One day in Ravenna

Ravenna is one of those Italian cities where photos don’t do it any justice. 

We'd seen plenty of images online about the mosaic sites before spending one day in Ravenna. However, nothing compared to seeing them in person.

In this travel guide, I'll be sharing the essential sights to see in one day in Ravenna.

Keep on reading till the end to find out where to stay in Ravenna and the best places to eat in the city.

Where is Ravenna?

Ravenna is situated in the region of Emilia-Romagna towards the north-east of Italy. It was the last of 3 cities that we visited in the region after we'd spent 1 day in glorious Modena.

Approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the coast, Ravenna isn't far from the dazzling blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.

A city that doesn't often feature on many Italy itineraries, I guarantee that it's highly worth seeing when planning a trip to Italy.

With a total of 8 Ravenna mosaics structures on the UNESCO World Heritage list, Ravenna makes perfect Italy bucket list material.

Northern connection

Ravenna's history for producing mosaics shares a history with Venice a little further north. 

We saw several mosaic designs similar to Ravenna when we visited Murano, Burano and Torcello in 1 day.

Now it was time to discover the root of these incredible mosaics and to see them for ourselves.

Getting tickets to see Ravenna mosaic sites

Start at the ticket office

Waste no time on your one day in Ravenna and head straight to the ticket office.

Opera di Religione della Diocesi di Ravenna has a 5-in-1 ticket that grants you entry to Ravenna’s best mosaic sites. 

Alternatively, you could consider joining a guided tour to see Ravenna's best mosaics and monuments. This option wasn't available during the time of our visit so we chose the self-guided tour and purchased our tickets straight from the ticket office. 

Where to buy your tickets in Ravenna

For reference, we bought our tickets from Book&Shop Biglietteria Basilica di San Vitale located on Via Giuliano Argentario. The shop doubles up as a bookshop and ticket office. You’ll know you’re in the right place as the staff wear official seller t-shirts. 

The online information (at the time) wasn’t up to date. Also, with few visitors around, it was easier for us to buy from the official sellers. I should also point out that you need to book the times for each mosaic site. You may not be allowed entry if you arrive too early or too late. 

While it’s highly unlikely they’ll turn you away, do your best to keep to your ticket time.

Book&Shop Biglietteria Basilica di San Vitale, Via Giuliano Argentario, 22

Things to do in one day in Ravenna

1. Begin at the Basilica di San Vitale

If I was speaking in terms of language, La Basilica di San Vitale is what I’d call a ‘false friend.’ From the outside, the architectural style of the Basilica didn’t impress me as much as other Duomo I’d seen across Italy. 

However, as you follow the stone path that leads inside the basilica will leave you speechless.

The 6th century church is a good example of early Christian Byzantine architecture. However, it’s really the Byzantine Ravenna mosaics that steal the show.  

Let the pictures do the talking  

This is the part where I let the photos speak for themselves. I’m by no means an expert in mosaics or Byzantine art so I won’t try to curate them. What you should know, is that my jaw pretty much stayed on the ground from the second we stepped inside.

Basilica di San Vitale, Via San Vitale 17

Map: things to do in Ravenna in 1 day

Marvel at the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia

Type Ravenna into Google, and the first image that’ll most likely pop up will be Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. 

Like the basilica, the mausoleum’s exterior isn’t one that exactly entices you to start snapping away. But, once inside, I guarantee you’ll find it hard to put your camera (or camera phone) down. 

A mosaic of blue

The mausoleum’s named after Roman Empress Galla Placidia, but it’s a misconception that she was buried here. According to sources, the small building houses the tombs of her husband, son and brother.  

Inside is a dazzling display of Ravenna mosaics, with a deep midnight blue color running throughout. The attention to detail is incredible and I found the entire scene joyously overwhelming. From the gold stars on the ceilings to the Christian imagery, the mausoleum will blow you away.  

Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, Via San Vitale, 17

Baptistery of Neon (Battistero Neoniano)

After recharging our batteries over lunch, we were ready to explore more mosaic sites on our one day in Ravenna. 

Battistero Neoniano is a short walk from the basilica. Use the map they provide when you buy your tickets, or Google Maps, to find your way there.  

