Things to Do in Verona

With a history dating back more than 2,000 years, the Ponte Pietra (Stone Bridge) is deserving of its status as one of Verona’s most memorable landmarks. The striking stone-brick footbridge is the city’s oldest Roman bridge, originally a wooden bridge erected in 89BC and rebuilt in stone in the 1st century BC. 

Today, the arched bridge is a mélange of construction from different eras, with parts of the original Roman bridge augmented by medieval pillars and at least two of its arches reconstructed after damage in WWII. Crossing the Adige River, the monumental bridge is set against a romantic backdrop of the riverfront and historic center, with the Roman theater perched on the east bank, and the eponymous Ponte Pietra Restaurant overlooking its west bank.

Housed in the Palazzo della Ragione complex, the Achille Forti Modern Art Gallery (Galleria d'Arte Moderna Achille Forti) houses a collection of works from artists worldwide. Showcasing works from the 19th and 20th centuries, the museum has a special focus on Italian artists including Umberto Boccioni and Giorgio Morandi. 

Named after Veronese botanist and art collector Achille Forti, this modern art gallery began with his private collection of artworks. Along with paintings, the gallery also displays old photographs of Verona that offers visitors a new perspective on the city. 

The gallery makes a great additional stop for visitors planning to climb the 12th-century Torre dei Lamberti, also located in the Palazzo della Ragione. It's reached by climbing the impressive gothic Scalla della Ragione, or "reason stairs." Also housed in the gallery is the unique Cappella dei Notai (Notaries' chapel) richly decorated with wood paneling and painted frescoes. To learn more about the Capella dei Notai or the Torre dei Lamberti you take a guided walking tour of the city.

The gallery is located in the Palazzo della Ragione in Verona's city center, at the corner of the old market square, Cortile del Mercato Vecchio. It can be reached on foot from many other places in the center, and local buses as well as hop-on-hop-off tour buses make frequent stops in the city center too. 

On hot summer days, the cool interior is a welcome getaway. 

Experience the Veronese way of life in Piazza Bra, a public square where locals walk, talk, and sip coffee. Home to some of the city's most iconic buildings, including the Roman arena, the sizeable square is also a popular destination for the nightly passeggiata, during which couples, families, and friends take pre-dinner strolls to catch up on the news of the day.

Porta Borsari is a white limestone gate that once marked an entrance point into the Italian city of Verona. With two arched entrances and two sets of windows above, it’s a lasting example of the impressive scale of Roman monumental architecture. 

In Roman times, this city gate was part of a larger structure with fortified towers, one known as Porta Jovia in reference to a temple to the god Jupiter that stood nearby. The name changed to Porta Borsari when the gate became the main tax-collection point for goods heading in and out of Verona. Built in the first century AD by Emperor Gallieno, the gate stands at the top of Corso Porta Borsari, one of Verona’s best shopping streets. It’s a popular stop on guided walking tours and hop-on-hop-off bus tours of the city.  

Porto Borsari is located at 59 Corso Porta Borsari in downtown Verona. It’s easy to access on foot from other points in the city center, and hop-on-hop-off tour buses stop nearby. 

Porta Borsari is a public monument accessible 24 hours a day year-round. Located on a busy shopping street, if you’re planning to take photographs of the gate, try to visit early in the day when there are fewer people. 

William Shakespeare set one of his most famous works in Verona—that’s right, Romeo and Juliet. Down a narrow street in the city center, you’ll find the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s house) and its romantic balcony that’s believed to be the inspiration behind the play’s most famous scene. Although Shakespeare never visited Verona, and the balcony was added in the last century, the house did once belong to the Capellos, a precursor of the Capulet family that’s immortalized in the tragic love story.  

Piercing the sky high above Verona’s historic Piazza delle Erbe, the 12th-century Torre dei Lamberti is one of the most eye-catching landmarks in this UNESCO-listed city. Climb 84 meters (275 feet) to the panoramic terraces and belfry at the top for 360-degree views over Verona’s historic center. 

