Ferrara is a beautiful Renaissance town in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. It is very easy for the visitor to get around and find sights to see in Ferrara in just 3 hours. So after having been around Bologna for quite a while, we thought we would take a day out of our trip to experience Ferrara.
To Ferrara by train.
If you take the fast train from Bologna, you will reach this small town in half an hour. We booked a ticket from Bologna’s central train station literally at the last minute. The cost of a return ticket is 10,20€. There are many trains and often during the day.
However, beware of train delays. There are announcements from station officials. As in our case where for the return journey there was an announcement of a 1:30 hour delay, so we boarded another train with the same ticket, which made more stops and the journey took 45 minutes. If you choose to travel by train it is advisable to be prepared and react quickly to similar setbacks so as not to waste valuable time.
A few words about Ferrara
The town of Ferrara flourished under the Este family who built a beautiful castle with thick walls in the 14th century. Besides, Ferrara is full of majestic palaces, castles, monuments and small picturesque streets.
You can book your ideal room for your stay in Ferrara here. And in charming Bologna you will find all the accommodation available here.
You can book your ideal room for your stay in Ferrara here. And in charming Bologna you will find all the accommodation available here.
Most of Ferrara’s major attractions are clustered around the centre, and as such, you can enjoy the city on foot or perhaps even by bike. After all, bicycles as a means of transport is something that is characteristic of the city, as we kept seeing residents of all ages commuting by bike.
What are the main sights to see in Ferrara and what you can do in a day:
Castle Este
The first thing we came across when we arrived in the center of Ferrara is this huge, imposing beautiful castle surrounded by the moat which is filled with water. The Este Castle was built as a defensive fortress in the late 1300s and was later converted into a court residence. The castle has four towers, red terracotta bricks, elegant white railings, outposts and many rooms open to the visitor.
To explore the interior of the castle, you need to buy a ticket, which costs 12 euros. Inside you can see beautiful rooms with frescoes, the prisons, a lovely garden and a chapel. You can also climb one of the towers to get a stunning view of Ferrara from above.
Explore the center of Ferrara.
The center of Ferrara is a huge pedestrian street, so it can only be explored on foot or by bike. There, you will truly feel that Ferrara is a mixture of art and history. Ferrara’s main square is called Piazza del Municipio. It was once an ancient ducal court where the Este family hosted lavish theatrical events.
Today, you can either relax by strolling through small hidden streets or by getting involved with the hustle and bustle of the main square. On Sunday there is also a small bazaar with stalls selling antiques, second-hand or handmade items.
Surely at some point, you won’t feel like you’re in the 21st century, but in a time when kings ruled the world from their castles. Everywhere around the center, there are many quaint little shops to stop for an ice cream, coffee or food.
Like the small-cafe gelatteria located on the ground floor in the clock tower. It definitely stands out and is one of the most quaint cafes we’ve seen and we enjoyed a delicious ice cream from there.
Via delle Volte.
Via delle Volte is a 2 km long cobbled road full of arched passages that crosses Ferrara and is characterized by its picturesqueness. It was built in the 13th and 14th centuries and today it is a popular place for taking beautiful photographs.
It’s quieter without the crowds of the main square. You feel like you’re in another era. The street is very romantic in daylight and as it gets darker it takes on a different charm , so the atmosphere is somewhat mysterious. Along the street, you can find rustic restaurants and taverns where you can taste typical Ferrara cuisine.
What to see in Ferrara: Visit the Cathedral.
The Cathedral of San Giorgio is a beautiful cathedral located in the main square of Ferrara. It was built in the 12th century in a romantic and gothic style with a characteristic white and pink marble façade and is dedicated to St. George and the New Testament. The cathedral has a bell tower which is not very well balanced, as the entire cathedral rests on sandy ground.
The interior is done in a classical style and is full of stunning sculptures and frescoes. One particularly beautiful one is under the dome. Those who love art should not miss this cathedral because there are two masterpieces, Bastianino’s “Last Judgement” and Guercino’s “Martyrdom of San Lorenzo”.
Corso Ercole d’Este.
Corso Ercole I d’Este is the most famous medieval street to walk and see in Ferrara that connects the castle with the city walls, at Porta degli Angeli. According to UNESCO, it is one of the most beautiful streets in the world! Along the street, you will encounter many old buildings, including the famous Palazzo dei Diamanti.
Palazzo dei Diamanti.
Palazzo dei Diamanti is a unique building you have to see in Ferrara with a magnificent facade made up of 8500 blocks of white marble with pink striations. It is one of the symbols of Ferrara, although, there are buildings in the same style in other Italian cities. Inside the Pallazo dei Diamanti, the National Gallery is home to the works of great artists. There is also a beautiful courtyard with a monastery and a well that is worth seeing.
Is it worth a day in Ferrara?
Yes! We can say that it is worth it. And there are ultimately many reasons to believe this if you have Bologna as your starting point. From Bologna you can be in just an hour by train to Venice to Parma, or Florence.
We personally would not want to visit 3 such important cities in one day because we would not have time to explore them as we would like to. Instead Modena, Ferrara and Ravenna are closer and you can safely say that in one day you have seen their major sights without running around in stress. If you include the train delays, it was definitely worth the choice.
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