A Ravenna mosaics tour takes you through the churches and monuments that hold some of the finest early Christian and Byzantine mosaics in the world, a group of buildings listed by UNESCO, in a small city in Emilia-Romagna. Two options lead Viator. The classic guided tour, with monument tickets, is rated 4.8 across 2,016 reviews, from about $32. The small-group tour, with admission, is rated 4.9 across 99 reviews, from about $68.
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The verdict
The classic guided tour is our pick: it has the most reviews of the Ravenna tours in our Viator search, it costs about half as much, and the monument tickets are included. A certified guide leads it, with radio headsets when the group is large. One reviewer notes that a last-minute booking put them with an Italian-speaking guide, so book ahead and check the language.
The small-group tour costs more but keeps the group small, with an expert local guide for two and a half hours and admission to the listed sites. The guided visit does not include the Neonian Baptistery.
Only the classic tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.
Some tours run in several languages on the same day, so pick the English departure when you book. Ravenna is an easy day from Bologna; see our guide to things to do in Bologna.
Which one is for you?
Take the classic tour if
- You want the lower price, from about $32.
- You want the most-reviewed option: 2,016 ratings.
- You want monument tickets included.
- You need a wheelchair-accessible option.
Take the small-group tour if
- You want the highest rating: 4.9 from 99 travelers.
- You prefer a small group.
- You want admission to the listed sites included.
- You want to start at Sant’Apollinare Nuovo.
What each price covers
The classic tour, from about $32
Included: a certified expert guide, a radio headset if the group is large, and entrance tickets to the monuments.
Not included: nothing else is listed.
The small-group tour, from about $68
Included: a two-and-a-half-hour small-group tour with an expert local guide and admission tickets to the listed sites.
Not included: transport to the meeting point and a guided visit of the Neonian Baptistery.
Where each one starts
- Classic tour: the tourist information office, Piazza San Francesco 7, in Ravenna.
- Small-group tour: in front of the Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Via di Roma 53.
Side by side
| Classic tour | Small-group tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8 from 2,016 | 4.9 from 99 |
| Five-star reviews | 1,808 (90%) | 92 (93%) |
| Price | from about $32 | from about $68 |
| Length | 2 to 3 hours | 2 h 30 min |
| Group | Radio headsets if large | Small group |
| Tickets | Included | Included |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible | Not accessible |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before | Free up to 24 hours before |
What travelers say
On the classic tour
You see all the important mosaic sites.
Jeff_T, September 2026, via Viator
On the small-group tour
Wonderfully detailed explanation of the mosaics.
Richard_J, September 2026, via Viator
The greatest Byzantine era mosaics of Ravenna should not be missed.
Tony_W, September 2026, via Viator
Both are reviewed mostly with five stars: 90% of the classic tour ratings and 93% of the small-group tour ratings. Three stars or lower make up about 3% of the reviews on the first and about 4% on the second.
How Ravenna fits a trip to Emilia-Romagna
In Bologna, compare the Bologna food tour and the Bologna cooking class. In Modena, the Modena balsamic vinegar tour visits a family acetaia.
For planning, read our guide to things to do in Bologna and our northern Italy itinerary.
Questions travelers ask
Which Ravenna mosaics tour should I book?
For value, the classic guided tour, rated 4.8 from 2,016 reviews on Viator, from about $32 with monument tickets (checked September 2026). For a small group, the tour rated 4.9, from about $68.
Are tickets included in a Ravenna mosaics tour?
Yes, both include entrance to the monuments they visit. The small-group tour does not include a guided visit of the Neonian Baptistery.
Can I visit Ravenna as a day trip from Bologna?
Yes. Ravenna is a common day trip from Bologna by train; both tours start in the city center.
How long is a Ravenna mosaics tour?
Two to three hours for the classic tour, and about two and a half hours for the small-group tour.
Can I cancel a Ravenna mosaics tour?
Both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
Book the classic tour for value and the widest choice of times; book the small-group tour for a smaller group.
Editorial assessment by Italy2Love, September 2026. Inclusions and exclusions, meeting points, prices, ratings, review counts and cancellation terms read on both Viator product pages (product codes 162855P1 and 51192P191), September 2026. Reviews quoted with attribution to their authors and to Viator. Next review March 2027, or sooner on any change to either option.