Ravenna in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region is a treasure trove of history, art, and culinary delights. It’s home to 8 UNESCO sites, making it one of the most UNESCO awarded cities in the world! I visited recently and loved learning about its colourful mosaics and deep ties to poet Dante Alighieri. As well as history and art, Ravenna offers a unique blend of cultural and contemporary experiences – making it a wonderful place for a weekend stay, or indeed a great base for a longer holiday in the region.
Before we get stuck in with some of the unforgettable things to do in Ravenna, Italy, here are some great places to stay for your visit.
Santa Maria Foris is a stylish hotel, a short walk from Piazza XX Settembre with large rooms and a lovely breakfast terrace.
Albergo Cappello is a 5-minute walk from San Vitale Basilica and is a classical design with wood-beamed ceilings, precious chandeliers, and period frescoes.
M Club Deluxe B&B is set in a 15th century building located in the pedestrian-only shopping area of Ravenna. It has a lovely garden area and the hosts are known for being helpful.
Here are some of the best things to see and do in Ravenna, Italy.
Make your own mosaic piece at Barbara Liverani Studio
We loved experiencing a mosaic workshop, whilst in the city of mosaics! I booked at Barbara Liverani’s studio on Via Girolamo Rossi, where you can take part in a workshop that lets you piece together your own colourful creation. The experience was fun as it was such a hands on activity, but it also gave a wonderful insight into the ancient traditions that have shaped Ravenna’s artistic legacy. During the workshop you can pick to make earrings, pendants or other pieces of jewellery, and then in a fun guided session, you learn how to select the pieces of tessera and shape them into pretty designs! No prior knowledge or skill is required and Barbara speaks English.
Visit the Arian Baptistery
A key stop on your visit to Ravenna should be the Arian Baptistery, a quiet but beautiful site from the late 5th century or early 6th century.. The octagonal structure doesn’t look so much from the outside, but inside is adorned with incredible mosaics depicting the baptism of Jesus. The detail of the mosaic is quite incredible, and the placing of the windows means the light hits the colours in a way that emphasises its beauty.
It’s only a small building and won’t take long for your visit, but it’s quite awe inspiring, even for those who aren’t religious. The baptistry has been well preserved and stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – making it one of the most fascinating things to see in Ravenna Italy for history lovers.
Enjoy an Aperitivo-Dinner at Casa Spadoni
I’m very into the Italian aperitivo, the pre dinner drinks & snacks. Derived from the Latin aperire, the tradition is meant “to open” the stomach before dining, and Italy is so good at tempting offers for drinking and snacking! I loved Casa Spadoni on Via San Vitale 34. It has options for outdoor or indoor dining, although as it’s directly opposite Basilica San Vitale then try to get a table outside to make the most of the lovely views.
We had some local wine and a selection of local delicacies with one of the highlights being the crescentina modenese topped with caramelised fig, which is a speciality of Romagna cuisine.
Explore the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and Basilica of San Vitale
For many people, a visit to the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and the neighbouring Basilica of San Vitale is high on the list of things to do in Ravenna.
The Basilica of San Vitale was constructed between 526 and 547 CE and is one of the most important surviving examples of early Christian Byzantine architecture and is renowned for its elaborate interior mosaic decoration. To the untrained eye, the outside might not look as spectacular, but once you’re inside, you’ll understand why it’s considered one of the most beautiful things to see in Ravenna. The church is particularly notable for its mosaics in the apse, including detailed portraits of Emperor Justinian I and Empress Theodora with their entourages – one of the few depictions of her in the world.
I had the pleasure of visiting San Vitale during Ravenna Festival and saw a choral performance. Needless to say the acoustics are wonderful and it was quite a moving experience – so trying to time your visit with the opportunity to see a musical performance is highly recommended.
Visit the basement of the late-baroque Church of Sant’Eufemia
It might seem a funny suggestion, listing the basement of a church as being one of the top things to do in Ravenna, but it’s quite a place! Known as the Domus of the Stone Carpets, here amazingly well preserved 6th century Byzantine floor mosaics lie beneath the church. Only found in 1993, these huge mosaics in numerous colours were an incredible discovery. Entry is only 6 euros.
Visit the Dante Area
The Dante area of Ravenna is a historically rich and culturally significant part of the city, centered around the final resting place of the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, where he died in 1321. His tomb is a modest neoclassical monument known as the Tomba di Dante, located next to the Basilica of San Francesco and the Old Franciscan Cloisters – making up a quiet and contemplative space often referred to as the Zone of Silence (Zona del Silenzio), established to honour the poet’s memory. Nearby, visitors can also visit the Dante Museum , which offers insights into his life, works, and legacy, including his masterpiece The Divine Comedy. Given the significance of Dante to the city, it’s certainly a top thing to do in Ravenna.
Have a leisurely lunch at Taverna Byron
When it’s time for lunch, Taverna Byron – of course named after Lord Byron – offers a great location and up market atmosphere. There is the option to sit outside in the pretty (but sunny) courtyard but we chose to sit inside to escape the heat in the underground main restaurant area.
There are some fantastic meat and risotto options at quite good prices and there is a lunch and dinner seating. 12:00 – 14:00 & 19:00 – 22:00.
Discover the Mausoleum of Theodoric
A short drive from the centre of Ravenna is the Mausoleum of Theodoric, a striking circular monument built in the 6th century. The enormous single-stone dome is an architectural marvel and set in Whether you’re into history or just intrigued by ancient engineering, this is one of those things to do in Ravenna that shouldn’t be skipped.
Take home some foodie items from Ravenna’s delis
Ravenna is great for shopping – it’s quite hard to ignore the sheer number of trendy boutiques and shops lining the streets. Even if you’re not a shopaholic, one thing to do in Ravenna you don’t want to miss is visiting a couple of the wonderful delis, offering local produce and specialities that you can take home with you, or indeed enjoy that day!
Two favourites of mine were Miccoli on Via Cairoli,, which offers tasty platters and outdoor seating, and Alpine enogastronomia on Via Camillo Benso Cavour which has a huge wine selection as well as oils, tinned fish and a range of deli products like cheeses and meats.
Have a coffee in the peaceful garden of Giardino Rasponi o delle erbe dimenticate
We stumbled across this tranquil gem, just moments from Battistero Neoniano when we were in need of a coffee. It’s a small but beautiful shady garden, with fountains and pomegranate trees covering places to sit. There’s a small café with coffees and sweet treats, but the real attraction here is sitting in the gardens, taking in the views and listening to the birds.
Explore the foodie delights of Ravenna Covered Market
The current Piazza Andrea Costa where the market is located– has been known as an important trading centre for centuries and this has been continued with Ravenna’s fantastic covered market.
Originally built in the early 20th century, the market underwent a significant restoration and reopened with a renewed focus on showcasing local culinary excellence. There’s a great mix of fresh produce stalls, artisanal food vendors, wine bars, and eateries serving regional specialties such as piadina, fresh pasta, and cured meats. The space combines the charm of old-world architecture with contemporary design, making it a social hub for both locals and tourists.
Visit the flooded Crypt of San Francesco
Certainly one of the most unique things to do in Ravenna is visiting the Crypt of San Francesco, located beneath the Basilica of San Francesco. Dating back to the 5th century, the crypt is situated below sea level due to the subsidence in Ravenna, and groundwater naturally seeps in, meaning the crypt is perpetually flooded. Despite this, the ancient mosaics are still visible beneath the clear water and the fish swimming in the water certainly adds an unusual touch!
I hope this guide of the top things to do in Ravenna has been helpful for your trip planning! Enjoy the beauty of this gem in Emilia Romagna.
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