Owing much to Shakespeare for its fame and high profile, the city that was the setting of the classic love tale Romeo and Juliet is a delightful destination offering fine architecture, cultural heritage and a distinctly romantic ambience. As the provincial capital of Veneto in northern Italy, Verona is a large city and one which ranks high on the list of the country’s most popular visitor destinations.
What it is: A mid-sized city in northern Italy, best known as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and home to Roman ruins and medieval charm.
Affordability: Mid-range, with reasonably priced dining and attractions, though hotels can be expensive in summer.
Safety: Very safe, with low crime rates and a walkable, tourist-friendly center.
Popularity: Popular with day-trippers and romantic travelers, especially during opera season and summer festivals.
Tourist Infrastructure: Well-developed, with compact streets, good train links, and plenty of accommodations near major sights.
Accommodation Options: Budget B&Bs, boutique hotels, historic inns, and elegant stays near the Arena.
Dining Scene: Focused on northern Italian dishes, risottos, horse meat (locally traditional), and plenty of wine from nearby Valpolicella.
Nightlife: Quiet and atmospheric, with wine bars, cafés, and riverside spots, more about mood than partying.
Weather: Hot summers, cool winters, and pleasant spring and fall seasons.
Best Time to Go: April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild and the city is less crowded.
Known For: Romeo and Juliet, Roman Arena, medieval streets, wine, opera, romantic atmosphere, historic bridges.
Top Attractions: Verona Arena • Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta) • Piazza delle Erbe • Castelvecchio • Ponte Pietra • Piazza dei Signori • Giusti Garden • Basilica of San Zeno.
- Population: Approximately 260,000 in the city.
- Emergency Numbers: 112 for police, fire, and medical emergencies.
- Time Zone: Central European Time (CET), UTC +1; Central European Summer Time (CEST), UTC +2 (March to October).
- Currency: Euro (€ EUR); ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are accepted in most places.
- Language: Italian is the official language; English is spoken in tourist areas.
- Electricity: Standard voltage is 230V; plugs are type C, F, and L (European two- and three-pin plugs).
- Internet: Widely available; free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafes, and many public spaces.
- Convenience stores: Found throughout the city, Coop, Conad, and Carrefour Express are typical chains.
- Nearest International Airport: Verona Villafranca Airport (Valerio Catullo) (about 7 miles / 12 km southwest of the city center).
- Trivia: Verona is famous as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and attracts visitors to Juliet’s balcony each year.
- Iconic Local Foods: Must-try dishes include risotto all’Amarone, pastissada de caval (horsemeat stew), and pandoro (sweet bread).
- Fun Fact: Verona’s Roman Arena, built in the 1st century, is still in use today for large-scale opera performances.
Verona, set in northern Italy’s Veneto region, is famed as the backdrop for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and celebrated for its well-preserved Roman architecture. Most tourists come to visit Juliet’s House, explore the grand Verona Arena, and stroll through the picturesque Piazza delle Erbe. But Verona also charms with its medieval lanes, scenic river views, and rich wine culture from the nearby Valpolicella region.
What makes Verona stand out is its romantic reputation combined with tangible history, you can wander Roman amphitheaters one moment and medieval piazzas the next, all in a compact and walkable city.
Top attractions include the Verona Arena, Juliet’s House and Balcony, Castelvecchio and its bridge, Piazza delle Erbe, and the Roman Theatre. A climb up to Castel San Pietro rewards you with sweeping views of the city and Adige River.
The city is teeming with splendid old buildings, among which the imposing Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore is of particular note. This magnificent 12th century Romanesque church offers some wonderful frescoes and relief sculptures, as well as notable features such as bronze-paneled doors and a large rose window. Artworks in the church represent the Romanesque, Byzantine and Ottoman eras.
A stroll around the city yields a number of interesting sights, with its narrow medieval streets complete with cobblestones and houses that have changed little in centuries. Churches about the city are plentiful and include the likes of San Pietro Martire, San Fermo, Sant’Anastasia and the splendid cathedral (Duomo). Wine lovers might also want to consider that Verona is the producer of some of the country’s finest vintages.
For lodging, the historic center near Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe is ideal for sightseeing, while San Zeno offers a quieter, more local feel. Accommodations range from boutique hotels and B&Bs to budget guesthouses.
Getting around is best done on foot, as most attractions are clustered in the compact city center. Buses are available for longer trips, and Verona’s train station makes it easy to visit nearby destinations like Lake Garda or Venice.
Dining features traditional Veronese dishes like risotto all’Amarone, horsemeat specialties, and fresh pasta. Wine lovers will appreciate tastings of Valpolicella, Soave, and Bardolino wines. Nightlife is relaxed, centered around wine bars and cafés, and shopping includes artisan boutiques and local markets.
