Modena is a city where the bells of the Romanesque Duomo ring over cobbled lanes, and the perfume of balsamic vinegar ages patiently in attic barrels. Settled since Roman times, its Piazza Grande, Cathedral, and Torre Ghirlandina together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site—stonework that has watched over centuries of markets, parades, and quiet evening passeggiate.

It’s also a global capital of taste. Parmigiano Reggiano is born on nearby dairies, Lambrusco bubbles crimson in every osteria, and the city’s “black gold”—Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale—matures for decades in tiny wooden casks. Add tortellini in brodo, gnocco fritto, and tigelle, and you have a masterclass in Emilia-Romagna cooking on every street.

And then, the engines. Enzo Ferrari was born here, and the broader Motor Valley (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, Ducati) roars within an hour’s reach. Practical note: the historic center has a ZTL (limited-traffic zone); most museums close on some Mondays; reservations are essential for top restaurants; spring and fall offer ideal weather.

Modena

Compact, elegant, and resolutely delicious, Modena is perfect for strolling. Start at Piazza Grande to admire the Cathedral’s marble lions and the slender Ghirlandina tower, then dive into Mercato Albinelli—an Art Deco market humming with fishmongers, cheesemongers, and salumi counters.

Motorheads will gravitate to the Enzo Ferrari Museum’s gleaming curves, while food lovers can slip into a traditional acetaia to taste droplets of 12- to 25-year-old balsamic. Evenings bring Lambrusco in lively wine bars and plates of tortelloni with butter and sage.

How to get to Modena

• By air: Fly into Bologna (BLQ), then train to Modena (20–30 minutes). Intra-Europe flights: Search flights on Omio. From outside Europe: Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• By train: From Bologna (20–30 min, ~€4–6), Milan (1h45–2h10, ~€12–30), Florence via Bologna (1h40–2h, ~€18–35), Rome via Bologna (2h50–3h30, ~€35–60). Check times/prices: Trains on Omio. Budget bus options also run: Buses on Omio.

Where to stay (walkable to sights)

• Hotel Rua Frati 48 in San Francesco — Boutique suites steps from Piazza Grande; polished service and a serene courtyard.
• Hotel Cervetta 5 — Bright, minimalist rooms, friendly staff, and an unbeatable center-city location.
• Best Western Premier Milano Palace Hotel — Modern comfort near the station; good spa facilities for a post-walk unwind.
• Ostello San Filippo Neri — Clean, budget-friendly base in the historic core; private rooms available.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Modena | VRBO apartments in Modena

Day 1: UNESCO heart, market flavors, and Enzo Ferrari

Morning: Travel to Modena. If you arrive early, fortify with espresso at Menomoka Specialty Coffee (single-origin brews and proper cappuccino) and pick up a buttery croissant at Pasticceria Remondini on Via Emilia. Drop bags at your hotel and lace up for a walkable first look.

Afternoon: Explore Piazza Grande and the Romanesque Cathedral—carvings by Wiligelmo and the soaring Torre Ghirlandina tell a 12th-century story in stone (tower climbs typically bookable on site). Wander to Mercato Albinelli; try panini stuffed with mortadella at a busy counter, snack on torta di riso, and sip a glass of chilled Lambrusco.

Then pivot to Modena’s automotive icon with a timed entry to the Enzo Ferrari Museum, a short walk from the center. The gallery’s yellow-swooped pavilion and Enzo’s birthplace tell the human story behind the prancing horse.

Modena: Enzo Ferrari Museum Entrance Ticket

Evening: Aperitivo around Piazza della Pomposa—order a calice of Lambrusco and a small tagliere (salumi board). For dinner, book one of these favorites: Trattoria Pomposa Al Re gras (rich ragù and pillowy gnocco fritto), L’Erba del Re (contemporary tasting menus; Michelin-starred), or Trattoria Il Fantino (old-school Modenese comfort). Cap the night with gelato at Bloom—seasonal fruit sorbets are excellent.

Day 2: Motor & Food Valley full-day experience

Today is dedicated to the twin passions of Emilia-Romagna: food artisans and supercars. This immersive day tour weaves factory or museum visits (think Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani depending on the option) with tastings of regional specialties, so you see how the land that perfected tortellini also birthed legendary engines. Hotel pickup is typically available; confirm timing when you book.

