Ravenna Travel Guide

Eight early Christian monuments in Ravenna, from the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia to Sant'Apollinare in Classe, make up one UNESCO World Heritage listing.

One Day Right Now With Kids In The Rain At Night When To Go

Ravenna Travel Guide: One Day Among The Mosaics

One day in Ravenna can run from the porticoed expanse of Piazza del Popolo to the mosaics, lanes and an unhurried evening.

1Morning
Piazza Del Popolo in Ravenna, Italy

Piazza Del Popolo

Begin in Piazza del Popolo, a broad pedestrian piazza with a portico of tall granite columns, cafe tables and old palazzi.

2Late Morning
Galla Placidia And San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy

Galla Placidia And San Vitale

See the tiny cross-shaped Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, its deep blue vault scattered with gold stars, then San Vitale, where admissions run in slots.

3Afternoon
Dante's Tomb And The Quiet Lanes in Ravenna, Italy

Dante's Tomb And The Quiet Lanes

Dante's tomb is free to enter, and around it the pedestrian-friendly grid of arcades, cobbled lanes and low brick buildings rewards slow wandering.

4Evening
Back To The Centre in Ravenna, Italy

Back To The Centre

Return through the ZTL-restricted centre to Piazza del Popolo for a final drink under the granite-columned portico.

Guided tour card for Ravenna: UNESCO Monuments and Mosaics Guided Tour, valid 24 hours.
UNESCO Monuments Guided Walk 4.8 from 3,881 reviews · from $31
Check availability

Ravenna Right Now: This Season

At the last check, on 15 October, the forecast for the Ravenna waterfront was 21°C and partly cloudy. Sunset was at 18:27, so the evening light was best from about 17:27.

In ARPAE's air-quality bulletin for 14 October, mean PM10 across the 8 Ravenna-province stations that reported was 17 micrograms per cubic metre. The EU daily limit is 50.

Forecast, waterfront
21°C
partly cloudy, cloud 48%
Sunrise and sunset
07:26 / 18:27
15 October, Ravenna time
Golden hour
from 17:27
about an hour before sunset
Sea, Adriatic Sea
24.0°C
NOAA OISST value of 28 September

Weather data from MET Norway (Locationforecast 2.0 and Sunrise 3.0, Norwegian Meteorological Institute), under NLOD 2.0 / CC BY 4.0. A forecast-model value for the grid point at the Piazza del Popolo, not a thermometer reading. Sea temperature: NOAA OISST (NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, daily 0.25 degree analysis), Adriatic Sea, as last published.

Air quality from ARPAE Emilia-Romagna (daily bulletin, CC BY 4.0 (credit ARPAE)), mean PM10 of the reporting stations.

Ravenna Travel Guide To The Mosaics And Monuments

Ravenna holds eight UNESCO-listed early Christian monuments, plus Dante's tomb and the Classis museum.

Basilica Of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy UNESCO, Combo From EUR 9.50 Reduced Basilica Of San VitaleSan Vitale is an octagonal Byzantine church with a gold, green and blue apse mosaic; admissions run in scheduled slots. Mausoleum Of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy UNESCO, Combo From EUR 11.50 Reduced Mausoleum Of Galla PlacidiaA tiny cross-shaped brick mausoleum with a blue vault of gold stars; entry time booking is mandatory and stays last 5 minutes. Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy UNESCO, Combo From EUR 9.50 Reduced Sant'Apollinare NuovoSant'Apollinare Nuovo has a long nave of marble columns and high walls with a mosaic procession of white-robed figures on gold. Mausoleum Of Theodoric in Ravenna, Italy UNESCO, EUR 6 Mausoleum Of TheodoricA ten-sided pale stone mausoleum topped by one huge monolithic dome; EUR 6 entry, EUR 5 concession, closed 25 Dec and 1 Jan. Dante's Tomb in Ravenna, Italy Free Dante's TombDante's tomb is free to enter, open 10:00-18:00 November to March and 10:00-19:00 April to October, closed 25 Dec. Sant'Apollinare In Classe in Ravenna, Italy UNESCO, EUR 6 Sant'Apollinare In ClasseA large red-brick basilica with a tall round bell tower standing alone on flat fields; EUR 6 full, EUR 2 reduced. Neonian Baptistery in Ravenna, Italy UNESCO, Combo From EUR 11.50 Reduced Neonian BaptisteryAn octagonal baptistery with a deep blue and gold dome mosaic around a central figure in water; entry time booking is mandatory, 5 minute stays. Classis Ravenna Museum in Ravenna, Italy Classis Ravenna MuseumClassis Ravenna Museum, in a restored old building, shows the city's story plus a long ancient floor mosaic under glass; open daily 10:00-17:00.
7,922 traveller reviewsacross 44 checked tours
From $7cheapest paid tour today
Prices checkedagainst the booking page, refreshed monthly

