Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Ravenna

Ravenna holds the finest early Christian and Byzantine mosaics in the world, in eight monuments listed by UNESCO, all close together in a quiet town.

Ravenna: Guided Tour of Mosaic Tiles in Ravenna
Featured walk: Guided Tour of Mosaic Tiles in Ravenna · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, then of the Ostrogoths and the Byzantine exarchate.

Its mosaics are spread across a compact, flat centre. Dante is buried here.

What makes Ravenna distinctive

  • Byzantine mosaics
  • The Basilica of San Vitale
  • The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
  • Dante's tomb

Walking tours in Ravenna

Hand-picked guided walks in Ravenna, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

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Compare with other cities: Food tours

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Historic centre

    Monuments and squares.

  • Piazza del Popolo

    The main square.

  • Darsena

    The old docks.

Free self-guided walk

Mosaic trail

A free self-guided walk in Ravenna, from San Vitale and Galla Placidia through Piazza del Popolo to Dante's tomb and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

1.7 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Via Cavour

    The shopping street.

  2. Piazza del Popolo

    The heart of town.

  3. Rocca Brancaleone

    A fortress park.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Flat.

  • Tickets

    A combined ticket covers several monuments.

  • Bikes

    Locals cycle everywhere; watch for bikes.

When to visit

  • Spring and autumn

    Best.

  • Summer

    Hot; Ravenna Festival.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By rail

    Trains reach Bologna in about 1 hour 20 minutes.

Local transport

  • On foot

    Everything is close.

  • Bikes

    Easy to hire.

Questions travellers ask about Ravenna

How many days do I need?

One day.

Is Ravenna a day trip from Bologna?

Yes.

Which mosaics are best?

San Vitale and Galla Placidia.

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Country overview

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Old towns built long before the car, and still best seen on foot

Explore destinations

Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.