Best things to do in Modena, Italy

Modena is a historic city nestled in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy.  Although it’s a small city, there are a surprising amount of brilliant things to do in Modena.  It really does have something for everyone!

With its charming cathedral, galleries, museums, and UNESCO Heritage Site, Modena is perfect for history-lovers who want to explore its rich heritage.  Modena is also the birthplace of Italian legends, Enzo Ferrari, and Luciano Pavarotti, luring many car enthusiasts and music lovers to the city.

Modena is famous for its gastronomical delights, especially balsamic vinegar which originated here.  Today, you’ll find many exceptional restaurants, serving traditional Italian food, making it a heaven for foodies!

We visited Modena for the food and cars, but spent a long weekend exploring all the city has to offer.  So, come with us and let’s discover all the best things to do in Modena, Italy.

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Modena is the north east of Italy, between Bologna and Parma.  It is only 30 minutes on the train from Bologna, making it easy 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.

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.

So now you now where it is, let’s go and explore all the very best things to do in Modena for first-timers.

The Piazza Grande is the main square at the heart of Modena and home to  Modena Cathedral and the Civic Tower (Ghirlandina).  Together these three historic sites have been recognised as a World Heritage Site.

A visit to the Piazza Grande should be high on your list of things to do in Modena.

The Romanesque complex also includes the Palazzo Communale (town hall), a series of medieval buildings joined by one elegant colonnade.   There is a tower in the centre and an impressive clock.

The Piazza Grande is at the hub of Modena and you’ll probably cross through it several times during your visit.  You’ll find cafés around the square, where you can sit and watch the world go by.

Although Modena is easy to navigate, you may prefer to book a Modena City Walking Tour with a local tour guide, who can provide information on the major sights in the city.

The 12^th century Duomo di Modena (cathedral) is one of the top sights in Modena.  It was designed by the artists Lanfranco and Wiligelmus and now considered one of the best examples of Romanesque art in the world.

Admission to Modena Cathedral is free.  Inside you’ll see numerous sculptures and artworks, as well as ornate alters, images and portals.

Practical information:  The opening hours are 7am-12.30pm and 3.30-7pm each day.

If you want to find out more about the construction and design of Modena Cathedral, pay a visit to the small museum.   As well as information about the cathedral, you’ll see artefacts, paintings, books and sculptures from its 900 year history.

Practical information:  Admission to Modena Cathedral Museum is €3.

Linked to the cathedral is the Ghirlandina (Civic Tower), which is also part of Modena’s World Heritage Site.  It is 89 metres high and one of the top tourist attractions in Modena.

One of the best things to do in Modena is climb the Ghirlandina for panoramic views across the city.

Originally built as the bell tower for the cathedral, the Ghirlandina Tower is an important building and still plays and important civic role;  it houses the bell that rings for all notable events in Modena.

Visitors can climb up inside the tower to the fifth floor, for panoramic views over the roofs of Modena.  I recommend a visit to the Civic Tower, as this was one of our favourite things to do in Modena.

Practical information:  Admission to the Ghirlandina Tower is E3 per person.  It is open every day from 9.30am – 1pm and 3-7pm.

One historic building in Modena that you shouldn’t miss is the Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale).  It’s easy to find in the Piazza Roma, just a short walk from the Piazza Grande.

Once the residence of the Este Dukes of Modena, the Ducal Palace was considered one of the most important palaces in Italy.  Nowadays, it serves as the headquarters of the prestigious Italian Military Academy.

Although you can’t go in without booking a guided tour at the Tourist Office, you should visit to see the stunning Baroque architecture and statues.  You can also eat at the restaurants on the opposite side of the piazza.

Practical information:  The guided tours inside Ducal Palace take place at the weekend.  They last an hour and cost €10 per person.

For any art lovers, visiting the Galleria Estense is one of the best things to do in Modena.  The gallery is on the 4th floor of the Palazzo dei Musei, a complex of museums which includes the library and civic museum.

The Galleria Estense is one of the most important galleries in the region.  It is home to a stunning collection of Italian paintings, such as Modena Triptch by El Greco and Correggio’s Madonna and Child.  It also has a collection of statues and collectables belonging to the Este family who once ruled the region.

Practical information:  Admission to the lower floor is free, but you have to pay for the Estense Gallery.

For any motorsports fan, the number one reason to visit Modena is for the car museums.  There are loads!  This is not surprising, as Modena was the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari, founder of the luxury supercar company.

In fact, there are two Ferrari museums in Modena, the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena town centre and another in Maranello.

The Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena celebrates the life and work of the founder of the famous sports brand, Enzo Ferrari.  You get to see his former home and office, as well as an exhibition hall full of spectacular Ferrari supercars.

Practical information:  You can get a discount if you buy a ticket for both Ferrari museums in Modena.

The second Ferrari Museum is located at the Ferrari headquarters, on the site of the original Ferrari factory in Maranello.  This is about 30 minutes’ drive outside of Modena.