Ravenna Tours Worth Booking

Answer three quick questions and get a shortlist of Forty-four tours matched to your plans.

1. What kind of experience are you after?
2. What do you want to pay per person?
3. Crowded and well known, or quiet?

Below is a starting shortlist of the best-reviewed tours. Answer any question to rebuild it around you.

  1. UNESCO Monuments Guided Walk 24 hours from $31 ★ 4.8 3,881 Check availability
  2. Mosaic Tiles Focused Walk from $32 ★ 4.8 2,056 Check availability
  3. Entry Tickets Only 24 hours from $14 ★ 4.7 619 Check availability
  4. Mosaic Highlights, Tickets Included 24 hours from $66 ★ 4.8 176 Check availability
  5. Private Walk, Local Expert 24 hours from $391 ★ 5 145 Check availability
  6. Private Byzantine Mosaics Focus 24 hours from $290 ★ 4.8 113 Check availability
  7. Guided Mosaics, Admission Included from $67 ★ 4.9 110 Check availability
  8. Most Beautiful Mosaics Walk from $195 ★ 4.9 99 Check availability
  9. Venice by Boat and Gondola from $456 ★ 4.9 88 Check availability
  10. Private Best-of-City Tour from $297 ★ 5 85 Check availability
  11. Mosaics Walk, Food Tastings 24 hours from $127 ★ 5 69 Check availability
  12. Mosaics Day Trip from Bologna from $69 ★ 4.5 58 Check availability
  13. Bologna Start, UNESCO Monuments 24 hours from $56 ★ 4.4 52 Check availability
  14. La Bellezza Autentica Mosaics 24 hours from $67 ★ 4.6 38 Check availability
  15. Private UNESCO Mosaics Walk 24 hours from $229 ★ 4.8 36 Check availability
  16. Pasta, Piadina, Gelato Tasting from $130 ★ 4.9 33 Check availability
  17. Audio and Written Guide from $7 ★ 4.6 31 Check availability
  18. Private Mosaics, Local Guide from $217 ★ 5 28 Check availability
  19. Private Top Sights Walk 24 hours from $166 ★ 4.9 23 Check availability
  20. Budget Private Mosaics Walk 24 hours from $56 ★ 3.8 20 Check availability
  21. 5-Hour Gelato Making Class 5 hours from $77 ★ 4.8 19 Check availability
  22. 2-Hour Private Mosaic Tour from $217 ★ 5 16 Check availability
  23. Dante's Ravenna Audio Tour from $15 ★ 4.4 15 Check availability
  24. Private Art Tour, Crypts from $308 ★ 5 14 Check availability
  25. Private Sights and Monuments Walk from $170 ★ 4.5 12 Check availability
  26. 7-Hour Venice Shore Excursion from $99 ★ 4.5 11 Check availability
  27. Private Tour, Romagna Flavors from $143 ★ 5 10 Check availability
  28. Private Kids and Families Walk from $409 ★ 4.9 10 Check availability
  29. Private Half-Day Treasures Walk from $274 ★ 4.9 9 Check availability
  30. Exclusive Private Discovery Walk 24 hours from $279 ★ 5 6 Check availability
  31. Artisan Gelato Class, Gelateria from $79 ★ 5 6 Check availability
  32. Birdwatching, 40 Species Guaranteed 24 hours from $223 ★ 4.8 6 Check availability
  33. Guided E-Bike Tour 24 hours from $73 ★ 4.7 6 Check availability
  34. City Highlights Guided Walk 24 hours from $229 ★ 4.9 4 Check availability
  35. Piadina Cooking Class 24 hours from $61 ★ 4.6 4 Check availability
  36. Sunrise or Sunset Mosaics 24 hours from $61 ★ 5 3 Check availability
  37. Emilian Home Cooking Class from $125 ★ 4.7 3 Check availability
  38. Private Walk, Mosaic Workshop 24 hours from $346 ★ 5 2 Check availability
  39. Winery Visit, Wine and Food 24 hours from $55 ★ 5 2 Check availability
  40. Small-Group Market and Cooking from $148 ★ 5 2 Check availability
  41. Beach Lunch, From Bologna 24 hours from $445 ★ 4.7 2 Check availability
  42. Dark Ravenna Crime Walk 24 hours from $22 Check availability
  43. Ferrara and Comacchio Day Trip from $456 Check availability
  44. History and Beach Lunch Day from $456 Check availability

