The best day trips from Bologna for food lovers

Bologna is in a strategic position in Italy.
So if you're looking for a day trip by car or train, in less than 1 hour you can be in many amazing cities of Emilia Romagna and not only.

Take a look at my 6 best day trips from Bologna to spend a day between art, culture and great food.

The city of Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale has a lot more to offer (even if is great to visit a real Acetaia) like the astonishing Modena Cathedral in Piazza Grande or Piazza dell'Accademia.

If like me, your passion is food, Mercato Albinelli is a landmark: lucky ones can find Massimo Bottura shopping between the fish stalls.

Don't miss the minimal Modena cemetery by Aldo Rossi, it's a masterpiece.

Crazy about cars?
At the Ferrari Museum, you can see an impressive collection or even drive a real one in Maranello.

Last tip: look for Torta Barozzi, a tasty chocolate and coffee cake born in Vignola with a secret recipe.
Taste it with other hidden food of Modena on our Modena Food Tour.

Where to eat in Modena

Trattoria Aldina

Just in front of Albinelli market but easy to miss it.
You have to take some steps and enter the homiest restaurant in Modena.

Order tortelloni Vecchia Modena to make your day trip unforgettable.

Via Luigi Albinelli, 40, 41121 Modena
Tel. +39 059 236106

You all know Florence's landmarks: Uffizi, Duomo and David.
But if you have already been there, I suggest a different day trip inside a less touristic Florence.

Visit Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio, a real local market close to Santa Croce Basilica.

Stop for lunch at the most popular San Lorenzo indoor market to try lampredotto and buy some cantucci cookies at cantucciaio di San Lorenzo.

Then move outside the crowded streets and walk around Santo Spirito and Borgo San Frediano neighborhood.
It's an area full of students, small shops, and nice restaurants, and if you come in spring I recommend visiting Boboli Gardens.

With a high-speed train Florence is just 35 minutes from Bologna, so consider sleeping in the cheaper and less touristic Bologna and just move there for a day.

To avoid the tourists' traps, read my complete guide to where to eat in Florence.

​Where to eat in Florence

Da Rocco
Inside Mercato Sant'Ambrogio you can meet Rocco, the crazy and funny owner of this small restaurant that will put a 2l bottle of red wine at your table when you sit.

Food is simple and not fancy, with classic Tuscany cuisines like chickpea soup and ribollita. You'll pay a lot less than expected, that's why you have to wait in the queue for a few minutes.

Mercato S. Ambrogio, Piazza Ghiberti, 50122 Firenze
Tel. +39 339 8384555​

I'm deeply in love with Ferrara.
And I'm 100% sure it would be an amazing day trip from Bologna for you too.

Start to explore the landmarks: Palazzo dei Diamanti, Estense Castle (one of my favorite castles in Emilia Romagna) and San Giorgio Cathedral.

But it's the structure of the city, redesigned by Ercole I to enlarge and protect Ferrara from the enemies, that is astonishing in its perfect proportion.

​Since 1995 Ferrara has been a UNESCO heritage site, and it's not difficult to understand why.

Rent a bike (Ferrara is one of the European cities of bike) and ride through tiny streets or on the city walls that fence the center.

If you have a car, you can drive 30 minutes to visit Comacchio, a small village with canals famous for its eel tradition.

Where to eat in Ferrara

​Quel fantastico giovedì
A small and intimate restaurant to try some local fish dishes like eels or codfish.
​
quelfantasticogiovedi.it
Via Castelnuovo, 9 - Ferrara
Tel. 0532760570

Close to the Adriatico sea, Ravenna is a city of art and fun.

Join our new Ravenna food and mosaic tour to never miss a detail of the stunning mosaics of San Vitale and Mausoleo di Galla Placidia.

And if you have a car consider going to Sant'Apollinare in Classe to complete your mosaic itinerary.

Can't you leave without a jump on the beach?

Don't expect the beautiful and clear sea of Sicilia or Puglia but summer nightlife is one of the most famous in Italy.
And Ravenna's best restaurants have nothing to envy anyone out there.

​When you come back to Bologna don't forget to stop at Dozza, a hidden village full of street art and a nice middle age castle you can visit.

Where to eat in Ravenna

Osteria del tempo perso
In this restaurant full of jazz memorabilia you can have classic dishes like passatelli and some great variations like shrimp with pasta kataifi.

osteriadeltempoperso.it
Via Gamba, 12, 48121 Ravenna RA
Tel. +39 0544 215393

For children growing up in Emilia Romagna, Mantua is the most typical school day excursion.

In this small city of Lombardia, you can follow the steps of Gonzaga's Renaissance family and visit astonishing palaces like Palazzo Te: a villa designed and painted by Giulio Romano for the idleness and leisure of Federico II.
I bet that entering Sala dei Giganti will leave you speechless.

Mantua's city center, a UNESCO Heritage site, is a gem.

Take the time to visit Sant'Andrea Cathedral, Bibiena theatre and the most popular Camera degli Sposi painted by Mantegna inside San Giorgio's castle.

​One last tip: while you come back, stop on Mincio River shores to take a few photos of Mantua's skyline during sunset. ​

Where to eat in Mantua

Only 1 hour by train from Bologna, visit Parma for its food and charm.

Start your visit from the Cathedral and its Baptistery, landmarks not to miss. But don't forget to cross the river to walk around the Oltretorrente neighborhood.

There are many reasons to visit Parma and theatres are one of them: enter the wood-made theatre inside La Pilotta complex and book your seat inside the Regio to watch an opera in the city of Giuseppe Verdi.

Where to eat in Parma

Osteria Virgilio

Looking for Parmigiano and culatello?
You're in the right place.
In the heart of Oltretorrente Virgilio offers a home cuisine since 2003.
Start with anolini in brodo, then follow Virgilio's suggestions and you won't be disappointed.

If you want more, take a look at my best restaurants in Parma.

Str. Giovanni Inzani, 3, 43125 Parma
Tel. +39 0521 199 9966

[Photos: Caspar Diederik, Alessandro Grussu,Fr Lawrence Lew, Alessandro Bonvini, Augusto Mia Battaglia, Eric Pascolo]