Ravenna Festival
Renowned performing arts festival held every summer from June to July. Concerts, opera, dance and theatre are staged in Ravenna's ancient-mosaic-adorned basilicas and historic theatres.
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Ravenna
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ℹ️Practical info — Ravenna
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The 5 major UNESCO mosaic sites (including San Vitale and Mausoleo di Galla Placidia) share a single combined ticket. Buy it online in advance to book a mandatory entry time for Galla Placidia.
- Ravenna is incredibly flat and bike-friendly. Rent a bicycle to navigate between the dispersed mosaic sites quickly and experience the city like a local.
- When visiting the Basilica di San Vitale, bring small change (often €1 coins) to illuminate the remarkable mosaics using the light boxes.
- The main sites get crowded with tour groups by mid-morning. Aim to visit Galla Placidia and San Vitale as soon as they open for a quieter experience.
🍽 Food
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Piadina Romagnola
A staple flatbread of the region, served warm and filled with cured meats, squacquerone cheese, and arugula. Grab one from a dedicated 'piadineria' kiosk on the street.
🍽
Cappelletti al Ragù
Distinct from Bolognese tortellini, these are traditionally filled with cheese and served in a rich meat sauce. Try them in a traditional osteria.
🍽
Squacquerone
A soft, creamy, and slightly tangy cow's milk cheese, often spread inside a piadina or served with caramelized figs.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
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Mosaic Replicas
Ravenna is the world capital of contemporary mosaic art. You can find artisan studios around Via San Vitale selling hand-crafted mosaic replicas and modern pieces.
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Mercato Coperto
The covered market in the city center has been beautifully restored and is a great place to buy local Romagnolo food products, wine, and fresh produce.
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Rocca Brancaleone
A 15th-century Venetian fortress that now encloses a peaceful public park, first-rate for a quiet stroll away from the crowds.
🧘
Darsena di Città
The old docklands area has been redeveloped into a trendy but relaxed promenade along the canal, convenient for a sunset walk or a quiet drink.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Ravenna, once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, the Ostrogothic Kingdom, and the Byzantine Exarchate, is globally renowned for its exceptionally preserved early Christian mosaics. The city has eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, which represent the pinnacle of 5th and 6th-century Byzantine artistic achievement. Located in the Emilia-Romagna region, Ravenna is connected to the Adriatic Sea by a navigable canal, maintaining its historical significance as a strategic maritime gateway. Beyond its architectural splendor, the city is the final resting place of the poet Dante Alighieri, who died here in 1321 while in exile from Florence. Modern Ravenna is a thriving industrial and commercial center, particularly known for its chemical plants and as a hub for offshore oil and gas production in the Adriatic. The unique blend of profound historical layers and a dynamic contemporary port environment defines Ravenna as one of Italy's most significant cultural landmarks.
- Location: Italy
- Top sights: MAR Museo d'Arte della città di Ravenna · Archiepiscopal Museum · Domus dei tappeti di pietra
- Nearby: Punta Marina Terme (7 km)
- Population: ~80.868
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 5 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 21 | 16 | 10 | 6 |
| Rain mm | 41 | 61 | 59 | 56 | 66 | 47 | 37 | 43 | 64 | 73 | 79 | 52 |
Live webcam – Ravenna
See what it looks like near Ravenna right now.
Ravenna › North-west: Piazza del Popolo · 0.2 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- Ravenna served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire from 402 to 476 AD.
- The city contains eight distinct UNESCO World Heritage sites within its limits.
- The tomb of poet Dante Alighieri is located adjacent to the Basilica of San Francesco.
- The Basilica of San Vitale features famous mosaics depicting Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora.
- The 11-kilometer Candiano Canal connects the city's port to the Adriatic Sea.
- The Mausoleum of Theodoric was built in 520 AD using massive blocks of Istrian stone.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→17:012.9 km walk7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 20–28 €Entries 24€ · Transport 0€
Morning: We start in the heart of the city at Piazza del Popolo and visit the tomb of the legendary poet Dante Alighieri. Midday: Immerse yourself in the world of mosaics at the Baptistery and the Basilica of San Vitale. Afternoon: After Galla Placidia, we explore the National Museum. Evening: A relaxing stroll to the Rocca Brancaleone fortress completes the day.
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09:00→15:384.1 km ride6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 27–37 €Entries 20€ · Transport 12€
By bike, we also reach more secluded treasures like the Mausoleum of Theodoric. We start in the center, explore the major basilicas, and enjoy the green surroundings of Rocca Brancaleone. Ideal for an active day full of history.
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09:00→16:3713.6 km drive6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 19–25 €Entries 20€ · Transport 2€
By car, we combine the city center with the impressive basilica in Classe. We use park-and-walk clusters to efficiently visit the mosaic-rich churches. The trip to Classe is a must for history lovers.
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Sights in the town Ravenna (16)
Frequently asked questions
Why visit Ravenna?
Because of the world-famous late antique mosaics.
How many UNESCO sites are there?
There are a total of 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites in the city.
Where is Dante's tomb?
Dante's Tomb is located in the center near San Francesco.
Is the city bike-friendly?
Yes, Ravenna is very flat and convenient for cycling.
How far is the sea?
About 10 km, accessible by bus or via bike paths.
Ravenna: where is it located?
Ravenna is located in Italy.
Ravenna: what is there to see?
Highlights include MAR Museo d'Arte della città di Ravenna, Archiepiscopal Museum, Domus dei tappeti di pietra.
Ravenna: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Ravenna: why is it worth visiting?
Ravenna, once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, the Ostrogothic Kingdom, and the Byzantine Exarchate, is globally renowned for its exceptionally preserved early Christian mosaics.
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History & landmarks
More places
Basilica of San Vitale
Early Byzantine church in Ravenna, famous for its valuable 6th-century mosaics.
Port of Ravenna
The port of Ravenna is an important industrial hub on the Adriatic Sea.
Tempio Malatestiano
The cathedral of Rimini was rebuilt in the 15th century.
Valle dell'Ausa
Valle dell'Ausa is the main valley in the north of the state.
Monte Cerreto
Monte Cerreto is located in the north of the country near Serravalle.
Rio San Marino Valley
The valley of Rio San Marino forms a natural corridor in the north.
Pian di Domagnano
Pian di Domagnano is an agricultural plain in the municipality of Domagnano.
Colle della Rocca
Colle della Rocca is a rocky outcrop in the area of Domagnano.