Sight seeing Verona Italy

What kinda things do you wanna do? I did an afternoon on the way from Salerno to Lake Garda, it was a pleasant time :)

Just a partial afternoon walking visit

For beautiful panoramic views of the river and whole city down below, walk across the Ponte Pietra and take the funicular up to Castel San Pietro.

We did what Pat suggested, (forgot our Rick Steves book at home, before we had mobile data, we fumbled through buses and such hahaha) got to the center, wandered around (looked at the balcony and the market in the piazza), took the trip up the hill, had a great lunch, made our way back to the station and headed off to Lake Garda (accidentally getting on the first class regionale car instead of the second hahaha)

Verona is a great walking town - the center is nearly traffic free and buildings with faded murals and painted details lurk in unlikely corners. The walk from the train station is uninteresting so from train station I would grab a bus or a cab to Piazza Bra - usually one or two stops on the bus. There is a taxi stand outside the train station, of course, along with the main bus depot and many bus lines go past Piazza Bra. Piazza Bra - with the arena - has two Roman gates that are nearby so take the time to check out the "Clock Gate" on Corso Porta Nuova that leads to the piazza and the other is Porta Borsari on Corso Porta Borsari/via Cavour nearer the river.

The an intact Roman Arena and Theater which are still used for events with music and opera being a big part of the city's summer schedule including concerts and opera. The Theater includes the Archeological Museum which is small but also gives you access to the rambling remains of old religious sites there. If you go all the way to the top you are just below the height of the castle site which is on the other side of the fence. If you like modern art check out the small Palazzo Maffei Casa Museo which mixes ancient and modern art, a palazzo and rooftop tour all into one place overlooking piazza Erbe and is underadvertised. I think Piazza Erbe (looking past the market stands) is one of the prettiest piazzas in Italy. Verona has the 'elegant decay' feeling with faded murals on medieval buildings that the Veneto does so well. The nearby Piazza dei Signori is less grand but contains a ton of history and has buildings from all the eras of Verona.

There are four big church sites and a pass for all of them if you are interested. The Cathedral is in the downtown area but the The Basilica of San Zeno is in the relative outskirts.
https://www.chieseverona.it/en

Al Grottino - Osteria e Sbecoleria is a great hole in the wall place off Piazza Erbe for a drink and cicchetti. Cafe Monte Baldo nearby also has great cicchetti and more serious food if you want that. Right near the cafe there is Arcivio a super small, super hip cocktail bar. There is no lack of good restaurants in Verona but read the menu carefully at the older places because the cuisine can be very "traditional". There are cafes with outdoor seating everywhere in Verona whenever you decide to want to sit and/or spritz.

There is a handy taxi stand in Piazza Bra when you decide you are done and want to head to the train station if you don't want to mess with the bus. Buses have tap in or paper tickets in the old school way.

Have a great trip,
=Tod

Giusti Gardens - beautiful gardens with multiple paths leading to wonderful views of the city. Very peaceful, well-maintained, about a 10-15 minute walk after you cross the Ponte Nuovo.

Thanks everyone. Very much apprecisted.

Do not miss the Roman Arena.

Was just coming here to also recommend Giusti Gardens- I agree with the poster above, really peaceful and great views. My favourite thing I’ve done in Verona besides opera at the arena.

Giusti Gardens and Castelvecchio/Bridge.