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.
This Motor Valley day trip pairs two of Emilia-Romagna's great automotive shrines. Modena lies 40km northwest of Bologna, about 20 minutes by direct train (€3-5 one way); from there it is roughly 15km south to Maranello, reached by the dedicated shuttle bus or a taxi (around €20). The day begins at the Enzo Ferrari Museum (MEF) in Modena, a short walk or taxi from the station, where the late architect Jan Kaplický's sweeping yellow aluminum roof curves over a hall of historic road and racing cars beside Enzo Ferrari's restored birthplace workshop. After absorbing the founder's story, visitors continue to Maranello for the larger Museo Ferrari, set beside the factory and Fiorano test track, showcasing Formula 1 single-seaters, championship trophies, and the latest road models; paid simulators and pit-stop experiences are available on site. A sensible one-day arc is to take an early-to-mid-morning train to Modena, spend roughly two hours at the Enzo Ferrari Museum, then transfer to Maranello for the afternoon at the Museo Ferrari and a wander through the small factory town, where Ferraris are a routine sight on the streets. Those with extra appetite can detour to the UNESCO-listed Modena Cathedral and the Ghirlandina tower in Modena's center, or add the Lamborghini museum in nearby Sant'Agata. A combined Ferrari ticket covers both museums (each around €17) at a discount and is the best-value option for committed fans. Spring and autumn give the most comfortable touring weather; weekdays are markedly quieter than weekends, and an early start avoids the worst museum queues. For food, Modena is the home of traditional balsamic vinegar, tortellini in brodo, and the cult sandwich shops around the Mercato Albinelli; Maranello has casual trattorie and the official Ferrari restaurant near the museum. Driving is an option but the train-plus-shuttle combination removes parking hassles. Factory tours of the Ferrari plant are reserved for owners, so the museums are the public-facing experience.
Highlights
- Enzo Ferrari Museum (Jan Kaplický architecture)
- Ferrari Museum Maranello with F1 cars
- Maranello village and Ferrari factory
- Optional Modena Cathedral (UNESCO)
Tips for visiting
- Take a direct train from Bologna Centrale to Modena (about 20 minutes, €3-5), then the Maranello shuttle bus or a taxi (around €20) to reach the Museo Ferrari.
- Buy the combined Ferrari ticket covering both the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena and the Museo Ferrari in Maranello to save over separate entries (each about €17).
- Visit on a weekday and start early; weekends and holidays bring long queues, especially in Maranello.
- The factory itself is not open to the public, so set expectations on the museums and the Fiorano track views rather than a plant tour.
- In Modena, leave time for traditional balsamic vinegar tastings or a tortellini lunch near the Mercato Albinelli.
When to visit
Spring and autumn give the most comfortable touring weather; choose a weekday and arrive early, as weekends bring long queues at both museums.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Bologna to the Ferrari museums?
Take a direct train from Bologna Centrale to Modena in about 20 minutes (€3-5), then a shuttle bus or taxi (around €20) for the 15km to Maranello where the larger Museo Ferrari sits.
Can I tour the Ferrari factory?
No. Factory tours are reserved for Ferrari owners. The public experience is the two museums, the Maranello town, and views toward the Fiorano test track.
Is one day enough for both Ferrari museums?
Yes. Allow about two hours at the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena and an afternoon at the Museo Ferrari in Maranello, with the train-and-shuttle transfer in between.