Wanderer’s Guide to a Romantic Verona Experience

When to visit Verona and how to get there?

Verona is stunning all year round, but from May to October, it feels like a picture-perfect Italian postcard. The sunny weather and pleasant temperatures make it easy to wander through cobbled streets, take in breathtaking historic sights and explore the picturesque surroundings. In summer, the city comes to life with a vibrant cultural scene, with the highlight being the opera performances at the magnificent Arena di Verona, which offer a spectacular experience under the starry sky. However, this is also the busiest time for tourists, so it’s a good idea to book accommodation and tickets for popular events in advance.

If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere and enjoy visiting and supporting your favourite places outside the peak tourist season, spring and autumn are also fantastic choices. Temperatures are still pleasant at that time, and with fewer crowds, you can explore the city at a more relaxed pace. Visiting in these seasons also helps keep Verona a locally focused and sustainable destination all year round. Autumn is particularly great for those who appreciate wine, as harvest season and tastings take place in nearby Valpolicella.

No matter when you choose to visit Verona, getting there is quite easy. Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN) is located about 12 kilometres from the city centre and offers regular flights to many European destinations. From the airport, you can reach the city centre by bus, taxi or rental car. For those who prefer travelling by land and enjoy scenic, more environmentally friendly transport options, Verona offers excellent rail and bus connections. The city is well connected to major Italian destinations like Milan, Venice, Rome and Florence. The main train station Verona Porta Nuova is close to the city centre and offers fast and comfortable travel. Regular bus routes connect Verona with many European cities, making it another great option for those who prefer travelling by road. If you’re driving, it’s easy to reach Verona using well-maintained motorways. However, driving and parking in the city centre can be challenging, since many streets are closed to traffic or are only intended for locals. It’s best to park on the outskirts of the city and reach the centre on foot or by public transport. No matter how you choose to travel, Verona is a city worth visiting at least once in a lifetime and one you are sure to fall in love with forever.

Roman heritage and the mighty Arena

Walking through Verona feels like travelling through time, where every corner of the city tells stories of the past that blend seamlessly with modern life. Among the colourful medieval buildings and lively squares stands one of Verona’s most stunning landmarks, the Arena di Verona, a mighty Roman amphitheatre that is even older than the famous Colosseum in Rome. Built in the 1st century AD, the Arena once hosted thrilling gladiator battles and grand Roman spectacles. Today, it is one of the most prestigious venues for opera performances and concerts.

In the summer, it hosts the famous Verona Opera Summer Festival, which attracts visitors from all over the world. Imagine the magic of Verdi’s Aida or Puccini’s Tosca echoing under the stars in a two-thousand-year-old arena. It’s an experience you never forget. Since tickets for these performances are in high demand, it is best to book them months in advance.

Architecturally, the Arena is a masterpiece. Roman builders constructed it from local white and pink limestone with precision that still impresses engineers to this day. It once held up to 25,000 spectators, which was astonishing for its time. Today, it’s a bit smaller due to damage from a big earthquake in the 12th century, but it’s still one of the best-preserved Roman arenas in the world.

But the Arena is not the only Roman treasure in Verona. A walk through the old town reveals Porta Borsari, a monumental 1st-century city gate that was once part of the walls protecting ancient Verona. Continue towards Ponte Pietra, one of the oldest Roman bridges in Italy, stretching majestically across the Adige River. Although it was partly destroyed during World War II, it was carefully rebuilt using the original stones and now offers one of the best views of the city.

As you explore Verona, you’ll come across traces of the ancient world at every turn, from the remains of Roman villas and centuries-old mosaics to the atmosphere that takes you back to the days of emperors and legionnaires. Verona isn’t just a romantic city of love but also a hidden treasure of Roman heritage, worth exploring step by step.

Following in the footsteps of Romeo and Juliet

Verona and romance go hand in hand, largely thanks to one of the most famous love stories of all time, the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Although Shakespeare never visited Verona, the spirit of his masterpiece can still be felt in every corner of the city. The most popular spot for romantics is Juliet’s House, Casa di Giulietta, where you can visit the famous balcony and imagine Romeo whispering sweet words to his beloved in the moonlight. In the courtyard beneath the balcony stands a bronze statue of Juliet, which many visitors touch in the hope of finding luck in love. Inside the house, you get a glimpse of how Verona’s nobility lived in the Middle Ages. The walls are covered with countless love notes left by couples wishing for eternal love.

Historically speaking, the Capulet house is more myth than reality. The balcony was only added in the 20th century when the city decided to create a symbolic romantic spot for visitors. Still, it remains one of Verona’s most popular landmarks, drawing thousands of lovestruck visitors from around the world each year. If you want to experience a quieter side of Verona’s romance, head to the lesser-known house believed to belong to Romeo. The atmosphere is more peaceful, and the crowds are much smaller. There’s no historical records that a Romeo Montecchi ever lived here, but the house still holds symbolic meaning and offers a more intimate experience of Verona’s romantic heritage.

For a truly idyllic escape, visit Giardino Giusti, one of the most beautiful Renaissance gardens in Italy. This 16th-century hidden gem, once owned by the noble Giusti family, offers stunning views of the city and is a real oasis of peace. A stroll among the lush cypress trees, baroque sculptures, and fountains feels like stepping straight into a historic love story. If you visit Verona in spring or summer, you can enjoy the sweet scent of blooming gardens, adding a special touch to your romantic wanderings.

