Verona is an historic city with a population of about a quarter of a million in north-eastern Italy's Veneto region. It's most famous as the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
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Though close to the more popular tourist destination of Venice, many people consider Verona a more relaxed and pleasant place to visit. There are many tourists, but the number of tourists per square metre is lower. 1 IAT Verona (Tourist information), Via Degli Alpini, 9 (Piazza Bra), ☏ +39 045 8068680, iatverona@provinciadiveronaturismo.it. M-Sa 10:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00. (updated May 2016)
City bus schedules available online, via google maps and through the "ticket bus Verona" app. The 11, 12 or 13 bus on weekdays will get you from the train station (Stazione Porta Nuova) to the Arena (Piazza Bra). Sunday and holiday schedules differ with a separate numbering system. You can pay the fare at the automatic machines, online with the previously mentioned app, from every cigarette or lotto shop (look for blue "T" signs) and, as a last resort, directly on the bus by asking the driver (cash only and with an €0.80 surcharge - quite a lot if your ticket is only €1.30).
Verona was a Roman city, and many Roman ruins have been preserved, notably the Arena. The ancient city was badly wrecked by the earthquake of 1117 AD, which led to a flurry of re-building. Therefore, most of the historical sights on view today date from the past 800 years, while the Roman city lies 6 metres below you. Verona showcases the transition of Western European art from late medieval to early renaissance styles, with its rich offering of 12th-century churches and art museums. Verona's military importance has also left city fortifications and an excellent castle.
Lamberti tower. Climb to the top of it or take the lift. Great views over Verona. S. Maria di Lourdes Sanctuary (Santuario della Madonna di Lourdes), Viale dei Colli, 27, 37128 Verona VR (Take the Bus 41 or walk). Breathtaking view from the edge of Verona's highest hill. Free. Wander around Carega block (just ask for 'Carega', close to the Duomo), near Garibaldi Bridge, and experience traditional wine bar and cosy restaurants. Hire a tourist guide for a guided sightseeing tour or a wine tour in Valpolicella or Soave. Football: Hellas Verona were relegated in 2026 and now play soccer in Serie B, the second tier.
The Veronese are keen eaters of horse-meat (cavallo), a local speciality. Pastisada de caval, is a dish of braised horse meat, as is Picula de Caval. Pizza is not traditionally eaten locally, but pasta dishes feature widely on restaurant menus. Try Pizzocheri (buckwheat pasta with cheese and sage), casoncelli (a type of ravioli) or bigoli (thick spaghetti). Casoela is a pork casserole, and a bollito misto is a mixture of boiled meats, usually served with mostarda, a traditional accompaniment of fruit and vegetables in mustard. All these are in the city centre: 1 Pizzeria da Vincenzo, Piazza Nogara, 3. Traditional pizzeria. Best pizza. Their secret is special flour...
Avoid the hordes of tourists in Piazza Bra and head to Piazza delle Erbe. At least slightly more genuine, this Piazza has a number of good bars where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or an "aperitivo" in the sun. Great for your coffee in the morning and your drinks into the evening. Caffè delle Erbe, Piazza delle Erbe. Great coffee and brioche. Rain, Via Stella 13A. A wine bar and jazz club in the heart of Verona owned by brothers Giuseppe and Riccardo Zambelli Rain. Giuseppe is fluent in English. Ask for him if you have any questions about the area.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Verona typically sees ~29°C daytime highs and 14 rainy days.
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