Ravenna

Mosaics, History and Charm

Ravenna, Italy stands out as a city rich in history and art. Founded by the Romans, it became an important center during the Byzantine era. Today visitors can see stunning mosaics covering many ancient churches. The city’s coastal location brings mild weather most of the year. Local markets sell fresh seafood alongside regional cheeses and breads. Walking along quiet streets reveals well-preserved buildings from different centuries. Ravenna remains a place where past and present coexist without much fuss, making it easy to explore while enjoying its cultural heritage.

Add to list Map view

City in Italy

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 7.9

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	9

Read details

3/5

English is understood in most tourist spots, especially by younger locals and in hotels. However, outside tourist areas, communication in English may be limited, so a few phrases in Italian could be useful.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Ravenna Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

World-famous for Byzantine mosaics. Visit historic churches filled with intricate artworks, explore quiet streets and enjoy relaxed Italian squares.

Place score

8.0

Best at:

Historic sites

Guided tours

Art

Walkable

Architecture

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

💻 9

Digital Nomads

🥗 9

Vegetarian

Italy – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Italy, particularly in cities. While larger establishments and chains are fully cashless, smaller shops may still prefer cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Italy, especially in restaurants where 10-15% is typical. Tipping for taxi drivers is usually rounded up or 5-10%. Small tips for hotel staff are also appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Italy, especially in public squares and during festivals. In some regions, it is illegal to drink alcohol in certain areas like public transport or near schools.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces and on public transport. Designated smoking areas are available outside.

Ferragosto (August)	Many businesses close, and Italians take holidays. It’s very busy in tourist areas.
Christmas (December)	Christmas markets and festivities are popular, expect higher prices and crowded attractions.
La Befana (January)	Celebrated on January 6, the Epiphany is a public holiday with festive events, and some businesses close.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Free Now, ItTaxi
Other:	Italy's tourist infrastructure is well-developed, but some rural or historical areas may require extra planning for accessibility.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Ravenna, Italy

🌤️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Oct.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Beach clubs and seaside hotels on the coast mostly open May to mid September, many close the rest of the year

Mid August (Ferragosto): beaches packed, some city shops and restaurants closed

Don't miss

🕌 Marvel at the golden mosaics in Basilica di San Vitale
🎨 Visit the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia’s vivid mosaics
📜 Explore Dante Alighieri’s tomb and pay literary respects
🏛️ Stroll through Piazza del Popolo’s historic architecture
🖼️ Admire Byzantine art inside the Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
🍷 Enjoy local piadina and a glass of Sangiovese wine

You've been here?

Why travel to Ravenna?

Ravenna is a dream come true for history buffs and art lovers. It’s home to some of the best-preserved early Christian mosaics, along with beautiful churches, stunning architecture and even a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whether you’re wandering through ancient basilicas or admiring the famous mosaics at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna’s cultural treasures are endless. The city is less crowded than other Italian destinations, which makes it perfect for a laid-back, intimate exploration of Italy’s rich past. However, keep in mind that Ravenna’s relatively small size means you might not find as many high-end accommodations or international restaurants as in larger cities. But it’s still a place full of character and charm.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 San Petronio
This historic basilica in Ravenna features stunning mosaics and a grand dome, drawing pilgrims and art lovers alike. Its intricate designs reflect centuries of craftsmanship within this UNESCO World Heritage site's rich cultural landscape.
2 Piazza del Popolo
3 Basilica di San Vitale
4 Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista
5 Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
6 Arian Baptistery
7 Mausoleum of Theodoric
8 Tomba di Dante
9 Palazzo Rasponi

🎡Places for activities

1 Domus of Stone Carpets
2 Mirabilandia
3 Museo Byron
4 Museo del Risorgimento e della Resistenza

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Parco del Delta del Po
2 Viale della Stazione
3 Spiaggia Marina di Ravenna
4 Bagno Coco Beach
5 Oasi Park
6 Business Park

🛍️Shopping

1 Market
2 Viale della Libertà
3 Stradello Augusto Bartolotti

🎈Events

Ravenna Festival
Mosaic Week
Ravenna Jazz Festival
Dante Week
Medieval Costume Festival
Art and Culture Fair
Ravenna Beach Festival
Summer Concerts in Ravenna
Festa di San Vitale
Cultural Heritage Days

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Book combo tickets for UNESCO mosaic sites in advance online.
Start with Basilica di San Vitale to see stunning 6th-century Byzantine mosaics in golden hues.
Wear layers; ancient churches can be chilly inside despite warm Italian weather outside.
Visit Galla Placidia's Mausoleum at dusk for magical light effects on blue-toned mosaic stars and apostles.

How to travel to Ravenna

You can fly into Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, around an hour's drive from Ravenna. Alternatively, you can take a train from Bologna or Venice to Ravenna, which is well-connected by Italy’s extensive rail network. Buses from nearby cities also reach Ravenna.

Access summary

From Bologna Airport (BLQ): Marconi Express + train or shuttle, about 1.5–2 hours.
From Bologna: Regional trains from Bologna Centrale, usually around 1–1.5 hours.
From Venice: Indirect regional trains with changes, typically 3–4 hours total.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Ravenna

Ravenna offers a range of accommodations, from boutique hotels in the city center to more affordable options on the outskirts. It’s known for its small, family-run hotels that offer a cozy stay. Luxury options are limited, but there are charming guesthouses and a few higher-end choices.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Mosaico & Residence

8.3

Grand Hotel Castrocaro Longlife Formula

Hotel Terme di Castel San Pietro

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Ravenna

Ravenna is a small city, making it easy to explore on foot or by bike. The town center is pedestrian-friendly and you can also rent bikes for a more relaxed way to get around. Public transport options, such as buses, are available but less frequent than in bigger cities.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-8 %

Daily expenses in Ravenna are around 8% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£59	£132	£362
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£60	£135
🍝 Food per day	£26	£61	£177
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£10	£50

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£25
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£12
🍟 Fast food combo	£8.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£9
☕ Cappuccino	£1.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.40
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£32
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.50

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£8
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£90
🤧 Cold medication	£9
💇 Basic haircut	£12.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Ravenna is very safe for tourists. The city is peaceful and violent crime is virtually nonexistent. As in any city, keep an eye on your belongings, especially in busy tourist areas, but overall, it’s a very relaxed and friendly place.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Ravenna are adequate, with a hospital and several clinics available. It's a good idea to have travel insurance in case of emergency. Pharmacies are common and most offer over-the-counter medications in English.

Accessibility

Ravenna is relatively accessible, with most major attractions being wheelchair-friendly. However, some older buildings may have limited access for people with mobility issues. It's always a good idea to check in advance.

Tap water

Tap water in Ravenna is drinkable and there are public water fountains in the city center where you can refill your bottle. Bottled water is available at cafes and shops if preferred.