brown concrete building under cloudy sky

Ferrara

Ferrara is a Renaissance city of palaces, museums and brick walls, about 44 km northeast of Bologna. It suits a slow trip with bike rides along the walls.

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Ferrara is a city and the capital of Ferrara province in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, about 44 km northeast of Bologna. The Este family made it their capital, and under them it became a major political, artistic and cultural centre during the Renaissance. Biagio Rossetti planned the Erculean Addition from 1492 for Duke Ercole I d'Este, a northern expansion seen as an early model of modern urban planning. The historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

Este Castle, built from 1385 in the city centre, is the emblem of Ferrara: a brick fortress with four towers and a moat. About 9 km of Renaissance brick walls, mostly built from 1492 to 1520, almost fully surround the old city, and joggers and cyclists now use them as an urban park. Palazzo dei Diamanti, named after its diamond-pointed stone façade, houses the National Picture Gallery. Late spring and early autumn suit a visit best, since summers are hot and humid and winters bring fog and frost.

Ferrara in five

Take the train from BolognaFerrara has no airport of its own. Bologna Airport is about 50 km south, Verona about 112 km northwest and Venice Marco Polo about 117 km northeast. The railway station is on the Padua to Bologna line.Getting around
Rent a bike for the wallsThe Renaissance walls run about 9 km around the city and are now an urban park used by joggers and cyclists. Renting a bike suits the full ring.
Book your bed for the PalioThe Palio of St George is a medieval-style horse race held on the last Sunday of May in Piazza Ariostea. Book your room early if you plan to come for it.Festivals
Carry a warm layer in winterAutumn and winter often bring fog in the morning and evening. Winters are cold, with frequent frost and occasional snow.
Check the synagogues and MEIS before you goCheck the opening times of the three synagogues in the former ghetto area and of the Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah (MEIS) before you plan that part of the walk.

Things to do in Ferrara

See all attractions in Ferrara

Church · FerraraDuomo di San Giorgio

Museum · FerraraMuseum of Casa Romei

Castle · FerraraCastello EstenseTickets are best bought in advance. The tower costs extra and stops admitting visitors at 4:30 pm, before the castle closes.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to FerraraPut the places you like in Ferrara on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Euro (EUR)
Entry: Schengen short stays for many passports; check the Italian visa site Read more
Emergency: 112 for police, fire or ambulance
Tipping: Not expected; a small amount for good service is common
Time: UTC+1 in winter, UTC+2 with daylight saving (CET/CEST)

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh8°Low2°Cold, foggy
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cold, foggy
MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Rainy, changeable
AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Mild, changeable
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Palio, mild
JuneClear9 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Hot, humid
JulyClear10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low20°Hot, humid
AugustClear9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low21°Heatwaves
SeptemberClear9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low17°Warm, quieter
OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Mild, fog starts
NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Foggy, cold
DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cold, frost

Average daily high and low in Ferrara, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: May Palio of Ferrara

Right now in Ferrara

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 10°
Humidity: 67%
Wind: 11 km/h
Chance of rain: 23%

Ferrara

10:16 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today17°6°23%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 23%.
Tue16°7°8%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 8%.
Wed16°8°8%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 8%.
Thu16°6°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
Fri16°5°12%Friday: Rain. High 16°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 12%.
Sat12°7°15%Saturday: Rain. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 15%.
Sun15°8°23%Sunday: Rain. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 23%.

Updated 06:51 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Ferrara

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Every year

MayPalio of FerraraFerrara
May–JulRavenna FestivalRavenna, a day trip
Jun–SepArena di Verona FestivalVerona, a day trip
SepFestivaletteraturaMantua, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Ferrara

eSIM for FerraraOffline maps for the walls and AdditionRead the guide

Travel insurance for ItalyCover for a fall or a missed trainRead the guide

Stays in FerraraOld centre and Addition staysRead the guide

Money and cards in ItalyCash for small cafés and bakeriesRead the guide

Rules for Ferrara, checked

Many non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the Italian visa site before you book.
Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches, including the Cathedral of St George.
Check with the Italian Ministry of Culture before you buy antiques at fairs, since some antiques and cultural objects need an export licence to leave the EU.

Plan around Ferrara

Emilia-Romagna region

The wider region around Ferrara, with Bologna and the Po delta

Read the guide All of Italy

Regions, entry rules, transport and money for an Italian trip

Read the guide Getting around Italy

Trains, buses and car rental for a trip through the north

Read the guide Where to stay

Stays in the old centre, the Addition and quieter areas

Read the guide Money and costs

Typical prices for food, transport and sights in Italy

Read the guide Festivals in Italy

Local festivals and events worth timing a trip around

Read the guide

Ferrara FAQ

Is Ferrara worth visiting?

Yes, if you want a Renaissance city that is easy to walk and bike. The castle, the walls and the Erculean Addition fill a day or two.

How do you get to Ferrara from Bologna?

By train. Ferrara lies on the Padua to Bologna line, and the trip takes about 40 to 50 minutes. Check timetables on the rail operator's site before you travel.

Can you visit Ferrara on a day trip?

Yes, from Bologna by train. A day covers Este Castle, the cathedral and Palazzo dei Diamanti, while an overnight stay leaves time for the Addition and the walls at a slower pace.

How many days do you need in Ferrara?

Two days cover the main palaces, the former ghetto area and a bike ride on the walls. One day is enough for a quick look, and a second night helps if you want the Palio or a slower pace.

When is the best time to visit Ferrara?

Late spring and early autumn, when the weather is mild. Winter brings morning and evening fog and frost, and early summer heatwaves can exceed 40 °C.

What is the Palio of St George?

A medieval-style horse race held on the last Sunday of May in Piazza Ariostea. It is one of Italy's oldest such contests.