Sightseeing in Verona Italy

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

The Arena

This Arena has to be the main attraction in Verona. Built in 30 AD, this remarkable structure has survived for nearly twenty centuries, and despite losing a lot of arches in a twelfth-century earthquake, it is still in remarkably good shape.

The third-biggest of all the Roman amphitheatres, this is indeed an incredible place.

Try to attend one of the summer operas at the Arena, normally held in June, July, and August; this is a marvelous way of experiencing the Arena and can be an extremely moving experience.

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)

A 1st-century arch in Corso Cavour was rebuilt in the 20th century after French soldiers knocked it down in the 19th. The arch is dedicated to the Gavius family, an important family during the first century.

Porta Borsari

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 is easy to sit at the little bar below the wall, sipping a cappuccino early in the morning, when no one much is about and imagine the passing traffic of two thousand years ago. A definite must see.

Porta Leoni

I find this a very interesting spot; the site includes not only the remains of the ancient gate but also an archaeological site where the main avenue into town used to be.

The Roman Theater

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, gentlemen bought all the houses they were building on the site and demolished them.

Thanks to Andrea Monga the theater is now the place to enjoy Shakespeare, ballet and jazz concerts. You can find out what is on via the official theater site.

If you just want to visit the theater, and not attend one of the productions, then entrance to the theater and adjacent museums costs around 3 Euros.

Ponte Pietra

Destroyed by the Germans on leaving Verona during WW11, the bridge has since been rebuilt using the original material.

The bridge is particularly lovely on a summer night when it is often illuminated; it is really an enchanting sight at the end of a romantic evening on the town. 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!