- Ravenna was once a major port city on the Adriatic Sea, but centuries of silt accumulation and land reclamation have left it several kilometers inland.
- The city is home to the remains of Dante Alighieri, despite his birthplace of Florence having attempted to reclaim his body for centuries.
- Ravenna is the only place in Western Europe where original, intact Byzantine mosaic cycles from the late antique period are preserved in their original architectural context.
- Due to the marshy nature of the terrain, the city's ancient structures were built on deep wooden piles to prevent them from sinking into the soft soil.
- The city serves as a global hub for modern mosaic art, continuing a local tradition that has evolved from ancient religious iconography to contemporary abstract expression.
About Ravenna
Ravenna is globally renowned for its unparalleled collection of 5th and 6th-century Byzantine mosaics, which adorn eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. The city served as the final capital of the Western Roman Empire and later the seat of the Ostrogothic Kingdom. Visitors can explore the intricate interior of the Basilica of San Vitale or view the starlit ceiling within the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. Its historical depth extends to literary significance, famously housing the final resting place of the poet Dante Alighieri at Dante's Tomb. The city retains a compact, pedestrian-friendly core that bridges its ancient Roman roots with contemporary Emilia-Romagna culture.
Highlights of Ravenna
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Temples
Admire the iconic, shimmering octagonal structure featuring famous imperial mosaic portraits of Justinian and Theodora.
Historical places
Observe the remarkably preserved deep blue starry sky mosaic that covers the vaulted ceiling of this small, intimate mausoleum.
Temples
Visit this site outside the city center to see the monumental mosaic of Saint Apollinaris set against a lush, symbolic garden landscape.
Temples
View the long, elegant processions of martyrs and virgins that decorate the nave walls of this historic basilica.
Historical places
Pay respects to the Neoclassical temple that guards the remains of the author of the Divine Comedy.
Museums
Walk across glass platforms to view exceptionally detailed 6th-century floor mosaics discovered by chance beneath a modern building.
Places of interest
Examine the massive monolithic dome carved from a single block of Istrian stone that caps this unique funerary monument.
Historical places
Step inside one of the city's oldest buildings to witness the central baptismal mosaic depicting the river Jordan and the apostles.
Top things to do in Ravenna
The 172 highest-rated places in Ravenna, ranked by travellers.
1
Amusement parks
Mirabilandia is Italy's largest amusement park by total area, spanning 850,000 square meters near the Adriatic coast. Th...
2
Historical places
Dante's Tomb is a neoclassical mausoleum located in Ravenna, housing the remains of the poet Dante Alighieri. Designed b...
3
Temples
The Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo is a UNESCO World Heritage site built by Theodoric the Great in the early 6th cent...
4
Temples
The Basilica of San Vitale is a 6th-century octagonal church in Ravenna, Italy, renowned for its extensive collection of...
5
Historical places
Piazza del Popolo serves as the central hub of Ravenna, originating as the city's administrative core during the Middle...
6
Temples
The Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe is a UNESCO World Heritage site located five kilometers south of Ravenna's cen...
7
Historical places
The Mausoleo di Galla Placidia is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Ravenna, renowned for containing the oldest and best-p...
8
Zoos
Safari Ravenna is a 34-hectare wildlife park designed for visitors to explore in their own vehicles or via a guided elec...
9
Places of interest
The Mausoleo di Teodorico is a two-story funerary monument commissioned by Theodoric the Great around 520 AD as his even...
10
Historical places
The Battistero Neoniano is the oldest surviving monument in Ravenna, constructed in the late 4th or early 5th century. I...
11
Parks
Mirabeach is a Caribbean-themed water park integrated into the Mirabilandia amusement park complex in Ravenna, Italy. It...
12
Places of interest
The Ponte dei Trepponti is a 17th-century bridge in Comacchio, Italy, serving as the city's primary historical landmark...
13
Places of interest
The Arian Baptistery is a late 5th-century religious structure in Ravenna commissioned by the Ostrogothic King Theodoric...
14
Museums
The Archiepiscopal Museum in Ravenna houses the 5th-century Oratory of Saint Andrew, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is...
15
Parks
The Po Delta Regional Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve covering the massive wetland where the Po River empties into th...
16
Museums
The Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra is an archaeological site located three meters below the street level of the 18th-centur...
17
Parks
Club del Sole Vigna sul Mar Family Collection is a beach-side camping village located directly on the Adriatic coast in...
18
Parks
Rocca Brancaleone is a public park situated within the defensive walls of a Venetian-era fortress built in the late 15th...
19
Venues
Teatro Comunale Alighieri is a historic neoclassical opera house in Ravenna, opened in 1852. It was designed by architec...
20
Museums
The Museo d’Arte della Città di Ravenna (MAR) is housed within the restored 16th-century Loggetta Lombardesca monastery...
21
Beaches and ponds
Porto Turistico Marinara is a purpose-built private marina located in Marina di Ravenna, capable of accommodating over 1...
22
Temples
The Basilica of Saint Francis in Ravenna is historically significant as the site where Dante Alighieri’s funeral was hel...
23
Temples
Comacchio Cathedral, dedicated to San Cassiano, stands as the primary religious structure in the historic 'Little Venice...
24
Museums
Museo Delta Antico is housed in the neoclassical Ospedale degli Infermi, a former 18th-century hospital located in Comac...
25
Historical places
The Archbishop's Chapel of St. Andrew, or Oratory of Sant'Andrea, is a 5th-century private chapel located within the Arc...
26
Historical places
Porta Adriana is an 18th-century monumental city gate located at the northwestern entrance to the historic center of Rav...
27
Places of interest
The Village of Storks (Progetto Cicogna Bianca) is an active recovery and conservation center located in Fosso Ghiaia, f...
28
Amusement parks
DiVertical is a water coaster located within the Mirabilandia amusement park in Ravenna, Italy. It holds the title of th...
29
Historical places
Palazzo Rasponi dalle Teste is a prominent 17th-century aristocratic residence located in the historic center of Ravenna...
30
Temples
The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in Ravenna, officially known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Resu...
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Ravenna on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Ravenna
Spring (April to June) or early Autumn (September to October) for mild weather ideal for cycling and walking between historic sites.
2-3 days to fully appreciate the UNESCO mosaic sites and the surrounding historical districts.
The historic center is highly walkable, and the city maintains a well-connected network of bike paths and local buses for reaching sites like the Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe.
The Centro Storico is ideal for proximity to the major mosaic sites, while the area near the train station offers convenient access for day trips.
Mid-range; while entrance fees for monuments are standard, the city is generally more affordable than major tourist hubs like Venice or Florence.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 172 curated attractions in and around Ravenna, ranked by traveller ratings.
Mirabilandia is the highest-rated place to visit in Ravenna right now.
The largest category is temples, with 54 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Rome, Milan, Galatina.
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