In the mood for some shopping? The city centre shops are waiting for you

I don’t know about you but when I visit a city, I cannot resist making a few purchases. This is mainly because I love shopping, on top of which I love even more the link that is forged between the item I buy on a trip and my memories of that place. It is like taking home a little piece of that place which is mine and mine alone. Today, however, I am on home turf and am here to recommend to you the best areas of the city to satisfy your urge for some high-quality shopping.

Your shopping tour begins in Via Mazzini, the elegant street which connects Piazza Bra with Piazza Erbe and which is lit-up by brightly coloured shop windows. This is Verona’s leading shopping street, where you can find both the big names of high fashion and the better known low-cost international chains.

Fashion, antiques and local produce

When you get to Piazza Erbe, I recommend that you wander along the southern edge, which is packed with charming stalls and, when you get to the end, turn left into Corso Porta Borsari.

This road, which is always busy but not as crowded as Via Mazzini, is full of of fascinating shops. In amongst the jewellery and clothing shops you can find, on both the main road and its little side streets, some absolute gems, like historic patisseries and small bars where you can take a break with a great cup of coffee or an aperitif.

Returning to the handsome Piazza Erbe and turning to face the 17th century Palazzo Maffei, continue in the direction of Corso Sant’Anastasia, a paradise for anyone who loves shopping. As well as being full of stylish boutiques and historic stores, this street is particularly well known for its antique shops: if this is your thing, you will love it here!

For antiques enthusiasts: Verona Antiquaria is held on the first Sunday of every month (excluding August) in the San Zeno district, an antiques market with more than 200 exhibitors from across northern Italy selling art and antique items, furniture, ornaments, carpets, and 20th century, vintage and collectable clothing and objects.
On the days when the market is held, themed events and shows are run alongside it, including ones for young children. For more detail on these, please visit www.veronantiquaria.it.
From here, continue on to the Ponte Pietra bridge, close to which you will find delightful and stylish clothing and accessories boutiques. Across the river in the Veronetta, you can explore the modern furniture and design stores, with their youthful and energetic styles.

Relaxation and shopping in the heart of the city

Now, follow me, across the mediaeval square heading east to Via Cappello, towards Juliet’s House. Inevitably, it is full of tourist shops but this little street is also home to some fantastic clothes stores as well as perfumeries, gadget shops, patisseries and much, much more! After a short while, turn right into Via Stella and continue your quest for the ideal purchase. Shoppers will not get bored here, there is so much to enjoy, including the famous gastronomy of Verona city centre.

Bureaux de change in the city centre:
Maccorp Italiana Spa | Piazzale XXV Aprile, 18
Forexchange | Via Cappello, 4
Forexchange | Piazzale XXV Aprile

Explore the sights of Verona as you shop

I cannot lie, it is hard to recommend one single area of Verona when it comes to shopping: in fact, every street in the centre is worth exploring, packed with an assortment of clothes shops, bookshops, perfumeries, delicatessens and high quality artisan stores. From Via Sottoriva to Via Quattro Spade and the former Jewish ghetto, from Via Ponte Pietra to Corso Porta Nuova and Corso Cavour, and on to Veronetta and the San Zeno district, you cannot skip over a single area of the city without missing out on something special. The best way to shop in Verona is without doubt to wander through the city centre with no specific destination in mind, letting your instincts guide you through the wonderful sights of this magnificent city.