Home / Destinations / Italy / Emilia Romagna / Attractions
Attractions Guide

Emilia Romagna Attractions Guide 2025

Discover the best attractions in Emilia Romagna - from iconic landmarks to hidden gems.

Emilia Romagna is Italy's gastronomic heartland, stretching from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Sea. Known as the 'Food Valley' for producing Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic vinegar, the region also boasts medieval cities, Ferrari's birthplace, and vibrant beach resorts.

Top 10 Must-See Attractions

These are the unmissable experiences that define any visit to Emilia Romagna.

1

Piazza Maggiore & Neptune Fountain

landmarks1-2 hoursAdult: Free | Child: Free

Bologna's magnificent main square, the heart of the city since medieval times. Dominated by the unfinished Gothic Basilica di San Petronio and the Palazzo d'Accursio, the piazza features Giambologna's famous bronze Neptune Fountain (1565).

Location: Bologna
Best Time: Early morning before tourist crowds
2

Due Torri (Two Towers)

landmarks1 hourAdult: €5 | Child: €3 (under 12)

Bologna's iconic medieval leaning towers—Asinelli (97m, built 1109-1119) and the shorter Garisenda (48m)—are the city's most recognizable symbol. Climbing the 498 steps of Asinelli offers panoramic views over Bologna's famous red rooftops.

Location: Bologna
Best Time: Morning for clear views
3

Basilica di San Vitale

cultural1-1.5 hoursAdult: €11.50 combined ticket (5 monuments) | Child: €3 (ages 6-18)

One of the world's greatest examples of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture, built 526-547 AD. The octagonal church features breathtaking gold mosaic panels depicting Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora in full imperial splendor.

Location: Ravenna
Best Time: Midday when light filters through windows
4

Mausoleo di Galla Placidia

cultural30-45 minutesAdult: Included in €11.50 combined ticket | Child: €3

The oldest intact mosaic monument in Ravenna (430 AD), this small but extraordinarily beautiful cruciform mausoleum contains the world's oldest surviving intact mosaics. The deep blue ceiling with stars and the lunette mosaics create an otherworldly atmosphere.

Location: Ravenna
Best Time: Morning for best interior lighting
5

Ferrari Museum (Museo Ferrari), Maranello

museums2-3 hoursAdult: €17 | Child: €12 (ages 6-18)

The official Ferrari museum in Maranello, Ferrari's home town, showcases the brand's complete history from the first 125 S to the latest hypercars. Includes Formula 1 championship cars, engines, trophies, and the story of Enzo Ferrari's legacy.

Location: Maranello, Modena province
Best Time: Weekday mornings to avoid crowds
6

Enzo Ferrari Museum, Modena

museums1.5-2 hoursAdult: €17 | Child: €12

Striking modern museum designed by Jan Kaplický in Modena's city center, built over Enzo Ferrari's birthplace. The yellow aluminum wave-roof structure houses rotating exhibitions of Ferrari and Italian automotive design history.

Location: Modena
Best Time: Morning
7

Castello Estense (Este Castle), Ferrara

landmarks1.5-2 hoursAdult: €10 | Child: €5

Magnificent 14th-century moated fortress dominating Ferrara's city center, built in 1385 by Niccolò II d'Este. The four-towered castle with a working drawbridge houses frescoed ducal apartments, secret gardens, and atmospheric dungeons where members of the Este family were imprisoned.

Location: Ferrara
Best Time: Morning for fog on the moat (autumn/winter)
8

Parma Cathedral (Duomo di Parma)

cultural1.5 hoursAdult: Cathedral free; Baptistery €8 | Child: Free

Magnificent Romanesque cathedral (1059-1106) with the adjacent pink-marble Baptistery by Benedetto Antelami. The cathedral interior is crowned by Correggio's breathtaking fresco 'Assumption of the Virgin' (1526-1530) painted on the dome—a revolutionary work of illusionistic art.

Location: Parma
Best Time: Midday for best dome light
9

Portico di San Luca

landmarks2-3 hours round tripAdult: Free | Child: Free

The world's longest portico (UNESCO World Heritage since 2021), stretching 3.8km up the Via Saragozza hillside to the Santuario della Madonna di San Luca. The extraordinary covered walkway comprises 666 arches and provides shelter for pilgrims and walkers year-round.

Location: Bologna
Best Time: Golden hour (sunset) for light through arches
10

Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

cultural1 hourAdult: Included in €11.50 combined ticket | Child: €3

Sixth-century basilica built by Theodoric the Great featuring the most extensive surviving early Christian mosaic cycle, with 26-metre nave walls covered in processions of saints, martyrs, and the life of Christ. The golden background creates a timeless, ethereal effect.

