Ferrara

Culture4.6/5

Castello Estense

Ferrara’s brick castle sits inside a moat, its towers rising over the city center. Downstairs, prison doors are low, but the cells behind them are surprisingly large.

Culture4.6/5

Palazzo dei Diamanti

Diamond-shaped marble blocks cover the facade of this Renaissance palazzo in Ferrara. Inside, the National Gallery shares its rooms with changing art exhibitions, bringing old masters and contemporary shows under one roof.

Culture4.5/5

Duomo di San Giorgio

Romanesque arches sit below Gothic details on this Ferrara cathedral’s façade. Inside, Baroque decoration fills the dim nave, with the tomb of Pope Urban III.

Culture4.4/5

Palazzo Schifanoia

This Ferrara palace museum centers on the Hall of the Months, where Renaissance frescoes cover its walls. Zodiac signs and courtly scenes fill the panels.

Landmark4.5/5

Parco Urbano "Giorgio Bassani"

Broad green grounds spread around a little lake in this Ferrara park. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have played here.

Culture4.4/5

Cathedrals Museum

Ferrara's cathedral museum holds paintings and tapestries of its patron saints, Giorgio and Maurelio. A Romanesque sculpture cycle follows the months of the year.

Landmark4.5/5

Piazza Ariostea

This Ferrara square wraps cafés around an oval track, where the annual Palio brings horse and donkey races.

Culture4.3/5

Civic Museum of Natural History of Ferrara

This small natural history museum covers geology, zoology and paleontology through well-presented displays. Each room has artifacts to explore, with interactive mini-games for children.

Landmark4.4/5

Palazzo Turchi di Bagno

This Ferrara palazzo houses a university faculty and a small exhibition space. Its terracotta facade stands opposite Palazzo dei Diamanti at the Crossroads of Angels.

Landmark4.6/5

Parco Massari

Ferrara city park enclosed by walls, with old trees, benches, a café and a playground.

Landmark4.4/5

Via delle Volte

Ferrara's medieval lane runs beneath terracotta arches, which frame the view along its narrow, cobbled length. Enclosed passageways and walkways cross overhead, linking the buildings on either side.

Culture4.6/5

Ferrara Charterhouse

This former Carthusian monastery is now Ferrara’s cemetery, with cloisters and chapels among the graves. Epitaphs invite a pause at family tombs.

Eat$$$4.2/5

Osteria I Quattro Angeli

Ferrara restaurant overlooking Castello Estense, with a terrace. Cappellacci di zucca arrive filled with pumpkin and dressed in butter and sage.

Eat$$$4.2/5

Al Brindisi

This Ferrara osteria serves local dishes and pours wine in a small, rustic dining room. It claims more than 500 years as an osteria.

Eat$$$4.4/5

Este Bar

Pizza-and-pasta restaurant in Ferrara, with local dishes including pasticcio Ferrarese.

Eat$$4.5/5

Pasticceria Le Follie Di Paiato Nicola

Ferrara bakery and cafe with pastries, coffee, and outdoor seating.

Cafe4.5/5

LuCaffè-Caffè Letterario

This Ferrara cafe is a quiet place for coffee, drinks and meals, with room to chat over a break.

Stay$$$$4.6/5

Hotel de Prati

Set in the heart of Ferrara, Hotel De Prati a 2-minute walk from the Opera House and 400 metres from the Diamond Palace. It offers air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and a satellite TV. Salami, breads and sweet and savoury pastries are served daily for breakfast along with muesli, fresh fruit and hot drinks. Gluten-free items are available upon request. Once a historic inn, this family-run property welcomed writers, painters and actors in the early 20th century. Now the hotel often hosts exhibitions by local artists. All rooms at De Prati come with antique furnishings, a minibar and a private bathroom with a hairdryer and toiletries. The Castello Estense and Ferrara's Court House are 2 minutes' walk away.

Stay$$$$4.35/5

Hotel Orologio

Hotel Orologio is located next to the ancient walls of Ferrara, easily reached from the A13 motorway. The property offers friendly service, free Wi-Fi, and elegant rooms. Free bikes are provided upon availability. Rooms at the Orologio have wood-beamed ceilings andclassic furniture. All air conditioned, they also feature a balcony, minibar and satellite TV. A buffet breakfast is served daily until 10:30. There is a free internet point in the lobby. Guests can also use the free parking nearby. Ferrara Train Station is 10 minutes' walk away and a shuttle service to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is available. Ferrara Cathedral is 15 minutes away on foot. Staff will be happy to recommend the best local restaurants for dinner.

Stay$$$$4.5/5

Hotel Annunziata

Just 50 metres from the famous Estense Castle of Ferrara, Hotel Annunziata provides air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and a generous breakfast. Located in the city’s pedestrian area, the property features bike rental service. Rooms and suites at the Annunziata include satellite flat-screen TV, a minibar and en suite bathroom. They are located in the elegant main premises, or in a historic separate building 150 metres away. Some rooms have a view of the castle. An extensive buffet breakfast is served in the modern dining room and includes gluten-free options. Guests can also relax in the bar and the new terrace in front of the hotel. The hotel is 100 metres from the stop of the new public shuttle to/from Bologna Airport. You can drive to the hotel to unload your luggage, and the staff will then assist you with parking instructions.

Stay$$$4.15/5

Il Duca D'Este

Located on Via Bologna, one of the main streets in Ferrara, this hotel’s strategic position allows you to reach the A13 Bologna-Padova motorway in just a few minutes. Hotel Il Duca d'Este has easy access to the trade fair district and Ferrara's historic centre which is 2.7 km away, via the motorway and a frequent bus service. Rooms at Il Duca d'Este are air conditioned and come with wood floors, a minibar and TV with satellite channels.

Stay$$$$4.25/5

Hotel Duchessa Isabella Collection by GSA Hotels

Featuring a garden, Hotel & SPA Duchessa Isabella Collection by GSA Hotels offers elegant rooms 600 metres from Ferrara’s Este Castle. WiFi is available in public areas. Spacious and all air conditioned, rooms at the Duchessa Isabella come with a satellite flat-screen TV, a minibar, and a seating area. The private bathroom has a hairdryer and free toiletries. A generous sweet and savoury breakfast is served daily with homemade cakes, eggs, and vegetables. Guests can also relax in the onsite spa, which includes a sauna, Turkish bath, hot tub and sensory showers, as well as a relaxation corner with herbal teas. Palazzo dei Diamanti is reachable on foot in just under 10 minutes, as is Ferrara Cathedral. Ferrara Train Station is 2 km away.

Stay$$$$4.15/5

Astra Hotel

Hotel Astra is set in the heart of Ferrara, a 10-minute walk from Ferrara Station. Its modern rooms come with a flat-screen TV with Mediaset Premium channels, air conditioning and soundproofing. This 4-star hotel features a bar and a restaurant serving Italian cuisine and international favourites. Staff at reception will provide free maps of Ferrara and offer a free bike rental service. The Astra Hotel is a few steps from the cathedral and medieval Estense Castle. Ferrara is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site. A transfer service to Ferrara Fiere congress centre and the airport is available on request and at an additional cost.