Shopping tips from the Colomba d’Oro: from luxury boutiques to vintage markets

Verona is usually associated with its history, with the Verona Arena and the love story of Romeo and Juliet; as well as with major events such as Vinitaly or Valentine’s Day in the streets of “Love in the Villa”. But the Colomba d’Oro has also some tips about another side of the city: Verona is a top destination for shopping lovers. The old town, where the Colomba d’Oro is nestled, boasts a mix of high-fashion boutiques, elegant shops and vintage markets.

The main shopping streets of Verona are located in the heart of the historic center, a few steps from the Colomba d’Oro: Via Mazzini, Via Pellicciai, Via Cappello, Via Roma, Corso Porta Borsari, Corso Sant’Anastasia and Piazza delle Erbe, all perfectly connected to each other for an unparalleled shopping experience. Among clothing, eyewear, and shoe boutiques, but also bookshops and Botteghe Storiche di Verona, you can stroll and enjoy a varied and complete shopping experience.

One of the main shopping arteries in Verona is Via Mazzini, which connects the two main squares of the city: Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe. This street, which is just a few minutes from the Colomba d’Oro, is a true high fashion catwalk, with luxury boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Max Mara, Dolce & Gabbana and BOSS. Furthermore, even if it is not high fashion, we recommend a visit to the United Colors of Benetton store where, during renovation works in 2013, the remains of a Roman domus emerged, which are still clearly visible in the basement, including a stone wall and a beautifully preserved mosaic.

Talkin about luxury high fashion, the other unmissable street is Corso Portoni Borsari, also just a few minutes from the Colomba d’Oro: here you will find Folli Follie, a large multi-brand boutique dedicated to luxury brands such as Dior, Valentino, Céline and Saint Laurent; and opposite, just across the street, you will find the Etro boutique. Walkin along Corso Portoni Borsari you will also find Lo Scrittoio, a small paradise for pen collectors, which also displays its refined proposals in a window inside the meeting/coworking space of the Colomba d’Oro. Furthermore, in Corso Portoni Borsari you will find many jewelry stores, and among them a gem: the Gioielleria Porta Borsari, set like a diamond between the walls of a 13th century church, measures only 3.78 square meters (12 square feet) and therefore boasts the record of being the smallest jewelry store in the world! You can also admire the beautiful proposals of this renowned store in a display window inside the Colomba d’Oro. From there you will arrive in Piazza Erbe, so you can choose whether to keep going along Corso Santa Anastasia, where the antique shops are located, or move right to Via Cappello, where you will find the Armani boutique.

If you love shoes, bags and leather accessories, Verona is the ideal destination, thanks also to its typically Italian tradition of leather and wool processing. A few steps from the Colomba d’Oro, between Via Stella and Corso Sant’Anastasia, you can enter the workshops of local artisans, where they make custom-made shoes and high-quality leather accessories.

A few steps from the Hotel Colomba d’Oro you can also lose yourself in the pages of a good book. We recommend Gulliver Travel Books in Via Stella, near Juliet’s House: a bookshop strictly dedicated to books about travel and geography; while if you are a collector’s enthusiast, don’t miss the Libreria Antiquaria Perini in Via Amatore Sciesa n.11: here you will find a remarkable selection of rare and ancient books, the perfect place if you are looking for original pieces to add to your collection.

Finally, every first Sunday of the month, Piazza San Zeno hosts the Antiques and Vintage Market, a paradise for shoppers looking for antiques, collectibles and vintage clothing. Among the stalls, you may be lucky enough to discover hidden treasures, from the most fascinating curiosities to fashion items that tell stories of the past.

And after a day among luxury boutiques and vintage markets, you can treat yourself to a refined dinner in one of the city’s historic restaurants and, in the evening, inwind in one of our luxury rooms in Verona: the Colomba d’Oro is the four-star hotel closest to the Verona Arena, the perfect choiche for travelers who want to experience an unforgettable stay between shopping and art.