If you like walking with a story in your ear, this self-guided audio tour of Dante's Ravenna is one of the best-value ways to spend an hour in the old town. It follows the poet's final years, from his arrival as an exile around 1318 to his death in 1321, and links the places in Ravenna where his memory lives: the tomb, the Basilica of San Francesco where his funeral was held, the quiet lanes of the old quarter and nearby squares. The commentary mixes biography with literary context, explaining how Ravenna's churches, mosaics and pine forest may have found their way into the Divine Comedy. For many visitors it is the missing key to a city best known for its mosaics.
A self-guided audio tour has obvious advantages. You can begin when you like, pause for a coffee, repeat a section and follow the route at your own speed. The commentary is delivered through a smartphone, so a pair of headphones and a charged battery are all you need. The route is short and flat, and most of it lies in the pedestrian streets around the centre, so it suits all ages and mobility levels. There is no group, no schedule and no pressure to hurry.
What you gain is context. Dante, expelled from Florence in 1302 and condemned to death if he returned, spent years wandering before settling in Ravenna under the protection of Guido Novello da Polenta. Here he completed the Paradiso, and the city's mosaics, with their stars, light and golden skies, are often said to have shaped its imagery.
The audio tour draws these links without insisting on them, and a pause at the tomb or in the quiet courtyard of the church feels more meaningful with the story in mind. The pine forest of Classe, mentioned in the Purgatorio, is described as a nearby extension for those who want to go further.
The tour works well on the first afternoon in town, as a way to learn the layout of the centre, or on a quiet morning before the churches open. Because it is cheap, it is an easy add-on to a mosaic itinerary, and it pairs naturally with a visit to the tomb and the Dante Museum. Download it ahead of time if your phone signal is patchy, and charge your phone before you set out.
What to expect
The experience
A smartphone audio walk through the old town, following Dante's last years, at your own pace.
Best time
Morning or late afternoon for cooler walking and quieter lanes.
How long
1 to 1.5 hours, depending on stops.
Tips
Bring headphones, charge your phone and download content before you start.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Independent travellers who like stories and flexible timing.
- Families
- Better for teens than small children.
- Couples
- A relaxed way to wander the old town together.
- Pair with
- Dante's Tomb and the Basilica of San Francesco.
- Time needed
- About an hour.
Good questions
Do I need a guide?+
No. The audio tour works on your own phone and lets you set the pace.
Where does it start?+
Follow the in-app instructions. The route generally covers the old town around the tomb and San Francesco.
Do I need data on the route?+
Download the content ahead of time if you can, so you are not relying on a signal.
Is it suitable for wheelchairs?+
The old town is largely flat and pedestrian, but cobbles can be uneven in places.
Is it worth it without reading Dante?+
Yes. It is an engaging introduction to the city's later medieval history.
