WHAT TO SEE

The HISTORIC CENTRE of Modena, small and cosy, is perfect to wander around on foot, losing yourself in the colourful streets and discovering new sights at every corner. If you really don't know where to start, here are the must-sees!

• PIAZZA GRANDE - the city's main square.
• THE DUOMO - a Unesco World Heritage Romanesque masterpiece and its bell tower, the GHIRLANDINA, on which you can climb for a panoramic view.
• MERCATO ALBINELLI - the city's historic local market, it's wonderful at all hours! Go there in the mornings to stroll among the colourful food stalls and buy traditional delicacies to take home, or for lunch to enjoy culinary specialities in the modern food side eateries.
• VIA EMILIA CENTRO - the main street running through the old town.
• PIAZZA ROMA - with the PALAZZO DUCALE, now home to the Modena Military Academy.

MUSEUMS

• ENZO FERRARI MUSEUM - A futuristic building houses the museum where, among vintage cars and reconstructions of some of the rooms of the house, you can discover the life and work of Enzo Ferrari.
• PALAZZO DEI MUSEI - the city's main museum complex, includes the Museo Civico, the Galleria Estense, a wing dedicated to innovative temporary exhibitions, an interesting new free exhibition on the history of Modena and many freely accessible spaces within the wonderful historic building.
• LUCIANO PAVAROTTI HOME MUSEUM - immerse yourself in the life of the great singer. The house, still as the Maestro left it, can be visited in its entirety and houses all the memories and objects dear to him.
• FIGURINE MUSEUM - born from the passion of Giuseppe Panini, the famous founder of the homonymous company, the museum collects, protects and enhances a graphic and cultural heritage made up of figurines and other objects with a similar function.

WHERE TO EAT - BREAKFAST, BRUNCH AND SNACKS

• PASTICCERIA DEGLI DEI - Excellent pastry shop just outside the centre. If you want to try the typical Modenese breakfast with Gnocco Fritto, here they make it delicious!
• MOSAICO - Pastries, yoghurts with fresh fruit, cakes and stuffed focaccia under the splendid glass vault of the Palazzo dei Musei. Perfect for breakfasts, snacks and aperitifs.
• FLORC - Small, sophisticated bar. Best croissants in town.
• KEIK - International patisserie with American-inspired artisan products in a young, contemporary place. Breakfasts, snacks and brunches.
• GIOELIA - The best homemade ice cream in town.

WHERE TO EAT - LUNCH AND DINNER

• TRATTORIA ALDINA - On the first floor of a pastel pink house there is this historic restaurant. Here time has stood still and Modena can be felt in every bite. Old-style furnishings, traditional dishes, family atmosphere.
• OSTERIA STALLO DEL POMODORO - A well-kept restaurant with a very nice outdoor area. Traditional cuisine but with a modern outlook, menu that follows the seasons, great wine selection. Also vegetarian and gluten free dishes.
• RISTORANTE ZELMIRA - Traditional dishes with a modern twist. Very nice outdoor area overlooking the small square.
• RISTORANTE UVA D'ORO - Family run restaurant with a cosy and well-kept atmosphere. Excellent traditional dishes.
• ERBAVOGLIO - Intimate, cosy and elegant restaurant on the ground floor of a historic building. Natural, vegetarian and vegan cuisine with attention to every detail.
• FRANCESCHETTA 58 - The bistro of the Francescana family. Local traditions in a contemporary way of thinking.
• PIZZERIA BERBERè - Pizza! Good and well made.
• BAR SCHIAVONI - The oldest bar in Modena. Today it is a meeting point, the perfect place to have a chat, meet people and eat one of its wonderful sandwiches. The place is tiny, you eat in the street!

WHERE TO DRINK

• MOSAICO - The Italian aperitif not to be missed! Specialising in vermouths, it offers delicious and unusual cocktails and a wine list with 50 selected labels, to be accompanied by small plates and delicacies inspired by Spanish tapas and French cave a manger but with all-local combinations. Wonderful location under the glass vault of the Palazzo dei Musei.
• SLANZI PUB & VINYL - Great beer selection and good music in a super nice spot.

DAY TRIPS

• CASTELVETRO AND THE LAMBRUSCO HILLS  - 20 km from Modena, CASTELVETRO is one of the most beautiful medieval villages in the area. Famous for its winemaking tradition, it is surrounded by hills covered with rows of vines. But the excursion doesn't end here! From the village, lose yourself in the backstreets and hills of Lambrusco until you reach LEVIZZANO RANGONE and visit the Museum of Wine and Rural Society, located inside the Castle. Then continue a little further up, to the Sanctuary of PUIANELLO, to enjoy a splendid view over the valley.