Unesco Monuments
Mosaic Tiles - Guided Tour of UNESCO Monuments in Ravenna
Starting from
€
28
When?
everyday
Where
Tourist Info Point
Piazza San Francesco 7, Ravenna
Piazza San Francesco 7, Ravenna
Duration
- 2h: Essential Experience
- 3h: Complete Experience
- 3h: Complete Experience
Ravenna is home to one of the world’s most extraordinary collections of ancient mosaics, recognised by UNESCO as a unique testimony to the cultural and spiritual exchanges that shaped early European history.
With Tessere di Mosaico (Mosaic Tiles), an expert local guide will lead you beyond the simple act of looking: you will learn how to read these mosaics, understand what you are seeing and grasp their historical, symbolic and cultural significance. This deeper perspective allows you to appreciate each masterpiece not only for its beauty, but for the meaning it has carried through the centuries.
A perfect tour for solo travellers, couples, families and small groups of friends who wish to enjoy an engaging experience and discover why Ravenna is known as the capital of mosaic art.
Until 7 January – Current tour (3h)
The traditional format remains in place:
- 4 monuments visited with the guide
- 1 monument visited independently at the end of the tour (Archiepiscopal Museum and Chapel of St Andrew)
-------------------------------------
From 8 January – Two new tour options
From 8 January, the experience evolves into two versions designed for different needs and visiting rhythms.
TESSERE DI MOSAICO – ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE (2h)
A shorter yet fully curated itinerary, perfect for those who prefer a gentler pace without compromising the quality of the visit.
Guided visits to:
- Neonian Baptistery
- Basilica of San Vitale
- Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Self-guided visit: Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
Archiepiscopal Museum and Chapel of St Andrew are not included.
Visitors who wish to enter the Museum may do so after the tour by purchasing an additional € 2 ticket at the ticket office and selecting an available time slot (subject to the Museum’s entry regulations).
TESSERE DI MOSAICO – COMPLETE EXPERIENCE (3h)
The most comprehensive version of the tour, allowing you to explore all five UNESCO monuments included in the combined ticket, always accompanied by the guide.
Guided visits to:
- Chapel of St Andrew (Archiepiscopal Museum)
- Neonian Baptistery
- Basilica of San Vitale
- Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
- Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
A rich and in-depth experience, ideal for those who want to fully immerse themselves in Ravenna’s history and artistry.
-------------------------------------
Important booking note
Tour schedules, available languages and time slots may vary depending on the season and day of the week.
When booking, please carefully check and select your preferred tour version (2h Essential Experience or 3h Complete Experience), language and departure time.
The traditional format remains in place:
- 4 monuments visited with the guide
- 1 monument visited independently at the end of the tour (Archiepiscopal Museum and Chapel of St Andrew)
-------------------------------------
From 8 January – Two new tour options
From 8 January, the experience evolves into two versions designed for different needs and visiting rhythms.
TESSERE DI MOSAICO – ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE (2h)
A shorter yet fully curated itinerary, perfect for those who prefer a gentler pace without compromising the quality of the visit.
Guided visits to:
- Neonian Baptistery
- Basilica of San Vitale
- Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Self-guided visit: Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
Archiepiscopal Museum and Chapel of St Andrew are not included.
Visitors who wish to enter the Museum may do so after the tour by purchasing an additional € 2 ticket at the ticket office and selecting an available time slot (subject to the Museum’s entry regulations).
TESSERE DI MOSAICO – COMPLETE EXPERIENCE (3h)
The most comprehensive version of the tour, allowing you to explore all five UNESCO monuments included in the combined ticket, always accompanied by the guide.
Guided visits to:
- Chapel of St Andrew (Archiepiscopal Museum)
- Neonian Baptistery
- Basilica of San Vitale
- Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
- Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
A rich and in-depth experience, ideal for those who want to fully immerse themselves in Ravenna’s history and artistry.
-------------------------------------
Important booking note
Tour schedules, available languages and time slots may vary depending on the season and day of the week.
When booking, please carefully check and select your preferred tour version (2h Essential Experience or 3h Complete Experience), language and departure time.
- expert, licensed local guide
- combined entrance ticket to the monuments included in the tour
- radio receivers (please bring your own earphones with jack plug, if possible)
- combined entrance ticket to the monuments included in the tour
- radio receivers (please bring your own earphones with jack plug, if possible)
- Punctuality: please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before departure. Access to the monuments is regulated, and late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
- Booking required: tours must be booked and paid for online or at our offices at least 12 hours before the start time.
- Archiepiscopal Museum:
included in the Complete Experience (3h);
not included in the Essential Experience (2h). Visitors may purchase an additional € 2 ticket at the ticket office to enter the Museum after the tour, selecting an available time slot according to the Museum’s entry rules.