The original tower was built by the powerful Lamberti family in 1172, but the top was damaged by lightning in 1403. Forty years later, the tower was restored and expanded into the tallest in Verona. Today, the Lamberti Tower is one of the most popular attractions in the Piazza delle Erbe—home to the Baroque Palazzo Maffei, crenellated Casa dei Mercanti, and frescoed Mazzanti houses—and is included in walking tours of Verona along with the Roman arena in Piazza Bra, the Castelvecchio bridge and museum, and the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore.

Verona is located in Italy’s Veneto region, halfway between Venice and Milan and just west of Padua. Piazza delle Erbe and the Lamberti Tower are in the historic center of Verona, about a 30-minute walk from the train station or 15 minutes by bus.

The best time to visit the tower is morning or late afternoon, when the light is perfect for taking photos of the view. Verona is known as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and the city holds its Verona in Love festival each year around Valentine’s Day, with special events and exhibitions. 

The Lamberti Tower was originally built as a city watchtower to warn the citizens of impending disasters such as fire or attacks by the Venetians. Two bells were installed in the tower: the smaller, the Marangona, was used for fire alerts; the larger, the Rengo, was used to call citizens to arms or to call city council to meetings. 

Built in the 1550s, Porta Palio is a monumental city gate in Verona. It stands on the site of a former gate in the Medieval walled city. While the gate is now closed to traffic—whether horse, car, or pedestrian—it stands a reminder of 16th-century Verona.

Porta Palio was designed by the Venetian architect Michele Sanmicheli to celebrate the ancient Roman road Via Postumia, which once crossed much of northern Italy.  With Doric columns and regularly spaced arches, the design was influenced by Roman architecture. A horse race (palio in Italian) used to be held at the former Medieval gate, hence the monument’s name. The gateway has been closed to traffic for much of its life, which has led to it being nicknamed “Porta Stupa” or “closed gate” by locals. 

Things to Know Before You Go 

Porta Palio is located at the edge of the Centro Storico (historic center), linked to Castelvecchio by Stradone Porta Palio. It’s approximately a 20-minute walk from the city center and is also accessible by bus or taxi. Hop-on-hop-off tour buses pass by the gate for those who want to see the monument without the walk. 

A public monument, Porta Palio can be seen all year round. As only the outside of the gate is accessible to visitors, many people stop here while on a larger walking tour of the city.

Walk the City Wall

From Porta Palio, you can see a length of the Medieval city wall built in the 1200s. These walls were built upon the foundations of pre-existing Roman structures. Like many European cities, Verona was once encircled by defensive walls—and large sections of them remain. In fact, some sections were in use as late as the 19th century, when the city was occupied by Austrian forces. Walk down to nearby Castelvecchio to see the fortified bridge across the river. 

 Verona’s largest church, the impressive brick facade of Basilica Sant'Anastasia has been a fixture of the city for hundreds of years. Located in the historical center, it’s also one of the city’s finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture. 

The basilica is named after Saint Anastasia, a martyr who lived in the 4th century AD. The basilica kept the name of an earlier church that stood on the same site, although it’s also dedicated to St. Peter, one of Verona’s patron saints. Construction of the current church started in 1290 and continued for hundreds of years. In fact, the facade is still unfinished; there’s a painting above the altar that shows how the final design was meant to look. 

The basilica was the main place of worship for Verona’s ruling families, including the influential Scaliger family. The interior, with its richly decorated vaulted ceiling and ornate side chapels, often features on guided tours of the city. Another highlight: the fresco of St. George and the Princess by 15th-century artist Pisanello. 

The Basilica Sant'Anastasia stands on Piazza Sant'Anastasia, and it’s within walking distance of other points in central Verona. Visitors can also opt to visit the church as part of a guided bike or Segway tour. Hop-on-hop-off tour buses are also within walking distance. 

The church is open daily; on Sundays and on holidays, it’s open only in the afternoon. It can be especially busy on weekends, so visit during the week for a quieter experience. 

Although the Basilica Sant'Anastasia served as the Scaligers’ main church, the family also had Santa Maria Antica, a private chapel nearby. Today, this is where you can view the Scaliger tombs, which are famous for their ornate Gothic decoration. A symbol of one family’s power over the city, the tombs add an interesting depth to any visit to Verona.

