Visiting Juliet’s house in Verona: the power of a love story (complete guide)

Visiting Verona and ignoring Juliet? It is nearly impossible. Every year, millions of people flock to this city to polish the right breast of a statue, all in the hope of improving their love life. Is it commercial? Absolutely. Will you be surrounded by tourists who are mainly there for the selfies? You bet. But is it worth it? Actually, yes. So, here it is: the complete guide for a successful visit to Juliet’s House.

2026 Update: For a long time, visiting Juliet’s House felt like a battlefield: a swarm of tourists all trying to storm that one famous balcony at once. Fortunately, Verona has organized things much better lately. Since the rules regarding access and reservations have recently been updated, I have completely revised this guide. This way, you can avoid the chaos and focus on the experience itself, without ending up in a human knot.

1. Casa di Giulietta: everything you need to know

Tickets and time slots

Let’s cut to the chase: Casa di Giulietta is no longer the “free-for-all” it used to be.

• Reservations are mandatory: For both the museum and the balcony (Casa di Giulietta), you must book your tickets and time slot online via the official website (museiverona.com). There is no ticket desk on-site anymore.
• Reservations are also required for the courtyard. While this area used to be free and open to everyone, access is now strictly controlled. During peak periods (such as around Valentine’s Day, summer, and Christmas), you even need to purchase a ticket just to enter the courtyard (and get that photo with the statue).
• The easiest way is to book an organized tour where your guide has already handled the bureaucracy for you. This allows you to walk past the line of people who thought they could “just pop in” with a smile on your face.
• Also handy: The Verona Card gives you access to almost everything in the city (including Juliet’s balcony) and saves you a lot of euros. But the same rule applies: reserve in advance. (Please note: while this city card grants priority access to the Arena, the Arena is closed to the public until March 20, 2026, due to the Winter Olympics.)
• Travelboulevard tip: Be at the gate by 08:45 AM. Most tourists will still be on their second cappuccino, giving you the courtyard (almost) all to yourself.

The courtyard & the famous balcony

The balcony deception: Let’s have a moment of honesty: the most famous balcony in the world is actually a piece of an old 17th-century sarcophagus. In 1937, Antonio Avena, then the curator of Verona’s museums, decided that tourists needed “something” tangible. He had the balcony attached to the facade of the (then dilapidated) building to breathe new life into the myth. It worked: nearly a hundred years later, the whole world is still staring at it. Shakespeare himself never even put a balcony in his script (he wrote about a window), but it looks great on your Instagram feed. Photo tip: Take your photo from a corner to the left of the balcony; it’s less crowded and offers perfect lighting.

The breast: The original statue of Juliet has retired: too much heartbreak and wear and tear—she literally had a hole in her breast and a crack in her arm. The original bronze statue from 1972 was worn thin by the millions of hands rubbing against it. By the way, there is no historical text stating that touching Juliet brings luck. Tourists simply started doing it, and the myth became bigger than reality. The statue you are rubbing against today is a replica from 2014. The original is kept safe and dry inside the museum.

What can you see inside the house?

You can visit the house, but do not expect furniture from Shakespeare’s time. What you will find:

• Juliet’s bed: This is the original bed used in Franco Zeffirelli’s famous 1968 film (read more about this further down in this post).
• Medieval frescoes: There are beautiful artworks on display that were rescued from other demolished buildings in Verona.
• The costumes: You can admire the clothing worn by the actors in the Zeffirelli film.

The wall with love notes: is it still there?

No, the infamous “chewing gum and band-aid wall” is a thing of the past. The city has since implemented a strict ban on sticking notes to the walls to protect the monument. Instead, digital screensand special red mailboxes have been installed where you can leave your message.

The Letter Writers of the Club di Giulietta

The most beautiful part of the whole Juliet circus isn’t the house, but the mail. Every year, thousands of letters arrive in Verona, addressed simply to ‘Giulietta’. The Club di Giulietta is a team of volunteers (the ‘Secretaries of Juliet’) who answer every single letter by hand. Whether it’s about a broken heart or a newfound crush, no one is ignored.

How to send a letter to Juliet?

You don’t have to be physically in Verona to unburden your heart. The ‘Secretaries of Juliet’ take every letter seriously, regardless of where the stamp comes from.

• By mail: Write your letter by hand (they love that most) and send it to the official address in Verona. You don’t even need a street name, but to be sure, here is the full address: Club di Giulietta, Vicolo Santa Cecilia 9, 37121 Verona, Italy.
• By e-mail: For those who can’t wait for a stamp, Juliet has moved with the times. You can email your love troubles to info@julietclub.it. The volunteers print these out and often reply by hand or via email.
• What should the letter say? There are no rules. Some ask for advice on heartbreak, others share their happiness. Most importantly: don’t forget to include your own return address! If there’s no sender on the envelope, Juliet can’t write back.

