Romantic Verona enchants visitors with its balconeied medieval buildings, charming piazzas and links to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. As one of Italy’s most historically significant cities, Verona boasts impressive Roman ruins, Gothic architecture and vibrant culture. Beyond its Shakespearean associations, Verona rewards travelers with fine art, exquisite food and wine, and unforgettable atmosphere.
| No. | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attend Jazz Festival | A new jazz event in the city. |
| 2 | Teatro Ristori Show | Renovated theater offering performances. |
| 3 | Street Art Tours | Guided exploration of local street art. |
| 4 | Wine Cellar Visits | Special wine tastings in cellars. |
| 5 | Opera at Verona Arena | Opera performances in a historic arena. |
| 6 | Castelvecchio Museum | Historical museum with diverse exhibits. |
| 7 | Food Tours | Guided tours exploring local cuisine. |
| 8 | Rooftop Bar Visits | Enjoy drinks with scenic views. |
| 9 | Museum of Natural History | Explore natural history exhibits. |
| 10 | Wine Tours at Palladian Villas | Wine tastings in historic villas. |
| 11 | Cycling Along Adige River | Bike rides along the river. |
| 12 | Teatro Romano Theater | Historic theater offering cultural experiences. |
| 13 | Day Trips to Lake Garda | Explore the natural beauty of Lake Garda. |
| 14 | Dine at Innovative Restaurants | Experience modern takes on Italian cuisine. |
| 15 | Festival Seasons at the Roman Theater | Attend various festivals at the ancient theater. |
In 2024, new developments make this elegant northern Italian city even more enticing. From exciting events to renovated landmarks, here are 15 top things to do on a trip to Verona, Italy in 2024:
Attend the New Verona Jazz Festival
Name and Location: Verona Jazz Festival, Verona, Italy
History and Significance: Verona’s annual jazz festival was founded in 2016 and has quickly become one of Italy’s premier jazz events. The festival relocated to the Verona Arena in 2022 with improved acoustics and expanded capacity, hosting top international jazz musicians for month-long evening concerts under the stars.
What to Expect: The open-air arena provides an unforgettable setting for jazz performances from acclaimed artists. Concerts start at 9:00pm, with pre-show dining options. Music styles range from classic jazz to blues, funk and big band. Top-tier audiovisuals and lighting complement the shows.
Visitor Information: The 2024 festival runs from mid-June through July. Ticket prices vary by seat location, from €25-120. Purchase tickets and find schedules online in advance. The Arena is located in the city center, a 10 minute walk from most hotels.
In June 2024, Verona will host its first ever jazz festival, bringing live music to outdoor stages around the city. Sway to sultry vocals, snappy horns and improvised solos from Italian and international artists in ancient Roman theaters and piazzas. Partake in jazz-themed food and drink tastings between sets during this newest addition to Verona’s packed summer festival lineup.
See a Show at the Renovated Teatro Ristori
Name and Location: Teatro Ristori, Verona, Italy
History and Significance: The Teatro Ristori is a historic theater in Verona located on Via Teatro Ristori. Originally opened in 1839, the 500-seat theater underwent extensive renovations reopening in 2023. It is renowned for its excellent acoustics and intimate setting for opera, symphony, ballet and theater productions.
What to Expect: The 2023 season includes an exciting lineup of classical concerts, modern opera, and productions of Shakespeare plays. The interior has four decorated tiers of boxes and loge seating surrounding the stage. Performances range from classics to innovative contemporary programs.
Visitor Information: Located just south of Piazza Bra, near the Arena. Performances typically begin at 8:30pm. Ticket prices €25-60 can be purchased online. Guided theater tours available on select Mondays. Elegant dress recommended.
Teatro Ristori, Verona’s largest theater, will finally reopen in 2024 after undergoing extensive restorations and backstage expansions. Enjoy premieres, operas, orchestral performances and experimental productions in this beautifully refreshed historic venue. Listen to soaring sopranos backed by elaborate sets and lighting effects on the Ristori’s updated stage.
