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Shakespeare fans will be familiar with Verona – the setting for the bard’s tragic romance, Romeo and Juliet. While you’ll see plenty of reminders of the iconic play, there’s much more to the city than these famous literary lovers.

Modern day Verona is a lively, bustling town on the banks of the River Adige. The compact city centre is packed with pretty piazzas, narrow, winding streets and amazing architecture, making it the ideal place if you’re looking for a romantic getaway.

With its wealth of ancient architecture and history, Verona has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the highlights is the 1st-century Roman Arena di Verona, which is even older than Rome’s famous Colosseum.

The ancient amphitheatre is an astonishingly well-preserved glimpse into Italy’s past. And it’s not just a museum piece – every summer, it plays host to Verona’s opera festival, providing a suitably stunning backdrop to a programme of open-air opera performances.

After sunset, the theatre is lit by candles distributed throughout the audience, which creates an atmospheric accompaniment to the onstage action. Don’t worry if you aren’t an opera buff – this is an unmissable experience for fans and novices alike.

Top Hotel Areas in Verona

There’s a good choice of hotels in Verona, with the largest selection in the three and four-star range. The stylish Hotel Verona offers reasonably-priced accommodation close to many of the town’s historic attractions.

Choosing a hotel near the Arena di Verona also means you’ll be perfectly placed to visit a range of churches, museums and galleries. Highlights include the gothic Scaliger Tombs and the grand Duomo overlooking the river. You’ll also find plenty of great places to eat and drink nestled among the cobbled streets of the old town.

If you are looking for a more active break to work off all that Italian food, opt for somewhere like the elegant four-star Hotel Accademia, which provides complimentary bicycles for guests to explore Verona on two wheels. If you’re in the market for a truly indulgent stay, however, you can take your pick from a selection of high-end five-star hotels in Verona.

Shakespeare’s Verona

Though experts generally agree that Shakespeare’s story of Romeo and Juliet was pretty solidly fictional, the star-crossed lovers are still a big draw for the city. See for yourself by joining the thousands of Shakespeare fans who make a pilgrimage to the 14th-century Casa di Giulietta every year – the hordes of tourists are almost as remarkable as the sight itself, yet it still manages to retain an air of romance against the odds.

According to legend, touching the chest of the bronze statue of Juliet in the house’s small courtyard will ensure you are lucky in love. To be certain of guaranteeing your romantic future, you can also leave a note under Juliet’s Balcony but you’ll have to look hard for a space – decades of love letters blanket the wall beneath the balcony. Stay close to these sights by picking a hotel near the Casa di Giulietta.

Complete your Romeo and Juliet-themed tour at the Basilica di San Zeno. According to the story, it was in the crypt of this ancient cathedral that the two young lovers wed. True or not, the basilica is well worth a visit in its own right. Named after Verona’s patron saint, it’s an impressive example of Romanesque architecture packed with spectacular paintings and sculptures.

Where to Visit outside Verona

If you’re keen to escape the hustle and bustle of Verona, head west to Lake Garda. Carved out by glaciers during the last ice age, this vast expanse of clear blue water is Italy’s largest lake and one of its most popular tourist destinations.

The lake, approximately 15 miles (25km) from Verona, is the perfect place to unwind after a few busy days of sightseeing. It’s close enough for a day trip but if you feel like extending your stay, you’ll find plenty of hotels along Lake Garda’s shoreline.

If you’re keen to explore more of northern Italy, why not plan a multi-city break? Book a hotel in Bologna to the south of Verona for some of the best food in the country, or head east for hotels in Venice – one of Europe’s most romantic cities.