Bologna is one of Italy’s most underrated cities, and well worth spending a few days exploring in its own right. But thanks to its central location and excellent high-speed rail connections, it’s also the perfect base for exploring Northern Italy.
There are plenty of brilliant day trips in easy reach of Bologna, from world-famous cities like Venice and Florence to hidden gems across the foodie paradise of Emilia-Romagna. Most destinations on this list are under 90 minutes away by train, making them perfect for a full day out before returning to Bologna for the evening.
Quick comparison: Best Bologna day trips at a glance
| Destination | Travel Time | Why visit? |
| Modena | 30 mins | Food heaven, balsamic vinegar, World Heritage site |
| Ferrara | 30-50 mins | Medieval history, castles, city walls |
| Parma | 1 hour | Home of Parmesan & parma ham; beautiful old town; major museums |
| Verona | 1 hour | Romeo & Juliet, Roman arena, opera |
| Florence | 37 mins | Renaissance art, Duomo, Michelangelo |
| Ravenna | 1.5 hours | Byzantine mosaics, UNESCO sites, great for art lovers |
| Venice | 1.5 hours | Canals, gondolas, iconic Italian sights |
| Rimini | 1-2 hours | Beaches, nightlife, Roman ruins |
| Lake Garda | 2 hours | Lakeside towns, boat trips, scenic views |
| La Rocchetta Mattei | 1 hour + walk | Eccentric castle, unique architecture (weekends only) |
| Busseto | 1 hour 40 mins | Hometown of Verdi, one of Italy’s operatic geniuses |
Best Bologna day trips in Emilia-Romagna
Parma
Why go?
A lovely small city in easy reach from Bologna, Parma is one of the best day trips to take in the region. As the birthplace of both Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma, it’s must for foodies.
The best way to discover these delights is through one of the many tours, which offer tastings and visits to factories. Some of the best include:
- Parma: Parmigiano Production and Parma Ham Tour & Tasting
- Parma: Traditional Cheese Factory Visit with Tasting
- Parma: Traditional food tour
You’ll find plenty more options – especially of cheese factory trips! – on GetYourGuide, which I always use for booking guided tours.
But Parma isn’t just about food. It has a lovely old town, with a pretty main square, a remarkable cathedral and a famous pink octagonal baptistery. On top of this, in Palazzo della Pilotta it has one of the best collections of museums in the region – one entry fee getting you access to an archeological museum, national art gallery, ancient wooden theatre and beautiful library. You could also book a walking tour to learn more about the town and its history. Read my full guide of things to do in Parma here.
How to get to Parma by train
Parma is easily reached by train from Bologna Centrale train station, with several trains a day taking about an hour. You can book tickets on Trainline.
Planning a visit to Bologna? Read my ultimate Bologna guide, or learn about Bologna’s many nicknames.
La Rocchetta Mattei
Why go?
One of Northern Italy’s most unique sights, about 50km outside of Bologna. This hilltop castle was the home of Count Mattei, a ‘doctor’ who invented a bogus medical procedure called electro-homeopathy that made him very rich in the 19th century.
He did what you’d expect a 19th century eccentric Italian pseudoscientist to do with all that money: built an outlandish, bizarre castle. It makes a great daytrip, a labyrinthine building fusing together mismatched architectural styles (namely Gothic and Moorish), mazey, winding staircases and rooms and onion-shaped domes.
It’s only open on weekends, and you can only visit by guided tour so tickets are very limited. Book several weeks in advance.
To get there, you need to take a train from Bologna to Riola (You can book tickets on Trainline). From there it’s about a 1km walk to the castle entrance.
Modena
Why visit?
Another of Emilia-Romagna’s food heavens – visit for real balsamic vinegar and to see the birthplace of Pavarotti.
It also has a lovely, buzzing town centre with a world heritage listed central square, making it a great place to explore. The cathedral is its most famous sight, known as the finest Romanesque cathedrals in the whole country.
But Modena is most famous for its food. It’s a fantastic spot for a meal out – the whole centre is crammed with narrow backstreets filled with excellent restaurants. There are also plenty of bars, selling the local speciality Lambrusco (sparkling red wine).
One of the best things to do in Modena, and quite affordable, is to go on a balsamic vinegar cellar tour and tasting.
There are also a couple of interesting museums in Modena – such as the Casa Museo Luciano Pavarotti, where the famous opera singer spent his final years. It wasn’t up our street, but Modena is also famous for its Ferrari museum.
How to get to Modena by train:
Modena is extremely easy to reach from Bologna, with frequent trains leaving Bologna Centrale taking as little as half an hour. You can book tickets on Trainline.
