Verona

Verona is one of the most captivating cities in northern Italy: romantic, historic, and a particularly easy-to-navigate destination. The bends of the Adige River, the red rooftops, the spacious squares, and the layers of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance heritage together create the unique atmosphere of Verona. This makes the city ideal for a long weekend or even as a base for several days to explore the Veneto region. It’s no surprise that Verona’s historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. UNESCO World Heritage Centre What’s worth seeing and experiencing? The Arena (Arena di Verona) is the city’s iconic landmark: a Roman amphitheatre that still serves as a vibrant cultural venue today. Combined with the lively atmosphere of Piazza Bra, it offers one of Verona’s strongest “first impressions.” If possible, plan your visit to see the city centre after sunset as well: the illuminated Arena and the evening vibe of the square reveal a completely different side of Verona. 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 enthusiasts, a visit to Castelvecchio and its bridge, as well as the world of churches and palaces hidden within the historic city fabric, is a must. If you’d like to see Verona “from above,” the viewpoints and higher walking paths (especially the panoramas over the Adige) are perfect for a leisurely, photo-filled afternoon. Naturally, Verona’s name is intertwined with the story of Romeo and Juliet: many visitors come for this reason, but the city offers a truly unforgettable experience when you combine the romantic clichés with its Roman heritage, squares, riverside walks, and a relaxed, lingering dinner. Gastronomy and the “slow city experience” Verona is particularly rewarding from a gastronomic perspective: it’s easy to find high-quality, locally inspired meals in the city centre, and you can structure a day in Verona by interspersing the main sights with two “slow moments” (coffee–aperitivo–dinner). One of the city’s greatest strengths is that it doesn’t require overplanning: its walkability and atmosphere are attractions in themselves. Sustainability in Verona: heritage, liveability, fewer cars Verona’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which prioritises the preservation of the city’s 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. Therefore, it’s worth relying on walking and local transport instead of driving. As a visitor, adopting the “fewer locations, more time” approach makes a big difference: visiting during off-peak times, booking tickets in advance for popular spots, choosing local 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 near the Arena in the near future. - editorial content -