The Ultimate guide to Verona Opera Festival – tips and expectations

Aida Opera, Verona Opera Festival, Verona Arena, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
  1. How not to annoy or get annoyed by others on holiday
  2. Burano, Murano and Torcello – review of Viator tour
  3. A photo diary of Venice
  4. Perfect little lunch spots in Venice
  5. Sight-seeing in Venice – Secret Itinerary, Museum Pass and Chorus Scheme
  6. Searching for Romeo and Juliet
  7. Verona card review and top picks
  8. Best Gelato and Ravioli in Verona (or the World…)
  9. The Ultimate Hiking Guide to Porto Venere
  10. Vulcano – Part 1 of the 3 Boat Trips You Must Take in the Aeolian Islands
  11. Lipari – Salina: Part 2 of the 3 Boat Trips You Must Take in the Aeolian Islands
  12. Panarea – Stromboli – Part 3 of the 3 Boat Trips you Must take in the Aeolian Islands
  13. A Night hike up Stromboli
  14. The Ultimate Guide to the Aeolian Islands
  15. A Short Guide to Taormina
  16. Top 5 things to do in Palermo Sicily
  17. Top 5 things to do in Catania Sicily
  18. Mount Etna tours review – a geo adventure
  19. Club di Giulietta – The secret life of a Secretary of Juliet
  20. A budget foodie’s guide to Verona
  21. The Ultimate guide to Verona Opera Festival – tips and expectations
  22. Top 5 of Padua, Italy
  23. Mantua – a hidden town of palaces
  24. The Ultimate Guide to 48 hours in Milan
  25. Things to do in Sirmione – an escape to Lake Garda
  26. The Ultimate Guide to Cinque Terre
  27. Secret Spots in Verona – off the beaten path
  28. Day trips from Venice: 7+ quick escapes for you
  29. Lago di Soprais – how to do the Lake Soprais hike in the Italian Dolomites
  30. Cortina d’Ampezzo Summer guide for hikers
  31. Lagazuoi hike: seeing WWI tunnel warfare in the Dolomites
  32. 6 day Dolomite itinerary for the photo + hike enthusiast
  33. Tre Cime di Lavaredo: how to hike the classic three peaks in Dolomite Italy
  34. Bologna food guide: best restaurants, gelateria, and what to eat
  35. What to do in Bologna aside from eating
  36. What to see in Treviso Italy
  37. What to do on a San Marino Day Trip
  38. Day Trips from Bologna: amazing cities in Italy you don’t want to miss
  39. Northern Italy Itinerary: 5 different 10-14 days itineraries

Hosting one of the most renowned Opera Festival in the world, the annual Verona Opera Festival happens in Verona is held in the Roman Amphitheater with seating for all budgets and style. There’s no arguing that the fantastically preserved Roman arena is the perfect place for such an event to take place, and every summer a series of operas would descend to the City of Love luring hundreds and thousands of fans to witness its magic.

Even though I am not a huge fan of operas, I wanted to experience an event at this ancient Roman Amphitheater and timed my volunteering schedule at Club di Giulietta so that I could hit the Opera Festival as well.

The Verona Opera Festival

Aida Opera, Verona Opera Festival, Verona Arena, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
The gorgeous set of Aida

The annual summer spectacle started in 1913 to celebrate Giuseppe Verdi with a production of Aida, and had since been an annual summer of operas by various companies until 1936 when the current organization was founded. The dates for the Opera changes every year, and for 2015 it was from August to September. Typically, the festival has six shows that come on in rotation; each performing a handful of times before the next is up. Often the cast changes as well from the beginning to the end of the season, so if you are looking for a particular show or even singer’s performance, you should double check in advance on their official website.

Bookings tickets for Verona Opera Festival

Verona Festival, Roman Amphitheater, Verona, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
The queue for Aida before the doors even open!

You can book the tickets online via the official website, although there is a small booking fee involved.

There are also plenty of tours that offer opera experience packages, including accommodation and dinner etc, however, these can cost a small fortune. One of the better ones online is by Get Your Guide.