- Recommended clothing: comfortable walking shoes and attire suitable for visiting places of worship.
- Access with animals: animals are not permitted inside the monuments.
- High season: we recommend booking early, as places may sell out quickly.
- Voucher: digital vouchers shown on a smartphone are accepted.
- Invoice requests: must be submitted before payment to info@visitravenna.it
- Cancellation policy: full refund for cancellations made at least 72 hours before the tour.
- Booking required: tours must be booked and paid for online or at our offices at least 12 hours before the start time.
- Archiepiscopal Museum:
included in the Complete Experience (3h);
not included in the Essential Experience (2h). Visitors may purchase an additional € 2 ticket at the ticket office to enter the Museum after the tour, selecting an available time slot according to the Museum’s entry rules.
- Recommended clothing: comfortable walking shoes and attire suitable for visiting places of worship.
- Access with animals: animals are not permitted inside the monuments.
- High season: we recommend booking early, as places may sell out quickly.
- Voucher: digital vouchers shown on a smartphone are accepted.
- Invoice requests: must be submitted before payment to info@visitravenna.it
- Cancellation policy: full refund for cancellations made at least 72 hours before the tour.
Italian – daily
English – daily
German – Wednesday
French – Thursday
Spanish – Friday
Language availability may vary: please check the calendar when booking.
English – daily
German – Wednesday
French – Thursday
Spanish – Friday
Language availability may vary: please check the calendar when booking.
Tourist info Point
Piazza San Francesco 7, Ravenna
(please arrive 10 minutes before the departure time)
Directions: the office, located in the heart of the historic center, is near Dante's Tomb and about a 10-minute walk from the train station
Piazza San Francesco 7, Ravenna
(please arrive 10 minutes before the departure time)
Directions: the office, located in the heart of the historic center, is near Dante's Tomb and about a 10-minute walk from the train station
Thanks to the many positive reviews we receive on TripAdvisor, we have been awarded the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice for 4 consecutive years (from 2021 to 2024). This achievement would not have been possible without the support and appreciation of our guests! Here are some of the most beautiful reviews:
Rating 5/5 on 17 Feb 2025
Ravenna is Stunning!
"If Ravenna isn't on your itinerary, get it on there now. 1500 + years of history, multiple empires, eight beautifully preserved UNESCO Heritage Sites…and Dante. The mosaics are what the city is known for, but there are so many other treasures in this city you need to see, and so much history! So great to have Francesca, a guide who shared with us so much info about the city and the region. Definitely recommend this tour!"
Rating 5/5 on 11 Sep 2024
Lovely to learn Ravenna through a local
"Our guide has a lot knowledge on the city and it's history. You can see the sights even without a tour but to know it's history you need to be in a tour like this. Please be prepared to walk but its all level walking not much stairs/steps."
Rating 5/5 on 27 Aug 2024
A Complete Expérience of the Mosaics of Ravenna
"Our guide was outstanding. In addition to visiting every mosaic site, she thoroughly explained the artistic creation of the mosaic tiles and told the history of Ravenna and the political and religious environment that resulted in the composition of each mosaic. If you only do one tour in Ravenna, this should be the one."
Your opinion matters!
The satisfaction of our guests is always our top priority. We invite you to leave a review after your experience and share your feedback with us. We are always open to your suggestions to improve our service. To read all the reviews, visit our page on TripAdvisor.
Rating 5/5 on 17 Feb 2025
Ravenna is Stunning!
"If Ravenna isn't on your itinerary, get it on there now. 1500 + years of history, multiple empires, eight beautifully preserved UNESCO Heritage Sites…and Dante. The mosaics are what the city is known for, but there are so many other treasures in this city you need to see, and so much history! So great to have Francesca, a guide who shared with us so much info about the city and the region. Definitely recommend this tour!"
Rating 5/5 on 11 Sep 2024
Lovely to learn Ravenna through a local
"Our guide has a lot knowledge on the city and it's history. You can see the sights even without a tour but to know it's history you need to be in a tour like this. Please be prepared to walk but its all level walking not much stairs/steps."
Rating 5/5 on 27 Aug 2024
A Complete Expérience of the Mosaics of Ravenna
"Our guide was outstanding. In addition to visiting every mosaic site, she thoroughly explained the artistic creation of the mosaic tiles and told the history of Ravenna and the political and religious environment that resulted in the composition of each mosaic. If you only do one tour in Ravenna, this should be the one."
Your opinion matters!
The satisfaction of our guests is always our top priority. We invite you to leave a review after your experience and share your feedback with us. We are always open to your suggestions to improve our service. To read all the reviews, visit our page on TripAdvisor.
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