Best Things to see in Ravenna, Your Next Italian Love Affair

When it comes to exploring historic cities in Italy, there is no shortage of them to choose from. But what if I told you that you can visit a place that was the capital of three different empires, served as a refuge and an inspiration for famous writers and is the world capital of stunning Byzantine mosaics? This place is Ravenna.

Ravenna sits in the region of Emilia-Romagna and offers an opportunity to explore the country at a different pace. It’s a destination for those who want to stand in front of 1,500-year-old art, bike through the Po Delta, and eat piadina at a local food joint with the locals without checking the time.

If you love history, art and places that feel authentic, Ravenna belongs on your Italy list. It’s the perfect destination for cultural travellers and those looking to explore a different side of Italy.

A short history of Ravenna, Italy

As with many other cities in Italy, Ravenna’s story starts with the Roman Empire. Founded as a Roman port, it then became the capital of the Western Roman Empire in 402 AD. After the fall of Rome, the Ostrogoths under King Theodoric the Goth took it over as the capital of their kingdom. They were the ones to establish the Kingdom of Italy after the fall of Rome.

Ravenna’s story continued after it was conquered by the Byzantines under Emperor Justinian in 540 AD. It became the seat of the Byzantine rule in Italy for the next two centuries, leaving a lasting architectural and artistic legacy we can still admire today. 

That Byzantine period profoundly shaped the city we know today. Emperors poured wealth into churches, covering walls and ceilings with glittering mosaics that still wow today, some 1,500 years after they were created. Ravenna is home to eight early Christian UNESCO World Heritage Sites, where you can admire the Byzantine mosaics.

Things to see in Ravenna on your trip

If you’re looking for an unforgettable cultural adventure that blends history with art and tradition, then you’ll love exploring Ravenna. Here are some of my favourite things to see in Ravenna on your trip, starting with the must-see mosaics.

Pro tip: With the Ravenna pass, you can explore three UNESCO World Heritage Sites with one combo ticket. Get yours today.

1. Admire the stunning Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna

When Ravenna became the western capital of the Byzantine Empire, many artists were brought in from Constantinople to adorn the churches, bringing their mosaic techniques and styles. They used millions of tiny glass and stone tiles to create intricate scenes of biblical stories, imperial portraits and symbolic imagery.

Today, they are recognized as some of the best-preserved examples of Byzantine art outside Istanbul. Looking at them today, it’s hard to believe that they are from the 5th and 6th centuries. These mosaics also made Ravenna the centre of this particular art form, still used today.

Basilica di San Vitale

The Basilica of San Vitale is where you should start your journey of things to see in Ravenna. Built in the 6th century, this octagonal church holds some of the finest Byzantine mosaics and stunning architectural details.

Look up at the apse and you’ll see Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora in full regalia, leading their courts in eternal procession. The colours are emerald greens, deep purples and gold leaf that catch every angle of light and feel impossibly new.

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is another must-visit spot just behind the basilica. It’s small and unassuming from the outside, but once you step through the door, you’ll see that it’s bigger than you think.

The interior glows blue and gold, with stars covering the vaulted ceiling like a night sky. The mosaics here date to around 425 CE, making them among the oldest in the city. Don’t miss them – book your experience today.

Sant’Apollinare Nuovo

Sant’Apollinare Nuovo was originally an Ostrogothic palace chapel before becoming a Byzantine church. The long nave features two stunning mosaic processions: one of virgin martyrs and one of male martyrs, both walking toward Christ and the Virgin Mary. Above them are scenes from Christ’s life in vivid detail.

Sant’Apollinare in Classe

Just outside the city center is Sant’Apollinare in Classe. The massive church feels a bit out of place in the countryside, but what’s inside is worth the trip. This 6th-century basilica feels more spacious and serene than the others.

The apse mosaic depicts Saint Apollinaris in a green paradise, surrounded by sheep representing the faithful. While the beautiful mosaics are impressive, so is the rest of the building. Book your tickets before you go.

Ravenna still has working mosaic studios where artisans practice restoration and create new works using traditional methods. You can visit workshops to watch craftspeople cut and place tiles the same way their predecessors did 15 centuries ago.

2. Walk in the footsteps of literary greats

Ravenna is an ideal destination for literary travellers as it was once home to two great, yet very different writers, Dante Alighieri and Lord Byron. Each found in Ravenna a refuge and a muse:

Dante, the exiled Florentine poet, found peace to complete his Divine Comedy, while Byron, centuries later, discovered passion, creativity, and escape from English society’s constraints. Today, you can follow in their footsteps.

Dante Alighieri

Dante Alighieri has been recognized as one of the greatest poets in Western literature. Born in Florence in 1265, he wrote The Divine Comedy (an epic journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise) that changed how people thought about the afterlife, language and storytelling itself.

He wrote using the Italian language of the people rather than Latin, helping to shape modern Italian as a literary language.

