Holiday in Ravenna
City in Italy — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇮🇹
Country
Italy
Type
City
Best time to travel
April to June and September/October (18-28 °C). The mosaics are impressive indoors and year-round! July/August hot and humid.
Budget/day
80-170 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Bologna (BLQ, 1.5-2 h), then train to Ravenna (1.5 h). By train from Florence (2.5 h) or Venice (3 h).
Deals for Ravenna:
What makes Ravenna special as a destination?
Ravenna is the mosaic capital of the world — an unassuming city in Emilia-Romagna that hides the greatest early Christian and Byzantine mosaics of humanity behind plain brick facades. Eight buildings share the UNESCO World Heritage title, and anyone entering the Basilica of San Vitale for the first time experiences a breathtaking moment. The Basilica of San Vitale (547 AD) is the masterpiece of Byzantine art outside Istanbul: The octagonal nave is covered with mosaics depicting Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora in their court — purple robes, jewels, and a golden background in a detail fidelity that surpasses any painting. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (5th century) appears unremarkable from the outside, but inside lies perhaps the most beautiful room of Western art: A night blue starry sky made of golden mosaics arches over the visitor, with light filtering through alabaster windows in warm amber tones. Sant'Apollinare Nuovo preserves two parallel mosaic processions: a procession of 26 martyrs and 22 virgins — 1,500 years old and in a color intensity that regularly leaves visitors speechless. Dante's tomb: Dante Alighieri died in exile in Ravenna in 1321. Despite centuries of attempts by Florence to reclaim his remains, he rests here. Florence sends olive oil every year for the eternal lamp at the grave — a silent gesture of remorse.
What are the top highlights in Ravenna?
The top highlights in Ravenna include Basilica of San Vitale (UNESCO), Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (UNESCO), Sant'Apollinare Nuovo (UNESCO), Baptistery of the Orthodox (UNESCO), Dante's Tomb.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Basilica of San Vitale (UNESCO)
Masterpiece of Byzantine art: golden mosaics of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora, 1,500 years old and breathtaking.
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (UNESCO)
Perhaps the most beautiful room of Western art: night blue starry sky made of golden mosaics with alabaster windows.
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo (UNESCO)
Two parallel mosaic processions: 26 martyrs and 22 virgins in 1,500-year-old mosaics of overwhelming color intensity.
Baptistery of the Orthodox (UNESCO)
Oldest preserved building: dome mosaics depict the baptism of Christ, surrounded by the twelve apostles on a golden background.
Dante's Tomb
Final resting place of the greatest Italian poet (1321): Florence sends olive oil annually for the eternal lamp as a gesture of remorse.
Sant'Apollinare in Classe (UNESCO)
6 km outside: apse mosaic with Saint Apollinaris amidst green meadows under a golden cross.
Hotels in Ravenna
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Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Ravenna?
The best time to visit Ravenna is April to June and September/October (18-28 °C). The mosaics are impressive indoors and year-round! July/August hot and humid.. 25-33 °C, hot and humid, Adriatic coast nearby In winter: 2-8 °C, cool and foggy, few tourists
Recommended travel time
April to June and September/October (18-28 °C). The mosaics are impressive indoors and year-round! July/August hot and humid.
Summer
25-33 °C, hot and humid, Adriatic coast nearby
Winter
2-8 °C, cool and foggy, few tourists
How much does a holiday in Ravenna cost?
Budget travellers: 40-70 €/day, mid-range: 80-170 €/day, luxury: 190-400 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
40-70 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
80-170 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
190-400 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Ravenna?
Flight to Bologna (BLQ, 1.5-2 h), then train to Ravenna (1.5 h). By train from Florence (2.5 h) or Venice (3 h).
Book a package holiday to Ravenna
Compare thousands of package holidays to Ravenna and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Ravenna?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Buy a combo ticket — €13.50 for San Vitale, Galla Placidia, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Baptistery, and Archiepiscopal Chapel. Valid for 7 days.
Visit Galla Placidia in the off-season — in winter, you often have the room to yourself — a magical experience.
Visit a mosaic workshop — workshops (starting at €50) allow you to create your own mosaics. Several studios in the old town.
Cycle to Classe — Sant'Apollinare in Classe is 6 km away, easily reachable via bike path through pine forests.
Plan a beach day — Marina di Ravenna is 8 km away by bus or bike. Wide sandy beaches with beach huts.
What should you eat in Ravenna?
Typical specialities in Ravenna: Cappelletti in Brodo — small filled pasta dumplings in meat broth: Ravenna's signature primo, especially at Christmas., Piadina Romagnola — thin flatbread with Squacquerone (fresh cheese), arugula, and prosciutto: the street food of Romagna., Passatelli in Brodo — noodles made from breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and egg in broth: a Romagnol specialty, little known outside., Eel from the Valli di Comacchio — grilled or as Brodetto: centuries-old tradition from the lagoons near Ravenna., Sangiovese di Romagna — regional red wine: fruity and uncomplicated, perfect with Piadina..
These specialties you must try!
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