Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
Germany
Belgium
Spain
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Ireland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Archaeological site · Verona, Vêneto
Arena di Verona
1st-century Roman amphitheatre, one of the best-preserved in the world. Since 1913 it has hosted the summer opera festival and, for the rest of the year, concerts and visits to the monument.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Arena di Verona
The Arena di Verona was built in the 1st century, probably around the same time as the Pula amphitheatre in Croatia, with which it shares its style. The Romans watched gladiator fights and hunting spectacles there. The outer ring of pink limestone almost disappeared in an earthquake in 1117: only a stretch of four arches remained, called the Ala.
What you see today is the inner ring, with more than 70 arches on two levels, and the cavea, the tiered stone seating. Restored continuously since the 16th century, the Arena retains its original shape and helps to understand how a Roman amphitheatre worked, with its corridors, stairways and exits.
Since 1913 the Arena has hosted a summer opera festival, usually running from June to September, with large productions of Verdi, Puccini and Bizet. The rest of the year there are shows and concerts by Italian and international artists, and the monument is open to visitors.
Outside performance times, the monument is open to visitors: you can climb to the highest steps and look over Piazza Bra and the roofs of the centre. On opera nights, visiting hours are reduced or suspended to allow for stage setup.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes to 1 hour to visit the monument. An opera evening lasts about 3 to 4 hours, including intermissions.
Best time
In the morning, right at opening, to climb the steps with fewer people. To attend an opera, the festival season usually runs from June to September; bring a cushion if you’ll sit on the stone steps and something warm, as evenings can get chilly.
How to get there
It is located on Piazza Bra, about a 20-minute walk from Verona Porta Nuova station along Corso Porta Nuova. Several city buses stop at the square.
Tip
The cheapest opera tickets are for the stone steps, unreserved seating: arrive early to choose your spot. Check the dress code and permitted items before you go. On performance days, confirm the monument’s visiting hours.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Arena di Verona
Can you visit the Arena from the inside?
Yes. Outside performance times the monument is open for visits and you can walk around the seating and corridors. On opera days opening hours are reduced. Check before you go.
When does the opera festival take place?
The Arena di Verona Opera Festival usually runs from June to September, with evening performances. Each year's program is announced months in advance.
Do I need to understand Italian to attend the opera?
No. Operas are sung in the original language, usually Italian, and the most frequently staged works, like Aida, Carmen and La Traviata, are easy to follow. Reading a synopsis beforehand helps.