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• Modena

4-Day Food and Culture Guide to Modena

Discover the flavors of Modena, where tradition and innovation meet.

22 April 2023

A trip to Modena will be a gastronomical delight for the tourists who love Italian food. Modena is known for its rich balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese, which is a must-try for the foodies. The city is also home to stunning medieval architecture, such as the Modena Cathedral, making it a perfect destination for history lovers.

Travel plan

• Check-in at Hotel Numero Uno, a modern yet cozy property with an unbeatable location in the city center.
• Grab a cappuccino and a cornetto at Pasticceria Torino, a historic pastry shop famous for its delicious treats.
• Walk around Piazza Grande and admire the Modena Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Visit the Enzo Ferrari Museum and learn about the life and work of the legendary car designer.
• Have a traditional balsamic vinegar tasting at Acetaia di Giorgio, a family-run producer that has been making the condiment for generations.
• Dinner at Osteria Francescana, a 3-Michelin star restaurant run by chef Massimo Bottura, who reinvents Italian cuisine with creativity and humor.

• Breakfast at Caffetteria dell'Orologio, an elegant café with a vintage vibe and excellent espresso.
• Take a stroll through the Estense Galleries, a museum complex housed in the magnificent Palazzo dei Musei, with a collection that ranges from Renaissance paintings to ancient ceramics.
• Visit the Municipal Museum, which showcases the history and traditions of Modena, from its Roman origins to its modern-day innovations.
• Explore the Baroque beauty of the Church of Sant'Agostino, with its stunning frescoes and sculptures.
• Lunch at Trattoria Aldina, a rustic trattoria that serves homemade pasta, meat dishes, and local wines.
• Attend a performance at Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti, a grand opera house named after the most famous tenor in history.

• Breakfast at Pasticceria Gollini, a pastry shop loved by locals for its sweet and savory specialties.
• Join a culinary tour of Modena's traditional food shops, such as the Mercato Albinelli, the Antica Bottega del Formaggio, and the Salumeria Garibaldi.
• Visit a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy and witness the production process of the world-renowned cheese.
• Enjoy a lunch of prosciutto di Modena, culatello, and other cured meats at Hosteria Giusti, a historic tavern with a cozy atmosphere.
• Take a cooking class at Casa Artusi, a culinary institute dedicated to promoting Italian gastronomy and culture.
• Dinner at Albinelli Market, a food hall that offers a wide range of local delicacies, from fresh seafood to artisanal gelato.

• Breakfast at Gelateria Bloom, a gelato shop that uses only the finest natural ingredients and offers unusual flavors like pumpkin and gorgonzola.
• Rent a bicycle and cycle to Parco Enzo Ferrari, a green oasis with scenic paths, gardens, and a pond.
• Take a guided tour of Villa San Donnino, a 17th-century mansion that houses the Museum of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar.
• Visit the Piazza della Pomposa and enter the Chiesa di San Bartolomeo, one of the oldest churches in Modena.
• Lunch at Ristorante Gallo Cedrone, an elegant restaurant that serves fish and seafood dishes inspired by the Adriatic Sea.
• Have a glass of Lambrusco, the sparkling red wine that is typical of Emilia-Romagna, at Enoteca Compagnia del Bere.
• Take your time to explore and enjoy Modena in these 4 days, and you will surely fall in love with the city's charm, history, and flavors. Arrivederci!