Sightseeing in Verona Italy

Verona is full of amazing Roman buildings, arches, and amphitheatres. These are the ones you really must see...

Verona Arena: A Roman Masterpiece Still Alive Today

The Arena di Verona doesn't just stand in the city—it owns it.

Built in 30 AD, this fierce old warrior of stone has stared down nearly twenty centuries. A violent earthquake in the 12th century ripped away many of its outer arches, but the Arena refused to fall. It still rises from Verona's heart in stunning, stubborn glory.

Make no mistake: this is the third-biggest Roman amphitheater ever built. And size isn't everything—but here, it helps you feel the thunder of 30,000 voices roaring inside its walls.

So don't just visit. Live it. Book tickets for a summer opera (think June, July, or August) and watch the sunset bleed over those ancient stones. Then the music starts. The stars come out. And the Arena does what it's done for 2,000 years; it grabs your soul and doesn't let go.

For information on dates and tickets, visit the Arena site.

For a map of where the most important of these attractions are, click here.

Arco dei Gavi (Gavi Arch)

The Arco dei Gavi, as it’s called, was once a proud landmark of Verona, standing tall since the 1st century. But, like so many things in Italy, history wasn’t always kind to it. When Napoleon’s troops came through in the 19th century, they decided it had to go—so down it went. Thankfully, in the 20th century, someone had the good sense to put it back together, and now it stands once more along Corso Cavour. Originally dedicated to the influential Gavius family, it’s a striking reminder of Verona’s deep Roman roots. Stop by and admire its elegant, timeworn beauty!

Porta Borsari

The Porta Borsari is situated in Corso Porta Borsari and is one of the original city gates, remarkably preserved and very impressive. It's been welcoming travelers and merchants for nearly two thousand years.

One of my favorite things to do is sit at the little bar just below the gate, enjoying a cappuccino in the early morning when the streets are still quiet. It’s the perfect moment to imagine the hustle and bustle of Roman times, when chariots and traders passed through. An absolute must-see in Verona!

Porta Leoni

Porta Leoni is one of those places in Verona that many tourists walk past without realizing just how special it is. I always stop here for a moment, taking in the remains of the ancient gate and the fascinating archaeological site below. This was once the main entrance to the city, where Roman travelers would have passed through on their way into Verona. You can still see parts of the original walls and even sections of the old road beneath glass panels. It’s a little window into the past, a place where history feels alive beneath your feet!

The Roman Theater and Archaeological Museum

It is rather miraculous that anything survives of this 1st-century theater. It is only thanks to the incredible foresight of a certain Andrea Monga that it does.

Mr. Monga decided in the mid-19th century that unless something was done, the theater would be lost forever. The result was that this clever and wealthy gentleman bought all the houses built on the site and demolished them.

Thanks to Andrea Monga, the theater is now the place to enjoy summer Shakespeare, ballet, and jazz concerts. Next door is the fascinating archaeological museum.

Entrance Fee to the Museum and Theatre:

• General Admission: €9.00
• Reduced Admission: €6.00 for groups (15+ people), seniors over 65, and concession holders
• Young Adults (18-25 years): €2.00
• Children (under 18): Free

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with the last entry at 5:30 pm. It is closed on Mondays, December 25, and January 1.

The Verona Card includes free entry to the Roman Theatre and Archaeological Museum, along with many of Verona’s other top attractions. The card costs €27 for 24 hours or €32 for 48 hours and also includes unlimited city bus travel.

Ponte Pietra

The Germans tried to kill Ponte Pietra during World War II. They blew it to pieces as they fled Verona. But they didn't win.

Because Verona loved this bridge too much to let it die. Stone by stone, chunk by ancient chunk, the city rebuilt it... using the very same original materials pulled from the river below. Today, you'd never guess its scars. That's the magic of Italy: even destruction can't erase centuries of beauty.

And on a summer night? Mammamia. Ponte Pietra transforms. Soft lights warm the ancient stone and cast a golden shimmer across the Adige River. You've just spent the evening winding through Verona's lamplit streets, maybe a gelato still in hand. Now you reach the bridge. The water whispers below. The city sighs around you.

This isn't just a pretty view. It's the perfect end to a perfect night. Romance? Absolutely. Beauty? You bet.

Talking of romance, how about a romantic evening of fine wine and dining? Well, I have just the place: the Trattoria Amelia.

• There are two hotels in Verona you really must consider. Click for details!