Emilia-Romagna: 7-day Itinerary
Discover Emilia-Romagna on a 7-day road trip through historic cities, colourful medieval villages, incredible food, peaceful countryside and the Adriatic coast.
Day 1.
Bologna Airport → Bologna
Driving: ± 20–30 min
Pick up your rental car at Bologna Airport and head towards the historic centre of Emilia-Romagna’s capital.
Start at Piazza Maggiore before wandering beneath Bologna’s famous porticoes and through the narrow streets surrounding the medieval centre. See the Two Towers, explore the Quadrilatero food district and end your first day with dinner at a traditional trattoria.
If your accommodation is inside the historic centre, leave your car outside the restricted ZTL area and continue on foot.
Stay: Bologna
Day 2.
Bologna → Modena → Parma
Driving: ± 1 hr 45 total
Leave Bologna and travel west along the historic Via Emilia towards Modena.
Explore Piazza Grande, the cathedral and the Ghirlandina Tower before stopping for lunch in the old centre. Modena is also the home of traditional balsamic vinegar, so consider visiting a local acetaia if you have time.
Continue west towards Parma, one of Italy’s great food cities. Wander around Piazza Duomo, admire its cathedral and pink-marble baptistery and spend the evening discovering the city’s celebrated cuisine.
Stay: Parma
Day 3.
Parma → Dozza → Brisighella
Driving: ± 2 hr 30 total
Leave Parma and travel east towards one of Emilia-Romagna’s most unusual villages.
Stop in Dozza, where colourful murals cover the walls of historic houses and turn the medieval centre into an open-air gallery. Walk through its narrow streets and visit the imposing Rocca Sforzesca before continuing deeper into Romagna.
End the day in Brisighella, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and rolling hills. Explore the colourful centre and the unique Via degli Asini before climbing towards the fortress or clock tower for beautiful countryside views.
Stay: Brisighella
Day 4.
Brisighella → Ravenna
Driving: ± 50 min
Enjoy a slow morning in Brisighella before driving towards Ravenna.
Spend the afternoon exploring one of Emilia-Romagna’s greatest cultural treasures. Discover the extraordinary Byzantine mosaics inside monuments such as the Basilica di San Vitale and Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, then wander through Ravenna’s relaxed historic centre.
Stay into the evening when the streets become quieter and enjoy dinner in one of the traditional restaurants around the old town.
Stay: Ravenna
Day 5.
Ravenna → Comacchio → Cesenatico
Driving: ± 2 hr total
Head north towards the wetlands of the Po Delta and the colourful canal town of Comacchio.
Wander across its historic bridges, see the famous Trepponti and explore the quiet canals before heading towards the coast. If the weather is good, stop at Lido di Spina or Lido degli Estensi for a few hours by the Adriatic Sea.
Continue south to Cesenatico in the late afternoon. Walk along its picturesque canal harbour, lined with traditional fishing boats and historic buildings, before enjoying fresh seafood by the water.
Stay: Cesenatico
Day 6.
Cesenatico → Santarcangelo di Romagna → San Leo → Rimini
Driving: ± 2 hr total
Leave the coast behind and explore the hills of southern Romagna.
Begin in Santarcangelo di Romagna, a charming medieval town filled with narrow streets, small piazzas and mysterious underground caves beneath the historic centre.
Continue inland through the Marecchia Valley towards San Leo, dramatically positioned on a rocky hilltop. Wander through its compact medieval centre and climb towards the fortress for spectacular views across the surrounding countryside.
Finish the day in Rimini and enjoy an evening stroll through its historic centre or along the Adriatic waterfront.
Stay: Rimini
Day 7.
Rimini → Bologna Airport
Driving: ± 1 hr 30–1 hr 45
Don’t leave Rimini immediately.
Spend your final morning exploring the historic centre, passing landmarks such as the Arch of Augustus, Piazza Cavour and the colourful streets of Borgo San Giuliano.
If you still have time, enjoy one last coffee or walk along the beach before beginning the drive back towards Bologna.
Return your rental car at Bologna Airport and fly home.
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