 With ancient Roman ruins, church crypts that inspired Shakespeare, and grand Austrian-style buildings from the 19th century, Verona’s Historic Center (Centro Storico) is an architectural treasure trove. Highlights include the 2nd-century Verona Arena, the Casa di Giulietta, and the 14th-century Scaliger Tombs. 

The historic city of Verona was first settled by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. Several city sights—including the Roman theater and the Ponte Pietra (Stone Bridge) over the Adige river—still remain from this early period, while many city streets, such as the Via Mazzini, follow the routes of ancient Roman roads with many ruins to visit. 

There are also many buildings dating from the Medieval and Renaissance eras, including the Casa di Giulietta, where the family said to have inspired Shakespeare’s Capulets in Romeo & Juliet once lived. Many people interested in the architectural history of the city choose to take part in a guided tour to learn more about the significance of the different buildings. 

Verona’s Centro Storico cover the central district of the city, lying roughly between Via Roma in the south and the riverbank in the north, east, and west. It is best explored on foot, either self-guided or as part of a walking, bike, or Segway tour. Additionally, hop-on-hop-off buses stop at many of the major tourist attractions making the city easy to navigate. 

The streets in the Centro Storico are open 24 hours a day year-round. Many of the individual sights have separate opening hours so check before you visit. The city is busiest in the summer months when visitors come from all over the world to enjoy opera performances at the Verona Arena. 

Climb Up to Castel San Pietro

For a bird’s-eye view of the city before you start exploring in earnest, head up the steep hill to Castel San Pietro—or save your legs and take the funicular railway. From the top you’ll be able to see the Roman roads cutting through the center, the river winding its way through the buildings, and make out the 30,000 seat Verona Arena. 

Historically, Piazza dei Signori (also known as Piazza Dante in honor of the poet’s statue in the square center) was the civic and political heart of Verona, and is still home to the Loggia del Consiglio, the former city hall. Lined by medieval palaces and elegant arches, this square is a vibrant local gathering place.

 

Piazza dei Signori is dominated by the historic city hall as well as a number of palaces that were built by Verona’s powerful Scaligeri family, alongside the family’s favored Santa Maria Assunta church. At the far end of the square, the Arche Scaligere (Scaliger Tombs) hold the remains of some of the family’s most prominent members.

 

Visit Verona’s bustling Piazza dei Signori on a city walking or Segway tour that also includes skip-the-line entrance to the city’s famous Roman arena in Piazza Bra, as well as other highlights like Piazza delle Erbe and Torre dei Lamberti, the Duomo, Castelvecchio, and the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore. Tours inspired by the tale of Romeo and Juliet are a popular option for exploring Verona, as are private tours that include a wine tasting.

 

 

Piazza dei Signori is in the heart of Verona’s historic center, and it’s an easy walk from the train station and most of the city’s most famous attractions. Verona is located about halfway between Venice and Milan in the Veneto region, and it’s an easy day trip from either city.

 

The square fills with students and locals each evening, and the families out for a stroll, street musicians, and overflowing sidewalk cafés and restaurants make for a particularly festive nighttime atmosphere.

 

The palaces around the square are joined by soaring arches; the neighboring Piazza delle Erbe market, on the other side of Arco della Costa, is said to contain a whale's rib that will fall on the first truly just person to pass beneath it. So far it remains firmly in place.

Via Mazzini is Verona’s top shopping street. It’s lined with stores selling the latest fashions and chic cafes where you can sit and people watch over a creamy cappuccino. Leading from the central square Piazza Bra to the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s balcony) it connects some of the city’s main sights.

The stylish street is named after Giuseppe Mazzini, a 19th-century politician and activist who was instrumental in bringing about the unification of Italy. A section of the street follows the original Roman road leading off from Verona Arena. It formed one of the city’s east-west streets, known as “decumanus” streets. 

Keen shoppers will be in heaven here—Via Mazzini is home to all the top Italian and international brands and there’s enough to keep you browsing for hours. For visitors less inclined to window shop, the street itself is quite charming with classic Italian-style architecture painted in pastel colors and there are plenty of places to grab a bite. Walking tours taking in the city’s top sights often stroll down this major street. 

