Ravenna: Self-guided audio walk with mosaics & Dante

Summary

Walk Ravenna’s ancient paths, from glowing mosaics to Dante’s tomb

You’ll wander Ravenna at your own pace with a self-guided audio tour, exploring glowing mosaics at San Vitale, lively piazzas, and Dante’s humble tomb. With lifetime access to maps and stories right on your phone, you’ll feel both independent and connected to centuries past — moments you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I heard was the crunch of gravel outside the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia — not sure why that stuck with me. The air smelled a bit like old stone and something sweet, maybe jasmine? I fiddled with my headphones for a second (classic) before the voice in the app started telling me about emperors and poets who’d walked these same streets. It felt weirdly personal, being alone but also guided — like someone whispering stories just for me as I wandered through Ravenna.

I took my time inside the Basilica of San Vitale. The mosaics really do glow, but it’s not flashy — more like candlelight on water. There was an older couple nearby arguing quietly in Italian about which saint was which; our guide (well, my audio guide) explained the history without rushing me along. At Piazza del Popolo, pigeons strutted around like they owned the place. I tried to imagine what it looked like when Venice ran things here — you can still see bits of that if you look up at the facades.

Somewhere near the Baptistry of the Arians, I got distracted by a group of teenagers sharing gelato and laughing way too loudly for a church square. The tour nudged me on toward Sant’Apollinare Nuova, where there’s apparently some kind of “cover-up” in the art — didn’t expect that twist. By then my feet were starting to ache (should’ve worn better shoes), but I couldn’t skip Dante’s tomb. It’s smaller than you’d think, tucked away behind some hedges, but people still leave notes and flowers there. That part hit me harder than expected.

The tour ended near Basilica di San Francesco, close to cafés spilling out onto cobblestones. I sat down for an espresso and let everything settle in — all those centuries layered together in one afternoon. Still thinking about those mosaics and how quiet it felt inside compared to outside; maybe that’s what stays with you most.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Ravenna's Historic Sites

• Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
• Basilica of San Vitale
• Pass Church of San Domenico
• Walk through Piazza del Popolo
• Pass Baptistry of the Arians
• Pass Basilica of Sant Apollinare Nuova
• Pass Alighieri Theatre
• Stop at Piazza Garibaldi outskirts
• Visit Dante's tomb
• End at Basilica of San Francesco

Top questions

Is this Ravenna audio tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible throughout all stops mentioned.

Do I need internet during the self-guided tour?

No, you can use offline access for audio, maps, and geodata after downloading.

Does this include entry tickets for attractions?

No entry tickets are included; you can choose whether to go inside each site or not.

How long does it take to finish the full walking route?

The route covers central Ravenna; timing depends on your pace but usually takes a few hours if you stop inside sites.

Is there a local guide or is it fully self-guided?

This is a fully self-guided experience using an audio app on your phone.

Can infants or small children join this walking tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller along the route.

What’s included

Your day includes lifetime English-language access to the VoiceMap app for Android or iOS with offline maps and audio commentary guiding you through Ravenna’s highlights — from ancient mausoleums to Dante’s tomb — all at your own pace.