Elevation
[?]
Elevation of a city refers to the height above sea level at which the city is located, measured in meters.
7
Population
[?]
This is a town's official population, measured each year by the national statistics authority.
129400
Real Population (5km)
[?]
Our "Real Population" metric reflects more accurately a town's real size by including inhabitants in the immediate vicinity of the town's official borders.
209100
Air Quality Rating
[?]
Based on PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and ozone levels. Higher scores indicate cleaner air.
88
Region
Emilia-Romagna
Walkability
Walker’s Paradise
Housing availability
[?]
Based on total number of properties (sale and rent) classifies housing availability into five categories: low, relativel ylow, medium, relatively high and high.
High
Avg Download Speed (Mbps) / Avg Upload Speed (Mbps)
203
/ 125
Climate Description
Temperate climate with mild winters, warm summers, moderate rainfall; no extreme weather.
Ferrara
Emilia-Romagna
Historic UNESCO site with Renaissance architecture, high living standards, and strong community engagement.
Summary
Ferrara, nestled in the Emilia-Romagna region, is renowned for its rich historical tapestry and exceptional quality of life. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city boasts an impressive array of Renaissance architecture, including the imposing Este Castle and the stunning Cathedral of Saint George. With a population of approximately 340,000, Ferrara offers expats a compact and walkable urban environment, ideal for cycling enthusiasts. The local healthcare system ensures high standards, contributing to an overall favorable living experience. While Ferrara excels in cultural offerings and community engagement, it does present some challenges, notably in terms of nightlife and public transportation frequency, which may not cater to those seeking vibrant metropolitan amenities. Nonetheless, the region’s culinary traditions and local festivals provide ample opportunity for social interaction, making it an appealing choice for retirees and foreign professionals alike.
✅ Pros
– High-quality healthcare with excellent facilities and services.
– Pleasant climate with mild winters and warm summers.
– Rich cultural and historical heritage to explore.
– Affordable cost of living compared to larger cities.
– Low unemployment rate fostering economic stability and opportunities.
– Good integration opportunities for expats and retirees.
– Adequate transportation network for easy mobility.
– Clean air quality promoting a healthy lifestyle.
– Vibrant local community with various social activities.
– Reliable internet connectivity for remote work and leisure.
❌ Cons
– Limited nightlife options can leave you longing for excitement.
– Fewer international amenities compared to larger Italian cities.
– Winter months may feel a bit too quiet and dull.
– Some local bureaucracy can drive you a little crazy.
– Public transport may not be as frequent as desired.
– Language barrier might make local integration more challenging.
– Limited job opportunities outside specific sectors for expats.
– Cultural events may not be as frequent as in cities.
– Seasonal tourism can disrupt local tranquility during peak times.
– Smaller expat community means less shared experience and support.
Ferrara Demographics
Population
[?]
This is a town's official population, measured each year by the national statistics authority.
129400
Real Population (5km band)
[?]
Our "Real Population" metric reflects more accurately a town's real size by including inhabitants in the immediate vicinity of the town's official borders.
209100
Births Per 100 Deaths
40.0
Population Data Source
ISTAT,2023
Estimated Unemployment Rate
Touristy Index
[?]
Calculation of tourist density index for the city, comparing its total tourist number to the overall average tourist number of the region
relative to its own population.The index indicates how a location’s tourist density compares to the average, with values above
100 representing higher-than-average density and values below 100 representing lower-than-average density.
Some Tourism
Income per capita (2023)
[?]
This is an estimation of average income per resident for this town, based on 2023 data from the Italian Ministry of Finance.
24800
Income rank in Italy (2023)
[?]
This is a ranking of the town's average income per resident, against the full list of townships in Italy.
545 out of 7901
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Closest Airport
Name
Guglielmo Marconi (Bologna)
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby airport stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
7
Driving Time
30min(s)
Guglielmo Marconi Airport, located in Bologna, Italy, approximately 6 km from the city centre, serves as a vital transport hub in the Emilia-Romagna region. With nearly 10 million passengers in 2023, it ranks among Italy’s busier airports, connecting travellers to over 100 destinations, including major cities like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Dubai. Key routes facilitated by airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air include domestic flights to Catania and international connections to Tirana and Madrid, with the longest direct route being to Dubai. The airport’s connectivity is enhanced by a monorail to Bologna Central Station, making it easily accessible for both domestic and international travellers.