Things to Know Before You Go 

Via Mazzini links Piazza Bra to Piazza delle Erbe through the center of Verona and is easily accessible on foot. Additionally, hop-on-hop-off tour buses, as well as city buses and taxis, stop nearby, although the street itself is pedestrian only. 

The shops and cafés on Via Mazzini are open every day except major holidays. Weekends are the busiest days, especially Sunday afternoons when many people come to browse the stores and take a leisurely stroll.

Explore Piazza delle Erbe

At the bottom of Via Mazzini is Verona’s market square, Piazza delle Erbe (Place of the Herbs). A market is still held here every morning except Sunday, with vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, flowers, and more. The square is also home to the Torre dei Lambert—worth the climb for a great view—and the Achille Forti Gallery of Modern Art. 

Feel like part of history as you attend an event in the Verona Arena (Arena di Verona), a spectacular Roman amphitheater that has dominated Piazza Bra since the first century. Once a venue for sporting events, games, and gladiatorial battles, today audiences of up to 15,000 gather to watch opera, music concerts, and dance performances.

Verona’s Roman Arena is the symbol of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed city center and one of its most popular sights. Though much of the original pink-and-white limestone outer facade was pilfered at the end of the Roman Empire and a catastrophic earthquake in 1117 destroyed the rest, the interior and outstanding acoustics remain remarkably intact. In the 19th century, the city began using the arena once again to hold performances, and a staging of Verdi’s Aida in 1913 to celebrate the composer’s 100th birthday marked its reincarnation as one of Italy’s most important outdoor theaters.

By day, you can book a Verona Arena tour with skip-the-line entrance to the amphitheater or join a small-group walking tour of the city’s highlights, including the arena as well as Piazza delle Erbe, Castelvecchio, Torre dei Lamberti, and the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore. On summer evenings, you can book a ticket for the annual opera festival or other event, and enjoy the arena decked out for a performance.

Verona is located in Italy’s Veneto region, about halfway between Venice and Milan, and you can easily take a Lake Garda day trip from here. The arena is on Piazza Bra in the historic center of Verona, about a 20-minute walk from the train station or eight minutes by bus.

The arena is open from 8:30am to 7:30pm daily, and from 1:30pm on Mondays. These hours may change on performance days. While you can visit the arena year-round, it is especially memorable in the evening during scheduled performances from June to September. Opera seasons runs during this time; performances begin after sunset (usually around 9pm), and the amphitheater is lit by hundreds of small candles. 

Verona is also famous for being the setting for Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Today you can tour what is known as Juliet’s house, Casa di Giulietta, with its romantic balcony.

Verona Arena, the first-century Roman amphitheater on Piazza Bra is one of the city’s most famous sights, but Verona also boasts a pristine Roman Theater that is even older than the arena and is set on the banks of the River Adige. Visit the theater to see remains of the stage, stone seating (cavea), and loggia arcades.

 

Verona’s Roman Theater was unearthed during the 19th century, when developers discovered the original marble floor of the orchestra pit and rows of stone seats. Part of the seating was destroyed when the Church of San Siro was built on the site during the 10th century, but otherwise this theater dating from the first century BC is surprisingly intact. On the hill above the theater, the former Convent of San Gerolamo is home to the Archaeological Museum, displaying a collection of Roman artifacts found in and around Verona.

 

By day, visit the Roman theater with a walking or bike tour of Verona, or join a hop-on hop-off bus tour that stops at the theater and museum. Most Verona tours also include skip-the-line entrance to the arena and stops at the historic center’s top attractions. On summer evenings, you can enjoy a concert in the theater.

 

 

The Roman Theater and Archaeological Museum are located just across the Adige River from the historic center of Verona. These sights are easily reached on foot or via public transportation by crossing the Ponte Pietra bridge. Verona is located in the Veneto region in northern Italy between Venice and Milan, and is a popular day trip from Venice or Lake Garda.

 

The theater is open all day Tuesday through Sunday and Monday afternoon year-round, but is especially memorable to visit on a summer evening to see a concert or performance. On evenings when events are scheduled, the theater may close early.

 

The Verona Arena is a spectacular oval-shaped Roman amphitheater dating from the first century. The arena once hosted sporting events, games, and gladiator battles. The arena was opened once again during the 19th century to hold performances, and today audiences of up to 15,000 gather there to watch opera, concerts, and ballet.