Location: Ravenna
Best Time: Morning
📍

Get the Complete Attraction Guide

50+ attractions with opening hours, skip-the-line tips, and itineraries.

Download Guide

Attractions by Category

Find the perfect experiences based on your interests.

Landmarks

Landmarks

Piazza Maggiore & Neptune Fountain

Bologna's magnificent medieval main square

Landmarks

Due Torri

Bologna's iconic 12th-century leaning towers

Landmarks

Portico di San Luca

World's longest portico, 666 arches to hilltop sanctuary

Landmarks

Castello Estense

14th-century moated fortress in Ferrara's center

Museums

Museums

Ferrari Museum, Maranello

Official Ferrari museum with historic race cars

Museums

Enzo Ferrari Museum, Modena

Striking modern museum over Enzo Ferrari's birthplace

Museums

Lamborghini Museum

Supercar collection at the Sant'Agata factory

Museums

Ducati Museum

Italian motorcycle legend's official museum in Bologna

Nature

Nature

Po Delta Regional Park

UNESCO wetland with flamingos and 300+ bird species

Nature

Comacchio Canals

Picturesque canal town in the Po Delta

Nature

Ferrara City Walls

9km Renaissance walls for cycling and walking

Nature

Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi

Unique gypsum karst landscape in the Bologna hills

Cultural

Cultural

Basilica di San Vitale, Ravenna

World's finest Byzantine mosaics (526 AD)

Cultural

Mausoleo di Galla Placidia

Oldest intact mosaic monument in Ravenna (430 AD)

Cultural

Parma Cathedral

Romanesque cathedral with Correggio's dome fresco

Cultural

Archiginnasio & Anatomical Theatre

Original University of Bologna building with extraordinary 17th-century theater

Hidden Gems & Local Favorites

Discover off-the-beaten-path spots that most tourists miss.

Hidden Gem

Dozza Mural Village

Medieval village with contemporary art murals covering every building

Local Tip: Visit midweek to avoid Bologna day-trippers
Hidden Gem

Comacchio at Dawn

The 'Little Venice' of the Po Delta is magical at sunrise before tourists arrive

Local Tip: Stay overnight to experience the village without crowds
Hidden Gem

Piazza Santo Stefano, Bologna

Seven-church complex built to evoke the Holy Land—one of Italy's most atmospheric spaces

Local Tip: Visit on a weekday afternoon for quiet contemplation
Hidden Gem

L'Osteria del Sole, Bologna

Italy's oldest osteria (1465)—you bring your food, they sell wine; beloved by locals

Local Tip: Bring a mortadella sandwich from nearby Tamburini
Hidden Gem

Marzabotto Etruscan Ruins

One of Italy's best-preserved Etruscan city ruins, also home to a moving WWII massacre memorial

Local Tip: Approach the WWII memorial with appropriate solemnity
Hidden Gem

Trebbia Valley, Piacenza

Wild and scenic valley with crystal-clear river, medieval villages, and the Ponte Gobbo Roman bridge

Local Tip: Swim in the Trebbia River in summer—one of Italy's cleanest

Practical Information

Essential details to plan your sightseeing.

Opening Hours

Most attractions open 9AM-6PM; many museums closed Mondays; churches usually open 8AM-12PM and 3PM-6PM

Entrance Fees

Museum entry typically €5-17; Ravenna combined mosaic ticket €11.50 for 5 sites; Ferrari Museum €17

Best Times to Visit

Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds; spring and autumn for best weather

Booking Tips

Book Ravenna Galla Placidia timed entry (March-mid June), Ferrari Museum, and Lamborghini online in advance

Insider Tips

Make the most of your sightseeing with these local insights.

💡

Buy the Ravenna combined mosaic ticket online—it covers 5 monuments and saves time and money

💡

Bologna's Due Torri requires advance online booking in summer—do not just show up

💡

Motor Valley (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati) can be covered in two days using Bologna as base

💡

Ferrara is extremely bicycle-friendly—rent a bike at the station to see the walls and city

💡

Most Emilia Romagna churches are free but require modest dress (cover shoulders and knees)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to visit attractions in Emilia Romagna?

Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) for sightseeing; summer for beaches

Are guided tours available?

Available at major sites; typically €15-30 per person; free tip-based tours in Bologna at 10:30 AM from Piazza Maggiore

Is photography allowed at attractions?

Allowed in most locations; no flash in churches and mosaic basilicas; check signs at each site

How much time should I allocate for sightseeing?

Plan at least 4-5 days to see the major highlights; 7+ days for a comprehensive visit

Plan Your Perfect Emilia Romagna Itinerary

Get our complete travel guide with day-by-day itineraries, opening hours, and insider tips for every attraction.

Download Complete Guide