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.