Take a Street Art Tour in Veronetta
Name and Location: Street Art in Veronetta, Verona, Italy
History and Significance: Veronetta is a neighborhood north of Verona’s historic center with cobblestone lanes and medieval architecture. In recent years, Veronetta has emerged as the city’s street art hub with colorful murals, graffiti and stencils by local artists and collectives transforming once-rundown walls and facades.
What to Expect: Vibrant street art can be discovered walking Veronetta’s pedestrian streets. Key works include a towering falcon mosaic and powerful social justice murals. Free walking tours are offered Saturdays exploring highlights and the stories behind the art. Independent exploration is also rewarding.
Visitor Information: Veronetta is located just across the Adige River from the central Piazza Bra. Tours meet at 10:00am outside Villa Roma bar, lasting 2 hours. Comfortable shoes recommended. Tours book up in advance.
Just across the Adige River, Veronetta is the edgy neighborhood with vibrant street art covering its walls. New guided tours in 2024 will take you inside this youthful district, explaining the stories behind the colorful murals and graffiti artworks layered over generations. Understand Verona’s subculture and artistry through the expressive works filling Veronetta.
Taste Limited-Edition Wines at Cantina di Soave
Name and Location: Cantina di Soave, Soave, Italy
History and Significance: The Cantina di Soave is a renowned cooperative winery located in the Soave region near Verona, celebrated for its white wines, primarily Garganega and Trebbiano. Founded in 1898, the winery offers tours and tastings, including exclusive seasonal and limited-edition wines.
What to Expect: Hour-long tours highlight Soave’s winemaking history and modern techniques before concluding with a seated tasting of 5-6 wines, including special reserve bottles rarely sampled elsewhere. English tours are available by advance reservation. The adjacent shop sells wine and gourmet products.
Visitor Information: Located in Soave, a 30 minute drive east from Verona. Tours €15-25 per person. Booking required 24 hours in advance. Open Monday-Saturday; tours at 11am and 4pm.
The prestigious Cantina di Soave wine cooperative will celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2024 with special events and vintages. Visit their cellars in the hills near Verona to taste limited production runs of terroir-expressive Soave Classico and Recioto wines made exclusively for the milestone year. Savor the nuanced fruits of this Veronese region that mastered white wines.
Attend an Opera at the Verona Arena
Name and Location: The Arena of Verona, Verona, Italy
History and Significance: The Verona Arena is a famous 1st century Roman amphitheater hosting opera and concert performances during the summer months. This grand open-air venue can accommodate 15,000 people for an unforgettable musical experience marked by excellent acoustics. Top Italian opera companies perform here.
What to Expect: The 2024 opera season runs from mid-June through early September, featuring classics like Aida, Turandot and La Traviata. The massive ancient setting paired with world-class productions creates exceptional atmosphere. Performance start around 8:45pm, with cheap standing tickets available.
Visitor Information: The Arena is located right in Verona’s city center. Tickets range €25-200 depending on seat location. Book well in advance online. Pre-show dining options nearby. Dress is casual to formal.
Few musical experiences match attending an opera in Verona’s incredibly preserved 1st century Roman amphitheater. The 2024 season runs from June through September, featuring popular classics like Aida along with new productions. Watch dramatic love triangles play out amid ancient sandstone arches and towering stage sets for an atmospheric opera unlike any other.
Marvel at the Restored Castelvecchio Museum
Name and Location: Castelvecchio Museum, Verona, Italy
History and Significance: The Castelvecchio Museum is housed within a 14th century castle along the Adige River. The extensive collections showcase medieval Veronese art and artifacts. The museum underwent a major renovation reopening in 2022 with improved facilities and exhibition spaces showcasing the diverse holdings.
