Verona before the opera: visits to plan for Arena 2027

The Arena 2027 dates

The Arena Foundation announces the festival’s 104th edition for June 11 to September 11, 2027. Choose your performance first, then your nights in Verona: works alternate throughout the summer, alongside ballet and concert evenings. A period listed for an opera does not mean it is performed every day.

The program includes Aida in the historic 1913 production from June 12 to August 7, La Traviata from June 25 to September 11, and Carmen from July 2 to September 10. Nabucco is scheduled from July 29 to September 9; Stefano Poda’s Aida runs from August 12 to September 8. The two productions of Aida therefore offer an additional point of comparison for anyone coming especially to see this work.

Check the exact date, time and section in the official ticket office before booking your other activities. The 2026 edition has passed, so this guide is for summer 2027. The visits below were listed in the catalog at the time of our check; bookable departures for your stay must be searched separately. None of these five products includes an opera ticket.

The pace of a performance day

For a first visit, we would book just one guided activity before the opera. A two-hour morning walk leaves time for lunch, a return to your accommodation and a chance to head out again with what you need for the evening. Depending on your energy, an independent stroll between Piazza delle Erbe and the Adige can round out the afternoon without adding another fixed appointment.

The Foundation asks visitors to arrive at the Arena at least one hour before the performance; doors open two hours beforehand. Work backward from that time: the walk there, any meal, a stop at the hotel and the end of your activity. The break suggested here is a planning tip, particularly useful on a hot day, rather than a duration imposed by a provider.

With a three-hour food tour, the meal is part of the activity. A four-hour-fifteen-minute workshop takes up half a day. These differences matter more than the number of monuments listed on a tour page: choose the format that lets you arrive at the performance at ease.

The historic center

A small-group walking tour is the simplest way to get your bearings. The usual route passes through the Castelvecchio area, Piazza Bra, Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori. It helps connect the monuments to the city’s different historical periods, then lets you return on your own to the places where you want to spend more time.

Piazza delle Erbe occupies the site of the former Roman forum. Its painted façades and towers give the city a different scale from the vast amphitheater in Piazza Bra. Nearby, Piazza dei Signori and the Scaliger Tombs add the political and medieval dimension to the route. Also take a look at the banks of the Adige around Castelvecchio: the castle and its bridge make for a distinct walk away from the shopping streets.

The city tour lasts two hours, with a maximum of sixteen participants. Options are offered in English or Italian; check which one you select. The starting point varies by option. An English-language option adds a visit to the arena, bringing the advertised total duration to three hours. Choose it if you want to see the monument during the day as well as attend a performance; the show ticket is separate.

For opera day, we prefer the morning city walk. Afterward, you can choose between the galleries of the Castelvecchio Museum, booked separately subject to its conditions, and a shorter outdoor visit. The bridge alone is enough to extend your stroll without adding a long indoor visit.

The view from Castel San Pietro

The panoramic visit brings together the historic center, the funicular ride up the hill and, depending on the option, the Arena or Juliet’s House. It will appeal to those who want to combine an overview with their exploration of the streets. Its advertised duration ranges from two and a half to three hours, for a maximum of twelve participants.

From Ponte Pietra, the Adige and the surrounding terrain offer a very different way to read Verona. The bridge, originally Roman, was rebuilt after the war; its arches connect the center with the Roman theater area and the hill. A photograph of the Arena tells the story of its architecture; this stretch along the water also shows how the city fits into its landscape.

The route includes the funicular ride up, followed by a walk down. The tour is conducted in English or German: check the language listed in the option description. Admission to the Arena depends on the option selected; the operator says it is not offered on Mondays. The Juliet’s House option adds a self-guided visit with a reserved entry time. According to the Foundation’s current information, the courtyard also requires paid admission.

Choose this route instead of the first walking tour to avoid covering the same squares twice. If you have reduced mobility, ask for details about the descent and which sections are actually accessible before booking. The day after the opera may work well if you would rather spend more time enjoying the views and taking photographs.

Lunch at the osterie

The Do Eat Better food tour includes at least four stops, amounting to a full meal. It lasts three hours and starts at Porta Borsari. The advertised stops lead, among other places, through the San Lorenzo and Santa Anastasia areas, then Piazza delle Erbe: the walks between tables are part of the discovery.

The appeal is to sample several dishes with explanations rather than choose a single restaurant. Veronese cuisine includes risotto with Amarone, polenta and slow-cooked dishes; the specific menu on your tour follows the provider’s program. Among local specialties, pastissada de caval contains horse meat: ask about dish ingredients if there are any you cannot eat.

The offer includes water and three alcoholic drinks for adults, subject to its terms. Commentary is in English or Italian. The operator says that people with severe or potentially life-threatening food allergies cannot participate; other dietary requests should be specified before purchase.

