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 day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Ravenna Byzantine Mosaics (from Bologna)
Visit Ravenna's eight UNESCO World Heritage Byzantine mosaic monuments, including the magnificent Basilica di San Vitale and the extraordinary Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. Also explore Dante's tomb and the beautiful historic center.
Highlights: Basilica di San Vitale (526 AD) mosaics · Galla Placidia Mausoleum (430 AD) · Dante's Tomb · Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Ferrara Renaissance City (from Bologna)
UNESCO World Heritage Renaissance city with a magnificent moated Este Castle, the extraordinary Palazzo dei Diamanti, and remarkably intact medieval city walls perfect for cycling. Quieter and more authentically Italian than Bologna.
Highlights: Castello Estense moated fortress · Palazzo dei Diamanti diamond facade · 9km Renaissance city walls by bicycle · Ferrara Cathedral and historic center
Parma Food Capital (from Bologna)
Italy's food capital with its magnificent Romanesque cathedral featuring Correggio's dome frescoes, the extraordinary Palazzo della Pilotta, and the city's refined gastronomic culture—prosciutto, Parmigiano, and culatello.
Highlights: Parma Cathedral with Correggio dome · Palazzo della Pilotta and Teatro Farnese · Prosciutto di Parma tasting · Mercato Coperto food market
Motor Valley: Ferrari Maranello & Enzo Ferrari Museum Modena
The ultimate Motor Valley pilgrimage: start at the spectacular Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena city center, then continue to Maranello for the official Ferrari Museum and a walk around the factory town. Optionally add Lamborghini Museum in Sant'Agata.
Highlights: Enzo Ferrari Museum (Jan Kaplický architecture) · Ferrari Museum Maranello with F1 cars · Maranello village and Ferrari factory · Optional Modena Cathedral (UNESCO)
Rimini Roman Ruins & Adriatic Beach (from Bologna)
Italy's most iconic resort city combines Italy's oldest triumphal arch (27 BC), the Tiberius Bridge (20 BC), the Renaissance Malatesta Temple, and beautiful Adriatic beaches. Perfect mix of history and beach in summer.
Highlights: Arco di Augusto (27 BC) · Ponte di Tiberio (20 BC) · Malatesta Temple (Leon Battista Alberti) · Adriatic beach swimming
Comacchio & Po Delta (from Ferrara)
The 'Little Venice' of the Po Delta with its picturesque canal townscape and the extraordinary UNESCO-listed Po Delta Regional Park—one of Italy's most important wetland habitats with flamingos, herons, and hundreds of bird species.
Highlights: Comacchio Trepponti five-armed bridge · Canal village and colored houses · Flamingo and bird colonies (spring-fall) · Lagoon boat tour
Castell'Arquato Medieval Village (from Piacenza)
One of Italy's most perfectly preserved medieval villages, perched dramatically on a hillside above the Arda Valley wine country. The Rocca Viscontea fortress dominates the village; excellent Colli Piacentini wine tasting in nearby cantinas.
Highlights: Rocca Viscontea fortress (1342) · Medieval village streets and piazza · Colli Piacentini wine tasting · Panoramic views over Arda Valley
Dozza Painted Village (from Bologna)
Medieval hilltop village whose walls are covered in contemporary art murals from the biennial Muro Dipinto festival. The Rocca houses the Enoteca Regionale with excellent Emilia Romagna wine tastings. Best visited midweek.
Highlights: Open-air contemporary art murals · Rocca Sforzesca fortress · Enoteca Regionale wine tasting · Medieval village streets and views
Lamborghini Museum & Sant'Agata Bolognese (from Bologna)
Official Lamborghini museum in the small town where Ferruccio Lamborghini built his factory. Features extraordinary supercars from the original Miura to current models, with optional factory tour pre-bookable.
Highlights: Lamborghini Museum with complete history · Factory tour (pre-book) · Story of Ferruccio Lamborghini vs Enzo Ferrari · Supercar photography
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from Bologna from €60 per person including transport and guide
- Private
- Private car hire with driver from €80/half day; hotel concierge can book; excellent for Motor Valley
- Public
- Trenitalia trains serve all major destinations; check timetables at trenitalia.com or on the app
- Rental
- Car rental from €35/day; recommended for Dozza, Comacchio, Castello Arquato, and food producer visits
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Bologna's central position makes it the ideal base for day trips in all directions
Book train tickets on Trenitalia.com for best advance prices; regional trains cheap (€3-15)
Buy Ravenna combined mosaic ticket (€11.50) online in advance to save time
Motor Valley is best done with a car or taxi to combine Ferrari Museum + Modena + Lamborghini
Pack a picnic from Bologna's Mercato di Mezzo for Ferrara or Dozza countryside day trips
First train from Bologna to Modena is around 5:30 AM; last return around 11 PM—long day trip possible