This Maranello Ferrari Museum is a dream destination for any gear heads or F1 fans.  It hosts a unique display of stunning Ferrari cars through the ages, as well as an impressive collection of F1 trophies, keepsakes, and memorabilia.

You can also pay for additional experiences at the museum, such as the F1 Simulator, the Panoramic Bus Tour, or a ride in a Ferrari.

Practical information:  Find out how we were able to visit two Modena Ferrari Museums in one day.

Another exciting option for car lovers in Modena is the Maserati Factory Tour.  The tour starts at the historic Modena plant, lasts 90 minutes and costs €50.  It includes a welcome reception, an introduction to the showrooms, a guided walk around the powertrain department and an opportunity to view the Maserati supercars.

Motorheads might also like a visit to the Lamborghini Museum to discover the history of the Italian supercar.  The museum has a collection of iconic supercars, and super sports cars.  The museum is on the outskirts of Modena, in the direction of Bologna.

For any classical music lovers, one of the best things to do in Modena is visit Casa Museo Luciano Pavarotti, the former home of Luciano Pavarotti.

Modena is the birthplace of the famous Italian tenor and his house on the outskirts of Modena is now a museum.  It is about 6 miles for the city centre, so you will need to go by car.

Inside the museum, fans will love seeing where Pavarotti once enjoyed family life, plus discover his private collection of memorabilia, costumes, and awards.

Fans will also enjoy a visit to the Pavarotti Theatre in the city, where they host a regular programme of operas, concerts, and ballets.  You can see a statue of the great singer outside the theatre.

One of our favourite things to do in Modena was try the local cuisine!  

The Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy is famous for its culinary excellence and Modena is no exception.  There are loads of amazing restaurants serving scrumptious traditional dishes using local produce.  We had a few recommendations from our landlord, so were only too happy to try them.

Our first experience of eating in Modena was in Osteria Ermes, a rustic trattoria, much loved by locals.  They have a menu which rotates each day, with a choice of a few classic Italian dishes.  Expect to sing for your supper, as halfway through they handed out a song sheet and everyone joined in with a sing-along!

Other popular restaurants in Modena are Uva d’oro , Osteria di Modena Rossi, and Ristorante di Enzo.  If you are really looking for exquisite food, Osteria Francescana is a 3-starred Michelin restaurant with an established reputation.  You will definitely need to reserve a table in advance.

For those who prefer to explore Modena’s gastronomic delights with a local guide, you can book one of the Food Walking Tours.  They’ll take you on a tour of the market and local restaurants, giving you the opportunity to sample traditional foods and learn about the culture of food in Modena.

If you want to buy local produce in Modena, head to the historical Albinelli market.  It is also a good place to pick up local specialities, such as balsamic vinegar and cheese.

Built as a permanent market in the 1920s, Albinelli Market has an elegant Art Nouveau design.  It is the oldest covered market in Modena and has retained many traditions from its early days.  It is a vibrant place and one you should include in your trip to Modena.

In the evenings it is a popular venue for food and drink.

Practical information:  The opening hours are 7am to 3pm Monday to Saturday.

Modena is the home of balsamic vinegar and you really can’t visit without trying some.  If you want to discover more about the origins and production of Modena balsamic vinegar, you could book a cellar tour at a local factory.

If not, you’ll get lots of chance to sample it in the restaurants or at Albinelli market.

Whilst in Modena, be sure to explore the charming historic city centre. It’s a delightful blend of picturesque squares, elegant porticoes, and vibrant, colourful buildings.

Allow time to wander through narrow, cobbled streets lined with boutique shops, artisan studios, and beautifully preserved historic architecture.

The Church of Saint Agostino is one of Modena’s hidden gems, known for its impressive baroque interior and significant historical artworks.   Although the exterior may appear unassuming , it’s definitely worth stepping inside.

The interior holds a collection of stunning sculptures of angels and saints, many connected to the influential Este family, and paintings dating back to the 14th century.  Plus, don’t forget to look up, as the panelled ceiling is simply stunning.

The church is located near the Palazzo dei Musei, so you should pop in if you are visiting here.

• 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!

Modena is easy to get to from Bologna, Milan and Venice, so is ideal for a day trip if you just want to see the main historic attractions.  However, if you want to do any tours or visit the museums, you should stay for longer.

We spent 2 days in Modena, which gave us plenty of time to explore the city and visit two Ferrari museums.  We then returned for an additional day in Bologna.

Modena is a small, compact city, making it easy to explore entirely on foot.  If you want to venture further afield, Modena offers convenient bus and train options.  A quick 30-minute train ride connects you to nearby Bologna

Here is a map of Modena, with all the best attractions, things to do and places to eat.  You can use this when planning your own itinerary.

To save the map to Google Maps on your phone or computer, click on the star next to the title. Once you do this, you’ll be able to find the map in your “saved maps” list on your phone.

To see a list of all the items on the map, click the box with arrow on the left. To enlarge the map, click the box on the right.

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