Verona 1-day itinerary

Start at the Arena di Verona (€10) — a 1st-century Roman amphitheatre that still hosts opera performances for 15,000 spectators. Walk the ancient tiers and imagine gladiators below. The arena sits in Piazza Brà — Verona's grand square with a wide promenade lined with café terraces and the Palazzo Barbieri town hall. Grab a coffee on the Liston (the wide marble pavement) and watch Verona wake up. The scale of the arena in the middle of a living city is remarkable.

Walk Via Mazzini (the elegant pedestrian shopping street) to Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House, €6) on Via Cappello — the 13th-century building with the famous balcony. The courtyard is free and packed, but the museum above gives access to the actual balcony. Continue to Piazza delle Erbe — Verona's ancient Roman forum turned vibrant market square with frescoed palaces, a fountain, and market stalls. Lunch at Osteria al Duca on Via Arche Scaligere for risotto all'Amarone (€12–14).

Cross the Ponte Pietra — Verona's oldest bridge, a Roman arch spanning the Adige River with the Teatro Romano and bell tower framed behind. Climb the steps to the Castel San Pietro viewpoint for the classic Verona panorama — terracotta rooftops, the river bend, and church spires. Walk back down for aperitivo at Terrazza Bar al Ponte on the riverbank — spritz Aperol (€5–6) as the sun sets over the ancient bridge.