Contents:

Verona – The City of Romance and History

Piazza Brà – The Beating Heart of Verona

The Verona Arena – Where Ancient History Meets Music

Shopping Streets, Buzzing Energy, and a Legendary Balcony – A Walk to Juliet’s House

Piazza delle Erbe – The Colorful Heart of Verona

Our Journey to Verona

Departure from Bergamo Airport – Not as Smooth as Expected
From Bergamo Airport, we were supposed to continue our journey with a pre-booked ITABUS (itabus.it) service—an ideal choice for families, as it allows strollers, child car seats, and large luggage on board at no extra charge. However, as we stepped outside the terminal to find our bus, we were met with unexpected chaos. The area was packed with people, buses were arriving and leaving unpredictably, and to make matters worse, a traffic jam was preventing our bus from reaching its designated stop.

A Comfortable Bus Ride to Verona
Eventually, a sleek, modern—and as we later found out, very comfortable—bus arrived to take us to Verona, dropping us off at the Viale Palladio III stop. Liny slept almost the entire way. We were really pleased with the quality of the bus and the service overall. The interior was clean and comfortable, and all our larger items—stroller, suitcases, and the car seat—fit easily into the spacious luggage compartment.

Arrival in Verona and Getting to Our Hotel
From the Viale Palladio III stop, we just had to cross the road to a nearby bus stop next to the Tamoil gas station. From there, bus 81 arrived within five minutes, and we were able to buy tickets directly on board. This bus took us straight to Piazza Brà, just a short 3-minute walk from our accommodation.
We had booked one night via Hotels.com at a place called Mastino Rooms. Around 2:30 PM, we checked in, dropped off our bags, and after a quick rest, we tucked Liny into her stroller and set off for a relaxed afternoon walk and dinner in the city.

Verona – The City of Romance and History
Verona, a gem in Northern Italy nestled along the Adige River, offers visitors the perfect blend of romance and history. This charming city isn’t just one of Italy’s most beautiful and enchanting destinations—it also holds a special place in world literature. Most famously, it is the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but also appears in The Taming of the Shrew and The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site Full of Wonders
Thanks to its unique Roman and medieval architecture, Verona was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. From its ancient Roman amphitheatre to its medieval palaces, colorful piazzas, and cobblestone streets, walking through Verona feels like stepping back in time. Every corner whispers stories from the past, while the city’s vibrant cultural life, world-famous operas, and bustling markets bring a lively modern twist.

The Magic of Lake Garda and the Italian Countryside
Verona also makes a great base for day trips—just 40 km away lies Lake Garda, Italy’s largest and most scenic lake, known for its crystal-clear waters and charming towns. Situated at the foot of the Italian Alps, Verona isn’t surrounded by towering peaks, but the surrounding hills, vineyards, and olive groves perfectly capture the essence of la dolce vita.

Romantic and Welcoming Atmosphere
Often considered one of the most romantic cities in Europe, Verona is a favorite destination for couples. But thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and enchanting streets, it’s easy for anyone to fall in love with the place. Compared to nearby Venice, Verona offers a more relaxed and less crowded experience, while every detail of the city seems to tell a story.

Platforms such as Freetour, GetYourGuide and Tiqets offer a wide range of activities, making it simple to check availability, prices, and itineraries before you go.

Now let’s explore Verona’s main sights, just as we visited them, one by one.

Portoni della Brà
Stepping out from our hotel, we immediately stumbled upon this magnificent Roman gate. The Portoni della Brà is a stunning historic gateway that leads into Verona’s grand main square, Piazza Brà.

A quick tip—be cautious when crossing here, as there aren’t many pedestrian crossings and traffic, including scooters and motorbikes, is constant.

Piazza Brà – The Beating Heart of Verona

Walking through the gate, we found ourselves in one of Verona’s largest and liveliest squares – Piazza Brà. Although our bus had dropped us off here earlier, we hadn’t stopped to explore it then – we were too eager to get rid of our luggage. But now, with time on our side, we were truly impressed by the square’s grandeur and unique atmosphere.

The square’s most iconic sight is the Arena di Verona, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world and still home to spectacular opera festivals. Piazza Brà is not just a historical landmark but also a central hub of everyday life in Verona. Locals and tourists gather at the many cafés and restaurants lining the square, soaking in the relaxed Mediterranean vibe.

One of the key buildings here is the Palazzo della Gran Guardia, which took centuries to complete and today hosts exhibitions and conferences. Not far from it stands the Palazzo Barbieri, Verona’s city hall, whose classical façade fits perfectly into the elegant surroundings of the square.

Although we had only just started our walk, pausing here to enjoy the view of the historic buildings, watch the bustling crowd, and admire the sunlit Arena was already an unforgettable moment.

The Verona Arena – Where Ancient History Meets Music

This monumental Roman amphitheatre was built over two thousand years ago, in the first century AD. Back in its prime, it could accommodate up to 30,000 spectators. For safety reasons, that number is halved today, but its scale is still impressive.

