Best day trips from Bologna by train (2025 guide)

Thinking about day trips from Bologna by train but not sure where to start?

From mosaics in Ravenna to markets in Modena and ham in Parma, in under 90 minutes you can jump on a train at Bologna Centrale, spend a full day somewhere beautiful, and still be back under the porticoes for aperitivo.

This is not a list of 25 random towns.
It’s a short, honest selection of the best cities near Bologna by train – places where you can actually enjoy your time, eat well, walk a lot and not spend the day checking the clock.

Pick one, pick two, or just read them all and decide on the platform.

Three fast ways to choose your Bologna day trip:

If food is your first filter

Start with Modena (market + balsamic) or Parma (cheese + ham). Ravenna and Ferrara are great too, but Modena and Parma are pure Emilia Romagna food city experiences.

If you’re more into art & history

Ravenna for mosaics, Mantua for Renaissance palaces, Florence if it’s your first time in Italy and you want the big classic in one shot.

If you’re travelling with kids

Ferrara (flat, bike-friendly, castle with a moat), Ravenna (mosaics inside, beach nearby in summer) and Rimini (long beach, promenade, and playgrounds) are usually the easiest wins.

If you just want the fastest choices: Modena (food), Ravenna (art), Ferrara (bikes), Parma (ham & cheese).

For a big classic: Florence.
For a seaside break: Rimini.
For something different: Faenza.

Modena is small, elegant, and full of good things to eat — which is why it’s one of the most rewarding day trips from Bologna.

Start in Piazza Grande and visit the Cathedral, a UNESCO masterpiece that locals almost take for granted.

Then walk to Mercato Albinelli, Modena’s historic indoor market: fruit sellers shouting, fresh pasta being rolled, fish stalls full of Adriatic catch — and, if you’re lucky, Massimo Bottura doing his shopping.

Love architecture?
Take a detour to the Aldo Rossi Cemetery, one of Italy’s most quietly powerful contemporary works.

Crazy about cars?

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

Before you leave, try Torta Barozzi, a dense chocolate and coffee cake from Vignola — a Modenese secret that never should’ve left the region.

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.

Reggio Emilia is one of those places that rarely makes the “top day trips” lists — which is exactly why it’s worth going.

It’s close, calm, elegant, and full of small pleasures: contemporary art, Parmigiano, arcades, and cafés where nobody is in a hurry.

If you like photography and architecture, Reggio will surprise you.

Start at the Chiostri di San Pietro, a restored complex that mixes Renaissance spaces with clean, modern lines. Exhibitions change often, and the atmosphere is slow and beautiful.

Then head to the Collezione Maramotti, housed in the old Max Mara factory. It’s free, it’s bold, and it’s one of the most interesting private contemporary art collections in Italy.
You need to book ahead — but it’s worth the five minutes.

Stroll through the compact historic center, peek inside churches, stop for a slice of erbazzone, and enjoy a city that feels lived-in, not built for visitors.

Reggio Emilia doesn’t shout. That’s what makes it refreshing.

Info

How to get there:
Regionale or Regionale Veloce from Bologna Centrale to Reggio Emilia; 35–55 minutes. The center is a pleasant 15-minute walk.

Best time to go:
All year. Spring and early autumn are perfect for wandering between exhibitions and outdoor cafés.

Cost snapshot:
Return train €9–€18. Chiostri exhibitions vary (often free or low-cost). Maramotti Collection is free with reservation.

1-day itinerary:
09:00 train → 09:50 Chiostri di San Pietro → 12:30 lunch & erbazzone in the center → 14:30 Collezione Maramotti (pre-booked) → 17:00 stroll under the porticoes → 18:00 train back.

Sunday/holiday tips:
Some exhibitions and museums close on Mondays; shops may have shorter Sunday hours. Book Maramotti in advance.

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 wooden 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.

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 bikes) 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 Sicily 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.

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.

Faenza is small, quiet, warm — the kind of place where you slow down without trying.
If you like craft, design, and cities that don’t shout, this is one of the smartest day trips from Bologna.

The city is famous worldwide for its ceramics (yes, faience comes from here), but what makes Faenza worth the trip isn’t just the objects — it’s the people who make them.

Walk through the center, step inside a few artisan studios, chat with potters shaping pieces you’ll find months later in design stores abroad.

Then visit the MIC – International Ceramics Museum, one of the most surprising collections in Italy: ancient pieces behind Picasso and Burri, contemporary installations, and a calm atmosphere that’s very Faenza.

This trip isn’t about rushing.
It’s about wandering, looking, touching materials, maybe choosing one beautiful object to bring home — something you’ll actually use, not another magnet.

Food here leans Romagnolo: piadina, grilled fish, fresh pasta, simple trattorie like La Baita, and generous portions.

It feels lighter than Bologna, more coastal in spirit even if the sea is still a bit away.

Info

How to get there:
Regionale from Bologna Centrale → Faenza; ~50–60 minutes. Easy walk from the station to the center.

Best time to go:
Year-round. Spring and autumn are perfect for wandering between studios. Avoid Mondays if you want galleries open.

Cost snapshot:
Return train €8–€18. MIC Museum €10–€14 depending on exhibitions. Artisan studios usually free to enter.

1-day itinerary:
09:00 train → 10:00 MIC Museum → 12:30 lunch (piadina or fresh pasta) → 14:30 ceramics studios walk → 17:00 coffee & slow streets → 18:00 train back.

Sunday/holiday tips:
Many studios close on Sundays; check before going. Museums keep more regular hours. Summer afternoons can be hot — morning visits work best.

If you’re travelling with kids — or you just want a day that feels like a holiday from the moment you step off the train — Rimini is your easiest win.

