3 Tasty Day Trips From Bologna (You’ll Want to Copy!)

Bologna is the perfect base for exploring the Emilia-Romagna region — hopping from city to city and enjoying the best local food.

It’s well-connected by train, smaller and easier to navigate than cities like Rome or Milan, and surrounded by equally compact towns you can explore in just a few hours. That means you can see and taste a lot without spending too much time in transit — ideal for short or food-focused trips.

That said, Emilia-Romagna includes 9 provinces and main cities, so you’ll likely need to choose just a few. Unless you’re planning an extended stay, you won’t be able to see them all in one trip — so where should you go?

That’s where this article comes in. I’ll walk you through 3 perfect day trips from Bologna that are easy, rewarding, and full of local flavor. Each one can be done in just a few hours, making them ideal additions to your itinerary.

P.S. If you’re planning to visit an acetaia (balsamic vinegar producer), Parmigiano or prosciutto producers, or join other food tours, those experiences typically take up half a day each. Be sure to factor that in when planning your itinerary.

Start Here: Why Modena Deserves a Day Trip of Its Own

Bologna to Modena

If you can only squeeze in one day trip, even a shorter one, I suggest picking Modena.

Modena was always the top of my list, mainly because I work indirectly with a balsamic producer who is based in the area, and I wanted to experience the beauty of that place that yields such special products. On top of that, I did my research and really loved what I saw in videos and pictures.

So did Modena live up to my expectations? It actually surpassed them, hence why I am recommending you visit it too. I would go as far as saying that it should be a must spot on anyone’s Bologna itinerary! You can find all the details — including where to eat and how to plan your day — in my full Modena Guide.

Half a Day in Parma

This city has so much potential to be among my favorites, and yours too. However, I didn’t get enough time to visit it, for many reasons. 

Firstly, we visited Parma on the 25th April, which is a big public holiday in Italy, when we celebrate the day of National Liberation. That meant the trains were full, and the city was packed with people manifesting in favor of freedom and human’s rights. That’s lovely, don’t get me wrong, but not ideal when visiting a city for the first time.

The second reason was that we were set on having lunch at this restaurant, that’s supposed to be one of the best in the city, so much so that the family has two restaurants with the same menu in the same area. With that in mind, I imagined it was going to be busy, but not that busy.

To make sure we got a spot for lunch later, we went to make our booking before starting our tour of the city. To our surprise, we were told that the only option to secure a spot was to wait until we were able to be seated. Even though we had just had breakfast, we didn’t want to miss the chance to eat their delicious food, and so we decided to wait.

By that point, it was already past Noon. We did pick the train later than normal, and the train takes an hour from Bologna to Parma. I think we were seated around 12.45-13.00 pm in their beautiful courtyard, and that’s how our second favorite meal of the trip started.

This is what we ordered:

• A platter for two of local mortadella
• An accompaniment of the traditional gnocco fritto bread
• Tagliatelle al ragu for my husband
• Pumpkin Tortelloni for me

How was it?

I already mentioned it was the second best meal of our Bologna trip. You can find the top best meal in my Modena Guide, and that’s another reason I recommend visiting Modena to everyone!

The atmosphere was my favorite, although it was a little breezy. We were sitting in the beautiful courtyard by an enormous front gate that led onto a quiet street. The courtyard was covered in vine trees, and that’s why you’ll see the green reflection in my pictures. 

Everyone was having the best time of their life. Most people made their booking in advance, and I suggest you do too if you come on the weekend, on a public holiday, or during Summer. 

The food was delicious. The starter was the best we had throughout the trip. It was the same food but so much fresher and tasty. We were also given a huge amount of mortadella, but don’t worry, nothing got wasted (haha). I wish I had more gnocco fritto, though.

My husband reported that was his favorite tagliatelle of this trip, and it even tops the famous Da Fortunata meat tagliatelle he has been raving about for nearly a year. That’s saying a lot!

My tortelloni were filled with pumpkin puree and served simply with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and lots of grated parmesan. I liked how their consistency tasted like something I once made, very homemade. All the ingredients were simple, but created a lovely dish. Did they beat my favorite pumpkin tortelloni? No, they didn’t! You can read about that experience here.

With regret, we decided not to order dessert because we still had an entire city to visit.

A quick walk around Parma

Let me regress a little and start our short itinerary from the moment we arrived at the station.

