Things to do in Emilia-Romagna

All about Emilia-Romagna

When to visit

The porticoed cities in Emilia-Romagna make exploring easy in all seasons, though expect cold and damp winter days in Bologna, Parma, Modena, and Ravenna. The region comes to life in spring when its famous outdoor dining and imbibing scene picks up after winter. Sidewalk restaurants and cafés buzz with patrons, and open-air music and cultural festivals take over the squares.

Getting around

The main inland and coastal cities in Emilia-Romagna are well connected by the regional train network, and you can travel between the top destinations quickly and cheaply. The cities are all fairly compact and easy to get around on foot, though the region is known for its excellent local bus services. To explore the countryside and smaller villages that are not along the train lines, you’ll need to rent a car.

Traveler tips

Emilia-Romagna is home to Osteria Francescana, celebrity chef Massimo Bottura’s flagship gourmet outpost. The waiting list for a table stretches for months, but there are alternatives run by Bottura that often have availability with a shorter lead time. Try the bistro-style Franceschetta58 in Modena, Osteria Francescana at Maria Luigia in the Modenese countryside, or the storied Cavallino, located opposite the Ferrari factory in Maranello—it once served as the unofficial canteen for everyone from factory workers to Enzo Ferrari.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Emilia-Romagna known for?

This northern Italy region is synonymous with fab food and fast cars. Specialties that hail from these hills include Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, prosciutto di Parma ham, balsamico from Modena, and Lambrusco wine. It’s also where some top Italian sports car brands are based, including Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini—with open-to-the-public factory museums.

What is Emilia-Romagna’s most famous dish?

In addition to its iconic cheese, ham, balsamic vinegar, and sparkling wine, Emilia-Romagna is the epicenter of Italy’s fresh pasta. Tuck into plates of ribbon-like tagliatelle tossed in a meaty ragu (known as Bolognese elsewhere), bite-sized tortellini stuffed with aromatic ground pork, and fat cappellacci filled with pumpkin and ricotta.

Is Emilia-Romagna beautiful?

Yes, Emilia-Romagna has pretty historic cities and rolling countryside. Gems like Bologna, Modena, Parma, and Ravenna offer endless porticoes, handsome churches, and photogenic squares. The surrounding Emilian hills are covered in vineyards and lush woods, with medieval towns scattered across their expanse. To the east, there’s the scenic Romagnolo coastline.

Is Emilia-Romagna worth visiting?

Yes, with incredible food, iconic automobile museums, scenic countryside, and some of Italy’s top beach destinations, Emilia-Romagna is worth a visit. The cities have enough cultural gems to keep you busy without attracting hordes of tourists, and the residents of Emilia-Romagna are famous for their warm and authentic hospitality.

Is Emilia-Romagna part of Tuscany?

No, Emilia-Romagna is a separate region north of Tuscany. It stretches west from the Adriatic Sea to Liguria, just short of the Tyrrhenian Sea. It shares a border with Lombardy, Piedmont, and Veneto to the north and—in addition to Tuscany—Le Marche and the Republic of San Marino to the south.

What cars are produced in Emilia-Romagna?

Most of Italy’s famous sports car manufacturers hail from the stretch of Emilia-Romagna between Modena and Bologna known as Motor Valley. Think Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Pagani, and even the iconic Ducati motorcycles. You can visit museums for each, and some open their factories for guided tours.

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