Verona is very safe, though crowded spots like Juliet’s House can attract pickpockets. Summers are hot and busy, especially during the opera season, while spring and fall are ideal for more relaxed visits.
Why Go to Verona?
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Roman Ruins: Visit the Verona Arena and Roman Theatre for history and culture.
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Romantic Reputation: Stand on Juliet’s Balcony and explore sites linked to Shakespeare’s tale.
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Charming Old Town: Stroll along cobbled streets and over historic bridges.
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Wine Region Access: Enjoy tastings of Valpolicella and other local wines.
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Opera & Festivals: Experience world-class performances in the open-air Arena.
Who Might Not Enjoy Verona?
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Travelers Avoiding Crowds: Popular sights like Juliet’s House can get very busy.
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Those Seeking Beach Time: Verona is inland; Lake Garda offers the nearest waterside escape.
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Visitors Wanting Big-City Energy: Verona is charming and historic, but its vibe is quieter than Milan or Rome.
What’s Cool
Verona Arena (Roman amphitheater), Juliet’s House and balcony, Piazza delle Erbe, Castelvecchio and its bridge, historic city walls, vibrant cafés and wine bars, Shakespearean connections (Romeo and Juliet), scenic Adige River views, film spots (Letters to Juliet), easy day trips to Lake Garda and Valpolicella wine region.
What’s Not
Crowded tourist spots (Juliet’s House), hot and humid summers, limited nightlife, pricey hotels near the center, early closing times for restaurants, tourist traps around main landmarks, cobbled streets tough on feet, language barriers outside main areas, limited public transport, small-town feel may lack big-city energy.
Verona is located in northern Italy, in the Veneto region, about 120 km (75 miles) west of Venice and 160 km (99 miles) east of Milan. It’s renowned for its Roman amphitheater, medieval old town, and connections to Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Verona Villafranca Airport serves the city, and buses, regional trains, and a compact center make getting around straightforward.
Covering around 198 km² (76 mi²), Verona is bisected by the Adige River and features well-preserved Roman, medieval, and Renaissance architecture. Key areas include the Historic Center, Cittadella, San Zeno, and Borgo Trento.
Most tourists stay in the Historic Center or nearby Cittadella for close access to landmarks and dining.
Historic Center
The Historic Center is Verona’s main tourist zone, packed with Roman ruins, piazzas, and historic churches. It’s the best choice for sightseeing.
- Accommodations: (Mid-Range to High-End) – Boutique hotels and apartments.
- Nearby Attractions: Arena di Verona • Piazza delle Erbe • Juliet’s House
- Dining: (Traditional) – Trattorias, osterias, and pizzerias.
- Nightlife: (Moderate) – Wine bars and cafés.
- Shopping: (Excellent) – Boutiques and artisan shops.
Cittadella
Cittadella is a modern area adjacent to the historic center, convenient for transport links and offering more affordable stays.
- Accommodations: (Budget to Mid-Range) – Hotels and guesthouses.
- Nearby Attractions: Piazza Bra • Porta Nuova
- Dining: (Casual) – Pizzerias and casual Italian eateries.
- Nightlife: (Quiet) – Local bars and pubs.
- Shopping: (Practical) – Supermarkets and small shops.
San Zeno
San Zeno is a quieter, traditional neighborhood west of the center, known for its basilica and authentic feel.
- Accommodations: (Budget to Mid-Range) – Small hotels and B&Bs.
- Nearby Attractions: Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore • Arsenale Austriaco
- Dining: (Authentic) – Family-run restaurants and trattorias.
- Nightlife: (Low-Key) – Wine bars and cafés.
- Shopping: (Local) – Small shops and markets.
Borgo Trento
Borgo Trento is a residential, peaceful district across the river, offering scenic views and easy access to hiking spots.
- Accommodations: (Mid-Range) – Boutique hotels and guesthouses.
- Nearby Attractions: Castel San Pietro • Ponte Pietra
- Dining: (Relaxed) – Italian restaurants and cafés.
- Nightlife: (Minimal) – Quiet bars.
- Shopping: (Basic) – Local stores and convenience shops.
Veronetta
Veronetta, east of the river, is a youthful, artsy district with the university and a growing creative scene, appealing to budget travelers and students.
- Accommodations: (Budget) – Hostels and small hotels.
- Nearby Attractions: Giardino Giusti • University of Verona
- Dining: (Casual) – Pizzerias and student-friendly spots.
- Nightlife: (Lively) – Student bars and live music venues.
- Shopping: (Alternative) – Indie shops and bookshops.