Ravenna Travel Guide By Mood: Kids, Rain, Night, Winter

Ravenna Travel Guide To The Evening

Piazza del Popolo, a broad pedestrian square with a granite-columned portico, cafe tables and old palazzi, anchors the evening.

Piazza Del Popolo in Ravenna, ItalyPiazza Del PopoloA broad pedestrian piazza with a portico of tall granite columns, cafe tables and old palazzi. Ravenna Nightlife in Ravenna, ItalyRavenna NightlifeA guide to evenings out in Ravenna, from bars to events. Ravenna Festival in Ravenna, ItalyRavenna FestivalA music festival; the autumn trilogy 'Mozart 1791' plays at Teatro Alighieri on 13-17 November 2026.
Card for a Ravenna sunrise or sunset tour among ancient mosaics.Bookable TourSunrise or Sunset Mosaics5.0 from 3 reviews · from $61Check availability
Piazza del Popolo in Ravenna, Italy Dante's tomb in Ravenna, Italy

Free Things To Do In Ravenna

Dante's tomb is free, and the piazza and lanes cost nothing. State museums and monuments are free on the first Sunday of the month.

Dante's Tomb Piazza Del Popolo Pineta Di Classe All Free Things To Do Ravenna On A Budget

Ravenna Travel Guide To Piadina And Evenings Out

Romagna food starts with piadina, the regional flatbread, and cappelletti, its filled pasta. Both travel well from lunch counter to dinner table on an evening in the centre.

Piadina Romagnola in Ravenna, Italy Piadina Romagnola Piadina is a flatbread from Romagna, served warm and folded around cured meats or cheese. Cappelletti In Romagna in Ravenna, Italy Cappelletti In Romagna Cappelletti are filled pasta from Romagna, most often served in broth or with butter and sage. Food Tours And Cooking Classes in Ravenna, Italy Food Tours And Cooking Classes Ravenna has food tours and cooking classes, including gelato making, piadina lessons and home-cooking sessions.

Ravenna On The Map

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Click the map to zoom with the scroll wheel. Numbers match the list.

