Ravenna walking tour: Byzantine mosaics and Dante's tomb

The mosaics of emperors and saints still glow after centuries.

A 2.5-hour walking tour of Ravenna with a licensed guide in English or Italian, visiting the Basilica of San Vitale, the Church of Saint Apollinare Nuovo, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Dante's Tomb. The tour moves through four separate monuments, each built in the 5th or 6th century, each holding mosaics and architectural details that survived the medieval period intact.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Basilica of San Vitale1h
2. Mausoleum of Galla Placidia30m

Explore Ravenna's Byzantine mosaics

• Meet your guide
• Visit Church of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
• See Dante’s Tomb in Zone of Silence
• Tour Basilica of San Vitale
• Visit Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

The Experience

The Basilica of San Vitale is the anchor of the walk: a 6th-century structure built on an octagonal plan, its walls covered in mosaics that show Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora in full imperial dress, surrounded by their court. The Old Testament scenes fill the upper reaches of the interior. Your guide walks you through the building and explains what you're looking at: the political message in the imperial panels, the technical skill in laying thousands of small tiles to catch the light, the survival of these images through centuries of war and neglect.

From there, the tour takes in the Church of Saint Apollinare Nuovo, also from the 6th century, where the mosaics shift to biblical processions and saints in formal rows. Then comes the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, a smaller, more intimate space from the 5th century, where the mosaics are golden and the decoration is denser, every surface worked. The walk ends in the Zone of Silence, a quiet area of the city dedicated to the memory of Dante Alighieri, where his tomb sits as a simple marble monument.

The tour covers ground on foot through Ravenna's center, and public transportation is nearby if needed. The pace is steady but not rushed. The guide stops at each site long enough to point out details and answer questions. Bring water and comfortable shoes.

What’s included

• Private walking tour with a licensed guide.
• entry to the Basilica of San Vitale, the Church of Saint Apollinare Nuovo, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Dante's Tomb.
• guided explanation of the mosaics, architecture and historical context at each stop.
• access to the Zone of Silence.

Days and timesDaily · 8 departure times, from 09:00 to 17:00

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “Outside Sant’Apollinare Nuovo church (next the ticket office)”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by ITALYGONIA TRAVEL

Is this one for you?This is a guided walking tour, so you move with the group and listen rather than explore at your own pace: the guide's knowledge of the mosaics and the history is what makes the details legible. Choose this if you want the context and the stories behind what you're seeing, and if you prefer not to navigate between sites on your own.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What are the mosaics of Justinian and Theodora, and why are they in Ravenna?

The panels in the Basilica of San Vitale show Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora of the Eastern Roman Empire in formal dress, surrounded by their court. They were commissioned in the 6th century when Ravenna was under Byzantine rule, and they served as a statement of imperial power and religious authority. The mosaics are among the finest examples of Byzantine art that survive anywhere.

How long does the walking tour take, and how much ground do we cover?

The tour lasts 2.5 hours and visits four separate monuments within Ravenna's city center. The walk is steady but not strenuous, and public transportation is available nearby if you need a break.

What is the Zone of Silence, and what will we see there?

The Zone of Silence is a dedicated area of Ravenna set aside to honor the memory of the poet Dante Alighieri. It holds Dante's Tomb, a simple marble monument where the poet's remains rest. The space is quiet and reflective, a place for remembrance.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not in peak physical condition?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. It is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, since the walk covers several sites and involves standing and moving through the churches.