A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Ravenna vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Ravenna or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii. 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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a famous, iconic, and one-of-a-kind archeological site. Visitors also love the museums.

Ravenna and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ravenna or Pompeii?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pompeii. Although Ravenna and Pompeii are both popular with visitors, Pompeii has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pompeii is more popular for its museums, while Ravenna is known for its food, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm. Pompeii is more touristy than Ravenna and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It is also home to the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins. Ravenna is popular for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

The Pompeii Archaeological Ruins

How is Ravenna different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Pompeii are world-renowned. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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.

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

Ravenna is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Ravenna has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Ravenna or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Ravenna is very good for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Ravenna or Pompeii?

Ravenna is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Ravenna has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Ravenna or Pompeii Better for Families?

Both Ravenna and Pompeii are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Ravenna is very family-friendly. 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.

Pompeii is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Is Ravenna or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Ravenna is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Ravenna or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ravenna and Pompeii are both good 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 Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Ravenna or Pompeii Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Pompeii. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Ravenna is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Ravenna and Pompeii.

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 Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Ravenna or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Pompeii. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Ravenna?

How long in Ravenna or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ravenna or Pompeii 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 Pompeii. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Ravenna than Pompeii. 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.

One day in Ravenna or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii, you'll find museums. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This archeological site 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 Pompeii?

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 Pompeii, you'll find museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pompeii has to offer.

Five days in Ravenna or Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii 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 Pompeii?

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 Pompeii. Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Pompeii. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii 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 Pompeii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pompeii 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 Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Ravenna or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Ravenna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ravenna for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Pompeii in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ravenna is around the same temperature as Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ravenna in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In July, Ravenna usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Ravenna gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ravenna or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Ravenna during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ravenna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Ravenna is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Ravenna average around 14°C (58°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ravenna usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. Ravenna gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ravenna or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ravenna and Pompeii. Most visitors come to Ravenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the museums.

Ravenna can be very cold during winter. Ravenna is much colder than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Ravenna averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Ravenna usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Ravenna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ravenna or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ravenna as well as Pompeii. The spring months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the small town charm.

In the spring, Ravenna is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ravenna in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Pompeii averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Ravenna usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. Ravenna gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Ravenna