Top Things to Do and See in Verona

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.