A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Ravenna vs. Lake Garda for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Ravenna or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda. 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 off-the-beaten-path, charming, and authentic town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a playful, fun, and energetic lake. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Ravenna and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ravenna or Lake Garda?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lake Garda than Ravenna, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lake Garda is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Ravenna is more popular for its museums and small town charm. Lake Garda is more touristy than Ravenna and is known for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. Also, Lake Garda is famous for Sirmione. Ravenna is well known for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is Ravenna different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

Ravenna is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Ravenna offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

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

Both Ravenna and Lake Garda offer a number of superb 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 Lake Garda is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Is Ravenna or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda has a large number of nightlife venues. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

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 Ravenna or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is a very popular place for the beache. However, Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Lake Garda for it's beautiful beaches. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Is Ravenna or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Ravenna is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Lake Garda. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Ravenna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ravenna or Lake Garda?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Ravenna and Lake Garda.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ravenna. 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.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda to go shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Ravenna or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Lake Garda is very family-friendly. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

Ravenna is known to be 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.

Is Ravenna or Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Ravenna and Lake Garda both superb destinations for a couple.

Ravenna makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Ravenna or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ravenna and Lake Garda are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lake Garda. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

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

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda can get you to some places easily. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

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 Ravenna or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Ravenna and Lake Garda are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Lake Garda is a very walkable destination. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Ravenna?

How long in Ravenna or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Ravenna or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lake Garda due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Ravenna, and 2-4 days is enough time in Lake Garda.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

One day in Ravenna or Lake Garda?

Ravenna might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ravenna, one day is sufficent for most.

In Lake Garda, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This lake offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Ravenna or Lake Garda?

Even though Ravenna is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

In Lake Garda, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lake Garda has to offer.

Five days in Ravenna or Lake Garda?

Ravenna, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lake Garda is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Lake Garda?

Ravenna is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lake Garda. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Ravenna or Lake Garda?

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 Ravenna or Lake Garda in the Summer?

Both Lake Garda and Ravenna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Ravenna is around the same temperature as Lake Garda in the summer. The daily temperature in Ravenna averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In July, Ravenna usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Ravenna gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ravenna or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Ravenna during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ravenna for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Ravenna is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ravenna in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Ravenna usually gets less rain in October than Lake Garda. Ravenna gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ravenna or Lake Garda in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ravenna and Lake Garda. Many visitors come to Ravenna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lake Garda can be very cold during winter. Ravenna can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Ravenna is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Ravenna average around 3°C (37°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In January, Ravenna usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Ravenna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ravenna or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ravenna as well as Lake Garda. Most visitors come to Ravenna for the small town charm during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Ravenna is around the same temperature as Lake Garda in the spring. The daily temperature in Ravenna averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Ravenna usually gets less rain in April than Lake Garda. Ravenna gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Ravenna