Ravenna (Venice)

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💡Venice (Ravenna): Good to Know

 

🛂 Visa: Most European countries plus Canada, Australia, the US, Korea, and Japan are visa-exempt for a stay of up to 90 days

 

✈️ Closest Airport: Venice- Marco Polo Airport (VCE)

 

💬 Language: Italian, but English is widely spoken

 

🏷️ Price Level: It is said that Italy is about 30% cheaper than the US

 

🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Italy US$ 6.00

 

💰 Currency: Euro (EUR)| 1 USD = ca. 0.90 EUR)

 

☀️ Best Times to Visit: The best times to visit Venice are during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October)

 

🚘 Transportation: Vaporetti (water buses), traghetti (gondola ferries)

 

🔌 Adapter: Italy uses type C and L plugs. No adapter is needed if you are from Europe but it is needed when coming from the US

 

🛜 WiFi: widely available; the city offers several options for free Wi-Fi access, including hotspots in public areas and through the "Cittadinanza Digitale" project in tourist ports

 

🏧💰ATM and “Cash or Card”: While some small stores take only cash, payments with cards are generally accepted; ATMs are available throughout the city

 

💸 Tipping: Tipping in Italy is not mandatory, as service is usually included in the bill (called coperto), especially in restaurants. However, it's common to leave a small amount—like rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10%—for good service.

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🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Porto Corsini, Ravenna, Italy 48123 Ravenna RA, Italy (docked)

 

 

✈️ 🚇 🚕 Getting There and Around

 

🎟️ Getting around Venice is a unique experience—since there are no cars, most travel is by foot or water. Walking is often the best way to explore the narrow alleyways, bridges, and piazzas of central Venice, including areas like San Marco and Rialto. For longer distances, vaporetto (water buses) run along the Grand Canal and to outer islands like Murano and Burano, with single tickets costing 9.50 EUR or a 25 EUR day pass offering unlimited rides. Water taxis are faster but much more expensive, while gondola rides are more for the romantic experience than practical transport. There’s no Uber, but everything is connected by a scenic mix of footpaths and waterways.

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✈️ Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is located about 13 km (8 miles) from the historic city center. While you can’t walk into Venice proper, there are several scenic and practical transfer options. The Alilaguna water bus offers a direct connection to key areas like San Marco, Rialto, and the cruise terminal, with tickets around €15–€20. Land buses (like ACTV Line 5 or ATVO express) run to Piazzale Roma, the main gateway for entering Venice on foot or by vaporetto. A water taxi is the fastest and most convenient option, especially if you're carrying luggage—but expect to pay €70–€120 depending on your destination.

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🚇 The Port of Ravenna is located in the town of Porto Corsini, about 13 km (8 miles) from Ravenna city center and roughly 2.5–3 hours from Venice. Cruise passengers typically take a shuttle or taxi from the port to Ravenna train station (around 20–30 minutes), where direct trains to Venice Santa Lucia run several times daily. Train tickets usually cost 10–20 EUR, depending on the service. While Ravenna itself offers rich history and UNESCO mosaics worth exploring, travelers heading straight to Venice should plan ahead, as there are no direct public transport options from the port to Venice without transferring in Ravenna.

 

 

⭐️ Top Sights in Ravenna and Venice

"Venice is a sinking city of canals built on 118 islands, supported by millions of wooden logs."​

 

📸 St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco): A masterpiece of Italo-Byzantine architecture, St. Mark’s Basilica dazzles with its golden mosaics, domed ceilings, and intricate marble floors. Entry is free, but long lines are common—especially in high season. Booking a skip-the-line ticket or guided tour is highly recommended to avoid waiting and to access special areas like the Pala d’Oro and the rooftop terrace with stunning views of Piazza San Marco.

 

📸 Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale): Once the seat of power in the Venetian Republic, the Doge’s Palace is a must-visit for its lavish halls, grand staircases, and chilling prison cells. Walk across the Bridge of Sighs, where prisoners took their final glimpse of Venice. Tickets include access to the Museo Correr and other nearby museums, making it a great value if you’re planning to explore more of the city’s history.

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📸 Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto): The oldest bridge across the Grand Canal, the Rialto is both a historical landmark and a vibrant market area. From its arch, you’ll get one of the best photo ops in Venice, especially at sunset. Explore nearby souvenir shops, or visit the Rialto Market for fresh produce, seafood, and a taste of local life.

