Best day trips from Bologna (by train) for food lovers (2025)

Looking for the best day trips from Bologna by train (or car)?

In under 90 minutes, you can reach art-packed cities, eat incredibly well, and be back in time for aperitivo.

This guide covers easy day trips Bologna travelers love — all reachable by train, with food stops, maps and timing.

Here are my 6 favorite day trips from Bologna with travel times, what to see, where to eat — plus a smart option if you want to skip lines and get more done.

These are the most reliable train trips from Bologna for 2025 — fast, frequent and budget-friendly.

The city of Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale has a lot more to offer (even if it is great to visit a real Acetaia), like the astonishing Modena Cathedral in Piazza Grande or Piazza dell'Accademia.

If like me, your passion is food, Mercato Albinelli is a landmark: lucky ones can find Massimo Bottura shopping between the fish stalls.

Don't miss the minimal Modena cemetery by Aldo Rossi, it's a masterpiece.

Crazy about cars?
At the Ferrari Museum, you can see an impressive collection or even drive a real one in Maranello.

Last tip: look for Torta Barozzi, a tasty chocolate and coffee cake born in Vignola with a secret recipe.
Taste it with other hidden foods of Modena on our Modena Food Tour.

Info

How to get there: High-speed or Regionale from Bologna Centrale to Modena; 20–35 minutes; departures every ~20–30 minutes. The historic center is a 10–15-minute walk from the station.

Best time to go: Year-round; best on market days (mornings, Tue–Sat). Spring and autumn for comfortable strolling and balsamic visits.

Cost snapshot: Return train €8–€22 (Reg vs HS). Duomo & Cathedral museum €0–€6; Ferrari Museum (Modena) €18–€22 (if you include it).

1-day itinerary: 09:00 train → 09:45 Mercato Albinelli browse & coffee → 11:15 Duomo & Piazza Grande → 13:00 lunch at Trattoria Aldina → 15:00 Aldo Rossi Cemetery (quick visit) → 16:30 gelato & centro stroll → 18:00 train back.

Sunday/holiday tips: Traditional markets and some trattorias may close/reduce hours; pre-book restaurants. Many museums keep Monday closures—check ahead.

You all know Florence's landmarks: Uffizi, Duomo and David.
But if you have already been there, I suggest a different day trip inside a less touristic Florence.

Visit Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio, a real local market close to Santa Croce Basilica.

Stop for lunch at the most popular San Lorenzo indoor market to try lampredotto and buy some cantucci cookies at cantucciaio di San Lorenzo.

Then move outside the crowded streets and walk around Santo Spirito and Borgo San Frediano neighborhood.
It's an area full of students, small shops, and nice restaurants, and if you come in spring I recommend visiting Boboli Gardens.

With a high-speed train Florence is just 35 minutes from Bologna, so consider sleeping in the cheaper and less touristic Bologna and just move there for a day.

To avoid the tourists' traps, read my complete guide to where to eat in Florence.

Info

How to get there: Frecciarossa/Italo HS from Bologna Centrale to Firenze S.M.N.; 35–40 minutes; very frequent. Duomo is ~12–15 minutes’ walk.

Best time to go: Year-round; avoid peak summer heat/queues. Pre-book Uffizi/Accademia; early AM or late PM slots work best.

Cost snapshot: Return train €24–€60 (dynamic pricing). Uffizi €12–€25 seasonally; Duomo complex passes priced separately.

1-day itinerary: 08:30 HS train → 09:15 Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio coffee/snack → 10:30 Uffizi (pre-booked) → 13:30 lunch (try lampredotto) → 15:00 Duomo area/Boboli Gardens → 17:30 stroll Borgo San Frediano → 19:00 HS back.

Sunday/holiday tips: Major museums open but book ahead; some boutiques and markets close Sundays/holidays. Expect lines—time-slot tickets are essential.

I'm deeply in love with Ferrara.
And I'm 100% sure it would be an amazing day trip from Bologna for you too.

Start to explore the landmarks: Palazzo dei Diamanti, Estense Castle (one of my favorite castles in Emilia Romagna) and San Giorgio Cathedral.

But it's the structure of the city, redesigned by Ercole I to enlarge and protect Ferrara from the enemies, that is astonishing in its perfect proportion.

​Since 1995 Ferrara has been a UNESCO heritage site, and it's not difficult to understand why.

Rent a bike (Ferrara is one of the European cities of bike) and ride through tiny streets or on the city walls that fence the center.

If you have a car, you can drive 30 minutes to visit Comacchio, a small village with canals famous for its eel tradition.

Info

How to get there: Regionale from Bologna Centrale to Ferrara; 30–50 minutes; frequent. 10–15-minute walk or short bus to the center.

Best time to go: Late spring to early autumn to enjoy cycling on the walls/streets. Winter is quieter but charming.

Cost snapshot: Return train €8–€18. Castello Estense €8–€14 depending on exhibitions; Palazzo dei Diamanti priced separately.

1-day itinerary: 09:00 train → 09:45 Castello Estense → 11:30 Palazzo dei Diamanti (exhibits) → 13:30 lunch (try cappellacci di zucca, salama da sugo) → 15:30 bike ride on city walls → 17:30 aperitivo in the medieval streets → 18:30 train back.

