Mosaic of Emperor Justinian I — Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna | Wikimedia Commons
Top Things to Do in Ravenna — Complete Guide 2026
From 1,500-year-old Byzantine mosaics to hands-on mosaic-making workshops, day trips to medieval hilltop republics, and Adriatic beach afternoons — here's everything worth doing in and around Ravenna.
Ravenna is one of those rare cities where a single type of attraction — its Byzantine mosaics — is so extraordinary that it justifies the entire trip. But there is much more to do here than stare at golden tesserae (though you will do a lot of that, and love every minute). This guide covers the full sweep of Ravenna experiences: the UNESCO monuments, the literary pilgrimage sites, the hidden corners, the hands-on workshops, the day trips, and the itineraries that tie it all together.
The Big 5: Essential Mosaic Monuments
These five monuments form the core of any Ravenna visit. Buy the combined UNESCO ticket (valid for multiple sites, available at any of them) to save significantly versus individual entry fees.
1. Basilica of San Vitale
San Vitale is Ravenna's masterpiece and one of the most important Byzantine buildings in the world. The octagonal church — modelled on the imperial churches of Constantinople — contains mosaics completed in the 540s that represent the apex of early Byzantine art. The apse mosaics are the showstoppers: on the left, Emperor Justinian I with his court, military guards, and clergy; on the right, Empress Theodora with her ladies-in-waiting. The faces are individualised, the textiles are rendered with astonishing detail, and the gold background creates a sense of otherworldly space. Don't miss the lunette mosaics in the presbytery depicting Old Testament scenes — Abraham entertaining angels, the sacrifice of Isaac — or the geometric marble floor patterns from the original 6th-century pavement. Allow 45–60 minutes. Best light: morning (8:30–11am).
2. Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Small, dim, and utterly sublime — the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is one of those places where you understand why people travel across the world. The cross-shaped chapel was built for Galla Placidia, daughter of Theodosius I and regent of the Western Roman Empire (though she was actually buried in Rome). Its barrel-vaulted ceiling is covered in a deep blue mosaic studded with over 800 gold stars, while lunettes depict Christ as the Good Shepherd and scenes of martyrdom. The alabaster windows filter daylight into a soft amber glow. Give your eyes time to adjust — the mosaics reveal themselves slowly. Allow 20 minutes but savour the silence. Best visited early morning or late afternoon for maximum atmosphere.
3. Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Built by the Ostrogothic king Theodoric as his palace chapel (circa 505 AD), Sant'Apollinare Nuovo contains the longest continuous mosaic cycle in Ravenna. The nave walls are lined with processions — on the south side, 26 male martyrs march towards Christ enthroned; on the north side, 22 female saints process towards the Virgin and Child, preceded by the Three Magi. The original Arian decoration was partially replaced after the Byzantine reconquest — you can still see ghostly traces of hands and figures where Theodoric's court was erased and replaced with curtains. The basilica's campanile (bell tower), a 9th-century addition, is a Ravenna landmark. Allow 45 minutes.
4. Battistero Neoniano (Neonian Baptistery)
Ravenna's oldest monument dates to the episcopate of Bishop Ursus (c. 400 AD), with the magnificent dome mosaic added by Bishop Neon around 458 AD. The central scene depicts Christ's baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, represented as a personified river god. The apostles encircle the dome in a gold-ground procession, separated by acanthus scrolls. The octagonal brick exterior is deceptively simple — the interior, with its gold dome and marble inlay walls, is unforgettable. Allow 20 minutes.
5. Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe
Slightly outside the city in the former Roman port of Classe, this basilica's apse mosaic is one of the greatest works of early Christian art. Saint Apollinaris, Ravenna's first bishop, stands in the centre of a green paradise with hands raised in prayer (the orans position). Twelve sheep — the apostles — file towards him on either side. Above, a massive jewel-encrusted cross dominates the golden apse against a starry sky, flanked by Moses and Elijah. The scale is staggering: the apse arch spans 15 metres. The basilica's 10th-century cylindrical campanile and the serene cemetery grounds add to the contemplative atmosphere. Bus 4 from Ravenna station (15 min) or a 35-minute bike ride through flat countryside. Allow 1 hour plus travel time.
Beyond the Mosaics: More Ravenna Attractions
6. Dante's Tomb & Museo Dantesco
Dante Alighieri, the father of the Italian language and author of the Divine Comedy, died in Ravenna on 13 September 1321 after completing the Paradiso. His marble tomb, a neoclassical temple built in 1780, contains an eternal flame burning oil donated annually by Florence — a centuries-long gesture of belated apology for the poet's exile. The adjacent Museo Dantesco, housed in the Franciscan cloisters, exhibits rare editions of the Divine Comedy, Dantesque iconography through the ages, and multimedia exhibits in multiple languages. The Zona del Silenzio (Zone of Silence) surrounding the tomb preserves the contemplative atmosphere. Allow 45–60 minutes.
