Complete Visitor Guide (Tickets & Tips)

Quick Guide Summary

💡 Key Takeaways from Our Visit:
Best time to visit Juliet’s House: Arrive right at 8:30 AM opening to avoid crowds
Is it real? The story is based on Italian legend – Shakespeare never visited Verona
Must-sees: Juliet’s House & Balcony, Juliet’s Tomb, Romeo’s House (exterior), The Juliet Club
Ticket tip: Buy combined ticket for Juliet’s House + Tomb, or use Verona Card for best value
Photography: Original photos make the difference – I took mine early morning for the best light
Don’t miss: The medieval markets in Piazza delle Erbe for an authentic experience

Known as the city of love, Verona is famous for its links to Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare’s play about star-crossed lovers. During our visits to this enchanting Italian city, we discovered 7 of the best sights related to Romeo and Juliet in Verona. Let us share what we learned about the fictional young couple, their famous love story, and how to make the most of your own visit to this romantic destination.

Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet in Verona

There are quite a few myths surrounding Romeo and Juliet in Verona. Through our research and explorations in the city, we’ve uncovered what’s fact and what’s fiction. We’ll guide you through attractions such as Juliet’s tomb and house, the Verona Love Wall, and the Juliet Club – sharing our personal experiences at each location.

Where Is Romeo and Juliet Set In Verona?

The timeless tale of Romeo and Juliet happens to be a masterpiece of literature that has remained a steadfast favorite among readers and playwright enthusiasts for generations. The backdrop of this extraordinary tale is the historic city of Verona, renowned for its stunning architecture and remarkable cultural heritage.

When we first walked through Verona’s streets, we immediately understood why Shakespeare chose this setting. Located amidst picturesque hills in northern Italy, this romantic city provides the perfect backdrop for the fateful tragedy. From its opulent palaces to its breathtaking squares, Verona offers just the right amount of sophistication and charm for this tragic love story to unfold.

As the play progresses, the characters’ fates ultimately draw them away from Verona and into the lesser-known city of Mantua. The story’s climax in Mantua adds a powerful and dramatic element to the already captivating play. Without question, the setting of Romeo and Juliet plays a critical role in the success of this timeless masterpiece.

Where is Verona?

The Italian city of Verona is situated in the region of Veneto. I found this prosperous town in Italy has a very picturesque setting that exceeded my expectations.

Located on the banks of the Adige River, Verona is just 1 hour by train from Venice – a journey I’ve made several times. One of the most important Italian cities in Roman times, Verona has many well-preserved monuments from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance era that I explored during my visits.

Thanks to this and the Verona Romeo and Juliet connection, this is the 4th most visited city in Italy. William Shakespeare begins his famous play with the words “In fair Verona, where we lay our scene“. I can confirm it’s still a very picturesque Italian town today.

Top Romeo & Juliet Attractions in Verona

1. Juliet’s House in Verona

Here’s where I had to embrace the willing suspension of disbelief – Juliet’s House actually belonged to the Cappello family. Known as la casa di Giulietta in Italian, it’s certainly a similar sounding name to Capulet.

When I first visited, I learned that this resemblance was seized upon by enterprising locals who proclaimed it to be Juliet’s House. The house on Via Cappello, close to Verona Arena, dates from the 13th century – and I was fascinated to discover the truth behind its history.

The famous Romeo and Juliet balcony that I photographed wasn’t actually from medieval times. During my research, I discovered Juliet’s balcony was actually added in the 1930s, created from parts of a 17th century sarcophagus. Most surprising of all? There’s not even a balcony scene in Shakespeare’s play!

When I headed inside, I found a small museum with the costumes and the bed that feature in the 1986 Franco Zeffirelli classic film, as well as some other interesting exhibits that brought the story to life.

My top tip: The real highlight is the famous balcony and the bronze statue of Juliet. When I visited the house of Juliet, I made sure to arrive at opening time (8.30 AM from Tuesday to Sunday, from 1.30 PM on Mondays) and I managed to recreate the Romeo and Juliet iconic balcony scene myself without the usual crowds.

I also posed with the sculpture of Juliet in the small courtyard. Those looking for love might wish to rub Juliet’s right breast for good luck – I noticed the bronze is particularly shiny there from countless visitors doing exactly this!

In the courtyard of Juliet, there’s also Romeo e Giulietta Shop, a gift shop I browsed for Romeo and Juliet themed souvenirs.