Political conflicts forced Dante into exile from Florence in 1302. He never returned home. Instead, he spent his final years in Ravenna, where he finished Paradiso, the last part of his masterwork. He died here in 1321. Over the centuries, Florence has asked for his remains to be returned many times. Ravenna has always refused.

Things to see in Ravenna related to Dante:

• Dante Alighieri’s Tomb – Pay your respects at the poet’s final resting place, a simple neoclassical temple built in 1780. Inside, a marble bas-relief by Pietro Lombardo adorns the sarcophagus, and a votive lamp burns with oil donated annually by Florence.
• Basilica of San Francesco – Visit the Romanesque church where Dante’s funeral was held on September 13, 1321. The poet likely attended Mass here during his final years, and his remains were temporarily buried in a 5th-century sarcophagus inside the church.
• Quadrarco of Braccioforte – Step into this peaceful courtyard where Dante’s remains were hidden multiple times over the centuries to protect them from being taken to Florence. A mound of earth marks where his bones stayed safe during World War II.
• Old Franciscan Cloisters – Explore this former monastery complex where Dante spent time during his years in Ravenna. The tranquil cloisters now house the Museo Dante and host cultural events.
• Museo Dante – Journey through eight rooms tracing Dante’s life, works, and lasting influence. See the wooden box that hid his remains for nearly 200 years and the chest used to display them in 1865.
• Casa Dante – Complete your Dante experience at this 14th-century villa housing exhibitions, rare manuscripts from the Classense Library, and the coffer that protected the poet’s bones during World War II.
• The Zone of Silence – Wander this traffic-free area designed in the 1920s as a space of peace and respect around Dante’s tomb. Listen for the bell that rings 13 times each evening at dusk, commemorating the date of his death.
• Classense Library – Discover the Sala Dantesca (Dantesque Room), where important conferences and readings about Dante take place. The library holds the world’s most complete collection of first and rare editions of Dante’s works.

Lord Byron

George Gordon Byron, known as Lord Byron, was one of the Romantic era’s most famous and controversial poets. His extensive body of work, including Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage and Don Juan, made him a celebrity across Europe in the early 1800s with fanatical fans.

He lived dramatically, his life filled with scandals, love affairs, political involvement, and a personality that drew both admiration and criticism.

Dubbed as “mad, bad, and dangerous to know,” he left London in 1816 amid financial problems, social ostracization for a rumoured incestuous relationship with his half-sister, failed marriage and scandalous life.

In 1819, Byron met Countess Teresa Guccioli at a party in Venice. Despite their age difference (he was 31, she was 19) and the fact that she was married to a man much older than her, the two became lovers.

Byron followed the couple back to Ravenna, where he stayed with them at the Palazzo Guiccioli. It was here that he wrote several significant works, including the poem The Prophecy of Dante.

Today, Palazzo Guiccioli houses an interactive museum dedicated to his life. There are various letters, busts, works, personal items and even scraps of his skin, all collected and kept by Teresa. For me, the highlight was the interactive component, where you can trigger audio and visual narrations and plays to learn more about Byron and his work.

He also got involved in Risorgimento, the 19th-century Italian independence movement, influenced by Teresa’s family. Don’t miss the section about this key part of Italian history at the museum. Byron eventually left Ravenna to fight for Greek independence, where he died in 1824. He was 36.

3. Find your creative side

In many ways, Ravenna is a city of artists. There is no better way to experience that energy than through a hands-on mosaic workshop where you can learn the basics of cutting and placing tiles. It’s surprisingly relaxing and really makes you appreciate the ancient works even more. These sessions usually last a couple of hours, and you leave with a unique souvenir you made yourself.

I did a workshop at the art museum (MAR – Museo d’Arte della Città di Ravenna), which is also hosting a temporary exhibition on the Russian-French artist Marc Chagall.

4. Go on an outdoor adventure

Ravenna sits on flat terrain, making it perfect for biking. There are many bike paths in and around the city, as well as numerous opportunities to explore the countryside. Exploring the area by bike was definitely a highlight of my things to see in Ravenna.

• The Ravenna-Classe route takes you south through pine forests to the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe. It’s an easy, scenic ride that feels worlds away from city streets.
• Bike to the low-key beach town of Marina di Ravenna (about a 20-minute ride), where you can discover seafood restaurants, a small port and a laid-back vibe. The beaches here aren’t as polished as those in more famous Italian coastal towns, which means fewer crowds and more room to spread out.
• Don’t miss a chance to explore the Parco del Delta del Po, which protects one of Europe’s most important wetland systems. The Po River delta creates a vast network of lagoons, marshes and channels that attract hundreds of bird species. It’s a paradise for birdwatchers, and you might even spot some wild horses. Take a bike tour with the NatuRa Visitor Center from the small town of Sant’Alberto to explore the biopark.

