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

Should you visit Trieste 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 Trieste 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.

Trieste

Trieste is a cultural, historic, and dynamic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and museums.

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.

Trieste and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Trieste or Ravenna?

Both Ravenna and Trieste have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Trieste is more popular for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Ravenna is known for its museums, food, shopping, and small town charm. Ravenna is more touristy than Trieste and is known for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires. Trieste is popular for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

How is Trieste different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ravenna is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Ravenna. 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.

Trieste is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Because Trieste was part of Austria for such a long stretch of time, you'll find that it looks different from many Italian cities. This is also evident in the different architectural and historic monuments around town. Major landmarks and sights include Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, which is the largest square in the old part of the city, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Castle, Museum Riseria di San Sabba, and the Cathedral of San Giusto.

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

Ravenna is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Trieste offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's hard to pinpoint exactly how to categorize the local cuisine. It's been influenced by the city's Austro-Hungarian past and you'll find Austrian, Slovenian, and even Croatian flavors. The food scene is often overlooked for more famous Italian cities, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to enjoy. Make sure you try jota (a bean, potato, and sauerkraut stew), calandraca (a salted meat stew), and gulasch alla triestina (a local twist on goulash. The city is also a coffee capital in Italy.

Is Trieste or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Trieste and Ravenna.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Trieste. While it's not known as a party destination, there is a laid-back nightlife scene that usually involves a late night enjoying drinks at a local bar with friends. Many establishments blur the café and bar concepts, but you'll find a number of lively bars west of Piazza Unità in the trendy Cavana neighborhood. There always seems to be something new in the area worth checking out.

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 Trieste or Ravenna Better for Beaches?

Trieste is a good destination for the beache. However, Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Trieste offers a nice beach destination. The beaches tend to be pebbly, but they are a nice way to experience the sea. Locals still refer to it as "bathing" in the sea, a throwback to years past. The most common beach to visit is Ausonia, which is at the bottom of the Rive past the port of Sacchetta. Nearby are La Lanterna, also called Pedocin. This area still separates men and women in the bathing areas.

Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Is Trieste or Ravenna Better for its Old Town?

Trieste is a good destination for its old town. However, Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Trieste. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Trieste or Ravenna?

Ravenna is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Trieste or Ravenna Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Trieste. The caves, adventure parks, and interactive museums all make for a fun family vacation. Make sure you check out Grotta Gigante, which will impress kids and adults alike. The Museum of Natural History has a collection of fossils that any dinosaur lover will appreciate, and Trieste Adventure Park is filled with ropes courses and ziplines. Finally, a visit to Miramare Castle will spark every child's imagination.

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.

Is Trieste or Ravenna Better for Couples?

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

Trieste makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visit the castles, cathedrals, and historic monuments, experience the atmosphere of the city's historic center, people watch in one of the grand piazzas, and watch the city light up at night. There are so many romantic sides to this cultural Italian city.

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 Trieste or Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Trieste and Ravenna are both good destinations for backpackers.

Trieste is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's often overlooked for more popular Italian city's but there is still a lot that this under-rated city has to offer. You'll also find hostels for every budget and a youthful energy that will bring the city to life.

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.

Is Trieste or Ravenna Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Trieste. Italy attracts students from around the globe and this city is no exception. The city's diverse population and unique cultural opportunities make it a great place to study abroad or immerse yourself in university life.

Ravenna is not popular with students.

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

Trieste 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 Trieste can get you to some places easily. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

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 Trieste or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Trieste and Ravenna are very good when it comes to walkability.

Trieste is a very walkable destination. It's a hilly city, but it's also very walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Trieste?

How long in Trieste or Ravenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Trieste or Ravenna to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Trieste than Ravenna because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Trieste, and 1-2 days is enough time in Ravenna.

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

One day in Trieste or Ravenna?

In Trieste, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 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.

A weekend in Trieste or Ravenna?

In Trieste, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Trieste has to offer.

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.

Five days in Trieste or Ravenna?

Trieste 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.

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.

A week in Trieste or Ravenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Trieste. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Trieste. 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 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, The Best Contiki Tours to Italy, The Best G Adventures Tours to Italy, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome.

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

Which is Bigger, Trieste or Ravenna?

Trieste has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Ravenna. When comparing the sizes of Trieste 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 Trieste or Ravenna?

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 Trieste or Ravenna in the Summer?

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

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

In July, Trieste usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ravenna. Trieste gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Trieste or Ravenna in the Autumn?

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

Trieste is around the same temperature as Ravenna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Trieste averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Ravenna fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Trieste usually gets more rain in October than Ravenna. Trieste gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Trieste or Ravenna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Trieste and Ravenna. Many visitors come to Trieste in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, 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, Trieste is much warmer than Ravenna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Trieste in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Ravenna averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In January, Trieste usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Trieste gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Trieste or Ravenna in the Spring?

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

In April, Trieste is generally a little warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Trieste average around 13°C (56°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Trieste usually gets more rain in April than Ravenna. Trieste gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Trieste