Located in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, Modena is a city on a human scale, combining historic charm, cultural richness and gastronomic excellence. It also evokes the elegance and power of the Italian automotive industry, with iconic brands such as Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini born here. As for flavors, the city delights the taste buds with its famous traditional balsamic vinegar, parmesan and lambrusco. So, what's there to do and see in Modena? In this article, discover the 13 must-sees!
1. Visit Modena Cathedral
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Modena Cathedral is one of Italy's most remarkable examples of Lombard Romanesque art. It houses the relics of San Geminiano, the city's patron saint, making it as much a place of pilgrimage as of artistic contemplation. We particularly admired its façade, crowned by a large rose window and richly decorated with bas-reliefs. Take time to admire the north portal, also magnificently sculpted and nicknamed the "portail de la Poissonnerie". It features the cycle of the months, as well as a surprising scene from the legend of King Arthur, proof of the varied influences that fed the medieval imagination. Inside, we were dazzled by the finesse of the rood screen's 13th-century carvings, and by the crypt's varied capitals, including a fascinating two-tailed mermaid.
If you'd like to find out more, we recommend this guided tour of Modena, which will take you on a pleasant stroll through the heart of the city.
2. What to do in Modena Visit the Museo del Duomo
Right next to Modena Cathedral, the Museo del Duomo (Diocesan Museum) completes the visit with a precious collection of liturgical objects, Romanesque tombstones and, above all, the impressive 12th-century metopes: bas-reliefs with symbolic motifs that once adorned the cathedral's flying buttresses. Finally, it's impossible to miss the Ghirlandina, the 87-metre-high campanile that has become the emblem of Modena. Its name derives from the two elegant garlands of columns that encircle its spire. Another hypothesis suggests a more distant origin: Sephardic Jews would have recognized in this tower a resemblance to the famous Giralda in Seville.
Read more : Things to do and see in Emilia-Romagna The 15 must-sees
3. Balsamic vinegar tour in Modena
It's impossible to visit Modena without discovering its most emblematic culinary treasure: traditional balsamic vinegar. Produced according to age-old know-how, this dark, fragrant nectar is aged for years in small wooden barrels, in attics called acetaie. Many family homes open their doors to curious visitors, offering guided tours that can be booked right here, enabling visitors to understand every stage of the process, from the cooked grape must to barrel ageing. The tour usually ends with a tasting session, during which visitors learn to recognize the complex aromas and velvety texture of this exceptional product.
Discover the origin and history of balsamic vinegar by booking this guided tour of a family vinegar cellar in the hills surrounding Modena. Alternatively, visit Acetaia Gambigliani Zoccoli, a traditional balsamic vinegar factory in Modena, and meet the family who produce the vinegar, then taste it with local produce by booking this lunch with cellar tour.
4. The Este Ducal Palace: a Baroque jewel in the heart of Modena
Built from 1634 by Roman architect Bartolomeo Avanzini, the former Este royal palace embodies the elegance of Italian Baroque. Since the end of the Second World War, it has housed Modena's prestigious Military Academy, the only one of its kind in Italy for officer training. Every year, on the third Saturday in May, the palace hosts an exceptional event: the Debutante Ball, reserved for Academy cadets, perpetuating a refined aristocratic tradition. Today, guided tours take visitors through the sumptuous court apartments, richly decorated with frescoes and arranged around the majestic Cour d'Honneur.
5. What to do in Modena Visit the Museum Palace of Modena
Today, the Palazzodei Musei is Modena's main cultural center. It houses the Galleria Estense, the Biblioteca Estense, the Civic Museums and the Roman and Estense lapidary collections. Located on the fourth floor, the Galerie Estense houses an exceptional collection of works of Emilian and Venetian art from the 15th to the 18th centuries. The tour opens with a Madonna with St. John and St. Gregory by Guercino, restored after a theft and spectacular rediscovery in Morocco in 2017. Among the masterpieces on display are a Saint Anthony of Padua by Cosmè Tura, a triptych by El Greco, a portrait of Francis I d'Este by Velázquez, as well as works by Veronese, Tintoretto and exquisite terracotta sculptures.