If you’ve never heard of a baptistry, these separate buildings were used during the early Christian period to baptize non-Christians. Only those that had been baptized were allowed to enter the church. 

Inside and out

The octagonal brick structure is the oldest remaining monument in Ravenna dating to the end of the 4th century. 

At first glance, the baptistry appears to end at ground level, but its foundations run deeper. The structure was built on the site of a Roman bath, a feature that the guide on duty pointed out. 

A similar blue color to the mausoleum also runs throughout the mosaic display in the Battistero Neoniano. For its small size, it packs an impressive punch. Stone carvings and pillars blend in with the alluring mosaics, giving you neck ache as you try to take it all in.  

Small details

At the core of the baptistery is the pool where they once performed the full immersion baptisms. Today, it seems to be some kind of wishing well, just without the water or the well. Coins thrown in by visitors cover its base, its owners having possibly wished for some good luck.

At the center of the building’s dome-shaped roof is the most important mosaic. It depicts John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Christ surrounded by his 12 apostles.

Impressive doesn’t even begin to describe its magnificence. For a building dating to the 4th century, the mosaics are so well preserved, it’s hard to believe it’s over 1,500 years old.

A must see if you've just one day in Ravenna, be sure to add the Baptistry of Neon to your itinerary.

Battistero Neoniano, Piazza Duomo, 1

Get dizzy at the Museo e Cappela Arcivescovile 

A few moments’ walk from the baptistry is Saint Andrew’s Chapel and the Archiepiscopal Museum. The museum covers 2 floors and is worthy of a lengthier visit if you’ve time to spare.

Inside, you’ll discover works from Ravenna, dating to different historical and artistic periods. For us, there was one showstopper to see, and that was Saint Andrew’s Chapel (La Cappella di Sant’Andrea). 

One thing we discovered on our one day in Ravenna was that many buildings are distorted. By this I mean that Pisa isn’t the only Italian city with a leaning tower.

We experienced several occasions when we came across uneven ground, and Saint Andrew’s Chapel was one of them. 

To say that I felt unbalanced upon stepping inside is an understatement. So strong the distortion (for me) that once I exited the chapel, I’d to sit down. However, I do suffer from slight vertigo so it probably added to my dizziness.

Despite this, I’m still glad that I saw Saint Andrew’s Chapel. It’s another dazzling mosaics display and one you shouldn’t miss if you've one day in Ravenna.

Museo e Cappela Arcivescovile, Piazza Arcivescovado

Be dazzled at Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo

In a city as spectacular as Ravenna, the phrase ‘save the best till last’ doesn’t really apply. 

But, if pressed, I think I’d say this about La Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. Like the basilica, you don’t expect much from its plain exterior but inside is a glitterbomb waiting to blow you away.  

Built during the rule of King Theodoric the Great in the 6th century, the church reflects Early Christian and Byzantine style. It was dedicated to Arian Christianity, a doctrine first attributed to Arius, who originated from Alexandria, Egypt. 

Spending a solid hour here is a breeze. The detail, imagery and spellbinding colors are so captivating, you won’t want to miss a thing.  

Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Via di Roma, 53

Spot the Ravenna mosaics street signs 

It’s safe to say that the 5 sites mentioned above steal the show when it comes to mosaics in Ravenna. 

But, these places aren’t where the mosaics end. In and around the historic center are charming street signs in mosaic design.

I didn’t photograph as many as I would have liked, but it’s a challenge you can set yourself when you visit.

Swing by Dante Alighieri’s tomb

The final resting place of influential poet and politician Dante Alighieri is in Ravenna. A city he loved to visit before being exiled from Florence, his legacy is still present to this day.

His tomb lies solo in a small sepulchre built in neo-classical style at the end of Via Alighieri. While the doors are open, the rope barrier stops visitors from fully entering inside.

The Dante Alighieri zone  

Just slightly opposite the tomb are the Ancient Franciscan cloisters that now house the Dante Museum.

Even if you’ve never read, or heard of Dante and the Divine Comedy, the area’s worth visiting. It’s a peaceful and touching tribute to one of Italy’s most famous poets.

Tomb of Dante Alighieri, Via Dante Alighieri, 9

Stop by other historic churches in Ravenna

Aside from the Ravenna mosaics, there were two things that stood out: the number of banks and churches. 

