{"id":20730,"date":"2025-05-22T14:19:56","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T12:19:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clioviaggi.com\/blog\/things-to-do-in-verona\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T14:19:56","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T12:19:56","slug":"things-to-do-in-verona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clioviaggi.com\/en\/blog\/things-to-do-in-verona\/","title":{"rendered":"16 things to do in Verona: Italy\u2019s most romantic city"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Verona<\/strong> isn\u2019t just a stop between Venice and Milan. It\u2019s a destination in its own right. Romantic, walkable, and soaked in history, this UNESCO World Heritage city<\/strong> blends Roman ruins<\/strong>, Renaissance architecture<\/strong>, and timeless love stories<\/strong> into one unforgettable place.<\/strong> It\u2019s a city where opera echoes through ancient stone, where Shakespearean tales linger, and where sunsets warm the rooftops in golden light. What are the best places to see in Verona Italy?<\/p>\n

From the Arena di Verona<\/strong> to the soft lights of Castel San Pietro<\/strong>, here are the top things to do in Verona<\/strong>, each one revealing a different side of the city.<\/p>\n

1. The charm of Piazza Bra<\/h2>\n

Piazza Bra<\/strong> is Verona\u2019s most central square<\/strong>. It\u2019s where the ancient meets the modern. On one side stands the grand Verona Roman Arena<\/strong>, on the other the elegant Palazzo Barbieri<\/strong> and the Gran Guardia.<\/strong> Lined with caf\u00e9s and shaded by gardened areas, it\u2019s a popular spot to start exploring the city\u2019s historical heart.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Arena di Verona (Verona Roman Arena), up close<\/h2>\n

Before the Colosseum<\/em> echoed with gladiators, crowds were already gathering in Verona\u2019s own Arena.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Built in the 1st century AD, this Roman amphitheater<\/strong> once held over 30,000 spectators and remains impressively intact. Today, it\u2019s still very much alive: from May to September, the world-famous Opera Festival<\/strong> brings grand performances<\/strong> to the open-air stage, drawing up to 15,000 attendees each night.<\/p>\n

Step into the center, surrounded by towering limestone arches, and you can almost hear the echo of ancient cheers. But it\u2019s after sunset that the magic truly begins.<\/strong> The lights come on, the atmosphere stills, and the first notes rise into the night sky.[\/vc_column_text][vc_cta h2=”If you’re planning to attend the Opera Festival, be sure to book early: Aida under the stars<\/u> is a memory you won\u2019t want to miss.” h2_font_container=”tag:p|font_size:24px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” h4_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23fcb900″ h4_use_theme_fonts=”yes” style=”custom” add_button=”right” btn_title=”Explore More” btn_style=”custom” btn_custom_background=”#fcb900″ btn_custom_text=”#000000″ btn_shape=”round” btn_size=”lg” btn_align=”center” btn_i_align=”right” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-angle-double-right” btn_css_animation=”bounceIn” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” use_custom_fonts_h4=”true” btn_add_icon=”true” custom_background=”#2eaadc” custom_text=”#ffffff” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.clioviaggi.com%2Fen%2Fincoming-italy-en%2Faida-allarena-di-verona%2F|title:Explore%20More” css=”.vc_custom_1756450255173{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][\/vc_cta][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

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3. Juliet\u2019s Balcony and the letters of love tradition<\/h2>\n

You\u2019ve read the play, maybe watched the movie, but standing beneath Juliet\u2019s balcony<\/strong> is something else entirely. At Casa di Giulietta<\/strong> (Juliet\u2019s House), the walls are covered in notes and initials, declarations of love from every corner of the world.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a bronze statue of Juliet<\/strong> in the courtyard: legend says touching the statue brings luck in love. And inside the house, a small museum<\/strong> offers costumes, period pieces, and the famous bed from Franco Zeffirelli\u2019s 1968 film.<\/p>\n

More touching still? Verona\u2019s real-life Juliet\u2019s Secretaries<\/em> read and respond to thousands of handwritten letters every year. Because in this city, romance is taken seriously.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4. A slow stroll through Piazza delle Erbe<\/h2>\n

Piazza delle Erbe<\/strong> is now Verona\u2019s most atmospheric square:<\/strong> a vibrant mix of open-air caf\u00e9s, elegant palazzi, and a daily market<\/strong> that fills the center with stalls selling flowers, souvenirs, and local crafts.<\/p>\n

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Most visitors pause to admire the frescoed Mazzanti Houses<\/strong>, but climbing the Torre dei Lamberti<\/strong> (Lamberti Tower) is among the most iconic things to do in Verona: it rewards you with sweeping views of terracotta rooftops, bell towers, and the winding Adige.<\/strong><\/p>\n

5. The Scaliger Tombs\u2019 lace-cut stone<\/h2>\n

Just beyond Piazza dei Signori, a small enclosure of soaring pinnacles rises above street level: the Scaliger Tombs<\/strong>, known in Italian as the Arche Scaligere.<\/em> This is the final resting place of Verona\u2019s powerful Scaligeri family<\/strong>, who ruled the city in the 13th and 14th centuries.<\/p>\n

