Although it’s often skipped over for destinations like Tuscany, Piedmont, Campania, or Sicily, the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy is one of the most interesting. There’s highly cultured cities and a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. As well as what many consider to be the best food in all of Italy, Emilia-Romagna is an underrated luxury travel destination. To inspire your next trip to Italy, here’s our guide to the Emilia-Romagna region.
The Emilia-Romagna region of Italy is absolutely worth visiting for several reasons! First and foremost, it’s a crowd-pleaser! There’s something in store for every kind of traveler. Whether you’re hoping for a luxurious beach vacation, a visit to some of the most storied car producers in the world, travels to Medieval Italian cities, cuisine that will blow you away, or even a visit to the oldest and fifth-smallest nation (San Marino), Emilia-Romagna has it all.
Emilia-Romagna Wine and Food
Emilia-Romagna food is often considered the very best in all of Italy. And, the cuisine varies by region. In Bologna, there’s the world-famous Bolognese ragù, of course. As well as Mortadella Bologna, one of the most popular cold cuts in the entire country.
Parma, in the Emilia part of the region, is the origin of famous food products like Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma. Modena is known for its balsamic vinegar. The Romagna part of the region loves piadina, a flat-bread that is filled with various meats and cheeses (or nutella for dessert!).
To illustrate that excellent cuisine can also be extremely simple, there’s the popular local specialty passatelli, a thick kind of pasta made from breadcrumbs cut into the broth—the kind of dish a nonna would cook that will warm you up!
There are also many great Emilia-Romagna wines like Lambrusco! Located in the region’s plains where grapes are grown for sparkling red wines amongst others. The area also produces excellent Sangiovese, a key grape in many Italian wines. Make sure to taste something made from the Trebbiano grape which creates snappy white wines. Whatever you’re drinking, it will perfectly complement the views of the beautiful Emilia-Romagna countryside.
In Emilia-Romagna, you can enjoy the local favorites while dining in some of the country’s most famous restaurants. We love Massimo Bottura’s three-Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana in Modena. And, Ristorante i Portici, in the historic downtown of Bologna is a must. One thing is for sure—you won’t go hungry!
Places to Go in Emilia-Romagna
Thanks to personal experiences exploring the area and decades of welcoming guests to Italy, we’ve come to know all the highlights of each region. Here are some of our favorite destinations off the beaten path within Emilia-Romagna.
Bologna
This city is thought to be the food capital of Italy – and perhaps even in the whole world – and is also home to the oldest university in Europe. The city has a beautifully preserved medieval center filled with restaurants where you can enjoy pasta Bolognese, tortellini, or ravioli.
It’s believed that Bologna was the birthplace of tortellini. Maybe that’s why it’s so good in the local restaurants?!
Bologna also built about 100 towers during medieval times when the city was full of “skyscrapers” that offered protection and a lookout for the surrounding hills and plains. It’s still possible to climb some of the surviving towers. Bologna is one of the less touristy cities in Italy which means you won’t have to contend with crowds to see all the sights.
Modena
Car enthusiasts will be sure to visit Modena—the home of Ferrari. Adventure seekers can experience an exhilarating drive around the racetrack in one of the cars. The Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena has a display of Ferraris through the years. After a visit, enjoy a meal at Ristorante Cavallino or Montana Restaurant, where you will be surrounded by Ferrari memorabilia, and may even dine next to an F1 driver.
Aside from being called the “Motor Valley,” there are plenty of other reasons to head to this small city. As the home of Chef Massimo Bottura and his legendary Osteria Francescana, it should come as no surprise that Modena is a foodie destination. Plus, it has a thriving opera scene thanks to Luciano Pavarotti, who hailed from Modena. The city is also a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its beautiful Ghirlandina Tower and squares.
Of course, the other main reason to visit Modena is to check out its traditional balsamic vinegar producers. They take their craft very seriously—this isn’t the same balsamic you buy from the supermarket! While in town, take a tour of one of the centuries-old acetaie, where you can learn about vinegar production and sample the inky, sweet liquid that’s been made here for generations.
