Looking for an Emilia Romagna itinerary? I’ve got you covered. In this itinerary, dine like a local, learn about the King of Cheese and discover the best places to eat tortellini pasta!
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Emilia Romagna is Italy’s underrated culinary centre. The region spans the Apennine Mountains of the north to the fishing towns of the Adriatic coast. It’s characterised by the Via Emilia, a long Roman road that connects many of its key cities.
Emilia-Romagna’s fertile hills have provided an Italian bounty that is beloved the world over. Culinary giants such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Parma ham, tortellini and bolognese sauce all originated here. If you love Italian food, Emilia Romagna is the place for you.
So, where do you even start with a region that has so many food experiences to try? This itinerary can help.
After eating my way around Emilia Romagna, I’ve created a suggested itinerary featuring what to do, see and eat. Read on for the best things to do in Emilia Romagna.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Original Travel, however, all words and opinions are my own. I only work with brands I know and trust.
How to use this itinerary
The suggested duration for this Emilia Romagna itinerary is about four days to comfortably enjoy your time without rushing.
You won’t find a rigorous schedule with places to be morning, afternoon and evening. Instead, it has recommendations which are completely flexible to you. It can easily be shortened, extended or slotted into a wider Italy itinerary.
I try to create itineraries that are accessible by public transport which is why I focused mainly on Emilia Romagna’s cities.
If you want to experience a greener trip without the hassle of booking everything yourself, I recommend Original Travel.
They create bespoke itineraries for you and they book your hotels, private transfers and activities. You also have direct access to a travel concierge who will share their local knowledge with you.
Better still, they’re a member of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, an alliance of travel companies that advocates for sustainability in the tourism industry. They also absorb 100% of the carbon and support humanitarian projects around the world.
One of their most popular travel destinations is Italy so rest assured you’re in safe hands!
Emilia Romagna 4-day itinerary
Without further ado, here’s how to spend four days in Emilia Romagna:
Day 1: Explore Bologna, the region’s capital
Kick off your Emilia Romagna food experience in Bologna, the terracotta-coloured capital of the region. It’s famous for its beautiful medieval and Renaissance architecture and bolognese sauce.
This may surprise you but DON’T order spaghetti bolognese. Original Travel’s Italy expert recommends instead trying “ragu alla bolognese, which is the same delicious sauce (ragu) but with tagliatelle, a flatter thicker pasta than spaghetti, which the locals believe is a much better accompaniment than spaghetti.”
Now that you’re informed, let’s start the day.
Walking tour
I always like to do a walking tour when I arrive in a new city. It helps me get my bearings and I learn things like how to cross the road (it’s not always straightforward!).
Original Travel can arrange a private tour around the city. Alternatively, GuruWalk is a great resource for free walking tours.
Look out for Piazza Maggiore, the city’s main square which dates back to 1200. Bologna also has plenty of delightful narrow side streets to explore.
Editor’s tip: You could also do your walking tour after your food tour to allow yourself time to work up an appetite for your cooking class.
Food tour
Feeling hungry yet? Next, it’s time to do a food tour. Discover the best places to eat and drink in Bologna with a local.
On the menu are parmigiano reggiano, homemade pasta, Mortadella Bologna, Coppa Piacentina, traditional balsamic vinegar and gelato. You’ll also stop by Bologna’s famous food market, the Quadrilatero.
A tour is a great introduction to the food of Emilia Romagna’s rich culinary heritage. You’ll be learning about many of these items in detail throughout the rest of your trip.
Cooking class
Learn the secrets behind Emilia Romagna’s foods with an evening cooking class. The workshop takes place under the guidance of a chef in a cosy Bolognese apartment.
You’ll get hands-on experience making fresh tortellini, tagliatelle and ragu sauce. You’ll then enjoy your meal with a glass of wine and dessert to finish.
Day 2: Eat around Parma
The next day, set off for Parma. Original Travel’s Italy expert says: “Parma is the birthplace of the great painter Parmigianino – the capital of ham (of Parma) and of Parmesan.”
“A day in Parma? Start your trip by appreciating the medieval architecture of the Baptistery, then, don’t miss lunch in one of the city’s many trattorias before visiting the Ducal Palace of Giardino, the summer residence of the dukes.”
Parmesan tour
Let’s start first with the King of Cheeses – Parmigiano Reggiano! The name of the cheese is a protected design of origin (PDO). It can only be called Parmigiano Reggiano if it comes from the region and meets the strict criteria.
The only way to understand all the processes behind this cheese is to visit a factory which takes you from farm to plate. I suggest booking a small-group tour or a private guide.
La Prosciutteria
Another Parma speciality? Parma ham – otherwise known as Prosciutto di Parma. This famous food also has a PDO status. It can only be called Prosciutto di Parma if the curing process takes place in the province of Parma.
As you’re exploring the city, look out for small, traditional shops with huge legs of ham hanging in the window.
La Prosciutteria is particularly well-rated. Labelled as ‘quintessentially Italian,’ it’s a popular haunt among tourists and locals.
Piazza Duomo
Time to walk off all that cheese, ham and wine! Parma is a walkable city which is well worth an explore.
Do as Original Travel suggests and visit the Piazza Duomo, home to Parma Cathedral, Bishop’s Palace and San Giovanni Battista Baptistery.
You can admire the striking architecture from the outside. Going inside it requires a ticket.
