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Emilia: the Food Valley – Route Guide

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Bologna two towers — Emilia: the Food Valley
Photo: Ввласенко · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The dinner-table capital of the planet, with sports cars for dessert: parmesan wheels aging in cathedral-quiet warehouses, balsamic thickening in attic barrels, prosciutto in the Parma hills; and Ferrari's museum at Maranello between courses. Bologna's 40 km of porticoes connect the meals. Bring appetite, leave with opinions.

Emilia: the Food Valley is a 115 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 2–4 days; the plan below is the 3-day version for May, built from 234 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

2–4
days
115km
distance
3
Stops
234
curated stops

Plan your own version → 2-day plan · 3-day plan · 4-day plan · best time to go

The route

Bologna→ 40 kmModena & Maranello→ 55 kmParma

What you'll see

Budrio
Tour a landscape of orchards and visit a 16th-century castle.
Bologna
Torre Ghirlandina
Feel the height and history as you gaze over the city's iconic symbol.
Modena & Maranello
Palazzo della Pilotta
Wander through a grand Renaissance complex once home to the Farnese family.
Parma
Imola
Explore historic sites and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this motor-racing town.
Bologna
Palazzo Santa Margherita
The palace displays elegant Neoclassical interiors and art from different eras.
Modena & Maranello
Castello di Torrechiara
Feel the history at this imposing 15th-century castle.
Parma
Marzabotto
Contemplate ancient Etruscan ruins and a poignant WWII massacre memorial.
Bologna
Modena Cathedral
Admire stunning architecture and explore rich history with an audioguide.
Modena & Maranello

Choose your length

2-day plan12 stops · 2.4 h transit6 stops/day · 1.2 h transit/daySee the full plan →3-day plan19 stops · 5.4 h transit6.3 stops/day · 1.8 h transit/daySee the full plan →4-day plan26 stops · 6.4 h transit6.5 stops/day · 1.6 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October

Dairies and acetaie tour year-round, but spring and autumn let you climb Bologna's towers and walk the porticoes without the summer swelter.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →