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Comune in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Photo: Massimo Baraldi, CC BY 2.5 it via Wikimedia Commons
Ferrara is a city in Italy. Together with the nearby delta of the Po river, Ferrara has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Este castle
The castle, built in 1385, is the main attraction of the city. It is one of a few medieval castles remaining in Europe that retains its moat. See painted ceilings, the Golden Room, the duchesses' Camerino, don't miss its medieval dungeon. €2 extra to climb one of the towers.
Palazzo Ducale
Its construction begun in the 12th century, so the lower part of the building has characteristic Romanesque appearance.
Palazzo di Ludovico il Moro
The Museo Archeologico Nazionale (National Archaeological Museum) is here. The collection of the museum mostly consists of various artifacts excavated from Greek and Etruscan tombs.
On the 1st floor it hosts Pinacoteca Nazionale (National Gallery). The ground floor is dedicated for temporary exhibitions.
Museo Schifanoia
It was the only summer residence of Este family inside the city walls. Today the main attraction of the palace is Salone dei Mesi ("Hall of the Months") decorated by pagan cycle frescos representing the months of a year. Unfortunately for a few centuries the frescos were plastered, so only some of them survived.
The convent church is open to the public. There are some 17th-century ceiling frescos by Andrea Ferreri, also in the side chapels there are some frescoes of the school of Giotto.
It is one of the best-preserved Renaissance building in Ferrara.
Villa Marfisa d'Este
It's an example of Renaissance-style villa. The Palazzina was built around 1559 by Francesco d’Este, son of Duke Alfonso I and Lucrezia Borgia.
Certosa di Ferrara
This Renaissance church was a part of a Carthusian monastery, which is now a cemetery site.
A former cathedral of the town.
Claudio Abbado Theatre
An opera house, built between 1786 and 1797.
The Jewish Museum and the Synagogue are in the former ghetto (along the street used to be called Via Sabbioni).
Vaulted street
It used to be a street with various shops and workshops during heydays of the city.
International street musicians festival.
A little on the costly side, but for a quick bite head down Via Garibaldi to the piadina stand across from the Indian restaurant. Don't forget to try the perfectly cooked French fries.
It's the bar that looks a little like a greenhouse set up right against the moat with tables outside. With a "make your own panino" option on the menu, friendly waiters, and an ideal location literally in the shadow of the Castello, it makes a perfect lunch stop.
Once upstairs in an alley just off Via Mazzini, it has moved 100 meters further. This friendly restaurant offers regular meals but its specialty is pizza.
A small, unremarkable-looking Sicilian pizzeria which serves without a doubt the best pizza in town. Try the "Diablo" and make sure to chat with the friendly owners, even if it's in sign language.
Don't be put off by the dingy bar at the front. At the back is one of the friendliest restaurants in Italy, presided over by the splendid Norberto. The food is simple but excellent and not at all expensive. Pizzas and Salama da Sugo con Pure are particularly good. For years it has been the favourite watering hole for performers at the Teatro Communale and Ferrara Musica. After concerts the place is very lively and, unusually for Ferrara, it closes late.
Trattoria, enoteca.
Wooden, atmospheric, and crammed with dusty wine bottles, this charming enoteca has not only of being the oldest winebar in Europe but also as having had Copernicus as a tenant while he was a student in Ferrara. Although most come at night to drink, they also serve exclusively Ferrarese fare such as pasticcio and cappellacci di zucca for dinner (the portions are small, so make sure to eat a real Italian meal and order both a primo and a secondo).
Located on a backstreet near Via delle Volte, at Via Voltecasotto 3, this charming and inexpensive trattoria offers a variety of local Ferrarese specialties. Garden seating available in warmer weather.
Next to the Savonarola statue, this restaurant offers a good selection of traditional Ferrarese fare.
Located in the countryside is a typical trattoria serving traditional dishes.
A small Greek restaurant with decent Greek food, though a bit pricey for the amount.
Very popular with the students, packed most weekend and Wednesday nights, also Tuesday nights which are traditionally "Erasmus Night," dedicated to the many foreign students who spend the semester or year here.
If you can find it in the backstreets, this bar has a lively atmosphere, not to mention the board games and the craft beer from the Biren brewery.
The oldest enoteca in Europe that can boast of having had Copernicus as a tenant when he was a student in Ferrara. Located at Via degli Adelardi, the street just to the left of the Duomo.
Around the corner from IBS.it Bookstore, this bar is the best place for l'aperitivo in Ferrara, mainly because a single drink will also get you a plateful of fantastic appetizers, out of which cheapskate students know they can make a dinner.
On Via Boccacanale di Santo Stefano (a cross-street of Via Garibaldi), this intimate cafè/bar offers a good selection of wines, salads, sandwiches, and desserts with friendly service and, at one point in time, free wifi access.
At Via San Romano 99, this bar offers a generous and delicious buffet at aperitivo hour. Don't forget to order the spritz, a northern Italian apertif cocktail made up of prosecco and Aperol.
Holiday apartments in a 3-star farm holiday 5 minutes from Ferrara. Excellent point from which to explore all of Emilia Romagna and Veneto. Historical building, completely restructured. Swimming pool, Internet Wi-Fi, Internet point, barbecues corner, large equipped garden, laundry room and internal car parking. Open all year round. Very reasonable prices.
A charming room & breakfast in the historical centre of Ferrara.
In front to the Castle, about 15 minutes walk from the train station. Charming hotel.
By train
The easiest option. Ferrara is on the line that runs from Florence to Bologna to Venice, and thus makes an easy day trip on your travels to the more heavily touristy sites.
By bus
By car
By coach
Take your cue from the locals and rent a bike (at the train station, near the Duomo or interurban companies).
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