Ravenna Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Ravenna tours and things to do in this jewel of Byzantine art: marvel at the dazzling golden mosaics of the Basilica of San Vitale and Sant’Apollinare, wander the quiet old town, pay respects at Dante’s tomb, taste the food and wine of Emilia-Romagna, and cycle between the UNESCO monuments. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Ravenna by interest
Whatever brings you to Ravenna — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Ravenna
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Byzantine Mosaics
Golden art.
San Vitale
Basilica jewel.
Sant’Apollinare
Mosaic basilica.
Dante’s Tomb
Poet’s rest.
Romagna Food
Local flavours.
Old Town
Squares & lanes.
Bike Trails
Monument rides.
Galla Placidia
Mosaic mausoleum.
City awayGalla Placidia
Mosaic mausoleum.
10 min awaySant’Apollinare
Mosaic basilica.
City awayDante’s Tomb
Poet’s rest.
City awayFood Tour
Romagna flavours.
1 hr awayBologna
Foodie capital.
City awayBike Tour
Monument rides.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Ravenna visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Mild and pleasant — a lovely time to visit.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Warm; the mosaic interiors stay cool.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Comfortable and quieter, ideal for touring.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Cool and calm, with few crowds.
For festivals
The Ravenna Festival runs in summer.
Best overall
May, June and September for fine weather.
One day
The mosaics, San Vitale and Dante’s tomb.
Two days
Add a food tour and a bike ride.
Three days
Add a Bologna day trip and the coast.
For art
All eight UNESCO mosaic monuments.
For food
A Romagna food and wine tour.
For cycling
A bike tour of the monuments.
On foot
The old town and monuments are walkable.
By bike
Ravenna is flat and very bike-friendly.
Tours & transfers
Tours reach Bologna and the coast.
By train
Ravenna is on the regional rail network.
Where to stay
Stay in the old town near San Vitale.
Euro
Italy uses the euro; cards widely accepted.
Combined ticket
One ticket covers the main mosaic sites.
San Vitale
Go early to enjoy the mosaics in quiet.
Galla Placidia
Book a timed slot in busy periods.
Rent a bike
The flat town is perfect for cycling.
Try piadina
Sample the local flatbread in the old town.
Dante’s tomb
It is free to visit and worth a stop.
Mosaic tours
Guided mosaic tours fill up — book ahead.
Galla Placidia
Timed slots sell out — reserve early.
Food tours
Small food tours fill up — book ahead.
Bologna trips
Day trips fill up — reserve early.
Bike tours
Bike tours fill up — book ahead.
Summer season
July and August are busiest — book well ahead.
Mosaic tour
Around €28–55 for a guided mosaic tour.
San Vitale tour
About €30–60 for a San Vitale tour.
Food tour
Roughly €40–80 for a food and wine tour.
Bologna trip
Around €77–130 for a Bologna day trip.
Bike tour
About €25–50 for a bike tour.
How to save
Buy the combined mosaic ticket to save.
Ravenna through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- City & mosaics.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
- Best for
- Festivals.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Warm.
- Best for
- Quiet touring.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal.
- Best for
- Few crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cool.