Ferrara is located in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna along the Po River, south of Venice and Padua. It is a city of bicycles, but you will definitely want to get there by motorized transport. Here are some interesting facts and things to see:
- 9200 meters of walls commissioned by Duke Ercole I d’Este and built between 1493 and 1505 with walking paths; As in Lucca, you can ride a bike and walk around them. To see a map, download the PDF file on this page: Ferrara City Walls.
- Castello Estense de Ferrara: a defensive structure from the Middle Ages that overlooks the old city
- Ferrara Cathedral, built in 1135, a jewel of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
- The church of Sant’Antonio in Polesine contains beautiful frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries.
By train
Ferrara is on the Bologna to Venice train line: 33 trains a day from the Bologna pass through Ferrara every weekday. Ferrara is an hour and a half by train from Venice. It is an hour to another interesting destination, Ravenna.
By car
By car from Bologna, take the A13 north. From Venice, take the A4 southwest towards Padua and continue on the A13 south towards Ferrara.
By bus
Bus information for Ferrara and its surroundings is available by calling 0532-599492. The bus from Modena takes an hour and a half.
A little history of Ferrara
Ferrara’s history as a city dates back to around 1300 years when Ferrara was a Byzantine military castrum (fortified city). In 1115 Ferrara became a free commune and in 1135 the Cathedral was built.
The Este family ruled Ferrara from 1208 to 1598, building many of the monuments we see today. Under the Estes, Ferrara became a center for the arts. Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, and Petrarch, among others, spent time under his patronage. But the Estes lacked a male heir. So the Pope reclaimed Ferrara and became part of the Papal States, beginning a three-decade decline before waking up in the 20th century, seemingly becoming aware of his own glorious past. Now the city looks quite elegant and awaits your visit.
Where to stay in Ferrara
Ferrara is easily visited as a day trip if you are already lying down in Venice, Bologna or Ravenna (to see the mosaics). On a recent visit to Ferrara, we enjoyed the Hotel Annunziata and its views of the castle.
Compare prices of other hotels in Ferrara through Hipmunk.
Whether you prefer a vacation home or apartment, HomeAway offers over 40 vacation rentals in Ferrara.
Ferrara Palio
Usually in May, Ferrara announces a Palio that they say is the oldest in the world. In the weeks leading up to the canopy race, flag-throwing competitions are held. Read more about Launching flags in Italy and Ferrara and watch the video Launching flags in Ferrara.
Ferrara map
See a map of Ferrara marked with the main attractions.
A suggested travel itinerary that includes Ferrara
Get a map and information on the Emiglia-Romagna itinerary that includes Ferrara.
