Arena: Tickets and Tours
To think that you can witness a performance at a locale that has been in use for 2,000 years is mind-boggling. On the same ground where gladiators battled, you can take in a concert from opera to rap. Verona’s Roman Arena is much more than a relic of times past. Glimpse the inner world of the Arena or bask in music made better by Roman engineering. With Verona Arena tickets, you can marvel at the architecture, acoustics and history that make this ancient marble edifice worthy of its UNESCO Heritage designation.
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To think that you can witness a performance at a locale that has been in use for 2,000 years is mind-boggling. On the same ground where gladiators battled, you can take in a concert from opera to rap. Verona’s Roman Arena is much more than a relic of times past. Glimpse the inner world of the Arena or bask in music made better by Roman engineering.
With Verona Arena tickets, you can marvel at the architecture, acoustics and history that make this ancient marble edifice worthy of its UNESCO Heritage designation.
Here's all you need to know about the Verona Arena, one of the most exciting attractions in Verona.
How much do Verona Arena tickets cost?
To enter the Arena, you will have to pay for entrance either on arrival or you can prebook online.
- Adults: €10 (+ €1 online presale)
- Seniors (over 60): €7.50 (+ €0.75 online presale)
- Students (ages 14-30): €7.50 (+ €0.75 online presale)
- Children (ages 8-14): €1.00 (+ €0.10 online presale)
If you want to catch a show, opera tickets cost between €22 per person and €330 per person, depending on the show and seating section.
Who is eligible for discounts?
The arena offers a variety of discounts. There is free admission for children up to age 7, people with disabilities and their caregivers as well as people with the Verona Card. Tickets for students ages 14 to 30, people over 60 and groups of more than 15 people are €7.50 plus a €0.75 fee for online booking per person.
Verona Cards start at €20 per person for a 24-hour pass. The card gives you free access to 15 city sites, public transportation within the historic center and reduced entrance fees for four other attractions.
In addition, on the first Sunday of October through May, Arena tickets are offered at €1 per person.
Should you book in advance?
Visiting the Arena is one of the most popular tourist activities in Verona. Lines to enter the arena can take as long as 1 hour. Booking your tickets ahead of time allows you to skip the line and enter at pre-selected time. For concerts, booking in advance is a must, as there is limited seating inside the arena.
What are the best Verona Arena tours?
Group tours
Join a guide to walk through 2,000 years of history in a group of no more than 12 people. As you stroll among the walls of pink marble, discover the building techniques that have kept the arena standing since 30 A.D. and the stories the Arena has collected over the years. Most tours allow you to wander the arena on your own after the 30- to 45-minute guided visit.
Private tours
Great for families, private tours can be just as affordable as small-group tours. Private tours last around 1 hour. With the guide’s full attention, you can move at your own pace, and all your questions will be answered. Private tours are ideal for summer tours, since the noise of set construction and sound checking in the theater can make hearing your guide with a group a bit difficult.
There are family-oriented private tours that make the arena’s history come alive. Kids are the focus of these tours as they solve puzzles, complete scavenger hunts and engage in other hands-on activities.
Opera tickets
Verona’s summer opera festivals have been held in the arena for over 100 years. Take in opuses like “Madame Butterfly”, “La Traviata” and “Carmen”. The series typically offers several showings of “Aida”, the first opera ever performed at the opera festival in 1913.
Are there any combined tickets or tours including Verona Arena and other attractions?
Arena tours plus Verona walking tours
Walking tours are a fun and informative way to get oriented to a city. Learn the layout and hidden stories of Verona including a guided visit to the Arena. You’ll see the town’s highlights, hear tips to enhance your stay and explore the rich past and present of Verona’s Arena.
Opera tickets plus Verona walking tours
Follow a guide to unmissable sites like Juliet’s balcony, the Scaliger Tombs and the Castelvecchio before relaxing to the vocal talents at an opera in the Arena.
What will you see inside?
Verona’s Arena is one of Italy's largest and one of the Roman world’s best-preserved amphitheaters. The nearly 2,000-year-old structure is still a vibrant venue for all types of music. If you can schedule both a tour and tickets for a concert, you’ll experience the best of the arena’s history and acoustics.
Pass through the rose-colored stone arches and enter a Roman palace of entertainment. Follow your guide through tunnels, up to the seats and into the center where countless blood sports once took place.
The oval-shaped arena features rows of about 30,000 seats that encircle the performance area. However, now for safety reasons, only about 15,000 are used per show.
Wander the warren of tunnels within the structure. See how slave labor led to the arena’s creation and how it was integral to the success of shows throughout Roman times and the Dark Ages. Your guide will paint a colorful, if not gory, history of the site on your 30- to 45-minute tour. Hear of gladiator battles, medieval jousts and the 12th-century earthquake that destroyed all but a small segment of the arena’s third circle.
The central space was once a sandy floor to soak up blood of the unwilling performers. The Latin “arena” meaning “sand” became the namesake of these Roman theaters. Learn facts spanning two millennia and contrast them with modern installations to accommodate elaborate modern shows and their audiences.
If you visit during the summer, you may spy props from certain performances on display outside of the arena in the Piazza Bra as well as workers assembling sets for the evening’s concert. Better yet, purchase tickets for an opera to absorb how the arena’s acoustics add depth to arias by Puccini, Verdi and others.
How to get there?
Verona’s arena is located in Piazza Bra, one of the center-most squares in town. It is a short bus or car ride from the train station via the Corso Porta Nuova. You can also walk the 1.7-kilometer route in about 20 minutes.
What are the opening times?
Verona’s Arena is open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM with the last admission at 6:30 PM.
Is it wheelchair friendly?
The Arena is largely accessible to people with limited mobility, although some sections are off-limits. Some tours of the Arena are wheelchair friendly, and there are seats in designated sections for wheelchair users for performances.
When is the best time to visit the Verona Arena?
The best time to visit the Arena is during the spring (April-May) or fall (late September-October). The weather is usually mild and pleasant during these times, and you'll be able to get a good feel for the history and architecture of the place.
However, if you are hoping to catch an opera show, the best time to visit would be during the Opera Festival from June to early September.
Which other attractions can be visited in Verona?
Travel tips
- If you're attending an opera or any other event, try to get there a bit early. This allows you time to find your seat, get settled, and soak in the atmosphere before the performance starts.
- The Arena's stone steps and floors can be uneven and hard on the feet. If you're planning to walk around and explore, wear shoes that are sturdy and comfortable.
- If you're visiting during the summer, it can be very hot. Wear a hat and light, breathable clothing. If attending an evening event, especially an opera, remember that it can cool down considerably after sunset, so bring a light sweater or wrap.