The Este Castle, the Cathedral, the Palazzo dei Diamanti and Via delle Volte.
The city of the Este dukes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 as Europe's first modern city: at the end of the 15th century, architect Biagio Rossetti doubled its size with wide, straight streets. A castle with a water-filled moat, the Romanesque cathedral and medieval lanes in a completely flat centre.
Times are a guide: driving times are worked out without traffic, then come the visits and ten minutes at every stop to park. In summer towards the coast and at rush hour allow extra time.
Built in 1385 by Niccolò II d'Este after a popular revolt, as a fortress to defend against the city itself: four towers, a water-filled moat and drawbridges. It later became the dukes' residence, with kitchens, frescoed apartments and the terrible prisons where Ugo and Parisina were held, the story of love and betrayal sung by poets. From the Torre dei Leoni you can see the whole city.
Separate ticket required.
Consecrated in 1135, it has a white and pink marble façade, Romanesque below and Gothic above, with a portal supported by lions. Along the side runs the Loggia dei Merciai, with shops under the arches since the Middle Ages. After the 2012 earthquake it has been undergoing lengthy restoration: the interior may be closed.
Check whether the interior is open to visitors.
One of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe, almost two kilometres long and crossed by arches and elevated passages that connected merchants' houses to warehouses on the river. Cobblestones, silence and light filtering through the vaults.
The corso is the axis of Biagio Rossetti's 'Addizione Erculea', the Renaissance quarter that made Ferrara the first modern city. At the crossroads of the Quattro Angoli stands the Palazzo dei Diamanti, its façade covered with thousands of marble blocks cut in diamond points that change colour with the light. Today it hosts major exhibitions.
The exterior is always visible; exhibitions inside require payment.
How long it takes from each town, the drive back included. Tap a town to see the plan from there.
Almost every old town has a limited traffic zone (ZTL) with cameras: park outside and walk in. The fine reaches your home, abroad too. ZTL and car parks town by town
Romagna Transfer picks you up at your hotel, drops you in front of every stop and brings you back: no parking, no ZTL, and the wine is yours to enjoy.
San Vitale, Galla Placidia, the Neonian Baptistery, Dante's Tomb and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, all on foot in the centre
4 h 05 from Lido degli Estensi Half day
The plan
The Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Classis museum and Sant'Apollinare in Classe, driving from one stop to the next.
4 h 20 from Lido degli Estensi Half day
The plan
The International Museum of Ceramics, the squares, the Cathedral, Palazzo Milzetti and a ceramicist's workshop.
5 h 30 from Lido degli Estensi Half day
The plan
The Via degli Asini, the Rocca, the Clock Tower, the Pieve del Thò and an oil tasting.
5 h 30 from Lido degli Estensi Half day
The plan
The elliptical Piazza Nuova, the Pieve di San Pietro in Sylvis, the Rocca di Lugo, the Pavaglione and Francesco Baracca.
5 h 25 from Lido degli Estensi Half day
The plan
The Cervia salt pans, the Salt Warehouse, Cesenatico's canal harbour with its historic boats.
6 h 15 from Lido degli Estensi Long half day
The plan
A boat trip through the Valli, the Trepponti, the Manifattura dei Marinati and the Museo Delta Antico.
4 h 35 from Lido degli Estensi Half day
The plan
The Rocca Sforzesca in Imola, the Senna memorial at the racing circuit, the painted walls and the Regional Wine Library of Dozza.
5 h 35 from Lido degli Estensi Half day
The plan
The Palazzo Pubblico, the Basilica of the Saint, the Guaita and Cesta Towers and shopping in the historic centre.
6 h 20 from Lido degli Estensi Long half day
The planTrips written by our editors from the facts of our monument pages and the official sites. Opening days and hours change: the note under every place tells you what to check before you leave. No prices: you find them on the museums' sites.
