Free walking tours in Verona and what to see

Must-sees

Verona lies on the banks of the Adige and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit usually begins in Piazza Bra, dominated by the Arena, the Roman amphitheatre that hosts an opera festival every summer. From there, Via Mazzini leads to Piazza delle Erbe, the old Roman forum and now a market surrounded by palazzi. Next door is Piazza dei Signori, with the Torre dei Lamberti, and beside it the Arche Scaligere, the Gothic tombs of the della Scala lords.

Juliet's House, with its famous balcony, draws many visitors thanks to Shakespeare's story. Also worth your time are Castelvecchio, a medieval fortress turned museum with its crenellated bridge, and the basilica of San Zeno, a great Romanesque church. Crossing the Ponte Pietra you reach the Roman theatre and, a little higher up, the Castel San Pietro viewpoint, with views over the rooftops and the river.

Free tours and guided visits

Verona has free walking tours of the historic centre, taking in the Arena, Piazza delle Erbe and Juliet's House. There are also standard guided tours and private tours, skip-the-line tickets for Juliet's House with an audio guide, and a hop-on hop-off bus. The most popular trip out of the city is to Lake Garda, a short distance away.

How long to spend

A day is enough for the centre: the Arena, the squares, Juliet's House and Castelvecchio. With two days you can add San Zeno, the Roman theatre and the climb to Castel San Pietro at sunset. If you go in summer and want to see an opera at the Arena, book ahead. A third day lets you get out to Lake Garda or the Valpolicella wineries.

Where to stay

The most convenient option is to stay in the historic centre, inside the bend of the Adige, where everything is on foot. Veronetta, across the river, is quieter and close to the Roman theatre. Next to Porta Nuova station there are practical hotels if you arrive by train or plan day trips. Demand rises sharply during the opera season.