Verona City Breaks

Verona at a glance

Verona is one of Italy’s loveliest cities, made famous by its world-renowned summer opera season. Nestled along the Adige River, Verona is a popular short break destination known for its well preserved historic sights, picturesque squares and romantic atmosphere, thanks in no small part to the city’s most famous fictional residence, Romeo and Juliet.

Verona was first established by the Romans and later came under the occupation of the Goths, Lombards and the Hapsburg Empire of Austria. Liberated from a troubling World War II era of fascism, Verona went through a period of intense reconstruction and preservation that led to it being recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Verona is perhaps best known for its well preserved Roman architecture, with one of its most popular sites being the impressive Roman Arena. Built in the first century, the Arena is the third largest ancient amphitheatre in the world.  Today it is a popular venue for summer opera productions when up to 15,000 people fill its stands.

Perfect if you’re looking for:

• Historic attractions
• Romantic short break
• Art and culture

Getting around

All of Verona’s popular attractions are within easy walking distance, allowing visitors to truly soak up the local atmosphere as they explore the city by foot. 

A bike hire scheme in Verona creates a great alternative for seeing the sites. Bikes are free for the first 30 minutes, after which they can be hired out by the day or by half hour increments.

A limited public bus service runs in some areas of the city.

Dining in Verona

Offering much more than just Italian pizza and pasta, the cuisine of Verona is based on traditional ingredients, much of which is locally grown. Risotto inspired dishes, wild mushrooms, cured meats and an excellent selection of region wines can be found in most traditional restaurants.

Must-try local dishes:

• Casoela – a casserole made up of pork, cabbage, onion and carrots
• Pastissada de caval – a popular horse meat stew cooked with red wine and polenta
• Pandoro – sweet yeast bread shaped like a 8 point star and often served with a dusting of vanilla icing sugar

Shopping in Verona

The historic centre of Verona is dotted with intriguing boutiques and the luxury brands such as Gucci and Burberry are also set in the town. In Verona, leather goods are of high calibre, especially the leather shoes, there’s also a nice selection of perfumers in Verona for unique blends or branded perfumes. The Via Mazzini is the main shopping avenue and boasts the high street brands, the market on Piazza delle Erbe is also a nice market to browse in.

Osprey Holidays top tips

If you intend to visit in the summer months and wish to experience the magic of an opera concert in the stunning setting of the Roman Arena, please make sure you book your tickets well in advance as the concerts are very popular. Our reservations staff will be delighted to assist you in booking the tickets of your choice.

Enjoy outdoor summer opera performances in the city with the longest surviving Roman Amphitheatre in the world. See the beautiful palaces in a city built on the river Adige at the foot of the Italian Alps.

Get your tailor-made city break itinerary

Osprey Holidays can create a fabulous short break to Verona designed completely around your needs. We can arrange whatever you need, including:

• All travel and transfers on days of your choice
• Accommodation from our handpicked range of Verona hotels, to suit your budget and requirements

Our award-winning team can provide expert advice and recommendations, from general questions to tiny details. Contact us now for your tailor-made itinerary.