2nd Closest Airport
Name
Reggio Emilia Airport (Reggio nell'Emilia)
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby airport stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
1
Driving Time
58min(s)
Reggio Emilia Airport (Aeroporto di Reggio Emilia) primarily serves general aviation and doesn’t handle regular commercial passenger flights. Travellers to the region typically use nearby larger airports such as Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, Milan Linate, and Parma Airport for international travel. The airport does not have significant passenger volume or notable airline hubs and destinations.
3rd Closest Airport
Name
Marco Polo (Venice)
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby airport stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
8
Driving Time
65min(s)
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is situated in Tessera, part of the Venice municipality, approximately 7.6 kilometres from Mestre and Venice. The airport is a focus city for airlines like Ryanair and easyJet, with scheduled flights to 90 destinations in 35 countries, including key European cities as well as seasonal routes to the US, Canada, Korea, and the Middle East. Renowned for its water transport links, the airport provides straightforward access to Venice, enhancing connectivity for both leisure and business travellers.
Closest Rail
Name
Stazione di Città del Ragazzo
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby rail stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
5
Driving Time
2min(s)
Train service at Stazione di Città del Ragazzo comprises various rail lines that connect the station with key destinations. The main rail lines include services operated by Trenitalia and Italo, with direct connections to major cities such as Venice, Bologna, and Ravenna.
Departures from this station occur frequently, with trains typically running every 30 minutes to hourly during peak times. However, the specific frequency may vary throughout the day and on weekends.
The station caters primarily to both high-speed and regional trains, providing a mix of service types that accommodate different travel needs. This means passengers can choose between faster options, such as the Italo high-speed trains, and regional services offered by Trenitalia.
2nd Closest Rail
Name
Stazione di Gaibanella
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby rail stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
6
Driving Time
10min(s)
Train service at Stazione di Gaibanella includes several regional connections primarily operated by Trenitalia. The main rail line serving the station links to Ferrara and Bologna, making these key destinations directly accessible. Train departures are typically frequent, with schedules allowing for travel every 30 to 60 minutes. The station predominantly features regional train services, with no high-speed trains operating from this location.
3rd Closest Rail
Name
Stazione di Quartesana
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby rail stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
3
Driving Time
11min(s)
Train service at Stazione di Quartesana includes regional rail lines operated by TPER spa. The main destinations connected by direct trains are Ferrara, with services operating approximately five times daily. The frequency of departures is not very high, with trains running roughly every two to three hours. There are no high-speed train services at this station; it exclusively serves regional trains, connecting Quartesana primarily to nearby Ferrara and possibly further regional locations, but with limited options compared to larger stations.
Infrastructure & Amenities
Within 10km
Auto Repair Shops
3
Bars
0
Cafes
6
Cinemas
6
Dentists
49
Golf Courses
2
Gyms
86
Health Clinics
67
Hiking Trails
20
Historical Sites
179
Libraries
14
Museums
12
Parks
59
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
8
Shopping Centres
27
Supermarkets
6
Spas
5
Beach
Name
Porto Garibaldi - Punto A
Driving Distance
42mins
Water Quality Rating
1 - Excellent
Mountain Resort
Name
Piane di Mocogno
Driving Distance
115mins
Healthcare
Healthcare Score
[?]
Evaluates hospital/clinic access, drive time to care, and regional quality rankings. Higher scores mean better healthcare.
85
Nearest Hospital Name
Sant'Anna
Drive Time to Nearest Hospital
9 minutes
Hospitals and Clinics Within 10km
7
Local Public Healthcare Provider
AZIENDA USL FERRARA
Healthcare Quality Description
In this area of Emilia Romagna, the local health authority’s performance ranks above average within Italy. Hospital care is middling, yet certain specialties excel. Post-heart attack readmission avoidance is impressive, while treatment speed for bone fractures remains commendable. Breast cancer surgeries are frequently minimally invasive, indicating advanced surgical protocols. Hospital stays after surgery are reasonably efficient, though there is room for improvement. Despite some challenges in handling severe heart failure cases, the authority generally ensures timely care for heart attack treatments. Prospective residents may find the local healthcare a balanced mix of strengths and areas needing enhancement.
Safety
Seismic Zone (risk of earthquakes)
[?]
Official seismic zones classify areas based on earthquake risk.
Moderate to Low Earthquake Risk
Road Accidents Rate per 10k Inhabitants
[?]
Calculation of road accidents per 10,000 people based on the number of deaths and injuries registered in roads for year 2022 for the city.
