Our most recommended things to do in Ferrara

Medieval Ferrara and the Jewish Ghetto Walking Tour

1. Medieval Ferrara and the Jewish Ghetto Walking Tour

Begin your fantastic walking tour in the courtyard of the Castello Estense. Learn about the rich history of the area and its landmarks from your professional local guide. Pass by the Frescobaldi Music Conservatory before making a stop at the mid-15th century S. Anna hospital cloister. Glimpse into the garden of the early 16th century Palazzo Roverella, before heading to the 18th century oval Theatre Square where the statue of the Ferrarese friar Savonarola lies. Walk between the archbishop's palace and the former Ducal Palace to the cathedral and town hall which features a beautiful brick laid square. Finish your exciting tour by visiting the medieval business lanes and the historic Jewish ghetto before ending in front of the intricate 15th century Italian Synagogue.

Ferrara: City Highlights Walking Tour in Italian

2. Ferrara: City Highlights Walking Tour in Italian

Let's start from the Estense Castle, symbol of the city, from which we can admire Corso Ercole I d'Este, the road that connects the Castle to the north gate of the walls, crossing the Renaissance Addition commissioned from Ercole I d'Este and realized by the Ferrarese architect Biagio Rossetti. A dive into the beauty of Ferrara's Renaissance palaces and churches amidst the colors of the Unesco World Heritage city, you will arrive to the original Palazzo dei Diamanti in the heart of the Addizione Erculea, an urban expansion planned at the end of the 15th century. From the "historic crossroads" we continue towards the romantic Massari Park, characterized by the centuries-old cedars of Lebanon and the rich vegetation facing the University Botanical Garden. A few steps away, the nearby monumental complex of S.Cristoforo alla Certosa, transformed over time into a Monumental Cemetery, opens into the square in front, where the elegant arcades create a suggestive effect of recollection. Internal visit to the beautiful Renaissance church, an ancient temple of the Carthusian monks called to Ferrara by Duke Borso d'Este in the mid-15th century. The nearby historic Piazza Ariostea reminds us of the great poet with its statue towering over the central column and invites us, to end the visit, under the loggia that flanks the green area. It will be a journey through the beauty that arises from the harmonious and varied presence of monuments and views that never make it boring or obvious.

Degustazione guidata dei vini del territorio

3. Degustazione guidata dei vini del territorio

Prenota una degustazione guidata dei vini del territorio! Ti aspetta una carrellata di 3 calici di vini di eccellenza accompagnata da una piccola degustazione di salumi e formaggi della nostra regione. Il tutto guidato da un sommelier a te dedicato. Potrai inoltre ampliare il tuo percorso con altri piatti tipici di Ferrara, pasta artigianale ferrarese come cappellacci e tortellini o ampliare la degustazione con tantissimi vini nazionali ed esteri scegliendo tra oltre 300 bottiglie

Ferrara: 2-Hour City Center Walking Tour

4. Ferrara: 2-Hour City Center Walking Tour

Discover the fascinating city of Ferrara on this 2-hour walking tour that will show you the highlights of this unique city. On your tour, you will see the interesting urban planning of this Renaissance city, which is the first city in Europe to have a modern layout still used to design cities today. Your tour starts with viewing the Renaissance Herculean addition and the inner courtyard of Palazzo dei Diamanti. While walking down Corso Ercole I D'Este, you will visit the inner courtyard of Estense Castle and then continue your stroll through Piazza Castello, Piazza Savonarola and Corso Martiri della Liberta.  Next, you will arrive at Piazza Cattedrale, which hosts the Romanesque-Gothic Saint George Cathedral. In front of the Cathedral, you will discover Piazza del Municipio, the inner courtyard of the former Ducal palace. On your walk through San Romano, you will see the old Medieval streets of Ferrara, some of which became the old Jewish Ghetto at the beginning of the 17th century. Join this fascinating tour of Ferrara to dive into the history of the city and learn what makes Ferrara so special!

Ferrara: Guided City Highlights Walking Tour

5. Ferrara: Guided City Highlights Walking Tour

A private tour to discover the historical and artistic Ferrara. With this private guided tour you will admire Renaissance marvels, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral, the majesty Estense Castle and much more.

