Day Trips from Bologna: Where to Go, How Long It Takes and What to See

Bologna’s position at the centre of the Po Valley and on the main Italian high-speed rail line makes it one of the best-connected cities in the country for day trips. Modena is 20 minutes away. Ferrara and Parma are under an hour. Florence is 35 minutes by Frecciarossa. Venice, Verona, and Milan are all reachable in well under two hours. Here is a practical guide to the most worthwhile destinations — what each is good for, how long it takes, and how much time you actually need.

Within Emilia-Romagna

Modena — 20 minutes by train

The closest worthwhile day trip from Bologna. Modena is compact, walkable, and packs in an extraordinary amount: a UNESCO-listed Romanesque cathedral and tower, the Este collections at the Galleria Estense, one of Europe’s great covered markets at the Mercato Albinelli, the Enzo Ferrari Museum, and the Acetaia museum for traditional balsamic vinegar. Half a day is enough to cover the essentials; a full day lets you eat properly at lunch and explore at leisure. For the full picture, see our complete guide to Modena.

Ferrara — 30 minutes by regional train

A UNESCO World Heritage city that gets a fraction of the visitors it deserves. Ferrara was one of the great Este court cities of the Italian Renaissance — the urban planning from that period (the Herculean Addition, one of the first modern city extensions in Europe) is still clearly visible and is part of what earned it its UNESCO status. The Castello Estense dominates the centre; the Cathedral and Palazzo dei Diamanti are both worth time; and the city’s network of Renaissance streets is unusually intact. It is flat, bicycle-friendly, and easy to navigate on foot. A full day is ideal, though a half day covers the highlights. Trains run every 30–60 minutes from Bologna Centrale.

Ravenna — 1 hour 15 minutes by regional train

Ravenna requires a full day and rewards it. The city has eight UNESCO-listed early Christian and Byzantine monuments, the most important being the Basilica di San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and the Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. The mosaics — 5th and 6th century, in gold and deep colour — are among the finest in the world and survive in extraordinary condition. A combined ticket covers the main sites (from €10.50 for two sites, €14.50 for five). In 2026 timed entry reservations are required; book online before you go. The regional train from Bologna takes around 75 minutes with one change at Castel Bolognese or direct on some services. For more detail, see our guide to Ravenna’s hidden gems.

Parma — 55 minutes by regional, 30 minutes by high-speed

Parma is best approached as a food city first and a cultural city second — though it has both. The Cathedral and Baptistery contain some of the finest Romanesque and early Renaissance art in northern Italy; the Teatro Regio is one of Italy’s most important opera houses; and the National Gallery houses works by Correggio and Parmigianino. But Parma is also the home of Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, and the combination of a morning at the market (Mercato della Ghiaia) and a long lunch at one of the city’s trattorias is as good an argument for the visit as any. For the full guide, see how to plan your trip to Parma.

If you want to combine the food producers — Parmigiano Reggiano dairy, a Parma prosciutto producer, and a Modena balsamic acetaia — in a single organised day, our food lovers’ day trip from Bologna covers all three with transport included.

Further Afield by High-Speed Train

Florence — 35 minutes by Frecciarossa

The fastest and most popular day trip from Bologna. The Frecciarossa covers the distance in 35–37 minutes, with frequent departures throughout the day from Bologna Centrale. Florence warrants multiple visits, but even a single day is enough for the Uffizi, the Duomo complex, Ponte Vecchio, and a good lunch. Book the Uffizi in advance — queues without a reservation can run to 2 hours in high season. If shopping is part of the plan, the Barberino Designer Outlet is on the A1 halfway between Bologna and Florence — reachable by car in under an hour without going into the city at all. See our guide to outlet shopping near Florence.

Verona — 52 minutes by high-speed train

Verona is compact, walkable, and extremely rewarding for a day trip. The Roman Arena on Piazza Bra is one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the world (open daily 9:00–19:00). Piazza delle Erbe and the surrounding medieval streets are the social heart of the city. Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta) is the inevitable tourist stop — worth a quick look, though the courtyard gets very crowded. Castelvecchio, a 14th-century Scaligeri fortress on the river, houses an excellent art museum. The city repays a full day; if you want to add Mantua (a well-preserved Gonzaga court city), the two work together with an early start — Mantua is 40 minutes from Verona by regional train.

Looking for an authentic food experience?
Join our Foodie’s Delight Tour – Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar & cured meats in one unforgettable day.

Venice — 1 hour 20 minutes by high-speed train

Venice is a full day — there is no half-day version that does it justice. The high-speed train from Bologna Centrale arrives at Venezia Santa Lucia station in 1h15–1h20, with multiple departures daily. San Marco, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto market, and a vaporetto trip along the Grand Canal are the core itinerary. Book the Doge’s Palace and Accademia in advance if you plan to visit them; queues in summer are long. The city is best in early morning before the day-trip crowds arrive — if you can manage a first train out of Bologna and a late afternoon return, the experience is notably better.

Milan — 1 hour by high-speed train

Milan works as a day trip but is better with a night. The high-speed train takes just under an hour, with very frequent departures. Leonardo’s Last Supper (Santa Maria delle Grazie) requires advance booking — slots fill weeks ahead. Beyond that, the Duomo and its rooftop terraces, the Pinacoteca di Brera, the Sforzesco Castle, and the Navigli canal district cover a full day comfortably. Milan is also the obvious base for Barberino or the Fidenza Village outlet if shopping is part of the agenda.