Modena is a city in Emilia Romagna, in the north of Italy. It’s usually not considered as a main tourist attraction like Milan, Venice or Florence, but it’s a beautiful city you should visit, it’s one of the many hidden gems in the country. You can reach Modena by train from Milan and Bologna.
Read our guide on how to travel by train in Italy!
Here is my top 10 of things to do in Modena!
7. If you love sports cars, you’ll love Modena!
Modena is in the heart of the so called italian “motorvalley”: Italian sports car makers like Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Pagani are located in the city or in its surroundings.
You can visit the Ferrari and Lamborghini museum and even drive one of these beasts safely in the Autodromo di Modena.
6. Stroll around Modena city center
After a day driving around in your Ferrari you can relax with a walk in the Modena city center. You can have an aperitivo at the Caffè Concerto tables in Piazza Grande or sip a coffee in one of the many bars you can find nearby.
The city is safe and relaxed, you’ll get used to the life of this city!
5. Visit Modena monuments
The center of Modena is rich in architecture and monuments you can visit. Start your visit at the Modena Cathedral, consecrated by Pope Lucius III on July 12, 1184. Then visit the Ghirlandina, it’s famous belltower.
The Ghirlandina is the symbol of the city. The Ghirlandina was given this nickname by the city’s inhabitants due to the double ring of parapets that crown its steeple, “as light as garlands”, ghirlanda in Italian.
Don’t forget the City Hall and its beautiful rooms!
4. Food shopping at the historic Mercato Albinelli
Are you hungry? Pay a visit to the Mercato Albinelli, inaugurated in 1931, the Albinelli market is the oldest covered market in Modena and is considered to be among the most beautiful markets in Italy.
3. Pavarotti home museum
Luciano Pavarotti was an Italian operatic tenor. He made numerous recordings of complete operas and individual arias, gaining worldwide fame for the quality of his tone, and eventually established himself as one of the finest tenors of the 20th century.
His house in Modena is now a museum you can visit.
2. Visit an Acetaia (where aceto balsamico is made)
An Acetaia is a place where Aceto Balsamico tradizionale di Modena is made. I suggest you to book a visit at Acetaia di Giorgio, where a lovely lady will guide you and explain the history of this millenary tradition. And don’t forget to buy one of the precious bottles!
1. Eat at Osteria Francescana
Osteria Francescana is the restaurant of the world famous chef Massimo Bottura. We had the pleasure to eat there in 2015, and let me tell you, it’s like dining in heaven.
The restaurant is in the heart of the city, a 5 minutes walk from Piazza Grande.
You have to book months in advance to have the chance to eat there.
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