Things To Do in Ravenna

The elegant, Venetian-looking Piazza del Popolo was laid out in the late 15th century, when Venice ruled the city. From here you can easily walk to all of the sights, with the exception of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, for which you’ll want to take a bus or drive.

Ravenna Combo Tickets

Ravenna’s system of museum cards can seem more Byzantine than the mosaics themselves. Church-run sites are covered by one card which covers admission to the basilicas of San Vitale and Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, the Neonian Baptistry, the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, and the Museo Arcivescovile—these are top sites, and the card costs a reasonable 9.50€ and can be used for 7 days. In fact, there’s no question about getting this card, because you need it to get into any of the sites (you can buy the card at any of them). For state-sponsored sites, you can pay 8€ to see the Museo Nazionale and the Mausoleo di Teodorico (worthy but not top of your list if you have only a day in Ravenna) or 10€ if you want to include the Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in Classe—which you do, but buy a single ticket for that for 5€.

The Leaning Towers of Ravenna -- North of Piazza del Popolo is a 12th-century leaning tower, the Torre del Pubblico. This tower (which you can't enter) leans even more than the Tower of Pisa. Nearby along Viale Farini is another leaning tower, the 12th-century Campanile di San Giovanni Evangelista, even tipsier than the Torre Pubblico. When Allied bombs struck the church in World War II, its apse was destroyed, but the mighty tower wasn't toppled.

A Day at the Beach -- Take bus no. 70 from Ravenna, and in 20 minutes you can enjoy white-sand beaches set against a backdrop of pine forests. Lined with beach clubs, snack shops, and ice-cream stands, these beaches are extremely crowded during the summer. The most beautiful beaches are found along a stretch called the Punta Marina di Ravenna. The Marina di Ravenna is also lively at night, with pubs and discos open until the wee hours.