Verona is best known for its connection to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. There is no evidence that Romeo and Juliet actually happened here. However, it is clear that there are many sights to be seen in Verona, even if you don’t mind Juliet’s “balcony”, and “tomb.” ).
Northern Italy is home to many charming towns as well as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Verona is definitely a top choice for places to visit in Northern Italy. It is only a half-hour from Venice by train and makes for a great day trip!
Are you still not convinced? These are seven of our top picks in Verona.
Piazza delle Erbe
Piazza delle Erbe, which is a day market, is home to souvenirs, but in the evening it’s crowded with tourists and locals sipping Campari, and enjoying aperitivi in the outdoor cafes. No matter what time of day you are, you should always look around as you pass through the square. This piazza is renowned for its beautiful central fountain and Renaissance-era palaces.
Arena of Verona
This amphitheater, built in the 1st Century A.D., was Verona’s answer to Rome’s Colosseum (although it actually predates the Colosseum almost 50 years). It is still remarkably well preserved and hosts Verona’s annual summer opera festival. (See our previous post on Performing in Verona Opera.
Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore
Although the church was built in the 12th and 13th centuries, it is beautiful. Many other churches in Verona took inspiration from the early Romanesque style. The bronze door is a striking feature, featuring 48 intricately carved panels depicting scenes from the Bible. It dates back to the 11th Century.
Castelvecchio
Castelvecchio, Verona’s 14th-century fortress, has seven towers and a castle keep. It also contains four buildings. It is now home to a museum that exhibits art, sculpture, and coins. There are also pieces from Mantegna and Bellini, as well as a collection featuring paintings.
Porta Borsari
This Roman gate from the ancient Romans, once the southern entry to Verona, is an excellent example of how ancient ruins have been layered into modern Verona.
Duomo Verona
The main cathedral of Verona, the Duomo (or Duomo), is breathtaking. It’s not just visible from the outside, however. The interior of this church dating back to the 12th century is filled with artistic treasures and a Titian painting.
Arche Scaligeri
These Tombs are simply too elaborate! These five Gothic funerary monuments are located just around the corner of Piazza delle Erbe. They are considered to be some of the finest examples of Gothic art Itay has to offer. These monuments belonged to Scaligeri family members, who ruled Verona between the 13th and 14th centuries. You should make sure to enter the small, beautiful church of Santa Maria Antica just behind them.