Modena Tour: Motor & Food Valley

Independent alternative: Take a local bus to Maranello for the Ferrari Museum (around 45–55 minutes; tickets from ~€3–4; taxis run ~€35–50 each way). For schedules, check Omio for regional trains/buses. Car enthusiasts can also add the Pagani Museum in San Cesario sul Panaro by taxi.

Evening tip: Celebrate back in Modena with a table at Hosteria Giusti (historic salumeria-turned-dining room; reserve far ahead) or Giusti Bistrot for refined classics like passatelli in brodo and veal cheek. If you prefer casual, grab tigelle stuffed with culatello and pesto modenese at a central tigelleria and toast with a dry Lambrusco di Sorbara.

Day 3: Balsamic secrets, market bites, and a Modenese cooking class

Morning: Return to Mercato Albinelli for breakfast-on-the-go: fresh ricotta drizzled with honey, a slice of erbazzone (savory greens pie), and espresso at a standing bar. Then dive into the city’s liquid heritage with a guided balsamic experience right in the center—walk through the warm, aromatic attics where barrels breathe through the seasons and taste the spectrum from bright condimento to syrupy, long-aged “tradizionale.”

Balsamic Vinegar Barrel Tour and Tasting in Modena

Afternoon: Learn to roll, fold, and cut pasta like a local during a hands-on cooking class in a Modenese home. Typical menus include tagliatelle al ragù and ricotta tortelloni—paired with regional wines and plenty of storytelling. You’ll leave with techniques you can actually repeat at home.

Pasta-making class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Modena

Evening: Before your departure (afternoon), squeeze in a last stroll beneath porticoes for edible souvenirs: vacuum-sealed Parmigiano Reggiano wedges (look for 24–36-month ages), bottles of Lambrusco di Sorbara, and a small bottle of DOP Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale. If time allows, pop into the Museo della Figurina (vintage sticker cards) or check the program at Teatro Comunale Pavarotti–Freni for opera and recitals.

Where to eat and drink (save these spots)

• Breakfast & coffee: Menomoka Specialty Coffee (carefully roasted beans), Caffè Concerto on Piazza Grande (grand-room vibe, great for a cappuccino and cornetto).
• Market bites: Mercato Albinelli—panini at a busy counter, Modenese tortellini from a fresh pasta stall, seasonal fruit and cheeses to graze.
• Classic lunches: Trattoria Pomposa Al Re gras (velvety ragù), Trattoria Il Fantino (gnocco fritto with culatello, tortelloni burro e salvia), Da Danilo (hearty, old-school plates).
• Special dinners: L’Erba del Re (creative takes on tradition), Hosteria Giusti (intimate, historic—book well ahead), Giusti Bistrot (refined osteria classics and an excellent wine list).
• Lambrusco & aperitivo: Central wine bars around Piazza della Pomposa pour Lambrusco di Sorbara and Grasparossa; ask for a dry style to pair with salumi.
• Sweet finish: Bloom Gelateria (seasonal fruit, pistachio), pasticceria counters for torta Barozzi (dense chocolate almond cake from nearby Vignola).

Local logistics

• The historic center’s ZTL means hotel guests should request a plate waiver or park at lots just outside the walls.
• Shops often close midday and on Monday; reserve ahead for museums, towers, and top tables.
• Day trips: Maranello (Ferrari), Castelvetro (vineyards and acetaie), Reggio Emilia (market-and-portico strolls)—all reachable by regional transport via Omio.

Optional swaps & add-ons

• If you’re a pure food lover, replace Day 2 with a deep-dive tasting of Parmigiano and balsamic at artisanal producers, often including breakfast in the dairy and barrel tastings in a hilltop acetaia.
• Wine enthusiasts can book a Lambrusco-focused vineyard visit in the Modenese hills; look for Sorbara (paler, floral) vs. Grasparossa (darker, more structured).

Modena rewards the curious palate and the wide-eyed car enthusiast in equal measure. Across three days you’ll stand under a world-famous bell tower, sip Lambrusco in a lively market, taste balsamic that’s older than many wines, and walk through the life of Enzo Ferrari. Keep your fork ready and your camera charged—this city hums with flavor and history.