summer in Verona means only one thing: the Verona Arena Opera Festival , the city's most anticipated event of the year, attracting millions of tourists and opera lovers from around the world. Here's your chance to enjoy a unique experience and take a trip to Verona that's also a journey back in time. Treat yourself to a weekend in Verona to attend one of the Opera Festival performances and prepare to experience thrills even in summer.
The Verona Arena invites you to slow down, to listen, to be touched by its beauty. And what city speaks to the heart more than Verona? This year, too, the event features big names and promises timeless emotions , all to be enjoyed under the starry sky framed by ancient Roman walls.
From August 10, 1913 to June 13, 2025: a festival with a lot to tell
It all began way back in 1913 with the performance of Aida : among the audience was a young Franz Kafka, but also Giacomo Puccini, Arrigo Boito, and Pietro Mascagni, as well as people from all over the world. The success of that day still reverberates within the ancient walls of the Arena and comes to life every year in ever-new ways, thanks to scenographic innovations, new elements, and painted panels.
The Arena is one of the largest Roman amphitheaters still in operation today. Built in the 1st century AD, it has evolved over the centuries from a site of gladiatorial contests to the birthplace of opera. Since 1913, every summer the Arena has been transformed into a starlit stage , welcoming some of the most prestigious voices and productions in the world of opera.
Its natural acoustics, impressive staging, soft lighting, and candles lit by the audience create an unparalleled atmosphere. You're not just watching a show : you're experiencing a collective ritual, a complete sensory experience.
In 2025, the Opera Festival reaches its 102nd edition , offering audiences a unique experience that combines intense emotions, operatic masterpieces, and the timeless atmosphere of a Roman amphitheater, transformed every evening into a grandiose and evocative spectacle. From June 13th to September 6th , the Arena will welcome thousands of spectators from every corner of the world, united by the desire to experience something truly timeless.
The 2025 edition: a program that excites
The 2025 program is rich and varied, capable of satisfying both the most demanding enthusiasts and curious newcomers. Among the highlights is, of course, Aida, but in a new and evocative production by Stefano Poda. A visionary staging, with lighting, symbolism, and choreography that pays homage to the opera's grandeur and to Egyptian spirituality reinterpreted in a modern key.
The program features Carmen : sensuality, rebellion, and destiny in one of audiences' favorite operas, with captivating music and a timeless gypsy atmosphere. Verdi's three masterpieces, La Traviata , Nabucco , and Rigoletto , each with its own emotional charge and unique theatrical power, will also be featured.
Guests can enjoy an evening dedicated to the power of the choir and orchestra in one of the most captivating pieces of the twentieth century, Carmina Burana , as well as a multisensory experience with Viva Vivaldi – The Four Seasons Immersive Concert , returning after last year's success. Finally, an absolute must-see is Roberto Bolle and Friends, a show where dance meets opera for a heightened sense of emotion.
What to do before and after the work
Verona offers much more than music. Before the show, treat yourself to an aperitif in Piazza delle Erbe or a panoramic lunch on the hill of Castel San Pietro . After the opera, be enchanted by the soft lights of the nighttime streets, perhaps strolling along the Adige River or enjoying a dessert at the historic Pasticceria Flego.
And if you have a few extra days, you can explore the surrounding area: Lake Garda , with its romantic villages and crystal-clear waters, is just half an hour away. Or you can lose yourself in the Valpolicella vineyards for a guided tasting.
If you're planning a stay in Verona for the festival, why not experience the city with the freedom and privacy of your own apartment? Our apartments are ideal for those who want to enjoy the city at a leisurely pace, with comfortable spaces, an authentic atmosphere, and the chance to feel at home even when away from home.
From elegant two-room apartments in the historic center to romantic apartments overlooking the Arena, each property is designed to make your stay even more special.