5. Take a guided tour of Ravenna

The best way (and one of my favourite ways) to experience a city is by doing a guided walking tour. Walking tours are also a great solution if you want to make the most of your visit as they take you to key places and tell you about them so you can then go back and explore further on your own.

• Private walking tour with mosaics: Discover Ravenna’s world’s most famous mosaics and visit the most significant regligious buildings in the city – book yours today

• Private walking tour with a local expert: Visit four iconic sites of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Galla Placidia, San Vitale and Battistero Neoniano – get yours before you go

• Ravenna tour by night: Discover Ravenna’s magical atmosphere and see the city at night

Sustainable tourism: Footprints Project

Ravenna takes sustainable tourism seriously. The city launched the Footprints Project, funded by the European Urban Initiative, to create a tourism model that respects both the environment and the cultural heritage that makes Ravenna special.

I was invited by the Ravenna tourism board to experience the city’s tourism offerings as part of this project. The goal is simple: encourage visitors to make thoughtful choices that protect the city’s treasures while still enjoying everything it has to offer.

The project works with local hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses to obtain green certifications. Visitors can choose eco-friendly accommodation and dining options without sacrificing comfort or quality. The city has created welcome hubs where you can rent bikes (ther is one outside the train station) and electric vehicles (including accessible options), making it easy to explore without a car.

This matters more than ever in Italy. Cities like Venice, Florence and Rome struggle with overtourism that damages historic sites and pushes out local residents. Ravenna wants to tackle that issue with a program aimed at encouraging slower travel, cultural immersion and sustainable systems.

Where to stay

Ravenna’s historic center is compact, so most hotels put you within walking distance of the main sights.

For a stay with character, look at small boutique hotels in converted historic buildings. Places like Albergo Cappello occupy Renaissance palaces with original frescoes, beam ceilings, and intimate courtyards. These properties blend history with modern comfort.

Santa Maria Foris offers a unique experience in a restored monastery building. The rooms maintain a sense of history while providing all the comforts you need. It’s peaceful, well-located, and run by people who genuinely care about hospitality. I really enjoyed staying here.

If sustainability matters to you, several eco-conscious hotels in Ravenna use renewable energy, source local food for breakfast, and minimize waste. Ask about green certifications when booking.

Where to eat

Ravenna sits in Emilia-Romagna, one of Italy’s great food regions. The local cuisine draws from both the inland Romagna tradition and the coastal Adriatic influence.

Piadina is the signature street food here. This thin flatbread is cooked on a griddle and filled with cheese, cured meats, or vegetables. You’ll find it everywhere, from market stalls to sit-down restaurants. It’s simple, delicious, and perfect for lunch between monuments. Traditionally, piadina is made with lard, so keep that in mind if you’re vegetarian.

Being close to the sea means excellent seafood. Look for restaurants serving brodetto (fish stew), grilled Adriatic fish, and fresh clams with pasta. The local approach favours simple preparation that lets the quality of the ingredients speak.

Handmade pasta, especially cappelletti and other stuffed pastas, is commonly used here. There are many great restaurants to choose from, but if you want history and tradition, head to Ca’ de Ven. This local institution, housed in a 16th-century building, is known for its piadina and regional wines. It also has spectacular ceilings.

The Mercato Coperto (covered market) in Piazza Andrea Costa is also a great option to sample local flavour. Vendors sell fresh produce, cheese, meat, and prepared foods. Grab supplies for a picnic or eat at one of the on-site restaurants.

Don’t skip the wine. Emilia-Romagna produces excellent Sangiovese reds and Albana whites. Ask for local recommendations as servers are usually happy to suggest pairings.

Final thoughts

One of the things I love most about living in Italy is being able to discover amazing cities that many tourists don’t get a chance to. Ravenna is a great example of a destination that will make you see Italy differently, as most people don’t consider the Byzantine influence here and all it offers visitors. There are many things to see in Ravenna for every kind of traveller.

From the stunning mosaics, its literary legacy and a laid-back vibe with a side of nature, Ravenna has a lot to offer. Plan to stay at least two full days. Three is better. Give yourself time to see the major sites without rushing, to bike to the coast, to linger over a long lunch, to stumble onto smaller churches and quiet corners that don’t make the guidebooks.

I think you will fall in love with Ravenna as much as I did. Just be warned, after one visit you’ll start planning your return before you even leave. You can thank me later.

@amongstromans Imposing and majestic, the Basilica of Sant'Apolinare in Classe sports a 30 metre-high façade and is almost twice as long. It has been defined as the greatest basilica of the Early Christian period known today. Inside this 6th-century church, you'll discover stunning architecture and spectacular Byzantine mosaics. Definitely a must-do when visiting Ravenna. Things to do in Ravenna | Ravenna Italy | Byzantine mosaics | Church decor | Discover Italy #fyp #architecture #arttok #ravenna #italytiktok ? Take Me To Church – Hozier