An easy detour from Vicenza and just minutes from Villa Capra, Villa Valmarana ai Nani is a striking example of a Venetian villa, perched on the slopes of San Bastian hill, looking out over the Valletta del Silenzio (Valley of Silence). Still inhabited by its aristocratic namesake, the Valmarana family, Villa Valmarana takes its suffix ‘ai Nani’ or ‘the Dwarves’ from the 17 stone sculptures that adorn its wall – a homage to the dwarf princess who once lived in the villa, if you believe the legend.

The villa is also open to the public and visitors can stroll the idyllic gardens and peek inside the Palazzina (the main residence), the Foresteria (the guest residence) and the Scuderia (the stables). The highlight of a visit is admiring the magnificent frescoes, painted in the 18th century by the Tiepolos and celebrated as some of their finest work.

William Shakespeare put Verona on the map for the English-speaking world, setting his tale of the star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet in this northern Italian city. The Bard’s timeless story has inspired a steady flow of romantics to visit Juliet’s House, or Casa di Giulietta, as Verona’s 13th-century palazzo of the Dal Cappello family is now known. Though Romeo and Juliet were almost certainly figments of Shakespeare’s imagination and the famous balcony where Juliet is said to have gazed down at Romeo was added centuries after the love story was written, the romance of Juliet’s House transcends fact or fiction.

Juliet’s House is among the most popular attractions in the city of Verona, along with Piazza delle Erbe and the Arena di Verona. It’s a common stop on Verona walking tours and is the highlight on private and group themed “Romeo and Juliet” tours. The site includes a small museum with a collection of paintings, prints, and ceramics, as well as Juliet’s balcony overlooking the courtyard, home to a bronze statue of Juliet dating from 2014—a replica of the original from 1969 that now stands in the museum’s atrium.

 

 

Juliet’s House is located on Via Cappello in Verona’s historic center, a relatively compact area that can be visited on a walking tour, by Segway with a local guide, or as part of a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Verona makes an easy day trip from Venice, Milan, and Lake Garda by bus, train, or car.

 

A popular destination year-round, Juliet’s House is particularly crowded around Valentine’s Day. Most tourists visit during the summer months, when the weather is conducive to lingering on the balcony and in the courtyard.

 

About 50,000 letters addressed to Juliet arrive each year in Verona, written by lovelorn from around the globe who are seeking advice from Shakespeare’s romantic heroine. Juliet Club volunteers, known as the “secretaries of Juliet,” take turns responding to these letters, keeping alive the magic and romance of one of the most powerful love stories in history.

 The striking Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore is just as famous for its pink-and-white pastel color scheme as it is for hosting the marriage scene in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. A lasting example of Romanesque architecture, the building—parts of it, at least—dates back to the 9th century AD. 

The ice cream–colored Basilica and the Benedictine monastery next door were both constructed to honor St. Zeno, the patron saint of Verona, who died in 380 AD, and there has been a church on the site for more than 1,500 years. Parts of the current building date back to the 9th century, but the structure, like many buildings in Verona, was damaged in an earthquake and subsequently rebuilt and expanded to its present-day size. Its ornate facade is built from cream-colored local tufa stone inlaid with pink marble. 

Inside, the massive carved bronze doors are a highlight for many visitors exploring the church as part of a guided tour. The striped walls, vaulted ceilings with intricate decoration, and painted panels depicting biblical scenes will delight fans of Romanesque architecture. 

The Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore is located around a 15-minute walk outside the city center. Visitors can travel by public bus or take the hop-on-hop-off tour buses that operate in the city (Line A stops nearby). Alternatively, guided bike tours of Verona also stop here. 

The Basilica is open daily, with opening schedules dependent on mass and other events. It’s busiest on weekends, particularly Sunday afternoons, so plan to visit during the week for a quieter experience. 

The Basilica is located close to the banks of the Adige river, which flows through the center of Verona. It’s the second longest river in Italy, rising in the Alps before flowing out to sea south of Venice. A stroll along its banks through central Verona is a great way to see the city’s buildings and bridges from a new angle; the experience is especially pleasant at sunset when the low sun turns the buildings golden. 

