The three centuries of domination of the Este family, when the court of Ferrara was one of the most refined and educated in Europe, have left a deep imprint in the city with churches and palaces wonderfully painted, in addition to the flowering of a sophisticated gastronomy that continues to delight the Ferrara tables.

For those with their own transportation, the classic itinerary begins with a panoramic tour of the perfectly preserved city walls and the Renaissance district, known as the “Addizione Erculea,” featuring the magnificent Piazza Ariostea.

The walking tour starts at Palazzo dei Diamanti, a true jewel of Renaissance architecture by Biagio Rossetti, famous for its double façade decorated with thousands of marble “diamonds.” Walking down the elegant Corso Ercole I d’Este, you will reach the imposing Este Castle* (entrance fee applies). Here, you can visit the ancient prisons, the kitchens, the grand painted halls and exhibitions dedicated to the local territory.

From there, passing through Piazza Savonarola, the tour reaches the medieval heart of the city to see the Ducal Palace (now the Town Hall, exterior visit only) and the Cathedral of San Giorgio, whose Romanesque-Gothic façade leads into a late-Renaissance and Baroque interior.

From the old Piazza delle Erbe (now Piazza Trento Trieste), characterized by its massive bell tower and ancient mercers’ shops, you will then enter the medieval Jewish Ghetto and the atmospheric Via delle Volte.

A pleasant 15-minute walk leads to the Schifanoia Palace, the Este residence world-renowned for the “Hall of the Months,” a masterpiece of 15th-century Ferrarese masters. Nearby stands the Basilica of Santa Maria in Vado, which houses precious paintings by Bononi and the chapel of the Eucharistic Miracle of 1171.

Alternative itineraries

Depending on your interests, or as an alternative to the Castle or Schifanoia, the city offers:

• The Cathedral Museum: housed in the ancient San Romano church, it features treasures such as the organ shutters by Cosmè Tura, Flemish tapestries, and the 13th-century reliefs from the “Gate of the Months.”

• Palazzina Marfisa d’Este: a charming late 16th-century residence. It was the home of Marfisa, granddaughter of Lucrezia Borgia, who chose to remain in Ferrara even after the departure of the Este court.

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* Note: Please be advised that due to major restoration work, the Este Castle is scheduled to close starting June 2026.

The visiting order of the monuments is not the one listed above and is adjusted according to the needs of visitors. We do not assume responsibility for ticket increases or changes of monuments opening hours that may occur during the year.