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Why Visit Ravenna
As the Western Roman Empire's final capital, Ravenna's history is told through its incredible Paleo-Christian mosaics. The city has eight UNESCO sites, including the Basilica of San Vitale and Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. A true Ravenna travel guide points out that some tesserae contain real gold leaf.
Beyond the city, Ravenna's landscape is shaped by the Po Delta Park, a vast wetland of over 52,000 hectares, ideal for birdwatching flamingos. You can cycle through ancient coastal pine woods or explore the Pialassa della Baiona lagoon by kayak, paddling past traditional fishing huts on stilts.
Discover Romagna's cuisine with cappelletti, traditionally filled with soft cheese and served in broth on holidays. The iconic piadina flatbread's authentic texture comes from lard. Explore the historic Mercato Coperto for local goods and enjoy a glass of bold Sangiovese wine from our hills.
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- RavennaItaly
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- RavennaItaly
Quick Travel Essentials
- Apr-Jun & Sep-Octmild weather, fewer tourists
- Jul-Aughot, busy with visitors
- Wintercool, chance of rain
- #ComfortableShoes
- #LightJacket
- #Sunscreen
- #PowerAdapterTypeC
- #ReusableWaterBottle
- 3-4 days for main highlights
- 5-6 with side trips or beaches
- Euro (€)
- Italian
- English widely spoken in tourist areas
- #BasilicaDiSanVitale
- #MausoleumOfGallaPlacidia
- #BasilicaDiSantApollinareNuovo
- #DanteAlighieriTomb
- #BattisteroDegliOrthodossi
- #PalazzoDiGiustizia
- Explore the mosaics
- Visit the local markets
- Sample traditional piadina
- Stroll through the old town
- Attend a local festival
Recommended Hotels in Ravenna by Experience
Things to do in Ravenna
Discover
Explore what to see in Ravenna, home to eight UNESCO sites with stunning Byzantine mosaics. Visit the Basilica di San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and the Neonian Baptistery. The MAR - Ravenna Art Museum showcases contemporary mosaics.
Experience
Cycle through pine forests to nearby beaches like Marina di Ravenna. Discover local flavors with piadina flatbread at a market. Enjoy the Ravenna Festival in summer or attend a mosaic-making workshop to learn the ancient craft firsthand.
Basilica di San Vitale
Octagonal church with spectacular Byzantine mosaics.
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
UNESCO site with the city's oldest mosaic decorations.
Dante's Tomb (Tomba di Dante)
Neoclassical tomb of the famed Italian poet, Dante Alighieri.
Neonian Baptistery
5th-century octagonal structure with a stunning ceiling mosaic.
MAR - Ravenna Art Museum
Art museum with collections from the 14th century to today.
Mosaic Making Workshop
Hands-on class learning the ancient art of mosaic creation.
Pineta di Classe
Historic pine forest for walking, cycling, and birdwatching.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
The best way how to get to Ravenna is by flying into Bologna Airport (BLQ). From there, take the Marconi Express to Bologna Centrale station for a direct train to Ravenna (approx. 1h 15m). A Ravenna shuttle bus is also available from the airport.
Getting Around
Ravenna's compact center is easily walkable. For longer distances, public transport in Ravenna consists of an efficient bus network. Renting a bike is a popular local option. Car rental in Ravenna is available, but note the numerous ZTL restricted zones.
Local Essentials
When you plan a trip to Ravenna, know that driving in Ravenna's center is limited by ZTL zones-use paid parking lots on the edge. Purchase the combined ticket for mosaic sites to save. Always validate bus tickets in the onboard machines to avoid fines.
Where to Stay in Ravenna
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Explore traditional food in Ravenna by tasting cappelletti al ragù and the iconic piadina romagnola flatbread. Locals embrace the evening aperitivo, a pre-dinner drink with snacks. It's the best way to eat and discover the city's authentic culinary rhythm.
Enjoy
For the best restaurants in Ravenna, dine at Trattoria La Rustica for its cozy vibe, book ahead. Grab a glass at Ca' de Ven's historic bar, stand inside. Start your day at Coffee Corte Cavour for a true local café experience.
Ca' de Ven
Historic spot for piadina and local wine. Always busy.
Trattoria La Rustica
Classic Romagnolo dishes. Reservation is essential.
Il Portolano Trattoria di Pesce
Fresh, high-quality seafood. Intimate setting.
La Piadina del Melarancio
Quick, authentic piadina flatbread. Great for lunch.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore Ravenna's heritage through its authentic events. See the Carnevale dei Ragazzi with its allegorical floats. Must-see religious celebrations like the Festa di San Vitale connect the city to its Byzantine past, offering unique things to do.
Enjoy
Experience Ravenna's contemporary pulse at the Ravenna Festival, a must-see for classical music and opera lovers. Discover modern mosaic art during the Biennale di Mosaico Contemporaneo, one of the top Ravenna attractions.
Ravenna Festival
Summer festival of opera, classical music, dance, and theater.
Biennale di Mosaico Contemporaneo
A biennial exhibition of contemporary mosaic art held in autumn.
La Notte d'Oro
October's white night with shows, exhibits, and late openings.
Carnevale dei Ragazzi
February celebration with parades of allegorical floats for kids.
Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest
October film festival dedicated to the dark side of cinema.
GiovinBacco
October food and wine event celebrating Romagna's local cuisine.
A wonderfully peaceful city
Ravenna is a wonderfully peaceful city, perfect for just wandering. Everything is so close together, and the history is all around you. The central Piazza del Popolo is a great place to sit and watch the world go by. A very relaxing trip.
Breathtaking Mosaics
The mosaics are the main draw and for good reason. I've never seen anything like them. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia felt like stepping into a starry night sky. The colors are just breathtaking. Photos really can't capture it.
Authentic and Delicious
Ravenna has a really lovely, authentic feel, not overwhelmed by tourism. The food is simple and delicious; getting a fresh piadina romagnola from a street stand was one of the best things I ate in Italy. It's a great city for a slow-paced break.
So easy to get around
I really liked how compact the city center is. You can walk from Dante's Tomb to the big basilicas in no time. It makes for a very low-stress visit, with plenty of time to stop for an espresso at a cafe along the way.
Great for Culture and Coast
A great spot if you want both history and the coast. The city is full of amazing ancient buildings, but we also took a short drive out to Marina di Ravenna for some sea air. It's nice to have that option so close by for a change of scenery.
Calm and Magnificent
This was a much quieter experience than other Italian cities. The Basilica di San Vitale is absolutely a must-see; the mosaics are just magnificent. I felt very comfortable exploring the streets. It's a very calm and pleasant place.