Best Day Trips from Bologna by Train: Florence, Venice, San Marino & Food Valley (2026)
One of the smartest travel hacks in Italy is to use Bologna as your “Base Camp.”
Why? Because Bologna is the central knot of Italy’s high-speed rail network (Le Frecce). You can stay here—where the food is better and the hotels are cheaper than in Venice or Florence—and reach the country’s most famous cities in less than 90 minutes.
Forget packing and unpacking your suitcase every two days. Just hop on a train, explore a new city, and be back in Bologna in time for a Tagliatelle dinner.
Here are the 9 Best Day Trips from Bologna, ranked by travel time and ease of access.
1. Modena (The Food & Car Neighbor)
Best For: Foodies, Supercar fans, and a chill vibe.
Modena is Bologna’s elegant, quieter sister. It feels wealthier and more polished. It is the home of Massimo Bottura (Osteria Francescana), Ferrari, and Balsamic Vinegar.
While in Modena, car lovers should definitely visit the factories. Read our Ultimate Museums Guide for ticket details.
- Logistics:
- Train Time: 20-30 minutes.
- Frequency: Every 15 mins.
- Station to Center: 15-minute walk or short bus ride.
- The Plan:
- Morning: Visit the Enzo Ferrari Museum (it’s a short walk from the train station). Even if you don’t like cars, the architecture is stunning.
- Lunch: Visit the Albinelli Market (smaller and prettier than Bologna’s markets) for a sandwich, or book a table at Franceschetta58.
- Afternoon: Climb the Ghirlandina Tower (UNESCO site) for the view.
- Must Buy: A bottle of Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena DOP.
2. Florence (The Art Capital)
Best For: Renaissance Art, Shopping, and Bucket Lists.
Yes, you read that right. Florence (Firenze) is only 37 minutes away. You can wake up in Bologna, see Michelangelo’s David, and be back before sunset.
- Logistics:
- Train Time: 37 minutes (High Speed / Frecciarossa).
- Warning: The Regional train takes 1.5 hours. Pay the extra €10 for High Speed to save time!
- Station to Center: 10-minute walk to the Duomo.
- The Plan:
- Strategy: Florence is CROWDED. Do not go without pre-booked tickets.
- Morning: Uffizi Gallery (Book for 9:00 AM).
- Lunch: A Panino at All’Antico Vinaio (expect a line) or a steak (Bistecca alla Fiorentina).
- Afternoon: Walk across the Ponte Vecchio and climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo for the sunset view over the city.
“Want the step-by-step logistics? Read our dedicated guide on How to do a Bologna to Florence Day Trip (including which train to book).”
Skip the Line: Seriously, do not show up at the Uffizi without this.
3. Parma (The Land of Ham)
Best For: Prosciutto, Parmesan Cheese, and Opera.
If Bologna is the “Fat City,” Parma is the “Petit Paris.” It is colorful, elegant, and smells delicious.
- Logistics:
- Train Time: 50 minutes.
- Station to Center: 15-minute walk along the river.
- The Plan:
- Morning: Visit the Parma Cathedral and the pink marble Baptistery. The frescoes inside are mind-blowing.
- Lunch: Order a Tagliere (Meat board) with Prosciutto di Parma and fried dough (Torta Fritta).
- The Cheese: To see the massive walls of cheese wheels, you usually need to visit a factory in the morning (requires a car or tour).
Book here your Cheese, Ham & Balsamic Vinegar Tour with Tastings in Parma!
4. Ferrara (The Bicycle City)
Best For: Cycling, Castles, and Medieval History.
Ferrara is famous for two things: It was the first “planned” city of the Renaissance, and everyone rides bicycles.
- Logistics:
- Train Time: 30 minutes.
- Station to Center: 20-minute walk (or rent a bike at the station!).
- The Plan:
- The Castle: Visit the Castello Estense, a massive moated castle right in the center. It still has the dungeons.
- The Food: You MUST try Cappellacci di Zucca (Pasta filled with sweet pumpkin and ragù). It is unique to this town.
5. Ravenna (The Mosaic City)
Best For: Art History and Quiet Beauty.
