Eliminat Mantua or Ferrara?
 

Will be in Italy if May and want to day trip from Bologna. Only have time for one of the above. Which one would you choose.
Thanks.

Ferrara, hire a bike and whizz round the walls

Haven't been to Mantua but spent a couple of nights in Ferrara (base for a day trip to Ravenna) and liked it a lot. Even though I didn't ride a bike. BTW, if you haven't been to Ravenna, consider it instead of either, stuning mosaics. Ferrara is 20 minutes and Ravenna an hour on the fast train.

We are already going to Ravenna for a day trip.

David

Stayed in Ferrara and recommend it whether or not you plan to bike. Ferrara is an impressive old city with its Este Castle and moat in the center.

Supposedly, the oldest Palio in the world is held in Ferrara in May, I think, with flag throwing contests in the weeks before the race. IMO seeing flag throwing events or being there for the Palio would be a bonus, but then we don't mind crowds.

I've stayed in Hotel Carlton, not fantastic but in a good quiet square near the action and with good restaurants about. Breakfast bar is run by a cockney so if your italian is not so good you may be able to understand what she is on about

Loved them both, two of my favorite cities anywhere. So you can't go wrong. Here's my photos to help you decide.

http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/bergamo_mantova

http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/italy_emilia_romagna (Ferrara is at the end of this gallery, after Bologna, Ravenna, and Modena)

Of the two, I would prefer Ferrara, especially for a day trip from Bologna.

More people have voted for Ferrara (where I haven't been yet) so I'm going to plug Mantova. It's a stunningly beautiful city and I'd love to go again.