Ravenna UNESCO Mosaics Private Walking Tour: Five Sites

UNESCO mosaic sites in a day, from San Vitale's golden vaults to Galla Placidia's starlit ceiling.

A private guided walking tour of Ravenna covering five major mosaic sites across the morning and afternoon, with entrance tickets included to the Basilica of San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Battistero Neoniano, Arcivescovile Museum, Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, and Basilica of San Francesco. The tour splits around a lunch break you arrange independently, giving you time to rest between the two sessions. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language, and the route also passes through Piazza del Popolo, the Dante area, and Piazza San Francesco.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Basilica of San Vitale40m · entry included
2. Mausoleum of Galla Placidia40m · entry included

Explore Ravenna's UNESCO mosaics

• Visit Basilica of San Vitale mosaics
• See mosaics in Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
• Visit Battistero Neoniano
• Explore Arcivescovile Museum
• Enter Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
• Walk to Piazza del Popolo
• See Piazza San Francesco and Basilica

The Experience

The mosaics inside the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia anchor this tour: two of Ravenna's eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Your guide walks you through both in the morning session, roughly 2.5 hours, then you break for lunch on your own. You meet again afterward to cover the remaining three main sites: the Battistero Neoniano, Arcivescovile Museum, and Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, plus the Basilica of San Francesco. The second half runs another 2 to 2.5 hours, so plan for about five hours of guided time across the day.

Between the major basilicas and museums, your guide takes you through the old town streets to Piazza del Popolo, then to the Dante area, also called the Area of Silence, where the exiled Florentine poet died in 1321 and his tomb now stands. The route weaves the city's history and its most important treasures into a single arc, so you see not just the mosaics but how they sit within Ravenna's layout and story. All entrance fees to the five main sites are included. You pay only for your own lunch.

The tour involves a considerable amount of walking, and the operator notes it suits travelers with at least moderate fitness. Strollers are welcome for infants and small children, and service animals are allowed. The guide is yours alone, so the pace and focus stay flexible within the day's structure.

What’s included

• Private guide in your chosen language.
• entrance tickets to the Basilica of San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Battistero Neoniano, Arcivescovile Museum, Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, and Basilica of San Francesco.

Days and timesDaily · 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “The meeting point is: Piazza del Popolo, Ravenna Meet your guide under the clock tower.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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 yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by TUI Musement

Is this one for you?The split schedule (morning session, independent lunch, afternoon session) suits travelers who want to pace themselves through a full day of mosaics without rushing or skipping the city's quieter corners like the Dante area and Piazza del Popolo.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

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 24h before the start.

What are the five main mosaic sites I'll see on this tour?

The Basilica of San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Battistero Neoniano, Arcivescovile Museum, and Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo are the five primary stops. The tour also includes the Basilica of San Francesco and passes through Piazza del Popolo and the Dante area.

How does the lunch break work during the tour?

The morning session ends after roughly 2.5 hours, and you arrange and pay for lunch independently. You then meet your guide again to continue with the afternoon sites for another 2 to 2.5 hours.

Are entrance tickets to all the sites included in the price?

Yes, entrance is included to the Basilica of San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Battistero Neoniano, Arcivescovile Museum, Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, and Basilica of San Francesco. Only lunch is separate.

How much walking is involved?

A considerable amount of walking is involved as you move between sites and through the old town. The operator recommends at least moderate physical fitness. Strollers work for small children, and service animals are allowed.