Things to Do in Ferrara

Things to Do in Ferrara, Italy - Ferrara Attractions

Things to Do in Ferrara


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Top Attractions in Ferrara

These rankings are informed by traveler reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.

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What travelers are saying

  • liverpool1023
    London, UK896 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It is worthwhile buying the Euro 20 tourist card which not only covers most of the main museums (cathedral museum, piazza diamanté etc) but also allows you to reimburse tourist tax. Otherwise the entrance is 12 Euro. It is quite a sprawl which takes 1.5 to 2 hours to do it justice. The contents are a bit eclectic to say the least. There is a succession of richly frescoed ceilings which are impressive despite showing some damage. The castle incorporate a gallery and a hall with various maps.
    Written December 3, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Uday T
    London, UK1,975 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A stunning array of buildings, cobbled streets, shops, cafes and restaurants with lots of activity. Though many of the buildings were being renovated it was a great place to explore
    Written August 31, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Uday T
    London, UK1,975 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A building with a studded facade - hence the diamond reference. it is quite a sight. Unfortunately we were not able to go into the building with its famous art work as it was being renovated
    Written August 31, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jamie Fosker
    Glasgow, UK12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Went here not expecting a lot, but for a very cheap museum there is so much stuff. Don’t agree with everyone else who’s saying there wasn’t much in English, literally all the Italian text is translated next to it. Never heard of Spina, but there are videos and loads of cool stuff. Had a really good time
    Written July 8, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • keithpI29YF
    14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unforgettable snippet of history Not to be missed. Off the beaten track. Make it part of visit to bologna or Padua.
    Written January 27, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paul S
    San Diego, California445 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The defensive walls around the old city center are today used as a walkway / bike way and parks. Makes for a pleasant walk with several of the old masonry gates still remaining.
    Written August 29, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Brun066
    Florence, Italy12,580 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Casa Romei is an outstanding example of a private residence in Ferrara - albeit of an extraordinary private man - and the only example of this kind that has come down to us from the 15th century city.
    Its preservation probably derives from the fact that, after the death in 1483 of the owner, Giovanni Romei, the house was inherited by the nuns of the nearby Corpus Domini monastery,
    This monastery is famous because it houses the tombs of the Dukes of Este (the lords of Ferrara until 1598). It was therefore a large and powerful monastery, and the fact that Casa Romei was a dependency of it saved it not only from destruction, but also from upheaval. For a comparison, consider how the nearby ducal palace of Schifanoia has been heavily modified over time.
    Of course, the original furniture has not remained; but numerous rooms have preserved the 15th century decoration, as created by the founder. Think for example of the so-called "prophets" room on the ground floor, where, in addition to the heads of the prophets depicted on a tree, a figure of a woman dressed in a green cloak, against the background of the fence of a garden adorned with roses and bushes, appears . Or to the so-called "Sibyl" room, equipped with a monumental fireplace with a polygonal hood, and in which these mythical figures of prophetesses are depicted on the four walls, holding large scrolls, and against the background of a flowering hedge as well. On the first floor, the former study by Giovanni Romei, with its wonderful coffered ceiling, is worth mentioning.
    The rooms are gathered around a large two-story terracotta courtyard, with porticoes that on four sides occupy the ground floor and/or first floor, and a large disk with the symbol of San Bernardino of Siena dominates on one of the walls.
    When the palace was already owned by the nuns, it was occupied for a long time by Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este (1509-1572; he is famous above all for having created Villa D'Este in Tivoli, with its marvelous fountains), and of this occupation it bears traces especially on the first floor. The large hall of honor, which bears the cardinal's heraldic symbol, a white eagle, is the greatest achievement of this period (mid-16th century).
    Since 1952 the palace has been used as a museum, and therefore it houses epigraphs, sculptures, canvases and frescoes from various buildings in Ferrara which no longer exist today; some are true masterpieces.
    Written February 8, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Just_Tina_C
    The Alps876 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The main part of the church is open to the public. To visit the private part used by the nuns where there are the beautiful frescoes you have to respect the opening times (available also on the visit ferrara terra e acqua website where there are all the opening times of the attractions in Ferrara). When we visited in October the afternoon slot was between 15.15 and 16.45. You have to ring the bell and wait. There's a nun who shows you the frescoes and gives a brief explanation in Italian, but if you like that sort of thing you'll understand the religious scenes. The frescoes are of the school of Giotto Storie dell'infanzia di Gesù e della Vita della Vergine (1315 -1320), Storie della Passione, Annunciazione etc and also a ceiling with 16th-century grotesques. The nun who met us was very elderly and we felt a bit guilty for disturbing her, but there were some other people too. The visit lasts about 15/20 minutes and afterwards you have the opportunity to buy something from the gift shop or make an offer. The nuns sing at 5pm on festivities and special days. If you like frescoes I recommend seeing this church.
    Written October 19, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JH
    New York City, NY2 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This museum is now open again and well worth the visit. Interesting history nicely presented. There is also a very pleasant garden cafe where you can get refreshments and rest your feet.
    Written May 8, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • liverpool1023
    London, UK896 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This museum is well worth a visit. It is set in a church with an atmospheric cloister. Notable are some very well preserved medieval friezes, tapestries and reliquaries.
    Written December 3, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Francisco Jose Fernandez Sanchez
    Las Rozas, Spain557 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It is located in the center of the city, in front of the Palazzo Comunale, next to Piazza Trento e Trieste, near the Castle. It is connected to the Archbishop's Palace through a covered vault.
    It is a pity that it is currently under construction and its magnificence can only be enjoyed from the outside, sitting in one of the arcades of the cathedral square having a coffee.
    The cathedral's façade is made of white marble, and presents loggias, arches, rose windows, splayed windows, statues and numerous bas-reliefs. In the central part of the façade there is an advanced Romanesque portico supported by lions and atlantes.
    The interior also looks exciting but it is mostly covered and not accessible due to the works and even the dust that comes out of them makes the visit unpleasant.
    Written February 2, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Diane K
    Venice, FL4,053 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I liked this museum more than I thought I would. The major focus of the museum was displaying artifacts from an old unique town that was founded in the 6th century BC. They tell the story of the progression of the town and display numerous artifacts. The second floor is air conditioned - which was good on a 95 degree day. This museum is included with the MyFE card.
    Written June 28, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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