The 3 Best Day Trips from Bologna: Modena, Parma & Ferrari Valley (2026 Guide)
One of the best reasons to visit Bologna is that it is the railway hub of Italy. You can hop on a train and be in Florence in 37 minutes or Venice in 90 minutes.
Trains run frequently from Bologna Centrale. If you aren’t sure how to buy tickets or validate them, check my Bologna Transport Guide first.
But the real magic lies right next door in the Emilia-Romagna region.
If you love fast cars, balsamic vinegar, or Parmesan cheese, you need to leave the city for a day. Here are the 3 best day trips from Bologna that you can easily do on your own or with a guided tour.
1. Modena: The Land of Slow Food & Fast Cars
Travel Time: 25 minutes by train. Best For: Foodies and Ferrari lovers.
Modena is Bologna’s elegant, quieter sister. It is famous for two things that couldn’t be more different: Traditional Balsamic Vinegar (which takes 25 years to make) and Supercars (which take 3 seconds to go 0 – 100 km/h).
How to get there
- Train: Take a regional train from Bologna Centrale to Modena. It takes 20-30 minutes and costs about €5.
- Getting to Ferrari: Note that the Ferrari Museum is NOT in Modena city center; it is in a nearby town called Maranello. (See the “Motor Valley” section below for logistics).
What to do in Modena
- Visit the Mercato Albinelli: This is arguably prettier than Bologna’s markets. It’s quieter and perfect for a lunch of gnocco fritto (fried dough).
- Climb the Ghirlandina Tower: The symbol of the city. It offers incredible views over the red roofs.
- Balsamic Vinegar Tasting: You cannot leave without tasting Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale. Real balsamic is aged for a minimum of 12 years and is as thick as syrup.
Top Rated Experience: You can visit a traditional “Acetaia” (vinegar attic) just outside the city. Click here to book here your Modena Balsamic Vinegar Cellar Tour with Lunch!
2. The Motor Valley (Maranello)
Travel Time: 1 hour (Train + Bus/Shuttle). Best For: Car enthusiasts and Formula 1 fans.
This is a pilgrimage site. Maranello is the headquarters of Ferrari, and the entire town beats to the sound of engines.
How to get to the Ferrari Museum (DIY)
Many tourists get stuck here. Here is the insider way to do it:
- Take the train to Modena Station.
- Look for the special “Vivara Viaggi” Shuttle Bus outside the station (Bus Stop 4). It runs roughly every 90 minutes (check the “Ferrari Museum Shuttle” schedule online).
- Alternative: Take the public Bus 800 from Modena Bus Station towards Maranello.
The “Stress-Free” Option (Recommended)
If you don’t want to deal with bus schedules and connections, I highly recommend a combo tour that handles the logistics for you.
Best Combo Tour: Ferrari, Parmesan and Balsamic Day Tour from Bologna. Why: This is the ultimate “Emilia Romagna” day. It takes you to a cheese factory, a vinegar attic, AND the Ferrari museum, with transport included from Bologna. It is expensive, but worth it to skip the logistics headache.
Just want to drive? Yes, you can actually drive a Ferrari on the streets of Maranello.
Experience Here your Test Drive Ferrari in Maranello!
3. Parma: The King of Cheese & Ham
Travel Time: 50 minutes by train. Best For: Serious eaters.
Parma is elegant, wealthy, and delicious. It is the home of Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma.
How to get there
- Train: Take a regional train from Bologna Centrale to Parma. It takes about 50-60 minutes.
What to do in Parma
- The Cathedral & Baptistery: The pink marble Baptistery is one of the most important medieval buildings in Italy.
- Eat Prosciutto: Sit in Piazza Garibaldi and order a board of “Culatello” (the rarer, more expensive cousin of Prosciutto).
- The Cheese Factories: You cannot visit these in the city center; they are in the countryside. You must book a tour to see the wheels being made.
Recommendation: Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Production and Parma Ham Tour & Tasting! Note: Most tours start early (8:30 AM) because that is when the cheese makers are working. Plan to leave Bologna early!
Prefer to stay in the city instead? You can skip the train and explore these Hidden Gems in Bologna right in the city center.”
