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Even if you’ve never set foot in Rome, you can still see the sights of the Eternal City in just half a second just from the photos.
Whether it’s the Colosseum doing all its former glory, the Instagram circus that is the Trevi Fountain going full throttle, or the Vatican City and its towering dome, Rome feels like that movie you’ve replayed countless times… even if you’ve never actually been cast in it.
What if we told you that there is a mini Rome, not in some remote country in Europe where you don’t want to go, but right there in Italy, only 3 hours away by high-speed train?
And yes, it even has its own baby Colosseum, which is much better preserved.
Welcome to Verona, the mini-Rome of Italy
A not-so-hidden gem of northern Italy, Verona is currently experiencing unprecedented levels of tourism, with more than 20 million registered guests last year alone. Of those, as many as 80% are foreigners.
It’s safe to say that tourists traveling to Italy have never been hotter than they are right now, and if you’re wondering why the name rings a bell, congratulations, you’re probably not looking forward to all those painfully boring English lessons at school after all.
Well, this is it That historic city that set the stage for William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. And no, it’s not really based on real peoplebut if you’re trying to capture feelings and fall hopelessly in love, this is the place.
For starters, it is much smaller then Rome.
While it’s certainly not a small city (it has a population of over 255,000), it feels a lot more compact, with many of the sights within a short walk of each other, and less crowded. No transfer from metro to bus, and back to metro again, with Rome’s substandard public transport system:
You can see it all on foot, and believe us when we say: there’s just as much historic charm to be found here as in the Italian capital. Did we mention that Verona has an entire Colosseum?
Italy and Europe are changing their entry requirements for American tourists in 2025, from mandatory fingerprints to new visa rules.
Going to Europe this summer? Make sure you check the latest entry requirements for your destination before heading to the airport.
One of Italy’s coolest ancient wonders
Okay, okay, there’s just An Colosseum, we mean a Roman arena, but be that as it may, it is in fact older and in a much better state of preservation than the largest of them all. It dates back to the year 30 AD, which literally makes it over 2000 years old an ancient wonder most tourists on their way to Italy miss it.
The coolest thing about it? It is not just a museum, but a whole entertainment venueall these centuries later.
Remember the Lizzie McGuire movie, and how Hilary Duff in the black wig just casually steps onto the floor of the Coliseum to perform for an entire audience? Yeah…I’m not sure if you’ve ever seen pictures of the inside, with the completely torn, half-gone floor, but that wouldn’t really happen in real life.
The Arena of Veronaon the other hand, it is still used for concerts, and if you come in the summer you might be able to catch a few live performances by famous Italian artists. Your grandmother’s favorite tenor Andrea Bocelli is a regular feature.
This is what dreams are made of.
By the way, this is what travelers have been reporting lately about safety in Italy:
Is this the most beautiful historic center in Italy?
While you get lost in the maze-like historic center of Verona (think cobbled streets, cozy trattoriaand small boutiques everywhere), there are a few more places worth visiting.
Juliet’s House is an obvious highlight, and before you roll your eyes, no, it’s not Juliet’s real house, as she was never a real living person – it’s another one of Italy’s marketing gimmicks –However comma… that’s how it is a beautiful medieval house dates from the 13th century.
If you’re not into the Romeo and Juliet stories, be sure to visit for the Old World atmosphere.
Just a few steps away from it, Palazzo della Ragione is a Gothic town hall built in the 11th century, with pointed arches, a towering tower that you can climb for panoramic views over Verona, and a super-photogenic 15th-century staircase that is the main attraction in the courtyard.
For an equally epic panorama of Verona, climb the Lamberti Tower (or cheat on the elevator), or just chill Piazza delle Erbeperhaps the most beautiful square in the city, flanked by colorful buildings and inviting cafes.
Insider tip? Caffè Filippini, right on the square, is a beautiful old-fashioned place that has been serving light snacks and classic, smooth cappucino since the early 1990s.
It’s actually an excellent area for people watching.
Tiber Who?
Rome may have the mighty Tiber, but Verona is crossed by the River Adige, Italy’s second longest river, which cuts through the heart of the historic center.
On the waterfront you will encounter two must-see bridges that stand out for two very different reasons:
The first, Ponte Pietrais a Pedestrian crossing from Roman times with unreal views, especially at sunset. Straight postcard material. The second, and undoubtedly the most impressive, is Ponte Scaligero. Virtually a castle in the shape of a bridgewith towers, battlements and ramparts of red brick stressed the water.
The side opposite the historic center is actually the most peaceful and no less interesting side of Verona:
There is a Roman theater carved into the hill, which is still used for performances in the summer, and if you’re desperate for that viewpoint over Verona and its abundance of church towersthat would be the castle hill of San Pietro.
We definitely recommend taking the slow, winding path up as you will pass beautiful pastel-colored houses with the typical Italian green shutters and some of the cutest alleys. However, if you feel exhausted after all the sightseeing, feel free to take the cable car up.
Discover other hidden gems in Italy this summer
Flying to Italy this summer?
Verona is just the tip of a much larger (monumental, actually) iceberg. Check out these other lesser-known, incredible destinations we covered Travel off the path recently:
- Brixen: a fairytale medieval treasure in the heart of the Alps, where you are more likely to hear German spoken on the street than Italian (in real life)
- Cividalne del Friuli: a small town in the northeastern region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, best known for its Devil’s Bridge and Roman heritage
- Rimini: one of the liveliest coastal cities on the Italian Adriatic, famous for its wide sandy beaches and a developed entertainment scene
- Taranto: an unusual coastal hub in Puglia with a picturesque island as its historic center and a number of ancient monuments to its name
- Matera: a rock-cut town in the interior of Basilicata with houses literally carved into the mountain massif, as well as the third oldest town in the world