Fun extra: The “Dear Juliet” Prize The most beautiful letters of the year stand a chance to win the “Cara Giulietta” prize. Every year around Valentine’s Day, the most moving writers are invited to Verona for an official ceremony. A great motivation to keep your pen ready.

Visit the headquarters

Want to see the ‘Secretaries of Juliet’ in action? Their workspace is not at the balcony, but in the quieter Vicolo Santa Cecilia 9.

• What can you do? You can browse the massive archives of thousands of handwritten letters and watch the volunteers at work.
• When to go? Usually open on weekdays between 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM. It is free to visit, but a small donation for their stamps is greatly appreciated.
• Insider tip: Always check their website (julietclub.it) before you go; they run on volunteers, so hours can sometimes vary.

2. Fiction and Fact

Were Romeo and Juliet real?

Yes and no. Shakespeare based his work on a 1530 story by Luigi da Porto. Da Porto claimed the feud between the families was real. Even Dante mentioned the rivaling clans in his Divine Comedy. They were two political families who couldn’t stand the sight of each other; Shakespeare simply turned it into a timeless drama. In Shakespeare’s original play, by the way, Juliet isn’t even fourteen years old yet. When you realize that while watching adult tourists cry at her balcony, the story takes on a very different (and slightly less romantic) tone.

But… what about Juliet’s House?

Juliet’s House is located in the Centro Storico district, at Via Cappello 23. The reason this specific house was chosen is pure coincidence and clever marketing. The building was once owned by the Dal Cappello family (their family crest, a hat, can still be seen in the courtyard’s keystone). Because ‘Cappello’ sounds a lot like ‘Capuleti’, the city decided in 1905 that this must be Juliet’s house.

Juliet’s Tomb: Eternal Rest

While the crowds squeeze together at the balcony, a much more impressive spot lies just a few hundred meters away. In the crypt of the San Francesco al Corso monastery, you will find the red marble sarcophagus where Juliet is said to be buried. Admittedly: Juliet is a character, so she can’t possibly be truly buried there. But in Verona, the line between fiction and history blurs.

• Shakespeare-mania: In the 19th century, the tomb was a simple watering trough for horses. It wasn’t until ‘Shakespeare-mania’ hit and celebrities like Lord Byron and Marie Louise of Austria came to Verona that the city decided to turn it into an official sight. Real or not, the atmosphere in the crypt is beautifully melancholic and much quieter than at the crowded balcony.
• Why is her ‘tomb’ located there? Because this was the only monastery located outside the city walls at the time. According to the story, tragedies (such as suicide) had to be handled outside the walls.
• Is it worth a visit? Definitely! It’s much quieter here. The atmosphere in the monastery perfectly captures the melancholy you expect from Shakespeare’s tale. Plus, you’ll also find the museum of frescoes here, a nice bonus for culture lovers.

3. And what about Romeo?

The curse of Romeo’s House

Romeo always gets a bit of a raw deal in Verona. While Juliet’s house is a tourist goldmine, Romeo’s house (Cagnolo Nogarola) is a somber, medieval mini-castle that is privately owned. The owners never let anyone in, and rumor has it they aren’t exactly fond of tourists trying to climb over the walls. Consequently, they’ve been trying to sell the house for years without success; it’s known as the “curse” of Romeo.

• The facade: Do take a look at the inscription on the wall. The quote reminds you that Romeo was “banished” from here. It’s worth a quick photo stop on your way to your next glass of wine.
• Why this house? The building on Via Arche Scaligere is designated as Romeo’s house because it belonged to the Montecchi family (the real name behind the Montagues).

4. The great Shakespeare mystery

Here’s the biggest joke: the man who made Verona world-famous most likely never visited. Although Shakespeare set three of his plays in Italy (Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona), there is no historical evidence that the man ever set foot on Italian soil.

• The theory: Most historians believe he gathered his information from travel logs by others and earlier Italian novellas. He was a master of “armchair traveling.”
• The doubt: However, some researchers claim his descriptions of the local atmosphere and the details of Italian cities were too accurate for someone who was never there. They speculate he might have wandered through Italy during his “lost years” (between 1585 and 1592).
• The reality: Whether he was there or not, it doesn’t stop the people of Verona from honoring him. At the Portoni della Bra, you’ll find his bust and a quote every local knows by heart: “There is no world without Verona walls.”And standing there on a balmy summer evening with a glass of Aperol Spritz, you’re inclined to agree with him.

5. Romeo and Juliet in cinema

Let’s be honest: without the movie industry (and Shakespeare, of course), Juliet’s house would likely have remained just another charming old building. Cinema gave Verona the romance the whole world now lines up for, while directors found a ready-made stage for their drama like nowhere else. It’s a classic case of successful cross-pollination.

