Verona is one of the most beautiful cities in the north of Italy. Julia’s balcony is of course world-famous, but what are other great things to do in Verona, Italy?
The best things to do in Verona
Which places in Verona are worth seeing?
Julia’s balcony
Verona is the city of Romeo and Juliet. Especially the name of Juliet you’ll see everywhere in the city. The main attraction surrounding this famous couple is Juliet’s balcony. It is located in a small square (there is undoubtedly a long line at the entrance) and next to it is a statue of Julia. If you like it, you can also visit Julia’s house.
By the way, you can also view the house with Romeo’s balcony. This is slightly less spectacular and is on the street.
Piazza delle Erbe
In Piazza delle Erbe you can see so many beautiful details that you can enjoy yourself here for an hour just looking at the gorgeous buildings. Various beautiful frescoes can be seen on the facades. There is usually a market on the square (where you can get some awesome souvenirs) and, you can also find some of Verona’s best authentic Italian restaurants (make sure to check the back streets).
Do you want to view the square (and Verona) from above? Climb the Torre dei Lamberti.
Ponte Pietra
The Ponte Pietra is a pedestrian bridge over the Adige River that dates back to the first century BC. Very beautiful to see from a distance and very nice to walk on.
Piazza dei Signori
Piazza dei Signori is probably my favorite square in Verona, there is so much to see! It is located almost next to the Piazza delle Erbe and to get there you have to pass under one of the stone arches to get to the square. There is a statue on each arch and a statue of Dante in the center of the square.
Arche Scaligere
Do you like special cemeteries? Then you should definitely take a look at Arche Scaligere. It consists of several large Gothic monuments to the della Scala family.
The view from Castel San Pietro
Do you like viewpoints? You have the best view of Verona from Castel San Pietro. You have to climb a bit, but it is so worth it! And totally free.
Verona Arena
Did you know that one of the largest Roman amphitheaters in the world is located in the heart of Verona? It is still used for operas and concerts! Unfortunately, there were no performances when I was in Verona, but it seems really cool to experience it once.
Piazza Bra
The Arena is located on Piazza Bra. This is a large square with a park and on the east side, you have nice restaurants with terraces. A lovely place to stroll around or watch people.
Ponte di Castelvecchio
Do you like old medieval castles? Then you should definitely take a look at the Castelvecchio. A beautiful castle on the river and you really imagine yourself in a different time. You can visit the castle itself (it has art from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century), but it is well worth the walk across the Ponte di Castelvecchio castle bridge to the other side of the river.
Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore
In all Italian cities, you can visit beautiful churches and Verona is no different. Still, I would like to mention the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore in this list of things to do in Verona, because this is really a beautiful place! The entrance costs € 3 and there is an audio tour (via your smartphone, so bring headphones) so you can learn a lot about this special church. The bronze front doors alone are impressive, with 48 different images. There are also many frescoes on the walls of the church and there is a beautiful inner garden of the former monastery. Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore is slightly out of the center (about a 20-minute walk), but definitely worth the detour.
Great day trips from Verona
Are you staying a little longer in Verona and do you also want to make a few day trips? Go for it! These beautiful places are not far from Verona:
Venice
Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is only 1.5 hours by train from Verona. Check all the beautiful buildings, the many canals, the gondolas. Even if you only have one day, there are so many beautiful things to see in Venice!
Padua
The university city of Padua is about an hour by train from Verona and is well worth a visit. In the old city center, you will find many beautiful narrow streets and a few beautiful squares, of which the Prato della Valle is the most special. This is the largest square in Italy and there are no fewer than 78 statues.
Lake Garda
Would you like to get some fresh air? Lake Garda is close to Verona! You can easily reach Peschiera del Garda by train. Go shopping in the small town, get some delicious Italian food and take beautiful walks along the lake. A great day trip!
How to get to Verona?
The fastest way to get to Verona is by plane. There is an airport not far from the city, but not many flights go here. You can also fly to Venice or Milan, from here you can easily take the train to Verona. You can compare prices and times for airline tickets on Skyscanner.
Where to stay in Verona?
Verona is a fairly compact city and easily walkable, so most locations are fine to stay in. It is nice to stay in the old center (it is beautiful to walk through it in the evening) but this can also be a bit more pricey. I myself slept west of the center, in the Veronetta district. Here you mainly see students and locals and you are still within walking distance of the old center. You can easily book a hotel room or apartment via Booking.com.
Would you prefer a place for yourself? Then it can also be beneficial to take a look at Airbnb. Have you never booked through this platform? Then use this link for a good discount on your first reservation.
Want to read more about Italy?
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