But, when you only have a day in the city, be prepared to do a lot of stopping by the latter. Two notable churches we entered, though briefly, were Santa Maria Del Suffragio and Basilica di San Francesco. 

Santa Maria del Suffragio dates to the 18th century and is built in baroque style. Inside are statues sculpted by Ravenna artists, and paintings created by local painter Andrea Barbiani. 

The construction of Basilica di San Francesco dates to the mid-5th century. In the Middle Ages, the ruling family of Ravenna, the Polentani, were regular visitors to the church. Dante Alighieri was also most likely a regular at the basilica. 

Santa Maria del Suffragio, Via Serafino Ferruzzi, 1
Basilica di San Francesco, Piazza San Francesco, 3

Good places to eat in Ravenna Italy

Onto my favorite subject to write about: the food scene in Ravenna. Emilia-Romagna is one of the best food regions in Italy, and eating well here is a given.

Try a traditional piadina

For lunch, we decided to try one specialty in the region, specifically from Romagna. A piadina is a flatbread-style sandwich, packed with any filling of your choosing. 

Around Ravenna, there are several ‘piadineria’ that specialize in making these sandwiches. A 'blink and you’ll miss it’ kind of place, we took ours from Profumo di Piadina. Choice of fillings are written on boards inside and out the tiny establishment. 

We opted for prosciutto, rocket and stracchino cheese and ate our order at one of the benches outside. While piadinerias tend to attract students because of its convenience and price, it’s something that all traveling foodies should try.  

Profumo di Piadina “Laboratorio del Palato”, Via Cairoli 24 

If you prefer a proper sit-down lunch, we passed a charming restaurant on the same street called Al Cairoli. It serves classic regional dishes in a relaxed environment. They’ve outdoor tables on Via Cairoli as well as a dining area in Piazza del Popolo. 

Al Cairoli, Via Cairoli, 16

Dinner at Il Portolano 

Given our ‘grab it and go’ style lunch, we decided to treat ourselves for a refined dinner at Il Portolano. 

This trattoria serves up a good selection of fresh fish, seafood and fish-inspired plates.

Ravenna’s close proximity to the coast means that you’ll find several good fish restaurants within the city. The trattoria has an indoor and outdoor dining area, but take my advice and sit outside.  

As the sun set over Ravenna, we enjoyed our dishes of seafood risotto, a ‘frittura’ and seafood stew. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the dishes, and also advised us on the most suitable wine. 

A perfect end to our one day in Ravenna, my appetite and I would happily return again to Il Portolano. 

Il Portolano, Via Andrea Agnello, 10

Coffee and other food options in Ravenna

Before beginning our visit to La Basilica di San Vitale, we stopped for coffee at Costacafé. While there are probably better coffee places in Ravenna, we chose it for its central location and outdoor seating. 

Costacafé, Piazza Andrea Costa 5

If you’ve time to spare, take a peek inside the Mercato Coperto, located just opposite Costacafé. The covered indoor market sells everything from fresh pasta to meat.

On the ground and first floor are also eateries, but they were closed at the time. Its modern style and layout reminded me of Mercado San Antón in Madrid. A place to eat, drink and buy, Mercato Coperto is a foodie must see. 

Mercato Coperto, Piazza Andrea Costa

Where to stay in Ravenna

Like many Italian cities, the roads leading to the center of Ravenna are narrow. Saying that, there’s no need, or place, for a car and you can get anywhere on foot or on bike. 

It was for this reason why we chose to book at Chez Papa. Opposite is a parking area (paid), and the main shopping street, Via Camillo Benso Cavour, is just 2 minutes away. 

Despite its close distance to the center, the grounds of the B&B are very quiet. The décor has a boutique feel, and you can’t help but smile when you see the pretty courtyard. 

We stayed in one of the rooms overlooking the courtyard. Ideal for one night, the interior matched the unique style of the main house. 

For its location and price, Chez Papa is a great choice for Ravenna, and is somewhere we’d both stay again.

Chez Papa, Via Pellegrino Matteucci 14

What are your thoughts on the things we did on our one day in Ravenna Italy? Does it sound like a place you’d like to add to your Italy travel list? Let me know in the comments below. 

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