1. The Classic: Romeo & Juliet (1968) – Dir: Franco Zeffirelli

When you walk through Juliet’s house today, you’re actually walking through Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film set. Although the film itself was largely shot in other Italian towns (like Tuscania and Gubbio) because 1960s Verona looked too modern for a medieval drama, its impact on the house in Via Cappello was enormous. Even the famous ball scene where Romeo and Juliet first meet wasn’t filmed here—the courtyard is simply too small for a large-scale dance scene. Zeffirelli moved that production to Palazzo Piccolomini in Pienza (Tuscany). So, if people in Verona ask where the dance floor is: it’s about 250 kilometers to the south.

2. The Modern Cult Film: Romeo + Juliet (1996) – Dir: Baz Luhrmann

The version that made an entire generation fall in love with Leonardo DiCaprio. Director Baz Luhrmann replaced swords with handguns (branded ‘Sword’ and ‘Dagger’) and moved the story to the fictional Verona Beach. The film was shot in Mexico City, so literally nothing from this movie can be found in the real Verona, except perhaps for the many posters in souvenir shops.

• The style: Flashy, loud, and full of 90s nostalgia. While they use Shakespeare’s original dialogue, it feels like a hyper-modern action movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

3. The Tourist Magnet: Letters to Juliet (2010) – Dir: Gary Winick

Starring Amanda Seyfried.

• The Verona link: This is the film that made the Club di Giulietta (Juliet’s secretaries) world-famous. While much of the film takes place in the vineyards of Tuscany, the scenes in the Verona courtyard are real. Since this movie, the number of letters left in the red mailboxes has exploded.

4. Inspired by Romeo and Juliet: from classic to bizarre

Beyond the famous adaptations, these versions stray a bit from the norm but tell the same timeless story:

West Side Story (1961 & 2021)

The most famous “disguised” version. No swords in Verona, but dancing gangs in New York. The Montagues and Capulets are the Jets and the Sharks. Both the 1961 classic and Steven Spielberg’s 2021 version are absolute must-sees.

Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)

Believe it or not: an animated film about feuding garden gnomes. It sounds ridiculous, but it’s a charming family film with a soundtrack full of Elton John hits.

Warm Bodies (2013)

For fans of “zombie romance.” This is a loose adaptation where a zombie named ‘R’ (Romeo) falls in love with a human girl named Julie.

Rosaline (2022)

A funny film on Disney+ told from the perspective of Rosaline, Romeo’s ex-girlfriend. It’s a comedic take on how “annoying” it is when your ex suddenly falls head over heels for your cousin Juliet.

6. Why the story of Romeo and Juliet still resonates

The ‘Us Against the World’ dynamic

There is nothing as powerful as forbidden love. The idea that two people are willing to give up everything – their family, their status, their lives – for that one connection, captures our imagination. We all want to believe that love is stronger than politics, hate, or walls. In a world that can sometimes be very cynical, Verona is the place where we are allowed to celebrate that romance for a moment.

The universal tragedy of the missed opportunity

Everyone knows the feeling of “what if?”. The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet lies not just in their deaths, but in the timing. If that one letter had arrived just a little earlier, or if Romeo had waited just thirty seconds longer before drinking the poison, everything would have been different. These relatable human errors make the story timeless.

The need for a pilgrimage site

As humans, we need physical places to channel our emotions. Verona is to love what Jerusalem is to religion. It doesn’t matter that the balcony is ‘fake’ or that Juliet never truly existed; the emotions of the people who leave letters there or touch the statue are very real.

The influence of pop culture

As we saw with the films: every generation gets its own Romeo and Juliet. From classic stage plays to the modern films starring DiCaprio or the letters in Letters to Juliet. The story is constantly renewed, ensuring it never feels dusty or outdated.

7. Romantic Bonus: The best spots for a (first) date

Have you secured the mandatory balcony selfie and are you in the mood for even more romance with your (first) date? These are the spots to keep the spark alive.

• Aperitivo tip: Drink a glass of Amarone at one of the small wine bars tucked behind Piazza Erbe.
• Photo tip: Take a photo on the Ponte Pietra during the ‘golden hour’. The light hitting the red stones is magnificent.
• The funicular: Take the Funicolare to Castel San Pietro at sunset. This fortress towers high above the city and offers a view that would even make Shakespeare go silent. It might be a ‘cliché’, but watching the city lights flicker on one by one works every single time. There is a bar/restaurant with a terrace, but you can also simply sit on the wall with your own drink and watch the sun slowly dip behind the Arena.
• Walking towards the ‘I do’: Follow the route that Romeo and Juliet (according to legend) took to their clandestine wedding.
  • The route: Leave Piazza Bra (near the Arena) and walk towards the Adige River. Stroll along the river quay (Regaste San Zeno). This is one of the most beautiful and photogenic parts of Verona, where tourist buses don’t venture. You’ll have a great view of the Castelvecchio Bridge. The route ends at the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore.
  • The secret: In the dark, atmospheric crypt of this church, Romeo and Juliet were said to be secretly married by Father Lorenzo. The architecture here is breathtaking, and the silence naturally commands respect for the “story.”

