On a Contiki, you don’t only see the major sites. When we have time to stop for an hour or two in a smaller city, you have the opportunity to uncover smaller, lesser-known destinations.
With just an hour or two to explore, Verona is the perfect example of how to maximise your travels in Italy. From Roman history to romantic tales, the city offers a snapshot of Italian beauty and culture that will stay with you long after you leave.
As you walk into the city centre with your Trip Manager, the first landmark you’ll see is the Arena di Verona, a remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheatre. Take a moment to admire its impressive exterior before walking to Casa di Giulietta, famously known as Juliet’s House, and visit the courtyard to see the legendary balcony inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless romance. If you have a bit more time, pick up a quick souvenir.
Even on a short stop, here are a few reasons you simply can’t miss a visit to Verona.
1. Verona was a VIP to the Romans
As the Roman Republic expanded, Julius Caesar officially designated Verona as a Roman city. This new status made Verona a vital part of the extensive network of Roman roads that spread throughout the Italian peninsula and beyond.
Because of this, the city’s infrastructure developed. You can still see well-preserved ruins as modern-day evidence of this ancient past.
Image source:Lyndsay Crescenti
2. You can still experience the Roman legacy in the modern-day city centre
You can’t miss the Arena di Verona. Built in the 1st century AD, this Roman theatre is one of the best-preserved ancient structures in Italy. Along with regular tours of the inside, it still hosts world-class opera performances and concerts.
As you walk around the city centre with your fellow travelers, you’ll notice how the ancient city layout influenced the modern streets. The grid pattern is a lasting legacy of Roman urban planning.
3. Walk and shop on Via Giuseppe Mazzini
Speaking of ancient Roman roads, you’ll love Via Giuseppe Mazzini if you’re a shopper. Named after an Italian unification activist, the pedestrian-friendly street follows the original Roman layout.
Today, you can find a mix of high-end boutiques and popular retail chains. You might even score some great deals if you’re lucky enough to visit during the Saldi (sales) seasons.
Image source:Lyndsay Crescenti
4. It’s another Italian city known for its Renaissance masters
During the Renaissance, Verona became a hub for art and culture, rivaling cities like Florence and Venice.
You can find paintings by local Renaissance artists like Paolo Veronese and Andrea Mantegna in several churches and museums throughout the city. Inside the Church of San Giorgio in Braida, there’s a stunning example of Veronese’s iconic large-scale religious painting style called “St George Martyrdom.”
Centuries before Shakespeare, Italian Renaissance writers like Petrarch, Dante Alighieri, and Giotto were finding inspiration for their classic works in Verona, too.
5. Verona influenced the works of William Shakespeare
Verona is most famous for its starring role in the works of William Shakespeare. He was so inspired by the city that it serves as the backdrop for not only one, but two of his plays: Romeo and Juliet and The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
While Shakespeare may never have visited Verona, the city’s romantic atmosphere and local legends influenced his tragic love story and his lesser-known comedy.
Image source:Contiki
6. You can profess your love for Romeo from Juliet’s Balcony
If you want to immerse yourself in “Romeo and Juliet,” Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House) offers a real-life link to the literary world.
This 14th-century palazzo features a balcony similar to the one where Juliet stood as Romeo professed his love. A museum inside the house displays period furnishings and costumes from Franco Zeffirelli’s film adaptation. The courtyard below the balcony is filled with visitors who leave love notes or touch the bronze statue of Juliet for good luck.
7. The Scaligeri Family left their mark on the city in the Middle Ages
Although Romeo and Juliet weren’t real people, the family dispute the story was based on was true.
The Della Scala family, also known as the Scaligeri, ruled Verona during the Middle Ages. They transformed it into a cultural and architectural powerhouse, all while warring with their enemies for power over the city.
Today, you can see landmarks dedicated to their legacy at Castelvecchio, a stunning medieval castle now housing an impressive art museum, and the Scaligeri tombs, intricate Gothic monuments near Piazza dei Signori and Piazza delle Erbe.
Image source:Lyndsay Crescenti
8. The Adige River runs right through the city
The Adige River, Italy’s second-longest river, winds through Verona’s historic center.
Historic bridges cross the river, including the Ponte di Castelvecchio, built in the 1350s by the Scaligeri family, and the Ponte di Pietra, initially constructed by the Romans around 100 BC. Although the Germans destroyed the arches while retreating from the city, the Ponte di Pietra was carefully rebuilt after World War II using the original Roman pieces.
Along with providing some stunning photo spots in Verona, the river also contributes to the city’s fabulous food culture.
9. There are some foods you’ll only find in Verona
Although you can try foods like tagliatelle al ragu anywhere in Italy, there are some dishes local to Verona you can’t taste anywhere else.
If you visit the city during the holidays, you must try pandoro, Verona’s take on panettone. With its soft, buttery texture and distinctive eight-pointed shape, pandoro is dusted with vanilla-scented icing sugar to look like snowy mountain peaks.
For the adventurous eater, Pastissada de Caval is a traditional stew made with horse meat, red wine, and spices. Yes, you read that right – horse meat. Dating back to 489 AD, it’s said to have been created by soldiers using the horses of a defeated king after the Battle of Adige.
Risotto all’Amarone is a creamy, flavorful dish cooked with Amarone wine sourced from Valpolicella, just outside Verona.
Image source:Lyndsay Crescenti
10. You’ll need to pair your local cuisine with local wine
Speaking of wine, no trip to Verona would be complete without tasting Veronese wines. Known as the “pearl of Verona,” the Valpolicella hilly region has produced wine dating back to ancient times. Sipping on a glass of Valpolicella Superiore or indulging in a meal-worthy Amarone, Valpolicella wines perfectly pair with Verona’s local cuisine.
Whether you’re drawn to the city’s Shakespeare connections or excited to try Valpolicella wines, Verona might be your favorite city break on your next Contiki.
