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

Should you visit Verona or Ravenna?

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

Should I visit Verona or Ravenna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Verona

Verona is a cultural, beautiful, and stunning city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a authentic, historic, and off-the-beaten-path town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Verona and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Verona or Ravenna?

You'll generally find more things to do in Verona than Ravenna. Verona is bigger than Ravenna, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Verona is better known for its historical sights and impressive beauty, while Ravenna is more popular for its small town charm. Verona is more touristy than Ravenna and is known for its role as the setting of one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. Also, Verona is famous for Juliet's House and Balcony. Ravenna is well known for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is Verona different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Verona and Ravenna.

Verona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While most people know Verona as the setting of Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", there are also many unrelated but still impressive sights around town. Of course you must check out the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House and Balcony), but also make sure you visit the fortress of Castelvecchio, Arena di Verona, and Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore.

Many visitors head to Ravenna specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Verona or Ravenna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Verona and Ravenna can be an enjoyable experience.

Verona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Food is a source of pride for the locals in Verona, and you'll find excellent dishes in most eateries, even those catering specifically to tourists. There are many local recipes that are worth sampling while you're in the area including risotto with tastasal, potato gnocchi, and polenta.

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 Verona or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Verona and Ravenna.

If you're looking for night time activities Verona has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene caters to a mature crowd and there is a heavy focus on regional wine. There are many local bars and traditional osterie (inns) where you can sip local wine or hear live music.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Verona or Ravenna Better for its Old Town?

Verona is a very popular place for its old town. However, Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Verona. At the heart of the city is the old town, which is filled with medieval and Renaissance style architecture. It's easy to explore this beautiful area on foot.

Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Verona or Ravenna?

If you're looking to go shopping, Verona and Ravenna both offer plenty of notable spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Verona. The most well known shopping street is Corso Santa Anastasia, which has many antique shops as well as jewelry stores and high end boutiques.

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 Verona or Ravenna Better for Families?

Ravenna is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. However, Verona is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Verona is not the most family-friendly destination. You can head to the top of the the Lamberti Tower and, of course, check out the Romeo and Juliet balcony. Wandering the streets and grabbing gelato is also fun for the whole family.

Is Verona or Ravenna Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Verona and Ravenna make for a superb place to visit.

Verona is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. As the setting for Shakespeare's famed "Romeo and Juliet", this town is seeped in romantic history. In addition to checking out the classic balcony, couples can enjoy seeing an opera at Verona Arena or seeking out views of the beautiful city. Crossing the romantic Ponte Pietra is another must-do romantic activity in the area.

Ravenna is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Verona or Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Verona and Ravenna are notable places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Verona. Backpackers rarely spend more than a day or two in town, but there are hostels in the area that offer cheap accommodation.

Ravenna is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Verona or Ravenna Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Verona. The city offers a more authentic Italian experience than some of the more popular tourist and study abroad destinations in Italy.

Ravenna is not popular with students.

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

Verona and Ravenna both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Verona offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. ATV operates buses through the city.

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

Is Verona or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Verona and Ravenna are superb when it comes to walkability.

Verona is a very walkable city. It's a compact city that's easy to explore on foot. Many locals get around by walking or biking.

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 Verona Worth Visiting? and Is Ravenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Verona?

How long in Verona or Ravenna?

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

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

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

One day in Verona or Ravenna?

In Verona, 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.

Ravenna might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Verona or Ravenna?

In Verona, 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 Verona has to offer.

Ravenna is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Verona or Ravenna?

Verona 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ravenna. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Verona or Ravenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Verona. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Verona. 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 it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Verona or Ravenna?

Verona has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Ravenna. When comparing the sizes of Verona 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 Verona 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 Verona or Ravenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Verona and Ravenna. Most visitors come to Verona for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

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

Should I visit Verona or Ravenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Verona as well as Ravenna. The autumn months attract visitors to Verona because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year.

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

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

Should I visit Verona or Ravenna in the Winter?

Both Ravenna and Verona are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Verona this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ravenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ravenna. It's quite cold in Verona in the winter. In January, Verona is generally cooler than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Verona average around 2°C (36°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

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

Should I visit Verona or Ravenna in the Spring?

Both Ravenna and Verona during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Verona for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ravenna in the spring for the small town charm.

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

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

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Verona