A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Ravenna vs. Brescia for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Ravenna or Brescia?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ravenna and Brescia. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a charming, authentic, and historic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Brescia

Brescia is a historic, undisovered, and authentic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Ravenna and Brescia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ravenna or Brescia?

Both Brescia and Ravenna have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Ravenna is very popular for its museums and small town charm, while Brescia attracts visitors for its shopping and impressive beauty. Ravenna is famous for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires. Brescia is famous for its historic and archeological sights.

How is Ravenna different from Brescia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ravenna is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Brescia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some great museums and historic sights around town such as the Museum of Art and History, Tempio Capitolino, the Roman Theater, and Duomo Nuovo.

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

Both Ravenna and Brescia offer a number of great restaurants to choose from.

Ravenna has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Dining out in Brescia is an experience not to be missed. Much of the cuisine has its roots in peasant recipes, but many have been incorporated into fine dining and specialty experiences. The dishes come from the countryside and use many local ingredients. Bigoi Col Pestöm (a local pasta), Casoncelli Alla Bresciana (stuffed pasta), and polenta are all favorites in the area.

Is Ravenna or Brescia Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Ravenna and Brescia.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Ravenna. 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.

Brescia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars that make for a fun night out.

Is the Shopping Better in Ravenna or Brescia?

Brescia is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Brescia is well-known for its shopping. It's a small city, but there are a number of fashion brands found around town. Via Gramsci, Corso Magenta, Via Mazzini, and Via X Giornate are among the best shopping streets.

Many visitors go to Ravenna to go shopping. 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 Ravenna or Brescia Better for Families?

Ravenna is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Brescia is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Ravenna is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

For families, Brescia is not always the best place to visit. There are several parks and swimming pools that the kids will enjoy as well as a castle and lots of archeology.

Is Ravenna or Brescia Better for Couples?

Ravenna is well known for romance. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Ravenna frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Brescia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's location near Lake Garda and its rich history and plethora of archeological sites make this a nice destination for couples.

Is Ravenna or Brescia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ravenna is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Brescia is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Brescia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a particularly popular backpacker destination but there are some affordable guesthouses.

Is Ravenna or Brescia Better for Students?

Brescia is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Ravenna is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Brescia. This is an affordable and interesting city for students. It's also in a beautiful setting, which makes for a nice experience.

Ravenna is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Ravenna and Brescia.

Ravenna has some public transit options. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

You'll find some public transit in Brescia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and light rail to help you get around town.

Is Ravenna or Brescia a more walkable city?

Ravenna is well known for its walkability. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Brescia is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are easy to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Brescia or Ravenna?

How long in Ravenna or Brescia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ravenna or Brescia to fill your time. In our opinion, Ravenna has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ravenna than Brescia. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ravenna than Brescia 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 Ravenna.

One day in Ravenna or Brescia?

Ravenna is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Brescia, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Ravenna or Brescia?

Ravenna might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ravenna has to offer.

In Brescia, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brescia has to offer.

Five days in Ravenna or Brescia?

Ravenna is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Brescia is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Ravenna or Brescia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ravenna. Since Ravenna is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brescia. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Brescia. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ravenna and Brescia, we can see that Brescia 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 Brescia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brescia 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 Ravenna Expensive? and Is Brescia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ravenna or Brescia?

Brescia has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Ravenna. When comparing the sizes of Ravenna and Brescia, 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 Ravenna or Brescia?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ravenna or Brescia in the Summer?

Both Brescia and Ravenna during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ravenna in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Brescia for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Ravenna is generally around the same temperature as Brescia. Daily temperatures in Ravenna average around 22°C (72°F), and Brescia fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Ravenna usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Brescia. Ravenna gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ravenna or Brescia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ravenna and Brescia. Most visitors come to Ravenna for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Brescia because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Ravenna is around the same temperature as Brescia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ravenna averages around 14°C (58°F) in October, and Brescia fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In October, Ravenna usually receives less rain than Brescia. Ravenna gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ravenna or Brescia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ravenna as well as Brescia. The winter months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brescia this time of year.

It's quite cold in Brescia in the winter. The weather in Ravenna can be very cold. In the winter, Ravenna is much warmer than Brescia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ravenna in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Brescia averages at about 1°C (35°F).

Ravenna usually gets less rain in January than Brescia. Ravenna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ravenna or Brescia in the Spring?

Both Brescia and Ravenna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Brescia for the natural beauty.

In April, Ravenna is generally around the same temperature as Brescia. Daily temperatures in Ravenna average around 11°C (53°F), and Brescia fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In April, Ravenna usually receives less rain than Brescia. Ravenna gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Brescia and Ravenna