The light pink and white limestone used in its construction gives it a distinct and timeless charm. Although a major earthquake in the 12th century damaged much of the outer wall, the internal structure has remained remarkably intact and still offers a breathtaking sight.

Over the centuries, the Arena has served many purposes, but in the early 20th century, it was reborn as a cultural venue. Since then, it has hosted world-famous opera performances and concerts every summer. Thanks to its exceptional acoustics and magical ambiance, not only classical works are performed here—global superstars like Sting, Pearl Jam, and Muse have also graced its stage.

The Verona Arena isn’t just an ancient monument—it’s a living cultural sanctuary where the legacy of antiquity blends with the magic of music to create an experience like no other. Strolling past this majestic structure was truly awe-inspiring.

Shopping Streets, Buzzing Energy, and a Legendary Balcony – A Walk to Juliet’s House

Leaving the Arena behind, we headed toward Via Giuseppe Mazzini, Verona’s busiest pedestrian street and a true shopping paradise. Stylish boutiques, elegant fashion stores, gelaterias, and souvenir shops line the polished stone path, and even the narrow side streets are filled with tempting storefronts. If you’re into shopping, this is the place to get lost in window displays—though be warned, the prices tend to reflect a more premium range. Still, browsing alone is an experience.

As we made our way toward Piazza delle Erbe, we took a quick detour at the end of Via Mazzini, turning right—because no visit to Verona would be complete without seeing Juliet’s House. Whether you’re in love or simply curious about literary legends, this place draws visitors all year round.

Hidden in a charming little courtyard at Via Capello 23, Casa di Giulietta is said to be the former home of the medieval Cappello family, widely believed to be the real-life inspiration for Shakespeare’s Capulets. One of the highlights of the 13th-century Gothic residence is Juliet’s famous balcony.

To get there, you pass through a narrow, arched passageway, its walls covered in colorful love notes and heartfelt messages. Entering the courtyard, your eyes are immediately drawn to the iconic stone balcony where, according to legend, Juliet once spoke to Romeo.

The historical accuracy of the story may be questionable, but that hardly matters—the atmosphere here is undeniably magical. In the middle of the courtyard stands a bronze statue of Juliet, whose left breast many visitors touch for good luck (as tradition goes).

The courtyard itself is free to visit, but if you’d like to step onto the balcony or explore the small museum inside, you’ll need to buy a ticket. Inside, you’ll find medieval furniture, historic household items, and memorabilia connected to Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.

Whether or not you believe in the romantic legend, Juliet’s House remains one of Verona’s most popular sights—and for good reason. Even in winter, the courtyard is full of life: couples, curious travelers, and countless cameras capturing a little piece of literary magic.

Piazza delle Erbe – The Colorful Heart of Verona
After visiting Juliet’s courtyard, we returned to Via Capello and soon found ourselves at Piazza delle Erbe. While walking through Verona’s historic center, it’s almost impossible not to stumble upon one of the city’s most vibrant and picturesque squares: Piazza delle Erbe. This lively spot has been a central part of city life since ancient times – back in the Roman era, it served as the forum, the hub of both social and commercial life.

Today, the square still radiates the same bustling, lively energy. During the day, it buzzes with activity: cafés, open-air restaurants, gelato stands, market stalls, and throngs of tourists set the tone. In the mornings, you’ll often find a small market selling fresh fruits, herbs, souvenirs, and all kinds of little treasures – a true slice of Italian everyday life.

Surrounded by historic buildings, the square has a timeless charm. We fully immersed ourselves in the atmosphere of the past and truly enjoyed being here. Almost every building tells a story, and every corner offers something to discover. Here are a few highlights from the square:

• Palazzo Maffei: One of the most ornate buildings in the square. Statues of Roman gods such as Jupiter, Hercules, and Mercury line its rooftop, as if they too are watching the crowds below.
• Torre dei Lamberti: One of Verona’s most iconic landmarks and the tallest tower in the city, visible from afar. It was built in 1173 by the wealthy Lamberti family and originally stood at 37 meters. After a lightning strike in 1403, renovations began in 1448 and were completed by 1464, bringing the tower to its current height of 84 meters. The clock was added in 1779. Today, you can reach the top by elevator or stairs and enjoy a panoramic viewing terrace.
• Madonna Verona Fountain: In the center of the square stands this elegant fountain with a 14th-century statue of Madonna Verona. Interestingly, the base of the fountain was once part of an ancient Roman bath – a perfect blend of old and older.
• Casa dei Mercanti (Domus Mercatorum): This red-brick building was originally the merchants’ house in medieval times. Nowadays, it houses the chamber of commerce, but even from the outside, it adds a charming touch to the square.
• Frescoed Houses – Case Mazzanti: Among the most beautiful sights on the square are these centuries-old buildings adorned with frescoes. They were Verona’s first multi-story homes, and the painted facades still speak of their wealthy past owners.
• Arco della Costa: This curious archway connects Piazza delle Erbe to Piazza dei Signori. Hanging beneath it is a massive rib bone (probably from a whale), and according to legend, it will only fall if someone truly innocent ever walks beneath it. It’s still hanging there…