Day 3: Vinegar and wine in Modena
The last city to visit in your Emilia Romagna trio is Modena. The city is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as food and fast cars. Notably, the Ferrari and Lamborghini. You can learn all about the former at the Enzo Ferrari Museum.
Back to the food. The key items you’ll want to try here are Lambrusco wine and traditional balsamic vinegar.
Wine tasting
Lambrusco has been an integral part of Emilia Romagna cuisine since the Roman and Etruscan times.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Lambrusco’s reputation cheapened and it was regarded as a poor-quality sweet wine but it still managed to be the biggest-selling import wine in the US.
Now, Lambrusco has had a revival thanks to local estates producing much better wine.
So, flex your palates and spend some time in Modena on a wine-tasting tour and learn about the secrets to Lambrusco’s revamped success.
Museo del Balsamico Tradizionale
Traditional balsamic vinegar from Modena isn’t the sharp-tasting stuff you put in your salad dressing. The thick, syrupy vinegar has an intensely complex and somewhat sweet flavour. This salad dressing would be for special occasions.
Unsurprisingly, it has a Protected Design of Origin (PDO) status which means the grapes must be harvested from the hills surrounding Modena.
It also takes a minimum of 12 years to mature. It’s not uncommon to see vinegar that has been ageing for 25 or even 50 years!
So, where better to learn about and taste traditional balsamic vinegar than in its very own museum? Museo del Balsamico Tradizionale has an exhibition, tasting experiences and a shop.
Gelateria Bloom
Dessert time! Gelateria Bloom is widely regarded as one of the best places for gelato in Modena.
Found down a cobblestone side street, the gelateria has made a name for itself for its experimental flavours.
Keep it traditional with classics such as Pistachio and Stracciatella or indulge in something new like Ricordo Catalano (vanilla, cinnamon and orange jam). I tried the latter and it was heaven!
Gelateria Bloom is open late into the evening so you can saunter over after dinner and treat yourself to some gelato goodness.
Day 4: Onward travel
The fourth day of this Emilia-Romagna itinerary is yours. Two other famous cities in the region you might want to visit include Ravenna and Rimini. Find out how in Original Travel’s Emilia Romagna itinerary.
The Original Travel Italy specialist advises: “While Emilia-Romagna is the home of a huge amount of the finest produce in Italy (fertile floodplains of rivers like the Po make for ideal crop growing), there’s also a stretch of coastline around Ravenna and Rimini, and so access to very good fish, with fresh grilled fish a speciality on the coast and in the cities.”
Alternatively, hop on the train to Florence, the capital of Tuscany or travel further down the big boot to Rome. For what to do there, read my 4-day itinerary.
Bonus things to do in Emilia Romagna
I’ve added a few more bonus foodie places which you can easily swap into your itinerary.
Note that the easiest way to get to them is by car. You’ll either need to rent a car or you can arrange a private transfer through Original Travel.
Agriturismo Opera 02
Agriturismo Opera 02 is where great food and fantastic wine collide among the rolling vineyards of Emilia Romagna. It’s a wine estate, gourmet restaurant, spa and hotel rolled into one.
Hombre
Hombre is a great example of Emilia Romagna’s agritourism projects. The organic farm and parmesan cheesemaker just outside Modena. They produce high-quality cheese that’s rooted in sustainable agriculture.
Don’t miss the farm shop which sells great hunks of parmigiano reggiano at a reasonable price.
Medici Ermete e Figli
If you need another excuse to sample the region’s exquisite balsamic vinegar, head to Medici Ermete e Figli.
The family-owned wine estate has a balsamic vinegar factory housed in an attic with tastings and guided tours.
Agriturismo Garuti
Not to sound dramatic but I had the best tortellini of my life at Agriturismo Garuti. The wine estate supplements its income by having guestrooms above a small restaurant.
On the menu is tortellini made fresh in-house. I still think about the buttery pumpkin tortellini. It was just divine.
Emilia Romagna itinerary FAQs
Here are a few bonus top tips for your Emilia Romagna travel guide:
Best places to stay in Emilia-Romagna
If you book your Italy holiday through Original Travel, they can recommend gorgeous accommodation options completely tailored to you.
Find out where to stay in the individual cities featured:
How to get around Emilia Romagna, Italy
It’s easy and affordable to travel between Emilia Romagna’s main cities by train.
Original Travel’s Italy expert agrees: “Travelling by train is the ideal way to explore the region, as the network is efficient, inexpensive and means you can have a glass of wine with lunch wherever you’re visiting!”
Use Trenitalia or Omio to book your Italy train tickets online. Omio is more user-friendly for English speakers and offers the same prices as Trenitalia.
For adventures outside the cities, you’re better off renting a car or doing small group tours and private transfers.
Emilia Romagna itinerary final thoughts
Original Travel specialists say “Many Italians regard Emilia Romagna as the culinary heartland of Italy” and with heroes such as Parma ham, parmigiano-reggiano, and tortellini among others, it’s easy to see why.
Emilia Romagna is a feast for foodies. It’s also a fascinating insight into provenance, food history and the value of agritourism in keeping beloved rural traditions alive in Northern Italy.
If there’s one thing you choose to do in the Emilia Romagna region, let it be eating!
Looking for more Italy inspiration? Check out these posts!
- Unforgettable 4-Day Rome Itinerary: The Best Things to See and Do
- An Easy Slow Travel Guide to Mastering the Art of Experiencing More
- 11 Easy International Recipes to Try at Home
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