Piazza dei Signoria , Verona

Square in Verona

Piazza dei Signori, Verona
Piazza dei Signori, Verona
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Ernesto Sguotti

Piazza dei Signori is Verona's dignified “courtroom” of a square, tucked just beyond the buzz of Piazza delle Erbe and often nicknamed Piazza Dante thanks to the statue at its centre. It feels more composed than the surrounding lanes: fewer market stalls, more stone façades, and a sense that you've stepped into the city's formal living room, where power once sat under arches and loggias.

It's one of the things to see in Verona because the setting is pure medieval-and-Renaissance Verona in a single glance: Scaliger-era palaces, ceremonial architecture, and the Dante monument that anchors the space with a quiet seriousness. It also slides naturally into a walking tour of Verona, since you can visit the square, the nearby tombs, and the surrounding lanes in one compact loop without losing time to transport.

History and Significance of the Piazza dei Signori

Piazza dei Signori developed in the Middle Ages as Verona's political and administrative heart, shaped by the Scaliger (della Scala) family during their rule. The square's layout still reads like a deliberately controlled civic space: enclosed, monumental, and connected by arches and porticoes that tie the buildings together into a single “seat of power” rather than a simple open plaza.

The statue of Dante Alighieri stands at the centre because Verona offered him refuge after his exile from Florence, linking the square not only to government but also to the city's cultural memory. It's a reminder that Verona's identity is built as much from patronage and protection as it is from architecture, and this square is where those narratives feel most visible.

Today, the significance is as much atmospheric as historical. Piazza dei Signori remains a representative space in the old town, a place where the city's monumental civic buildings still frame everyday life, and where you can feel the medieval centre's hierarchy simply by standing still and looking around.

Things to See and Do in the Piazza dei Signori

Start with the Dante statue as your visual anchor, then slowly “read” the square clockwise, noticing how the buildings connect through arches and covered passages. The beauty here is not one single façade, but the way the square behaves like a closed courtyard of institutions, with each side reinforcing the next.

Look for the key civic landmarks that define the space, including the Loggia del Consiglio and the Palazzo del Podestà, then continue your attention to the adjoining palaces that carry the Scaliger story across the stonework. If you like small discoveries, pay attention to the transitions: an arch that suddenly frames a new courtyard, a change in materials, or a passage that pulls you from “public square” into “hidden civic corridor.”

Finally, treat the square as a strategic pause point rather than a “tick-the-box” stop. It's an ideal place to reset your route, choose your next lane with intent, and appreciate a calmer slice of Verona before you rejoin the more crowded flow around Piazza delle Erbe.

How to Get to the Piazza dei Signori

The nearest airport is Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN), with additional options via Bergamo (BGY) and Venice Marco Polo (VCE) if you are combining cities. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Verona on Booking.com. From VRN, the simplest plan is a shuttle/bus or taxi into central Verona, then walk into the pedestrian core toward Piazza delle Erbe and continue a few minutes further to Piazza dei Signori.

If you arrive by train, you'll come into Verona Porta Nuova, then take a short bus ride or walk toward Piazza Bra and continue into the old town to reach Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy.

Local buses are practical if you want to save steps from Porta Nuova, especially in summer heat, but the final approach is always on foot through pedestrian streets and short lanes.

If you are traveling by car, plan to park outside the ZTL-restricted historic core and walk in, as the square sits in a limited-traffic, pedestrian zone. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Piazza dei Signori

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours
  • Best time to visit: Early morning for a quieter, more “civic” feel, or early evening when the square becomes a relaxed meeting point and the stone façades warm in the light.
  • How long to spend: A focused look takes 15-25 minutes, or linger longer if you’re pairing it with nearby piazzas and courtyards.
  • Accessibility: The square itself is generally step-free and easy to navigate, though nearby lanes can include uneven stone surfaces.
  • Facilities: There are no dedicated facilities in the square itself, so plan restrooms and longer breaks around nearby cafés and central services.

Where to Stay Close to the Piazza dei Signori

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself in Verona's Centro Storico near Piazza delle Erbe or Piazza Bra so you can reach the main sights early and return on foot between stops; if your priority is easy arrivals and departures, staying near Verona Porta Nuova is the most practical base for transport links.

