Discover Verona Italy

It is probably best known for two things; the Roman arena and Juliet’s balcony but it has way more gems awaiting discovery. Join me, Maria, and discover one of Italy's most fascinating cities.

To begin with Verona is a perfect base to explore the nearby town of Soave and the wine regions as well as Lake Garda .

Make sure you do explore the surrounds but don't neglect Verona itself. OK enough chatter - enjoy Verona...

The city of Verona at dusk

Where to Stay in Verona

Our suggestion would be the Hotel Verona. It is well located and a really high quality three star hotel. The free bicycle available to guests is a nice touch.

If you don’t mind paying a little more – actually quite a lot more – then an excellent five star hotel in Verona Italy is the Gabbia D’Oro. A quite lovely eighteenth century palace set right in the heart of the city.

I always feel when visiting elegant, historic cities like Verona and Venice that, if you can afford it, staying in places that compliment the elegance and history of the city is surely befitting. The Gabbia D’Oro is certainly that though little bigger rooms would have been nice.

A Horrible Mobster Called "Rabid Dog" Della Scala

After the end of the Roman era the next “golden age” was around the 13th century. This is the Scaligeri(Scala)era featured in Romeo and Juliet.

The Scala family spent most of the next 150 years trying to dominate the north of Italy and killing rival family members. Really a horrible bunch of mobsters indeed. Rabid Dog Della Scala was the worst of them. .

It wasn't all bad though, between murdering friends and family they did manage to build some beautiful buildings, palaces and bridges. The magnificent San Zeno Basilica and the Basilica of San Lorenzo date from this era.

After the family was finally removed the city fell under the control of Venice. Most of the main sights you will want to see were built before Venice took control, apart from some elegant villas built by various rich Veronese families.

Sightseeing in Verona Italy

Plenty of churches and many of them rival the beauty of the churches to be found in Venice. The Basilica of San Zeno is quite lovely and the finest of the churches. For more on this and the other churches of Verona click here.

Romeo and Juliet in Verona

It seems Verona tends to bring out the romantic in even the most jaded couple and all couples religiously make the trip to see Juliet’s balcony, which in reality is no such thing, but just a good bit of marketing by Verona.

To be honest, I'm Italian and romantic at heart but I don’t much like the balcony. If you are interested in knowing why and more about it then click here.

The Arena and the other Roman Buildings

Verona is a World Heritage Site thanks to its Roman legacy. The Arena is the most important.

Once a place where Roman gladiators engaged in brutal combat, the Arena is now a pleasant place of summer concerts, operas under the stars and tour groups - lots of them in July and August. Click here to read about the Arena, the concerts and the other Roman attractions in Verona.

Other sights in Verona Italy

Piazza dei Signori

Known as Piazza Dante by locals, because of the statue to Dante Alighieri in the piazza. Dante lived in Verona after being expelled from Florence.

The most impressive buildings are the Loggia del Consiglio, Palazzo del Comune (dates from the Scala era) and the Palazzo del Capitanio (designed by Palladio).

Piazza Bra

A prosperous and pleasant piazza lined with bars charging ridiculous prices for even a simple cup of coffee. Despite the silly prices sit at a bar and have a drink in order to soak up the atmosphere but unless you have pots of money don’t eat here.

The Piazza is also home to the local tourist office. The office provides some decent maps and advice on things to see in and around town. You can mail them at iatverona@provincia.vr.it

From Piazza Bra you can take Via Mazzini – the main shopping street – through to Piazza delle Erbe.

Piazza delle Erbe

Home to the fresh produce markets and lined with some exquisite buildings. This is one of the loveliest of Italian piazzas. The piazza is surrounded by some of the most delightful buildings in Verona, Best of these is the Lamberti Tower and the Domus Mercatorum.

Get to the Piazza early, when the first stall holders are setting up and only a few locals are rushing about, this is the best way to experience the centuries of history pervading the square. The early morning light, the smell of the market... lovely. I struggle to get out of my bed in the morning but this is worth it.

The Lamberti Tower

When Verona was on fire, or a city meeting was called, one of the two bells was rung. From what I am told the largest was to call a city council meeting or as a call to arms. The small one was for less important things like fires. Very weird but the city council obviously considered themselves important as city councilors tend to do.

To visit the tower costs around € 2 though you will pay another € 0.60 if you don’t feel like walking and take the lift. The view from up top is spectacular – the whole town stretches before you and if it isn’t hazy (it always is whenever I visit) I am told you can see the Alps. If you do see them please let me know...I'm not convinced.

Domus Mercatorum / The Merchant’s House

Built in 1301, this building is okay. Nice colour, nice arches and the top part looks like a castle but to be honest it is nothing worth getting excited about.

Palazzo del Comune

Now this is a great 12th century building. It has a lovely courtyard with a splendid staircase inside - these stairs were added only in the 15th century but they compliment the original building. Changes made in the 19th century were less beneficial and the fact that only two of the original two towers exist is a pity.

Palazzo del Capitanio

My home province of Vicenza is famous for its Palladian architecture but this is also a famous example dating from 1565. It looks unfinished compared to other works by Palladio and that is because it is. It appears that the original design was never completed and the side wings were left out.

Castelvecchio and Ponte Scaligero

One of the places in Verona Italy that is really worth seeing. Not only because I tend to like castles but also because it provides an important insight into life during the time of the Scaliger dynasty and the museum is superb. Read more about it here.

Shopping in Verona

The Verona markets move around on a daily basis. The best one is the one held on a Saturday at the Stadio - you really are going to love it. Tourist information, or even your hotel, will be able to give you more details.

If prices don’t worry you then visit Via Mazzini. In fact visit Via Mazzini, whether or not you like shopping, this is a vibrant pedestrians only street. If you turn right at the end of the street you get into Via Cappello of Romeo and Juliet fame.

Study Italian in Verona Italy?

I used to be a language teacher and I hope to soon prepare a guide to the best of these schools but in the meantime should you wish to study Italian in Verona Italy, or the Veneto, you are welcome to contact me below for some free advice. Or visit my guide to some of the best language schools elsewhere in Italy.

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