Modern day Ferrara is a modest-sized city in the Emilia Romagna region, close to the Adriatic, but Ferrara’s Renaissance court was among the finest in Italy, and it is its glorious network of Renaissance, and medieval streets that has won Ferrara its World Heritage Listing. But surprisingly, not huge numbers of visitors! Ferrara’s elegant palazzos, and most impressive art collections are gathered close together in its historic heart, but the defensive walls around Ferrara are quite generously built, and not everything within the walls is set to impress. Whatever the reason for the lack of crowds, this relative peace will be a boon for many considering the best places to stay in Ferrara. Our Gurus have chosen a handful of beautiful, historic palazzo conversions, plus a converted hunting lodge and converted farmhouse outside the city proper, and a design hotel in town, in case you’ve had enough of historic architecture.
If you opt to stay in one of our recommendations in Ferrara’s historic heart you’ll be within a stroll of the Gothic Cattedrale, the 14th century Castello Estense — part fortress part castle — Palazzo Schifanoia, Palazzina Marisa d’Este, and the Palazzo Paradiso, which are some of Ferrara’s Heritage Listed highlights. The towns long list of attractions requires a lot of time to get through, or sifting over for your favourites. We recommend looking into combined tickets.
Ferrara can also be used as a base for exploring more of the Emilia Romagna region. It is on the train line connecting Bologna and Venice, with both cities around an hour away. Ravenna is also an easy train ride away, and from there it’s quite easy to visit the beach at Rimini. And the best places to stay in Ferrara represent excellent value in comparison to some of this region’s more show-stopper cities.