Getting married on the balcony: The ultimate romance?

Yes, you can actually get married on Juliet’s balcony. Through the Sposami a Verona project, you can have the courtyard closed off for your ceremony.

• The price: For non-residents, this starts around €3,000.
• How to apply: You do this through the Ufficio Matrimoni of the Municipality of Verona. It is popular, pricey, and don’t expect to just fly to Verona with your rings. The paperwork starts months in advance, and you need to book at least a year ahead. But once that stamp is official, you are ‘officially’ connected at the most romantic spot in the world.

8. Where to stay: Finding your hotel

The budget gem: Hotel de’ Capuleti

The vibe: Hotel de’ Capuleti is literally around the corner from Juliet’s Tomb (Tomba di Giulietta). The interior is classic-romantic with a modern touch.

Why here? It is one of the few hotels in this price range with a small, intimate wellness area you can rent privately. Perfect for relaxing together after a day of walking without breaking the bank.

The link: Named after Juliet’s family (Capuleti), placing you right in the heart of the narrative.

The stylish mid-range: Relais Balcone di Giulietta

The vibe: The luxury Relais Balcone di Giulietta guesthouse is located in the same building as Juliet’s famous balcony!

Why here? Some rooms look directly out over Juliet’s courtyard. When the gates close in the evening and the crowds depart, you (and your date) have the most iconic view in Verona all to yourselves. The interior is chic, bright, and very Instagram-worthy.

The wink: You can literally wave to Juliet while drinking your morning coffee in your bathrobe.

The ultimate luxury: Vista Palazzo Verona

The vibe: If Hotel Due Torri is the king of tradition, then Hotel Vista Palazzo is the queen of modern, discrete luxury. It’s a stunning boutique hotel in an 18th-century mansion.

Why here? It features the only indoor pool in Verona’s historic center and a rooftop terrace that will leave you speechless. The service is so personal they’ll have your favorite flowers in your room before you’ve even checked in.

Deluxe: For couples who want to celebrate their love with vintage champagne and silk sheets.

Find your perfect base of operations: Prefer to hunt for that one hidden rooftop terrace or a suite overlooking a medieval square? Use the interactive map to compare all the romantic hotels in Verona. Tip: Zoom in on the historic center for the best atmosphere (and the shortest walk to your dinner date).

9. Practical tips for your trip

Arrival: plane or train?

• Airport (Aeroporto di Verona Villafranca – VRN): This is the most convenient option. From the airport, you can reach the city center in about 15 to 20 minutes.
• The Airlink (shuttle bus): The easiest way to get around. This shuttle runs every 20 minutes directly to the Verona Porta Nuova train station. From there, you can easily walk straight into the historic heart of the city.
• Taxi: Expect a flat rate of approximately €25 – €30 to the center.
• Train (Stazione Verona Porta Nuova): Verona is a major hub between Milan, Venice, and Florence. Coming from another Italian city? The high-speed trains (Frecciarossa or Italo) are fantastic: comfortable, fast, and they drop you right in the heart of the city.

Getting around the city

• On foot (the best option): Verona was made for walking. The historic center (the Centro Storico) is largely a pedestrian zone. Everything is within walking distance: from the Arena to Juliet’s House. Plus, exploring on foot allows you to discover those tiny side streets where the true romance hides.
• Public Transport (ATV Buses): Staying at a hotel outside the walls or just not in the mood for a long walk? The orange and blue ATV city buses will take you anywhere.
  • Tickets: Buy them in advance at a tabaccheria (newsstand) or use the Ticket Bus Verona app. On most buses, you can also simply pay contactless with your bank card upon boarding.
• Cycling (Verona Bike): Verona has an excellent bike-sharing system. Ideal for pedaling along the Adige River or zooming from one side of the city to the other.
• The Verona Card: If you plan on visiting both the Arena and Juliet’s House, the Verona Card is an absolute must. It not only grants you access to the main sights but also includes unlimited travel on the ATV city buses.

10. FAQ: Everything else you want to know about Romeo and Juliet in Verona

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The fine print, the big love: While I do everything I can to keep this 2026 guide up to date, love (and Italian bureaucracy) can be unpredictable. Opening hours or ticketing rules can change faster than Romeo changes his mind. Travelboulevard is not responsible for closed doors or broken hearts, but we are here for the best tips to prevent them.

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