Sight guide · Verona · Italy
Visiting Ponte Pietra
Verona's oldest bridge dates from the 1st century BC; its arches were blown up by retreating German troops in 1945 and rebuilt in the 1950s using stones recovered from the river.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Raphael Andres, CC BY 3.0
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Quick answer
Ponte Pietra is a landmark in Veronetta, Verona. Allow 15 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Landmark
- Area
- Veronetta
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, history, photo spot and couples
- Best months
- September–October and December
About Ponte Pietra
Verona's oldest bridge dates from the 1st century BC; its arches were blown up by retreating German troops in 1945 and rebuilt in the 1950s using stones recovered from the river. Its mix of white Roman stone and medieval brick frames views of the Adige and the cypress-covered hill of Castel San Pietro.
Tip: Cross at dusk and look back towards the cathedral's bell tower as the lights of the old town come on.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 15 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Veronetta, university district across the river with student bars and the Giardino Giusti.
Best time to visit Ponte Pietra
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- December: 6°C (43°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 18°C (64°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- September: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Verona has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Verona itinerary visits Ponte Pietra on day 2, together with Torre dei Lamberti, Piazza dei Signori and the Scaliger Tombs and Verona Cathedral.
- No. 8 of the 17 sights in our Verona things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Verona.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Verona.
Near Ponte Pietra
Also in Veronetta, so you can walk between them:
- Castel San Pietro viewpoint — 1 hour, free
- Roman Theatre and Archaeological Museum — 1–1.5 hours, low cost
- Giardino Giusti — 1 hour, low cost
If you like Ponte Pietra
- Arena di Verona — Piazza Bra and the Arena, 1 hour
- Opera at the Arena — Piazza Bra and the Arena, 3–4 hours
- Piazza delle Erbe — Città Antica (Piazza delle Erbe), 45 minutes
- Juliet's House — Città Antica (Piazza delle Erbe), 30–45 minutes
Staying near Ponte Pietra
Stay in Veronetta ($$) to walk here: university district across the river with student bars and the Giardino Giusti. All areas to stay in Verona.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Ponte Pietra?
Plan 15 minutes. With Castel San Pietro viewpoint nearby, it fits a half-day in Veronetta.
+Is Ponte Pietra free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Ponte Pietra?
September–October and December, the quietest of the good months. Cross at dusk and look back towards the cathedral's bell tower as the lights of the old town come on.
+Do I need to book Ponte Pietra in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.