Ravenna was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire. From the outside, the churches look like plain brick. Inside, they are covered in the most breathtaking gold mosaics in the world.
- Logistics:
- Train Time: 1 hour 10 minutes.
- Station to Center: 10-minute walk.
- The Plan:
- The Ticket: Buy the combined ticket that gets you into all UNESCO sites (Basilica di San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia).
- The Vibe: It is very quiet and spiritual. A perfect break from the chaos of Bologna.
6. Verona (Romeo & Juliet)
Best For: Romance, Roman Ruins, and Wine.
- Logistics:
- Train Time: 50 minutes (High Speed).
- Station to Center: 20-minute walk or bus to the Arena.
- The Plan:
- The Arena: It’s older than the Colosseum in Rome and better preserved. In summer, they host opera festivals.
- Juliet’s Balcony: It’s a tourist trap, but you have to see it.
- Wine: Verona is the gateway to Valpolicella. Drink a glass of Amarone or Ripasso.
7. Venice (The Floating City)
Best For: The “Bucket List” experience.
Can you do Venice in a day? Yes. It makes for a long day, but seeing the Grand Canal is worth it.
- Logistics:
- Train Time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Station: Get off at Venezia Santa Lucia (Not Mestre!). You walk out of the station and—boom—you are on the water.
- The Plan:
- Walk: Walk from the station to the Rialto Bridge (30 mins).
- Eat: Have a Cicchetti (Venetian tapas) lunch standing up at a bar.
- Late Afternoon: Catch the 7:00 PM train back to Bologna.
- Tip: Avoid summer weekends if possible; the heat and crowds are intense.
8. San Marino (A New Country!)
Best For: Collecting passport stamps and Views.
Did you know there is a tiny independent country inside Italy? San Marino is the oldest republic in the world, perched on top of a mountain.
- Logistics:
- Step 1: Train from Bologna to Rimini (1 hour).
- Step 2: Bus from Rimini Station to San Marino (50 mins).
- Passports: You can get a souvenir passport stamp at the tourist office!
- The Plan:
- Walk the medieval towers on the cliff edge. The views stretch all the way to Croatia on a clear day.
- Shopping is tax-free!
9. Dozza (The Painted Village)
Best For: Instagram and Wine.
Dozza is officially one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.” Every two years, artists are invited to paint murals on the walls of the houses. It is an open-air museum.
- Logistics:
- Tricky: Train to Imola, then a taxi or bus (Bus 101) to Dozza. It is easier with a rental car.
- The Castle: The village is dominated by a medieval fortress that houses the Regional Wine Shop (Enoteca Regionale). You can taste wines from all over Emilia-Romagna in the dungeon!
Essential Train Tips for Italy
- High Speed (Frecce / Italo): These are like airplanes on wheels. Reserved seats, AC, fast. Book in advance as prices rise (e.g., €19 becomes €50).
- Regional (Regionale): Slower, stops at every village. Prices are fixed (cheap). No reserved seats.
- The “Validation” Rule: If you have a paper ticket for a Regional train, you MUST stamp it in the green/yellow machines on the platform before you board. If you forget, it’s a €50 fine. (Digital tickets don’t need this).
- Luggage: If you are stopping in Bologna for the day between cities, utilize the Luggage Storage (Kipoint) at Platform 7 in Bologna Centrale.
App Recommendation: We use Trainline or Omio to check schedules and compare prices between Trenitalia and Italo easily in English.
Summary: Which Day Trip is for you?
| Interest | Destination | Travel Time |
| Supercars & Vinegar | Modena | 25 mins |
| Art & History | Florence | 37 mins |
| Food & Cheese | Parma | 50 mins |
| Castles | Ferrara | 30 mins |
| Romance | Verona | 50 mins |
| Bucket List | Venice | 90 mins |
| New Country | San Marino | 2 hrs |
Plan Your Trip to Bologna!
Make your trip smoother with our practical guides:
- Safety First: Is Bologna Safe? Areas to Avoid & Tips
- Getting Around: Complete Transport Guide: Airport, Trains & Buses
- Family Travel: Visiting Bologna with Kids: Playgrounds & Tips
- Shopping: Ultimate Shopping Guide: Markets & Outlets
Enjoy La Grassa!
