Ravenna is a beautiful town in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. Once the capital of Western Europe, its fascinating history is still very evident today and its collection of monuments and mosaics have even seen it awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. But, despite this, you won’t find its streets packed with tourists. Far from it. This is a town where you can genuinely feel like you’re one of the locals as you wander around its charming streets.
Here’s our guide to what to see and do in Ravenna, allowing you to make the very most of your time there.
1. Enjoy a spot of people watching in the Piazza del Popolo
This is Ravenna’s main square. For those arriving by public transport, it’s a quick 10 minute walk from the railway station. The piazza is beautiful, home to the 15th Palazzo Communale (town hall). You’ll also find two tall columns in the square, topped with Ravenna’s patron saints – San Vitale and Sant’ Apollinare. These were erected by the Venetians during their rule here. Grab a coffee at one of the many cafes that also line the square and just enjoy watching the world go by!
2. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage mosaics and the monuments that house them
It is safe to say that most people visit Ravenna to view its mosaics. There are eight monuments in total ā theĀ Galla PlacidiaĀ Mausoleum (home to some superb, richly coloured mosaics), theĀ Mausoleum of TheodericĀ and theĀ Baptistery of NeonĀ (which boasts spectacular cupola decorated with mosaics), the Arian Baptistery (which also has an incredible cupola), theĀ Basilica di San Vitale, the Palazzo ArcivescovileĀ and, last but not least, SantāApollinare in Classe which is situated just outside Ravenna. The mosaics here depict the transfiguration of Christ along with St Apollinaris with his sheep.
We can highly recommend taking a tour of Ravenna to allow you to explore the beautiful Unesco World Heritage sites in the city and to learn about the history along the way through the ancient mosaics. There are a variety of these Ravenna tours available throughout the city to suit your visit.
3) Enjoy a day at Mirabilandia
The largest amusement park in Italy, Mirabilandia has a huge variety of rides for all ages, from a Dinoland to a Ducati area dedicated to motorcycles. It is just a 20 minute journey out of the city centre. It’s a great place to go, particularly if you have children who may not be as interested in the incredible Byzantine history of Ravenna as much as the adults! To save time, purchase your tickets to Mirablandia online ahead of time.
4) Visit Ravenna’s museums
Located next to a basilica from the 6th century the Museo Nazionale in Ravenna has been exhibiting artefacts since 1885. Originally it displayed items gathered by monks from Italian cities. Now the museum also includes delicate objects connected to the UNESCO world heritage sites and other archaeological finds.
MAR is Ravenna’s art gallery. This has both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Probably its most important artefact is the marble effigy of the knight Guidarello Guidarelli by Tullio Lombardo.
5) Visit Dante’s tomb
The Tomba di Dante is an 18th century Italian chapel and monument built over the tomb of the poet Dante Alighieri who died in Ravenna in 1321. It is a peaceful place where you can learn about his work and discover the Italian poet’s life story whilst looking at the beautiful Italian architecture. The chapel is home to a bas-relief of Dante by Pietro Lombardo and you’ll find that there is a permanent light left burning here, fulled by oil donated from Dante’s birthplace – Florence.
6) Hit the shops!
Ravenna is home to many beautiful handmade goods which are the perfect souvenirs to take home with you. Exploring the city on foot is also the best way to see all the narrow streets and emerge yourself in the Italian culture. You will find these small shops selling local produce in the centre of town and is a good afternoon that all the family can enjoy.
7) Cool off at the Mirabeach water park
The Mirabeach waterpark is the perfect way to spend the day if you need to cool off! Home to high adrenalin fuelled slides as well as tamer rides such as a lazy river, it’s a fantastic family day out. Book your Mirabeach tickets ahead of your stay to avoid the queues!
8) Go to the movies
The Rocca Branceleone is Ravenna’s old fortress. These days it is home to a small park with children’s play area and charming cafe. It is also possible to watch the latest films here in June and July each year when the space becomes an outdoor cinema. It shows a variety of films, with something for for all ages. It’s a great option for some relaxing summer nights
9) Discover Ravenna’s Roman remains
Head to the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra (which translates as House of the Stone Carpets) and you can discover the Roman mosaics which have been relatively recently discovered here.
10) Visit the flooded crypt of San Francesco
The origins of the Basilica di San Francesco in Ravenna go way back to the 5th century. However, the original church was demolished in the 9th century and a larger church built in its place. Since then it has seen a number of renovations, with most taking place between the 16th and 18th centuries. However, for us, the most impressive part of the building is its flooded crypt. Due to the fact it is covered with water, it is only possible to view it from the edge but that still allows you a great view of then mosaics that sit underneath and of the goldfish that swim in the water!
As with any visit to Italy, we always recommend taking a tour of a town or city if you want to get the very most out of your visit. Check out all the tours of Ravenna available courtesy of our recommended partners, Get Your Guide.