Modena
Modena is a city in Emilia-Romagna known for traditional balsamic vinegar, a Romanesque cathedral and as the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari.
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Modena is a city about 40 kilometers northwest of Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. Its centre is built around the Romanesque Duomo and the Torre Ghirlandina. The cathedral, the tower and Piazza Grande are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Modena is the place to go for traditional balsamic vinegar, which is aged for years in a series of wooden barrels. Enzo Ferrari was born in Modena, and the Ferrari factory is in nearby Maranello.
A day from Bologna is enough for the cathedral and a long lunch. Staying one or two nights gives time for the tower, the square at a slower pace, and a visit to an acetaia, the producer where balsamic vinegar is made. Spring and autumn suit walking better than July and August, when the heat is strong. Two days allows a relaxed visit, and one day covers the main sights.
Modena in five
- Visit the Duomo and Piazza Grande firstThe cathedral, its tower and the main square are UNESCO-listed and sit within a few minutes' walk. Cover shoulders and knees to enter, and check the official site for opening hours.
- Book an acetaia visit aheadProducers of traditional balsamic vinegar open their attics for guided tastings, usually by appointment. Check the consortium's official site for the list, and confirm the language and time before you travel.
- Decide how much Ferrari you wantThe Ferrari museums are in Modena and nearby Maranello, and each has its own tickets and opening hours. Pick one if you have a day, and check each museum's site before booking.
- Eat at the covered marketMercato Albinelli sells local cheese, cured meats and fresh pasta, and most stalls close by early afternoon. Go in the morning and ask for small tastings.
- Come by regional train from BolognaRegional trains run between Bologna and Modena in about 30 minutes, so the city works as a day trip. Stay a night if you want an acetaia tour and a calm evening in the center.Bologna travel guide
Things to do in Modena
See all attractions in Modena
Need to know
- Airport
- Bologna (BLQ), about 40 minutes by bus and train
- Getting there
- Regional train from Bologna in about 30 minutes
- Getting around
- Walking; buses to Maranello
- Best base
- Near the Duomo and Piazza Grande
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2 with a Ferrari museum and acetaia
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low1°Cold, fogJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, fog
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°ColdFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low5°SpringMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Mild, greenAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- MayRain14 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Warm, patiosMayRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, patios
- JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°HotJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JulyClear8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low20°Hot, humidJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, humid
- AugustClear8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low20°Hot, quietAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, quiet
- SeptemberClear9 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°HarvestSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Harvest
- OctoberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Mild, vinegarOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, vinegar
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Foggy, dampNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Foggy, damp
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Cold, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Modena, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Modena
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 59%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 15%
Modena
10:55 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today16°6°15%Monday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Tue15°6°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed14°7°8%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Thu15°7°5%Thursday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri10°8°46%Friday: Rain. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 46%.
- Sat10°8°46%Saturday: Rain. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 46%.
- Sun14°7°28%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 28%.
Updated 06:34 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Feb–MarCarnival of ViareggioLucca, a day trip
- MayPalio of FerraraFerrara, a day trip
- Jun–SepArena di Verona FestivalVerona, a day trip
- SepFestivaletteraturaMantua, a day trip
Before you go to Modena
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Rules for Modena, checked
- Most non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area. Check the rules on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
- Call 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Cover shoulders and knees when you enter the Duomo in Modena, as in other churches in Italy.
- Antiques and cultural objects may need an export licence to leave the EU. Check with the Ministry of Culture before you buy at fairs.Source
Plan around Modena
The regional capital, 30 minutes by train
Read the guideParmaHam, cheese and a calm old center
Read the guideFerraraA walled city of bikes and castles
Read the guideEmilia-RomagnaThe food region around Modena
Read the guideAll of ItalyCities, coasts, lakes and the Alps
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakSlow routes and quiet days
Read the guideModena FAQ
Is Modena worth visiting?
Yes, especially for food. The Duomo and Piazza Grande are a short walk apart, and balsamic vinegar, tortellini and the market give a clear reason to stay. It is smaller than Bologna, so a day or one night is enough.
Can you visit Modena as a day trip from Bologna?
Yes, regional trains take about 30 minutes. A day covers the cathedral, the market and lunch. Stay a night if you want an acetaia visit or a Ferrari museum as well.
Where can I try real balsamic vinegar in Modena?
At an acetaia, a vinegar producer that offers guided tastings, usually by appointment. Check the official consortium site for the list of producers and book ahead. Shops in the center also sell tastings.
Do I need a car in Modena?
No. The center is walkable, and buses reach Maranello and nearby villages. A car helps only if you plan several acetaie or villages outside town; note that city center traffic zones restrict driving.
Modena or Parma: which is better for food?
Both are rewarding. Modena has balsamic vinegar, tortellini and the covered market; Parma has prosciutto and Parmigiano. They are about 30 minutes apart by train, so combine them if you have two days.