  1. Piazza del PopoloPiazza del Popolo, where most walks start
  2. Basilica of San VitaleMosaic or Monument · 410 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  3. Mausoleum of Galla PlacidiaMosaic or Monument · 410 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  4. Basilica of Sant'Apollinare NuovoMosaic or Monument · 430 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  5. Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in ClasseMosaic or Monument · 4.9 km from the Piazza del Popolo
  6. Neonian BaptisteryMosaic or Monument · 310 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  7. Arian BaptisteryMosaic or Monument · 240 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  8. Archiepiscopal ChapelMosaic or Monument · 350 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  9. Mausoleum of TheodoricMosaic or Monument · 1.1 km from the Piazza del Popolo
  10. Dante's TombCentre · 200 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  11. Classis Ravenna MuseumCoast or Pinewood · 5.2 km from the Piazza del Popolo
  12. Domus dei Tappeti di PietraCentre · 400 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  13. National Museum of RavennaCentre · 450 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  14. Basilica of San FrancescoCentre · 240 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  15. Palace of TheodoricCentre · 430 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  16. Ravenna CathedralCentre · 340 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  17. MirabilandiaCoast or Pinewood · 10 km from the Piazza del Popolo
  18. Pineta di ClasseCoast or Pinewood · 9.7 km from the Piazza del Popolo
  19. Rocca BrancaleoneCentre · 700 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  20. Historic CentreCentre · 240 m from the Piazza del Popolo
  21. Marina di RavennaCoast or Pinewood · 9.8 km from the Piazza del Popolo
  22. Punta MarinaCoast or Pinewood · 7.6 km from the Piazza del Popolo
  23. Lido di ClasseCoast or Pinewood · 15 km from the Piazza del Popolo
  24. Lido AdrianoCoast or Pinewood · 8.7 km from the Piazza del Popolo
  25. Lido di SavioCoast or Pinewood · 17 km from the Piazza del Popolo
  26. Porto CorsiniCoast or Pinewood · 10 km from the Piazza del Popolo
  27. ClasseCoast or Pinewood · 5.1 km from the Piazza del Popolo

Ravenna Travel Guide To Day Trips: Bologna, Ferrara, Rimini

Bologna and Rimini both have direct regional trains from Ravenna.

Bologna in Ravenna, ItalyBy Train

Bologna

Bologna is about 84 km away by direct regional train, typically 1h to 1h22.

68.5 km, straight lineRead The Bologna Guide
Ferrara in Ravenna, ItalyCastle Town

Ferrara

Ferrara, 65.5 km straight line from Piazza del Popolo, has a moated brick castle with four corner towers.

65.5 km, straight lineRead The Ferrara Guide
Rimini in Ravenna, ItalyBeach Resort

Rimini

Rimini, a beach resort 49.9 km straight line from Piazza del Popolo, is about 42 to 58 minutes by direct regional train.

49.9 km, straight lineRead The Rimini Guide
Venice in Ravenna, ItalyFrom The Cruise Port

Venice

Venice, 113.6 km straight line from Piazza del Popolo, has narrow canals between faded brick palazzi.

4.9 from 88 reviews · from $456Check availability

All Ravenna Day Trips

Ravenna Travel Guide, Month By Month

Month by month temperature and rainfall for Ravenna, to help with planning a visit.

November is Ravenna's wettest month at 78.3 mm and July the driest at 38.1 mm, 2.1 times less, in a year of about 674 mm.

Jan: 5.1℃Feb: 5.8℃Mar: 9.4℃Apr: 13.1℃May: 17.9℃Jun: 22.6℃Jul: 25.2℃Aug: 25℃Sep: 20.3℃Oct: 15.7℃Nov: 10.6℃Dec: 6.1℃ 04590 0°15°30° JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec Rain mm Temp ℃
  • Monthly rainfall (mm)
  • Mean temperature (°C)
ERA5 reanalysis (Copernicus, ECMWF), Ravenna, 1991-2020 monthly averages: July is warmest at 25.2°C average, January coldest at 5.1°C, November wettest at 78.3 mm and July driest at 38.1 mm, 673.6 mm across the year.
MonthMean tempMean highMean lowRainfallRain days
January5.1°C8.7°C1.9°C43.8 mm7
February5.8°C10°C2°C56.4 mm7.7
March9.4°C13.6°C5.1°C54.9 mm8.1
April13.1°C17.2°C8.6°C66 mm9.8
May17.9°C22.1°C13.2°C58.2 mm8.8
June22.6°C26.8°C17.6°C45.6 mm6.9
July25.2°C29.4°C20.2°C38.1 mm5.8
August25°C29.3°C20.3°C44.7 mm6.5
September20.3°C24.4°C16.2°C57.9 mm7.7
October15.7°C19.4°C12.1°C66 mm8.7
November10.6°C13.9°C7.6°C78.3 mm10.1
December6.1°C9.4°C3.1°C63.7 mm9.3