It warrants about half a day, and so can easily be combined with a visit to Parma.
Busseto
Why go?
A tiny town, 35km northwest of Parma, Busseto is worth visiting for Opera fans. It’s a small historic town with several sights to celebrate and learn about Giuseppe Verdi, one of Italy’s operatic geniuses: including Teatro Verdi, Verdi’s villa where he composed many of his best known works, Museo Nationale Giuseppe Verdi, and the house where he was born.
How to get there
It’s possible to get to Busseto from Bologna by getting a train to Fidenza, and then a bus onwards to Busseto. It’ll take about 1 hour 40 mins and you can book tickets on Trainline. Because it’s a bit of a difficult journey and only a small town, I’d mainly recommend this for die hard opera fans!
Ferrara
Why go?
An often overlooked, beautiful medieval city with plenty of interesting sights. Some of its highlights include Castello Estense, complete with a moat and drawbridge; its city walls (among the best in Italy); the ‘Diamond Palace’ which houses the national gallery; a well renowned museum on Italian Judaism and the Shoah; and, of course, its pink-and-white Cathedral.
For history buffs, it’s one of the region’s best day trips.
One of the best ways to explore the town is to take a walking tour with a local guide. You can also book a guided tour of Castello Estense.
How to get there
Ferrara is easy to get to by train from Bologna, with trains every half an hour that take 30-50 minutes. The station is about a mile outside of the centre. You can book tickets on Trainline.
Ravenna
Why go?
One of Emilia-Romagna’s biggest cities, found on the Adriatic coast, Ravenna is most famous for its mosaics. Across several churches and baptisteries, you’ll find one of the world’s best collections of early Christian mosaics – so important they’ve been given UNESCO World Heritage status.
For a period in the early Middle Ages, Ravenna flourished as an important religious city, fertile ground for skilled craftsmen, while much of the rest of Italy was battered by Barbarian incursions. Some of its Byzantine mosaics are truly stunning, and make the city a must-visit for art lovers.
The best way to experience Ravenna’s mosaics, especially on a daytrip, is to take a guided tour. The best rated is this UNESCO Monuments and Mosaics Guided Tour (about £25 per person), but you can find many more options on Get Your Guide.
How to get there
Although it’s in the same region as Bologna, Ravenna is a fair distance away. The best way to get there is by getting a train from Bologna’s central station. They leave frequently and take about 1 hour 30 mins. You can book tickets on Trainline.
Rimini
Why go?
A coastal city known for some of Italy’s best beaches. It also has a famous nightlife scene, making it a great spot for anyone looking for a slightly more hedonistic getaway from Bologna, or to spend some time soaking up the sun.
Rimini is also an ancient city, dating back to the 3rd century BC and it has some interesting Roman ruins, including the Arco di Augusto, the oldest of its kind in Northern Italy. Its old fishing quarter is also worth exploring, made up of cobbled streets, colourful houses and trendy spots for a bite or a drink.
How to get there
There are several trains to Rimini from Bologna, which can take from 1-2 hours. You can book tickets on Trainline.
Best day trips to major Italian cities from Bologna
Bologna is also a great base to explore Northern Italy’s finest and most famous cities – many of which are in easy reach.
Verona
One of Italy’s most beautiful cities, famous for its medieval architecture, riverside setting and, of course, Juliet’s balcony. It’s also home to interesting historic sites, such as a mega Roman amphitheatre, an annual opera festival, and countless lovely churches.
If you’re only visiting Verona for the day, it’s best to explore Verona on a guided tour. This is a convenient option which will help bring the city to life, and ensure that you don’t miss the highlights. Some of the top rated include:
- Verona: History and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour
- Verona: Small Group Guided Walking Tour with Arena Tickets
- The Highlights of Verona Small Group Walking Tour
Travelling to Verona from Bologna is remarkably easy and quick from Bologna – several trains leave a day taking less than an hour. You can book tickets on Trainline.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake, a beautiful, varied area, understandably popular with tourists. It’s not an obvious place to visit from Bologna, but it’s actually really easy to get to the southern edge of the lake using public transport.
I cover in more detail how to visit Lake Garda in my blog here. But essentially, you need to get a train to Verona, where you can change to a train to two of Lake Garda’s biggest towns: Peschiera and Desenzano. Both are nice towns in their own right, nestled on the lake, but the main draw is that from both you can get a boat out onto the lake – and also easily travel to Sirmione, one of the lake’s best sights.
It will take you up to about 2 hours there and 2 hours back, so it makes for a long day. But the journey is pretty and quite pain free, and well worth it. Read my full guide to visiting Lake Garda from Bologna here.
