comparisons
Ravenna vs Ferrara
Two Emilia-Romagna art cities travelers routinely underrate. Ravenna holds the world's finest Byzantine mosaics; Ferrara is a perfectly preserved Renaissance planned city. Both are within easy reach of Bologna.
Curatorial note
Choose Ravenna for the mosaics — they're genuinely world-class and the reason to go. Choose Ferrara for a cycleable, livable Renaissance city with fewer tourists and a castle in the center. If you can only do one from Bologna, Ravenna is the more unmissable single sight; Ferrara is the more rewarding place to actually stay.
Town · Emilia-Romagna
Ferrara
Ferrara is worth a half-day from Bologna. It is flat, cyclable, and uncrowded. The Este castle and the Palazzo dei Diamanti are the essentials. Pair with Ravenna.
Town · Emilia-Romagna
Ravenna
Ravenna is worth a full day. The mosaics are the best Byzantine art west of Istanbul, and the city is uncrowded and inexpensive compared to Florence. Pair it with Bologna.
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