Verona scavenger hunt: Roman stones, Shakespeare's lovers and the Scaliger bridges
The Verona scavenger hunt is a self-guided city game you play on your phone: you walk from the Roman Arena through the old town to the river Adige, solve a riddle at each of 10 landmarks by looking closely at what is in front of you, and unlock the stories and legends behind them. From the Arena to the Scaliger bridge it comes to about 3 hours in all, of which only some 45 minutes are spent walking over 3.6 km, while the rest belongs to riddles, legends and a pause by the Adige whenever you want one.
Highlights include the Arena, the Roman gate of Porta Borsari, Juliet's House, the market square of Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza dei Signori with its statue of Dante, the Roman Ponte Pietra and the fortified Castelvecchio Bridge. Verona's old town lies in a bend of the Adige, so the walk mixes narrow streets and squares with views of the river and its bridges.
- Durationabout 3 hours
- Walkingabout 45 min · 3.6 km
- Stops10
- LanguagesEnglish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch
From a Roman gate to Scaliger battlements: the riddles
A hat over an arch, griffins under a porch
Every stop hides its riddle in plain sight: the Cappello hat carved above the courtyard arch at Juliet's House, the griffins carrying the cathedral porch, the inscription on Porta Borsari. You solve it by looking and thinking, with no Italian and no homework required.
Emperors, exiles and a lord's escape route
Each answer opens a story: the earthquake of 1117 that brought down the Arena's outer ring, why Cangrande della Scala gave shelter to the exiled Dante, and the bridge said to have been built so a Scaliger lord could flee his own castle. Listen to the audio narration or read the text as you go.
3.6 km around a bend of the Adige
Google Maps leads you for about 45 minutes in total, through the lanes of the old town to Ponte Pietra and then west along the river embankment. The streets are flat, apart from the odd ramp up onto a bridge.
Spritz on Piazza delle Erbe, gelato by the river
No clock is running, so sit down for a spritz under the Torre dei Lamberti or a gelato near Ponte Pietra whenever you feel like it. The game waits on your phone and picks up exactly where you left it, later that day or tomorrow.
See the route and attractions →
How it works
- Book online Choose the number of players. Your booking reference arrives by email straight away.
- Get the app Download the World City Trail app from the App Store or Google Play and enter your booking reference.
- Play when you like Start whenever you are ready, walk at your own pace and pause any time. No guide, no fixed schedule.
Who gets the most out of a riddle walk in Verona
Day-trippers from Lake Garda or Venice
In about 3 hours the game strings together the Arena, Juliet's balcony, the market square and three bridges, so a day trip still leaves time for lunch and the train back. The riddles keep the pace lively without rushing anyone.
Young fans of gladiators and griffins
A Roman arena where gladiators once fought, a bronze Juliet, griffins holding up a church porch and a bridge built for a secret escape give young players plenty to look for, with an adult always playing in their team.
Couples, friends and colleagues
Up to 5 people play as a team, each on their own phone, so a larger group can split into several teams and race from Piazza Bra to the Castelvecchio Bridge. The finish beside the castle makes an easy place to meet up afterwards.
Good to know
- Bring a charged smartphone with mobile data; a power bank helps.
- No entry tickets needed: everything happens outside the buildings. Going inside is optional and paid separately.
- Family friendly; children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Not suitable for wheelchair users and difficult with strollers.
- Teams of up to 5 work best; bigger groups split into several teams, one ticket per player.
- Every purchase helps support stray cats and dogs in Greece.
The route: from the Arena on Piazza Bra through the old town to Ponte Scaligero
10 stops · about 45 min walking · start: Verona Arena · finish: Castelvecchio Bridge (Ponte Scaligero)
The hunt starts at the Arena on Piazza Bra and heads through Porta Borsari to Juliet's House, Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori. You continue to the Basilica of Sant'Anastasia, the Roman Ponte Pietra and Verona Cathedral, then follow the Adige west to Ponte della Vittoria and finish on the Castelvecchio Bridge. The Arena, the churches and the bridges are all explored from the outside, so nobody asks for an entry ticket, and if you are staying across the river near Ponte Pietra, the app will open the game there and put the other stops in a new order.
Open the route map ↗
1Verona ArenaStart
The Arena is a Roman amphitheatre built around 30 AD that once held about 30,000 spectators. An earthquake in 1117 destroyed almost all of its outer ring, and since 1913, when Verdi's Aida was staged here, it has been famous for its opera festival.
2Porta Borsari
Porta Borsari is a Roman city gate from the 1st century AD, built on the road that led into Verona. Its white stone façade carries an inscription recording a rebuilding in 265 AD under Emperor Gallienus, and its name comes from the bursarii, the guards who collected tolls here.