 

📸 Grand Canal (Canal Grande): Venice’s main waterway is lined with historic palazzi, churches, and picturesque views around every bend. For a budget-friendly “tour,” hop on Vaporetto Line 1, which cruises the length of the canal with stops at major landmarks. Sit or stand near the front or back for the best photo opportunities—it’s Venice’s version of a scenic train ride.

 

📸 Burano & Murano Islands: Take a half-day boat trip to these island gems in the Venetian Lagoon: Murano is world-famous for its glassblowing—watch artisans at work and shop for handmade souvenirs. Burano is a photographer’s dream, with brightly painted houses lining quiet canals, plus a long tradition of lace-making. You can reach both via vaporetto or a guided tour from Venice.

 

📸 Gondola Ride: The ultimate Venetian experience! A 30-minute ride costs around 80 EUR (daytime) or 100+EUR at night—prices are set by the city, but always confirm before boarding. While pricey, it's a memorable way to glide through hidden canals and under centuries-old bridges. For a cheaper option, try a traghetto, a gondola-style ferry that locals use to cross the Grand Canal (2–3 EUR).

 

📸 Teatro La Fenice: One of Italy’s most iconic opera houses, La Fenice (meaning “The Phoenix”) has risen from the ashes multiple times and remains a symbol of Venetian resilience and elegance. You can take a self-guided or guided tour during the day to see the stunning interior, or book an evening opera or ballet performance for a truly unforgettable night out.

 

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Ravenna is a charming and historically rich city in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, best known for its extraordinary Byzantine mosaics and early Christian monuments. Once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and later a major center of the Byzantine world, Ravenna holds eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the stunning Basilica di San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. The city’s elegant piazzas, cobbled streets, and relaxed café culture offer a peaceful and authentic Italian experience. While Ravenna is located about 13 km (8 miles) from its cruise port in Porto Corsini, it makes for a rewarding day trip or gateway to other northern Italian destinations. With its rich cultural heritage, artistic treasures, and laid-back atmosphere, Ravenna is a hidden gem that offers a deeper, quieter side of Italy—perfect for history lovers and art enthusiasts alike.​

 

📸 Basilica di San Vitale: One of Ravenna’s crown jewels and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 6th-century basilica is famous for its vibrant, gold-flecked mosaics depicting Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. The church’s octagonal design and richly decorated interior showcase the height of Byzantine artistry in Western Europe. A must-see for history, art, and architecture lovers alike.

 

📸 Mausoleum of Galla Placidia: Tucked beside San Vitale, this modest-looking building hides a glittering interior of some of Europe’s oldest surviving mosaics, dating back to the 5th century. Inside, deep blue ceilings dotted with gold stars create a serene, almost celestial atmosphere. Don’t let its size fool you—it’s one of Ravenna’s most awe-inspiring sights.

 

📸 Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo: This long, elegant basilica houses a series of stunning mosaic panels that line the nave walls, featuring saints, martyrs, and biblical scenes in incredible detail. Originally built as a palace church for Theodoric the Great, it’s a visual timeline of Ravenna’s religious and political shifts from Arianism to Orthodoxy.

 

📸 Dante’s Tomb: The final resting place of Dante Alighieri, author of The Divine Comedy, who spent his last years in Ravenna. Though small and simple, the neoclassical tomb is a literary landmark, drawing fans and scholars from around the world. Nearby, a quiet garden and museum further honor his legacy.

 

📸 Piazza del Popolo: Ravenna’s lively main square, surrounded by elegant buildings and cozy cafés, is perfect for a relaxing break. Once a Venetian administrative center (you’ll notice the lions of St. Mark), today it’s a hub for locals and visitors alike. Grab a coffee or gelato and soak in the easygoing pace of Ravenna life.

 

📸 Bologna: Just 1 hour away by direct train, Bologna offers a vibrant contrast to Ravenna. Famous for its rich cuisine (like tagliatelle al ragù), miles of covered porticoes, and leaning medieval towers, it's a food and culture lover’s dream. Ideal for cruisers with extra time or staying overnight pre-/post-cruise.

 

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🍽️😋 Regional Specialties

 

Ravenna’s cuisine is a delicious reflection of Emilia-Romagna’s rich culinary heritage, known for its fresh pasta, rustic flavors, and high-quality local ingredients. Expect comforting dishes like cappelletti in brodo, piadina flatbread filled with meats and cheeses, and seasonal specialties featuring seafood from the nearby Adriatic coast. With its relaxed trattorias, lively markets, and focus on tradition, Ravenna offers an authentic and satisfying food experience for every visitor.