A lunchtime departure leaves time to rest before the performance, provided you check when the tour ends. This outing replaces a meal in your schedule and budget. You will still need to plan what suits you before the opera, taking your appetite and the time you need to be at the gates into account.

Arriving for the opera evening

Your seat choice determines some of the preparations. For the stone seating, the Foundation allows you to bring a cushion from home and says you can also buy one on site. An extra light layer may be useful while sitting outdoors; check the weather before leaving your accommodation.

In the stalls, the current rules call for smart attire and prohibit men from wearing shorts, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops. The Arena does not offer a cloakroom. Leave your shopping, large bags and luggage at the hotel before returning. Smartphone tickets are accepted; keep yours accessible rather than relying on searching through your messages at the check.

Plan dinner early enough to allow for the requested one-hour advance arrival. After the performance, centrally located accommodation makes it easier to walk back. If you are staying outside the center or in another city, check your transport arrangements for that specific evening: a performance’s end time will not fit a connection you have scheduled too tightly.

In case of bad weather, follow the Foundation’s announcements. Its FAQ says the start may be delayed by up to 150 minutes; an interruption after the performance has begun does not entitle you to a ticket refund under the published terms. Read the full rules associated with your purchase before finalizing your trip arrangements.

A fresh pasta-making workshop

The pasta workshop lasts four hours and fifteen minutes and ends with a three-course meal at the host’s home. This format is suited to those who want to spend time learning a cooking technique: prepare egg pasta, work with different shapes and make ravioli. You then eat the dishes you made together.

The inclusions include ingredients, utensils and the drinks provided. The listing offers English and Italian, for a maximum of twelve participants. Note the address and directions in your confirmation messages. Discuss dietary needs before booking; the host also mentions that there are cats in the apartment.

We would schedule this workshop for the day after the opera, or the day before if you arrive early enough. Its duration makes it a substantial activity in its own right, combining preparation and a meal. Check your chosen time before booking another tour: a workshop that ends late does not automatically fit before admission to the Arena. For a couple’s getaway, it can be the main shared activity on a more relaxed day.

The cellars of Valpolicella

The Amarone excursion leaves Verona by minivan and visits two family-run wineries. It lasts four hours, with a maximum of eight participants and an English-speaking guide. Four wines are advertised at each winery, including Amarone during the experience, accompanied by local products.

The visits give you time to meet the producers, see the cellar spaces and compare wines from two wineries. Round-trip transport is included from the meeting point near Teatro Ristori; the option verified is a shared small-group excursion. The “private transport” in the supplier’s title refers to the vehicle used for the service, not automatic private use for your group alone.

This half-day outing fits well after the opera evening. Choose between the morning and afternoon options actually available on your dates, then leave the rest of the day for Verona. Snacks accompany the tastings; arrange a separate meal if needed. The minivan handles transport on the tour, so you can take part without driving between wineries.

According to the listing consulted, the departure is guaranteed with at least two participants. People under eighteen cannot consume alcohol; confirm the conditions for a family before booking. Also mention any allergies or mobility needs. The specific wineries and the selection served follow the operator’s program for your departure.

Two or three days in Verona

For a two-night stay, we would divide the trip between an arrival with a leisurely walk, a day centered on the opera, and a final activity before departure. On the evening you arrive, Piazza Bra and then the streets leading to Piazza delle Erbe are enough to discover the center without another reservation. The next morning is for the historic walking tour or the panoramic option, followed by a lighter afternoon and the performance.

The third day can fit the workshop or Valpolicella if your return schedule allows. Book the activity before choosing a connection, and allow time to collect your luggage. If you are leaving early, keep that final morning free instead: the area around Castelvecchio and the Adige offers an easy walk that you can cut short when needed.

With three nights, you have an extra day to separate food experiences from heritage visits. The lunchtime tour can then become a full outing, while museums and churches get time of their own. These itineraries are editorial suggestions; adjust them around the opera schedule and the time slots actually available to book.

Budget and transport

Start with the fixed costs: an opera ticket in your preferred section, overnight stays, and transport to Verona. Then add one or two experiences that match your priorities. Activity prices and ratings are shown in the linked offers when available; the final amount depends on the date and the size of your group.

To compare, consider what each booking replaces. The food tour includes a meal; the workshop includes its final meal too. The Valpolicella excursion covers transport for the trip and the tastings. A city walk leaves meals and any excluded admission fees to arrange separately. The arena option on a guided tour is separate from the evening performance.

The city center is easy to explore on foot, but if you stay farther out, check the return connections. If you arrive by car, ask about the ZTL and suitable parking before entering the central streets. For a stay built around a single evening, it’s better to choose accommodation that’s easy to reach after the performance than to add multiple transfers.