Sunday/holiday tips: Good Sunday option; bike rentals may have shorter hours on holidays. Some museums close on Monday.

Close to the Adriatic Sea, Ravenna is one of the most popular Bologna day tours for art lovers, thanks to its gold mosaics and compact old town.

Join our Ravenna tour to never miss a detail of the stunning mosaics of San Vitale and Mausoleo di Galla Placidia.

And if you have a car, consider going to Sant'Apollinare in Classe to complete your mosaic itinerary.

Can't you leave without a jump on the beach?

Don't expect the beautiful and clear sea of Sicilia or Puglia, but summer nightlife is one of the most famous in Italy.
And Ravenna's best restaurants have nothing to envy anyone out there.

​When you come back to Bologna, don't forget to stop at Dozza, a hidden village full of street art and a nice middle age castle you can visit.

Info

How to get there: Regionale from Bologna Centrale to Ravenna; ~60–75 minutes; departures roughly every 30–60 minutes. 15–20-minute walk to San Vitale.

Best time to go: All year for mosaics (indoors). Summer adds beach options; spring/autumn for cooler temps and fewer crowds.

Cost snapshot: Return train €12–€26. The cumulative ticket for San Vitale + Galla Placidia is usually €12.5; Sant’Apollinare in Classe is separate.

1-day itinerary: 08:50 train → 10:10 Basilica di San Vitale & Galla Placidia → 12:30 lunch in the center → 14:30 Sant’Apollinare in Classe (bus/taxi) → 17:00 aperitivo & piadina → 18:30 train back.

Sunday/holiday tips: Churches remain open but with service hours; check last admissions (Galla Placidia has timed slots). Book a skip-the-line tour to optimize.

For children growing up in Emilia Romagna, Mantua is the most typical school day excursion.

In this small city of Lombardia, you can follow the steps of Gonzaga's Renaissance family and visit astonishing palaces like Palazzo Te: a villa designed and painted by Giulio Romano for the idleness and leisure of Federico II.
I bet that entering Sala dei Giganti will leave you speechless.

Mantua's city center, a UNESCO Heritage site, is a gem.

Take the time to visit Sant'Andrea Cathedral, Bibiena theatre and the most popular Camera degli Sposi painted by Mantegna inside San Giorgio's castle.

​One last tip: while you come back, stop on Mincio River shores to take a few photos of Mantua's skyline during sunset. ​

Info

How to get there: Regionale (often with 1 change) from Bologna Centrale to Mantova; ~90 minutes; departures ~hourly. 15–20-minute walk to the center.

Best time to go: Spring/autumn for lakeside views and palace visits; December lights are scenic, summers can be hot/humid.

Cost snapshot: Return train €16–€36 (route/advance). Palazzo Te €12–€15; Ducal Palace/Camera degli Sposi ticket separate.

1-day itinerary: 08:30 train → 10:00 Palazzo Te (Sala dei Giganti) → 12:30 lunch (try tortelli di zucca, sbrisolona) → 14:30 Ducal Palace & Camera degli Sposi → 17:30 sunset photos over Lago di Mezzo skyline → 18:45 train back.

Sunday/holiday tips: Popular on weekends; reserve tickets where possible. Some museums close on Monday; kitchens may stop early Sun night—book dinner if staying late.

Among the top one day trips from Bologna, Parma mixes opera heritage with world-famous cheese and cured meats.

Start your visit from the Cathedral and its Baptistery, landmarks not to miss. But don't forget to cross the river to walk around the Oltretorrente neighborhood.

There are many reasons to visit Parma and theatres are one of them: enter the wood-made theatre inside La Pilotta complex and book your seat inside the Regio to watch an opera in the city of Giuseppe Verdi.

Info

How to get there: HS/Regionale from Bologna Centrale to Parma; ~50–70 minutes; frequent departures. 12–15-minute walk to the Duomo.

Best time to go: Spring and early autumn for strolling and food stops; September–October adds food festivals/Verdi opera season.

Cost snapshot: Return train €14–€30. Duomo & Baptistery combo €10–€15. Opera tickets vary widely (from €25+ if you plan an evening).

1-day itinerary: 09:00 train → 10:10 Duomo & Baptistery → 12:30 lunch (prosciutto, Parmigiano Reggiano, culatello) in Oltretorrente → 15:00 Teatro Farnese (La Pilotta) → 17:00 gelato & piazzas → 18:30 train back.

Sunday/holiday tips: Some food shops close Sun afternoon; museums often close Monday. Reserve classic trattorie ahead.

Conclusion

Bologna is the perfect base for unforgettable day trips. In less than 90 minutes by train you can discover mosaics in Ravenna, taste Parmigiano in Parma, or explore Renaissance palaces in Mantua — and still be back in Bologna for aperitivo.

Want to make it even easier?
Join one of our Taste Bologna food tours and let a local guide show you the best places to eat, hidden gems, and stories you won’t find in guidebooks.

[Photos: Caspar Diederik, Alessandro Grussu,Fr Lawrence Lew, Alessandro Bonvini, Augusto Mia Battaglia, Eric Pascolo]