If you want a classic, high-comfort stay deep in the historic centre, Due Torri Hotel puts you close to the old-town lanes and an easy walk from the square. For an elegant boutique feel right by the central pedestrian streets, Hotel Gabbia d'Oro is ideal for stepping out straight into the heart of Verona. If you prefer something central with a straightforward, practical setup near the Arena while staying walkable to the square, Hotel Giulietta e Romeo is a convenient choice for a tightly planned city break.

Is the Piazza dei Signori Worth Visiting?

Yes, particularly if you want to understand Verona beyond its headline attractions. The square distils the city's civic identity into a compact, highly walkable space that feels meaningfully different from the busier commercial energy nearby.

It's also one of those stops that improves the rest of your day. Once you've stood in Piazza dei Signori and noticed how the arches and palaces stitch the centre together, Verona's historic core feels more legible, and your next turns through the lanes feel more intentional.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (5,367)

Piazza dei Signori in Verona is a tranquil, visitor-friendly square tucked among elegant medieval and Renaissance buildings; cafés line the space and a prominent statue of Dante Alighieri provides a cultural focal point, making it a favorite spot for quiet strolls, meeting friends, sipping coffee, and soaking up the evocative architecture and atmosphere.

Dr. Hani Hossni
2 months ago
"Piazza dei Signori in Verona is a truly enchanting square, rich in history and architectural beauty. Surrounded by elegant medieval and Renaissancebuildings, it offers a peaceful atmosphere despite being in the heart of the city. I especially enjoyed the presence of the impressive Statua di Dante Alighieri, which adds a deep cultural touch. The square feels like stepping back in time, perfect for a quiet stroll or enjoying a coffee while admiring the historic facades. It's a must-visit spot in Verona for anyone who appreciates art, history, and a calm, reflective space away from the busier tourist areas...."
il Câpitano _VAP
a month ago
"Piazza dei Signori is a place with a special historical charm. Its Renaissance architecture creates an evocative atmosphere. It is an ideal meetingpoint for walks and admiring the surrounding beauty. Here, an atmosphere of elegance and art delights visitors.#🇮🇹🫶💯..."
-:
a week ago
"A few summers ago, I walked around this square young and beautiful and heartbroken. I paced the streets in the warm mid-July air, with all the hopeand love my newly 22-year old form could ever possibly contain. I was waiting on a friend, whom I felt was the love of my life at the time, to meet me in Verona. It was far fetched of me to believe in it, there were a million variables and things in the way. Of course, he couldn’t come. Silly Americans raised on romance movies and fallacious dreams of finding paradise or love in Europe. Deliriously thinking we’ll find peace or escape or everything we’ve ever wanted on our a ual 2 weeks off. I paced the town for three nights. Unable to rest, every neuron in my brain lit up and firing, only concerned about one singular thing (person,) him. I paced the city in silence, listening to music and smoking a few Italian marlboros. All the while, my heart spilling over with all of the love my 22 year old form could contain. I was sitting on some steps in this piazza when lightning began to strike overhead. Beautiful stabs of light across the dark sky over Dante’s statue. The storm continued the whole night. I felt the sky (and Dante) were sad with me...."

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This square works best for families as a quick, story-driven stop: “Here’s Dante,” “here’s where the rulers lived,” and “here’s the hidden passage to the next courtyard.” Kids tend to engage more when you make it a short game of spotting arches, towers, and statues rather than a long explanation.

Pair it with a nearby gelato break and keep your route compact, because the surrounding lanes are dense with distractions. The square’s calmer feel can be a useful reset between more crowded stops.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, Piazza dei Signori is a quieter, more refined Verona moment, especially if you enjoy atmosphere over spectacle. The square is made for slow walking, a few photos, and a pause that feels unhurried before you drift back toward livelier streets.

It also pairs well with an evening wander, when the buildings feel more theatrical and the crowd thins into a gentle local buzz. Treat it as a “tone-setting” stop that makes the centre feel more intimate.

Budget Travelers

Budget travelers will like this stop because it's high impact and completely free, while still feeling like a “major Verona scene.” Use it as a hub for efficient walking: you can branch to multiple highlights nearby without paying for transport or timed entries.

