What to do in Emilia Romagna

Emilia Romagna is a precious region! It is where you will find the finest Italian traditional food, the thousand-year recipes of the best known Italian products, the calm movements of the cities, the blessings of nature, and the great culture that the people of Emilia Romagna region preserved. If you are planning a trip to Italy, and you want it to be on the quiet side of the country, Emilia Romagna is the right place for you. First, let us advise you on what to do in Emiglia Romagna. Keep reading!

Visit the main cities of the region

Parma

Parma is where Parma Ham and Parmigiano Reggiano were born! If you are a food lover, you must taste them both! The parmesan people are also great hosts, you can visit their farms, gardens, vineyards and they will always play nice and offer you more than you can expect.

The city has a long history and various influences from cultures and ruling empires and you will find a lot of historical sites and fantastic religious buildings in Parma. Read more about what to do in Parma.

Ferrara

Ferrara was one of the European capitals of culture, art, politics, gastronomy, as also a reference point for artists. The city was home to the Este dynasty, a large family that transformed it from a rural center into a Renaissance masterpiece. Ferrara stands as part of the World Heritage Site for about three centuries and has a lot to offer. Read more about what to do in Ferrara.

Bologna

Bologna is the main city of the region. A city of the oldest and greatest universities and home to many intellectuals and artists. Known as the city of “learned” because it features some universities of great importance and the city of “fat” because the super delicious cuisine.

With its art and history, Bologna surprises travelers in all seasons, from the festive atmosphere of the Bolognese summer to the magical atmosphere of Christmas lights.

Bologna also houses Museums and Galleries, as well as in the many religious buildings among which the Complex of Santo Stefano stands out; that of San Domenico which houses the marble ark with the remains of the Saint, the work of Nicolò dall Arca with sculptures by Michelangelo, and finally Santa Maria Della Vita, which boasts another masterpiece by Nicolò dall Arca, the plastic group of the Pietà.

Visit Ravenna – the gem of the Roman Empire

Ravenna is certainly an unknown treasure even to Italians. It is actually the perfect town for art lovers and it attracts tourists from all over the world. It is not known by many that Ravenna has been the capital of three empires three times: of the Western Roman Empire, of Theodoric King of the Goths, of the Byzantine Empire in Europe.

It is also where the richest heritage of mosaics of humanity dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries are preserved. Few also know that Ravenna has eight monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and that Dante’s remains are kept here, and not in Florence.

Talking about food, here you eat extraordinarily well, remember that we are always in Romagna and if you want Ravenna to be the place of your summer vacation – there are 35 km of coastline to choose from for a swim. If you are a nature lover, a few kilometers away you will find the Po Delta and the Comacchio Valleys, the pine forests of Classe and San Vitale, and the oasis of Punte Alberete. Enjoy your trip to Ravenna!

Marvel at Emilia Romagna castles

A visit to Emilia Romagna would never be full if you haven’t discovered some of the hillside castles of the region. This region is home to dozens of castles, many of which are free or very cheap to enter. Here are some of the best castles: Torrechiara, Vignola, Bardi, Vigoleno, Rivalta, Fontenellato, Canossa, Castell’Arquato, Sestola.

Take a food tour – taste the local specialties

Parmigiano Reggiano

Parmigiano Reggiano is the cheese that Italians brag with! Parmesans figured out the recipe and practiced the process for more than 800 years. There are only three ingredients: milk from cows raised in a designated area on local fodder, salt, and calf rennet.

Italy is well known for cheeses and hams and pasta, but you won’t taste anything like the aged Parmigiano Reggiano.

Parma ham

Parma ham or, Prosciutto di Parma is a unique process, with nothing more than pig meat, salt, and 2,000 years of parmesan experience. It is a protected product and a must-taste for all food addicts.

There is no such thing as a secret recipe behind this production, its only the Italian traditional meat breeding and a few hills around the city of Parma where the pork legs are cured and seasoned.

Culatello di Zibello

Culatello di Zibello is another famous kind of ham produced in the area. Some say that is is a more delicious cured ham even than Parma ham. First produced in the town of Zibello, where cold winters and thick fog rolling off the Po River are said to boost its sweetness and fragrance. Is it truly superior to its famous cousin? Why not order a little of both and decide for yourself?

Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is a healthy and precious product! In parma, you will find the Balsamic Vinegar in the best conditions. In Italian, the locals call it Aceto Balsamico and it is a quite expensive product.

The reason why Balsamic Vinegar is so expensive relies on its production process. Vinegar masters in Modena and Reggio Emilia know that hurry is not allowed. Lambrusco red wine or Trebbiano white wine musts are the only necessary ingredients.

Lambrusco Wine

While in Emiglia Romagna, do not miss the opportunity to taste the most famous sparkling red wine. Produced in the hills around the city of Parma, Lambrusco is more than just wine. It’s a special liquid full of joy and happiness. Whose smell brings fresh red fruits. Lambrusco is a brand acknowledged worldwide for the quality of the product and a best-selling wine in Italy. 

The most Instagrammable places in Emilia Romagna

While being in Emilia Romagna, try to get the best memories with you. During summertime, you shouldn’t miss visiting the best beaches in the region. If you will be visiting Emilia Romagna out of high-season months, the churches, the castles and other attractions in the city also will make your trip unforgettable. Make sure you shoot some photos while on your journey. If you are looking for places to take Instagram worthy photos, consider the following ideas.

• PIAZZA MAGGIORE
• THE QUADRILATERO
• THE TWO TOWERS
• PIAZZA SANTO STEFANO
• VIEWS FROM ABOVE
• VINEYARDS