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Hertz in Verona, Italy

A breath-taking city in northwest Italy that was made famous by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Verona’s gothic tombs, magnificent opera houses and heady mix of old and new are all essential ingredients in the lasting impression that this Italian city is guaranteed to make.

You’ll find us at a couple of branches in the city. If you’re arriving in Verona by plane, there’s a branch at the airport, while we’re also based in the heart of the city center, on Circonvallazione Oriani.

We’ve got a huge range of vehicles to choose from, and with our 24-hour helpline, you’ll enjoy peace of mind, too. Our loyalty scheme offers great benefits, including the ability to add additional drivers without incurring extra costs. And, if you decide to cancel or amend your car hire plan within seven days of making the booking, you can do so without being charged.

Driving in and around Verona

Verona was at the center of an important network of Roman roads, many of which are still standing and pass through the since highly-developed heart of Verona. In the city center, many of the old roads are narrow – albeit very straight – and crowded. If parking your car, remember that parking spaces with a yellow outline are for disabled drivers only. Spaces with blue outlines carry a fee which must be paid – tickets can be purchased at shops or at machines – and you can generally only use these spaces for a maximum of two hours. Spaces with a white outline are free to use.

Aside from the ancient routes, Verona links with two of Italy’s more modern road systems, the autostrade (highways). The A22 runs from north to south between Brennero and Modena, while the A4 runs from Milan to Venice. Many surrounding towns, such as Trento, Brescia, Mantova, and Vicenzo are connected to the city by state roads (known as Strade Statali and abbreviated to SS). The SS 12>, which leads from Verona to Valpolicella, is one of the busiest.

Verona’s airport is known as Verona Villafranca Airport, and it’s five kilometers southwest. To get to the city from the airport, you’ll need to take the SR 62, then the SS 12, which leads directly to the center of Verona.

The driving-related laws in Verona are the same as those throughout Italy. On highways, the speed limit is 130kph and in built-up areas, it’s 50kph, although this may change according to weather conditions. For more information, check out the AA guide to driving in Italy.

A quick guide to Verona

The setting of three of William Shakespeare’s plays, Verona is one of Italy’s most romantic cities. But with its varied shopping and world-class art galleries dotted throughout, it’s a city with endless appeal for travelers looking for a spot of culture.

Star-crossed scenery

Although Romeo and Juliet weren't the only play Shakespeare set in Verona, it’s the young lovers’ story which most people associate with the city. Huge numbers head to Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House) every year. Historians say there is little to connect this ancient building with the play, although it was once the home of the Cappello family, which may have been the inspiration for the Capulets. The interior has been lovingly restored, and inside you’ll view costumes used in the film version by Franco Zeffirelli. One family which certainly existed is the Montecchi family (Montague in the English version of the play), whose seat was a beautiful house in Verona’s center. This striking gothic building is a regular stop off on Verona’s frequent guided tours, although it’s privately owned and closed to the public.

Another stop on this whirlwind literary tour is the Scaliger Tombs. The Scaligeri family was one of the most prominent families in medieval Verona and is believed to have inspired the tragic tale of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers. The tombs can only be seen from behind iron gates, but their elaborate appearance is what makes them one of Verona’s most visited spots.

Hitting the high notes

As home to one of the world’s most famous opera venues – Arena di Verona – the city has always had strong ties to all things operatic. Built in the first century, the venue once held 30,000 people but safety regulations mean it now has a reduced capacity of 15,000. In 1117, the venue was partially damaged by an earthquake, but during the Renaissance, it was restored to become the beautiful building that you see there today. More than 500,000 visitors every year come to see productions here, with the majority taking place during summer. Visitors can learn more about Verona’s connections with opera at the AMO Arena Museo Opera Museum on Via Massalongo, where multimedia technology and original scores by some of the world’s greatest composers offer a fascinating insight into the city’s operatic history.

Architecture old and new

Visit Verona and you’ll find an impressive selection of buildings which span thousands of years. No other city in Europe has such varied architecture, from the city center Piazza delle Erbe, with its ornate fountain and frescoed walls to the turreted Castelvecchio, a military fortress built during the Middle Ages. However, it’s also home to some striking modern buildings. Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa was the man responsible for the stunning restoration of the Museum of Castelvecchio, and also designed the Banca Popolare di Verona in Piazza Nogara. The latter is a modern building with an intricately sculpted façade. When it was unveiled, it proved very controversial in a city that was otherwise filled with ancient buildings. But Scarpa was one of Europe’s most famous architects, and his clever use of stone, cement, iron, plaster and glass merely added to Verona’s architectural diversity.

With its stunning architecture, classical connotations and the overall striking sense of drama injected by the city’s history, Verona proves to be one of Italy’s most rewarding visits for anyone in search of culture. Ready to book your trip? Click here.