The extraordinary monuments of Modena are all concentrated in its elegant old town. These monuments tell the glories of a city that for a long time was the capital of a duchy under the Este Lords, who resided here in the sixteenth century. UNESCO has acknowledged the universal value of the city’s monumental treasures by declaring the Cathedral, Piazza Grande and the Ghirlandina Tower UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Spend a day visiting the Palazzo Ducale, the Piazza Grande, and the magnificent Duomo with its impressive bell tower. The interior of Palazzo Comunale has prestigious frescoes. Make sure to check out the covered food market Albinelli and the Jewish ghetto.
If you want to spend the whole day in the historical center, add in the Renaissance church of San Pietro with its Benedictine monastery and the Baroque church of St. Augustine which was once a pantheon of Este. Alternatively, the splendid Galleria Estense, with its paintings, sculptures, and archaeological collections, is a must for art lovers.
Parma
Parma is a colorful city with an impressive food scene. Visit Parma to indulge in parmigiano cheese and Parma ham. You can spend a day visiting Parmigiano Reggiano DOP production dairies and Prosciutto di Parma DOP production factories to smell and sample the region’s specialties!
The town has a close connection to classical music because Giuseppe Verdi was born nearby. There is an opera house in the city center. It was the capital of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza for centuries. The city has the vibe of a small capital with a Central European flavor and it’s also enough off the beaten path that you’ll feel like you’ve uncovered a hidden gem.
Dozza
This medieval village has been listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” and awarded the “Orange Flag” by the Italian Touring Club. Dozza is best known for the Biennial of Contemporary Art of the Painted Wall, founded in 1960, which has transformed the town into an open-air museum that visitors can always enjoy. Facades of homes are painted with various scenes.
Ravenna
Over 1,600 years ago, Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire and the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. Today, the city preserves the richest world heritage of mosaics dating from the 5th and the 6th century AD which are kept within its Paleochristian and Byzantine religious buildings. Spend the day exploring all these fabulous UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visiting the historic center on foot or by bicycle like a true local is like reliving a millenary history.
Ferrara
This magnificent Renaissance capital, Ferrara, is a splendid city of art. Enjoy the city by walking the streets or on a bike; it’s how most locals get around. The city’s character is revealed around every corner.
The Este family governed here for three centuries and gave the city the appearance it has today. It’s a uniquely planned city that harmoniously fuses Medieval and Renaissance. It was Europe’s first modern city and it’s precisely these characteristics that secured its UNESCO World Heritage status.
Some of the old town’s highlights include the imposing Castello Estense, the majestic Romanesque cathedral, and the Jewish ghetto. For a more culturally immersive experience, visit the Schifanoia Palace and its famous frescoes. Explore the National Art Gallery in Palazzo dei Diamanti or admire the mysterious fourteenth-century frescoes at the monastery of St. Anthony in Polesine.
What to Do in Emilia-Romagna
While in Emilia-Romagna, here are some of the top activities to pursue:
- Taste balsamico di Modena for yourself at an acetaia.
- Walk through the many porticos and piazzas of Bologna, stopping to check out the grand university buildings.
- Do a Lambrusco wine tasting and discover the flavors of this unique terroir.
- Hop from castle to castle on a tour of the region’s most interesting ancient towns.
- See what Italian nightlife is like in small cities like Rimini, Riccione, Cattolica, and more.
- Go to FICO World Eataly in Bologna, an Italian culinary theme park of sorts.
- Check out the origins of car brands like Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini in the region’s Motor Valley, where racetracks and museums await.
- Get your history and culture fix in Ravenna by visiting Dante’s tomb, the Galla Placidia Mausoleum, and a number of basilicas.
Plan a Luxury Trip to Emilia-Romagna
Intrigued by the many wonders of Emilia-Romagna? At Luxury Italian Tours, we have a history of welcoming guests to this part of the country, putting together luxurious and completely customized vacations that show off the best of this underrated region.
If you’re interested in planning a trip, get in touch! We’ll put together a customized, luxurious itinerary that shows you the true meaning of Italian hospitality.
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