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- Castello Estense (Este Castle) — A moated medieval fortress right in the city center: climb the tower for views, wander the ramparts and rooms, and see the museums that tell the story of Ferrara’s ruling family. It’s the city’s most tangible link to the Este court.
- Cattedrale di San Giorgio (Ferrara Cathedral) — Impressive Romanesque-Gothic façade and a cool, layered interior. The cathedral and its small museum give a real feel for Ferrara’s ecclesiastical power and art across centuries.
- Palazzo dei Diamanti — That striking diamond-point façade you instantly recognize. Inside there are rotating national and regional art exhibitions and a fantastic sense of Renaissance civic pride; it’s Ferrara’s art-showcase.
- Palazzo Schifanoia - Salone dei Mesi — Visit for the extraordinary ”Months”
- Castello Estense (Este Castle) — A moated medieval fortress right in the city center: climb the tower for views, wander the ramparts and rooms, and see the museums that tell the story of Ferrara’s ruling family. It’s the city’s most tangible link to the Este court.
- Cattedrale di San Giorgio (Ferrara Cathedral) — Impressive Romanesque-Gothic façade and a cool, layered interior. The cathedral and its small museum give a real feel for Ferrara’s ecclesiastical power and art across centuries.
- Palazzo dei Diamanti — That striking diamond-point façade you instantly recognize. Inside there are rotating national and regional art exhibitions and a fantastic sense of Renaissance civic pride; it’s Ferrara’s art-showcase.
- Palazzo Schifanoia - Salone dei Mesi — Visit for the extraordinary ”Months” fresco cycle, a courtly visual calendar of the Este dukes. The frescoes are one of Italy’s quieter but priceless Treasures from the Renaissance.
- Casa Romei — A small, beautifully preserved noble house with frescoed rooms and a charming courtyard garden. It’s the best place in town to see how Ferrara’s elite actually lived in the 15th century.
- The Jewish Ghetto and Synagogue (Museo Ebraico) — Narrow streets, historic homes and the synagogue/museum complex that explain centuries of Jewish life here. The quarter’s atmosphere and stories are essential to understanding Ferrara’s cultural fabric.
- Via delle Volte — A short, atmospheric medieval alley with vaulted arches that feels like stepping into another century. Photogenic and atmospheric, it’s small but unmistakably Ferraran.
- Le Mura di Ferrara (Renaissance City Walls) — These well-preserved walls are perfect for walking or renting a bike; you get parks, viewpoints, and a strong sense of Ferrara as a planned Renaissance city. Great for sunsets and locals hanging out.
- La Certosa di Ferrara (Certosa Monumentale) — A monumental former monastery turned cemetery with sculptural chapels and evocative funerary art. It’s quiet, slightly haunting, and full of local history you won’t find in guidebooks.
- Darsena and the River Po — The old dock and riverside stretch where Ferrara met the water: boat trips, riverside cafés, and views that remind you Ferrara was once a trading hub. A peaceful change of pace from the tight streets.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.