Verona was one of our favorite destinations on this trip and also now one of our favorite Italian cities. It was a 90 minute train ride one way from Milan and although we only spent a day here we could have easily spent longer! We were planning on seeing many of the attractions so we picked up the Verona card for 18 Euro 24 hours which was definitely a bargain for us having hit up so many attractions.
Stop 1: Walk through Verona: City of parks, culture, history, romance and more!
Our game plan was to head to the farthest attraction we were interested located across the Adige River and from there head back towards the train station stopping along the way.
Some of the sights seen along our walk:
Stop 2: Roman Theater
Unfortunately it was closed until the end of May for refurbishing but we got some pictures and a beautiful walk around the river on the way to our next attraction!
There is also a Archaeological museum inside, and there are frequently plays and operas that are performed (for an extra fee not included in the Verona card)
View from the outside
Stop 3:Verona’s Cathedral (Duomo)
Similar to other Italian Duomos, Verona’s had frescoes of Biblical saints and stories, and you don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy the artwork!
Stop 4: Chiesa di Sant Anastasia
This church was a bit smaller and less grand than the Duomo but we still enjoyed the architecture. There are two more historical churches as well included in the Verona pass but we were a little churched out at this point.
Stop 5: Casa de Giulietta
This is a Romeo and Juliet fan tourist trap, butttt we had to go partly because it was included in our pass (it is 10 euros a-la-carte which is pretty pricey) and also because we are tourists and had to see what the ruckus was about! Bonus points that I also am a Shakespeare fan, although R&J was not my favorite play. Its’ good to keep in mind that Romeo and Juliet was a fictional story written by an Englishman that takes place in Verona, although it is said to be owned by the Capulet family. Viewing the balcony and also taking a picture of the statue and rubbing her left breast (good luck apparently) is completely free, but inside there is memorabilia from movies and artwork, which took us 10-15 minutes to go through and we gor pictures on the balcony.
Phil being inappropriate! (just kidding, 8 year olds were doing this too)
Stop 6: Torre Dei Lamberti
This was a cool place to climb up and admire the awesome views as it’s the tallest building in the city. Admission was 6 euros if no Verona Pass and there is a lift for this tower. Thankfully for us it was a beautiful day!
Stop 7: Arena
This was one of the highlights for me: the arena is currently a theater that was built in 30 AD and is well preserved for its age (in retrospect I will be 40 by the time it is 2000!). It is still in use today for operas and shows and you are able to walk all the way up the stairs including the original stone stairs!
Stop 8: Castlevecchio
This is a castle that was transformed into a museum and another place for awesome views and exploring a castle, with art work and weaponry inside the museum. It was definitely another highlight and definitely a recommended attraction if you’re in Verona!
Ponte Scaligero
Castelvecchio walls
Overall we had an amazing time in Verona, Italy!
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