Emilia-Romagna

Region · 🇮🇹 Italy

Population 4,459,477

Area 22,455 km²

Time zone Europe/Rome

Official website www.cittametropolitana.bo.it

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Featured Lists

Letizia Querci, Alfredo Di Maria / CC BY-SA 4.0

Emilia-Romagna Essentials

Emilia-Romagna spans from the medieval towers and ancient food markets of Bologna to the UNESCO-listed Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna. This collection features the Romanesque cathedrals of Modena and Parma, the moated Castello Estense in Ferrara, and the 15th-century Malatestiana Library in Cesena. Automotive heritage is showcased at the Enzo Ferrari Museum, while religious landmarks include the hilltop Sanctuary of San Luca and the Gothic Basilica of San Petronio, which houses one of the world's longest solar meridian lines.

14 places

Tango7174 / GFDL

Editor's Choice: Emilia-Romagna

This collection highlights the diverse historical layers of Emilia-Romagna, from the 2,000-year-old Roman Bridge of Tiberius in Rimini to the sleek Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena. The region's artistic legacy is anchored by Ravenna’s UNESCO-listed Byzantine mosaics found within the Basilica of San Vitale and the Neonian Baptistery. Architectural milestones include Bologna’s leaning medieval towers, the moated Este Castle in Ferrara, and the intricate Romanesque facades of the Modena and Parma cathedrals, alongside the neoclassical tomb of the poet Dante Alighieri.

15 places

Mattana / CC BY-SA 3.0

Hidden Gems of Emilia-Romagna

This collection highlights architectural treasures across Bologna, Parma, and Bobbio. It features the irregular Romanesque arches of Ponte Gobbo and the Benedictine complexes of San Paolo and San Giovanni Evangelista. Visitors can explore Bologna’s medieval heritage through the Gothic Palace of Commerce, the hidden 'Little Venice' canal window, and the Baroque frescoes of San Colombano. Panoramic perspectives are found at the iconic Two Towers and the hilltop Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, which is reached via the world’s longest portico.

10 places

Monchen / Public domain

Regional Culinary Highlights

This list features seven distinguished restaurants in Emilia-Romagna, showcasing both regional and broader Italian culinary traditions. From Michelin-starred establishments to agriturismos offering local specialties, these venues highlight the area's rich gastronomy through unique menus, outdoor settings, and a blend of traditional and contemporary dining experiences.

7 places

Titian / Public domain

Castles and Towers of Emilia-Romagna

This collection spans the architectural evolution of Emilia-Romagna, from the iconic leaning medieval towers of Bologna to the moated Castello Estense in Ferrara. It features the cliffside fortress of San Leo, the 15th-century frescoes of Torrechiara, and the grand Baroque Ducal Palaces of the Este family in Modena and Sassuolo. These structures represent centuries of defensive military engineering and Renaissance courtly life across the Po Valley and the Apennine foothills.

12 places

sailko / CC BY 2.5

Historic Architecture of Emilia-Romagna

This collection showcases the architectural evolution of Emilia-Romagna, spanning Roman engineering, medieval fortifications, and high Renaissance design. Highlights include Rimini’s 1st-century Bridge of Tiberius, the UNESCO-listed Romanesque Modena Cathedral, and Bologna’s iconic leaning towers. The list features significant civic and religious landmarks, such as Ferrara's diamond-patterned Palazzo dei Diamanti, the sprawling Piazza Maggiore, and the frescoed interiors of the Parma and Bologna Cathedrals.

18 places

Georges Jansoone / CC BY 2.5

Historic Churches & Cathedrals

Explore the religious architecture of Emilia-Romagna, featuring UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ravenna known for Byzantine mosaics like those in the Basilica of San Vitale. This selection highlights the Romanesque cathedrals of Modena and Parma, the massive Gothic Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna, and the hilltop Sanctuary of San Luca. From the unfinished Renaissance facade of Rimini’s Tempio Malatestiano to the ancient monastic complex of Bobbio Abbey, these twenty sites showcase centuries of artistic evolution, including significant medieval sculptures and Baroque interiors.

20 places

spaceodissey / CC BY 2.0

Historic Theatres & Cinemas

This collection highlights Emilia-Romagna's distinguished theatres and cinemas, including Parma's historic Teatro Regio, known for its opera heritage, and the Renaissance Teatro Farnese, an architectural gem built in 1618. The list also features notable opera houses and classical theatres across Modena, Carpi, and Fidenza, reflecting the region's rich performing arts tradition.

6 places

Jiří Parimucha / CC-BY-SA

Museums & Art Galleries

Emilia-Romagna’s cultural landscape spans from the high-performance engineering of the 'Motor Valley'—home to the Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Ducati museums—to exceptional Renaissance heritage. Highlights include Bologna’s National Art Gallery and the medieval collections of Palazzo Ghisilardi-Fava. In Ferrara, the Palazzo dei Diamanti showcases world-class exhibitions, while Ravenna preserves early Byzantine history at the Domus of Stone Carpets. Specialized venues like San Colombano’s ancient musical instruments and the scientific exhibits of Palazzo Poggi offer unique insights into the region's intellectual history.

19 places

ElettroDevice / Public domain

Top Theme & Water Parks

This selection highlights Emilia-Romagna’s leading theme and water parks, including Mirabilandia’s extensive 210-acre grounds with diverse thrill rides, Italia in Miniatura’s detailed scale models of Italian landmarks, and Atlantica’s aquatic facilities in Cesenatico. Also featured are several adventure and water parks offering varied recreational options across the region.

7 places

Rossoporpora / CC BY-SA 3.0

Top Markets & Malls

This list features notable markets and shopping malls in Emilia-Romagna, including historic covered markets like Mercato Coperto Albinelli in Modena and vibrant city squares such as Piazza San Prospero. It also highlights major retail destinations like Fidenza Village Outlet and Le Befane shopping mall, offering a mix of traditional and modern shopping experiences.

5 places

Gialess / CC BY-SA 3.0

Parks and Nature in Emilia-Romagna

Emilia-Romagna’s outdoor spaces span from the urban retreats of Bologna and Ferrara to the historical landscapes of Modena. Margherita Gardens offers a 19th-century English-style layout, while Ferrara’s Parco Massari provides the city's largest green space within its Renaissance walls. The region's architectural heritage is integrated with its environment, featuring Modena’s UNESCO-listed Romanesque complex and the Baroque Ducal Palace, which houses an established botanical garden. To the west, the artificial Lago di Trebecco offers a serene aquatic setting on the border of Piacenza and Pavia.

5 places

Marpol / Public domain

Top Sports & Motorsport

This collection features notable sports and motorsport venues in Emilia-Romagna, including historic football stadiums such as Stadio Paolo Mazza and Stadio Alberto Braglia, Ferrari-owned race tracks like the Fiorano Circuit, and specialized facilities including karting centers and premier golf clubs, highlighting the region's rich sporting heritage and technical innovation.

9 places