This is a practical one-day itinerary for visiting the Ferrari Museum in Maranello and the automotive and food highlights of Modena, using Bologna as your base. The day covers around 120 km of driving total and works without a car if you use the train and museum shuttle. Return to Bologna by early evening.
The Itinerary at a Glance
- 8:30 AM — Depart Bologna by car or train
- 9:30 AM — Ferrari Museum, Maranello (2–3 hours)
- 12:30 PM — Lunch in Maranello or Modena
- 2:00 PM — Modena: Casa Natale Enzo Ferrari Museum
- 3:30 PM — Modena city centre or Panini collection
- 6:00 PM — Return to Bologna
8:30 AM — Depart Bologna
By car: Maranello is around 45 minutes from Bologna via the A1 motorway. Parking is available near the museum.
By public transport: Take a regional train from Bologna to Modena (30–45 minutes, roughly €4), then the Ferrari Museum shuttle bus from Modena station directly to Maranello. The shuttle stops at the museum entrance and runs daily during opening hours.
→ Full transport guide: How to get to Maranello from Bologna
9:30 AM — Ferrari Museum, Maranello
The Museo Ferrari Maranello is the main event of the morning. Allow 2–3 hours for the museum itself — Formula 1 cars, iconic road cars, rotating exhibitions. If you want to add the guided bus tour of the factory grounds and Fiorano test track, book separately in advance and allow a full half-day. The driving simulator is also available on site.
→ Full guide: Ferrari Museum Maranello vs Modena — which to choose
12:30 PM — Lunch
Two practical options depending on your pace. If you are still in Maranello, Ristorante Cavallino — next to the Ferrari factory — is the obvious choice, serving traditional Emilia-Romagna dishes. If you are already heading to Modena, the city centre has a much wider selection of trattorias and osterias; aim to be seated by 1:00–1:30 PM.
2:00 PM — Casa Natale Enzo Ferrari Museum, Modena
Modena is 20 minutes from Maranello by car. The Casa Natale Enzo Ferrari Museum occupies the site of Enzo Ferrari’s father’s workshop in the city centre, a five-minute walk from the train station. The museum covers early Ferrari models, vehicles Enzo developed with Stanguellini and Maserati, and rotating exhibitions. The original house is included in the visit. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
→ Full comparison: The two Ferrari museums
3:30 PM — Modena: Choose Your Afternoon
From here the afternoon can go in two directions depending on how much motor history you want.
Option A — Modena city centre
A short walk from the museum brings you to Piazza Grande, the medieval cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the Palazzo dei Musei. If you have time, the Maserati factory is also in Modena — guided tours run Monday to Friday and require advance booking.
→ Maserati factory guide: How to visit Maserati in Modena
Option B — Panini Maserati Collection at Hombre Farm
If you have booked in advance, the Umberto Panini Motor Museum at the Hombre Farm — just outside Modena — is one of the best Maserati collections in the world. Free entry by appointment. The farm also produces Parmigiano Reggiano and the dairy can be visited on the same stop. Open Monday to Friday until 6:00 PM.
→ Full guide: Panini Maserati Collection visit guide
→ Other Modena car museums: Stanguellini, Panini, and Collezione Righini
6:00 PM — Return to Bologna
From Modena city centre, Bologna is 45 minutes by car or 30–45 minutes by train. If you came by public transport, the return train runs frequently from Modena station throughout the evening.
Want a Guided Version?
If you prefer to have transport, a guide, and all logistics handled, our Motor Valley tours from Bologna cover the Ferrari Museum, Maserati, Pagani and other factories with a private guide. The Foodies Delight Tour combines Motor Valley with Parmigiano Reggiano dairies, a balsamic acetaia, and a prosciutto cellar in a single day from Bologna.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do Maranello and Modena in one day from Bologna?
Yes, comfortably. The Ferrari Museum in Maranello takes 2–3 hours. Modena is 20 minutes away and the Casa Natale Enzo Ferrari Museum takes around 1–1.5 hours. With a morning start from Bologna you are back by early evening. A car makes the day easier, but the train and museum shuttle work well for the Maranello leg.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes for several stops. The Ferrari factory bus tour books out quickly — reserve at least a week ahead. Maserati factory tours also require advance booking through Modenatur. The Panini collection at Hombre Farm requires an appointment. The Ferrari and Casa Enzo Ferrari museums are walk-in but booking online avoids queues, especially in summer.
Is it possible to do this day trip without a car?
Yes. Take the train from Bologna to Modena (30–45 minutes), then the Ferrari Museum shuttle from Modena station to Maranello. Return to Modena by shuttle, spend the afternoon there, and take the train back to Bologna. The Panini collection at Hombre Farm is harder to reach without a car — a taxi from Modena centre is the practical option.
How much does this day cost?
The Ferrari Museum in Maranello is around €17–20. The Casa Natale Enzo Ferrari in Modena is similar. Combined tickets for both are available at a discount. The Panini collection is free by appointment. Train Bologna–Modena is around €4 each way. Budget €60–80 per person for transport and museum entry, excluding lunch.
What is the best order — Maranello first or Modena first?
Maranello first works better. The Ferrari Museum opens at 9:30 AM and is busiest later in the day. Visiting in the morning and moving to Modena for lunch and the afternoon keeps the pace natural and avoids doubling back. If you are coming by train, you pass through Modena on the way to Maranello via the shuttle, so a Modena-first version is also logical.
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