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🍽️ Cappelletti in Brodo: These delicate, ring-shaped pasta parcels are traditionally stuffed with a savory blend of meat, cheese, or both. Served in a clear, flavorful broth, cappelletti in brodo is a comforting and elegant dish often enjoyed during festive occasions or as a warming starter in Ravenna’s local cuisine.

 

🍽️ Piadina Romagnola: A beloved street food of the Emilia-Romagna region, piadina is a thin, soft flatbread cooked on a griddle and then generously filled with an array of ingredients like cured meats (such as prosciutto or salami), creamy cheeses (like squacquerone), and grilled or fresh vegetables. It’s perfect for a quick, satisfying bite while exploring the city.

 

🍽️ Passatelli: A unique pasta variety made from simple ingredients—breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and sometimes a hint of lemon zest or nutmeg. Passatelli are traditionally pushed through a special sieve to create noodle-like shapes, then served in rich broth or with light sauces, offering a comforting, rich texture and flavor distinctive to the Romagna area.

 

🥤 Sangiovese Wine: One of Italy’s most famous red grape varieties, Sangiovese from the Romagna region is known for its earthy, medium-bodied character with notes of cherry, plum, and subtle spice. It pairs beautifully with the hearty meat dishes and aged cheeses common in Ravenna’s cuisine, making it a must-try for wine enthusiasts visiting the area.

 

 

Venetian cuisine is deeply tied to its maritime history and lagoon setting, offering a unique mix of seafood, seasonal produce, and centuries-old traditions. Local specialties include sarde in saor (sweet-and-sour marinated sardines), risotto al nero di seppia (squid ink risotto), and cicchetti—small plates served in wine bars, perfect for sampling. From fresh seafood at the Rialto Market to cozy bacari tucked down side streets, Venice is a feast for both the palate and the senses.

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🍽️ Cicchetti: Often described as Venetian tapas, cicchetti are a variety of small, flavorful bites served in bacari, Venice’s traditional wine bars. Popular options include baccalà mantecato—a creamy whipped cod spread, polpette (meatballs), and sardines in saor (marinated with onions, vinegar, and pine nuts). Sampling cicchetti is a fun, social way to eat like a local while enjoying a glass of wine or spritz.

 

🍽️ Risotto al Nero di Seppia: This visually striking dish features creamy risotto dyed jet black with cuttlefish ink, delivering a bold, briny flavor reminiscent of the sea. It’s a Venetian specialty that perfectly showcases the city’s connection to the lagoon and its seafood traditions.

 

🍽️ Bigoli in Salsa: A classic Venetian pasta dish made with thick, whole-wheat bigoli noodles tossed in a simple yet deeply savory sauce of anchovies and onions. This rustic recipe highlights the region’s love of strong flavors and is a comforting staple in local trattorias.

 

🍽️ Fegato alla Veneziana: A traditional dish of thinly sliced calf’s liver sautéed with sweet onions, often accompanied by creamy polenta. It’s a hearty, flavorful meal that’s deeply rooted in Venetian home cooking and beloved by locals.

 

🍽️ Tiramisu: Though popular worldwide, tiramisu originates from the Veneto region, near Venice’s neighbor Treviso. This luscious dessert layers espresso-soaked ladyfingers with rich mascarpone cream and a dusting of cocoa powder, making it the perfect sweet finish after a Venetian meal.

 

🥤 Spritz: The quintessential Venetian aperitivo, typically made with Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water, garnished with an orange slice. Its bright, slightly bitter, and refreshing taste has become synonymous with Venice’s lively social scene—ideal for sipping while people-watching in a piazza or bacaro.

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🥤 Prosecco: This sparkling wine from the Veneto region is known for its dry, crisp, and fruity profile, making it a perfect match for Venice’s seafood dishes and cicchetti. Enjoy it chilled as an aperitif or paired with light Venetian fare for a truly local experience.

 

 

📍🗺️  Maps, Apps & Links

 

🌐 Ravenna Public Transport Map 

🌐 Ravenna Free Walking Tour 

 

🌐 Venice Public Transport Map

🌐 Venice Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour

🌐 Venice Free Walking Tour I

🌐 Venice Free Walking Tour II

 

🚕 Uber (Ravenna)