Things to Do in Verona

Translating to Square of Herbs, Verona's Piazza delle Erbe is the city's central square and host to the local market. It has been the center of political and economic life in Verona for centuries. It was also once the site of a Roman forum. The 272-foot Tower Lamberti, the tallest tower in Verona, stands in the piazza topped by an octagon-shaped structure that holds the 1464 Rengo and Marangona bells. Palazzo Commune, Verona's town hall building, is also located here. It was built in the Middle Ages, but renovations in the 19th century added a neoclassical facade. 

Also located in Piazza delle Erbe is Torre Gardello, which was built in 1370 but not finished until 1626. Palazzo Mafei is a Baroque building on top of which are sculptures of the gods Jupiter, Venus, Apollo, Hercules and Minerva. The most popular attraction in the square is the 14th-century Madonna Verona Fountain, also known as the Virgin of Verona.

Home to the city's town hall and other important buildings, Piazza Bra sits at the heart of life in Verona. The huge city square welcomes visitors from all around the world who come to stroll the wide expanse, enjoy a coffee or a meal at one of the al fresco restaurants, or attend one of the regular music performances held at the Verona Arena.

Any visitor to Verona can expect to cross Piazza Bra at least once during their stay. On the west side of the square is Portoni della Bra"”a grand arched entryway"”and the impressive Gran Guardia Palace. On the south side is the Barbieri Palace, now the city's town hall. The square is a frequent stop on guided walking or bike tours of the city.

On the north side is the liston, a parade of cafes and restaurants named after the paving stones that line the area that's ideal for people watching over a cappuccino. On the east side is perhaps the most famous of all Verona's attractions, the Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheater that seats 15,000 people. In summer, grand-scale operas are held here"”it's an annual event that is famous worldwide.

Piazza Bra is located in the center of Verona. It's accessible on foot, by bus, taxi, or as part of a bike or Segway tour of the city center.  

A public square, Piazza Bra is open 24 hours a day all year round. Cafes and restaurants are busy at the usual hours, especially in summer. For the best people watching, head to the square early evening to take part in the daily passeggiata, a tradition when Italian families and groups of friends take a stroll before dinner. 

Explore Verona Arena  

Dominating the eastern side of Piazza Bra is the Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheater built during the first century AD to hold up to 30,000 people. Visitors can peek inside on a guided tour, or, better yet, by attending one of the summertime opera performances.

Castel San Pietro is a hilltop fortress in Verona. Built in the Austrian style in the 19th century and surrounded by cypress trees, it offers panoramic views of the city, including the Roman theater and the Adige river. 

The castle is built on the site of the first settlements in Verona. Ruins of ancient buildings dating back to the seventh century BC can still be seen on the castle grounds. During Roman times the hill on which the castle is built was considered sacred, and was known as "Rooster Mountain." Several of the historic buildings on the site were destroyed when Napoleon's troops invaded Verona in 1801. 

After the Austrian army defeated the French in the city in 1805, they built the armed fortress that you see today, comprising an army base and barracks for hundreds of soldiers. Visitors are only able to tour the outside of the buildings and walk in the grounds, but it's worth the steep uphill walk or bike ride"”or the fun funicular rail journey"”to enjoy the enviable views from the top.

The hilltop lookout at Castel San Pietro is accessible on foot, or via funicular railway (paid entry). Hop-on hop-off tour buses stop at the bottom of the hill near the Roman theater.   

The lookout at Castel San Pietro is open year round. Budding photographers should plan to visit in the evening to capture the sunset over the city. The funicular railway is also open all year, except on December 25 and January 1. The funicular has reduced hours in the winter (November"“March).

Nestled at the bottom of San Pietro hill is Verona's Roman amphitheater. Not to be confused with the immense arena in the center of the city, this half-moon amphitheater actually predates the larger arena. It was built towards the end of the first century BC, which makes it over 2,000 years old. Tour the stage and raked seating, and explore the connected museum that houses some fascinating finds from the site. 

Just across Piazza Bra from the Arena, the majestic Gran Guardia Palace (Palazzo della Gran Guardia) is one of Verona's most important historic buildings. Today a popular venue for exhibitions and cultural events, the palace had been used for various military purposes for centuries.

This large palace was designed in the early 17th century by Domenico Curtoni, but work was not completed until the mid-19th century under Giuseppe Barbieri. The facade combines elements of two different historical periods"”baroque and neoclassical"”with a row of arches on the ground floor that mirror those of the Roman amphitheater on the opposite side of the square. Originally intended as a covered space for soldiers to train in inclement weather, the palace also served as temporary housing for the Austrian military during Italy's first struggle for independence in 1848. Palazzo della Gran Guardia is open to the public only for exhibitions or other events like art shows and Vinitaly, Verona's wine conference. 

Walking tours of Verona almost always stop in Piazza Bra to see both the Arena di Verona and the Gran Guardia Palace, with its adjacent Portoni della Bra city gate, before continuing on to nearby attractions like Piazza delle Erbe, the Castelvecchio Bridge (Ponte di Castelvecchio), and Castel San Pietro.

Verona is a major city in the Italian region of Veneto, and well connected by train to Milan, Florence, and Venice. Piazza Bra is in the city's historic center, a short walk from the main train station.

Though the palazzo does not hold scheduled visiting hours, its full calendar of events means it is open to the public almost daily throughout the year.

Verona is most famous for being the backdrop for one of the greatest love stories of all time, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. As a result, two of the city's main attractions are Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta) and Romeo's House (Casa di Romeo).

Piazza delle Erbe (Market Square) is the bustling heart of UNESCO World Heritage"“listed Verona. Cafes and elegant buildings front the rectangular square, whose centerpiece is the 14th-century Fontana di Madonna Verona"”an allegory of the city topped by an ancient Roman statue of a female figure holding a scroll bearing the civic motto.

Piazza delle Erbe has been Verona's main market square since Roman times, and still today visitors can peruse stalls stacked high with seasonal produce, local specialties, souvenirs, wine, and olive oil, or settle in at a table outside one of the many eateries that line the square. The prominent Madonna Verona fountain was designed in 1368 by Cansignorio della Scala, Lord of Verona during the reign of the powerful Scaligeri family. The base on which the fourth-century Roman statue stands is decorated with four water-spouting masks that represent the historic rulers of the city: Vero, the Lombard King Alboino, Berengario, and Verona. In addition to the fountain, the piazza is home to the medieval Torre dei Lamberti, Baroque Palazzo Maffei, crenellated Casa dei Mercanti, and frescoed Mazzanti houses, and is an important stop during any guided tour of the city's highlights.

Verona is located in Italy's Veneto region, halfway between Venice and Milan and just west of Padua. La Piazza delle Erbe and its famous fountain 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 square is when the market is open, from 7:30am to 8:30pm Monday to Saturday, and some Sundays.

For a sweeping view over Verona's centro storico (historic center), walk up the hill to Castel San Pietro. The fortress itself is closed to the public, but its esplanade overlooks the rooftops of the city.