A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Porto vs. Ravenna for Food, Backpackers, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Porto or Ravenna?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Porto and Ravenna can help you decide which place is right for you.

Porto

Porto is a cultural, cosmopolitan, and dynamic port city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a authentic, historic, and off-the-beaten-path town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Porto and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Ravenna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Porto than Ravenna. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Porto is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Ravenna attracts visitors for its small town charm. Porto is more touristy than Ravenna and is known for its authentic old town and the local port wine. It is also well known for Cais da Ribeira. Ravenna is famous for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is Porto different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ravenna and Porto. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Porto or Ravenna?

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Porto or Ravenna.

Many visitors head to Porto specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Ravenna can be an interesting and educational experience. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

Is the Food Better in Porto or Ravenna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Porto is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Porto, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

Dining out in Ravenna is an experience not to be missed. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

Is Porto or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

Porto is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Porto has a large number of nightlife venues. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Ravenna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Is Porto or Ravenna Better for its Old Town?

Porto is a very popular place for its old town. However, Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Porto. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Ravenna?

If you're looking to go shopping, Porto and Ravenna both offer plenty of nice spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Porto. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Ravenna offers some nice shopping areas. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Is Porto or Ravenna Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Porto or Ravenna.

Porto is a very family-friendly destination. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

Ravenna is a very kid-friendly port city. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

Is Porto or Ravenna Better for Couples?

Both Porto and Ravenna are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Porto is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

Ravenna is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

Is Porto or Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Porto is extremely popular for backpackers. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ravenna. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

Is Porto or Ravenna Better for Students?

Porto is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Ravenna is not popular with students.

Many students visit Porto. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

Ravenna is not popular with students.

Is Porto or Ravenna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Porto is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Porto can get you to some places easily. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

You'll find some public transit in Ravenna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

Is Porto or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Porto and Ravenna are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Porto is very walkable. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

Ravenna is a very walkable port city. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Porto Worth Visiting? and Is Ravenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Porto?

How long in Porto or Ravenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Porto or Ravenna to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Porto than Ravenna because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Porto, and 1-2 days is enough time in Ravenna.

Families should spend more time in Porto than Ravenna. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Porto, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Porto than Ravenna. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Porto that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Porto than Ravenna if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Porto.

One day in Porto or Ravenna?

Because Porto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This port city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Ravenna is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Porto or Ravenna?

Because Porto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Porto has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ravenna. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Porto or Ravenna?

Porto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Porto has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Ravenna is a fun place to experience. Ravenna is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Porto or Ravenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Porto. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Porto. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Ravenna is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Porto and Ravenna, we can see that Porto is more expensive. And not only is Ravenna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ravenna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ravenna and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Porto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porto than you might in Ravenna.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Porto Expensive? and Is Ravenna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Porto or Ravenna?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Ravenna. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Ravenna, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Porto or Ravenna?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Porto or Ravenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Ravenna. Many visitors come to Porto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Ravenna for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Porto is around the same temperature as Ravenna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Porto in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Ravenna averages at about 22°C (72°F).

In July, Porto usually receives less rain than Ravenna. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Porto or Ravenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Porto as well as Ravenna. Most visitors come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Porto is generally a little warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 17°C (62°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Porto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Porto usually gets more rain in October than Ravenna. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Ravenna in the Winter?

Both Ravenna and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Porto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ravenna in the winter. Porto is much warmer than Ravenna in the winter. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Ravenna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Porto. In January, Porto usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Porto or Ravenna in the Spring?

Both Ravenna and Porto during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Porto this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ravenna for the small town charm.

In the spring, Porto is a little warmer than Ravenna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Porto in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Ravenna averages at about 11°C (53°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually gets more rain in April than Ravenna. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Porto