Ravenna

Ravenna: an all-round holiday of art, culture, sea, nature and adrenaline

Tourists choose Ravenna because it offers everything you could ever want in a holiday. Relaxation and the sea? The beautiful Adriatic coastline is just a few kilometres away.
Art and culture? Ravenna is home to fascinating UNESCO World Heritage monuments, including the Basilica of San Vitale,  the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and the Mausoleum of Theodoric, alongside other equally popular tourist sites, such as the Tomb of Dante Alighieri and the Ravenna Art Museum.
Looking for some entertainment? You don’t have to travel far to enjoy the Mirabilandia amusement park or the nightlife of the Riviera Romagnola.
Hungry for some fantastic food? Choose from crescione romagnolo flat bread, cappelletti pasta with ragu and passatelli pasta in broth.
Sport and nature? You will find countless cycle paths and endless greenery both inside and outside the city centre.

And that’s not all! This treasure trove of art and culture boasts a grandiose history, traces of which we can still discover today. Ravenna has been a capital city three times since the 5th century, first under the Western Roman Empire, then during the reign of Theodoric's Goths between 493 and 526, and finally from 553 to 751 under Byzantine rule.

A historic centre of rare beauty

These three periods of great splendour left their mark on the historic centre of Ravenna forever, with indelible traces such as the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, constructed in 402 under Emperor Honorius in honour of his sister Galla Placidia, adorned inside with beautiful mosaics. The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleum, which housed the sovereign's remains until the arrival of Emperor Justinian I, who had them dispersed and consecrated this monument to Orthodox worship, date back to the period of Theodoric the Great.

The construction of the Basilica of San Vitale, a masterpiece of early Christian and Byzantine art in the heart of the city, also dates back to this period. The magic of Ravenna, however, did not end with the Byzantines. 

From a municipality to a signoria ruled by the Papal State, Ravenna experienced another period of great prosperity, thanks in part to Guido Novello da Polenta, who welcomed to the city Dante Alighieri, who spent his final years in Ravenna. The remains of this great poet are preserved in a small neoclassical temple at the Basilica of San Francesco, while the nearby Dante Museum offers visitors a journey through the works, life and memory of the Father of Italian Literature.

The Region's most beautiful sea, just a stone's throw from the city

After a city tour of delightful art, culture, and food and wine, the sea awaits you just half an hour by bus, or 20 minutes by car, from the historic centre of Ravenna: 35 kilometres of coastline with nine beaches where you can relax, play sports by the sea, be pampered in hotels with all mod cons, swim, or enjoy the sunrise amid music and nightclubs.

From Casalborsetti to Marina Romea, from Porto Corsini to Marina di Ravenna, down to Punta Marina Terme, Lido Adriano, Lido di Dante, Lido di Classe and Lido di Savio: you will be spoilt for choice.

Greenery and nature throughout Ravenna

Ravenna has no shortage of greenery. In the city, you can shelter from the sun and immerse yourself in nature in the large Public Gardens (while you're there, we recommend visiting the fascinating Planetarium) or in the Rocca Brancaleone community garden. If you are looking for unspoilt nature, you only have to travel a few kilometres in any direction to immerse yourself in enchanting landscapes.

To the north, you will find the Oasis of Punte Alberete with the pine forest of San Vitale and, further up, the enormous Po Delta Park, one of Italy's most picturesque oases. To the south, be sure to take a few hours to explore the vast pine forest of Classe and visit the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe. This expansive green space covers 900 hectares and is home to magical places such as the Ortazzo and Ortazzino oases and the mouth of the Bevano River.

Looking for some fun? There’s something for everyone

Ravenna is the ideal stopover for anyone seeking a fun-filled holiday at any time of the day or night.
The great amusement park of Mirabilandia is just a few minutes from the city, offering high-adrenalin attractions such as the Katun, the iSpeed and the park's two iconic towers, as well as plenty of options for visitors seeking quieter adventures and equipped spaces for families and children.

If you like to have fun in the pool, navigating slides and rapids aboard an inflatable, Mirabeach is located behind Mirabilandia and is open every day in the summer.

When it’s time for dinner, you can choose from the many restaurants in the historic centre of Ravenna or the Darsena area near the railway station. If you’re not ready for bed yet, we recommend checking out the famous Adriatic Riviera nightlife: open-air discos, trendy clubs and concerts are sure to make your holiday experience unforgettable.