Location: Ferrara
Top Things to do in Ferrara
Countries
Top 10 Historic Walking Areas in Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna
Ferrara ([ferˈraːra] listen (help·info); Emilian: Frara) is a town and comune in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital of the Province of Ferrara. In 2016 it had 132,009 inhabitants. It is situated 44 kilometres (27 miles) northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream of the Po River, located 5 km (3 miles) north. The town has broad streets and numerous palaces dating from the Renaissance, when it hosted the court of the House of Este. For its beauty and cultural importance, it has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Restaurants in Ferrara
1. Erculean Addition
2. Via delle Volte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 970 reviews
Reviewed By ginam781 - Portland, United States
At nighttime, this medieval alley street (part of the Ferrara's historic Jewish Ghetto) transforms from a quiet sidestreet with plenty of old arches (thus, the name) to a magical doorway back to another era. The streetlamps glow and, barring the lack of authentic raw sewage or rotting animal carcases, you could be in the Middle Ages. Most of the old town of Ferrara has been power-washed, steam cleaned and made pretty (which I still enjoyed)... not Via delle Volte; I felt as if I could still sense the thousands of difficult lives who lived in this claustrophobic neighborhood. It was one of my favorite experiences in a recent trip to Italy.
3. Corso Porta Reno
4. Le Mura di Ferrara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,128 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
The best thing we did in Ferrara was to hire bikes and ride around the outside of the medieval walls. You can also walk along the top of the walls but I'd recommend riding if you have the time. Built mostly between 1493 - 1505, there are 9 km of walls. When they built it, they pulled out all stops to protect the city and used every defensive technique available in the 1400s. You can still many of these defences - city gates, solid bastions, large towers, arrowslits and a patrol path along the top. Smaller semi-circular towers were built at intervals along the path for the sentries. The path is very safe and easy to follow. You ride entirely on shared bike/walking paths (not roads). For the most part, the paths are flat and even with loose gravel (see photos). You can build up a bit of speed if you want. There are no really hilly stretches although there are parts with slight inclines. It is all quite manageable and fun for kids. TIPS: • We hired the bikes from the Hotel Annunciata (Piazza Republica) but that’s only because we were nearby. There are several other places which may or may not be better value or have better bikes. This place had a number of regular bikes available. For half a day, we paid €7pp (€5 if you are a guest). • Take some ID or a passport because you might need to show it to hire a bike • We joined the bike path by riding across the main piazza and exiting via Corsa Porta Reno • Wear older clothes. Even on a sunny day, there were some muddy puddles (there were only a couple but somehow I didn't pre-think this and wore white pants which was not a good idea). • Take a water bottle - there wasn't anywhere to get water.
5. Piazza Trento e Trieste
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
We were delighted to come to the square, and see all this beauty. So many medieval palaces, beautiful shops, cathedral and the church, leaves us amazed. Piazza Trento e Trieste has been the beating heart of Ferrara for eight centuries and even today it represents a meeting place and aggregation of the most frequented of the city, especially by young people, during the night. The square undoubtedly has a particular charm as it preserves almost intact the medieval monuments , Renaissance symbols of the city: the Cathedral with the Bell Tower, the Town Hall, the Church of San Romano, the renovated Palazzo della Ragione, and the Clock Tower. Piazza has always been a place of commerce both sedentary with shops, bars, bookstores, and street vendors with the Friday market, antique markets and events. The most characteristic part is the "Loggia dei Merciai", once home to shops of merchants and now still home to new modern shops. The atmosphere is magical and we could spend a lot of time here, a nice feeling.
6. Piazza Cattedrale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 212 reviews
This property is temporarily closed.
Reviewed By Mairwen1
This is the central piazza and is a paved, largely pedestrian zone so it is absolutely delightful to walk or cycle around. The main features are: • The Cathedral which normally takes centre-stage, was undergoing restoration when we were there in May and was under wraps so you couldn’t see anything of it from the front. The restoration work is expected to take a couple of years. • Opposite the cathedral is the Palazzo Municipale, which is also impressive. The large tower and crenelated roofline make it look much like a small castle. Built in 1245, it was originally the ducal residence of the powerful ruling Este family until they moved down the road to the castle in the 16th century. Apparently there is an elevated passageway linking the palazzo to the castle although I couldn't spot anything. The figure on horseback above the large archway is Niccolo III D’Este, looking very regal. His son Borso is just to the left, seated on top of the column. The archway leads through to the courtyard which you can wander around. • Along the side of the Cathedral, look out for the Merchants’ Loggia, a row of shops under ancient (and it has to be said somewhat wonky looking) wooden porticoes. Built right into the side of the cathedral, the shops have been here since medieval times. • From this side you can also see the pretty pink and white striped campanile tower • On weekends they often have a market here. We were there on a Saturday and there was a reasonably large market along the side of the cathedral with ceramics, trinket jewellery, souvenirs etc
7. Via Savonarola
8. Piazza del Municipio
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
This beautiful little square is full of charm, good atmosphere, beautiful covered staircase and nice palace facade. Access to this place means making a pleasant discovery. With a beautiful and rich history. Piazza Municipale was once the former court of honour of the Ducal Palace that is dominated by the magnificent Scalone d’Onore (stairway of honour) built by Pietro Benvenuto degli Ordini. These steps blend the Gothic Medieval elements like the Venetian style marble banisters with other obviously Renaissance style elements like the arches and the dome. The wing alongside the stairway presents elegant marble windows that denote the position of the living quarters of many Duchesses from the past and the most famous of whom was no doubt Lucrezia Borgia. We have now witnessed a cheese fair that Ferrara is well known for.
