Arena di Verona 2026

Arena di Verona: a Roman amphitheatre, a living opera house

The Arena di Verona is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. Built in the first century AD, it once seated tens of thousands for the spectacles of the ancient city and has stood at the centre of Verona’s Piazza Bra for some two thousand years. Its weathered pink-and-white limestone tiers remain in remarkable condition, a monument that is still very much alive.

Since 1913, when a monumental staging of Verdi’s “Aida” marked the composer’s centenary, the Arena has been home to one of the world’s great open-air opera festivals. Each summer its stone steps fill for grand productions of “Aida”, “Nabucco”, “Turandot” and more, as well as major concerts — the tradition of spectators lighting small candles at dusk turning the ancient bowl into a sea of flickering light.

What to expect at the Arena

Performances take place in the open air beneath the summer sky, on a scale only this monument allows: enormous sets, huge choruses and an atmosphere generations of visitors have travelled for. Much of the historic seating is on the original stone steps (the gradinata), so many visitors bring or hire a cushion; arriving early to take your place and watch the Arena fill is part of the magic.

Arena di Verona — Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Arena di Verona? The amphitheatre stands in Piazza Bra, in the historic centre of Verona, in the Veneto region of northern Italy.

How do I get there? Verona Porta Nuova railway station is about a 15-minute walk away, or a short bus ride, and connects to Milan, Venice and beyond. The historic centre is largely pedestrian, so walking and public transport are the easiest options.

What kind of events are held here? The Arena is best known for its summer opera festival and for major open-air concerts. Programmes run mainly through the warmer months, so it is worth checking what is on for the dates of your visit.