Contents:

Piazza dei Signori

Basilica of Santa Anastasia

Ponte Pietra

Castel San Pietro

Duomo di Verona

Chasing More Beauty – Piazza dei Signori
We walked through the arch and arrived at a quieter, more peaceful square: Piazza dei Signori. After the hustle and bustle of Piazza delle Erbe, this space felt calmer, almost serene. And yet, history is just as alive here, present in every stone.

Unfortunately, this is where we encountered a little technical hiccup. The stroller that had been faithfully rolling with us for 8 days – all the way through Verona – suddenly gave out. One of the rear wheels broke off, and without a compatible replacement, we had to say goodbye to our smooth ride. Luckily, we had our baby carrier with us, so Liny first walked a bit holding hands, then happily settled into the carrier – and off we went again. This was a good reminder of why it’s always worth having a Plan B, especially when traveling with little ones.

We paused for a moment beside the serious-faced statue of Dante in the middle of the square. It’s no surprise that many people simply call this place “Piazza Dante.” Exiled from Florence, the great poet was welcomed by Verona – and this statue honors that connection.

The historic palaces surrounding the square are truly stunning – it feels like stepping into a grand movie set, except this one has been standing here for centuries. Among them are the Palazzo del Comune and Palazzo degli Scaligeri, but the most iconic is undoubtedly the Loggia del Consiglio. With its magnificent facade and twin-columned windows, it quickly enchants every visitor.

We sat on some steps at the edge of the square, enjoyed some fresh fruit, and watched as Liny “played” with the pigeons (or maybe it was the other way around?). There was nothing flashy about it, and yet it became one of our most memorable moments – perhaps because of its peacefulness. After our little snack, we continued our journey toward the next discovery.

If you’re looking to escape the crowds for a bit but still want to experience the true spirit of Verona, this is the place to come. It’s a memory we’ll definitely treasure.

Power Carved in Stone – Arche Scaligere
Leaving the square, we continued along the narrow Via S. Maria Antica, where we suddenly stumbled upon something truly unique: spiky stone pinnacles, intricately carved details, and gothic-style tombs. These are the Arche Scaligere, also known as the Scaliger Tombs.

The tombs were built by the powerful Scaligeri (or della Scala) family, who ruled Verona in the 13th and 14th centuries. They had immense influence not only over politics but also on the city’s architecture. What makes the tombs especially fascinating is how they rise right in the midst of everyday life. And maybe that’s what gives them their magic: the visible trace of history, carved in stone, standing proudly in the open.

A Sunlit Wonder – Basilica of Santa Anastasia

Our next destination was the famous Ponte Pietra bridge, but before reaching it, we made a small detour – and we’re so glad we did! On the way, we stopped by the Basilica di Santa Anastasia, approaching it from Corso Sant’Anastasia. This detail might seem minor, but it turned out to be quite special – from this direction, the view of the church was absolutely magical.

The afternoon sun lit up the brick walls in a way that made the whole scene look like a painting come to life. We paused for a while. Liny gathered little pebbles from the street while we stood in quiet admiration. Although we didn’t go inside this time, the exterior alone was breathtaking.

This is Verona’s largest Gothic church, built in classic Italian style following the Dominican tradition. Its tall bell tower, made of brick, dominates the skyline – it once defined the cityscape and still watches over Verona with dignity.

If you do decide to step inside, you’ll find an incredible collection of art: frescoes, paintings, altars, and sculptures – some of the finest examples of medieval and Renaissance artistry. From the outside, you’d never guess how much beauty the church holds within. For us, just soaking in its sun-drenched exterior was more than enough – and somehow, the moment felt complete.

The Bridge That Connects Everything – Ponte Pietra
From here, it was just a short walk to Ponte Pietra – one of the oldest and most beautiful bridges in Verona. This ancient stone bridge, built by the Romans, has connected the two sides of the city for centuries.

As we walked across, the Adige River murmured beneath the cobblestones, surrounded by rooftops and rolling hills. We paused halfway to simply take in the view. Liny, now in the carrier, was curiously looking around – especially fascinated by the water and the seagulls.
Ponte Pietra carries centuries of history. Nature’s forces and the storms of human history have not spared it. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times, suffering its greatest damage during World War II, when retreating German troops blew up most of the structure in 1945. Later, it was reconstructed using original stones salvaged from the riverbed.
Today, it is a pedestrian-only bridge – which, in a way, adds to its charm. Quiet and peaceful, yet dignified – as if reminding us of everything it has endured. Still standing, strong and proud. Ponte Pietra isn’t just a bridge – it’s a true time capsule, connecting not just city districts, but past and present.

Verona at Our Feet – Castel San Pietro
After Ponte Pietra, we wanted a bird’s-eye view of Verona – so we headed up to Castel San Pietro! While many take the iconic staircase up the hill, this time we opted for the funicular, and we’re so glad we did – not only was it quick and easy, but for Liny, it was a real adventure!

