Free walking tours in Ravenna and what to see

Must-sees

Ravenna was capital of the Western Roman Empire, of the Ostrogothic kingdom and the seat of Byzantine power in Italy, and from that era it keeps a group of early Christian monuments declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its mosaics are the main reason to come. The basilica of San Vitale, with the panels of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora, and the small mausoleum of Galla Placidia, with its starry blue sky, stand side by side.

In the centre you can also visit the basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, with its long processions of saints and virgins, the Neonian Baptistery, the Arian Baptistery and the Archiepiscopal Chapel. A little further out is the mausoleum of Theodoric, roofed with a single huge stone, and a few kilometres away, in Classe, the basilica of Sant'Apollinare. Dante's tomb is also in the centre, as he died in the city.

Free tours and guided visits

Ravenna has no regular free walking tours. What is on offer are guided tours of the mosaics, which explain the context of each monument, private tours and mosaic tickets for exploring on your own. There are also tickets for the Classis Ravenna museum, devoted to the history of the city and its ancient port, for the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra, a house with mosaic floors, and for the Mirabilandia theme park, near the coast.

How long to spend

To see the monuments of the centre at leisure you need a full day: San Vitale and Galla Placidia in the morning, and in the afternoon Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the baptisteries and Dante's tomb. If you want to add the mausoleum of Theodoric, Classe and its museum, allow a second day. In summer you can combine the visit with the beach, a few kilometres away.

Where to stay

The best base for the mosaics is the historic centre, which is largely pedestrianised and easy to explore on foot or by bike. There you will find small hotels, apartments and guesthouses. Next to the station there are practical options for those arriving by train. In summer, beach villages such as Marina di Ravenna or Punta Marina are an alternative if you want to combine art and the sea.