A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Rome vs. Ravenna for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Rome or Ravenna?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and Ravenna can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Rome

Rome is a archeological, bustling, and fun-filled city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

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. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Rome and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rome or Ravenna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than Ravenna, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Ravenna is known for its small town charm. Rome is more touristy than Ravenna and is popular for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also home to The Colosseum. Ravenna is popular for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

The Colosseum

How is Rome different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rome 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 Rome are world-renowned. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

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 Rome or Ravenna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rome 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 Rome, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

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 Rome or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

Rome is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Rome is a world class party destination. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

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 Rome or Ravenna Better for Music?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Ravenna is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Rome. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Ravenna is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rome or Ravenna?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Rome draws large crowds to its stores. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

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 Rome or Ravenna Better for Families?

Both Rome and Ravenna are very good to visit with kids.

Rome is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Ravenna is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Rome or Ravenna Better for Couples?

Both Rome and Ravenna are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Couples visit Rome frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Ravenna is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Is Rome or Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome 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, Rome is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

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 Rome or Ravenna Better for Students?

Rome is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Ravenna is not popular with students.

Rome is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

Ravenna is not popular with students.

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

Rome is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Rome has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

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 Rome or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Rome 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 Rome. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

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 Rome Worth Visiting? and Is Ravenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Rome?

How long in Rome or Ravenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Rome or Ravenna to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Rome than Ravenna because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Rome, and 1-2 days is enough time in Ravenna.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome 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 Rome.

One day in Rome or Ravenna?

Because Rome is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Ravenna is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Rome or Ravenna?

Because Rome 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. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Ravenna is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Rome or Ravenna?

Rome is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rome has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Ravenna is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rome or Ravenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rome. Because Rome is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Because Ravenna is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Rome or Ravenna?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ravenna. When comparing the sizes of Rome 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 Rome or Ravenna?

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 Rome or Ravenna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rome as well as Ravenna. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rome this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ravenna for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Rome is generally a little warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 25°C (77°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Rome usually gets less rain in July than Ravenna. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or Ravenna in the Autumn?

Both Ravenna and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Ravenna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Rome is a little warmer than Ravenna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Ravenna fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In October, Rome usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rome or Ravenna in the Winter?

Both Ravenna and Rome during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rome in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ravenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ravenna can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Rome is much warmer than Ravenna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rome in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Ravenna averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Rome usually gets more rain in January than Ravenna. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or Ravenna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Ravenna. Most visitors come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the small town charm.

In April, Rome is generally a little warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 14°C (57°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In April, Rome usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ravenna. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Rome