Practical Information:

• Address: Via Cappello, 23, 37121 Verona
• Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM; Monday 1:30 PM – 7:30 PM
• Ticket Price: €6 (combined ticket with Juliet’s Tomb available)
• My recommendation: Book online to skip queues during peak season

2. Verona Love Wall

In the courtyard of Juliet’s House, I discovered a whole Love Wall covered with graffiti, chewing gum, and notes from visitors. The local authorities had originally tried to impose fines on those defacing the wall, but they realized they were fighting a losing battle – so they cleverly created special removable panels where you’re allowed to write or stick a message.

When I first visited at peak times, it was extremely crowded in the courtyard. However, I was lucky to be staying at NH Collection Palazzo Verona, where this beautiful townhouse has its own replica Love Wall. Getting my photo there was much easier! We booked accommodation and flights via Classic Collection Holidays, the luxury tailor-made holiday specialist.

3. The Juliet Club

One of the most charming Verona attractions I discovered, The Juliet Club (Club di Giulietta in Italian) is a legacy of the Romeo and Juliet story. Made famous by the film Letters to Juliet, starring Amanda Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave, it was established to help the thousands of people suffering in love.

During my visit, I learned that volunteers reply to all love letters addressed to Juliet, whether delivered by email, letter, or by hand. They receive 50,000 letters each year! I found this tradition incredibly touching and unique to Verona.

Location: Vicolo Santa Cecilia, 9, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

4. Romeo’s House

This is where fiction definitely rears its head, as I discovered that Romeo’s House actually belonged to the Cagnolo-Nogarola family. However, it is a genuine medieval building and bears a plaque on the wall with this unforgettable quote that I photographed:

‘Oh Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?’ ‘Tut! I have lost myself; I am not here.’

As it belongs to a family, the house on Via Arche Scaligere cannot be visited, but when I walked past it was well worth pausing to admire from the outside and imagine the Romeo who might have lived here.

Location: Via Arche Scaligere, 37121 Verona (exterior viewing only)

5. Juliet’s Tomb

Shakespeare chose the monastery of San Francesco al Corso as the scene of the tragedy where Romeo went to die next to Juliet. When I visited, I found it located outside the city’s medieval walls on Via del Pontiere. Juliet’s Tomb, known in Italian as the Tomba di Giulietta, also houses a museum of frescoes. A series of wooden plaques feature key scenes from the play that I studied carefully.

I recognized this statue of the famous British bard immediately. Shakespeare is seated next to another famous quotation from his play that moved me:

‘Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace! And, lips, oh you the doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss a dateless bargain to engrossing death!’

When I entered the crypt where Juliet is allegedly buried in a simple grave, I felt a genuine sense of awe and sadness. Entrance to Juliet’s tomb is included with the Verona Card. Alternatively, you can buy a combined ticket for Juliet’s House and Juliet’s Tomb – which is what I recommend for the best value.

Practical Information:

• Address: Via del Pontiere, 35, 37122 Verona
• Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM; Monday 1:30 PM – 7:30 PM
• Ticket Price: €4.50 (or combined ticket with Juliet’s House)
• My tip: Visit in the late afternoon when it’s quieter and the light is beautiful

6. Letters to Juliet Location Tour

One of the best ways to see Verona is to take a guided tour – something I highly recommend from my own experience. The city is fairly compact and has a high concentration of interesting sights that you might miss on your own.

The Verona in Love Tour for small groups will show you the key filming locations from the Letters to Juliet movie. I found that being led by an expert tour guide gave me insights into this romantic city that I wouldn’t have discovered alone. This 75-minute walking tour is perfectly paced.

7. Medieval Verona

What impressed me most about Verona is how they’re keeping their medieval legacy intact. I was fortunate to experience the medieval markets held in Piazza delle Erbe, where the stall holders dress up in historical garb. Here are some more tips on what to see in Verona.

During my visit, I chanced upon a medieval parade that felt like stepping back in time to the age of Romeo and Juliet in Verona. It was one of my favorite unexpected discoveries.

Practical Visitor Information

Getting to Verona

From my experience traveling to Verona multiple times:

• By Train: 1 hour from Venice, 1.5 hours from Milan
• By Air: Verona Airport (VRN) is 10km from the city center
• By Car: Well-connected via A4 and A22 motorways

Verona Card

I highly recommend purchasing the Verona Card which I used during my visit:

• 24-hour card: €25
• 48-hour card: €30
• Includes: Free entry to Juliet’s House, Juliet’s Tomb, Verona Arena, and 20+ other attractions
• Plus: Free public transport
• Where to buy: Tourist information offices, participating monuments, or online

Best Time to Visit Romeo & Juliet Sites

Based on my multiple visits to Verona:

Best Time of Year:

