Ravenna

Ravenna is a city in the Romagna zone of Emilia-Romagna.

Understand
Ravenna is the home of the Mosaic Basilica, with a delightful small town atmosphere plus other UNESCO World Heritage listed early Christian monuments.



By plane
The nearest airport to Ravenna is in Forli (about 20 km), but as of 2016 there no commercial flight to there. The other relatively close airports are in Bologna (about 80 km) and Rimini.

In season there is a shuttle bus service – CRAB – operates between the Bologna airport and Ravenna (continuing to Cervia).

By boat
Ravenna is one of top twenty ports of Italy.

There is a ferry line to Catania. It takes 40h to reach destination.

Nearby, at the resort of Marina di Ravenna, there are 2 yacht marinas.

By car
Ravenna is easy to get to from the A14. Follow the signs for A14D from the A14 East. The A14D ends some kilometres before Ravenna, but the roads to the town are clearly signposted. Once in the town, head for the centre (Centro). The town streets vary (as in all Italian towns and cities) with the main routes being large and navigable, the back streets being small and unsuited to large vehicles. As there are a number of ways in, make sure you have a town map before getting to the town, although this is good advice for any Italian town.

Parking is easily attained, some free away from the old town centre, and typically 3 euro for 2.5 hours on the main street near the entry to the old town within 200 metres of the Basilica.

Get around
Walk. The old town is a mainly pedestrian area with cafes and bars on every corner and some hidden away through small access alleys. Note that everything is a little more expensive near the Basilica.

Mi Muovo is an integrated public transport pass for the region. Short-stay visitors might use "Mi Muovo Multibus", a 12-trip bus ticket, see Emilia Romagna.

Mosaics of Ravenna
The early Christian monuments of Ravenna are included into UNESCO World Heritage list.

Do
Take the time to walk around. The town is full of the most charming surprises, be it a cafe or the outstanding fashion shops.

Buy
As a city of mosaics in Ravenna you can buy ceramic souvenirs in mosaic style, stylish fashions from all over Italy are available in the small boutique style shops. You won't find big stores here as you would in Milan or Rome, but there is a small town charm to them.

If you want to do any shopping, be aware that the shops in Ravenna observe a siesta from about 12:30 to around 16:00 when the only things open are small bookshops and cafes.

Eat
You are in Italy; eat Italian food. There are many small pizzerias and trattorias in the town that serve excellent and inexpensive fare. A typical meal of pizza and a beer will cost €10-15. In the main square, the cafe serves excellent Cappuccino for about €2. The self-service cafe in the (just north of the main square and the Hotel Byron) is excellent for lunches (€7.50-10).