The most magical side of Verona appears in the evening, when the narrow streets of the old town are bathed in the soft light of street lamps. Walk along the cobbled streets, discover hidden courtyard passages, and soak up the atmosphere of a city that has represented timeless love for centuries.

Squares, palaces, and art at every turn

Verona is not just a city of love, but also a treasure trove of art, history, and architectural wonders. The city’s cultural life comes alive in its charming squares, impressive palaces, and galleries, showing off its rich history and lively art scene. The city is quite compact, but for the keenest travellers, there are also great public transport links and organised bus tours.

One of the liveliest and historically important squares in the city is Piazza delle Erbe, which has been the heart of Verona since Roman times. Once the main market and a place for political and social gatherings, today it’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists. The square is surrounded by stunning medieval and Renaissance buildings, giving it a unique look, from lavish palaces to towers that have stood the test of time.

In the centre of the square stands the Fontana Madonna Verona, a symbol of the city that has watched over the daily hustle and bustle for centuries. For an unforgettable view of the old town, climb the Lamberti Tower, which rises 84 metres above the square. Whether you walk up the stairs, or take the lift, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of Verona’s colourful rooftops, the Adige River, and the hills around the city. Just a few steps away is Piazza dei Signori, an elegant square that was the political centre of the city in the Middle Ages. Its palaces, with their decorated arcades and grand façades, still show just how important the square was in the past. The square is home to the impressive statue of Dante Alighieri, who spent part of his exile in Verona and found inspiration for his famous Divine Comedy.

For those interested in history and architecture, a visit to Castelvecchio is a must. This impressive 14th-century fortress was once an important defensive centre. Today, it’s home to the Castelvecchio Museum, which has an amazing collection of medieval paintings, sculptures, and weapons. Just a few steps away is Ponte Scaligero, one of the most picturesque bridges in Italy. With its red brick arches, it’s the perfect spot for photos and romantic walks along the Adige River. All of this and more can be experienced on a guided tour, which you can book in advance on the GetYourGuide website.

Verona is also a city that breathes art, history, and culture at every turn. If you want to experience the modern art scene, check out the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti, where you’ll find amazing works by Italian and international artists. Take a walk through the gallery, admire masterpieces from different periods, and soak up the creative spirit that has filled this beautiful city for centuries. Verona will always charm you with its timeless beauty, where the past and present go hand in hand.

Verona’s culinary journey

A visit to Verona isn’t complete without an authentic culinary experience. The local cuisine has a rich history, full flavours, and carefully selected ingredients that reflect the heritage of the Veneto region. Verona is a paradise for lovers of good food and wine, where you can enjoy traditional dishes that locals have been making for centuries.

One of the most typical pasta dishes is bigoli, which are long, thicker noodles that are like spaghetti but with a coarser texture, so the sauce sticks perfectly to every strand. The most popular dish is bigoli con l’anatra, pasta in a rich duck sauce, often made even better with some local red wine.

For those wanting to try something truly authentic, pastissada de caval is a must. It’s a slow-cooked dish made with horse meat, dating back to the times of the Lombards. Legend has it that it was first made from the meat of fallen horses after the great battle near Verona in the 5th century. Today, it’s considered one of Verona’s most iconic dishes.

Of course, Verona is also known for its famous risotto all’Amarone, where the creamy texture of the rice blends with the rich, fruity taste of Amarone della Valpolicella wine. Each tablespoon of this risotto reflects the terroir of the wine-growing hills northwest of Verona, where this famous wine is made. That’s why I highly recommend a trip among the many wine-growing hills that surround Verona, or a visit to the tavernas and local producers within the city centre of one of Italy’s most prized red wines. For those with a big sweet-tooth, I recommend pandoro, a traditional holiday bread with a light buttery texture that is coated with caster sugar. Although popular throughout Italy today, it originates from Verona and is still an important part of local festive traditions.

And of course, no dining experience in Verona would be complete without a visit to one of the many wine houses, where you can taste fine wines from the surrounding wine-growing hills. Besides Amarone, Valpolicella Classico, a lighter red wine with a hint of fruit, and Bardolino, which is a great accompaniment to lighter dishes, are also highly appreciated. If you love wine, make sure you do a wine tasting in Valpolicella, where you can also walk through the vineyards, visit family wineries, and learn about the art of producing these prestigious wines firsthand. As you can see, Verona is not only a city of history and romance, but also a true culinary centre where every meal turns into an experience you’ll want to repeat again and again.

Why Verona stays in your heart

Verona is not only the city of Romeo and Juliet, but a true Italian treasure offering history, art, culture and culinary delights. If you are a fan of history, romance or simply good food and wine, Verona is sure to impress you. The way the city blends old and new makes it an experience you won’t forget.

With its romantic vibe, rich history, and amazing food, Verona is a place you’ll want to keep coming back to. It’s a place you will carry in your heart long after you have left it. Where the past and the present intertwine, where art and culture meet at every step, where tastes and smells merge into an unforgettable culinary experience. Verona is a city that will charm you with its beauty, inspire you with its history, and leave you speechless with its romance.