PLANNING YOUR STAY
Hotels
Visit the following websites to find hotels or other accommodations:
News!! Some hotel rooms are still available at rates not updated with the recent increases if reserved through the partner InFerrara (info@inferrara.it). Here you can find the offers and the option expiration dates.
Info regarding a youth hostel is available in the following section.
Discounted rates for attendees (accessible using the code “SMBE23”) are available in some hotels. Here you can find a (constantly updated) list with the hotels providing this service.
For special requests regarding other hotels, touristic packages, guided tours, etc. send an email to our partner InFerrara at info@inferrara.it.
Hostel
A youth hostel (https://en.ostelloferrara.it/) has been entirely pre-booked for the attendees.
In the list below you can find the rooms available and their respective price. Get more info at info@ostelloferrara.it
Persons | Description | Price (* night) |
|---|---|---|
2 | Double room
private bathroom | 59 |
3 | Triple room
(1 double + 1 single bed)
shared bathroom | 69 |
3 | Triple room
(1 double + 1 single bed)
with private bathroom | 81 |
4 | Four-bed room
shared bathroom | 88 |
4 | Family Room (4 ppl)
1 double + 2 single beds
bathroom and kitchenette | 120 |
6 | Six-bed room
shared bathroom | 132 |
6 | Six-bed room
(1 double + 4 single bed)
private bathroom | 150 |
7 | Seven-bed room
shared bathroom | 154 |
For special requests regarding other hotels, touristic packages, guided tours, etc. send an email to our partner InFerrara at info@inferrara.it.
Campground
A new campground 3 km away from the venues will likely be available for students (and others!) who want to camp (we suggest renting bikes).
More info coming soon
How to get there
Ferrara is located in a central position in North-Eastern Italy. It is close to several airports, has a train station along one of the major Italian train networks, and two motorway exits along one of the major Italian road networks. Within the city, walking and biking are the most commonly used means of transportation, considering that distances are very limited and a large part of the city is pedestrian.
Air access to the city
The easiest and fastest way to reach Ferrara is flying to Bologna airport, that is the closest airport to the city (about 45 km). Other options are flying to Venice (connected by train and bus to Ferrara), Verona or Milan (which are instead connected with Bologna and, stepwise, to Ferrara).
From Bologna airport there are two ways to reach Ferrara:
-
shuttle bus service (just outside the airport) to Ferrara city centre (~ 1 hour trip)
-
bus/People-Mover monorail (just outside the airport) to Bologna train station + train to Ferrara (~ 2 hours trip in total)
Road and train access to the city
Ferrara is located along the main railway backbone of Italy. The closest hub is Bologna (just 30 minutes away) from where Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome and Turin can be reached within a maximum of 2 hours by train. Ferrara can also be reached by train from other countries in a reasonable amount of time.
Ferrara is easily accessible by car as well. The city is located along the A13 motorway, with two possible exits (Ferrara Nord and Ferrara Sud). A13 connects Bologna to Padova and Venice and is a smoothly running, high-speed highway. The city center can be reached from the motorway in approximately 15-20 minutes drive. Urban traffic congestions are very rare, thanks to the small size of the city.
Public transport within the city
The meeting and social programme venues can be easily reached in less than 20 minutes walk from most of the hotels and other accommodations located within the city walls. Alternatively, the conference venues can be reached by public transportation (bus) or bike (shared bikes can be provided by most hotels or can be rented in several places around the city).
Here you can find more info about how to reach the city, restaurants, museums, healthcare facilities and much more.
For special requests regarding other hotels, touristic packages, guided tours, etc. send an email to our partner InFerrara at info@inferrara.it.
Activities
Our partner Inferrara offers to you and/or your accompanying person a suite of touristic experiences (see below). Please, contact info@inferrara.it for more info and reservations
WALKING TOUR BY NIGHT
MIN 10 MAX 30 participants
An evocative guided tour to discover the city center from a different perspective, walking through the soft lights of the medieval village and its narrow streets: from the unique Via delle Volte to the alleys of the Byzantine castrum and the former Jewish quarter, you can reach the ancient, lively squares, the Cathedral, the Palazzo Ducale and the majestic Este Castle.
BIKE TOUR
ON THE ANCIENT WALLS
MIN 10 MAX 20 participants
Ferrara, a UNESCO heritage site, is also a city of bicycles! A slow itinerary running from the heart of the historic center through the ancient and verdant city walls, between bulwarks and towers, using the locals' favourite mean of transport.
BOAT TRIP ON VOLANO PO RIVER
Panoramic sailing on the Po di Volano from the Ferrara dock, along the city riverside up to the countryside, sighting the towers of the Estense Castle, the first cathedral of Ferrara, gardens and crossing the small villages of Focomorto and Contrapò.
SUNSET APERITIF ON PO RIVER
Friday 28th July h 7:30 pm
Adult 18€ Chd 15€
Excursion by boat on the Po River, towards Occhiobello and Stienta, where we can admire the spectacle of the sun reflecting itself and sinking into the water that flows incessantly towards the sea. A unique and unforgettable trip, sipping an aperitif and breathing the fresh air on the river.
SPRITZ TASTING
WITH HANDMADE BITTER
A funny tasting of the king of aperitives, the spritz, in front of Este Castle,choosing among more than 20 bitters and 2 amaros based on what you prefer, finding out more about the popular drink.
ESTE CASTLE GUIDED TOUR
MIN 10 MAX 25 participants
Sunday 23rd July h 2:30 pm, Thursday 27th July h 4:00 pm
Friday 28th July h 10:00 am
Adult 12€ Chd 8€ (including headphones),
Castle entrance ticket not included, to be bought on the spot
Unmissable journey through the centuries, together with a local guide. Ancient military fortress and symbol of the city, the Estense Castle was the background of the glories of the ducal court: aplace full of history and suggestions, between cursed loves, court intrigues, illustrious characters and sumptuous banquets.
LOVELY EMILIA
Food tasting experience
A tasting of some of the best region's products within the nice background of Piazza Ariostea: a selection of cured meats, Ferrara's typical bread and a glass of local wine.
NENA B-SIDE: BOAT TRIP ON VOLANO PO RIVER & PIZZA
Monday 24th July - Thursday 27th July, h 7:30 pm
Adult 18€ Chd 16€
Pleasant boat trip on the Po di Volano along the riverside of Ferrara, to discover the city from an original side, its banks with orchards and gardens, historical houses and buildings recovered in a modern key, among herons, ducks, cormorants and kingfishers. A good pizza will be tasted on the way back, prepared by a take away pizzeria.
FERRARA CITY TOUR
Discover Ferrara UNESCO heritage city by Ferrara City Tour, on a pretty train or an eco electric minibus. Two itineraries, one in Medieval part of the city and the other in the Renaissance one.