Itineraries for Your Trip to Modena
3 Days in Modena for Foodies
Art lovers head to Florence and romantics make a beeline to Venice, but foodies know that the best place to feast in Italy is Modena. Sitting at the crossroads between the country’s Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and Aceto Balsamico di Modena areas, Modena is also known for its fresh egg pasta, zampone (stuffed pork trotter), mostarda (candied fruit relish), and countless other local delicacies.
I have enjoyed some of my best Italian meals in Modena, which is thick with family-run trattorias matter-of-factly serving up unforgettable dishes. Eating well is an art form in this small city where the cuisine reigns supreme—here’s how to spend three food-filled days in Moderna.
Modena is set in the humid Po Valley, making it sticky in the hot summer months and damp in winter.
If you only have time for one thing, sample authentic Aceto Balsamico di Modena (balsamic vinegar) at a traditional acetaio.
Pull on some loose trousers and get ready to savor the city with an introductory food tour through Modena’s old town. See the city’s UNESCO-listed square and cathedral while sampling sweet and savory specialties from market stalls, gourmet shops, and landmark eateries across the historic center.
By mid-afternoon, do as the locals do and take the edge off with some drinks and nibbles during the pre-dinner aperitivo hour. Join the lively crowds at the cafès lining Piazza Grande or connect with a local host for an aperitivo workshop and tasting in their home.
Start the day by getting first-hand experience with Modena’s traditional cuisine. Join a home cook as they head to the morning market stalls to choose fresh ingredients, then head back to their kitchen to prepare tagliatelle, tortellini, and other beloved local dishes together.
Modena is ringed by vineyards where Lambrusco and other regional wines are produced. This afternoon, delve into the local winemaking tradition and culture with a winery tour and tasting in the Modenese hills. You’ll need to join a tour or reach the outlying wine estates by car.
No foodie visit to Modena is complete without a jaunt to its many producers. Nibble your way through Emilia Romagna’s famous “Food Valley” today, sampling some of Italy’s most prestigious specialties at their source.
Take advantage of your time exploring Food Valley with a stop to visit the pretty city of Parma, just up the ancient Roman Via Emilia roadway from Modena. Take a food tour through the historic center to sample local specialties or simply relax over dinner in a landmark restaurant in the heart of the old town before heading back to Modena.