As a small walled village in the Veneto region, Soave has earned a reputation for producing some of the best white wine in Italy. Once a Roman hub on the road from Aquileia to Genoa, it is now a commune of only 7,000 residents. Three varieties of Soave wine are produced with DOC (the Italian mark of quality and tradition) using mostly Garganega grapes. The varieties include Soave classico, recioto di Soave and Soave spumante (sparkling). Wine tasting is available both within the city walls and just outside of them at the many area wineries.

Outside of its excellent food and wine, there is a well-preserved medieval castle high atop a hill overlooking the village that is worth visiting. The three courtyards of the castle contain original frescoes, and impressive, historic portraits are visible throughout the castle. It is also worth exploring the city's medieval walls, which date back to the 13th century and offer wonderful views of the Italian countryside.

Had Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet ended happily ever after, the two may have wed in Verona’s beautiful 12th-century cathedral; and, in fact, travelers flock to the duomo on Romeo and Juliet-themed tours. The mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance elements make this one of the most beautiful churches in Verona.

 

The Duomo di Verona, in the historic city center, is built on top of an older proto-Christian church that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1117. The cathedral is dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta and is part of a complex that also includes the baptistery, the churches of San Giovanni in Fonte and Sant’Elena, the Canons’ cloister, and the Chapter Library of Verona Cathedral (Biblioteca Capitolare della Cattedrale di Verona).

 

Visit the Duomo di Verona on a city walking or hop-on hop-off bus tour that also includes skip-the-line entrance to the city’s famous Roman arena in Piazza Bra and other highlights. Popular themed tours in Verona include itineraries based on the plot of Romeo and Juliet, and a mystery tour exploring the murder of Veronese lord Cangrande della Scala, which remains unsolved after 700 years.

 

 

The Duomo is on Piazza Vescovado in the historic center of Verona, about a 25-minute walk from the Porto Vescovo train station, or 15 minutes on bus 31.Verona is located about halfway between Venice and Milan in Italy’s Veneto region, an easy day trip from Venice or Lake Garda.

 

The Duomo is open all day from March to November, but it closes briefly at midday the rest of the year. Tourists are not allowed to visit during Mass, so check the schedule in advance.

 

Duomo highlights include the portal sculptures in the western doorway by Maestro Nicolo dating from 1139 (they are conveniently signed and dated); at the south door are sculptures depicting the story of Jonah, a lion, an angel, and the Virgin Mary. Two sculpted holy warriors, Oliver and Uliviero, guard the entrance. The interiors are decorated with frescoes by a number of artists from the first Veronese Renaissance and Titian's Assumption of the Virgin.

A symbol of Verona, the 14th-century Castelvecchio Bridge spanning the Adige River had the largest supporting arch span in the world when it was completed in 1356. The original was destroyed during World War II, but a new bridge was rebuilt with the same red-brick crenellations as its predecessor.

Castelvecchio Bridge (Ponte di Castelvecchio) connects on one side of the river to the city’s historic castle, from which the bridge gets its name. The bridge is also known as the Scaliger Bridge (Ponte Scaligero in Italian), after the powerful family that ruled Verona in the 1300s. French troops destroyed the tower on one end of the bridge in the late 1700s, and retreating German troops bombed the entire structure during World War II; what stands today in its place is an almost exact replica of the original bridge.

Most walking tours of Verona follow Corso Castelvecchio across the Castelvecchio Bridge to the river’s left bank and the old castle, now home to the Museo di Castelvecchio with a collection of art and weaponry. Private tours include other nearby attractions like Lamberti Tower (Torre dei Lamberti) in Piazza delle Erbe, Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta), Piazza Bra, the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore, and the Arena di Verona.

Verona, one of the most important cities in Italy’s northern region of Veneto, is well connected by train to Milan, Florence, and Venice. The Ponte Scaligero is in the city’s historic center, a short walk from the main train station.

As the setting of one of the greatest love stories of all time—Romeo and Juliet—Verona is particularly lovely to visit on Valentine’s Day, when the city fills with romantics for the Verona in Love festival, and a number of events and exhibitions are held.

Verona’s other famous bridge spanning the Adige is Ponte Pietra, a Roman arch bridge and the oldest bridge in Verona, completed in 100 BC.