6. The Maranello Ferrari Museum: a must-see in Modena
It was here, a 15-minute drive from Modena, that Enzo Ferrari set up his factory in 1943. Upon arrival, the tone is set: the Scuderia's many World Championship titles are proudly displayed. Inside, enthusiasts will discover a veritable treasure trove of engines, mechanical parts, old and new models of the brand, as well as a faithful reconstruction of Enzo Ferrari's office. To extend the experience, the Ferrari Factory Tour takes you on a shuttle through the famous Fiorano test track and into the heart of the vast industrial complex. The Maranello Ferrari Museum is a must-see for all car enthusiasts.
Book my ticket for the Enzo Ferrari Museum
Petit Futé tip: avoid the stress of public transport and take advantage of a direct, round-trip transfer service from Modena station to the Ferrari museum in Maranello by booking here.
7. The Enzo Ferrari Museum: a must-see addition to the Maranello museum
This spectacular museum is distinguished by its avant-garde architecture in yellow aluminum. Complementary to the Maranello museum, Ferrari's historic site, it retraces the brand's history through a modern, immersive setting. The vast exhibition hall houses Ferrari's most emblematic models, and every thirty minutes a film dedicated to the life of its founder, Enzo Ferrari, is shown. The experience is enriched by a meticulous scenography, accompanied in the background by the tenor voice of Luciano Pavarotti, also from Modena. Next door, a brick building houses Alfredo Ferrari's former workshop, the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari in 1898.
Discover the home of Ferrari by booking this combined ticket for the Ferrari Maranello Museum and the Ferrari Modena Museum.
If you're a car fan, you can also opt for this this combined ticket which allows you to visit the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena and the Lamborghini Museum in Bologna, 1 hour from Modena, on the same day.
8. What to do in Modena Stroll through the Halles Albinelli
Inaugurated in 1931, the Halles Albinelli are Modena's oldest covered market and one of Italy's most beautiful. Designed in liberty style, their centerpiece is an elegant statue dating from the early 20th century. This lively and charming covered market offers a picturesque and colorful atmosphere in the heart of the city. Although modest in size, its authenticity and conviviality make it a real attraction. Beware, however: its discreet architecture can make it hard to spot at first glance, even though it's a real nugget not to be missed!
Would you like to discover Modena and visit its main monuments through the eyes of a local? History, the most important monuments, curiosities and amusing anecdotes are all waiting for you when you download this digital guide to visit the city for yourself.
9. Go to the figurine museum to see the famous Panini vignettes
As a child, who hasn't collected the famous Panini vignettes, to stick in an album dedicated to the soccer World Cup or a favorite cartoon? Originally from Modena, the Panini brothers founded a publishing house specializing in self-adhesive images in 1961. In the 1990s, they donated some 500,000 items - stickers, cigarette boxes and other objects - to the city of Modena, which today make up the museum's collection. A selection is on permanent display in showcases reminiscent of the pages of a nostalgic scrapbook.
10. See Umberto Panini's car collection
This collection features some twenty Maserati cars . A little anecdote: Umberto Panini, a former worker at Maserati, later joined his brothers at the head of the Panini publishing house, before turning to Parmesan cheese production, after acquiring an estate and dairy cows. In 1993, when Maserati was acquired by the Fiat group, the brand's historic collection was put up for auction. Anxious to preserve this heritage, Umberto Panini decided to acquire it in order to prevent its dispersal.
11. What to do in Modena Taste the region's culinary specialties
Deeply rooted in the local peasant tradition, Emilia-Romagna's cuisine is rich, abundant and tasty. We've already mentioned it, but it's impossible to visit Modena without tasting the famous traditional balsamic vinegar during visits toacetaie (production houses), where you can sample different vintages aged in wooden barrels. But Modena is also the land of parmigiano reggiano, Modena ham and tasty tortellini, small pastas stuffed with meat, often served in a fragrant broth. Gnocco fritto, a light, crispy fried pasta, often accompanies local cured meats and cheese. Finally, to round off the meal, try regional sweets such as zuppa inglese, a dessert made with cream and alcohol-soaked cookies.
