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Things to do in Ravenna

Our most recommended things to do in Ravenna

Ravenna: UNESCO Monuments and Mosaics Guided Tour

1. Ravenna: UNESCO Monuments and Mosaics Guided Tour

Marvel at the world-famous mosaics of Ravenna on a guided tour and learn all about their rich history. Enjoy tickets to 4 outstanding local landmarks and explore them in the company of an expert. Experience the best of the city in just one day with this insightful adventure. Starting from the convenient meeting point in Piazza San Francesco, journey through the streets of the city center with your guide to experience four incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Basilica of San Vitale, the Neonian Baptistery. You will have the opportunity to visit: The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo: originally used as a Palatine Church of Arianism, today it allows us to reconstruct the evolution of Byzantine wall mosaics from the age of Theodoric to that of Justinian. The Basilica of San Vitale: one of the most important monuments of early Christian art in Italy. When you enter the basilica, your gaze is captured by the high spaces, the wonderful mosaic decorations of the apse and the extraordinary representation of the imperial couple of Byzantium: Justinian and Theodora, with their procession. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia: it was built around the middle of the 5th century, at the behest of Galla Placidia, who ruled the Western Roman Empire. The innumerable stars of the dome have struck the imagination and sensitivity of visitors over the centuries, and of outstanding personalities such as the great poet Dante Alighieri, who drew inspiration from them for the writing of some verses of the Divine Comedy. The Neonian Baptistery: one of the oldest monuments of the city, made of simple brick on the outside but rich in marble, stucco, and mosaics of clear Hellenistic-Roman influence inside. At the end of the tour the guide will accompany you to the entrance of the Archbishop’s Museum, so that you can visit it independently, each according to their interests and timing. Inside, in addition to many archaeological finds and works of art, is kept the last of the 5 UNESCO monuments included in the ticket, the Chapel of Saint Andrew, which with its depiction of the glorification of Christ is the only example of early Christian archiepiscopal chapel still intact to this day.

Ravenna: Walking Tour with Stunning Byzantine Mosaics

2. Ravenna: Walking Tour with Stunning Byzantine Mosaics

Discover Ravenna, one of Italy's most spectacular cities, with this fantastic walking tour. After meeting your guide, start from the church of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, dating from the 6th century. Then find out all about the infamous poet Dante in the area named the "zone of silence", dedicated to the cult and memory of Dante Alighieri. Beside the poet's tomb you will find the Dante museum and the Franciscan cloisters with the statues of San Francesco and Santa Chiara. Continuing your tour, head towards the Neonian baptistery with its perfectly preserved architectural structure and interior decoration, consisting of stuccos and the magnificent mosaic of the baptism of Christ. Make your way to the Palazzo Rasponi to reach the Piazza del Popolo, the main square of the city. The tour concludes with the wonderful Basilica of San Vitale dating from the 6th century, and testimony to the Roman-Byzantine empire. With an octagonal central plan, the church still preserves the splendid scenes of the Old Testament and the famous panels of the imperial couple Justinian and Theodora of the Eastern Roman Empire. Next to the basilica, visit the Mausoleum of the Roman Empress Galla Placidiay, rich in unique mosaic decorations.

Ravenna: Private Guided Tour with Monument Admissions

3. Ravenna: Private Guided Tour with Monument Admissions

On this 3-hour private guided tour of Ravenna, your guide will show you the most important treasures of the city. You'll explore some of its most important sites and admire the stunning mosaics all around you. Ravenna was the capital city of the Western Roman Empire during the 5th century AD. It then served as the capital of the Kingdom of the Ostrogoths until it was re-conquered in 540 AD by the Byzantine Empire. Subsequently the city formed the center of the Byzantine Exarchate of Ravenna until the invasion by the Lombards in 751 AD, after which it became the seat of the Kingdom of the Lombards. Although an inland city, Ravenna is connected to the Adriatic Sea by the Candiano Canal. It is known for its well-preserved late Roman and Byzantine architecture, and features 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Admire the early Christian and Byzantine mosaics in the Basilica of San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Battistero Neoniano, the Arcivescovile Museum and the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. The monuments are all within easy walking distance. Walk along the streets of the old town and stop to admire the picturesque Piazza del Popolo and the Dante area, or Area of Silence. In fact, the exiled Florentine Dante died in Ravenna on 13 September 1321.

Ravenna: City Highlights Guided Walking Tour

4. Ravenna: City Highlights Guided Walking Tour

Discover Ravenna on a guided city walking tour and head off the beaten track to find hidden gems. Learn the history behind each turn from your guide, from its historical center and its evocative installations and street art. Meet your guide in the beautiful Piazza San Francesco and begin your guided walking tour through the main squares like Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Garibaldi & Pizza dell'Aquila. Lose yourself in the winding streets of the historical center, admiring the various churches and basilicas; like San Francesco and San Giovanni Evangelista. See houses and small buildings adorned with portals, double lancet windows, balconies, and porticoes, and learn about the city renovations made during the Venetian occupation in the second half of the 15th century. Then, take a detour and marvel at the city's thriving art scene as you view evocative art installations and innovative street art, from artist like Kobra and Blub. Hear about the poets and revolutionaries that have been welcomed in Ravenna over the centuries, especially Dante Alighieri and Byron.

From Bologna: Ravenna Unesco Monuments Guided Tour

5. From Bologna: Ravenna Unesco Monuments Guided Tour

The site is of outstanding universal value being of remarkable significance by virtue of the supreme artistry of the mosaic art that the monuments contain, and also because of the crucial evidence that they provide of artistic and religious relationships and contacts at an important period of European cultural history. In this way the Unesco World Heritage motivated why eight monuments of Ravenna had been added to the World Heritage List. The eternal beauty of the mosaics guarded inside some of the most famous Ravenna Unesco monuments, Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, Basilica of San Vitale, Battistero Neoniano and Chapel of Sant'Andrea. The visit that starts from Piazza San Francesco, into the city centre, and leads you to several Unesco monuments.