7. Archiepiscopal Museum & Chapel of Sant'Andrea
Housed in the Archbishop's Palace, this museum contains one of Ravenna's most extraordinary treasures: the Ivory Throne of Maximian, a 6th-century episcopal throne entirely covered in carved ivory panels depicting scenes from the life of Christ, Joseph, and John the Baptist — one of the finest surviving examples of early Byzantine ivory carving anywhere. The chapel of Sant'Andrea, with its 5th-century mosaics of Christ as a warrior trampling a lion and serpent, is a hidden gem. Allow 45 minutes.
8. Arian Baptistery
Tucked down a narrow alley near Piazza del Popolo, this small octagonal baptistery was built by Theodoric for the Arian Christian community. Its dome mosaic shows Christ's baptism with striking Arian theological touches — the beardless young Christ is immersed to the waist, and the personification of the Jordan River adds an unusual naturalistic element. The Arian Baptistery completes the picture of Ravenna's religious dualism under Ostrogothic rule. Allow 15 minutes.
9. Museo Nazionale di Ravenna
The National Museum occupies the cloisters of the former Benedictine monastery attached to San Vitale. Its collections span Roman and Byzantine Ravenna: sarcophagi, marble inscriptions, ceramics, coins, armour, and a superb collection of detached 14th-century frescoes rescued from Ravenna's churches. The lapidary garden displays Roman and early Christian stonework in the open air. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
10. Piazza del Popolo & Venetian Ravenna
Ravenna's main square has been the city's civic and social centre since the 13th century. Two columns at the piazza entrance bear the emblems of Venetian rule (1441–1509): the Lion of Saint Mark and a statue of Saint Apollinaris. The Palazzo Comunale (town hall) features 17th-century frescoes in the Sala del Consiglio. Surrounding cafés serve espresso and aperitivi from morning until late. The streets radiating from the piazza — Via Cavour, Via Corrado Ricci — are Ravenna's main shopping and dining arteries. Sit at an outdoor café table, order a spritz, and watch Ravenna go about its day.
11. Rocca Brancaleone
Built by the Venetians between 1457 and 1470, this impressive fortress encloses a large green park — the Giardini della Rocca. The ramparts and towers are well-preserved, and the inner park is a favourite spot for picnics, summer evening concerts (particularly during the Ravenna Festival), and lazy afternoons. The fortress was never actually attacked in battle — it served primarily as a deterrent. Today it's one of Ravenna's most pleasant green spaces.
Mosaic-Making Workshops
Want to take the mosaic experience beyond looking? Several studios in Ravenna offer hands-on mosaic workshops where you can learn the traditional techniques that Ravenna's artisans have passed down for 1,500 years. Sessions typically run 1.5–3 hours and guide you through cutting tesserae (small pieces of glass and stone), composing a design, and setting it in cement. You leave with your own small mosaic — a truly authentic souvenir.
Workshops are offered by long-established mosaic studios, some of which have been producing and restoring mosaics for generations. The city's mosaic tradition is not just museum material — it is a living craft. Many of Ravenna's contemporary mosaic artists create modern works that echo and transform the Byzantine vocabulary. Look for studios in the streets around San Vitale and the University district. Prices range from EUR 40–90 per person depending on duration and materials. Advance booking is recommended during peak season.
Adriatic Beach Day
Ravenna's coastline — 35 kilometres of fine sand and shallow waters — is one of the Adriatic's most family-friendly stretches. The beach towns are connected to the city centre by frequent buses (line 70 to Marina di Ravenna, about 20 minutes). Marina di Ravenna is the largest and most developed: sandy beaches, a marina, seafood restaurants, and summer nightlife. Punta Marina Terme adds thermal spa options. Lido di Dante and Lido di Classe are quieter, backed by the Pineta di Classe pine forest. The Italian beach setup — stabilimenti balneari — offers sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, and bars in exchange for a daily or weekly fee. Public (free) beaches exist between the stabilimenti; look for signs reading "spiaggia libera." Beach season runs May to late September. Water temperatures peak at 25–26°C in August.
Day Trips from Ravenna
Bologna (75 km, 1 hour by train)
Emilia-Romagna's capital is a day trip essential. Medieval towers (climb the Asinelli Tower), Europe's oldest university (founded 1088), 40 kilometres of porticoes (UNESCO-listed), and the Quadrilatero food market. Don't leave without eating tortellini in brodo and mortadella. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes from Ravenna.
San Marino (70 km, 1.5 hours by car)
The world's oldest republic sits atop Mount Titano at 749 metres. Three medieval towers, stunning views over the Romagna plain and Adriatic, duty-free shopping, and a bizarrely interesting museum of curiosities. The drive from Ravenna climbs through the hills of the Montefeltro region. No direct public transport — car or organised tour is best.
Comacchio & Po Delta (35 km, 40 min by car)
The "Little Venice" of Emilia-Romagna: a lagoon town built on 13 small islands connected by bridges. Eel fishing has defined Comacchio's identity for centuries — the traditional eel-pickling workshop (Manifattura dei Marinati) is now a museum. The Valli di Comacchio wetlands in the Po Delta Regional Park are home to flamingos, herons, and cormorants. Boat tours of the lagoon run spring through autumn.
