Verona Travel Guide

The Arena di Verona, built in the 1st century AD, is among the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres, seating over 20,000. Its rose-coloured stone arcades are majestic, and though damaged by medieval earthquakes it still stands proud. Each summer it becomes one of the world's great opera stages, staging Aida, Turandot and more under the stars — the most fervent cultural heart of the 'city of love'.

Casa di Giulietta is Verona's pilgrimage site born of Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet — a 14th-century house with the famous Juliet balcony where, legend says, the maiden confessed her love. The bronze Juliet in the courtyard is worn bright by countless touched hands, and the walls are covered in love letters. Though pure literary fiction, it is the most moving emblem of romance, drawing couples from around the world to make a wish.

Piazza delle Erbe is Verona's oldest square, heir to the Roman forum, ringed by colourful medieval houses and the tall Torre dei Lamberti. The herb market of old still thrives, with fruit, spices and buskers filling the stone steps — the best corner to feel Verona's living street life and layered history, a theatre where locals and travellers meet.

The Museo di Castelvecchio is housed in Verona's old castle, built by the Scaliger family in the Middle Ages beside the Adige, with striking red-brick walls and the adjoining Scaliger Bridge. In the 20th century the castle was remodelled by the architect Carlo Scarpa, weaving displays together with the building and its remains into a distinctive route, now regarded as a classic of modern museum design. The collection focuses on medieval and Renaissance painting and sculpture, including works of the local Veronese school, along with arms and decorative arts. The castle and its bridge are worth close attention in themselves; entry requires a ticket, and opening hours and gallery arrangements follow the venue's announcements.

Castel San Pietro stands on a hill on the north bank of the Adige in Verona, overlooking the old town and the river, and is one of the city's classic viewpoints. The hill has been a defensive position since ancient times, and the present castle dates largely from 19th-century Austrian rebuilding, its red brick and orderly walls standing out among the trees. From the terrace in front of the castle and the paths up the hill there are wide views over the old town's towers, churches and the curving river. The climb can be made on foot up stone steps, or by taking the funicular to nearby and walking on from there. The castle itself is not normally open as a regular museum, and visits centre on the views and the walk, with opening arrangements following on-site notices.

Piazza dei Signori is an elegant, solemn and historic square in Verona, ringed by old palaces and a statue of Dante, the former seat of power of Verona, an elegant sight. Piazza dei Signori (also Piazza Dante) sits in Verona's old town, near Piazza delle Erbe (the two squares are linked by an arch), a quieter, elegant, solemn and historic square, unlike the lively market square, with more gravity and historical weight, the former political and power center of Verona. This square, regular and elegant, is ringed by a circle of old, solemn and gorgeous buildings: the former town hall (the Loggia del Consiglio, with a fine Renaissance arcaded facade), the imposing Scaligeri family palace (the former ruling family's residence), and graceful arches and arcades connecting the buildings, quaint, elegant and harmonious, with a solemn historical aura. In the center stands a famous statue of the great poet Dante, who, after exile from Florence, lived in Verona under the Scaligeri's protection; the city thus has a deep bond with the poet. Today Dante's statue stands quietly in the square, gazing at the city he once inhabited, solemn and deep. Visiting Verona and strolling the elegant Piazza dei Signori to admire Dante's statue is an elegant sight.