Verona

Verona is one of Northern Italy's most captivating cities: romantic, historic, and an exceptionally manageable destination. The curves of the Adige River, the red rooftops, the spacious squares, and the layers of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance history together create the unique atmosphere of Verona. This makes it ideal for a long weekend or even as a base for exploring the Veneto region over several days. It's no coincidence that Verona's historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. UNESCO World Heritage Centre What should you see and experience? The Arena (Arena di Verona) is the city's icon: a Roman amphitheatre that still serves as a vibrant cultural venue today, contributing to one of Verona's strongest "first impressions" alongside the lively atmosphere of Piazza Bra. If possible, plan your visit to see the city centre after sunset: the illuminated Arena and the square's evening ambience offer a completely different perspective. The true heart of the city centre is Piazza delle Erbe and its surroundings: here, the city is simultaneously a market, a stage set, and an everyday meeting place. From here, the "Verona walking route" naturally unfolds: smaller streets, elegant façades, quaint shops, gelaterias, and cafés – and the feeling that the city has its own rhythm, which is easy to adapt to. For culture-loving travellers, the Castelvecchio and its bridge, as well as the world of churches and palaces hidden within the historic urban fabric, are unmissable. If you'd like to see Verona "from above," the viewpoints and elevated walks (especially the panoramas over the Adige) are perfect for a leisurely, photo-filled afternoon. Naturally, Verona is also synonymous with the story of Romeo and Juliet: many visitors come for this reason, but the city offers a truly lasting experience when you combine the romantic clichés with its Roman heritage, squares, riverside strolls, and a relaxed, indulgent dinner. Gastronomy and the "slow city experience" Verona is particularly rewarding from a gastronomic perspective: it's easy to find high-quality, locally inspired dining in the city centre, and a day in Verona can be well-structured by incorporating two "slow moments" (coffee–aperitivo–dinner) between the main attractions. One of the city's greatest strengths is that it doesn't require over-planning: its walkability and atmosphere are experiences in themselves. Sustainability in Verona: heritage, liveability, fewer cars Verona's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which inherently prioritises the preservation of its urban fabric and built heritage. Sustainable sightseeing here is remarkably straightforward: the city centre is easily walkable, and traffic-restricted (ZTL) zones in the historic core help reduce congestion and environmental impact, making walking and local transport preferable to driving. As a visitor, adopting a "fewer sites, more time" approach can make a big difference: visiting outside peak times, booking tickets in advance for popular spots, choosing local service providers, and minimising waste (using refillable bottles and reusable items). It's encouraging that accessibility and safety improvements are also on the agenda for key heritage sites – for example, planned accessibility and transport upgrades at the Arena in the near future.