Verona in Italy

Verona is one of Italy's most popular travel cities. Located between Milan and Venice, Verona is known as the city of Romeo and Juliet and for its Roman Arena but there are many attractions to see in Verona. You'll find some of them on this Verona Map and in our Verona Photo Album. To find a place to stay in Verona, check these Verona top rated hotels.

I've listed these Verona attractions in the order I recommend for a visit, but you can also do it in reverse starting in Piazza Bra. To save money on tickets to attractions and museums, buy a Verona Card.

Piazza delle Erbe

Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

Piazza delle Erbe is a good place to start a visit to Verona. Originally the Roman Forum, the rectangular piazza is in the heart of Verona's historic center and is surrounded by beautiful medieval buildings and towers. In the center is a 14th century fountain with a Roman statue. Although once filled with market stalls, today the stalls mostly sell souvenirs. Several cafes where you can have a coffee in the morning or a glass of wine to end the day are along one side of the piazza.

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Piazza dei Signori

Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

From Piazza delle Erbe walk through Arco della Costa, an arch with a whale rib hanging from it, into Piazza dei Signori, a small square surrounded by monumental buildings. In the center is a statue of Dante and perched atop buildings around the square are more famous signori. This square was once the seat of the city's public institutions and you'll see the Palazzo del Capitanio with its tower, the 15th century Loggia del Consiglio that was the town hall, and the 14th century Palazzo della Prefettura, formerly the Palazzo del Governo that was a residence of theScaligeri family.

Lamberti Tower

Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

Lamberti Tower, Torre dei Lamberti, is a good place to get an overview of Verona. Climb the stairs to the top (or pay an extra euro to take the elevator most of the way) and you'll have fantastic views of the city and beyond. The medieval bell tower was started in the 12th century and was raised a few times after that until it reached its final height of 84 meters. It's just off Piazza delle Erbe (you can see it towering above the square), near the Palazzo della Ragione. See Pictures of Verona from Lamberti Tower on Europe Travel.

Juliet's House, Balcony, and Statue

Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

Verona's most popular site is the balcony said to be Juliet's in Romeo and Juliet. The house said to be Juliet's house is in a courtyard off Via Capello. You can see the balcony and the bronze statue of Juliet for free (you can also rub Juliet's breast for good luck). The 13th century house is a good example of Gothic architecture and inside is a museum with period furniture. You can also see the house attributed to Romeo's family on Via Arche Scaligere and try traditional food of Verona, including horse or donkey meat, at Osteria al Duca.

Roman Theater and Archeological Museum

Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

The 1st century Roman theater and archeological museum are reached by crossing the river on the picturesque stone bridge, Ponte Pietra. The theater is built into a hill overlooking the river and outdoor summer performances are held there. Above the theater, the Archeological Museum is housed in the former Convent of Saint Jerome where brothers dedicated their lives to producing medicine and caring for the ill. Inside are Roman mosaics, Etruscan and Roman bronzes, Roman sculptures, and Roman inscriptions.

Duomo di Verona - the Cathedral Complex

Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

The Romanesque Cathedral or Duomo of Verona is a complex of buildings that includes a 12th century Baptistery, the Canons Cloister, and Saint Elena Church and remains of a 4th century paleo-Christian basilica. The octagonal Romanesque baptismal font, decorated with carved Biblical scenes, was carved out of a single block of marble and the Baptistery has frescoes from the 13th to 15th centuries. The cathedral's frescoes are from the 15th to 18th centuries and the exterior is decorated with 12th century reliefs. Its 16th century bell tower can be seen from afar.

Castelvecchio - Castle and Museum

Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

Castelvecchio is a 14th century medieval complex built as a residence and fortress. There are several towers and keeps and a brick bridge crossing the river. A section of Verona's 14th century walls was incorporated into the complex. The former parade ground is now a nice courtyard in front of the museum that takes you through 16 rooms of the former palace filled with sacred art, paintings, Renaissance bronzes, archeological finds, coins, and weapons and armor. You'll also get to walk on part of the wall.

Roman Arena

Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

Verona's Roman Arena is the third largest in Italy (after the Roman Colosseum and the arena in Capua). Built in the 1st century, the arena holds up to 25,000 spectators. Since 1913 it has been the venue for a prestigious opera festival and a top setting for other theatrical performances. In the afternoon, the sun will be shining on the stage so it's a good time to take a look inside the theater. Although part of the seating is in bright orange and red chairs, it's easy to imagine the original look of the amphitheater.

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Piazza Bra

Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

Piazza Bra, once a suburban field or braida, is a huge piazza inside the main gate entering Verona. You'll see the Roman Arena on one side of the piazza and near it the neoclassical Palazzo Municipale. Part of the piazza is a garden with a central fountain. On the opposite side from the arena are elegant porticoed buildings with cafes and restaurants along a broad walkway. You can have a glass of wine or coffee in one of the cafes and spend some time people-watching.

Where to Stay and Eat

I stayed at Best Western Hotel Armando , a 3-star hotel well located on a quiet street near the Arena. Next door is a very good restaurant serving local specialties and a good selection of local wines, Antica Trattoria Tipica - Enoteca al Bersagliere. You'll find more choices for top rated hotels with the link above.

Credit by : http://goitaly.about.com/od/verona/tp/verona-top-attractions.htm