What to Expect: Spanning sculpture, paintings, ceramics and miniatures, highlights include the famed Lord of Verona statue, masterworks by Pisanello, and Renaissance Madonna and Child paintings. Modernized exhibits employ interactive technology for an immersive experience. English descriptions are provided.
Visitor Information: Located in northeast Verona, about 15 minutes walking from the Arena along the river. Open Tuesday-Sunday 1:30pm-7:30pm, closed Mondays. Tickets €10, free with Verona Card. Audio guides available.
Verona’s imposing 14th century castle on the Adige River will complete museum renovations in 2024, reopening fully for visitors to marvel at its architecture and collections. Don’t miss medieval frescoes, Venetian paintings, sculptures, artifacts and temporary exhibits displayed in the restored halls and towers of this imposing complex.
Take a Food Tour Through the Mercato Coperto
Name and Location: Mercato Coperto, Verona, Italy
History and Significance: The Mercato Coperto is Verona’s central indoor food market located in a former monastery, offering a wide array of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats and specialty local products. Food tours are available to taste regional delicacies and learn about Italian food culture.
What to Expect: On 2-3 hour guided tours, knowledgeable local guides provide samples of items like olives, balsamic vinegar, pastries and Valpolicella wines while describing their cultural significance and production. An aperitivo and sit-down lunch concludes the excursion.
Visitor Information: Located on Piazza Erbe in Verona’s historic center. Food tours held daily at 10am and 3pm, €60 per person. Advance reservation required. The market is open mornings daily except Sunday.
Dating to the 1200s, Verona’s covered market hall brims with high-quality food vendors. New tasting tours in 2024 offer insider access to sample cheeses, cured meats, olives, baked goods and other regional specialties straight from the sellers as you learn. Discover Verona’s exceptional flavors and centuries of culinary tradition on an expertly guided epicurean experience.
Sip an Aperitivo at a New Rooftop Bar
Name and Location: Aperitivo at Corte San Pietro, Verona, Italy
History and Significance: Corte San Pietro is a newly opened rooftop bar atop the luxury hotel Palazzo Victoria, featuring panoramic views of Verona’s historic landmarks. Perched right off Piazza Bra, it has quickly become a popular aperitivo spot to enjoy an evening drink and small plates.
What to Expect: An intimate, elegant setting to watch the sunset over the Roman Arena while sampling inventive cocktails and sharing plates of cheeses, salumi and crostini. Upbeat music creates a lively vibe. The rooftop terrace offers stunning photo ops.
Visitor Information: Open daily 5pm-1am, located at Via Cattaneo 6.
Sundown in Verona brings one of Italy’s liveliest aperitivo scenes as locals sip drinks in piazzas and bars. In 2024, new rooftop hotel bars are opening above Verona with panoramic views over terracotta rooftops and church spires. Ride a rooftop glass elevator up for signature Aperol spritzes and cocktail nibbles as the sun sets over romantic Verona.
Browse the Newly Designed Museum of Natural History
Name and Location: Museum of Natural History, Verona, Italy
History and Significance: Verona’s Museum of Natural History contains vast collections related to natural sciences and humanities. Originally founded in 1839, the museum reopened in 2023 after a complete redesign featuring new interactive exhibits and improved displays of its fossils, minerals, and flora and fauna collections.
What to Expect: Highlights include dinosaur skeletons, mineral formations, and dioramas of Verona’s natural ecosystems. The hands-on exhibits allow you to explore nature topics through games, experiments, and digital interactives. Taxidermied animals, bones, and botanical collections provide insight into regional biodiversity.
Visitor Information: Located near Castel San Pietro, a 15 minute walk from Piazza Bra. Open Tuesday-Friday 9am-6pm, weekends 11am-7pm. Admission €10, discounts available.
Verona’s natural history museum closed in 2020 for major renovations and is set to reopen in 2024 with a completely new look. Interactive and visual exhibits will showcase fossils, plant species, rocks and crystals from Verona and surrounding regions using latest museum technology. Kids and adults alike will engage with the area’s natural treasures through immersive new displays.