If you are planning on going to the Opera Festival, here are some tips for you!

Tips for attending the Verona Opera Festival

Best place to sit in Verona Opera

Verona Arena, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
The Verona Arena all set up to welcome guests

A Roman amphitheater that can seat up to 30,000, there are a lot of seats for you to choose in the Verona arena. There are three main distinctions: floor, elevated and stone steps with prices in that order.

Within each sector, there’s the distinction between front facing and side facing, and the price would also reflect that.

Now for the ground seating, prices can be upwards of 148 euros, while the stalls are between 123 – 92 euros, and the stone steps 25 – 22 euros.

What to wear to the Verona Opera

Most people are dressed in smart casual (or even casual, casual) on the stone steps and stalls, but I did see some decked out in evening attires at the front. It is a relaxed affair but definitely avoid flip flops and shorts if possible, especially if you are seated on the stone steps. The steps aren’t that even and it’s not comfortable to sit on it flesh on stone.

Make sure you have a way home

The Opera usually ends late. Most of the shows start around 21:00 and lasts three hours, meaning that by the time it finishes, it’ll be midnight and none of the buses would be running. If you are not staying in the city center, then you should secure yourself a ride home and taxis would be in high demand. In fact, I ended up cycling back to my AirBnB – it was safer than I could hope for so I did it again.

Weight up your expectation and budget

As I had said, stone steps are by far the cheapest way to see the opera. Now before you jump onto them – you need to know that they are unreserved seats and you sit on the actual stone steps of the arena, which are uneven and without back support. You will also be barely able to see the performers’ faces or make out any finer details on the show since you will be pretty far away. Not to mention the fact that you will literally be sitting in front of someone’s feet.

Bring ‘em cushions

If you do decide to go for the stone steps, or even the stalls, you would want to bring a cushion or rent one. I do believe it’s only 5 euros or so and it makes a world of difference to your poor bottom.

Food – because you will be hungry

While the arena had a no food and drink policy, there’s no bag check or strict reinforcement of this rule. Since the show lasts for three hours, and you will probably be there for longer if you want to grab a good seat for the unreserved section, you should grab something to eat or drink. If you don’t know any good places to go, my foodie’s guide to Verona would be of some help.

Arrive early if you want a good seat

If you are going for the budget seat arrangement, then it’d be wise to arrive there as the doors open or even beforehand. There are several gates that the unreserved can enter through, try to aim for the entrance directly opposite the ticket office or the one that’s to its right when facing the arena. Those two are the most central spot.

Tips: if the opera is popular e.g. Aida, go earlier to queue, if not arriving on time should suffice

Candles – light them or leave them

Candle light in Verona Arena, Verona Opera Festival, Verona Arena, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
Candles being lit in the arena

When you enter the arena and head on up, there will be an attendant handing out small candles. These are to remember the days before electric lights when the audience would light the candles in the arena to see the performances. If you don’t plan on lighting them, you don’t have to bring them.

Bring a pair of binoculars

As I said before, you cannot see much of what’s going on if you are seated on the stone steps. So bring a pair of binoculars or buy one before you go in if you want to see the show better.

Download the script on your phone

If you are not the most opera-literate person – like me – you might want to download the script on your phone so you can follow the story. Most of the operas are in Italian or French, which means that I understood nothing if it wasn’t for the script I had on my phone.

They do sell paper copies of it around the arena, but the truth is that it’ll be too dark for you to see. Not to mention that it’ll cost a small fortune.

Go to the bathroom first

There are bathrooms around the outside of the amphitheater that you can go to, and they open as soon as the doors open – which is around 18:00. Do go to the bathroom, then before you go, as it is a pain to try and get out of your seat during intermission, run downstairs and back up again.

Be considerate

You will be in close proximity to the people in front, behind, and next to you. So do your best to be considerate and try not to talk, shout, sing along or kick those around you. All of the above had happened to me – and it wasn’t nice.

