Ravenna Day Tour: Byzantine Mosaics & Seafood Lunch

Three UNESCO sites in one morning, then lunch on the beach

A private day tour from Bologna to Ravenna with a certified historical guide covers three UNESCO World Heritage sites: San Vitale, Galla Placidia and St. Apollinare Nuovo, then moves to the Adriatic Coast for a seafood lunch. Pickup from Bologna downtown, all entry tickets, and a guide born and raised in the area are included. The tour runs 7.5 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Ravenna and lunch on beach

• Meet Historical Guide in Ravenna
• Visit San Vitale, Galla Placidia, St. Apollinare Nuovo
• Walk to Dante’s Tomb and Piazza del Popolo
• Drive to Adriatic Coast
• Have typical seafood lunch on the beach

The experience

Ravenna sits about an hour from Bologna, and this tour picks you up downtown and drives you straight there in a private, air-conditioned car. A certified historical guide meets you in the city and walks you through three Byzantine UNESCO World Heritage sites: San Vitale, with its intricate mosaics and octagonal dome; Galla Placidia, a 5th-century mausoleum; and St. Apollinare Nuovo, where the walls are covered in gold-backed tile work. The guide is someone born and raised in the area, so the history is not read from notes.

After the churches, you walk to Dante's Tomb and Piazza del Popolo, Ravenna's main square with its Venetian architecture. Then the tour heads to the Adriatic Coast, where you have lunch at a restaurant on the beach. You order and pay for your own meal (the guide will suggest specialities), and eat seafood while looking out at the water. The return to Bologna happens after lunch, so you're back by late afternoon.

All entry tickets to the three churches are included in the price, and the private car means no waiting for a group to assemble or move between stops. The tour works for families, couples, groups of friends or solo travelers, and there's no fitness requirement beyond the ability to walk through churches and around the piazza.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from Bologna downtown.
• transport by private air-conditioned vehicle.
• all entry tickets to San Vitale, Galla Placidia and St. Apollinare Nuovo.
• certified historical guide for the Ravenna sights.
• certified tour leader born and raised in the area.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by The Village Italy

Is this one for you?The tour is a full day with walking through three churches and around the piazza, then a drive to the coast for lunch, so it suits travelers comfortable with a moderate pace and several hours on their feet. The private car and included tickets mean no time spent queuing or coordinating with a larger group.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the three UNESCO sites I'll visit in Ravenna?

San Vitale, Galla Placidia and St. Apollinare Nuovo. San Vitale is an octagonal church famous for its Byzantine mosaics; Galla Placidia is a 5th-century mausoleum; and St. Apollinare Nuovo has walls of gold-backed tile work depicting biblical scenes.

Is lunch included in the price?

No, you choose and pay for your own meal at a restaurant on the beach. The guide will suggest what the restaurant does well, and you're free to order whatever you want.

How long does the tour take?

The full day is 7.5 hours from pickup in Bologna to drop-off, including the drive to Ravenna, the guided visits to the three churches and the piazza, the drive to the coast, and lunch.

Will I have a guide who speaks English?

Yes, a certified historical guide leads the tour in English and is someone born and raised in the Ravenna area.

What's included in the price?

Pickup and drop-off from Bologna downtown; transport in a private air-conditioned car; all entry tickets to the three UNESCO sites; and the services of a certified historical guide for Ravenna.