• Spring (April-May): Perfect weather, fewer crowds than summer, I particularly enjoyed visiting in May
• Fall (September-October): Beautiful autumn colors, pleasant temperatures
• Summer (June-August): Peak season – expect crowds but also outdoor opera in the Arena
• Winter (November-March): Fewer tourists, Christmas markets in December

Best Time of Day:

• Early Morning (8:30-10:00 AM): When I visited Juliet’s House at opening time, I had the balcony nearly to myself
• Late Afternoon (4:00-6:00 PM): Good lighting for photos at Juliet’s Tomb
• Avoid: Midday (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM) when tour groups arrive

How Much Time to Allocate

From my experience:

• Romeo & Juliet sites only: Half day (4-5 hours)
• Romeo & Juliet + other Verona attractions: Full day
• Ideal visit: 2 days to explore Verona properly (see my 48 Hours in Verona guide)

Where to Stay in Verona

During my visits to Verona, I’ve stayed at several properties. My top recommendation is NH Collection Palazzo Verona, a beautiful townhouse hotel where I discovered Roman ruins beneath the property and enjoyed their own replica Love Wall. The location is perfect for exploring the Romeo and Juliet sites on foot.

Other Accommodation Options:

I traveled with Classic Collection Holidays, the luxury tailor-made holiday specialist, and they arranged everything perfectly.

Connecting with Other Italian Destinations

When planning our Italian itinerary, we combined Verona with nearby destinations:

Easy Day Trips from Verona:

• Lake Garda: 30 minutes by car – I loved Sirmione
• Venice: 1 hour by train – see my Venice Hidden Gems guide
• Mantua: 40 minutes by train – where Romeo was exiled in the play
• The Dolomites: 2 hours by car – spectacular mountain scenery (read about visiting the Dolomites)

Multi-City Italian Itinerary: After Verona, I continued to explore Italy’s treasures:

Photography Tips from My Visits

As I discovered during my multiple photography sessions in Verona:

Best Photo Opportunities:

1. Juliet’s Balcony: Early morning (8:30 AM) for empty shots
2. Love Wall: Afternoon light works beautifully
3. Juliet’s Tomb: Late afternoon when light streams through windows
4. Medieval Market: Mid-morning for best costumes and atmosphere
5. Adige River Views: Sunset from Ponte Pietra

Equipment I Used:

• Wide-angle lens for courtyard shots
• Portrait lens for statue details
• Tripod for low-light tomb interiors

Food & Dining Near Romeo & Juliet Sites

During my time in Verona, I discovered some wonderful dining spots near the attractions:

My Recommendations:

• Osteria da Ugo: Good for a meal near Juliet’s House
• Casa Perbellini 12 Apostoli: Historic restaurant I enjoyed for a special dinner
• Osteria del Bugiardo: Traditional Veronese cuisine

Is Romeo and Juliet Real?

The first thing I had to accept when researching this article is that William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is based on a legend, and Shakespeare himself never visited Verona – something that surprised me initially.

In the 14th century, Verona was a very rich town ruled by the Della Scala Family. Shakespeare set several of his plays here including The Two Gentlemen of Verona, a comedy.

The bard’s inspiration for Romeo and Juliet was an ancient Italian legend, upon which the writer Masuccio Salernitano based a novella in 1476. The tale was subsequently retold by Luigi da Porto in 1524 and then by Matteo Bandello.

Verona was the tale’s setting and the main characters were named as Romeo and Juliet. The Capulet and Montague families in Shakespeare’s version were genuine Veronese aristocrats mentioned in Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Final Thoughts on Romeo and Juliet in Verona

So does it matter that elements of the Romeo and Juliet story in Verona are exaggerated or invented? To me, not at all. As I’ve experienced with visits to film studios and other attractions based entirely on fiction, the magic is in the storytelling and the emotional connection.

It just goes to show how timeless the play is, for its continued resonance with people from all over the world. Moreover, from my travels across Italy, I can say that the city itself is one of the most beautiful that I’ve visited – and the competition is high!

What moved me most during my visits was seeing how people from every country still come to leave messages of love, to touch Juliet’s statue, and to stand on that balcony dreaming of romance. The legend lives on, and Verona keeps it beautifully alive.

What are your thoughts on this and have you visited Verona?

To finish, here are some immortal lines from Juliet herself:

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow.

You might also enjoy:

Here are some more fun suggestions for things to do in Italy.

Like these Romeo and Juliet in Verona attractions? Pin for later or share with friends.

Looking for more travel hacks and tips? From hidden gems to unique experiences, we’ve got you covered.

Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.

In association with Classic Collection Holidays