🇮🇹Italy · Places to discover
What to see in Vérone?
23 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
Verona operates on two timescales simultaneously: that of ancient Rome, still legible in the Arena di Verona and the streets of the centro storico, and that of a functioning northeastern Italian city that works, trades and eats well without much concern for tourist approval. The Romeo and Juliet myth is maintained here with ruthless commercial efficiency, but it barely captures what the city actually offers.
September and October are your best months: the heat is manageable, summer crowds thin out, and the Valpolicella vineyards turn red just a few kilometres away. Two days cover the essentials; three if you want to explore the surrounding hills. Verona is walkable from the train station, which sits centrally. Skip the Casa di Giulietta on a Tuesday morning-the queue for a balcony with dubious historical connection to Shakespeare simply isn't worth your time.
Landmarks & heritage
5 places
1Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Scaligeri Tombs
14th-century Gothic mausolea of the Scaligeri lords, adjoining the church of Santa Maria Antica. These open-work baldachin tombs are among Italy's finest examples of funerary Gothic architecture.
2Wikimedia CommonsLandmark
Arena di Verona
A Roman amphitheatre from the 1st century, the third largest in the world, still used for open-air operas in summer. The natural acoustics are stunning – try to attend a performance at sunset.
3Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Porta Borsari
1st-century Roman gate still standing in the heart of Corso Porta Borsari, with its two arcades and alternating pediment windows. An ancient vestige you almost stumble upon while strolling.
4Wikimedia CommonsLandmark
Roman Theatre of Verona
1st-century BC Roman theatre carved into San Pietro hill, less well-known than the Arena but more authentic. The view of the Adige and Verona's rooftops from the tiers is exceptional.
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Landmark
Landmark
Sanctuary of the Madonna of Lourdes
Sanctuary carved into the tufa cliff above the Roman Theatre, accessed by a steep way of the cross. Sweeping view over the Adige and terracotta roofs from the terrace – a place of reflection overlooked by guidebooks.
Museums
1 place
6Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Museum
Museo di Castelvecchio
Medieval and Renaissance art collection housed in a space reimagined by architect Carlo Scarpa in the 1960s—a unique dialogue between artworks and contemporary architecture found nowhere else in Italy. The equestrian Cangrande in bronze dominates the visit.
Religious sites
2 places
7Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0Religious site
Duomo di Verona – Cattedrale di Santa Maria Matricolare
Romanesque cathedral begun in the 12th century, featuring a remarkable sculpted portal and Titian's Assumption of the Virgin in the first chapel on the left. Less crowded than Shakespeare-related sites, it deserves a careful visit.
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Religious site
Religious site
Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore
A masterpiece of 12th-century Lombard Romanesque architecture, with sculpted bronze doors and Mantegna's triptych on the altar. Locals consider it Verona's finest church, far from the crowds of Piazza Erbe.
Castles & fortresses
1 place
9Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Castle
Castelvecchio and Ponte Scaligero
A 14th-century Scaliger medieval fortress converted into an art museum by Carlo Scarpa – a masterpiece of museum architecture in itself. The crenellated bridge over the Adige is one of the city's most photogenic spots.
Nature
2 places
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Nature
Nature
Isolo – Ansa dell'Adige
Insular quarter formed by a meander of the Adige, with its quiet alleyways, private gardens and village-like atmosphere within the city. A corner even many Veronese are rediscovering on foot.
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Nature
Nature
Lungadige San Giorgio
Promenade along the Adige on the right bank, between Pietra Bridge and Navi Bridge, almost ignored by tourists. Locals run here in the morning or sit on the banks in the evening – the atmosphere of a true Italian town.
Parks & gardens
3 places
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Park
Park
Castel San Pietro Gardens
Terraced gardens at the foot of the Austro-Hungarian castle, accessible by funicular or on foot. An alternative viewpoint to the summit, with shaded benches and a direct view of the Adige meander.
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Park
Park
Walls Park – Maddalene Bastion
Stretch of 16th-century Venetian ramparts transformed into a linear park, with views over the countryside and vineyards to the north-west of the city. Local joggers and families have made it their daily haunt.
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Park
Park
Giardino Giusti
A 16th-century Renaissance garden, ranked among Europe's finest, with centuries-old cypress trees, fountains and a viewpoint carved into the rock. Goethe visited and drew inspiration from it – the climb to the grotto is worth the effort.
Viewpoints
4 places
15Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Viewpoint
Palazzo della Ragione – Lamberti Tower
A 12th-century medieval tower standing 84 metres high, accessible by lift from the Palazzo della Ragione courtyard. The 360° panorama over Verona and the Alps from the top is the best view in the city.
16Wikimedia CommonsViewpoint
San Pietro Hill – Verona Panorama
The hill above the Roman Theatre offers the most complete panorama of Verona, the Adige and the Alps as a backdrop. Accessible on foot via a staircase from Pietra Bridge – locals head up here at sunset.
17Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Viewpoint
Piazza dei Signori (Piazza Dante)
A medieval square framed by the Palazzo della Ragione and the Loggia del Consiglio, with a statue of Dante at its centre. Far less crowded than the neighbouring Piazza Erbe, it truly reflects the power of the Scaligeri.
18Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0Viewpoint
Pietra Bridge
Verona's oldest bridge, partially Roman (1st century BC), rebuilt after World War II with original stones recovered from the Adige. The view from the bridge of the Roman Theatre and the hill is a classic.
Activities
3 places
19Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Activity
Funicolare di Castel San Pietro
Small funicular connecting the Adige riverbank to the Austro-Hungarian castle in two minutes. Built in 2017, it replaces the historic staircase and offers a panoramic ascent over the city – modest fare.
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Activity
Activity
Adige Cycle Path
Cycling path alongside the Adige from the city centre towards Lake Garda or Valpolicella. Locals rent a bike and head to Pescantina or Bussolengo at weekends—flat, well-signposted, car-free.
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Activity
Activity
Piazza Erbe Market
Daily market under the red umbrellas of Verona's oldest square, a Roman forum repurposed. Arrive early in the morning to see local producers before the tourist rush – the spices and local cheeses are worth the detour.
More to discover
2 places
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Place
Place
Via Sottoriva
Medieval alley running along the Adige beneath 13th-century arcades, one of the most intact in northern Italy. In the evening, the bars and osterie here create a unique atmosphere, away from marked tourist trails.
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Place
Place
Quartiere Veronetta
University district on the left bank of the Adige, with its colourful palazzi, graffiti and spritz bars frequented by students. The antithesis of the museum-like historic centre – authentic everyday Veronese life.
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