Italy's food capital — Bologna, Rimini, Parma & Motor Valley
Emilia-Romagna is the beating heart of Italian culture, cuisine, and creativity. Stretching from the Apennine mountains in the south to the vast Po Valley plain in the north, and from the Adriatic coast in the east to the borders of Liguria and Piedmont in the west, this region is a staggering concentration of everything that makes Italy extraordinary. It is widely regarded as the food capital of the entire country — and that is no small claim in a nation obsessed with gastronomy.
The region produces some of the most celebrated foods on the planet. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, aged for a minimum of 12 months in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and Bologna, is considered the king of Italian cheeses. Prosciutto di Parma, cured for at least 12 months in the hills south of Parma using nothing but pork and salt, is among the finest cured meats in the world. Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena — true traditional balsamic vinegar, aged in wooden barrels for a minimum of 12 years — bears no resemblance to the mass-produced versions found in supermarkets. Tortellini in brodo, tagliatelle al ragù (never "bolognese" — that is a foreign invention), mortadella Bologna, and piadina romagnola complete a culinary roster that no other region can match.
But Emilia-Romagna offers far more than exceptional food. The ancient Via Emilia, the Roman road built in 187 BC by consul Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, gave the region its name and still defines its geography. The road runs arrow-straight from Rimini on the Adriatic coast to Piacenza on the banks of the Po, linking a chain of magnificent cities along its path. Bologna, the regional capital, is home to Europe's oldest university (founded in 1088) and over 40 kilometres of UNESCO-listed porticoes. Ravenna contains eight monuments of outstanding Byzantine art, with mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries that rank among the finest artistic achievements in human history. Ferrara preserves a virtually intact Renaissance city centre, also UNESCO-listed. The Cathedral of Modena, the Torre Civica, and Piazza Grande together form another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The region is also Motor Valley — the Terra di Motori. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Ducati, and Pagani all have their headquarters and factories here, clustered along the Via Emilia between Bologna and Modena. The Museo Ferrari in Maranello draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. And to the east, the Adriatic Riviera centred on Rimini offers 110 kilometres of sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and family-friendly resorts. From Renaissance palaces to roaring supercars, from ancient mosaics to world-class dining, Emilia-Romagna is one of the most rewarding destinations in all of Europe.
Emilia-Romagna offers an extraordinary range of experiences, from world-class art and architecture to food pilgrimages and coastal escapes. Here are the region's unmissable attractions.
Emilia-Romagna's key areas each offer a distinct character and experience. Choose your base depending on your interests — culture, coast, cuisine, or supercars.
Bologna is the ideal base for exploring the entire region. Italy's gastronomic capital is connected by fast trains to all major Emilia-Romagna cities. The historic centre offers 40+ kilometres of UNESCO porticoes, two medieval leaning towers, outstanding museums, and the liveliest food markets in Italy. The university district ensures a vibrant nightlife year-round. Bologna's Guglielmo Marconi Airport has direct connections across Europe.
The Riviera Romagnola stretches 110 kilometres from Comacchio in the north to Cattolica in the south. Rimini is the hub — 15 kilometres of beaches, legendary nightlife, and surprisingly rich ancient history. Neighbouring Riccione, Cesenatico (with its Museo della Marineria in the canal designed by Leonardo da Vinci), and the family-friendly resorts of Bellaria-Igea Marina offer alternatives for every taste. Summer high season runs June through September.
Parma is the world capital of gastronomy — literally, holding the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy title since 2015. Stay here to visit Parmigiano-Reggiano dairies, Prosciutto di Parma curing houses in the Langhirano hills, and the extraordinary art of the Baptistery and Cathedral. Nearby Piacenza, at the western end of the Via Emilia, offers its own Romanesque treasures and the Klimt-housing Galleria Ricci Oddi.
Modena is the gateway to Motor Valley. Stay here to visit the Ferrari Museum in Maranello (20 minutes south), the Lamborghini Museum in Sant'Agata Bolognese (30 minutes north), and the Pagani factory in San Cesario sul Panaro. Modena itself is a refined city with a UNESCO cathedral, the world's best restaurant (Osteria Francescana), and the centuries-old tradition of Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale.
Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire (402–476 AD) and later the seat of Byzantine authority in Italy. Its eight UNESCO monuments contain the finest early Christian mosaics in existence. The surrounding Romagna countryside offers the medieval hilltop villages of Brisighella, Bertinoro, and Dozza, plus the wetlands of the Po Delta regional park — a paradise for birdwatchers with over 300 species recorded.
These are real, established hotels across the region — book any of them through IMPT to remove 1 tonne of CO₂ with your stay.
From long-distance pilgrim trails crossing the Apennines to gentle walks through the Po Delta wetlands, Emilia-Romagna offers outstanding hiking for all levels.
The "Path of the Gods" — a legendary 130-kilometre trekking route from Bologna to Florence across the Apennine ridge. Following ancient Etruscan and Roman roads, the trail takes 5–6 days and passes through dense beech and chestnut forests, abandoned villages, and mountain passes up to 1,000 metres. The route is well-marked and can be walked year-round, though spring and autumn are ideal. Accommodation is available in rifugi, agriturismi, and small towns along the way.
Monte Cimone (2,165 metres) is the highest peak in the northern Apennines, located in the province of Modena. Sentiero 2 is the classic ascent route, starting from Pian del Falco and climbing through alpine meadows to the summit, which offers panoramic views stretching from the Adriatic to the Alps on clear days. The round trip takes approximately 5–6 hours. In winter, Monte Cimone is a popular ski destination with well-maintained pistes.
The Po Delta Regional Park covers over 54,000 hectares of wetlands, lagoons, salt marshes, and dune systems where the Po River meets the Adriatic Sea. Flat, well-maintained trails and cycle paths wind through this extraordinary landscape, which is home to over 300 bird species including flamingos, spoonbills, avocets, and harriers. The best birdwatching is in spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October). Guided boat tours are also available.
The Colli Bolognesi — the hills immediately south of Bologna — offer gentle walking trails through vineyards, olive groves, and woodland, all within easy reach of the city centre. Popular routes include the walk to the Sanctuary of San Luca via the world's longest portico (3.8 kilometres, 666 arches), and the trails through the Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa, featuring dramatic gypsum karst landscapes and chalk badlands.
Florence, Siena, Pisa, and the rolling Chianti hills. Emilia-Romagna's southern neighbour across the Apennines — connected by the Via degli Dei hiking trail and fast trains (Bologna to Florence in 37 minutes).
Venice, Verona, Padua, and the Dolomite foothills. Emilia-Romagna's eastern neighbour — Bologna to Venice by high-speed train takes just 1 hour 20 minutes. The Po Delta straddles both regions.
Milan, Lake Como, Lake Garda, and Mantua. Northern neighbour across the Po River. Milan is 1 hour from Bologna by Frecciarossa, and Mantua — a Renaissance gem — is just across the border from Modena.
Genoa, Cinque Terre, Portofino, and the Italian Riviera. South-western neighbour — Parma to the Ligurian coast at La Spezia takes about 90 minutes through dramatic Apennine tunnels.
Explore our guides to each of Emilia-Romagna's principal cities — every one a unique destination in its own right.