20
Percentage of Population at Landslide Risk
[?] Percentage of the population in high or moderate landslide risk zones. Higher values indicate greater environmental risk.
0
Percentage of Population at Flood Risk
[?] Percentage of the population in high or moderate flood risk zones. Higher values indicate greater environmental risk.
133
Car Insurance Price Index
[?]
The car insurance price index is a measure of how a city's average car insurance premium compares to the national average,
expressed as a percentage. A value of 100 indicates that the city's premium is equal to the national average.
Values above 100 show higher premiums, while values below 100 show lower premiums.
98.538
Housing & Property Market
Housing availability
[?]
Based on total number of properties (sale and rent) classifies housing availability into five categories: low, relativel ylow, medium, relatively high and high.
High
Property Prices per m²
[?]
Calculation of property sale prices per square meter for apartments, houses in the city.
Median (50th Percentile): The midpoint price, where half the values are above and half below.
First Quartile (25th Percentile): The price below which 25% of properties fall.
Third Quartile (75th Percentile): The price below which 75% of properties fall.
First Quartile
862
Median
1436
Third Quartile
2136
Connectivity & Digital Access
Walkability Description
Walker's Paradise
Education
Avg Schools Ranking (All Criteria)
[?]
This ranking shows in which decile the town's public schools fall while looking at all the indicators provided by the Italian Ministry of Education for the most recent available year. Note that figures are only provided by the ministry at the school catchment area level, and therefore several schools may be grouped together.
Top 30%
Avg Schools Ranking (Standardised Tests)
[?]
This ranking shows in which decile the town's public schools fall while looking the students' results in national standardised tests. The data is provided by the Italian Ministry of Education for the most recent available year.
Top 50%
Counts of School
Climate & Weather
Precipitation
[?]
Based on daily climate data for precipitation from OPEN-METEO this parameter indicates how a city's annual precipitation compares to others
in terms of percentage, with values ranging from 0 (lowest) to 1 (highest). For example, a percentile rank of 0.75 means the city's
total precipitation is higher than 75% of other cities.
Low (11th-20th percentile)
Sunshine
Above Average (51st-60th percentile)
Snowfall
Below Average (31st-40th percentile)
Climate Description
Ferrara, Italy boasts a climate marked by fairly balanced seasons, making it suitable for retirees and expats seeking a predictable environment. Winters are gently crisp with occasional frosty mornings hinting at brief snowfalls, though stark cold is rare, allowing for comfortable year-end festivities. Conversely, summers present with warmth sufficient for outdoor leisure yet resist oppressive heat, facilitating enjoyment of the abundant sunshine that bathes the city. Rainfall is moderate throughout the year, maintaining the lushness of the local flora without excessive wet periods. Overall, Ferrara offers a temperate climate where extremes are smoothed, ideally complementing its historical charm and relaxed lifestyle.
Annual Temperature Chart (Min)
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Annual Temperature Chart (Max)
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Sunny Days By Month
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Environmental & Air Quality
Classifications
PM10
[?]
PM10 levels indicate Good air quality at 0–20 µg/m³, Fair at 20–40 µg/m³, Moderate at 40–50 µg/m³, Poor at 50–100 µg/m³, Very Poor at 100–150 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 150–1200 µg/m³.
Fair
PM2.5
[?]
PM2.5 is Good if PM2.5 levels are between 0–10 µg/m³, Fair between 10–20 µg/m³, Moderate between 20–25 µg/m³, Poor between 25–50 µg/m³, Very Poor between 50–75 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor between 75–800 µg/m³.
Fair
NO2
[?]
NO₂ levels are considered Good at 0–40 µg/m³, Fair at 40–90 µg/m³, Moderate at 90–120 µg/m³, Poor at 120–230 µg/m³, Very Poor at 230–340 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 340–1000 µg/m³.
Good
SO2
[?]
SO₂ levels indicate Good air quality at 0–100 µg/m³, Fair at 100–200 µg/m³, Moderate at 200–350 µg/m³, Poor at 350–500 µg/m³, Very Poor at 500–750 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 750–1250 µg/m³.
Good
O₃
[?]
For O₃, the air is Good at 0–50 µg/m³, Fair at 50–100 µg/m³, Moderate at 100–130 µg/m³, Poor at 130–240 µg/m³, Very Poor at 240–380 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 380–800 µg/m³.
Fair
Air Quality Rating
[?]
Based on PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and ozone levels. Higher scores indicate cleaner air.
