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.