Take a Wine Tour at a Renovated Palladian Villa
Name and Location: Villa Venier Wine Tours, Sommacampagna, Italy
History and Significance: Villa Venier is a 16th century Palladian villa located near Verona offering full-day wine tours with tastings at its historic estate. The villa was renovated in 2022 to showcase its architecture and cellars. Tours highlight Veneto winemaking, the villa’s history, and Italian culinary traditions.
What to Expect: Tours include a villa visit, winery lunch with wine pairings, and guided tastings of 5-6 Villa Venier wines like Amarone, Valpolicella, and Soave. Knowledgeable guides provide in-depth wine education. Transfers to/from Verona available.
Visitor Information: Tours held daily, mid-morning through mid-afternoon. €120 per person, advance booking required. Villa located in Sommacampagna, 25 minutes from Verona by car.
The Veneto countryside is filled with elegant 16th century villas designed by architect Andrea Palladio. Villa Mosconi Bertani, producer of prestigious Amarone wines, will complete restoration of its Palladian villa and gardens in 2024. Go on a vineyard tour followed by a wine tasting showcasing traditional production methods and diverse varietals.
Cycle Along Completed Portions of the Adige River Bike Path
Name and Location: Adige River Bike Path, Verona, Italy
History and Significance: Verona is developing an extensive 45km bike path along both banks of the Adige River, providing car-free cycling through beautiful scenery. As of 2024, the first stages stretching 15km from the city center to outlying towns have been completed. Further expansion is planned through 2026.
What to Expect: Paved paths with separate pedestrian lanes wind through nature preserves and vineyards, connecting Verona to towns like Bussolengo. Bike rentals are available to ride completed sections for views of the river and mountains beyond. Pathside signage marks highlights.
Visitor Information: Bike rentals around €20/day. Access the path from numerous points within Verona. Maps available at visitor centers. Check for periodic closures during construction.
Construction on a 400-kilometer bike path along the Adige River from Lake Reschen to the Adriatic Sea will make progress in 2024. New paths on flatter terrain through Verona’s picturesque wine country areas will complete first. Ride through groves of olive and citrus trees before stopping at winery cafes to refresh yourself with a glass of Soave.
Attend Plays and Concerts at Teatro Romano
Name and Location: Teatro Romano, Verona, Italy
History and Significance: Verona’s Teatro Romano is an ancient 1st century Roman theater that still hosts arts and performance events, especially during warmer months. The well-preserved amphitheater provides intimate views with seating for 5,000 people on its stone terraces.
What to Expect: From May through August, the Teatro Romano presents an arts festival featuring classical music, opera, ballet, and Shakespearean plays. Attendees often bring picnics to enjoy under the stars during performances. The site’s small museum is also worthwhile.
Visitor Information: Located at the edge of the historic center on Via Dietro Anfiteatro. Purchase tickets for performances online. Open Tuesday-Sunday 8:30am-7:30pm. Tickets €10 for theater and museum.
Verona’s remarkably intact 2,000 year old Roman theater will inaugurate renovations in 2024 with improved seating and acoustics. Throughout the summer, it will host concerts, dramas and Shakespeare plays in its ancient stone amphitheater. Pack a picnic and experience Verona’s theatrical heritage under the stars at one of the city’s most atmospheric venues.
Take a Day Trip to Lake Garda by Train
Name and Location: Day Trip to Lake Garda from Verona, Italy
History and Significance: Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, lies just over an hour north of Verona by train. Its Mediterranean climate, mountain backdrop and picturesque villages make it a popular lakeside escape. A day trip from Verona allows you to experience the striking scenery and activities like boat tours, hiking, and lakeside dining.