88
Air Quality Description
In Ferrara, Italy, the air quality generally holds a satisfactory mark, making it a fitting environment for those considering a move or retirement in this historic town. The particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5 levels) oscillates around fair conditions, providing a decent breathability for outdoor activities and daily excursions. The nitrogen and sulfur dioxide levels are commendably low, classified as good and reflecting lesser industrial pollutants compared to more urbanized locales. Ozone presence, while moderate, does not overly detract from Ferrara’s ambient air quality, ensuring residents can enjoy this culturally rich and serene setting with relative ease.
In Ferrara, Italy, the air quality generally holds a satisfactory mark, making it a fitting environment for those considering a move or retirement in this historic town. The particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5 levels) oscillates around fair conditions, providing a decent breathability for outdoor activities and daily excursions. The nitrogen and sulfur dioxide levels are commendably low, classified as good and reflecting lesser industrial pollutants compared to more urbanized locales. Ozone presence, while moderate, does not overly detract from Ferrara’s ambient air quality, ensuring residents can enjoy this culturally rich and serene setting with relative ease.
Town Descriptions
Getting There
Ferrara benefits from good connectivity, with the nearest major airport, Guglielmo Marconi Airport in Bologna, approximately 30 minutes away. The town is accessible via the A13 and A16 motorways. Additionally, two train stations offer regional connections, enhancing travel options for residents and visitors alike.
Getting Around
Local Cuisine
Ferrara’s culinary scene is deeply rooted in rich traditions that reflect its storied history within Emilia-Romagna. The region is known for distinct local specialties such as ‘pasticcio di maccheroni’ (a macaroni pie with meat filling), ‘salama da sugo’ (a traditional sausage), and ‘pampapato di Ferrara’ (a chocolate dessert). Other notable dishes include ‘torta tenerina’ and ‘pinzini Ferraresi’. The city’s dining landscape features a variety of options ranging from rustic trattorias to modern bistros, showcasing local ingredients and flavors. Michelin-starred establishments such as ‘Da Noemi’, ‘Cucina Bacilieri’, and ‘Quel Fantastico Giovedì’ exemplify the high culinary standards in Ferrara, offering innovative interpretations of traditional cuisine. Furthermore, international influences are evident, with restaurants like ‘L’Oca Giuliva’ incorporating fresh seafood and unique antipasti into their menus, demonstrating a versatile dining scene that appeals to diverse palates while honoring Ferrara’s culinary heritage.
Shopping Overview
Shopping in the area caters to diverse preferences, featuring a mix of modern shopping malls and traditional street markets. Notable formats include large commercial centres, such as those housing supermarkets and boutiques, alongside vibrant local markets. A variety of street markets and local fairs are available, providing unique culinary and artisanal products. Additionally, designated shopping districts showcase a blend of luxury retailers and charming niche boutiques, making the area suitable for both everyday needs and upscale shopping experiences.
Neighborhoods
Green Areas and Parks
Ferrara, located in Emilia-Romagna, offers a range of green spaces and outdoor activities suitable for expats and retirees. Notable outdoor options include the “Il Grande Anello d’Acqua del Burana,” a highly-rated circular hiking trail. The area also supports biking enthusiasts with trails like those accessible from Ferrara – Lido Nazioni. Additionally, the nearby Agriturismo Due Laghi facilitates scuba diving and swimming activities. For those interested in exploring local waterways, boat tours are available, such as the “Alla scoperta dell’antico Po di Primaro”. These outdoor amenities reflect the city’s commitment to recreational activities.
✅ Pros
– High-quality healthcare with excellent facilities and services.
– Pleasant climate with mild winters and warm summers.
– Rich cultural and historical heritage to explore.
– Affordable cost of living compared to larger cities.
– Low unemployment rate fostering economic stability and opportunities.
– Good integration opportunities for expats and retirees.
– Adequate transportation network for easy mobility.
– Clean air quality promoting a healthy lifestyle.
– Vibrant local community with various social activities.
– Reliable internet connectivity for remote work and leisure.
❌ Cons
– Limited nightlife options can leave you longing for excitement.
– Fewer international amenities compared to larger Italian cities.
– Winter months may feel a bit too quiet and dull.
– Some local bureaucracy can drive you a little crazy.
– Public transport may not be as frequent as desired.
– Language barrier might make local integration more challenging.
– Limited job opportunities outside specific sectors for expats.
– Cultural events may not be as frequent as in cities.
– Seasonal tourism can disrupt local tranquility during peak times.
– Smaller expat community means less shared experience and support.
FAQs
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