The best hotels in Ferrara

What are the best hotels in Ferrara?

Ferrara is a lovely Italian city in Emilia-Romagna, full of winding medieval streets, grand Renaissance palaces and historic piazzas, without the crowds you’ll find in nearby Bologna or Venice. Most of the main sights are within easy walking distance, and there’s an unhurried feel to exploring the old town. For somewhere special to stay, Horti della Fasanara is our top choice. This beautifully restored former hunting lodge has just four luxurious rooms and suites, minimalist interiors and acres of parkland to wander through, making it a peaceful, romantic retreat just outside the city centre. Ferrara is also a great base for exploring the wider region by train.

Scroll down the page for our full selection of recommended hotels in Ferrara or, for a look at different areas, read our guide to the best places to stay in the Emilia Romagna.

The Best Places to Stay in Ferrara

For a Special Occasion

• Horti della Fasanara is a carefully renovated hunting lodge belonging to a castle estate. It has just four luxurious rooms and suites, with mezzanine levels and minimalist chic decor. Plus acres of beautiful parkland all around. Romantic and private.

For Central Ferrara

• Hotel Annunziata is a design hotel perfectly situated within Ferrara’s pedestrianised area, just a short stroll from the city’s main sights. Its 27 rooms and suites offer contemporary design in an historic setting, with simple decor; the best have castle views. The hotel has a fleet of bikes if you want to expand your radius for exploration.

For Families

• Converted from a 15th century palace, Maxxim is still an elegant place to stay, but now entirely made-over with contemporary design and comfort in mind, and in a palette of soft greys. Amongst the 40 rooms and suites are family-sized options, with living space and outdoor terraces, as well as romantic choices. There’s no restaurant, but there is a bar, and they offer breakfast in a rather grand, vaulted breakfast room.

For Great Value

• You’ll find Agriturismo alla Cedrara just outside Ferrara, a handsome sandstone farmhouse with eight lovely spacious rooms: some suites, some doubles and some triples. There are lots of original features like stone floors and exposed beams, and lovely terraces opening out onto glorious gardens. Family friendly and very affordable.

For a Private apartment or villa

• If you’re looking for a self-catering option browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Ferrara’s closest international airport is Bologna Airport, which is only about half an hour away by car or taxi, and about an hour from central Ferrara by train. Alternatively, Venice’s Marco Polo Airport is about an hour and a quarter away by road, and under an hour and a half by train; Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci international airport is less than an hour and a half away by road, or about two hours and a half hours by train; and Milan Malpensa Airport, is about three hours away by car, or by public transport. Ferrera is on the rail line connecting Venice and Bologna, and there are plenty of trains between all three, with Ferrara’s main sights only about 20 minutes stroll from the station.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• There’s not really a bad time to plan a city break to Ferrara. During May the town holds a Palio, or traditional horse racing contest, which entails a lot of pageantry and entertainment. And around the end of August, there's a festival for buskers. Ferrara also hosts an antiques market on the first weekend of each month.
• If you’re hoping for pleasant weather conditions for your visit be aware that Ferrara can be hot and humid come summer. From mid-April onwards Ferrara enjoys plenty of sunshine to combat the cool breezes — plus spring blooms! While late autumn can be rainy, September and October are very mild and pleasant; this is plum time for food festivals, and Ferrara is close to both Modena and Parma. 

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Emilia Romagna,
• Consider the best places to stay in Milan or neighbouring Bologna or Parma,
• Alternatively, contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.