Five elaborate Gothic canopies, each crowned by an equestrian statue, shelter the stone sarcophagi below. Carved from alternating bands of Verona limestone and white marble,<\/strong> the decoration is so intricate it resembles lacework.<\/strong><\/p>\n

6. Riverside walks along the Adige<\/h2>\n

The Adige River<\/strong> winds gracefully through Verona, offering peaceful views and a slower rhythm. Riverbank paths between Ponte Pietra<\/strong> (Stone Bridge) and Ponte Scaligero<\/strong> (Scaliger Bridge) trace its curves, perfect for a reflective stroll.<\/p>\n

The scene often feels like a painting:<\/strong> morning mist softens the outlines, sunset casts a rose-gold hue across the water, and by dusk, the river shimmers in twilight stillness.<\/p>\n

7. Across the Scaligero Bridge to Castelvecchio<\/h2>\n

Red-bricked and dramatic, the Scaligero Bridge<\/strong> looks like it belongs in a medieval tale. Built in the 14th century by Cangrande II della Scala as an escape route from Castelvecchio<\/strong>, it leads straight to the heart of one of Verona\u2019s most impressive historical landmarks.<\/p>\n

Castelvecchio<\/strong>, the fortress of the powerful Scaligeri family, now houses the Castelvecchio Museum<\/strong>, designed by renowned architect Carlo Scarpa. The collection spans medieval to Renaissance art, including sculptures, paintings, frescoes, and ancient weapons.<\/p>\n

8. Verona\u2019s Roman Theater and Archaeological Museum<\/h2>\n

Carved into the hillside just across the Ponte Pietra, the Roman Theater<\/strong> (Teatro Romano) is one of Verona\u2019s most ancient sites<\/strong>, dating back to the 1st century BC.<\/strong> With its original semicircular cavea and stage remnants still intact, the theater offers a glimpse into Roman civic life and dramatic arts.<\/p>\n

Right beside it, the Archaeological Museum<\/strong> is housed in a former monastery and holds a rich collection of Roman artifacts:<\/strong> mosaics, inscriptions, sculptures, tools, and everyday objects that bring ancient Verona into focus.<\/strong><\/p>\n

9. The Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore<\/h2>\n

Slightly off the usual path, the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore<\/strong> is a Romanesque masterpiece: calm, majestic, and rich in detail. Built between the 10th and 12th centuries, its striped stone facade, adorned with a rose window and carved portals, sets a tone of solemn grandeur.<\/p>\n

Inside, the church holds Andrea Mantegna\u2019s San Zeno Altarpiece<\/strong>, a luminous early Renaissance work that draws immediate attention. The bronze doors, decorated with 48 detailed relief panels from the 12th century, depict scenes from the Bible and daily life with quiet intricacy.<\/p>\n

Just below, the crypt<\/strong>, where the body of Saint Zeno, Verona\u2019s patron saint, rests, offers a tranquil, almost timeless atmosphere. According to popular legend, it may have inspired the setting of Romeo and Juliet\u2019s secret wedding in Shakespeare\u2019s play.<\/strong><\/p>\n

10. Palazzo Maffei Gallery\u2019s eclectic collection<\/h2>\n

Art lovers shouldn\u2019t miss Palazzo Maffei Gallery<\/strong>. Set within an elegant baroque palace in Piazza delle Erbe, this collection spans from classical to contemporary pieces. Room after room reveals Picasso<\/strong>, Magritte<\/strong> and the neoclassical grace of Canova<\/strong>: an unexpected gem in Verona\u2019s historic heart.<\/p>\n

11. Giardino Giusti\u2019s sculpted calm<\/h2>\n

Hidden in the Veronetta district<\/strong>, Giardino Giusti<\/strong> is a Renaissance garden of symmetry<\/strong>, statues, and whispering cypress trees. There\u2019s a hedge maze, fountains, and winding paths that lead to a secluded viewpoint above the city.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a place where poets and composers<\/strong> once came to dream, Goethe<\/strong> wandered here, Mozart<\/strong> too, and, as a result, many visitors linger longer than planned.<\/p>\n

12. Santuario della Madonna Lourdes (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes)<\/h2>\n

Perched atop Colle San Leonardo<\/em>, the Santuario della Madonna di Lourdes<\/strong> offers quiet contemplation and sweeping views of Verona\u2019s skyline. Originally a WWII military fort<\/strong>, the site was transformed in the 1950s into a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Less visited than other landmarks, it\u2019s a peaceful retreat with a striking white statue of the Madonna<\/strong>, surrounded by greenery. Inside the church, simple interiors invite silence and reflection. It\u2019s a hidden gem<\/strong> where serenity meets scenery, ideal for travelers seeking a moment of peace and a panoramic reward.<\/p>\n

13. Taste the flavors of Veronese cuisine<\/h2>\n

Savoring the local cuisine <\/strong>is one of the most authentic things to do in Verona. Each bite tells a story of land, tradition, and identity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Highlights often include:<\/p>\n