Best Places to Visit in Emilia Romagna

Ancient villages, cities of art, rolling hills, and sandy beaches welcome Emilia-Romagna, a welcoming land waiting to be discovered. Famous for its hospitality and good food, this region of Italy was born from the union of Emilia and Romagna. The regional territory extends from the Apennines to the mouth of the river Po and is washed by the Adriatic Sea to the east. Here is the list of top attractions to visit in Emilia Romagna.

Rimini

Rimini is too often underestimated. It offers much more than beaches and nightlife; think of the many attractions of historical interest such as the Arch of Augustus, Tiberius Bridge, the Surgeon’s House, and the Malatesta Temple.

But that’s not all; it is also a family-friendly city, thanks to places like the colorful Borgo San Giuliano (with its murals dedicated to the genius of Fellini), especially the theme park “Italy in Miniature,” where you can admire over 270 Italian monuments reproduced to scale. To save time, we recommend purchasing the entrance ticket online.

Obviously, Rimini is known to be the epicenter of the Riviera Romagnola and the hub of the social life of the entire region. From June to September, nightclubs and bohemian life go crazy. For a summer vacation dedicated to the sea, the top destinations on the Riviera are Rimini, Milano Marittima, Cesenatico, Cattolica, and especially Riccione.

Bologna

Ideal for a cultural weekend, this city is known for being home to one of the oldest universities in Italy. In Bologna, good food is a constant, and the nightlife has nothing to envy to the great European metropolises.

Absolutely not to be missed are the Asinelli Tower, for which we recommend purchasing the entrance ticket in advance, Piazza Maggiore, the Neptune Fountain, and the Basilica of San Petronio.

Ferrara

Ferrara is a medieval city, once completely walled, today one of the less celebrated Italian pearls. Thanks to beautiful architecture such as the Palazzo dei Diamanti, Villa Boccaccini, and especially the Castello Estense, the true symbol of the city has a strong historical character.

Modena

It is a beautiful city in which art and culture come together, thanks to the presence of numerous magnificent architectures and museums worthy of note.
Let’s talk first of all about the Duomo and the Ghirlandina Bell Tower that stands on Piazza Grande, obviously UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but let’s also talk about museums such as the Galleria Estense, the Civic Art Museum, the Museum of Zoology, and Comparative Anatomy and the Museum of Figurine.

Finally, for all lovers of 4 wheels, we recommend a visit to the nearby Enzo Ferrari Museum.
The myth of the Prancing Horse is transversal, crossing ages and generations. In Maranello, you can discover the charm of a timeless icon, admiring the Monument to the Prancing Horse, the trophies of a thousand battles, and some spectacular vintage cars.

Republic of San Marino

San Marino is the fifth smallest nation globally, one of only three to be surrounded by a single country. Despite being an independent state, it has an extension of about 16 square kilometers and is inhabited by just 30 thousand people. In practice, it is little more than a small village perched on the mountains from the great historical charm, thanks to its three medieval towers and other interesting architecture such as the Public Palace.

Ravenna

Historically, Ravenna is the most relevant city of the Emilia-Romagna region. It is no coincidence that since 1996 its monuments are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ravenna is known as the “Capital of Mosaics,” which you can admire in the Basilica of San Vitale, in the mausoleum of Galla Placidia, in the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, in the Neonian Baptistery and the Baptistery of the Arianis, and finally in the nearby Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe.
The city really offers everything: museums, theaters, infrastructures, and art. And then, most important of all, good food and beautiful people. To enjoy a complete and exciting experience, we suggest purchasing a thematic tour between mosaics and gastronomy, including tastings of local products.

Salina di Cervia

Cervia’s Salt Pan is the southern gateway to the Park of the Po Delta, an area of inestimable naturalistic value. Hundreds of animals live here, including flamingos, black-winged stilts, avocets, and other protected species. The Saline extends 827 hectares at 1600 km from the sea and still produces about 50 thousand quintals of salt per year.

Piacenza

The city of Piacenza is a fairly large and busy center; although it is now surrounded by urban sprawl, it has retained an attractive historic center with both medieval and Renaissance buildings to admire.
The highlight is Piazza dei Cavalli, dominated by the Palazzo Gotico, a beautiful 13th-century palace built of marble and red brick. Also worth a visit is Piazza del Duomo, where stands the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Santa Giustina, the main place of worship in the city. Finally, take advantage of your visit to admire Rivalta Castle, an imposing fortified complex located in the nearby municipality of Gazzola.