Ferrara is a province in the region of Emilia-Romagna. Located in north-west Italy, its capital is also called Ferrara. Much of the province’s history has been influenced by the rule of the d’Este dynasty, especially in the capital.

Sights and Attractions

The city of Ferrara is home to several fourteenth and fifteenth century palaces, including the Palazzo dei Diamanti. The city has some of Italy’s best preserved Renaissance walls from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Top attractions include the imposing Castello Estense, the Romanesque Cathedral of San Giorgio, the historic City Hall at the Piazza Municipale, and the Loggia dei Mercanti where workshops have been in use since the Middle Ages.
Interesting destinations in the province include Voghiera, a former royal residence that is reminiscent of Versailles. Codigorio is home to the Abbey of Pomposa, an important religious centre during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, while Mesola has the ruins of a sixteenth century castle. With Etruscan and Greek roots, Spina is close to a necropolis with over 4,000 tombs. Other interesting places to visit in Ferrara include Cento and Stellata.
The province of Ferrara is also famous for its seven "beaches", known as the Lidi Ferraresi, well-known holiday destination by the sea, where there are many campsites and villages.

Activities

The Gran Bosco della Mesola is a beautiful natural reserve and a good place to explore on foot or by bicycle. The Po River Delta Park features stunning wetlands and forests, and is a great option for biking, cycling and boating. Bird watching is also popular at the Po River Delta Park, particularly around Pomposa, Volano, Goro and Gorino. There are also plenty of camping options in the park.

Day Trips

The city of Ferrara is 50 kilometres from Bologna, one of Italy’s most important and beautiful cities. The Po River Delta Park stretches into the neighbouring region of Veneto, which is home to Venice, Verona, Padua and other important towns.