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The Roman Arena of Verona seen from above, surrounded by the city’s rooftops

City

Verona

Verona, about 45 minutes west of Montecchio Maggiore, is where Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet. It has a Roman Arena that hosts grand opera in summer, the courtyard and balcony of Juliet’s House, lively medieval squares and stone bridges over the Adige, and it makes the perfect pair with a visit to Montecchio’s castles.

Why visit

The Scaligeri, who built the castles of Montecchio, ruled from Verona, and their city is one of the most beautiful in Italy. Its Roman Arena is among the best preserved in the world, its medieval squares are full of life and its setting on a loop of the Adige river is lovely. For anyone who has seen Montecchio’s castles, Juliet’s balcony is the natural next stop.

What to see

  • The Arena: a Roman amphitheatre from the 1st century, still used for opera every summer.
  • Juliet’s House: a medieval house with a courtyard and the famous balcony, added in the 20th century to match the legend.
  • Piazza delle Erbe: the old market square, surrounded by painted houses and towers.
  • Ponte Pietra: a Roman bridge over the Adige, with views up to the hill of San Pietro.
  • Castelvecchio: the Scaligeri’s riverside castle, now an art museum, with its battlemented bridge.

Getting there

Regional trains from Altavilla-Tavernelle, near Montecchio, and faster trains from Vicenza reach Verona Porta Nuova, a 20-minute walk from the Arena. By car, take the A4 motorway west and park outside the limited traffic zone.

Tips

  • Juliet’s House gets very crowded. Go early, or just see the courtyard and balcony.
  • For the opera, bring a cushion and a light jacket, and book well ahead.
  • Read our guide to Verona and Lake Garda day trips.
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