Before you go

Your trip to Ravena.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Ravena – Emília-Romanha Destination Bolonha e Emília-Romanha about 75 km from Bolonha

How to get there

Aeroporto di Bologna Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ) Bolonha · 85 km
Ravenna 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. From Bolonha, the regional train reaches Ravena station in about 1h10 to 1h20; there are direct trains throughout the day. The most used international airport is Bolonha.

How many days

One full day is enough for the central monuments: San Vitale, Galla Placidia, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the two baptistries, the Museo Arcivescovile and the Tomba di Dante. To include the Mausoleo di Teodorico and Sant'Apollinare in Classe, allow a day and a half to two days.

When to go

April, May, September and October usually have pleasant temperatures for walking and cycling. In summer the city gets hot and the nearby coastal beaches fill up. Winter is cold and humid, but the monuments are quieter. From March to early November the monuments generally have longer opening hours.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The historic center is flat, has a ZTL (limited traffic zone closed to outside cars) and the main monuments are a few minutes' walk from each other. Many locals cycle. For Sant'Apollinare in Classe there is a regional train to Classe station and a city bus.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Ravena

Morning
San Vitale and Galla Placidia
Start with the Basilica di San Vitale, with the panels of Justinian and Theodora. In the same garden, enter the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia at the reserved time and see the starry sky of the dome.
Afternoon
Batistério and Museo Arcivescovile
Have a piadina for lunch in the center. Then visit the Battistero Neoniano and the Museo Arcivescovile, with the Cappella di Sant'Andrea, both next to the cathedral. Continue to the Tomba di Dante, in the silence zone.
Late afternoon
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Walk along Via di Roma to the Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and see the processions of virgins and martyrs on the walls. If you have time, stop by the Battistero degli Ariani, just a few blocks away.
Evening
Piazza del Popolo
Finish at the Piazza del Popolo, the main square, with cafés under the porticoes. For dinner, order cappelletti, a stuffed pasta typical of Romanha, and a regional Sangiovese wine.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Can you do a day trip from Bolonha to Ravena?

Yes. The regional train takes just over 1 hour and arrives at a station about a 10-minute walk from the monuments. One full day is enough to see the essentials of the center.

Do you need to book the monuments?

The combined ticket for the diocesan monuments requires a timed entry for the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, the Battistero Neoniano and the Museo Arcivescovile. In high season, book in advance. Confirm the rules before you go.

Do the eight monuments share the same ticket?

No. San Vitale, Galla Placidia, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Battistero Neoniano and the Museo Arcivescovile are included in a combined diocesan ticket. The Battistero degli Ariani, the Mausoleo di Teodorico and Sant'Apollinare in Classe are state museums with separate tickets.

Why does Ravenna have so many mosaics?

In the 5th and 6th centuries the city was the seat of the Western Roman Empire, then the kingdom of the Ostrogoth Teodoric and the Byzantine administration in Italy. Rulers filled the churches with mosaics, which have survived to this day.

Does Ravenna have a beach?

The coast is about 10 km from the center, with beaches such as Marina di Ravenna. The beach season usually runs from June to September.

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