Rimini (50 km, 45 min by train)
Famous for its 15-kilometre beach but with a surprisingly rich Roman heritage: the Tiberius Bridge (21 AD), the Arch of Augustus (27 BC — the oldest surviving Roman triumphal arch), and the Domus del Chirurgo (Surgeon's House), an excavated 3rd-century Roman residence with extraordinary mosaic floors. Federico Fellini's hometown; visit the Fellini Museum. Trains every 30 minutes from Ravenna.
Faenza (35 km, 30 min by train)
The city that gave its name to faience (tin-glazed pottery) worldwide. The International Museum of Ceramics (MIC) houses 60,000 pieces from antiquity to contemporary art. Faenza's ceramic workshops still produce the distinctive blue-and-white maiolica pottery. The Piazza del Popolo and surrounding arcades make for a pleasant afternoon wander.
Ferrara (75 km, 1 hour by train)
A UNESCO-listed Renaissance planned city. The Castello Estense (Este Castle), with its moat and four towers, dominates the centre. The Cathedral of San Giorgio, the Palazzo dei Diamanti (faced with 8,500 diamond-shaped marble blocks), and the city's 9 kilometres of perfectly preserved Renaissance walls make Ferrara one of northern Italy's most beautiful small cities. Excellent cycling culture — Ferrara is Italy's most bike-friendly city.
Ravenna Itineraries
1 Day: The Essential Mosaics
Morning (8:30am–12:30pm)
Start at San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia when they open at 8:30am — the light is best and crowds are thinnest. Walk 5 minutes to the Battistero Neoniano, then another 5 minutes to the Archiepiscopal Museum to see the Ivory Throne. Coffee at a bar on Via Galla Placidia.
Lunch (12:30pm–2pm)
Piadina at a piadineria — quick, authentic, EUR 4–8. Eat in Piazza del Popolo.
Afternoon (2pm–5pm)
Walk to Sant'Apollinare Nuovo (15 min from the piazza) and the Arian Baptistery. Then visit Dante's Tomb and the Zona del Silenzio. Aperitivo at a bar on Via Cavour.
Evening
Dinner at a trattoria in the centro storico. The mosaics are closed but the city is beautiful after dark — walk from Piazza del Popolo to San Vitale to see the basilica lit up.
2 Days: The Full Mosaic Experience
Day 1
Follow the 1-day itinerary above. End the day with the Mosaico di Notte programme if visiting in summer (late June–August) — seeing San Vitale and Galla Placidia under artificial light is a completely different and unforgettable experience.
Day 2 · Morning
Take bus 4 to Sant'Apollinare in Classe (15 minutes). Spend an hour with the great apse mosaic, then visit the adjacent archaeological site of the ancient Roman port. Return to Ravenna by late morning.
Day 2 · Afternoon
Museo Nazionale for the Roman and Byzantine collections, followed by a mosaic-making workshop (book in advance). End the day with a walk through the Rocca Brancaleone park.
3 Days: Mosaics, Nature & Day Trip
Days 1 & 2
Follow the 2-day itinerary above. This covers all 8 UNESCO sites at a relaxed pace plus a hands-on mosaic workshop.
Day 3 · Option A: Beach & Nature
Morning at the Pineta di Classe for birdwatching and forest walks. Afternoon at Marina di Ravenna beach — rent a sunbed, swim in the Adriatic, and eat fritto misto on the waterfront. Evening seafood dinner in Marina di Ravenna.
Day 3 · Option B: Day Trip
Choose one: Bologna (food capital, medieval towers, 1h by train), San Marino (medieval republic on a mountain, 1.5h by car), or Comacchio + Po Delta (flamingos, lagoon boat trip, 40 min by car). Return to Ravenna for a final evening passeggiata through the illuminated centro storico.
Practical Tips
Visitor Advice
UNESCO Combined Ticket: Buy it at your first site — it covers San Vitale, Galla Placidia, Neonian Baptistery, Archiepiscopal Museum, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo. Sant'Apollinare in Classe and the Arian Baptistery have small separate fees or can be added. Valid for multiple days.
Opening Hours: Most UNESCO sites open 8:30am–7pm (shorter in winter). Last entry typically 30 minutes before closing. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia may require a timed-entry slot during peak season — book at the San Vitale ticket office.
Best Light: Morning (8:30–11am) for San Vitale and Galla Placidia when sunlight streams through the windows. Afternoon for Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.
Photography: Allowed without flash in most sites. Tripods generally prohibited. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia's low light requires a steady hand or higher ISO.
Dress Code: Shoulders and knees covered in active churches (San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo). This is enforced loosely but respectfully.
Getting Around: Everything except Sant'Apollinare in Classe is walkable within the centro storico. For Classe, bus 4 from the train station (EUR 1.50, 15 minutes) or a pleasant bike ride on flat terrain.
Ravenna is not a city to rush. It rewards patience, attention, and the willingness to stand still in front of 1,500-year-old gold. Whether you have one day or three, the mosaics will do what they have done for fifteen centuries: stop you in your tracks and remind you what human beings are capable of.