3Juliet's House
Juliet's House is a 13th-century house of the Cappello family, whose name was linked to the Capulets of Romeo and Juliet; their hat emblem is carved above the courtyard arch. The famous balcony was only added in the 20th century, and the bronze Juliet in the courtyard is a copy of Nereo Costantini's statue from 1969.
4Piazza delle Erbe
Piazza delle Erbe stands on the site of the Roman forum of Verona and has been the city's market square for centuries. In the middle is the Madonna Verona fountain, set up in 1368 under Cansignorio della Scala around a Roman statue, and the Torre dei Lamberti rises above the square.
Read the full story →
5Piazza dei Signori
Piazza dei Signori was the seat of power in Verona, lined by the Palazzo della Ragione, the palaces of the Scaliger lords and the Loggia del Consiglio, begun in 1476. In the middle stands Ugo Zannoni's statue of Dante from 1865, a reminder that Cangrande I della Scala sheltered the exiled poet in Verona.
Read the full story →
6Basilica of Sant'Anastasia
Sant'Anastasia is the largest church in Verona, a Gothic basilica that the Dominicans began building around 1290. Near the entrance, two holy water stoups rest on the backs of crouching hunchback figures, and inside is Pisanello's fresco of St George and the Princess.
7Ponte Pietra
Ponte Pietra is a Roman bridge over the Adige, completed around 100 BC, and the oldest bridge in Verona. Retreating German troops blew up four of its five arches in April 1945, and it was rebuilt in the late 1950s with original materials, so Roman, medieval and modern stonework now stand side by side.
Read the full story →
8Verona Cathedral (Santa Maria Matricolare)
Verona Cathedral is a Romanesque church consecrated in 1187, after the earthquake of 1117 had destroyed the earlier buildings. Its main porch, by the sculptor Nicholaus, rests on two griffins and is flanked by Roland and Oliver, the paladins of Charlemagne, and inside hangs Titian's Assumption.
9Ponte della Vittoria
Ponte della Vittoria was built to celebrate Italy's victory in the First World War and was inaugurated on 4 November 1929. Blown up by retreating German troops in 1945, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1953, and bronze sculpture groups by Mario Salazzari and Angelo Biancini stand at its ends.
10Castelvecchio Bridge (Ponte Scaligero)Finish
The fortified Castelvecchio Bridge was built in 1354–1356 for Cangrande II della Scala, reportedly as an escape route from the castle in case of revolt. Its main arch spans 48.7 metres, at the time the largest span in the world, and after German troops destroyed it in 1945 it was rebuilt from 1949 to 1951.
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New Zealand –
Collected on GetYourGuide
All the family loved this scavenger hunt. It was fun looking for the clues….up high or looking for Italian letters, spot the differences.
New Zealand –
Collected on GetYourGuide
All the family loved this scavenger hunt. It was fun looking for the clues….up high or looking for Italian letters, spot the differences.
Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
France –
Collected on GetYourGuide
a tresor!
Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Italy –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Esperienza fantastica, seguendo questa guida siamo riusciti a fare un tour completo di Verona, ci sono sfuggite davvero poche attrazioni. Consiglio di utilizzarla abbinata alla Verona card, per poter entrare dappertutto velocemente.
France –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
France –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Italy –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Switzerland –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Funny and interesting.
Switzerland –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Très joli balade de la ville, avec les monuments principaux et des belles vues, les quizz sont ludique et permettent de regarder les monuments avec un œil différent,les informations historiques sont intéressantes. Ça permet de faire un tour de la ville de façon culturel et structurée, tout en profitant des belles vues. Je recommande!
Switzerland –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Alcuni indizi non sono molto intuitivi ma l’esperienza permette di visitare i luoghi principali della città con un occhio diverso ed in modo più divertente. Consigliato!
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Nachdem wir verstanden hatten, wie die App funktioniert, waren auch die Rätsel nicht zu schwer. Leider musste die App zu Beginn immer wieder gestartet werden und die Erklärungen begannen immer wieder von neuem. Auch unterbrach ab und zu die Internet Verbindung, so dass das bereits richtige Ergebnis noch einmal eingeben werden musste. Aber alles in allem hat alles gut geklappt.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Nachdem wir Verona schon häufiger im Strom der Touristenmassen besucht hatten, ließen wir uns diesmal von World City Trail durch die Stadt lotsen. Es war nicht notwendig Eintrittspreise für Sehenswürdigkeiten zu bezahlen, die man schon besucht hatte um Rätsel zu lösen, konnte aber jederzeit gemütlich zum Kaffee trinken einkehren und danach wieder einsteigen.
