Modena sits at the intersection of Italy’s Motor Valley and Food Valley, making it a top destination for both gearheads and gourmands. Motor-minded visitors make a beeline for the city’s Enzo Ferrari Museum to delve into the world of this iconic sports car, while foodies hit the local balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano producers for food tours and tastings. Other popular things to do include excursions to the outlying Lambrusco wineries, market tours and cooking classes in town, and guided walks through Modena’s handsome historic center.
Modena is all about food, so the fertile months of spring and the fall harvest season are the best times of year to experience this area’s rich cuisine. In spring, Parmigiano Reggiano dairy farms turn out huge wheels of cheese, Prosciutto di Parma ham has been aged to perfection, and Lambrusco corks begin to pop. Fall brings the grape harvest for the year’s vintage along with cooler temperatures, ideal for tucking into heaping plates of tortellini, tagliatelle al ragù, and lasagne alla Bolognese.
With a pocket-sized historic center and streets lined with pedestrian porticos, Modena is a delight to explore on foot. You can head out rain or shine and stroll beneath the city’s landmark arcades—even the Enzo Ferrari Museum and Maserati Factory and Showroom are a short walk from the town center. To visit the cheese, ham, balsamic vinegar, and wine producers in the surrounding countryside, however, you’ll need a car.
The Modena area is home to two Ferrari museums. The Enzo Ferrari Museum is located in Modena itself and comprises the original Ferrari workshop and a contemporary annex. Visit to see vintage race and road cars and a collection of engines. The Ferrari Museum is located at the Ferrari factory in Maranello, 30 minutes south of Modena. Come to admire F1 race cars and road cars, tour the campus, and spin around the test track.
