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Shopping in Verona

As a style conscious, affluent city surrounded by skilled artisans and factories, Verona is a great place for shopping, especially the window variety. The historic centre is peppered with interesting little boutiques, whilst the region around Lake Garda is well known for its discount designer outlets.

Luxury brands such as Gucci, Max Mara, Burberry, Givenchy and Valentino all have stores in town, but the city boasts individual manufacturers and emerging labels too.

Thanks to centuries of skill with leatherwear, Verona is renowned for its high quality shoe shops. There are also fragrance stores offering exclusive blends and plenty of up-and-coming designers selling their wares.

Foodies will find a mouth-watering range of fresh pasta, dried herbs, oils and salami in small, specialist delis. Local wines and liqueurs are often available too, complementing devilish Monte Veronese cheeses and warm breads.

Antique shops are in abundance as well, but bargain hunters should visit Piazza San Zeno on the third Saturday of the month for a bright and bustling flea market selling jewellery, stamps, clothes and the occasional vintage car.

Key areas

Via Mazzini is the main shopping avenue in Verona and many of Italy’s high street chains and big brand names have stores here. Via Mazzini can be found at the north end of Piazza Bra, and parallel to it runs the Corso Porta Borsari, which is also lined with fashion stores as well as a number of excellent shoe shops.

Markets

On Piazza delle Erbe there is a daily market with stalls selling clothes and fruit and vegetables (Mon-Sat 0800-1800). On Saturday morning you’ll also find a huge flea market at the football stadium (0800-1400).

Shopping centres

Le Corte Venete, viale del Commercio 1, is Verona’s largest shopping centre. For an outsized commerce complex, however, La Grande Mela, in Lugagnano just outside Verona, offers three floors and over 130 shops.

Opening hours

In general, shops are open 0900-1930, with many smaller shops closing between 1300 and 1600. Nearly everything is shut during August, on Thursday afternoon and on Sunday. Many shops are often closed on Monday morning too.

Souvenirs

Head to Piazza delle Erbe to fill your suitcase with food, dried herbs and wine as well as ornaments and antique postcards. You’ll also find here and round about jewellery and accessories. If you’re on the look out for trinkets and objets d’art to remind you of your stay, then Piazza Bra is another good choice as well as Piazze delle Erbe. Most of the churches, such as Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore, offer interesting little pieces and keepsakes.

Tax information

Value-added tax (IVA) of 21% is added to every purchase in Italy. If you are a non-EU resident and spend more than €155 on a single item then you can claim a refund when you leave the country. The refund is only available from shops that display a ‘tax free Italy’ (or similar) sign.

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Hotel Torcolo

This friendly hotel in an old palazzo has a prime location just a few steps away from the Arena. Run by two affable sisters, it is a favourite with the Opera crowd. The high-ceilinged rooms are furnished with wrought iron and antique beds, and all come with air-conditioning and satellite TV.

Cinque Rooms

Located in a former butchers, this boutique bolthole, close to the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, has five highly stylised rooms. There isn't a reception area, so guests are sent a code for entry instead. With English floral fabrics, Swedish wallpaper and godly king-size beds, this is a really special stay for the price.

Escalus Luxury Suites

So close to the Arena, you might hear the opera singers in the summer if you fling the floor-to-ceiling windows open wide enough. The modern Escalus Luxury Suites offer 4-star luxury with rooms designed by Andrea Truglio. More apartment than hotel, breakfast is delivered to your own dining table each morning.

Hotel Colomba d’Oro

Situated between the Adige River and the Arena, and close to Romeo and Juliet’s balcony, the Hotel Colomba d’Oro’s 51 rooms are furnished in traditional style with rococo mirrors, Italianate paintings and candy-striped bedspreads. The breakfast buffet is lavish and there’s a chic cocktail bar too.

La Grotta Hotel

With jazzy bedspreads and faux Renaissance paintings on the walls, La Grotta isn't set to win design awards, but with a complimentary minibar, friendly staff, large rooms and free Wi-Fi, it's a popular budget choice. Located outside the city walls, it has free parking too. A bus to the centre stops outside the hotel.

Novo Hotel Rossi

Clean, cheap and with free bicycle hire, this hotel is just a short stroll from Verona's train station. While some rooms are compact, they all come with satellite TVs, air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. The breakfast buffet is excellent too. Buses run frequently to the city centre if you don't fancy the 20-minute walk.