The heritage city of Verona is full of historical wonders, detailed architecture from different eras and bustling squares giving a true taste of daily life. Whether you’re after a romantic weekend or a few culture-filled days, both are possible in this northern Italian city.
Follow the famous love trail
Verona draws in thousands of visitors each year with a passion for Shakespeare’s most famous play. While nobody knows if England’s celebrated bard ever visited the city, or if the two main characters existed, here you can follow the love trail of Romeo and Juliet. Thanks to many 16th-century buildings remaining in good condition, Verona retains a timeless charm that transports you back to its period setting.
Start at Juliet’s House at 23 Via Cappello, which has the Capulet emblem on its external façade. Through the gate you can see the walls where couples have written messages of love to one another. Continue into the courtyard and a bronze statue of Juliet stands in the centre, but it’s the famous balcony supposedly of her bedroom that garners the most attention. It was restored in the 1930s to recreate the original medieval appearance described in the play.
Not far away is Romeo’s house. It looks somewhat castle-like from the outside with a medieval brick wall surrounding the courtyard and rooms inside. There’s an impressive balcony here too, but as a private building you can only view it from the outside.
The trail turns tragic as it concludes at Juliet’s tomb. This isn’t the original burial site as it was relocated in the 1930s. Today pay your respects at the Museum of the Frescos of Giovanni Battista Cavalcaselle.
Ancient wonders
Founded in the 1st century BC, Verona has so many ancient buildings, structures and landmarks it’s impossible to know where to begin. The Arena of Verona is the city’s answer to Rome’s Colosseum. Around 2,000 years old, it still stands tall today and hosts regular opera performances in the summer.
You’ll stumble upon grand religious buildings from centuries past around every corner. Standing out for its white front and tiered porch, Verona Cathedral is the go-to for many visitors. The Basilica of San Zeno should also be on your itinerary, with a Romanesque style dating back to the 9th century. It was supposedly where Romeo and Juliet got married.
Castelvecchio was an important military location in the Middle Ages, located next to the Adige river. Its relatively simple, red brick design features seven towers and unique ‘M’ shaped merlons along its walls. What’s most striking is the bridge, which maintains the same style and joins onto the castle as it crosses the river. The castle is now home to a museum, where you can learn more about the fortress and city’s history.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and pretty much unmissable if you’re staying in Verona for a day trip or longer. In a hire car it will take you around 1 hour and 20 minutes to get there, located around 65km away from the city centre.
Take a trip across the lake by boat to experience its vastness or simply stroll along part of its shoreline, breathing in the fresh Alpine air. Scalinger castle is one of the most iconic sights to the south, as it looks out over the lake. Those seeking thrills and excitement can cool off at Caneva Aquapark, which borders the lake as well.
Experience the best of this north Italian heritage city and everything the wider region has to offer when you hire a car in Verona.