Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna is the Italian region of Bologna, Parma and Modena, home of Parmigiano-Reggiano and traditional balsamic vinegar, and of Ravenna's early Byzantine mosaics. Trains link the main cities.
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Emilia-Romagna is a region in northern Italy, stretching from the Po Valley to the Adriatic coast. Its capital, Bologna, has arcaded streets and one of Europe's oldest universities. Parma gives its name to Prosciutto di Parma, and Parmigiano-Reggiano is made in the Parma and Modena areas. Modena is the home of traditional balsamic vinegar.
Ravenna has early Byzantine mosaics, and Ferrara has a Renaissance city centre. Rimini and the coast are the beach towns. The region suits travelers who want food, museums and small cities, and who are happy to take the train between them. Bologna is also the region's main rail hub, and it works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, and a week covers the main cities at a steady pace.
Emilia-Romagna in five
- Ride the Via Emilia rail lineFast and regional trains link Piacenza, Parma, Modena, Bologna and the Adriatic coast on one spine. Most hops take 20 to 60 minutes, so you can change base with a day pack.Italy by train off-peak
- Base in Bologna, day-trip the restBologna is the rail hub and has the most beds. Modena, Parma and Ferrara are all close enough for a day without moving your bags.Bologna
- Book dairies and balsamic cellars aheadParmigiano dairies and balsamic acetaie often take visitors by reservation only. Book a few days before, or go with a guided tour that includes transport.
- Skip the mid-August closuresMany small producers and restaurants close around Ferragosto. September and April to June are better for visits and for the markets.Best time to visit Italy
- Check ZTL maps before you driveAlmost every historic center in the region has a camera-enforced limited traffic zone. Use rail between cities and a car only for countryside producers.Parma
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Emilia-Romagna, the full guide
Bologna
- Price band: $$
Modena
- Price band: $
Ravenna
- Price band: $
Parma
- Price band: $$
Things to do in Emilia-Romagna
See all attractions in Emilia-Romagna
Need to know
- Airport
- Bologna (BLQ); Parma (PMF) has a few routes
- Getting there
- Fast trains from Milan, Florence and Venice to Bologna
- Getting around
- Regional and fast trains; cities are walkable
- Best base
- Bologna; Modena or Parma for a quieter stay
- Time needed
- 4–6 days for three cities
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, foggy
- FebruaryCool, quiet
- MarchSpring starts
- AprilSpring, markets
- MayMild, green
- JuneWarm
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, closures
- SeptemberHarvest, mild
- OctoberTruffle season
- NovemberCool, foggy
- DecemberCold, markets
Right now in Emilia-Romagna
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 52%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 33%
Emilia-Romagna
09:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today15°8°33%Monday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Tue14°9°5%Tuesday: Rain. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Wed14°8°13%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Thu14°7°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri10°7°35%Friday: Rain. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Sat9°8°34%Saturday: Rain. High 9°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 34%.
- Sun14°6°17%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 17%.
Updated 06:24 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Feb–MarCarnival of ViareggioLucca, a day trip
- Apr–JunMaggio Musicale FiorentinoFlorence, a day trip
- MayPalio of FerraraFerrara, a day trip
- May–JulRavenna FestivalRavenna, a day trip
- SepFestivaletteraturaMantua, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Ferraraabout 30–45 min by train from BolognaA walled Renaissance city that is easy to cycle.Read the guide
- Modenaabout 30 min by train from BolognaBalsamic vinegar, a UNESCO cathedral and the car museums nearby.Read the guide
- Parmaabout 1 hour by train from BolognaParmigiano and prosciutto at the source.Read the guide
Before you go to Emilia-Romagna
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Rules for Emilia-Romagna, checked
- Many non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Bologna, Modena, Parma and Ferrara use limited traffic zones (ZTL) with cameras in their old centres. Check the city's rules before you drive in.Source
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches, including the cathedral in Modena and the mosaic churches in Ravenna.
Plan around Emilia-Romagna
Regions, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideBolognaRail hub, towers and tortellini
Read the guideParmaHam, cheese and a calm cathedral city
Read the guideModenaBalsamic, cars and a UNESCO cathedral
Read the guideFerraraWalled Renaissance city for cyclists
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakA rail route that avoids the crowds
Read the guideEmilia-Romagna FAQ
Is Emilia-Romagna worth visiting for food?
Yes, it is one of Italy's best food regions. Bologna's pasta, Parma's ham and cheese and Modena's balsamic are all within an hour of each other by train.
How many days do you need in Emilia-Romagna?
Four days for Bologna plus two day trips, six for a slower route that adds a night in Parma or Modena. Ravenna and the coast need extra days.
Where should I base myself in Emilia-Romagna?
Bologna, for its rail links and beds. Parma or Modena work if you want smaller, calmer cities, but trains thin out in the evening, so check the last departure.
Do you need a car in Emilia-Romagna?
Not for the cities, which trains connect. A car helps for dairies, acetaie and countryside restaurants, but ZTLs make city driving a trap.
When is the best time to visit Emilia-Romagna?
April to June and September to October for mild days and open producers. Truffle season brings food fairs in autumn. August is hot, with many closures.