Hotels in Ravenna

Ravenna: Byzantine Mosaics and the Adriatic Plain

Ravenna sits on the Po Delta plain in Emilia-Romagna, 74 km east of Bologna and 10 km from the Adriatic coast. The city served as capital of the Western Roman Empire from 402 AD, then of the Ostrogothic Kingdom, then of the Byzantine Exarchate — three successive empires left eight monuments now listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites (1996). The gold-ground mosaics inside the Basilica di San Vitale and the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia rank among the best-preserved late-antique art anywhere in Europe.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster within or just outside the centro storico, walkable to the Piazza del Popolo and all eight UNESCO sites. The Marina di Ravenna and Punta Marina resort zones, 10 km east, suit beach-focused stays in summer. Visitors also arrive for the Ravenna Festival (June–July), which draws opera and classical performances to historic venues annually since 1990.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Direct trains from Bologna take 75 minutes; regional buses connect to Ferrara in 90 minutes.
• Combo ticket: A single €12 ticket covers five of the eight UNESCO mosaic sites — purchase at any participating monument.
• Dante's tomb: The Tomba di Dante on Via Dante Alighieri is free to enter and open year-round.
• Season: Spring and September offer mild temperatures and smaller crowds than the peak July beach season.