What to do “In fair Verona, where we lay our scene…”

The first time we visited Verona we made a mistake. To quote Julia Roberts, “a big, mistake. Big! Huge mistake”.

We had only daytripped to Verona from Bologna, and were instantly smitten. Mr Kiwi turned around to me within 5 minutes of walking through the city centre and says “oh, this is pure Emma this is.”

Like Pisa (which has a great beach nearby) when a city is known for just one tourist attraction, tourists do make the mistake of swarming in, seeing the famous item, then swarming out, but everyone who I’ve spoken to that has visited Verona sing its praises. In fact, my friend visits every couple of years for a decent holiday – she especially loves the vagan options around the city.

Verona is a compact city, perfect for exploring on foot, has some fabulous day trip locations within an hour or so by train (Lake Garda, Venice, Milan, Padua) and has an international airport – not to mention a thriving food scene complete with amazing gelato.

What to do in Verona?

There’s quite a lot:

• See the infamous Juliet balcony (just be warned, it’s not ancient – it was installed in the 1930s and it gets BUSY. This area is also notorious for pickpockets…
• Take advantage of the local bakeries and supermarkets (ideally from your terrace in the sunshine – this was the ridiculous view from ours (booking.com) overlooking the Maffeiano Inscriptions Museum

• Take in an opera or concert in the coliseum
• Shop to your hearts content

• Explore the city on foot – this is an ancient arch that was put back together mostly correctly…

• Spend a couple of hours exploring the House Museum Palazzo Maffei, an extraordinary Art Collection in the heart of Verona – it spans thousands of years of art – and has an intriguing array art including of Picassos, Miro, and Katsushika Hokusai, The Great Wave of Kanagawa, 1831
• Also, the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti has some really interesting works and exhibitions

• Take the funicular for amazing views (and cocktails)
• Amble through the Giardino Giusti – sculpted gardens are considered a masterpiece of Renaissance landscaping, named after the noble family that has tended them since opening the gardens to the public in 1591.

It’s just such a lovely city to explore.

We did a walking tour that gave us a great overview of the city history, and absolutely indulged in the art of l’aperitivo. Not to mention the incredible gelato and foccacia bakeries perfect for light lunching.

Ah, fair Verona. It’s gorgeous – UNESCO are very strict, including dictating what colour you can paint your home – and you soon learn how best to avoid the day-hopping tourist crowds for a more local experience. Don’t get me started on the coffee, pizza and pasta…

I already need a trip back… of all the Italian cities we’ve explored, Verona is right at the top of the list. We’re talking Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, Bologna – but I know there are so many more. A job I’m very willing to take on!

Ps. this is where we stayed – a huge 2 bed, 1.5 bathroom which was incredibly central, and a 10-minute walk from the train station, perfect for day tripping! [To book your own hotel stays, feel free to use my booking.com affiliate link at no extra cost.]