A real seaside town: long sandy beaches, a promenade where nobody walks fast, gelato every ten metres, and enough space for children to run without you panicking about cars.

Start with the beach, because that’s what Rimini does best.
Drop your towel, breathe the salty air, eat a gelato, maybe two. It’s simple, in the best possible way.

When you’ve had enough sun, leave the sand behind and wander into the old town.

Rimini has more history than people expect: the Tiberius Bridge, Roman bits and pieces, little streets where you can slow down again.

And if you’re into cinema, don’t miss the Fellini Museum — dreamy, playful, beautifully done. Staying in the mood, catch a film at the Cinema Fulgor, the theatre where Fellini saw his first movies.

Before heading back, walk out to the Palata, the long pier that stretches into the sea.
It’s one of the simplest and nicest things you can do in Rimini: waves, wind, people fishing, families strolling.

Being in Romagna, food is always part of the story.

Grab a piadina, share a bowl of fresh pasta, or sit down for a proper fish lunch at Il Pescato del Canevone — generous, local, exactly what you want after a day at the beach.

Info

How to get there: Regionale Veloce or Regionale from Bologna Centrale → Rimini; ~55–70 minutes. Beach and center both within walking distance or a short bus ride.

Best time to go: Late spring to early autumn for beach days. Off-season is quieter and great for food + long walks.

Cost snapshot: Return train €10–€24. Public beach is free; private lidos vary. Fellini Museum ~€10.

1-day itinerary: 08:30 train → 10:00 beach + gelato → 13:00 lunch at Il Pescato del Canevone → 15:30 Fellini Museum → 17:00 walk on the Palata → 18:30 train back.

Sunday/holiday tips: Summer trains get busy; avoid the absolute peak. Book restaurants if you want fish. Piadina kiosks save the day when everything else is full.

Florence is the easiest “big classic” from Bologna.
One 35-minute high-speed train and you’re in the center of the Renaissance.

If it’s your first time, stick to the essentials: Uffizi, Duomo, Accademia. Pre-book everything — queues can eat your day.

But if you’ve already been, skip the crowds and explore Florence where Florentines actually live.

Start at Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, a real neighborhood market. Grab a coffee, watch the stalls set up, and enjoy the calm before crossing the river.

Walk through Santo Spirito and Borgo San Frediano, two lively districts full of small shops, students, trattorias, and bars.
If the weather is kind, end in the Boboli Gardens, Florence’s green escape.

And for lunch?
Try lampredotto inside the San Lorenzo market — a Florentine classic.

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 are 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.

For kids growing up in Emilia Romagna, Mantua is a classic school trip: palaces, lakes, a lot of walking and that moment when you first stand under the ceiling of Palazzo Te.

It’s technically in Lombardy, but it feels like an extension of Emilia Romagna’s world: rich food, quiet elegance, a bit of fog in winter.

In this small city, you follow the traces of the Gonzaga family, powerful enough to call in the best architects and painters of the time.

Your first stop is Palazzo Te, a villa designed and painted by Giulio Romano as a place for leisure and fun. You walk into the Giants Room and your jaw quietly drops – the walls and ceiling become one big scene.

Back in the center, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, don’t miss the Sant’Andrea church, the Bibiena Theatre and the famous Camera degli Sposi painted by Mantegna in the Ducal Palace.

On your way out, stop along the Mincio River to take a few photos of Mantua’s skyline at sunset. It’s one of those views that stay with you.

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.

Even we Bolognesi do it sometimes: early train, a few hours in Venice, back home for dinner.
It’s not madness. It’s just Venice.

The trick is simple: don’t expect to see everything.
And honestly, that’s the best way to enjoy it.

Venice works in small, focused bites.
Pick one thing that excites you and build your day around it:
a temporary exhibition you’ve been chasing, two hidden churches, that one painting you always wanted to see, the Guggenheim, or the Olivetti showroom by Carlo Scarpa, if design is your weak spot.

Forget the checklist. Walk slowly. Get lost on purpose.
In a city like this, even a few hours are worth the ride.

And if you want to avoid the worst tourist traps (and actually eat well), read my guide on where to eat in Venice.

Info

How to get there:
High-speed Frecciarossa/Italo trains from Bologna Centrale to Venezia S. Lucia take about 1h30.
Seats are mandatory; early trains are your friend.

Best time to go:
All year. Early mornings and late afternoons feel peaceful even on busy days.

Cost snapshot:
Return HS train €30–€70 depending on timing. Major churches and museums have separate tickets.

1-day itinerary (smart version):
08:00 train → 09:35 arrive at Santa Lucia → quiet walk through Cannaregio → choose one main stop → cicchetti & a glass of white → cross a few bridges slowly → 17:00 train back.

Sunday/holiday tips:
Book your top stop in advance, avoid the Rialto–San Marco corridor at peak hours, and expect crowds—Venice is still worth it.

Bologna is a city that rewards curiosity, and its trains make everything even easier.

In under 90 minutes, you can walk through mosaics soaked in gold, eat your way through markets, cycle medieval streets, or stand on a pier with the sea in front of you — and still be back for aperitivo under the porticoes.

There’s no perfect choice here.

There’s only what you feel like today: food, art, beach, quiet, or a mix of everything. And that’s the beauty of using Bologna as your base — every day can look completely different without feeling rushed.

If you want to go deeper, eat better, and avoid the obvious traps, join one of our Taste Bologna food tours.
A local guide, a small group, real stories, real places — the kind that don’t show up on postcards but stay with you much longer.

Pick a train. Pick a city. Or pick a tour and let us show you the good stuff.
Either way, Bologna takes care of the rest.

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