Behind its understated Romanesque facade and distinctive rose window, the 13th-century Basilica of San Domenico is teeming with Renaissance treasures, and ranks among Bologna’s most important churches. The elaborate interiors, a paradise for art enthusiasts, house works by Michelangelo, Filippino Lippi, and others.
Many of Bologna’s most important works of art are gathered at city’s the National Gallery (Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna). The lion’s share of the collection comprises works by painters from the early Renaissance and baroque periods from the surrounding region and rest of Italy, including Giotto, El Greco, Titian, Raphael, and Tintoretto.
More than 100 towers stood guard over Bologna in the Middle Ages, but only 20 survive today. One of the few left standing is Torre Prendiparte, the second-highest in the city, soaring almost 200 feet (60 meters) above street level. Climb the internal staircase to the panoramic rooftop for bird’s-eye views over the historic center.
Parmesan cheese, officially known as Parmigiano-Reggiano, has been handcrafted in a specific area between the northern provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia for centuries. Learn about the history and production of this famously sharp aged cheese, one of the pillars of Italian cuisine, at this small museum just outside of Parma.
Get a taste of Milan’s high fashion on a budget at the Fidenza Village outlet shopping center. Popular with Italians, this complex has over 100 shops featuring brands such as Versace, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Diesel, and Furla. Several restaurants and a children’s play area make the outlet center an easy half-day trip from Milan for the whole family.
Open since 2001, this public library in the center of Bologna is housed inside the historic Palazzo d’Accursio, originally a private residence from the 13th century and later the city’s town hall. Through a glass floor in the library, visitors can get a glimpse of ongoing archaeological excavations, including ancient Roman ruins. Biblioteca Salaborsa also regularly hosts public events.
The 15th-century Palazzo dei Diamanti (Diamond Palace) is one of the top places for art in the Renaissance city of Ferrara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace is home to two of Ferrara’s most important art museums and holds temporary art shows throughout the year.
Don’t be fooled by the simple facade of this oratory tucked beneath the portico along the length of the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore. Inside, the small chapel is decorated with some of the most important works of the 16th-century Bolognese Renaissance, painted by prominent artists in the Bentivoglio court.
Step into the world of Nobel Prize winner and radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi at the fascinating Guglielmo Marconi Museum just outside Bologna. Housed in the imposing Villa Griffone, Marconi’s former home and the site of many of his scientific experiments and discoveries, the museum is devoted to the inventor’s life and works.
Home to one of the most dazzling spiral staircases in Italy, the 16th-century Barozzi Palace (Palazzo Barozzi) is by far the main attraction of sleepy Vignola—a town just outside Modena. Take a jaunt through the area’s famed cherry orchards and admire the elegant structure, created by Renaissance architect Jacopo Barozzi.
Enjoy ancient Bologna at the city’s oldest “osteria” (wine bar), opened in 1465. Hidden along a side street in the gourmet wonderland of the Quadrilatero district, Osteria del Sole does not serve food, but patrons can bring their own and wash it down with a glass of wine, beer, or liquor from the bar.
Food-centric Modena is known for its prized balsamic vinegar, and there is no better place to see how this delicacy is produced than Acetaia Giusti. The oldest balsamic vinegar maker in Italy, Acetaia Giusti has been producing this aromatic delicacy for 400 years. Visit its aging cellars and museum, plus sample authentic balsamic vinegar at its estate just outside the city.
If your kids have had their fill of churches and ruins, it may be time to shake things up with an exciting day at Mirabilandia. This popular amusement park outside Ravenna has 40 rides from thrilling coasters for teens to gentle carousels for toddlers, a new Ducati-themed area, high-octane shows, and an adjacent water park to cool off.
Tucked deep in the Apennine Mountains between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, this fanciful 19th-century castle is a mash-up of architectural styles, from Moorish to Gothic. Explore the labyrinthine interiors of dozens of rooms connected by passages, spiral staircases, and towers designed and decorated by the eccentric Count Cesare Mattei.
