Verona’s historic center is enclosed within the ancient city walls, its narrow streets lined with art-filled museums, handsome palazzi, frescoed churches, designer boutiques and a wealth of different restaurants. It's easy to spend all your time here, but don’t miss out on seeing the beautiful Veneto region.
Enjoy a night at the opera
Verona was an important Roman town and is rich in archaeological sites. The grandest of these is the Roman arena, on Piazza Brà. Home to the city’s world-famous summer opera festival, the arena was built in the first century, 50 years before the Colosseum in Rome. It was one of the biggest amphitheaters in the Roman Empire, with seating for 30,000 people, and is best seen during an operatic performance.
See Juliet’s balcony
A five-minute walk from the Arena, on the River Adige, is the spectacular 14th-century Castelvecchio – old castle – which now houses a diverse collection of statuary, frescoes and medieval art.
After a morning soaking up the history of the area, head to Piazza delle Erbe, once the Roman Forum and now the beating heart of the city. Make a quick pit stop at one of the surrounding cafes before exploring the stores dotted all around.
Just off the square is the ever-popular Juliet’s House, with its much-photographed balcony – said to have inspired Shakespeare in his writing of Romeo and Juliet. Wander the area, posing for pictures with one of the world’s most iconic sights in the background. There’s even a large bronze statue of Juliet to admire.
Get the best view in town
Towering over Piazza delle Erbe is the 300-foot-high Torre dei Lamberti, which affords panoramic views of Verona. Don’t worry if you can’t face the climb to the top, as an elevator will take you up two-thirds of the way. This incredible structure was created in the 12th century by the Lamberti family and houses two bells.
Below the tower is the Romanesque Palazzo della Ragione, home to the wonderful Gallery of Modern Art. Don’t miss the stunning Cappella dei Notai (Chapel of Notaries), which is full of 17th- and early 18th-century frescoes.
Shop ‘til you drop
Verona is a shopper’s paradise, with dozens of designer stores, chic boutiques and mouth-watering delis tucked away in the centro storico. A good place for fashion and funky gifts are the stores on Corso Porta Borsari, which runs north-east from Porta Borsari to Piazza delle Erbe, changing its name to Corso Sant’Anastasia along the way.
Running straight through the heart of the old town, from Piazza Brà to Piazza delle Erbe, is Via Mazzini, an elegant pedestrian street lined with stylish fashion and jewelry stores.
Explore the shores of Lake Garda
Only a short drive from Verona airport are the sparkling waters of Lake Garda, whose beautiful shores are lined with the holiday villas of the rich and famous.
The spa resort of Sirmione, standing on a slender peninsula on its southern shore, is famous for its much-photographed medieval castle and very rare fortified port.
At its northern tip is the Grotte di Catullo, a ruined 1st-century Roman villa – the largest domestic Roman villa in northern Italy. From its terraced hillsides you’ll get unparalleled views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Another recommended lakeside destination is the 2,000-year-old Villa Romana, a short walk from the Desenzano del Garda ferry landing stage, and well worth seeking out for its colorful mosaics as well as its spectacular location.
Access all the magnificent history and fascinating sites of the Veneto region with a Hertz rental car.