What to Expect: Highlights include strolling seaside towns, visiting 19th century villas, and enjoying an afternoon Aperol spritz with a lake view. Look for boat and bus tours from towns like Desenzano del Garda and Sirmione. Trains run frequently, requiring no prebooking.
Visitor Information: Trains from Verona Porta Nuova to Desenzano del Garda take around 1 hour and cost €5-10 each way. Visit ferries, bus tours and attractions around the lake. Trains return to Verona until late evening.
Just 40 minutes by train, Lake Garda offers a spectacular change of scenery with its blue waters set against mountain backdrops. The new rail link provides easy access to, villages like Sirmione and Desenzano del Garda from Verona. Ride along the coastline’s edge, soaking up sparkling lake vistas before stopping to relax lakeside with an afternoon gelato.
Sample Innovative Restaurants in Verona
Name and Location: Innovative Restaurants, Verona, Italy
History and Significance: Long known for its classic trattorias and osterias, Verona has recently seen a surge of new contemporary restaurants featuring innovative takes on regional cuisine. These trendsetting spots blend traditional ingredients like Amarone wine and pumpkin into imaginative dishes served in hip, modern settings.
What to Expect: Menus include creative riffs on risotto, homemade pastas, Valpolicella-infused dishes, and Verona classics like horse and donkey meatballs. ChiaroScuro San Giorgio and Oseleta CÃ Vendramin offer memorable Michelin-starred dining experiences reflecting modern Italian style.
Visitor Information: Many innovative restaurants are located in the historic center around Piazza Bra and the river. Reserve tables weeks in advance for upscale dining. Meals average €40-80 at higher-end spots.
Verona’s Former Garrison
Name and Location: Verona’s Former Garrison, Verona, Italy
History and Significance: The Venetian Garrison in Verona housed troops who controlled the city from the early 1500s until Austrian rule began in 1814. Today, you can visit remains of barracks, mess halls, and social clubs within the garrison located near Castel San Pietro. The complex provides insight into military life in Renaissance-era Verona under Venetian domination.
What to Expect: The main highlight is the pristine Officers’ Club building, featuring an intact original trattoria on the ground floor. Other chambers have exhibits on armaments and life in the garrison. Guided tours provide context on Verona’s history under Venetian rule. Allow 1-2 hours to visit.
Visitor Information: Located just north of the Duomo. Entry €6, guided tours €10. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm, closed Mondays. Tours in Italian and English daily at 11:30am and 5pm.
The deconsecrated Church of San Zeno in Oratorio holds a new collection of creative eateries focused on artisanal cuisine. Once part of Verona’s Austrian military compound in the 1800s, this complex now houses restaurants using local ingredients in unconventional ways. Taste Verona traditions like horse, donkey and goat given modern makeovers in these foodie hotspots.
Experience Festival Season at the Roman Theater
Name and Location: Festival Season at Teatro Romano
History and Significance: The ancient Roman Theater of Verona hosts a vibrant festival season every summer, with concerts, plays, and opera performed in the intimate, open-air venue. Since the 2000s, the Teatro Romano has held festivals catering to classical music, jazz, and Shakespearean theater aficionados alongside the traditional opera festival.
What to Expect: From June through August, you can see top artists in genres like jazz, rock, and pop set against the picturesque amphitheater backdrop. Shakespeare productions are also popular. Italian opera classics like La Traviata round out the summer programming.
Visitor Information: Schedules and tickets available on each festival’s website.
Verona’s extensive Roman ruins provide a majestic setting for outdoor arts from March through October. The Roman Theater will host classical drama, music, dance and Shakespeare productions as part of 2024’s packed festival lineup. Watch Verona’s past and present fuse together for an inspiring celebration of culture amid ancient columns and arches.
With its timeless elegance and modern excitement, Verona entices with vineyards, flavors, palaces, and performing arts in 2024. Lose yourself in Verona’s romantic allure, from Romeo and Juliet’s courtyard to moonlit operas in the Roman arena, for a truly unforgettable Italian escape.