Get an up-close look at the cheese-making process, from start to finish , by booking this tasting and tour of the Parmesan cheese factory near Modena. You' ll then taste three varieties of aged Parmigiano Reggiano, wine, tigelle and charcuterie.
Read also: What to eat in Italy 20 culinary specialities to discover
12. See period frescoes and paintings at Palazzo comunale
Housed in a complex of buildings dating from the 11th to 15th centuries, the sumptuous rooms of the town hall are well worth a visit for their frescoes and period paintings. Don't miss the famous Secchia Rapita (the removed bucket), on display in one of the rooms. The bucket symbolizes the ancient rivalry between Modena and Bologna. In 1325, Modenese soldiers, eager to humiliate their enemies, succeeded in breaking into Bologna and stealing a simple bucket - a way of showing that the Bolognese weren't even capable of defending the most banal of objects!
Read more: What to do and see in Bologna The 11 must-sees
13. What to do in Modena Drop in at the Modena tourist office
Located on the first floor of the Palazzo Comunale, Modena's tourist office offers a particularly efficient service. It can organize guided tours of the Palazzo Ducale, wineries, acetaie (balsamic vinegar houses) and wine and food tours. This is also where you can book your visit to the Acetaia Comunale and buy the Unesco combined ticket, which gives access to the Torre Ghirlandina, the Museo del Duomo and the Acetaia Comunale. You'll also find a city map, brochures in French and the season's cultural program.
Read also: What to do and see in Italy The 27 must-sees
Where to stay in Modena?
Modena offers a variety of accommodations to suit all budgets and preferences, combining comfort, charm and proximity to the main attractions.
Here are our favorite options:
- The coziest: Vittorio Veneto 25
We particularly liked this address, located at the entrance to the historic center, with easy parking and easy access to the heart of the city on foot. Vittorio Veneto 25 is an early 1900s Liberty-style residence with elegant lines that you can book here. It's a haven of tranquility, warm and well-organized , with the emphasis on travelers' autonomy and independence.
- The low-budget option: hostel Modena San Filippo Neri
Located 600m from the Duomo, this hostel, which you can book here, is very well situated and offers an excellent solution for budget accommodation. Rooms are friendly and clean, and there's even a kitchen and plenty of communal space.
- Most convenient if you're traveling by car: Hotel Estense
Located close to the historic center, this hotel, which can be booked here, is very convenient for those with cars (free parking). The staff are friendly and the breakfast is complete with freshly squeezed orange juice. There's even a Persian cuisine restaurant on site, for a change from Italian gastronomy!
What to do around Modena
Modena's surroundings offer a wide range of activities and discoveries to suit all tastes.
- Just a few kilometers away, the Lambrusco wine region invites you to visit the estates where this typical sparkling red wine is produced, to be enjoyed in a convivial atmosphere.
- For a nature getaway, the Tosco-Emilian Apennines Regional Park offers magnificent hiking trails through unspoilt countryside. You can also discover the charming medieval villages in the surrounding area, such as Castelvetro di Modena, famous for its picturesque alleyways and panoramic views over the hills.
Read more: Italy's 15 most beautiful villages
- Just a 50-minute drive away, Parma is also well worth a visit. As soon as we ventured into its streets, a feeling of tranquility came over us , as if time had stood still to preserve this jewel. The Piazza del Duomo, adorned with one of Italy's most magnificent baptisteries, embodies this timeless atmosphere. Designated "City of Gastronomy" by UNESCO, Parma is also world-famous for its cured ham and parmigiano reggiano, which you absolutely must try on site. To find out more, read our dedicated article "What to do and see in Parma? The 13 must-sees".
- Last but not least, don 't miss out on a visit to a traditional acetaie in a neighboring town to learn more about artisanal balsamic vinegar. These excursions are the perfect complement to a stay in Modena, combining culture, nature and gastronomy.
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