After Chianti, the vinicultural region of Valpolicella produces the most wine in Italy under the DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata,) Italy’s top quality classification for wine. Winemaking has existed in the cool hills and mild climate of the area since the time of the ancient Greeks. 

The wine now labeled as Valpolicella comes from one or more of three grapes: Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, and Molinara. The wines produced here tend to resemble Beaujolais and are often lighter in flavor and texture, often fruity and fragrant. Perhaps the most regarded wine from the region is the subtype called Amarone della Valpolicella. It is considered worldwide to be one of Italy’s finest wines.

Vineyards and tasting rooms (along with some great restaurants) are scattered throughout the valley, with everything from traditional villas and small, family-run spots to modern, tech-savvy winemakers. Most welcome guests for wine tastings or events.

Old and new come together elegantly at Verona’s Castelvecchio, a historic castle renovated in the 1960s by visionary architect Carlo Scarpa, who paired glass panels, concrete, and metal grills with the surviving medieval stonework to create a striking museum for artworks by Bellini, Tiepolo, and Veronese.

Built in the 14th century by the Scaliger clan, who ruled Verona in the Middle Ages, Castelvecchio was a moated fortress designed to protect the family in case of revolt. Eventually, popular rebellion forced the Scaligers to escape to Germany while the Venetians took over the city, followed by Napoleon in the 18th century. Napoleon was ousted by Veronese rebels who stormed the castle and left it devastated, and bombings in World War II caused further damage. The building was abandoned until the mid-20th century, when it was eventually transformed into a museum. 

Most bike, Segway, and walking tours of Verona follow Corso Castelvecchio across the Castelvecchio Bridge to the Castelvecchio Museum. Hop-on-hop-off tours often include stops at other nearby attractions like Lamberti Tower (Torre dei Lamberti) in Piazza delle Erbe, Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta), Piazza Bra, the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore, and the Arena di Verona.

Verona, one of the most important cities in Italy’s northern region of Veneto, is well connected by train to Milan, Florence, and Venice. The Castelvecchio Museum, located in the city’s historic center, just a short walk from the main train station.

Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s great love story—Romeo and Juliet—is particularly memorable to visit around Valentine’s Day, when the city holds the annual Verona in Love festival, featuring special events and exhibitions. The museum is closed on Monday mornings.

The 14th-century Castelvecchio Bridge, spanning the Adige River, connects the city on one side of the river to the Castelvecchio Castle on the other. When it was completed in 1356, the bridge had the largest supporting arch span in the world. The original bridge was destroyed during World War II, but a replica was rebuilt soon after.

Commemorating the influential Della Scala family, the Scaliger tombs are a series of five Gothic funerary monuments found outside the Santa Maria Antica church in Verona. Dating back to the 14th century, the monuments are famous for their elaborate decoration.  

In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Scaliger family (also known as Della Scala) ruled the city and wielded a great amount of power. Here, the first tomb built—attached to the exterior church wall—belongs to Cangrande I, the most famous of the family dynasty and the protector of the poet Dante. A statue in his likeness on horseback, decorated with harnessed dogs, fronts his tomb (cangrande means “big dog” in Italian). 

Other tombs memorialize Mastino II, watched over by a pair of angels, and Cansignorio, whose tomb is the most ornate, with sculptures of warrior saints. The last two tombs stand in memory of Alberto II—simple without a canopy—and Giovanni, whose tomb is also built into the church wall.  

The Scaliger tombs are housed in the courtyard of Santa Maria Antica church in central Verona. They’re easily walkable from other areas the city, and they’re accessible by local bus. Walking tours often combine a trip to the tombs with other memorable sights around the city. 

The church and courtyard at Santa Maria Antica are open daily. You can pay to enter the courtyard during the daytime, but the tombs are also worth visiting at night—even if you only view them from behind the ornate fence—when floodlights casting long shadows create a spooky atmosphere.

While you’re visiting the tombs, make time to step inside Santa Maria Antica church, which was built in the 7th century AD and went on to serve as the private chapel to the Scaliger family. With striped walls of tufa and brick, the building is a wonderful example of Romanesque architecture.