Visiting Verona, The Gem of Northern Italy. ~ Adventures in Southern California

Verona Italy

Verona is my favorite city in northern Italy, and I would definitely recommend spending a couple of nights here if you're traveling between Venice and Rome. September is a great time to visit, when the weather is still warm enough to eat outside and explore the city on foot. Verona is easy to reach by train from either Venice or Rome, and you don't need to rent a car. Just get off at Verona Porta Nuova station and walk into the historic center, which takes about 15 minutes. We stayed at a hotel right next to Porta Borsari, a beautiful Roman gate that was built in the 1st century. It's pretty amazing to have something nearly 2,000 years old right outside your hotel.

One of the best things about Verona is its huge pedestrian friendly historic center. The city center is a UNESCO world heritage site. You can spend hours walking through the narrow streets, shopping, visiting churches, and stopping at outdoor restaurants. There are tons of jewelry shops, clothing stores, and little boutiques throughout town. Verona is also famous as the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The city has some amazing market days, especially around Piazza delle Erbe, a beautiful square surrounded by colorful historic buildings. This is a great place to buy souvenirs, browse the market stalls, grab a drink, and just enjoy the atmosphere.

The biggest attraction in Verona is the Arena di Verona, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. Built in the 1st century AD, it looks like a smaller version of the Colosseum in Rome, but it's still in use 2,000 years later. The arena in Verona still hosts concerts and large opera performances. It's located in Piazza Bra, one of the city's largest and most beautiful squares. I would definitely recommend sitting outside at Ristorante Nastro Azzurro, right near the Arena, for a great Italian meal. It's a fantastic place to enjoy some pasta, pizza, and wine while looking out at the ancient Roman amphitheater. You have to reserve a table most nights because it gets insanely busy for dinner around the arena.

Another thing I would recommend is walking across Ponte Pietra, the beautiful Roman-era stone bridge crossing the Adige River. The views of the river, old buildings, and surrounding hills are amazing, especially in the late afternoon. You can also rent bicycles at locations throughout the city and ride along the riverbanks. It's a great way to see more of Verona without spending the entire day walking. The river winds around the historic center, and there are some beautiful stretches to explore by bike. Don't miss the medieval Castelvecchio and its fortified bridge if you're interested in castles and history.

Verona is one of those cities where you really don't need a packed itinerary. Most of the major attractions are within walking distance of each other, and half the fun is just wandering around the pedestrian streets, checking out the markets, and finding a good place to eat outside. I would recommend staying at least two nights so you can enjoy the city during the day and again in the evening when the squares fill with people. If you're traveling through northern Italy by train, Verona is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. It's beautiful, easy to get around, full of history, and has some of the best outdoor dining atmosphere you'll find in Italy.