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Hire car Ravenna

Exploring Ravenna by Hire Car

Ravenna is a major city in the province of Emilia-Romagna, directly on the Adriatic Sea, in northern Italy, with a population of about 140,000 in an area of 652 square kilometres.

Located between Rimini and the Po Delta, the region around Ravenna has been settled since ancient times.

Early Christian and Byzantine basilicas, many adorned with enchanting mosaics, make Ravenna a perfect destination for a cultural holiday.

But the body and soul also get their money’s worth here. The excellent cuisine of Emilia-Romagna can be tasted in numerous restaurants.

In addition, the surrounding area attracts with many places worth seeing, which can be easily reached by hire car. We have put together a few tips for rental and travel.

Taking over the hire car

Many hire car customers reach Ravenna via the airport in Rimini. There, you will find numerous hire car agencies right at the terminal. Before you book your hire car, however, you should make sure that your hire car company is there. Often, hire car companies are only located in the vicinity of the airport. If you have booked with such a provider, you sometimes have to wait a long time for a shuttle to take you to your hire car.

Booking the right hire car

The Tuscan cities are best conquered with a small and agile hire car. This will get you through everywhere and also make it easier to find a parking space.

Hire car prices

The cost of hire cars in Rimini and Ravenna is usually in the middle range. Only during peak season, when car rentals are scarce, can prices climb upwards. You can usually get the cheapest rates if you book well in advance of your trip and use our handy price comparison tool.

hire car price comparison Ravenna

Insuring the car properly

In the event of an accident, you’re well covered with comprehensive insurance with no deductible. And a minor fender bender is a quick fix in Ravenna’s turbulent city traffic. In the event of a major accident, you will be glad if your liability coverage is at least one million euros. Because if people are injured in an accident, it quickly becomes very expensive. If the sum insured of your rental company does not seem to be sufficient, you can take out a so-called Majorca policy for further protection. Your insurance company will be happy to advise you.

age limit

You must be 19 or 21 to hire car at almost all hire car agencies in Ravenna and Rimini. And drivers younger than 25 often pay an additional fee. You can check the terms and conditions of your rental company in the rental terms and conditions.

Accessories

Accessories such as child seats or navigation equipment must always be ordered separately from your hire car company. Reserve in good time so that the desired equipment is also available on the day of the hire car handover.

Language barrier

In Ravenna and Rimini, it’s by no means certain that all hire car station staff speak good English. Make sure you know the phone number of the Italian head office of your rental company before your trip. There you can ask for translation help if necessary.

Free kilometers

A hire car with all the miles free allows you to be able to explore the many delightful destinations around Ravenna without having to constantly keep an eye on the car’s mileage.

Tank control

With most hire car companies in Ravenna and Rimini, you will be given a full tank of fuel and you will also return the car with a full tank. As this is a clear and transparent rule, you should make sure that your rental company does the same.

Bail

You are well advised to book with a rental company that only blocks the deposit due on your credit card. This is because if the money is charged off, it may take longer for your hire car company to refund the amount. It’s also important to check before you travel whether your credit line is sufficient to pay the deposit.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Although most hire car customers are quite satisfied with hire car in Ravenna and Rimini, some do complain about the external condition of the vehicles. Defects such as scratches or dents, should always be confirmed in writing in a fault report. This document will help you to prove that you are not responsible for the damage when you return the car. If you arrive at night, it can be helpful to have a flashlight in your hand luggage to be able to see damage to the hire car even in the dark.

Safety hire car

As a rule, you can expect to get a roadworthy car in Ravenna and Rimini. That there can always be exceptions, however, you should test the lights before your first drive and check that the car stops immediately if you make a short braking manoeuvre in the rental company’s car park. In addition, check that high-visibility vests, first-aid kit and warning triangle are on board.

Sights in Ravenna

Basilica San Vitale and Mausoleum of Galla Placidia: magnificent mosaics
At the Basilica San Vitale the city stroll could begin. Here you stand before a masterpiece of Byzantine architectural style. Already in the year 525 with the construction work was begun.in the year 548 the Basilica was completed. The difference to the architectural style of later eras can be seen in the fact that the church does not have a nave. The Basilica is rather a round building crowned by a dome.