The lower station of the funicular is located at Via Santo Stefano 6, just a few minutes from the bridge. The small cabin gently climbs up the hill, revealing a broader and broader panorama. At the top, we arrived through a café that led directly to the scenic overlook. Good to know: there’s a toilet and baby-changing facilities here – a blessing when traveling with a little one.
And what a view! The Adige River winding below us, Verona’s rooftops, towers, and churches stretching ahead. It was peaceful and calm, the city’s gentle buzz barely reaching us, and the breeze playing with our hair. We leaned on the railing and just soaked it all in. It was one of those moments when you pause, breathe deeply, and fall a little in love with the world.

Castel San Pietro itself is a solid, austere fortress sitting atop the hill – while the inside isn’t currently open to visitors, the surroundings are atmospheric enough on their own. The site has been strategically important since Roman times – it was here that the first Roman settlement was founded, the one that would eventually become Verona. Later, the Scaligeri family and the Republic of Venice fortified the area, but the castle’s current form dates back to 1851, during the Austrian occupation, when it served as a key military base.
History runs deep here – but nowadays, people mostly come for the peaceful atmosphere and sweeping views. If you’re up for climbing stairs, the path beside Ponte Pietra offers a lovely route – it takes about 10 minutes to hike up. But the funicular is a perfect choice if you’re traveling with a toddler, stroller, or simply prefer a gentler pace.
Return tickets for the funicular cost €3 in 2025, or €2 one way. It operates from 10:00 to 21:00 between April and October, and from 10:00 to 17:00 in winter. The ticket office closes 15 minutes before the last departure.

Duomo, Dinner, and a Touch of Verona Magic
After taking in the views from Castel San Pietro, we didn’t have the time or energy to detour to the Teatro Romano.
As I’ve mentioned before, we always have a list of sights we’d love to see – but during our trips, we leave room for spontaneity and, more importantly, for simply living in the moment. We didn’t want to rush through this golden afternoon. It felt so good to just be there, watching the city from above as the light gradually softened – we wanted to hold on to the magic a little longer.
So, we skipped the Roman Theatre this time, though its history and ambiance surely deserve a dedicated visit. This ancient Roman amphitheatre – once accommodating up to 5,000 spectators – was built into the hillside and today also functions as a museum. It’s a treat for anyone fascinated by tangible traces of the past. But for us, this moment was about being present – not about ticking boxes.

Instead, we took a shorter stroll and headed to one of Verona’s most important churches – the Duomo di Verona (Santa Maria Matricolare Cathedral). We only admired it from the outside this time, but even that was impressive. Elements from Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles all layer upon one another. The rose window, the lion statues guarding the entrance, and the sheer mass of the building all speak to the central role it’s played in Verona’s history.
The current church was built in the late 1100s on the ruins of two earlier churches destroyed in an earthquake. Inside, there are frescoes, chapels, marble altars, and even an altarpiece by Titian – maybe we’ll explore it more thoroughly next time.

A short walk from the Duomo brought us back to Piazza delle Erbe. During our afternoon walk, we had already decided that this would be our dinner spot.
We chose a charming little restaurant – Osteria Verona – and it was exactly what we hoped for: delicious food, kind service, a cozy table, and a highchair. While we waited, Liny colored the napkins (arguably the second-best thing about any restaurant after the kids’ menu!), and we finally toasted: to Verona, to the day, and to this moment of calm.
The square didn’t lose any of its charm after sunset – if anything, it became even more beautiful. As the lights came on, the terraces filled with chatter and laughter, and the air was full of the aromas of dinner being served.
Here, you really can pause, slow down, people-watch, and immerse yourself in the city’s rhythm.
Piazza delle Erbe isn’t just a landmark – it’s the heart of Verona, where life simply happens. And we were so happy to be part of it, even just for one evening.
After dinner, we slowly strolled back to our accommodation, ready to rest after a long and fulfilling day.

Farewell, Verona
The next morning, we didn’t rush. While the others relaxed, I popped down to the little bar across the street for coffee and breakfast. By the time I returned, everyone was awake, and we enjoyed breakfast together in our room before packing up and dropping our bags off at the luggage storage.
After that, we stopped by a shop we had noticed the night before – right next to our accommodation was a Prénatal store with beautiful strollers on sale after Christmas. We didn’t need much convincing – we returned and found a practical and stylish one at a great price. Verona had given us more than just memories – it had gifted us a treasure of a souvenir.
We took one last short walk through the city center, returned to Piazza delle Erbe, had a cappuccino, a sandwich, and simply existed… watching people, listening to the hum of Italian, and soaking in that unique atmosphere only a city like this can offer.
We didn’t plan any more activities for the day. As a fitting end to our Verona trip, we chose calm over hurry – and that’s how we were truly able to treasure everything these past nine days had given us.
By early afternoon, we were on our way again – our next stop awaited in the Alps: we boarded a train to Mezzocorona, then took a bus straight to a little village in the Paganella ski area, Fai della Paganella, where five days of skiing, snow, and winter adventures began.

Did you know?
Lake Garda is a perfect day trip from Verona – just 20 minutes by train (or accessible by bus, too). Get off at the Desenzano del Garda–Sirmione station.

For more details, check out our Lake Garda travel guide.