Ravenna Mosaics Day Trip from Venice: Private guided tour

Five UNESCO monuments in one morning, all golden mosaics and Byzantine art.

A private day trip from Venice to Ravenna pairs round-trip transportation with a guided walking tour of the city's five major early Christian sites—the Basilica of San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Neonian Baptistery, and Dante's Tomb. Your driver picks you up at Piazzale Roma (or Mestre if that's where you're staying) and brings you back after lunch, with all monument entry fees and guide included; the full day runs about nine hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ravenna mosaics private day trip

• Pickup in Venice by personal driver
• Drive to Ravenna (approx. 2h 15m)
• Visit Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
• Visit Tomb of Dante
• Visit Neonian Baptistery
• Visit Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
• Visit Basilica of San Vitale
• Return drive to Venice (approx. 2h 15m)
• Drop-off at Venice pickup point

The Experience

The driver collects you in the morning at Piazzale Roma in front of Bar Due Ruote—the only spot in Venice where cars can reach—and the journey to Ravenna takes roughly two hours and fifteen minutes. If you're staying in Mestre or another accessible area nearby, you can arrange pickup there instead once you've booked. The drive gives you time to settle in before the walking tour begins.

Once in Ravenna, your guide leads you through the city center to five monuments, each one a masterpiece of early Christian art. The Basilica of San Vitale stands out for its octagonal design and mosaics of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora; the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, despite its name, likely served as a chapel and holds some of the richest mosaic work in the city, with starry skies and Christian symbols covering the interior. Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, built by Theodoric the Great in the 6th century, shows biblical scenes and saints in a blend of Roman and Byzantine styles. The Neonian Baptistery, an octagonal structure from the early 5th century, features the baptism of Jesus in its dome. You'll also visit the Tomb of Dante, the neoclassical monument to the poet who died in Ravenna in 1321 after his exile from Florence. All five sites are UNESCO World Heritage designations.

After the tour, you have time for lunch in the city before your driver brings you back to Venice, arriving at your original pickup point. The return journey is another two hours and fifteen minutes.

What’s included

• Private round-trip transportation from Venice to Ravenna.
• entry fees to all five monuments.
• guided walking tour in English led by a live guide.
• time for lunch in Ravenna before the return drive.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Luana - Ravenna tour guide

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling from Venice and prefer a guided walking tour with expert commentary over exploring Ravenna's mosaics independently—your guide meets you upon arrival to lead you through the UNESCO sites while your driver handles the Venice-to-Ravenna route.

Top questions

How long does the drive from Venice to Ravenna take?

The journey to Ravenna is approximately two hours and fifteen minutes each way, so you spend about four and a half hours on the road total, with the guided tour and lunch filling the middle of the day.

Which monuments will I visit in Ravenna?

The tour includes five sites: the Basilica of San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Neonian Baptistery, and the Tomb of Dante—all UNESCO World Heritage sites except Dante's Tomb, which is a neoclassical monument from 1780.

What are the mosaics like at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia?

The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is covered in early Christian mosaics depicting starry skies and Christian symbols, blending Roman and Byzantine artistic styles; the small, cross-shaped building is considered a masterpiece of early Christian art despite being only a chapel rather than an actual tomb.

Is lunch included in the day trip?

Lunch is not included, but you have free time in Ravenna to eat at a restaurant of your choice before the return drive to Venice.

Where will I be picked up and dropped off?

Pickup and drop-off are usually at Piazzale Roma in front of Bar Due Ruote, the only area in Venice accessible by car; if you're staying in Mestre or another nearby accessible location, you can arrange pickup there instead after booking.

Do I need to be in good physical condition for this tour?

The tour involves walking through the city center to visit the five monuments, so it suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.