Romeo & Juliet: Following in the footsteps of the world's most famous love story in Verona | railtour travel blog
Love, passion and a touch of tragedy – few stories have touched people as deeply as Romeo and Juliet for centuries. William Shakespeare's famous drama made Verona world-famous and continues to attract romantics from all over the world to this day. Valentine's Day is the perfect time to take a trip to northern Italy to discover the settings of this timeless love story together. We show you which places in and around Verona are particularly closely associated with Romeo and Juliet and why they are perfect for a romantic getaway for two.
Thanks to excellent train connections via Milan, Verona can be reached comfortably and sustainably.
Follow in the footsteps of Romeo and Juliet and experience Verona as a romantic set-jetting destination for special moments for two.
Verona's old town: stage of an immortal love
The old town of Verona is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a backdrop that could hardly be more romantic. Narrow streets, historic palazzi and lively squares make the city seem like a stage where Romeo and Juliet could meet at any moment. Walking together through the winding streets, you quickly feel as if you have stepped back in time. Cafés, small boutiques and traditional trattorias make Verona an ideal destination for couples who want to combine culture, enjoyment and romance.
Julia's House: The most famous balcony in the world
The Casa di Giulietta is undoubtedly the most famous place in the city. The small courtyard with its legendary balcony is considered a symbol of the great love between Romeo and Juliet. Visitors leave love letters here, immortalise themselves with their initials on the walls or touch the bronze statue of Juliet – a ritual that is said to promise happiness in love. Even though the story is fictional, this place has a very special atmosphere that gives you goosebumps, especially on Valentine's Day.
Romeo's house: a quiet counterpoint
Less crowded, but no less atmospheric, is the Casa di Romeo, attributed to the rival Montague family. The medieval building with its striking brick façade is located slightly off the main paths and invites visitors to discover Verona at a more leisurely pace. It is precisely this contrast between the two houses that lends additional depth to the story of Romeo and Juliet and makes a visit particularly impressive.
Piazza dei Signori & Arche Scaligere: history you can touch
Just a few steps away from Romeo's house is the elegant Piazza dei Signori, surrounded by important historical buildings. Right next to it are the Arche Scaligere, monumental tombs of Verona's former ruling family. These places bring medieval Verona to life and offer an atmospheric setting in which to immerse yourself in the era in which Shakespeare's drama is set.
San Francesco al Corso Monastery: Julia's final resting place
A particularly emotional place is the former Franciscan monastery of San Francesco al Corso, where the so-called Tomba di Giulietta (Juliet's Tomb) is located. The simple sarcophagus in the courtyard is considered to be Juliet's grave and attracts mainly couples who are moved by the tragedy of the story. Despite, or perhaps because of, its melancholic atmosphere, this place is an impressive testament to how strongly Romeo and Juliet continue to shape our idea of love to this day.
