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

Should you visit Siena 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 Siena and Ravenna can help you decide which place is right for you.

Siena

Siena is a history, beautiful, and romantic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a historic, off-the-beaten-path, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Siena or Ravenna?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Siena than Ravenna. While Ravenna is larger than Siena, Siena has more sights and attractions for tourists. Siena is very popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty, while Ravenna attracts visitors for its small town charm. Siena is more touristy than Ravenna and is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. It is also well known for Piazza del Campo. Ravenna is famous for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is Siena different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Siena and Ravenna have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

Many visitors head to Siena specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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 Siena or Ravenna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Siena and Ravenna offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Siena makes for a great culinary experience. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

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.

Is Siena or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Siena and Ravenna.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

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.

Is Siena or Ravenna Better for its Old Town?

Siena is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Siena can be explored in its historical center. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Siena or Ravenna?

Both Siena and Ravenna are nice shopping destinations.

Siena is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

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.

Is Siena or Ravenna Better for Families?

Ravenna is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city 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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Siena or Ravenna Better for Couples?

Siena is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Siena is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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.

Is Siena or Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Siena and Ravenna are nice destinations for backpackers.

Siena is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

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.

Is Siena or Ravenna Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Siena. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

Ravenna is not popular with students.

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

Both Siena and Ravenna offer nice public transit options.

Siena has a few public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

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

Is Siena or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Siena and Ravenna both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Siena?

How long in Siena or Ravenna?

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

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

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

One day in Siena or Ravenna?

In Siena, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

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 Siena or Ravenna?

In Siena, you'll find food and shopping. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Siena 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 Siena or Ravenna?

Siena is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

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 Siena or Ravenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Siena. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Siena. 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 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 Siena and Ravenna, we can see that Siena 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 Siena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siena 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 Siena Expensive? and Is Ravenna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Siena or Ravenna?

Ravenna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Siena 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 Siena 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 Siena or Ravenna in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Siena is around the same temperature as Ravenna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Siena in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Ravenna averages at about 22°C (72°F).

Siena usually gets less rain in July than Ravenna. Siena gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Siena or Ravenna in the Autumn?

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

In October, Siena is generally a little warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Siena average around 16°C (61°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In October, Siena usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Siena gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Siena or Ravenna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Siena as well as Ravenna. The winter months attract visitors to Siena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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. Siena is much warmer than Ravenna in the winter. The daily temperature in Siena averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Ravenna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Siena usually gets more rain in January than Ravenna. Siena gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Siena or Ravenna in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Siena is around the same temperature as Ravenna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Siena in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Ravenna averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In April, Siena usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Siena gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Siena