2 days in Modena itinerary: best itinerary for first time visitors

This 2-day Modena itinerary is perfect for first time visitors looking to discover the highlights of this beautiful city.   With two days in Modena, you’ll have just enough time to explore Modena’s rich history, indulge in authentic Italian cuisine, and enjoy the thrill of Ferrari!

Whether you are hoping to spend your time looking at cars, enjoying the stunning UNESCO sites, or eating your way through the city, we can help you plan your visit.  We went for a long weekend, combining it with a trip to Bologna.  We picked our itinerary to suit my F1 loving husband and city-break loving self!

In this guide, we’ll give you a step-by-step breakdown of our 2-day itinerary for Modena, including details of where to stay, eat, and visit.  Plus, we’ll share tips and suggestions to help you customise the trip to suit you.

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Modena, Italy, is a historic gem nestled in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy.  Known for its top-notch culinary scene, world-famous balsamic vinegar, and the birthplace of Ferrari and Pavarotti, Modena is a small city with a surprising number of exciting things to do.

From its UNESCO-listed architecture to bustling markets and delicious dining options, Modena truly has something for everyone. This 2-day Modena itinerary is designed to make sure you see the best of Modena, Italy, including a visit to two Ferrari museums.  Plus, I have given alternative options for anyone, like me, who is not a motorsports fan.

As Modena is fairly small and compact, you can see most of the main historic sights in one day.  However, if you want to visit the Ferrari Museums, do a food tour, or visit Pavarotti’s House, I would recommend spending 2 days in Modena.  You could extend your getaway with a visit to Bologna.

Below is a list of the top places to visit if you have 2 days in Modena. For more details about the best attractions and places to go, read our post Best Things to Do in Modena.

• Modena Cathedral
• Ghirlandina Tower
• Piazza Grande
• Ducal Military Academy
• Palazzo dei Musei
• Enzo Ferrari Museum
• Ferrari Museum in Maranello
• Maserati Factory Tour
• Casa Museum Luciano Pavarotti
• Albinelli Market
• Saint Agostino Church
• Balsamic Vinegar Lunch and Tour

Modena Cathedral, The Civic Tower, Piazza Grande, Albinelli Market, Old Town

On your first day of your 2-day itinerary, you’ll travel to Modena, visit the main sights in the historic city centre, and have your first taste of amazing food from the Emilia-Romagna region.

Start your day by travelling to Modena.  Located in the north east of Italy, between Bologna and Parma, Modena is really easy to get to.  It is only 30 minutes on the train from Bologna, making it simple to visit from many major Italian cities, such as Venice, Milan or Florence.

Modena also makes an easy weekend getaway, if you’re heading from the UK like us.  See below for how you can travel from the UK to Modena, arriving in time for lunch.  If you’ve arrived in Modena the night before, you can begin exploring right away.

After travelling in the morning, begin your Modena experience with lunch at Osteria Ermes, a cosy trattoria known for its lively atmosphere and traditional Modenese cuisine.

We started with the classic tagliatelle al ragù, (spaghetti Bolognese), alongside a glass of Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine originating from Emilia-Romagna.  This restaurant is a favourite with locals, so you may need to wait to get a table.  However, be prepared to join in with a sing-along, led by the restaurant manager!

After lunch, head to the magnificent Duomo di Modena, Modena’s famous Romanesque cathedral.

Together with the Ghirlandina Tower and Piazza Grande, the cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Its beautiful interior, detailed carvings, and serene crypt make it one of Modena’s must-see attractions.

Afterwards, head straight to the Ghirlandina Tower, which is adjacent to the cathedral.

Climb to the top for the spectacular views over the red rooftops of Modena’s old town.  You should allow about 45 mins to an hour to climb up and admire the views.  A guide at the top will be able to answer questions about the history of the tower.

After your visit to the tower, return to Piazza Grande, for a coffee or beer and enjoy people-watching in Modena’s main square .

The square is a lively place and often hosts weddings and events, so you might catch a local celebration or event while there.

A short walk from the Duomo, the historic Albinelli Market is an ideal stop to experience Modena’s food culture.

Established as a permanent market in the 1920s, this Art Nouveau-style indoor market is brimming with local produce, meats, cheeses, and local specialities, such as the renowned Modena balsamic vinegar.

End your afternoon by wandering through the cobbled streets of Modena’s old town.  If you enjoy shopping, you’ll love discovering the stylish boutiques tucked between the cafés and artisan shops.

Or, simply take your time to admire Modena’s beautiful architecture, with its elegant porticoes and colourful buildings.  Be sure to visit Via Del Taglio, one of Modena’s most picturesque streets, adorned with colourful hanging umbrellas, where you’ll get a great photo of the tower.

It is important to note that many shops are shut early afternoon and don’t reopen until about 4pm.

As you’re exploring Modena’s Old Town, you’re bound to come across the stunning Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale), a grand structure that was once the prestigious residence of the Este Dukes of Modena.  Our apartment was nearby, so we had the chance to pass by it multiple times during our stay, and each time, it was equally impressive.

Today, the palace serves as the headquarters of the Italian Military Academy.  Although you can’t get in without booking a guided tour at the weekend, it’s worth a visit to admire the palace’s majestic Baroque architecture and intricate statues outside.

For dinner on day one, we headed to Ristorante da Danilo, located in the heart of the city centre in Via Coltellini.  This is a very authentic restaurant, which serves a choice of traditional Modenese dishes.

