed with cosy restaurants and aperitivo bars.
You can also start your walk from Castelvecchio and keep walking until you get to the Duomo of Verona. There’s no need for me to say this, but remember to wear some comfy footwear and take your time to enjoy the scenic stops along the way.
Whether you go for a lovely walk in the morning or to wind down in the evening, the Lungadige paths are the perfect ways to see the city from a different perspective.
Everything is within walkable distance
One of the things that I appreciate the most of Verona is its compact size, making it a perfect destination to explore on foot.
You can visit all the best attractions in the city centre in just under 24 hours but I recommend taking extra time if you can. It is a privilege to be here and believe me when I say that, there are not many more UNESCO World Heritage sites that have so many landmarks spanning centuries of history, all within walkable distance.
From the ancient Arena to Juliet’s balcony, and from the beautiful churches to romantic piazzas, you can easily walk past one attraction and without realising you already are in front of another! There are many pedestrian streets in Verona which are perfect to explore the city on foot and enjoy its hidden corners in tranquillity.
If you want a place to stay in Verona, which is only a few minutes walk from the Arena, I recently stayed at the Domus Verona Apartment and can highly recommend it.
To go shopping
Shopping in Verona is all about style and elegance and every time I plan a trip to this city, I can’t help but think about all the great selection of shops I can find.
Even though I don’t consider myself as the world’s biggest shopping lover, I have to admit that Verona offers an enjoyable shopping experience, starting from independent boutique shops, moving to designer stores, and local markets.
The best area for shopping (or even window shopping) is Via Mazzini. This is a busy pedestrian street lined with shops from book to clothes stores but also jewelleries and a wide choice of bars where to have a coffee or a tasty lunch.
Piazza delle Erbe hosts a daily market where you can find fresh produce but also souvenirs you can take at home with you. Long story short, whether you’re after a new bag or pair of sandals made in Italy or even handcrafted gifts that are unique to the region, in Verona you should be able to find everything you are looking for!
For the day trips you can do
Verona’s strategic location in north east Italy makes it an ideal base for day trips. For example, you can visit Lake Garda which is the largest lake in Italy and is only a 30 minutes drive away and can also be reached by train in just 13 minutes!
Then if you have enough time and energy left and you want to fill your eyes with the beauty of the Dolomites, you can also easily reach them and spend a day immersed in breathtaking scenery and take part in some of the year-round outdoor activities.
Then for the wine enthusiasts, Verona offers the perfect opportunity to venture on over to the Valpolicella region to visit vineyards and sample exquisite red wines or even to Bardolino, a charming lakeside town, also famous for wine production.
If you have some spare time in Verona, why don’t you opt for a day trip to Venice or Milan? If you don’t like the idea of visiting a big city, go for smaller towns in the Veneto and Lombardy regions such as Vicenza, Padua, Mantua and Brescia.
For Verona’s cuisine (and wines!)
Verona’s cuisine is unbeliveably good and you have an incredible choice of eateries serving both traditional foods but also revisitation with a modern twist.
There’s no need to say that every single dish can be perfectly complemented by the renowned wines of the Veneto region. Must-try dishes are the risotto all’Amarone, made with the local Amarone wine, and pastissada de caval, a horse meat stew and the Lesso e Pearà, boiled meat accompanied by a peppery sauce.
All the best osterias and trattorias in the city serve these and other specialties, and the Ostregheteria Sottoriva 23 is one of the best! Among the local wines you can pair with your dishes, try the Valpolicella, Soave, and Bardolino.
Is Verona worth visiting? Final Words
That is all for this travel guide. If you’re still asking yourself whether you should visit Verona or not, by now you know that this city is absolutely worth the hype!
With its cobblestoned streets, charming squares, shops and restaurants, Verona promises a great time and it’s also the perfect base to explore many more places.
While you are planning to be in this part of the country, why not take a look at some of the other magical cities in the Veneto region that you can easily visit from here?
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