Where to stay in Verona

If you are staying for a few days for the festival, then you should definitely try to find somewhere near the arena because some shows can end quite late! Since the arena is in the historic center, it makes for a good base to explore the city, too. Here are some suggestions:

Budget: Dreaming Verona Rooms is a good budget stay, although soundproofing isn’t so good.

Mid-range: Hotel Al Castello is highly rated but they only accept cash payments. If you like spacious rooms, check out Relais La Torre Guest House.

Splurge: stay right by the arena with City Centre Rooms and Apartments in one of the quirky modern rooms. For a touch of understated luxury, try Arena Luxury Rooms.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad Blocker Detected!

Advertisements fund this website. Please disable your adblocking software or whitelist our website.
Thank You!
Want an off-line guide for Cinque Terre?
Including exclusive photo spots and tips Plus more travel tips in my FREE resource library
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download THE travel planning spreadsheet
Get THE travel planning spreadsheet I use to plan your trip and track your finance!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get a free travel plan & finance spreadsheet!
And get access to my exclusive resource library with map itineraries, travel checklist and more
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download a one-page price list for reference on your trip to Chiang Mai!
Have it handy so you know what price you should pay when you haggle!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Ljubljana
Get a copy of the map for your trip to the Slovenia captial! You can probably do everything in 1 day
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for the Lake Bohinj region
Lake Bohinj region is big - so get a map of my favourite spots to make the most of your trip!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Lake Bled
Get a free map of best viewpoints, sights and restaurants in Bled for your trip!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Milan
Get your map of what to see in Milan in 48 hours - including tips and tricks
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Taormina
Know where the best spots in Taormina is with this Google My Map
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for the Lake Bohinj region
Get this comprehensive map with transport stops and routes clearly marked for your trip to Bohinj!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for your trip to the Peak!
Get this comprehensive map with transport stops and routes clearly marked for your trip to The Peak
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Prague!
Get this all-in-one map for the best viewpoints, top 5 and restaurants pick in Prague!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get free destination maps for your travels
Join my exclusive resource library with map itineraries, travel checklist and more. Currently most popular: Milan, Lake Bled and Hong Kong maps
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download the free 1 day Itinerary for Hong Kong!
Make it easy to find all the spots and follow with the infographic
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Eze and Monaco
the all-in-one day trip map with bus stops, sights and viewpoints labeled for you
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your 3 day map itinerary for Danang
Enjoy a 3 day trip that you don't need to plan!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Do you want to know all my blogging secret?
Sign up to hear first about my Ultimate blogging beginners course
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Hoi AN!
Get this all-in-one map for the Hoi An old town and best restaurants
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Hue!
See Hue in 2-3 days with this guide!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Phong Nha!
Where the caves are, what there's to do and where to eat in Phong Nha!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Padua!
It include my entire day's itinerary, not just the top 5!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Sirmione
This might be a small town, but knowing where to go will still help your day!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Sirmione
This might be a small town, but knowing where to go will still help your day!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Verona!
My all in one guide to Veona including secret spots, restaurants and top sights!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Chiang Mai
Get the exact map hat I prepped for the trip with restaurants, sights and spa locations marked on!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Nara!
Get the itinerary for food, temples and deer spotting in Nara!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Macau!
Get my 48 hours itinerary for Macau
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Macau!
From how to get there to what to eat after in Yuen Long
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Central & Admiralty
get your half day itinerary to the heart of Hong Kong!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your Shui Long Wo Hiking Map
It isn't hard - but better safe than sorry ;)
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get all 9 spots with 1 map!
For the hiking views, you'll need to read their respective articles for transport options!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Let's hike West High Hill!
Let's get you from the Peak to some stunning vista!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get a map of my favourite restaurants in Hong Kong
This map would be updated as I add more!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get my Angkor + Siem Reap Itinerary
Restaurants, markets and more
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get my 7 days Tokyo Itinerary!
Including all the spots in the post and more!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get your FREE Nusa Penida Map
Including all the spots in the post and more!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get my Singapore map!
Including all the spots in the post!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.