Parma, Modena or Ferrara?

Hi Phil, I’ve stayed in each of those cities you’re mentioning. Also, I will add Ravenna to your options in case you don’t know about the gorgeous mosaics there. There’s interesting history for sure with Ravenna, plus there’s a museum that is an underground uncovered rooms.

Take a quick look at the TripAdvisor “things to do” for each of these three cities to see the historical sites vs. me listing them all here.. I will mention that the Palazzo Schifanoia (Palazzo della Gioia) in Ferrara says it’s closed for renovation, but I was just back in Ferrara a few months ago, and it was open.

For Modena, I booked “Modena: Balsamic Lunch with Vinegar Cellar Tour & Tasting” with Gambigliani Zoccoli Acetaia”, and I recommend it. They do a very nice job of sharing their history, demonstrate the way they handle their vinegar in the attic, plus the meal was nicely done to taste their three varieties. I travel by train, so I walked back to the station one day since they offered a shuttle from the train station out to their countryside location.

Parma has one of my favorite cathedral interiors- absolutely gorgeous warm-toned frescoes lining the aisle and ceiling!

If I had to rate them, I would say Ferrara, Parma and then Modena last place, but there’s no wrong choice with these three. Even better, if you took the earliest train to Ravenna and then stop at Ferrara on the way back. But, check the hours that the castle in Ferrara is open, first.

I agree with Jean's ranking and also that Ravenna is ravishing, but I think it needs more than even one full day for itself.

Thanks so much for the great info. My wife and I will be in Ravenna before Bologna, but I will start my research into Ferrara. This will be my sixth trip to Italy and I've barely scratched the surface! So far, Sicily and Puglia have been our favorite regions, but are anxious to explore Emilia-Romagna.

Yup, Ferrara!

Here's one recent previous post about Ferrara that includes what I had to say about it: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/thoughts-on-ferrara

Phil, the Emilia-Romagna area is full of wonderful food, beautiful historic sites - so much to enjoy and other than Bologna, it’s not as busy. I agree with you on Puglia! I was there in May the last two years, and I am tacking on some time there again after a RS tour in another country in 2026. I want to enjoy it as much as possible before it becomes heavily touristed & loses its charm.

A few years back my family and I spent a few days in Bologna, which was great, and had a wonderful day trip to Ravenna. We had another one planned to Ferrara, but there was a sudden train strike and we never got there. I remember arguing with a surly train clerk trying to get a refund, but of course not. Well, we had another day to enjoy Bologna, you could do a lot worse than that, and maybe someday I’ll make it to Ferrara. Send us a trip report if you go!

I visited all three as day trips from Bologna. There’s no wrong answer, but I’ll vote for Parma. Make a targeted visit to Palazzo della Pilotta (although you could spend your whole day there), visit the cathedral complex, and tour the opera house. This is Emilia-Romagna, so allow time for a nice lunch.

I'm finding the comments about Puglia interesting. I was astonished at the amount of tourists we saw during trips in 2023 and just a few months ago, as compared to the amounts we noticed when we first began visiting the region in 2011. During our stay last month in Ceglie, I spoke with the owner of a tour agency in the US who told me that he has taken Alberobello off his itineraries due to the deluge. Quite a few locals in the tourist industry told us they try to steer visitors away from Ostuni as well. Do you know they now have tuk tuk tours in Ostuni??? We saw those in Matera in 2023, blaring loud music.

Despite all that, we will return this spring, but stay in less busy towns.. But I cannot avoid Matera, no matter how much it's changed! I love it so.