The interior is richly decorated with marble and mosaics. Especially the magnificent mosaics of the imperial couple Justinian and Theodora are remarkable. They are located in the presbytery. The mausoleum of Galla Placidia, directly behind the Basilica, is also worth a visit. In the inconspicuous building you will find magnificent mosaics, which were created about a hundred years before the Basilica. The mausoleum was built between 425 and 430. The oldest mosaics in Ravenna are to be found here. Many motifs are dedicated to the martyr Laurentius, who died a fiery death.

Baptistery Neoniano: Mighty Baptistery
The Baptistery Neoniano could be another point of the city tour. It was built in the fifth century. The mosaic in the dome of the interior depicts the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. The mighty baptismal font also impresses visitors.

Basilica Sant’Apollinare Nuovo: Ancient place of worship
Next highlight of the city walk is the Basilica Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. “Nuovo” is a relative term in Ravenna, though. This place of worship was also built in the 6th century. No other decorations distract from the magnificent mosaics inside. Many depict episodes from the life of Christ.

Mausoleum of Theoderic: Ostrogothic architectural style
You could end the city tour at the mausoleum of the Ostrogothic king Theoderic. It was built in the 6th century and is considered an outstanding achievement of Ostrogothic master builders. While the building lacks the grandeur of Byzantine buildings, it captivates visitors with its classical form and lack of frills.

Discover a good restaurant

There are some good restaurants with typical cuisine in Ravenna. We recommend Ristorante La Gardela which is especially famous for traditional grilled dishes. The homemade pasta is also exceedingly delicious.

Find a good hotel

There is no shortage of nice hotels in Ravenna. Make a reservation at the Sant’ Andrea. You’ll stay in a 17th-century palazzo, just 150 metres from the Basilica San Vitale. All rooms are stylishly decorated and offer good comfort.

A worthwhile destination in the area

Rimini: Dreamy seaside resort
After so much culture, you may be craving the sea. Steer the hire cars to Rimini. You can reach the town, 65 kilometres away, in just over an hour. In Rimini, you can relax on the beach while the kids swim in the sea. Lifeguards watch over that nothing happens to the little ones.

In addition, Rimini has a charming old town where you can go on extensive shopping trips. And as you stroll through the alleyways, you can plan at your leisure which destinations around Ravenna you want to steer your hire car to next.

Suggestion for a trip by hire car

Santarcangelo di Romagna: Ancient Cloth Press and Tufa Caves
Santarcangelo di Romagna is a worthwhile destination for a first trip by hire car. From Ravenna, the drive will take you just under an hour. In the enchanting old town with its winding streets there is an absolute specialty to discover, the Stamperia Marchi. This is a huge fabric press from the 17th century that was used to press coarse linen by means of a treadle wheel. Even today, there are often demonstrations of how the press works. Also of interest are the tuff caves that lie beneath the old town. Once used as dwellings, they are now used for storage and wine cellars.

San Marino: Diverse Dwarf State
Continue your journey in half an hour to San Marino. You’re now leaving Italy and cruising Europe’s third-smallest state and the world’s oldest surviving republic. In the Museo di Stato you can learn about the history of the country. Afterwards, a visit to the Palazzo Pubblico is worthwhile. The neo-Gothic building is guarded by colourfully robed guards. Don’t miss the chance to buy a stamp at the Azienda Autonoma di Stato Filatelica e Numismatica. For the stamps of the dwarf state are rare and sought after.

San Leo: Picturesque Village
Back to Italy, head for San Leo at the end of your trip. The drive takes about half an hour. The small village is picturesquely situated on a hillside. In San Leo, the 12th-century cathedral is worth a visit, considered a prime example of Romanesque architectural style. The castle of the village is also worth seeing. Prisoners condemned by the Vatican were once imprisoned behind its defiant walls. Today, the partly medieval cells and the castle can be visited. At the end of the stroll, you will have the opportunity to stroll through the winding streets of the village and buy local handicrafts in small shops. A drive of about an hour and a half now separates you from Ravenna. There you can review the events of your hire car trip and plan your next excursions.

Conclusion

Ravenna, with its magnificent churches, makes a great base for a hire car trip. There is plenty to see in the city and there are numerous delightful destinations in the surrounding countryside that are perfectly accessible by hire car. With our practical price comparison you will quickly find a car at favourable conditions.

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