We began at Parma Station, where we had arrived earlier that morning, then made a quick stop at Pasticceria Pagani for breakfast. Their croissants reminded me more of the Milanese briosce than the usual flaky cornetti — soft, rich, and filled with just the right amount of custard (for my husband) and apricot jam (for me). The pastries were excellent, though the café’s inside is a bit gloomy and outdoor seating is limited. Still, I recommend it for a tasty and quick start to your day.

From there, we made our way to the Palazzo Ducale di Parma, a grand historic residence with a long façade that opens onto the Parco Ducale, a serene green space perfect for a mid-day stroll under leafy trees. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of turtles in the pond or locals enjoying their lunch break.

We continued to the Palazzi della Pilotta, a striking complex of interconnected buildings that once belonged to the Farnese family. Inside is the Farnese Theater, an impressive 17th-century wooden theater that feels like stepping into a film set. If you have time, it’s worth going in — it’s truly breathtaking.

Not far from there is the Galleria Nazionale, which houses works by Correggio and Parmigianino, among others — a must if you’re into Italian Renaissance art. The Camera di San Paolo, with its frescoed ceiling by Correggio, and the adjoining Cella di Santa Caterina, are both quiet gems tucked just off the main route.

We made our way next to Parma Cathedral, one of the city’s highlights. The frescoes by Correggio inside the dome are reason enough to step in. Right next to it is the Parma Baptistery, an octagonal pink-marble building that glows in the sunlight and showcases a beautiful blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

We walked past the Basilica di Santa Maria della Steccata, with its beautiful dome and peaceful interior, then stopped briefly outside the Teatro Regio, Parma’s opera house and a symbol of the city’s strong musical heritage.

One of my favorite parts of the walk was wandering through Borgo Angelo Mazza and Borgo Giacomo Tommasini — two charming streets lined with boutiques, bookshops, and small artisan stores. They had such a relaxed yet refined vibe, and I’d love to return and spend more time exploring the shops.

We also passed through Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, the city’s main square, where people gather under the clock tower or sit at cafés facing the Palazzo del Governatore.

We had initially considered walking to Cittadella Park, a fortress-turned-public park a bit further out, but we decided to save it for next time — and there will be a next time. Parma surprised me with its quiet elegance, rich culture, and friendly pace.

Should You Visit Ferrara?

Ferrara has been on top of the cities I have been wanting to take a day trip to for over a year. I even featured it in my Italy Bucket List Destinations for 2025.

There was something about the city architecture that caught my eye and stuck with me. Later on, I learned that this is one of the cities with the oldest population in Italy. And that made it even more interesting. I wanted to feel the vibe, and see whether that would mean the city would feel very dormant and boring. Did it?

I wouldn’t describe Ferrara as boring, since we only spent two hours visiting it. But it’s definitely a quiet city with not much going on. While doing my research, this was the only place I couldn’t find amazing cafes and restaurants to put on our itinerary.

In real life, we did come across a few cafe spots that looked lovely. One was Caffetteria Leone D’Oro, a more elegant option; and the other was Pappare, a modern concept cafe we tried in Bologna. Read more about Bologna Food here.

As for restaurants, these are the ones I shortlisted, in case you need a spot for lunch or dinner:

• Cusina e Butega
• Cà d’Frara
• Strabassotti Osteria

I was leaning towards the last one, as it’s the most authentic and traditional of the three and also the highest rated on Google.

Would I go back?

Let me answer this before I share with you the tour of Ferrara, which you can follow if you want to take a spontaneous day trip without much planning.

Definitely. There are a few things I didn’t like about Ferrara, mainly the long walk from the station to the center, the non aesthetic walk that led us there, but once you get to the center the city has a lot of secret corners that will surprise you. I can easily pinpoint five of them: the Certosa, Palazzo dei Diamanti facade, Castello Estense, the main square – Piazza Trento Trieste, and Via delle Volte.

If you were to simply center your visit around these five spots, and leave time for breakfast and lunch, I can guarantee you would have a wonderful half a day in Ferrara.

Let me tell you more about them.

1. Certosa di Ferrara
Once a Carthusian monastery, the Certosa is now a monumental cemetery filled with Renaissance and neoclassical tombs. Its quiet cloisters and serene atmosphere offer a reflective experience, surrounded by beautiful sculptures and historical gravestones.

2. Palazzo dei Diamanti (Facade)
Famous for its unique diamond-pointed façade made of over 8,500 marble blocks, this Renaissance palace is a masterpiece of symmetry and design. It often hosts major art exhibitions and is a symbol of Ferrara’s refined artistic heritage.

