Discover the Best of Verona: 8 Attractions You Shouldn't Miss

Though it might be called “the osteria of the liar,” this place is the genuine article. The owner of the restaurant, has a vineyard in Valpolicella, where the house wines are made. You can taste the true passion for Veronese gastronomic traditions in the cheeses and salumi, the primi of freshly made pasta, and the stick-to-the-ribs secondi of meat and polenta. Recommended by Ione Wang.

Surrounded by lovely medieval and Renaissance architecture, this is the heart of the city where vendors sell kitschy souvenirs by day and young people come to drink and party at night. Have a drink in one of the nearby cafes and watch the city go by. Recommended by Ione Wang.

The Roman arena in Verona might not be as big as the Colosseum in Rome, but it is better preserved. It doesn’t quite qualify as a ruin – in fact, the arena is so intact that concerts are still held here. When you’re not visiting to see the opera, you can take a guided tour or just wander around in your own time. Either way, make sure you walk up to the top, to get fantastic views of the city.

This gorgeous Romanesque basilica was built in the 12th century, but its core dates back to as much as 1,500 years ago. It’s a truly magical place with the stained glass rose window, elaborately crafted bronze doors, colorful early Renaissance frescoes and a breathtaking main triptych by Andrea Mantegna. Recommended by Ione Wang.

This is one of the oldest osterie in all Verona and it’s got a wonderful, old-fashioned feel with wooden fixtures and communal tables. The owner-proprietor Signora Annalisa keeps a wine list of over 40 regional wines that you can order by the glass, and a menu full of hearty Veronese favorites like baccala alla vicentina and polenta with Asiago and mushrooms. Recommended by Ione Wang.

These 16th-century, Renaissance gardens are immaculately maintained and intricately designed, with its grass kept as neatly trimmed as the cypress trees and box hedges. There’s a lot of garden to wander around here, but make sure you venture up the steps, even if it looks like a long way up – once at the top you’re rewarded with amazing views over Verona. You can visit the adjacent Giusti Palace, too, but it’s the gardens that steal the show.

This Michelin-starred osteria features good, traditional Veronese cooking, with just a slight modern twist. An interior full of beautiful old things is complemented by outdoor seating when there’s warm weather. Try the braised beef in an Amarone sauce, or the agnolotti pasta with Grana Padano and black truffles. Recommended by Ione Wang.

Old-fashioned and cozy, Monte Baldo is packed to bursting at lunchtime and in the evenings with a diverse crowd of locals, students and visitors alike. They have a well-chosen, affordable wine list and great nibbles to go with your glass, like crunchy balls of fried eggplant and thin slices of mortadella on bread. Recommended by Ione Wang.

The stunning location of this museum, right next to the river and the arched-stone Castelvecchio Bridge, is the first indication that you’re in for a treat when coming here. The museum is housed in an old garrison and much of the displays inside deal with Verona’s past. You should set aside at least a couple of hours to get the most out of the Museo di Castelvecchio, as there are many historical artefacts to take in – from goldwork to ceramics to weaponry. Early Renaissance paintings and romanesque sculptures sit alongside remnants of Italian history.

This Renaissance-style church contains the only work of the master painter Paolo Veronese that’s on view in the city. The Martyrdom of St George that’s on view here is worth the trip, showing a divine scene as an exquisitely painted, colorful earthly carnival. Recommended by Ione Wang.

Malacarne is a bar and social center decked out in quirky bits and bobs taken from flea markets and vintage shops. Come for a taste of Italian craft beer and to hear great live music from local artists. Recommended by Ione Wang.

You don’t have to be a Shakespeare fan to know about the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet. Juliet’s House in Verona is a period house dedicated to the leading lady – bear in mind that Shakespeare never visited Italy, so it’s not technically where the play was set. Perform your best “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo” and pose for photos with Juliet’s statue, perhaps giving her shiny metal boob a rub for good luck – something that so many people have done, it’s become somewhat frowned upon. Inside the house is the famous bed that featured in the Zeffirelli film version of the play.

A magical place for readers, Il Gelso is crowded with good books, handmade stationery and other curios, making for a really warm and welcoming atmosphere. You can spend hours browsing here amid the well-curated displays, but it certainly won’t be long before this becomes one of your favorite places in the city. Recommended by Ione Wang.

This ice cream shop is a part of Veronese history, as it was first founded in 1939. You can get a simple cone, an ice cream sandwich, or a stick of vanilla gelato covered in chocolate. Best of all, they’re open until midnight, so you know where to satisfy that late-night craving. Recommended by Ione Wang.

Originally built in 1187 on the site of previous churches that were destroyed by earthquakes, this romanesque iteration has stood firmly ever since. You can buy a ticket that allows you entry into all four of Verona’s city churches, but the cathedral is arguably the most impressive. Glass panels on the floor allow you to view the old ruins of the previous church, which lie beneath. Add in the intricately painted interior of the existing church, and you have an incredible blend of history and beauty.

This might not be the kind of modern art gallery you’re used to, as most of the paintings date from between 1840 to 1940, but it’s an interesting journey through art over the years. This is “modern” art Verona-style – so you’ll still be looking at classical, religious scenes. The artists on display are all Italian, and you’re likely to discover something you didn’t know of before. Like everything in Verona, the building itself is historic and beautiful and is reached by the stone, so-called “staircase of reason”.

This little pastry shop is just the place for a classic Italian breakfast of a shot of coffee and a sweet, buttery baked treat. This bakery is the genuine article, its display stuffed lovingly with cream puffs and gleaming fruit tarts. It’s full of locals in the morning, who eat lined up at the counter elbow-to-elbow. Recommended by Ione Wang.

Sprawling over Piazza San Zeno, the Sunday flea market is a firm fixture for the locals and you’ll find mostly Veronians there rifling through the treasure. Perhaps because of this, the stall holders don’t speak much English – but they are open to some haggling, so don’t be put off. You can pick up just about anything here, but the Italian antiques and bric-a-brac are especially interesting. The only problem is getting it all home with you.

A real institution for wine lovers, this place has its roots in the 17th century and it’s currently owned by the Amarone family. Winner of many awards from Wine Spectator, it’s one of the best places in the city to taste wine from all over the world. Recommended by Ione Wang.

Making it all the way up to the top of the great tower in Verona is an achievement, if you decide to take the stairs. Otherwise, pay €1 for the lift and you’ll still have your breath to enjoy the views when you get up there. The views from the top are truly spectacular: you can see over the whole of Verona. Built somewhere between the 12th and 15th centuries, the tower has a mysterious past, with historical gaps that only make exploring it more interesting.