Ravenna, Italian Capital of the Sea 2026

Ravenna is the first Italian Capital of the Sea: a 2026 to live among history, nature and sustainability

There is a city in Emilia-Romagna that has always looked at the sea with special eyes.

Its name is Ravenna, and in 2026 it will bring home a title that has belonged to it for centuries: Italian Capital of the Sea, the first city in Italy to receive this recognition from the Department for Sea Policies.

And this is not the first time Ravenna has stood on the podium in history: the city has been capital three times - of the Western Roman Empire, of Theodoric's reign and of the Byzantine Empire in Europe. A habit of primacy, one might say.

Today that role is renewed around the sea: 35 kilometers of coastline, 9 lidos, pine forests, valleys, a dynamic port and open doors to the Po Delta Park - a unique system where nature, culture and sustainability coexist in balance.

The 2026 calendar kicks off with the Festa del Mare (April 10-12), the first event of a year full of events intertwined with theTheodoric Year and the new display of Theodoric's Boat at the Classis Museum.

Also coming soon is a marine protected area unique in Italy between Lido di Dante and Lido di Classe, and a research center dedicated to seahorses.

Innovative in the 19th century, when it helped invent the Italian beach vacation, Ravenna is still innovative today.

👉 Learn more about Ravenna Italian Capitale of the Sea

Italian Cuisine is UNESCO intangible heritage of humanity

Italian Cuisine has been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
You can start learning about it from where it takes shape every day: Emilia-Romagna, the Food Valley of Italy.

Here, food culture is part of everyday life: historic markets, artisan workshops, recipes handed down from generation to generation, and convivial tables where you can taste some of the world's most famous gastronomic symbols.
There are 44 PDO and PGI products that dot the area and turn every stop along the Via Emilia into an authentic taste experience: from Parmigiano Reggiano to Prosciutto di Parma, from Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena to local cured meats and wines.

A journey of flavors, stories and people awaits you along the Via Emilia: all you have to do is set off.

Summer in Emilia-Romagna

Summer is finally here, and in Emilia-Romagna there are many possibilities to choose from to spend a fun and relaxing vacation.

There is the sea of the Riviera with its long golden beaches, the nature of the great regional parks, the wonder of the cities of art, the wellness of the thermal facilities; and again the slowness of the 22 Emilia-Romagna Walks, the carefree adventures of the Adventure Parks and the irrepressible cheerfulness that the amusement parks of the coast know how to give.

Learn more about upcoming events and itineraries designed for this season!