Top 5 things to do while in Verona

Verona, with its stunning old town, medieval arena, and meandering Adige River, is arguably one of the most beautiful cities of Northern Italy. We stayed in the old town for four nights in early September 2022. Here are our top 5 things that you must see while you're in the area:

1. Verona Arena

Verona Arena is a Roman amphitheatre, similar to the Colosseum in Rome, but much smaller, in both height and diameter. It sits on the Piazza Bra, which in itself is a must visit in the city, with a variety of restaurants and a lovely green park. Built in 30AD, the Arena is used for opera and other events during summer/early autumn. Ticket prices are around 16 Euros per person (£13-£14), with concessions at a lower price.

2. Adige River and Panoramic City Views

To get this great view of the city, head north out of the old town towards the Adige River bank, cross the Ponte Pietra and turn right. You're aiming for the Castel San Pietro (Saint Peter's Castle), where there are steps up to the view point. Castel San Pietro is a Romanesque fortress with wonderful terraces that offer these panoramic views over the city.

3. Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House)

Casa di Giulietta or Juliet's House, is a Gothic-style house built in the 1300s. With its picturesque stone balcony it is known as being a place that inspired William Shakespeare to write his tragedy story of Romeo and Juliet. Access to the house is gained along Via Cappello at the bottom end of Piazza delle Erbe. A queue begins to form early in the morning so go as early as possible to avoid the crowds! Viewing the house and balcony itself is free, with a charge to enter the museum.

4. Piazza delle Erbe (Market's Square)

Piazza delle Erbe is a historic market square that was once the town's forum during the Roman Empire era. On the one side which is shown in the picture, is the Torre dei Lamberti which can be climbed up for some great views of the piazza. On the other side is the Palazzo Maffei. A large market takes place on the square most days, selling a variety of products and food/drink items. We were lucky enough to actually stay in an Airbnb apartment on the piazza! This place is definitely worth a visit and gives you a real feel for how the city would have been many years ago.

5. Giardino Giusti

Giardino Giusti is a must visit while in Verona! It is know for being one of the finest examples of a traditional Italian garden. Both the Giusti Palace and garden are located in the east of the city. It is around a 20-25 minute walk with a small incline from the Piazza Bra area, or an 8 minute drive. At the top of the garden there is a grotesque mask feature with a balcony above. As seen in the picture above the balcony offers views down into the garden, and a wider stunning view of the city. An adult ticket is 10 Euros (£8-9).