Overview
A warm, red-bricked university city with porticoed streets, the best food in Italy and far fewer crowds than Florence or Venice. Its student energy makes it easy and fun to travel solo.
Top things to do
Eat tagliatelle al ragù
The real thing, in its home city.
Climb the Asinelli Tower
Leaning medieval tower with rooftop views.
Quadrilatero market
Buzzing food lanes for aperitivo.
Day-trip to Modena or Parma
Balsamic and Parmigiano country, 30 minutes by train.
3-day sample itinerary
- 1
Old town
Piazza Maggiore, porticoes and towers.
- 2
Food deep-dive
Market tour and a pasta class.
- 3
Day-trip
Modena or Parma by train.