To stretch the value, build a loop that combines this square with the neighbouring piazzas and a riverside walk later. Verona rewards wandering, and Piazza dei Signori is one of the best places to start.

FAQs for Visiting Piazza dei Signori

Getting There

It’s in Verona’s historic centre, immediately next to Piazza delle Erbe and close to the Scaliger-focused monuments around Santa Maria Antica. Think of it as a central “civic square” hidden just one turn away from the city’s busiest piazza.
Head to Piazza delle Erbe first, then follow the short connecting lanes toward the more enclosed, quieter square with the Dante statue. If you keep moving away from the market noise, you’ll feel the transition before you even see the monument.
Take a city bus toward the centre or walk to Piazza Bra, then continue into the pedestrian streets toward Piazza delle Erbe and on to Piazza dei Signori. Once you’re in the old town core, it’s an easy, well-signposted walk.
Driving into the old town is usually not worth it because the centre has restricted areas and narrow lanes that slow everything down. It’s easier to park outside the core and treat the rest of the visit as a walk.

Visiting Experience

Piazza delle Erbe is lively and market-like, while Piazza dei Signori feels more formal and architectural, like a ceremonial courtyard. The mood shifts from commerce to civic grandeur within a minute of walking.
Focus on how the palaces and loggias connect through arches and covered links, turning separate buildings into one civic complex. It’s a square where the “frame” matters as much as the centre.
Yes, because it’s adjacent to other essential stops and adds depth without demanding time or planning. It’s a quick detour that makes the centre feel more layered and less “one-note.”
The Scaliger Tombs are the most direct pairing if you want the story of Verona’s medieval rulers to feel tangible. Piazza delle Erbe and Torre dei Lamberti also fit naturally into the same mini-route.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Most city-centre tours pass through or nearby because it sits on the natural route between the main squares and medieval landmarks. Even self-guided, it’s one of the easiest squares to include without detouring.
Independent visiting works well because the square is visually self-explanatory and compact. A guide adds value if you want names, dates, and the political backstory of the surrounding buildings.
Combine Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza dei Signori, the Scaliger Tombs area, and then finish with a viewpoint stop nearby. It’s a tight loop that keeps you in Verona’s most character-rich medieval core.

Photography

Yes, because the enclosed space and strong stone façades create clean compositions with minimal visual clutter. The Dante statue gives you a natural focal point that anchors wide shots.
A wide frame with Dante in the foreground and the surrounding palaces and arches behind captures the square’s “civic stage” feeling. For detail shots, aim at the arches and loggia lines rather than trying to isolate a single façade.
In the open square, casual photography is straightforward and generally expected. If you step into adjoining courtyards or interiors nearby, follow posted rules and keep your shooting unobtrusive.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Use the lanes just off Piazza delle Erbe for better value and a calmer seat, while staying seconds from the square. A small detour away from the most obvious terraces usually improves both price and atmosphere.
This is a natural espresso-and-move-on stop, especially if you’re threading multiple sights in the centre. If you want something more relaxed, plan your longer break after you finish the nearby squares so you can settle without watching the clock.

Safety & Timing

Yes, the central lanes are generally lively and well-travelled, especially around early evening. Standard city awareness is enough, particularly in busier pockets near the main piazzas.
It’s usually less crowded than Piazza delle Erbe, but it can fill up when groups move through at once. If you want a calmer feel, visit earlier in the day or later when the daytime tour flow eases.

Nearby Attractions to the Piazza dei Signori

  • Piazza delle Erbe: Verona's most animated historic square, ideal for soaking up daily city life among ornate façades.
  • Arche Scaligere: Gothic tombs of the Scaliger rulers, a powerful medieval counterpoint just steps away.
  • Torre dei Lamberti: The best nearby panoramic viewpoint for rooftops, river bends, and city orientation.
  • Casa di Giulietta: A quick, iconic stop that captures Verona's Romeo-and-Juliet mythology in the central lanes.
  • Castelvecchio Museum: A Scaliger fortress and museum that deepens the story of Verona's medieval power and later art history.

The Piazza dei Signoria  appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Verona!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 Hours

Price:

Free

Address: Piazza dei Signori, Piazza dei Signori, Verona, VR, Italy
Verona: 1 km

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