The largest covered market in Bolgona’s city center, the Mercato delle Erbe (literally, the “Herb Market”) has been a key destination for food lovers for more than a century. Housed in a historic building that was renovated after World War II, the atmospheric market offers dozens of food stalls and dining options all throughout the day.
Gearheads with a need for speed break for Pushstart Maranello, one of the top providers of behind-the-wheel road and racetrack test-driving experiences in Italy’s famed Motor Valley. Sports-car enthusiasts can put the pedal to the medal and take a Ferrari or Lamborghini out for a spin around the Modena Autodrome track or through the hills of Emilia Romagna.
Anyone curious about the history of science will enjoy stepping back in time at the Palazzo Poggi Museums (Musei di Palazzo Poggi). Vintage laboratories and 18th-century collections dedicated to different branches of the sciences are displayed in the frescoed halls of Palazzo Poggi, which has been the seat of the University of Bologna since 1803.
Kids can feel giant-sized at Italia in Miniatura, one of the most whimsical amusement parks in Italy. Located just outside Rimini, the park includes intricately detailed small-scale models of almost 300 famous Italian landmarks, as well as boat rides through mini-Venice, a kid-sized “driving school”, water cannons, rides, and more.
Important business goes on in this elegantly porticoed, red brick building with Gothic arches and a marble balcony. A hub for Bologna’s mercantile activities for the last 650 years, Palazzo della Mercanzia is currently the seat of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture, and Crafts. Plus, it preserves the official recipes of some of the city’s most treasured dishes.
During the Middle Ages, a series of canals were constructed through Bologna’s city center. The Canale delle Moline—“Canal of the Mills”—helped power the city’s watermills, weave silk, and grind grain to supply Bologna’s bakeries with flour. Few canals are still visible today, but a portion of the Canale delle Moline can be glimpsed from a tiny viewpoint along Via Piella.
Beat the summer heat at Aquafan, one of the most famous water parks in Italy. With almost 2 miles (3 km) of slides, as well as rapids, a wave pool, and kiddie areas, there are enough attractions to keep the entire family entertained for a few hours or a full day.
The elegant 16th-century Palazzo Albergati, believed to have been designed by Baldassarre Peruzzi, dominates Bologna’s Via Saragozza. The inner courtyard and the richly frescoed, stuccoed interiors are perfect backdrops for the cultural events hosted there.
Part of an ancient Roman road, the historic Strada Maggiore links Bologna’s eastern city gate to its medieval Two Towers. The street is lined on both sides with the city’s signature porticoes—covered walkways that shield people from the elements while guiding them to antique shops, restaurants, and other attractions. Don’t miss Casa Isolani and its oak portico from the 1200s, among Europe’s oldest.
Just inland from Rimini’s popular beaches, the Fiabilandia amusement park offers an alternative day of fun for kids. Centered around Lake Bernardo, the park includes a number of themed areas with rides geared primarily toward younger tots, though the 4D cinema and water rides are entertaining for the whole family.
The Cattolica Aquarium is the largest on the Adriatic coast, with 400 species of fish and marine animals. Admire penguins, otters, chameleons, and jellyfish, among other creatures, housed in more than 100 tanks and in the interactive mangrove forest and deep-sea exhibit.
Set in the wooded hills outside Bologna, the Cenobio di San Vittore is one of the city’s premier examples of medieval architecture. Made up of a church and cloister, the 12th-century complex dazzles with original frescoes, a wooden choir dating from the 15th century, and the serene cloister lined by marble columns with carved capitals and other Romanesque architectural details.
For family-friendly fun in the sun, Beach Village in the resort town of Riccione fits the bill. Cool off with four waterslides, two pools, and several play areas, or join the kids’ club and other splashy activities. A snack bar, sundecks, and hot tubs make this small beachfront water park the ideal spot for a relaxing break.
Located in a hip, industrial part of Bologna (a stone’s throw from MAMbo, the Museum of Modern Art of Bologna), this small public park provides a green refuge in the dense, crowded city, and plays host to a number of open-air events in the summertime. It was built over the historic Cavaticcio Canal, and parts of the city’s medieval-era industrial past are still visible here.
