Things to Do in Ravenna

Ravenna's main square, flanked by two Venetian-style palaces and a clock tower. It's the social hub, with benches under arcades and a central fountain.

🕐 Always open

💡 Grab a coffee from Caffè del Popolo (€1.50 at the counter) and people-watch. Free Wi-Fi is available in the square from the municipal network.

Ravenna's main square, lined with Venetian-style arcades and two stone lions. The 16th-century clock tower and the Palazzo del Municipio dominate the space.

🕐 Always open

💡 Sit on a bench by the fountain with a takeaway coffee from Caffè Letterario on the corner. The square comes alive at aperitivo hour (around 6pm) when locals gather.

A self-guided walk through the historic centre to spot modern mosaic murals on buildings, walls and pavements – a legacy of the city's Mosaic school.

🕐 Always visible

💡 Start at Piazza del Popolo, head north along Via Cavour. Many pieces are on private walls – just look up. Maps at tourist office or download a free PDF from Ravenna Turismo.

A small neoclassical monument holding the bones of the poet. In a quiet churchyard next to the basilica where he was excommunicated.

🕐 Daily 9:00-18:00

💡 Free and open-air. Visit in early evening when the light hits the marble. Pair with the Dante Museum (€3) across the street for context.

Ravenna's main square, surrounded by Venetian-style palaces and cafes. It's free to walk through and the best spot to watch local life go by.

🕐 Always open

💡 Stop at Caffè del Popolo for the best espresso in town – cheap and proper Italian. Arrive around 6pm for the evening passeggiata.

Housed in a former Benedictine monastery, this museum displays Roman and Byzantine artefacts, mosaics, and medieval armour. Free entry on the first Sunday of each month.

🕐 08:30-19:30 Tue-Sun, closed Mon

💡 The cloister garden is a peaceful spot to rest—few tourists find it. Check their website for free day dates if you're on a tight budget.

6th-century Byzantine church with world-famous mosaics depicting Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. Entry to the church is free; the attached museum and mausoleum require a combined ticket.

🕐 09:00-19:00 daily (last entry 18:30 for free area)

💡 Arrive before 9am to avoid crowds. The mosaics are best seen in morning light filtering through the apse windows.

The oldest surviving monument in Ravenna, built in the late 4th century. The ceiling mosaic depicts Christ's baptism with the River Jordan personified as a man pouring water from an urn.

🕐 09:00-19:00 daily (may close earlier in winter)

💡 The baptistery is small – you can see the entire ceiling mosaic in under 15 minutes. Best to visit late afternoon when the sunlight hits the dome directly.

A small cross-shaped chapel with the oldest and finest mosaics in Ravenna. The deep blue starry ceiling is breathtaking. Part of the same site as San Vitale.

🕐 09:00-19:00 daily (same as San Vitale)

💡 It's included in the combined ticket with San Vitale. Stand in the centre to see how the mosaics change colour as natural light filters through alabaster windows.

6th-century Byzantine church with world-famous mosaics depicting Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. The intricate gold and green tiles cover the apse and ceiling.

🕐 09:00-19:00 daily (last entry 18:30)

💡 Buy a cumulativo ticket (good for five sites) to save money; the basilica alone costs €10, but the combo is €12.50 and covers the main mosaic sites.

A 6th-century Byzantine church famous for its glittering mosaics of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. The octagonal structure is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

🕐 09:00-19:00 daily (last entry 18:00)

💡 Buy a combined ticket for all five mosaic monuments (€12.50) at the Basilica ticket office to avoid queues. Go early morning to see the mosaics in the best light.

Small cross-shaped 5th-century building next to San Vitale. Its deep blue mosaic ceiling, dotted with gold stars, gives a sense of entering a jewel box.

🕐 09:00-19:00 daily

💡 It's included in the same cumulativo ticket as San Vitale. Arrive early to avoid queues—only a few people fit inside at once.

6th-century Byzantine church with world-famous mosaics of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. Entry costs about €12 for a combined ticket covering five Unesco sites.

🕐 9:00-19:00 daily (last entry 18:30)

💡 Buy the combined ticket to avoid queues at each site. Visit early morning or late afternoon for best light on the mosaics.

5th-century octagonal baptistery with a magnificent mosaic dome showing Christ's baptism. The marble font and geometric patterns are impressive. Tickets are €10.50.

🕐 09:00-19:00 daily

💡 Use the mirror on the floor to view the ceiling mosaic without straining your neck. Combine with nearby Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo for a €12.50 ticket.

A 6th-century Byzantine church with stunning mosaics of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. Entry is €10.50 combined with the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and others (cumulative ticket worth it for multiple sites).

🕐 Mon-Sat 9:00-19:00, Sun 13:00-19:00 (last entry 30 min before close)

💡 Buy the combined ticket at the Mausoleum first to skip main queues. Go early morning or late afternoon for best light on mosaics.

A 6th-century basilica with two long walls of mosaics showing a procession of 22 virgin martyrs and 26 male saints. The palm trees and palace scenes offer a rare glimpse of Theodoric's Arian court.

🕐 09:30-19:00 daily (last entry 18:30)

💡 Look for the hidden hand of God in the apse mosaic – it's a rare depiction from this period. The basilica is just a 10-minute walk from the train station.

Small, ancient mausoleum with some of the oldest and most vivid Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna. Entry included in the San Vitale ticket.

🕐 9:00-19:00 daily

💡 Go during a rainy day – the damp air makes the deep blue mosaic background shimmer more.

A small, cross-shaped 5th-century building covered in deep blue and gold mosaics. The starry ceiling is one of Ravenna's most serene sights.

🕐 Daily 9:00-19:00

💡 Capped at 25 visitors at a time so queue may form. Combined ticket covers it with San Vitale – don't skip. Visit on a clear day for the celestial effect.

6th-century church with a long nave lined with mosaic processions of 22 virgins and 26 martyrs. The vibrant colours and details are well preserved.

🕐 09:00-19:00 daily

💡 Look up at the clipei (roundels) above the columns—they show early Christian iconography rarely seen elsewhere. Use the same €12.50 combined ticket as the Baptistery.

A large, peaceful park on the edge of the historic centre with walking paths, a lake, and playgrounds. Perfect for a picnic break from sightseeing.

🕐 Always open

💡 Bring your own lunch – there are few cafes nearby. The park is quiet on weekday afternoons.