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

Should you visit Volterra or Ravenna?

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

Should I visit Volterra 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.

Volterra

Volterra is a charming, medieval, and cultural town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

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. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Volterra and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volterra or Ravenna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Volterra. Although Volterra and Ravenna are popular destinations, Volterra has more sights and attractions for tourists. Volterra is very popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Ravenna attracts visitors for its nightlife. Volterra is famous for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster. It is also well known for The Roman Theater. Ravenna is famous for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is Volterra different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Volterra and Ravenna have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

Volterra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. For such a large town there are a huge number of historic sights packed into a small area. Check out the Roman Theater, the Etruscan Museum, and the Duomo.

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 Volterra or Ravenna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Volterra 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 Volterra, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The town is surrounded by the region of truffles, so you'll find this item included in all kinds of recipes. Pumpkin sauce is also a specialty of the area and there are also many local cheeses. Many restaurants also have bruschetta as an appetizer.

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 Volterra or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

Ravenna is a popular place for nightlife. However, Volterra is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

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.

Volterra doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are cozy bars and cafes where you can sip wine and soak up the atmosphere, but the town isn't known as a nightlife destination.

Is Volterra or Ravenna Better for its Old Town?

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

The rich history of Volterra can be explored in its historical center. The walled town is perched on a hilltop and dates back to the 8th century BC. Visitors come specifically to explore its winding streets and stunning setting.

Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Volterra or Ravenna?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Ravenna and Volterra.

Volterra is a great destination for shopping. Some of the streets are lined with boutique shops and one of the most popular things to buy in town is Alabaster. You'll also find plenty of Italian wine from the nearby vineyards.

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 Volterra or Ravenna Better for Families?

Ravenna is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Volterra is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Volterra offers lots of family activities. If you have a Twilight fan, this town is home to the Volturi, who are the royal family of vampires. For everyone else, its a charming town with medieval walls and wandering alleys that kids will enjoy exploring.

Is Volterra or Ravenna Better for Couples?

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

Volterra is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's unique atmosphere, amazing food, and medieval style make for a unique and world class couples destination. While many people visit as a day trip, you can spend the night and soak up the evening atmosphere as well.

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 Volterra or Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Volterra and Ravenna are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Volterra. There's only one or two hostels in town, so if you're looking for a more social backpacker setting, then this may not be your spot. It does make for a great day trip though and if you're more interested in culture than meeting other backpackers, then definitely stop by.

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

Ravenna is a popular place for its public transit. However, Volterra is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Volterra. Public transit isn't necessary as the city is best explored on foot.

Is Volterra or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Volterra 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 Volterra. Most people explore the town on foot.

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 Volterra Worth Visiting? and Is Ravenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Volterra?

How long in Volterra or Ravenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Volterra or Ravenna to fill your time. In our opinion, Volterra has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Volterra 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 Volterra. 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 Volterra than Ravenna. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Volterra that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Volterra or Ravenna?

Volterra is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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.

The town of Ravenna offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Volterra or Ravenna?

Volterra 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. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Volterra has to offer.

Ravenna is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ravenna, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Volterra or Ravenna?

Volterra 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Volterra or Ravenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Volterra. Since Volterra is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Volterra or Ravenna?

Ravenna has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Volterra. When comparing the sizes of Volterra 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 Volterra 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 Volterra or Ravenna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Volterra as well as Ravenna. Most visitors come to Volterra for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Volterra usually gets less rain in July than Ravenna. Volterra gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volterra or Ravenna in the Autumn?

Both Ravenna and Volterra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Volterra because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, 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 October, Volterra is generally a little warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Volterra average around 16°C (61°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Volterra. In October, Volterra usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Volterra gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Volterra or Ravenna in the Winter?

Both Ravenna and Volterra during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Volterra 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. Volterra is much warmer than Ravenna in the winter. The daily temperature in Volterra averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Ravenna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Volterra usually gets more rain in January than Ravenna. Volterra gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volterra or Ravenna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Volterra and Ravenna. Many travelers come to Volterra for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Ravenna in the spring for the small town charm.

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

In April, Volterra usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Volterra gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Volterra