Ferrara: Private City Highlights Guided Bike Tour

6. Ferrara: Private City Highlights Guided Bike Tour

The tour will start at the staris inside the ancient court yard of the Estense Ducal Palace - Piazza Municipio 2 - and move to the Cathedral, the Castle, the Theatre's Rotonda Foschini, the Renaissance Palazzo dei Diamanti, followed by the shady 15th c. city Walls, the Carthusian monastery, the Palio square Piazza Ariostea and finally take you to the former Jewish ghetto back to the Medieval town. On the monumental corso Ercole d'Este you will enjoy the inner roofed square of the former Palazzo Borsa, the terracotta fassade of Palazzo Gulinelli and Palazzo Giulio. You will pass the imaginary "Garden of the Finzi Continis" and the University Botanic Garden, enter the peaceful green of via della Certosa and ride through a city farm.

Ferrara: Home Dining Experience with Show Cooking

7. Ferrara: Home Dining Experience with Show Cooking

There's no better way to discover Italy's culture from the inside. Our national network of expert Italian home cooks offers the finest Italian food experiences. Immerse yourself in a private dining experience with an Italian family with a 4-course menu (starter, pasta, main course and dessert with drinks included: water, selection of local wines and coffee) showcasing authentic Italian recipes passed down by real Italian Mammas in family cookbooks. Enjoy a cooking demonstration, where your host will show you their cooking skills as they finish the dishes in front of you. Feel the warmth of Italian hospitality by connecting with local people. You'll come away with happy memories, new friends, and a deeper understanding of your destination, as you taste the typical dishes that real Italians cook every day. This experience is held by Cesarine, the oldest Italy’s network of home cooks available all over the country. The word "Cesarine" means "home cook". Our network of passionate and welcoming local hosts open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences. The Cesarine serve only local specialties from their family cookbooks to tell the great story of their traditional regional cuisine.

Transfer between Florence and Venice with Sightseeing Stops

8. Transfer between Florence and Venice with Sightseeing Stops

Choose this ideal way to transfer between the popular Italian destinations of Florence and Venice. Travel at a pace that ensures an enjoyable journey through scenic landscapes and discover another corner of Italy on the way. On this 6-hour transfer you’ll travel by deluxe car or van with a professional English-speaking driver/guide. You’ll get helpful insights on the places you decide to visit. You can visit any point of interest along the way, with up to a 3-hour stop. Some of the suggested stops on this transfer are Bologna, Ferrara, Padova, or Ravenna. All of these popular cities are appealing for their history, culture, and culinary offerings. There will be time for lunch at local restaurant before continuing on to your final destination. The transfer can begin at either Florence or Venice and the service is door-to-door.

Ferrara: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local

9. Ferrara: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local

Immerse yourself in a private cooking class at the local's home, learn the secrets of the most famous dishes of Italian cuisine and taste the fruit of your labour accompanied by local wines. During the lesson, your local host will reveal the tricks of the trade of 3 authentic recipes. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test. Participants will have a workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Then, taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of red and white local wines. What could be better than enjoying gorgeous Italian food you made from scratch, and chatting with a welcoming Italian family over a glass of wine? Every host serves local specialties from their family cookbooks to tell the story of their traditional regional cuisine. A sample menu always includes starter with seasonal ingredients, fresh pasta of the region, and typical dessert. Cesarine is Italy’s oldest network of more than 1000 home cooks all over the country in more than 500 cities. They are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.

Ferrara: Guided Walking Tour of Jewish Cemetery

10. Ferrara: Guided Walking Tour of Jewish Cemetery

Embark on a fascinating guided walking tour in discovery of the Jewish cemetery of Ferrara. See the memorials dedicated to the author of “The Garden of the Finzi-Continis” and the translator of “Schindler’s List”. Enter the gates of the walled cemetery and stop to appreciate the evocative atmosphere. Listen as your guide shares interesting insight about historic events and the history of the cemetery. Learn about some of the local burial traditions and prominent Jewish families of Ferrara. Pass by gravestones that pay tribute to important figures such as Giorgio Bassani, Guido Fink, Arrigo Minerbi, Vittore Veneziani, and many others.

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Ferrara

Ferrara
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What people are saying about Ferrara

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 45 reviews

Our guide Manuela was perfect. Already the previous evening he sent us a message indicating the meeting place with photos, so it was very easy to find ourselves. He adapted the tour to our pace and completed the tour with anecdotes that made us discover this beautiful city to the fullest. Thank you

The guide was a very knowledgeable lady who made the visit of the city really interesting. Preferable early afternoon or morning. We have spent the evening due to lack of other availability and we were already tired but very beautiful and interesting. Thanks

A wonderful introduction to the city. Well informed, interesting stories and great tips. Definitely worth doing!

Elisabetta was a very knowledgable and amenable guide

This was a wonderful tour - we highly recommend it.