Opera at the Arena di Verona: how to choose your seat, and how to enjoy the evening

By Riccardo · LikeGarda, Garda

An evening at the Arena di Verona is one of the most beautiful things you can do from Lake Garda. Every seat is numbered, so the choice is not about where you will end up, but about how you like to sit and how close you want to be to the stage. As an official Arena ticket reseller, this is the question we are asked most.

The sectors, in plain words

• Stalls, Tribune and their variants: numbered seat with an upholstered backrest and padded seat, closest to the stage.
• Sectors 1–3 (Verdi, Puccini, Rossini): numbered seat with a backrest, not upholstered.
• Sectors 4–6: numbered place on the ancient stone steps, without a chair. It is the most affordable way in, and the view from above takes in the whole stage and the amphitheatre.

So which one? When people ask us, our honest answer is: it depends on your back. If sitting on stone for a whole opera worries you, choose a seat with a backrest. If you are happy on the steps, they give you the Arena from above at the lowest price.

On the steps: a cushion helps

If your place is on the stone steps, you can bring a cushion from home or buy one at the Arena from the staff.

What you can bring in

• A small backpack (bags and backpacks over 17 litres are not allowed) and a small folding umbrella without sharp points.
• No food or drinks; plastic bottles over 0.5 litres and glass are not allowed.
• No cameras, video cameras or tripods.
• Clothing in the stalls: men are not allowed in with shorts, tank tops or flip-flops. Our advice: long trousers and closed shoes, so there are no surprises at the gate. On the steps the atmosphere is more relaxed, but tidy clothes are always appreciated.

The gates open two hours before the show, and the Arena asks spectators to arrive at least one hour early.

If the weather is uncertain

In case of rain, the start can be delayed by up to 150 minutes. If a performance is interrupted after it has begun, tickets are not refunded. On uncertain evenings, a little patience is part of the experience.

A piece of advice for your first opera

Every now and then, close your eyes and listen. Let the music and the place do the rest.

Opera with transfer from the lakeVerona Opera Arena: Transfer from Lake Garda

Quick answers

Are the seats on the steps of the Arena di Verona numbered?

Yes. Sectors 4, 5 and 6 are numbered places on the stone steps, without a chair.

Can I bring a cushion to the Arena?

Yes, for places on the stone steps you can bring one from home or buy one at the Arena.

What should I wear at the Arena di Verona?

In the stalls men are not allowed in with shorts, tank tops or flip-flops: long trousers and closed shoes are the safe choice. On the steps the atmosphere is more relaxed, with tidy clothes.

When do the gates open?

Two hours before the show. The Arena asks spectators to arrive at least one hour early.

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