Emilia Romagna is a small concentration of everything beautiful in Italy. One of the best regions to combine a passion for good food, nature, and art and culture. In this mini guide to things to do in Emilia Romagna we’ll give you a series of tips to organize your adventure across the region—from Parma, the Po Valley, Bologna, the Po River, Ravenna, and many other attractions.
The Most Beautiful City to Visit in Emilia Romagna
Let’s start with the most interesting city you can find in Emilia Romagna. We’re talking about Bologna and its splendid Piazza Maggiore. Bologna is one of those cities that lets you experience the vibe of a great cosmopolitan metropolis while still feeling human-sized. You can explore it entirely on foot, and in its historic center, cars are rare, so you can enjoy the beauty and monuments without any hassle.
In the historic center, you can satisfy your craving for culture, art, and even shopping. Via dell’Indipendenza is full of shops that are always open, while the Basilica of San Petronio welcomes you once you reach Piazza Maggiore. Just a street away, you can see the Asinelli Tower next to its faithful, shorter companion, the Garisenda Tower. The Asinelli Tower and its companion form the so-called Two Towers of Bologna, a true symbol of the city and an unmissable destination for visitors.
In Piazza Maggiore, there is also the picturesque Fountain of Neptune. A sculptural basin where the sea god hides a playful and cheeky secret. It is said that when viewing the fountain from a certain angle, Neptune’s hand highlights his lower parts. This, along with the Devil’s Face in Piazza Santo Stefano, the Seven Churches, the Three Arrows, and the Little Window (also called little Venice) are just some of the Seven Secrets that Bologna has been hiding for ages.
For the food lovers, there’s plenty to taste! The Bolognese ragù, local ham, and mortadella. Crescentine, always eaten with ham or other cold cuts. And the tortellini! Bologna is the homeland of this particular stuffed pasta. Handmade by pasta makers working day and night, tortellini are a world-renowned excellence. Try them! Join some tastings in the area. Bologna’s tortellini can give you dreams and unique emotions.
Finally, the Bologna hills are also worth visiting, following the longest portico path in the world up to San Luca.
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3 Unique Places to See in Emilia Romagna Perfect for Both Summer and Winter
If you already know Bologna by heart, here are 3 locations to visit in Emilia Romagna perfect for any season.
Estense Castle in Ferrara
A landmark representing the city of Ferrara, this castle is the Renaissance heart of the city. Thanks to its four towers, which you can visit, you can admire the entire area from above. Inside, a drawbridge, prisons, and kitchens make it a perfect example of a fairytale castle.
Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna
One of the region’s places perfect for combining culture, art, and vacation. Built by Theodoric as a chapel for his Royal Palace, this building is the most prestigious Arian church existing in Italy. Art lovers will surely find the rich internal decorative apparatus of great interest. The splendor of the gilded ceilings is indeed the origin of the church’s second name. Finally, remember that traveling alone is nice, but together it’s even better. By signing up with Meeters, besides getting many discounts and promotions on events available throughout Italy, you can make friends with many other travel enthusiasts like you!