3. Castello Estense
This moated red-brick castle, complete with drawbridges and towers, was the seat of the Este family. You can explore the dungeons, noble apartments, and panoramic views from the towers, giving a vivid glimpse into Ferrara’s powerful Renaissance past.

4. Piazza Trento e Trieste
Ferrara’s main square, once a bustling medieval market, is framed by historic buildings like the Cathedral and the old town hall. Today it’s a lively gathering place lined with cafés, local shops, and frequent cultural events.

5. Via delle Volte
This cobbled medieval street, with its atmospheric archways and overpasses, transports visitors back in time. It’s one of the best-preserved examples of Ferrara’s medieval urban layout and is perfect for a quiet, evocative walk.

Other Top Sights in Ferrara:

• Ferrara Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Giorgio): An impressive blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture with a richly sculpted façade and a grand interior.
  
• Monastero di Sant’Antonio in Polesine: A peaceful, lesser-known gem with ancient frescoes and a community of cloistered Benedictine nuns.
  
• Jewish Ghetto & Museum: Offers insight into the long history of Ferrara’s Jewish community, which was once one of the most important in Italy.
  
• City Walls & Bastions: Among the best-preserved Renaissance fortifications in Europe—great for walking or cycling.

A Few Hours in Reggio Emilia

Reggio Emilia is a lovely little city, so if you can spare two hours, definitely consider a day trip. It’s always nice to put a real picture on a city that your mind can go back to when you think of the places you’ve visited in Italy. Or is that just me who likes that?

However, if you have to choose between all the others, I would put Reggio Emilia in fourth place.

The only real reason I would come back here is to have lunch or dinner at Osteria Tabarin, located inside the old Galleria. I have a feeling this could have been the third favorite meal of the trip, had we had the chance to eat here. But we didn’t, as we came right after our lunch in Modena, which is very handy since Modena and Reggio Emilia are neighbors.

With that introduction aside, let me share with you our short tour of the city.

A Stroll Through Reggio Emilia

Our walking tour of Reggio Emilia began in the heart of the city, at Piazza Camillo Prampolini, the main square also known as Piazza Grande. Surrounded by historic civic buildings, this lively space is anchored by the Reggio Emilia Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta). With its layered architectural styles—from Romanesque foundations to a neoclassical façade—it perfectly reflects the city’s rich past.

Just a short walk away, we admired the nearby Saint Pietro and Prospero Cloisters, two peaceful monastic corners that reveal Reggio’s religious heritage. 

If you are coming here in the morning, this is the perfect time to take a breakfast break at Pasticceria Ligabue on Via Emilia San Pietro.

We wandered through Piazza Antonio Fontanesi, a tree-shaded square with a relaxed, artsy vibe, before looping back to Piazza San Prospero, home to the beautiful Basilica di San Prospero. Its six lions guarding the façade and rich baroque interior made it a definite highlight.

Nearby, we peeked into the Sala del Tricolore, a place of great national pride—it’s here that the Italian flag (il Tricolore) was born in 1797. Right next door, the Museo del Tricolore offers more historical context and artifacts tied to the Italian unification.

Continuing on, we passed Piazza del Monte, another key square with elegant buildings and porticos that make you want to linger.

From there, we headed toward Tabarin Osteria Popolare, a local favorite tucked into Galleria Santa Maria, for a look at a modern twist on traditional Emilia-Romagna cuisine. 

Just a few steps away stands the Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli, a jewel of 19th-century architecture named after a beloved local actor. With its grand neoclassical portico and opulent interior, it’s one of Italy’s most beautiful theaters.

We crossed the Parco del Popolo, a refreshing green space perfect for a short rest, and continued past Piazza San Francesco, with its understated charm and peaceful surroundings.The stroll wrapped up along Via Roma and Via Emilia San Pietro, the city’s historic arteries lined with shops and palazzi, before we made our way back to the train station to return to Bologna.

Bologna Resources

If you are considering taking a day trip from Bologna, you’ll likely be staying there. In that case, here are two Bologna guides you should read next.

Bologna Full Guide With Useful Tips & Best Things To Do

Bologna Food Guide: What To Eat & Where

If you love exploring new Italian cities and smaller towns, I think you will love these other articles:

Tuscan Countryside Destinations
2025 Italy Bucket Destinations
7 Southern Italy Cities You Need To Visti

That’s all for this post. I hope you found what you were looking for, and even more resources to help you plan your next trip to Italy.

Please share this with a friend who loves Italy just like you.

A presto,
Alessia.