Ravenna: Private Walking Tour With Mosaics

6. Ravenna: Private Walking Tour With Mosaics

Discover Ravenna and visit the most significant monuments of the city on a walking tour. Join your private guide on a gentle stroll through ancient streets and learn about their rich history. Admire the early Christian and Byzantine mosaics, with tickets included. Meet your guide to explore what was the capital of the Western Roman Empire between the 5th and 8th centuries. Travel through local history, from the days of the Roman Empire to the Kingdom of the Ostrogoths, and finally, to the Byzantine Exarchate. Come across the traces of this intricate past, gathered in the splendid early Christian buildings and UNESCO monuments. Access the world-famous mosaics and marvel at their incredible designs. Gaze at the majestic Basilica of San Apollinare.

Ravenna: Dante Alighieri's Lifetime & Landmarks Walking Tour

7. Ravenna: Dante Alighieri's Lifetime & Landmarks Walking Tour

Ravenna is the last shelter of Dante, the father of the italian language, and it is the city that hosts his grave which is the starting point of our tour. Retrace the traces left by the Supreme Poet in Ravenna during the fourteenth century and all the following years, visiting not only his tomb, but also the Basilica of San Francesco that hosted his solemn funerals on September 13th, 1321 and walking aroud the city center to discover Dante Alighieri’s adventures in his last years, the exile, the life in the city, the death and the struggling dispute for his remains, as well as the enhancements of the sepulchre over the centuries.

Ravenna Port: Transfer to Venice with Tour and Gondola Ride

8. Ravenna Port: Transfer to Venice with Tour and Gondola Ride

Take this stress-free transfer with your luggage from Ravenna port on a shore excursion to Venice. Store your luggage and go on a guided tour to admire sights like Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Basilica. Enjoy an extraordinary gondola ride to round off your experience. Skip crowds and walking by transferring within Venice by boat. Be greeted by your host and hop aboard an air-conditioned vehicle with room for luggage storage. Sit back and relax as you take in views of the Italian countryside on the ride to Venice. Upon arrival, meet your guide and leave your luggage securely locked away on the bus. Transfer from the bus parking area to Piazzale Roma to begin your tour. Stroll across the first bridge of Venice and hop on a beautiful private water boat to get transferred to the St Mark's Square. Along the way, see the main sights of Venice the way they were meant to be seen - from the water. See the central square of Venice, St Marks Piazza. Watch as your guide points out the mosaics adorning the ancient Basilica and its clock tower along with the Campanile (belltower). Admire views of Doge’s Palace, which for over 1000 years, served as the government administrative center of the region. Here you will also experience the world-famous Venice gondola ride, in small groups of maximum 5 people. Next, explore the San Marco Square on your own, or join your guide and head to the lively Rialto market where locals go for fresh fish and produce. Have the opportunity to buy a snack or drink, browse the local delicacies, and go souvenir shopping (at your own expense). Cross the Rialto Bridge and soak in the views of the canal. Learn about the lives of traders and merchants. Afterward, transfer to the luggage storage. Your guide will help you with tips or arrangements to get to your next destination, whether the airport, hotel, or a train station.

Ravenna: Private Full-Day History and Mosaics Tour

9. Ravenna: Private Full-Day History and Mosaics Tour

Discover the Roman and Byzantine treasures of Ravenna with a private guide, including some of its 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. See stunning mosaics at the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, said to be the best-preserved of all mosaic monuments. Benefit from the expert knowledge of your guide, and the chance to break for lunch at your own expense. Visit the octagonal Baptistery of Neon, where a ceiling mosaic depicts John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. Look at early Christian relics in the Archiepiscopal Museum, and marvel at the 6th-century palace chapel of King Theodoric the Great at the Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo. Stroll the historic streets of the old town to arrive at the pretty Piazza del Popolo, and follow in the footsteps of Dante to discover areas where the poet lived after his exile from Florence. Get a beautiful view of the Basilica of San Francesco, where his funeral was held in 1321.

Guided Tour in Ravenna, Roman and Bizantine Mosaics

10. Guided Tour in Ravenna, Roman and Bizantine Mosaics

Explore the former capital of the Western Roman Empire and discover early Christian and Byzantine mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries on a guided walking tour of Ravenna. Stroll the fascinating streets of the old city center, and stop to watch a practical demonstration of mosaic-making techniques along the way. Visit the Church of S. Vitale, commissioned by the Emperor Justinian of Byzantium with masterful mosaics depicting his wife Theodora. See the powerful Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, created to honor the resilient and colorful Empress of the Western Roman Empire. Admire the mosaics of the Neoniano Baptistery near to the ancient cathedral, and discover the tomb of the exiled poet Dante. Visit the private chapel of the Ostrogoth King Theoderic at the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, and more.

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What people are saying about Ravenna

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 262 reviews

The guide managed to make us visit 5 important sites in three hours, providing us with adequate explanations with attention to its historical and artistic details. I've made other visits documenting myself but from now on I think I'll always rely on a guided tour because it's something else entirely.

Very pleased we chose to take the tour rather than self guide. We had Marta, the guide, to ourselves and she was very engaging and enthusiastic to share her knowledge of the wonderful history and treasures of Ravenna. Thoroughly recommend. Easy booking process and friendly staff.

It was a very pleasant experience. An excellent organization in the times and themes chosen. The guide was very knowledgeable and engaging.

This was an enjoyable way to see Ravenna and the Mosaics. Marina was an excellent guide and the 3 hours passed quickly.

Excellent guide with great knowledge and enthusiasm