Spain –
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Greece –
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Καταπληκτική δραστηριότητα
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Super Sache um die Stadt zu entdecken! Kurzweilig und mit Buggy machbar
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Wir hatten einen schönen Rundgang durch Verona
Italy –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Super divertente e ben fatta
Germany –
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Marion– Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Eine tolle Art im eigenen Tempo neue Städte zu erkunden!
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Empfiehlt sich die Schnitzeljagd zu buchen. Man kann überall zu Fuß hingehen und sieht die Sehenswürdigkeiten von Verona. Man ist sehr unabhängig und kann zwischen durch auch etwas essen gehen und später weiter machen.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Empfiehlt sich die Schnitzeljagd zu buchen. Man kann überall zu Fuß hingehen und sieht die Sehenswürdigkeiten von Verona. Man ist sehr unabhängig und kann zwischen durch auch etwas essen gehen und später weiter machen.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Wir haben das erste Mal eine Stadt so mit unseren drei Kindern erkundet. Es hat alle sehr viel Spaß gemacht, und war auch sehr informativ. Dazu kam das Verona eine sehr schöne Stadt ist und uns gut gefallen hat. Die Rätsel waren toll und vom Schwierigkeitsgrad genau richtig. Gerne wieder
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Nach anfänglichen Schwierigkeiten konnten wir ordentlich durchstarten und sind eine schöne Runde durch Verona gelaufen. Die Infos waren sowohl geschichtlich, mitunter sogar witzig geschrieben.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Super leuk, deze tour! Niet elke puzzel was even duidelijk, maar met een hint kom je er wel uit. Leuk dat je zo iets van de stad ziet, met wat achtergrond informatie.
United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
We really enjoyed this style of self tour, which helps you see all of the key attractions whilst being a fun challenge to solve the clues. We’ll keep doing these in any future city we visit.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Was fantastisch om op deze manier door de stad te lopen. En heel handig want zo zie je toch de meeste bezienswaardigheden en je weet precies waar je moet zijn. Er is geen tijdsdruk, je kan alles op je eigen tempo zien en tussendoor lekker een terrasje pakken.
France –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Nous nous sommes bien amusé en prenant le temps d’en apprendre plus sur la ville. Les anecdotes ne sont pas trop longues. On comprend rapidement le fonctionnement du jeu. C’était une bonne expérience ! A refaire pour d’autres voyages 😉
Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuke raadsels. Wandeling langs mooie plaatsen in Verona. Kinderen vonden het ook leuk
Spain –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Ha sido una forma entretenida de conocer la ciudad
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
gerade für Kinder (ab 8 Jahre; dann mit Hilfe) geeignet – motivierte unsere 3 Kinder sehr beim Stadtrundgang
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuke speurtocht om een aantal hoogtepunten van de stad te zien. Echter zit er geen routebeschrijving bij, dus je moet steeds zelf opzoeken waar je naartoe moet. Het speuren is erg eenvoudig. Te simpel.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Sehr gute Idee, die Stadt in eigenem Tempo zu erkunden. Die Rätsel sind zwar interessant und motivieren zum Laufen, leider nicht immer eindeutig, was genau gesucht wird. Ist es ein Wort, wie viele Buchstaben, eine Zahl, mehrere Zahlen… Dennoch empfehlenswert. Wir würden es wieder buchen.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Gute Tour durch die Stadt Verona. Es waren alle interessanten Punkte der Stadt dabei sodass man sich gut durch die Stadt führen lassen kann, wenn man diese noch nicht so gut kennt oder noch nicht genau weiß was man angucken will.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Interessante Informationen in und um Verona, alle wichtigen Sehenswürdigkeiten werden angesteuert
Switzerland –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Had a great time exploring the city with it.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuke manier om de mooiste plekken van de stad te zien
Switzerland –
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Best way to walk around the city and play
Netherlands –
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Heel erg leuk om op deze manier verona te bekijken!! Geweldige stad
Australia –
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Germany –
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Alle Ziele waren gut zu erlaufen, auch bei 38 Grad in Verona
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Eine schöne Schnitzeljagd mit gutem Quiz. Bei einer Frage mussten wir google bemühen, da ein Bauzaun die Sicht versperrt. Schöne Tour angenehme Strecke und gute Zeiteinteilung 10 Fragen reichen bei dem heißem Wetter hätten wir nicht mehr geschafft.
Italy –
Collected on GetYourGuide
È stata sicuramente un’attività divertente che mi ha aiutato a vedere alcuni dei principali monumenti della città. Devo dire che c’è anche molto altro da vedere per cui questa esperienza è un buon inizio ma forse sarebbe utile aggiungere qualche meta per rendere l’esperienza ancora più completa.