Venice
One of the world’s most famous and popular tourist destinations, Venice hardly needs an introduction. What people don’t realise is that it’s easy to visit as a day trip from Bologna, with trains taking about an hour and a half.
This means you have plenty of time to visit the floating city, see some of its main sights, get lost in its alleyways, and be back in time for tea.
That being said, Venice is very busy, which can mean it takes a while to get around. And it’s popular for a reason – there’s a lot to see. Some of the absolute top sights include St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Doge’s palace.
Prioritise a few and, if you’re only visiting Venice for a day, I’d really recommend a guided tour. Below are a few highly rated tours you could opt for:
- Venice: Grand Canal by Gondola with Live Commentary
- Venice: Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs & Prisons Guided Tour
- Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace Access Tour
- Venice: Walking Guided Tour of the City Must-See Sites
And for the cheapest way to see the city from the water, hop on a water taxi (Line 1 Vaporetto) from directly outside the station, which will take you along the Grand Canal.
Plenty more tours which offer different sights and experiences can be found on GetYourGuide.
To get there, take a train from Bologna Centrale to Venezia Santa Lucia, which takes an hour and a half. You can book tickets on Trainline. I’d recommend booking a few weeks in advance as it’s a popular route, and tickets get more expensive nearer the time.
From the station it’s only a short walk to the centre or, even better, a short boat ride!
Florence
Another of Italy’s big hitters, and so easy to get to from Bologna. World famous for its art – perhaps most notably Michelangelo’s Statue of David – and its cathedral. Florence is less than 40 minutes away by train, it’s one of the best day trips from Bologna, and an absolute must for art lovers.
As with Venice, with such a short time in the city I’d really recommend a guided tour to get the most out of your visit. You should also make sure to book in advance the most popular sites, as Florence gets very busy, and you don’t want to spend your precious time in an endless queue!
Some of the best guided tour options include:
- Florence: Duomo Area Tour and Brunelleschi Dome Climb Ticket
- Florence: Cathedral, Duomo Museum, and Baptistery Tour
- Florence: Uffizi & Accademia Small Group Walking Tour
You can also use Get Your Guide to purchase timed entry tickets to the Accademia Gallery, where you’ll find the Statue of David, as well as to the world famous Uffizi Gallery, another of Florence’s main sights.
High speed trains from Bologna to Florence run several times a day and take only 37 minutes. You can book tickets on Trainline. I’d recommend booking a few weeks in advance as it’s a popular route, and tickets get more expensive nearer the time.
A final option if you’ve got a bit more time – visit San Marino from Bologna for a weekend, and tick of two countries in one trip!
Planning your Bologna day trips: Final tips
With so many excellent options within easy reach, Bologna makes an ideal base for exploring Northern Italy. Here’s how to choose the right day trips for your interests:
For foodies: Don’t miss Parma and Modena – both are less than an hour away and offer incredible food experiences.
For art and history lovers: Florence (37 minutes) and Ravenna (1.5 hours) are unmissable. Venice is also incredibly accessible at just 90 minutes by train.
For something unique: La Rocchetta Mattei offers one of Italy’s most unusual castle experiences, though it’s only open on weekends.
For easy half-day trips: Modena and Ferrara are both under an hour away and can easily be combined in a single day.
I’d recommend spending at least 4-5 days in Bologna to have time to explore the city itself and take 2-3 day trips. The city’s central location and excellent rail connections mean you can easily tailor your itinerary based on weather, interests, and energy levels.
How far is Florence from Bologna?
Florence is just 37 minutes from Bologna by high-speed train, making it one of the easiest and most popular day trips. Trains run frequently throughout the day from Bologna Centrale to Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station.
Can you visit Venice as a day trip from Bologna?
Yes, Venice is an excellent day trip from Bologna. High-speed trains take about 1 hour 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to explore the main sights and be back in Bologna by evening. Book tickets in advance as this is a popular route.
What is the easiest day trip from Bologna?
Modena is the easiest day trip from Bologna, taking just 30 minutes by train with frequent departures. It’s also one of the best, offering world-class food, a UNESCO World Heritage central square, and an easily walkable historic centre.
Do I need to book train tickets from Bologna in advance?
For popular routes to Florence, Venice, and Verona, I recommend booking 2-3 weeks in advance as prices increase closer to the travel date. For regional trains to destinations like Modena, Parma, and Ferrara, you can usually buy tickets on the day as they run frequently and are cheaper.
Can you do multiple day trips from Bologna in one day?
Yes, Modena and Parma work well together as they’re both quick to reach and only warrant half a day each. You could easily visit Modena in the morning and Parma in the afternoon, as they’re on the same train line.
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