Plan the perfect Romeo & Juliet trail through Verona and Mantua
Verona is famed as the setting of Romeo & Juliet. Although Shakespeare died over 400 years ago, his play is the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Verona. You can see the Shakespeare influence in the market stalls in the center of town, where Romeo & Juliet tea towels and mugs are sold.
As well as being the home of the world’s most famous star-crossed lovers, Verona is one of the most charming cities in Italy. What’s more, it hasn’t been completely overrun by tourists. You’ll notice how Italian Verona is as you walk through its effortlessly stylish streets. The shops and restaurants are filled with people speaking Italian (as opposed to English and German), giving it a far more authentic feel.
Combining Verona with Mantua makes for the perfect Italian itinerary. If you’re feeling greedy, you can easily throw in a trip to Lake Garda.
Why Verona should be your next city break
In the heart of the city, you’ll find a remarkably preserved Roman amphitheatre dating from 30 AD, which remains the third-largest in Italy. The amphitheatre now hosts an opera festival from June to September. You can watch a Verdi opera in the amphitheatre and imagine you’re in a Fellini movie.
Naturally, Juliet’s Balcony is the most famous tourist attraction in Verona. Juliet never existed beyond the realm of fiction, but that doesn’t stop people from queuing up to see “her” fabled balcony. Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House) is a 13th-century building that once belonged to the Cappello family – the surname sounds a bit like “Capulet.” A tangential link if there ever was one! Shakespeare himself never set foot in Italy, so another connection that doesn’t fully connect.
The real charm of Verona isn’t in its tourist attractions, but in walking around at your own pace and taking it all in. You’ll find countless places to wine, dine and shop along the way.
Be sure to take a trip to Castel San Pietro, the hilltop castle and viewpoint where you can enjoy panoramic views over Verona. This medieval fortress sits on the Colle San Pietro (Saint Peter’s Hill) on the north bank of the Adige River, directly opposite the historic city centre.
To reach the top, you can either take the funicular railway (a small cable car that’s been operating since 1941) or climb the steep stone staircases that wind up through the cypress-lined hillside. Many visitors choose to walk up the stairs for the exercise and photo opportunities along the way, then take the funicular back down. You can fortify yourself with Aperol Spritz when you reach the bar at the top of the hill.
Combining Verona with Venice
With a metropolitan population of around 260,000, Verona serves as the second-largest city in the Veneto after Venice. You can get a train direct from Verona to Venice in just over an hour. While Venice remains one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations, it suffers under the weight of over-tourism.
The permanent population of Venice’s historic centre is less than 50,000, and that number continues to decline. In other words, if the population decline doesn’t somehow reverse, Venice will soon cease to be a going concern. It will be like a film set you can tour at Universal Studios.
In contrast, Verona gives you a real sense of Italian culture, making it an ideal base from which to explore. A day trip to Venice from Verona should definitely be on your radar. You could also consider spending a night in Venice to really take in the atmosphere.
Daytrip to Mantua – Lombardy’s hidden gem
To complete the Romeo & Juliet circuit, take a train or drive 40 kilometres southwest of Verona to Mantua. This charming little city is where Romeo was exiled after he killed Tybalt.
Mantua attracts approximately 500,000 visitors annually, making it a significant but manageable tourist destination that has avoided the overcrowding issues facing larger Italian art cities.
It’s pretty compact so you can easily explore Mantua in a day before returning to your hotel in Verona. That being said, if you’d like to spend a night in Mantua you can stay in a historic palazzo in an ancient aristocratic mansion. We can even book you a room that’s still decorated with original murals dating back to the 15th century. You’ll wake up in the kind of room Romeo would have stayed in.
Mantua Summer Festival is worth considering if you like live music. The performances are staged in the spectacular Piazza Sordello. Past headliners have included Nick Cave and Nile Rogers. You’ll get to see world-famous acts in a surprisingly intimate setting, with locals watching from balconies surrounding the square.
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Daytrip to Lake Garda
Lake Garda makes for an effortless day trip or longer excursion from Verona, with the southern shores of Italy’s largest lake lying just 30 kilometres to the west of the city. Regular train services connect Verona to lakeside towns like Peschiera del Garda in just 15-20 minutes.
The picturesque town of Sirmione is always a popular destination, but it has become very touristy. The eastern shore of Lake Garda, particularly around Torri del Benaco and the stretch between Garda town and Bardolino, gives you a more authentic Italian lake experience away from the crowds that flock to Sirmione and the northern resort towns.
Torri del Benaco retains the feel of a genuine fishing village with its medieval harbour, 14th-century Scaliger castle, and local restaurants where you’ll hear more Italian than English.
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Fancy a trip a Milan?
Unless you’re a restless traveler, you won’t want to combine all these destinations in one trip. It’s a case of picking the right destinations based on your interests. The beauty of planning your trip around Verona is the accessibility. You can easily take a day trip to any of the destinations mentioned in this article.
Supposing you like to explore big cities, Milan is a fairly obvious choice. It’s the capital of Italy and the global capital of the fashion industry. Although the Duomo is one of the great architectural monuments in Europe, Milan itself isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing Italian city. It doesn’t have that much to offer tourists: it’s more of an industrial centre.
Exploring the gay scene
Milan is the place to be if you’re looking for a gay night out. The gay scene doesn’t really get going in Milan until around 5pm at the earliest when the bars start to open. Verona does have one small gay bar near the train station.
This part of Italy isn’t exactly the natural centre of gay life in Europe. Take a trip to Soho or Sitges if you’re looking for a part scene.
Exploring Verona, Mantua and the surrounding area is all about culture, find dining and fine living (La Dolce Vita, if you insist!).
We’d suggest concluding your trip in Verona for a smooth transition to Verona Airport for your return flight.
Ready to start planning your dream trip around Northern Italy? Whether you’re looking to cover the Romeo & Juliet trail, sail around Lake Garda or party in Milan (or all of the above!), we can arrange the perfect itinerary for you.