Data: ERA5 reanalysis (Copernicus Climate Change Service, ECMWF), Ravenna monthly normals 1991-2020, ERA5 reanalysis, Ravenna monthly normals 1991-2020.

Ravenna Travel Guide To Where To Stay

Three areas work well for a stay in Ravenna: the historic centre, the streets around the station, and the coast at Marina di Ravenna.

Historic Centre in Ravenna, Italy

Historic Centre

Best For A First Visit

The historic centre puts the mosaic monuments at your door, with stays near San Vitale and Galla Placidia or a short walk from the station.

Where To Stay In Ravenna
Near The Station in Ravenna, Italy

Near The Station

Best For Arriving By Train

Streets around the train station, within walking distance of the mosaic sites and handy for the cruise shuttle pick-up 300 m away.

Where To Stay In Ravenna
Marina Di Ravenna in Ravenna, Italy

Marina Di Ravenna

Best For Beach Time

Beach resort on the Ravenna coast, about 35 km of it, reached by Start Romagna buses from the station.

Where To Stay In Ravenna

Ravenna Planning Guides

How To Get To Ravenna Best Time To Visit Ravenna How Many Days In Ravenna The Ravenna Combo Ticket Getting Around Ravenna Is Ravenna Safe

What Visitors Say

“Maurice was so good, so informative and quite funny too. Not only did he give a great tour, he gave great advice on where to go for other tours, eats and drinks. He is so knowledgeable. I thought he was one of the best tour guides I've had.”

Michelle, Verified traveller review of UNESCO Monuments Guided Walk

“Very beautiful mosaics. It was a good thing that we had made a reservation because it was very busy.”

Chris, Verified traveller review of Entry Tickets Only

“Our guide was so knowledgeable and made the history of the churches explained so a layman could understand. The mosaics are so beautiful.”

James, Verified traveller review of Mosaic Highlights, Tickets Included

“Marta was engaging, articulate and knowledgeable. She made the mosaics sing!”

Rosalind, Verified traveller review of Private Walk, Local Expert

“Rita was knowledgeable, lovely and had a great sense of humor. Pacing was perfect. Terrific experience.”

robert, Verified traveller review of Private Byzantine Mosaics Focus

“Martha is a very knowledgeable, competent and friendly guide. She gave us an in-depth yet easy-to-understand introduction to the wonderful world of mosaics in the city of Ravenna. We also enjoyed the breaks with delicious treats.”

Ararad, Verified traveller review of Mosaics Walk, Food Tastings

“The guide had a good tempo and was professional. Very well organized!”

Alin, Verified traveller review of Bologna Start, UNESCO Monuments

“Very friendly and knowledgeable guided tour of Ravenna's historical sights.”

Christian, Verified traveller review of Private Top Sights Walk

“Excelente visita. Completa, dentro de los tiempos, agradecimiento especial a la guía local (Flora), hizo la visita una experiencia muy informativa.”

Francisco, Verified traveller review of Private UNESCO Mosaics Walk

“Guide was very informative and made the history interesting.”

Luz del Carmen, Verified traveller review of Budget Private Mosaics Walk

Verified traveller reviews, reproduced word for word including the reviewer's own wording.

44 tours compared by price and rating · from $744 tours · from $7 Compare Tours →