If you are looking for a more upmarket experience, reserve a table at Osteria Francescana, Modena’s renowned 3-star Michelin restaurant.

If you’re arriving in Modena in the morning, I suggest you start your day by exploring the charming Old Town and bustling Albinelli Market before lunch.

In the afternoon, consider visiting the renowned Galleria Estense art museum or indulge in a balsamic lunch with vinegar cellar tour and food tasting for an unforgettable taste of Modena’s culinary heritage.

Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, Piazza Roma

The second day of this 2-day Modena itinerary is dedicated to the thrilling world of supercars!  On Day 2, you’ll dive into Ferrari’s legendary heritage by visiting two Ferrari museums—an absolute must for any car enthusiast. Plus, you’ll return in the evening to spend more time in the old town.

Day two in Modena started  with a visit to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, a short shuttle bus ride from Modena train station or the Museo Enzo Ferrari.  We hopped on the bus in front of the museum at 10.45, bought our tickets on the bus, and made our way to Maranello.

Once there, you can do a self-guided tour at your own pace.  This museum showcases an impressive collection of vintage sports cars and racing memorabilia and highlights Ferrari’s racing heritage and Formula 1 achievements.

You could also see the Fiorano Test Track and take a panoramic factory tour of the museum, but places are limited and must be pre-booked in advance.  Other experiences you can book in Maranello are the F1 simulator or a Ferrari test drive.

The return shuttle bus from Maranello departs at 14.45, leaving you with quite a bit of time if you’re haven’t booked any additional experiences.

Although there’s a café at the museum, the food selection is limited, so we took a short walk into Maranello’s town centre.

For lunch, we chose Ristorante Carisma, a large pizzeria located about 15 minutes’ walk at Piazza della Libertà 56, in Maranello.  It seemed to be a popular spot and the pizzas were delicious and good value.  We then strolled back to the museum to catch the return bus.

In the late afternoon you can experience the Museo Enzo Ferrari, another of Modena’s must-visit destinations for car enthusiasts.

As the smaller of Modena’s two Ferrari museums, the Museo Enzo Ferrari offers an intimate look into the life and work of Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the iconic Italian sports car brand, who was brought up in Modena.

The museum is set in Enzo Ferrari’s original childhood home but has since expanded with a stunning modern exhibition hall.  Inside, you’ll find rare Ferrari models and exhibits which tell the story of Ferrari’s life and legacy work.

Tickets for the Enzo Ferrari Museum.  However, if you plan to visit both Ferrari museums, it is cheaper to by a combo ticket.

If cars aren’t your thing,  you could skip the museum in Maranello and just visit the Enzo Ferrari Museum in the morning.  However, although I am not particularly a F1 fan, I still enjoyed both museums.

This would allow time to visit the house of opera legend, Luciano Pavarotti, who was also born in Modena.   Casa Museo Pavarotti is about 11 miles from the city centre, so you’d need to get a taxi or take the #800 bus.

If you prefer to stay in Modena, there are plenty of tours, especially for foodies!  To sample the regional specialities, you could try a Balsamic Lunch with vinegar cellar tour and tasting or a parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar tour.

Or for the full gastronomic tour of Modena, try a food walking tour, with at least 5 food stops.

On our final evening in Modena, we enjoyed dinner at Vino Veritas, a wine bar located in Piazza Roma.  The ambiance was great, with a lovely view of the illuminated Palazzo Ducale across the square.

We departed the following morning with a quick train ride back to Bologna.

Hopefully, this 2-day itinerary will help you experience the best of Modena, from its UNESCO sites and markets to Ferrari museums and delicious local cuisine.  Modena offers a unique combination of history, art, and culinary delights that make it one of Italy’s most charming cities to visit.  Here is some practical information to help make the most of your visit.

The closest airport to Modena is Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ). We flew from London Gatwick to Bologna in just 2 hours and 15 minutes. From the airport, we took the convenient Marconi Express shuttle service to Bologna Central Station.

This electric monorail operates eight times an hour and takes only about 7 minutes to reach the city centre.  You can easily buy tickets by tapping your contactless card, with a single fare costing just €12.80—it’s that simple!

The Marconi Express is the fastest way to travel from Bologna Airport to the central railway station.  From there, you can catch a direct train to Modena city centre, which takes approximately 30 minutes.  You’ll find several ticket vending machines with instructions in English, making it easy to buy your tickets.

If you’re traveling from elsewhere in Europe, the Modena train station is conveniently located on the Milan-Bologna line.

• Luxury Accommodation:  The Hotel Rua Frati 48 in San Francesco is a luxury, 5-star hotel in the centre of Modena.
• Mid-budget Accommodation:  Salotto delli Arti has elegant rooms with antique furnishings and is walking distance from the Piazza Grande
• Budget Accommodation:  Residence del Centro offers lovely, clean rooms, close to the city centre.
• Self-catering Accommodation:  We stayed in La Campanella, a 2-bedroom apartment in the centre of town.  It was really clean and spacious and in a brilliant location.  However, with so many fantastic restaurants, we didn’t need to use the kitchen!

For a genuine taste of Modena’s culinary scene, here are some restaurant recommendations:

• Osteria Ermes – Known for traditional Modenese dishes and lively atmosphere.
• Osteria Francescana – A world-famous, 3-star Michelin restaurant in the heart of Modena (advance reservation essential).
• Ristorante da Enzo – A classic choice with delicious Italian cuisine.
• Bar Schiavoni – A great spot for sandwiches, including the iconic panini with cotechino.

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