Ducati Museum and Prosciutto di Modena: A Day Out from Bologna

The Ducati factory and museum at Borgo Panigale sits 6 km west of Bologna’s centre. A Prosciutto di Modena producer is another 30 minutes into the countryside beyond. The two visits make a logical day: motors in the morning, cured ham in the afternoon. Neither requires a car if you book the Ducati tour with transport included, though having your own vehicle makes the afternoon visit more flexible.

Morning: Ducati Museum and Factory, Borgo Panigale

The Ducati Museum covers the brand’s history from its post-war origins as a radio components manufacturer through to its current MotoGP machines — over 50 models on display. The factory tour runs separately and takes you through the production line where the bikes are assembled. Both visits together give a coherent picture of how a motorcycle goes from design to finished machine.

Factory tours run Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 09:00, 09:15, 15:30, and 15:45. Book online in advance — entry is not guaranteed without a booking. Wear closed shoes in the factory; under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. The museum sits adjacent to the factory at Via Cavalieri Ducati 3, Borgo Panigale. Check the official Ducati website before visiting as the museum periodically closes for renovation while factory tours continue.

Afternoon: Prosciutto di Modena

Prosciutto di Modena DOP is made in the hills and valleys of the Panaro River basin — the charcuteries are spread across the provinces of Modena, Bologna, and Reggio Emilia. The curing process runs to at least 14 months: the pork legs are salted, washed, dried, and then left to age in conditions that the local microclimate is said to influence. The result is drier and more intensely flavoured than Prosciutto di Parma, which is produced further west and where the pigs are fed on whey from Parmigiano Reggiano production — giving it a distinctly different, slightly sweeter character.

A visit to a working curing house shows the process in sequence — rows of legs at different stages, the salt rooms, the drying rooms. Tasting sessions typically include the ham with local Lambrusco, which cuts through the salt well. For organised visits to Parma ham producers and a broader cured meats itinerary from Bologna, see the Parma ham tour.

See where the food actually comes from.
The Emilia Delizia food tour takes you inside working Parmigiano, balsamic, and ham producers — rated 4.9 stars on TripAdvisor.

Practical Notes

• Ducati: Via Cavalieri Ducati 3, Borgo Panigale — book factory tour + museum online at ducati.com; closed shoes required
• Getting there: Borgo Panigale is 6 km from Bologna centre — taxi takes around 15 minutes; buses run from the city but are slower
• Prosciutto di Modena producers: located in the hills south and west of Modena — a car is the practical option for the afternoon; some producers require advance booking
• Combined day: start at Ducati for the 09:00 tour, finish by midday, drive to Modena countryside for a 13:00–14:00 producer visit and lunch, back to Bologna by late afternoon
• For a guided version covering multiple food producers in one trip, the Bologna vs Modena vs Parma comparison may help you plan which areas to focus on