Which northern Italian city?

My top choice is Bologna! I always enjoy the restaurants and specialty markets.

Yes!

https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/things-to-do-in-bologna-italy/

https://travelphotodiscovery.com/bologna-highlights-outdoor-markets-and-street-food-of-bologna/

we stayed in Bologna and loved it. Went to both Modena and Parma as day trips via train. Would do the same if doing it over.

I also recommend Bologna. All three cities are nice, but Bologna has more to see and do. And the food is amazing.

Wow Bologna is definitely in the lead. Let’s see if it holds up. Thanks to those who have responded so far!

Modena has our favorite restaurant Da Danilo; Parma La Forchetta, one of the best in the area. Ravenna is another easy day trip.
Look up Ravenna Mosaics:

https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en

When are you going? When the University is closed Bologna's nightlife is quieter.

I should have said Aug20-21 are the days in Bologna area. We’re starting in Padua, making a loop to include a brief stop in Milan to see the duomo and also the last Supper, then Cernobbio/Lake como, Verona and ending in Venice.

Bologna is bigger than Modena and Parma, but greatly depends what you want to do and what you like. Depends even if you are travelling by car or by train. During a week end of August every city in Emilia could be quite desert. In any city expect some shops and restaurants closed
All these three cities have wonderful things to be seen, so a full day in one and a daily trip to a second one could completely fill you holiday.
The Cathedral in Modena is almost unique and in Bologna you don't find nothing at the same level. The same can be told for the Farnese Theatre on Parma. The "Gallerie Estensi" (the museum in Modena) is one of the most important in Italy, but even the Pilotta museum in Parma in unique and worth a visit.

Loved Bologna---but we also loved Parma. The food in both is wonderful!

We also did a day trip to Modena - especially quick if you have a car - a little longer on the train but possible.

Much as I liked Bologna, if you can potentially include Ravenna in your loop instead, that's what I'd do. Those mosaics are unbelievable, and the historic center is pretty (though certainly smaller than Bologna's).

so much to see so little time .. 2 nights are to short means 1 1/2 days ... 3 is our minimum nowadays .. also 3 weeks if u can .. here's 1 for a great visual ----> youtube exact words ---> "San Marino - Republic of San Marino" 3.03 min. video ... Lake Garda the largest lake is a must .. Bolzano (highest quality of living in Italy) in the Dolomites north of Verona ... Sienna ... Orvieto ... Lucca ... Assisi ... Cinque Terra ... Amalfi / Sorrento area ... Hurculaneum or Pompei ruins ? ... depends on where your flying out of etc. .. nowadays we look for big events/festivals/holidays/carnivals/food festivals .. yummy .. THEN we go for those dates and find apartments for our needs on various sites .... it's all good ... book a week in Italy .. grab a R/T 7 day cruise out of the Venice area down the Adriatic to different countries ... if u can swing it .. even fly out of Venice to finish in Sicily ... seen people go for a once in a lifetime trip that was to short and had bad weather.. the biggest cost is flying there then only maybe a couple hundred a day for food and lodging/apartment .. not counting buses/trains a couple could stay another week and since your apartment has a kitchen it might only be $1000 or less ... all depends on ones searching skills... happy travels

I’ll put in a vote for Parma. If you stay near the cathedral, sites like it, the baptistery, Farnese theater are easily walkable. Food is good too. I stayed at what I think is now called the Pio BnB, which was a great location A tour of a parmigiano maker is also possible even without a car, and well worth it if you like cheese.

I've been to Bologna twice, once to visit for two days as a base for Ravenna, and once to stay overnight to change trains.

The two towers are nice, but San Gimignano's are more impressive. I'm sure the food is good, but we aren't foodies. The covered walkways are ok, but incomplete. Helpful in the snow when I was there, and I'm sure in the heat too. The covered pilgrim walkway up the hill to the church is interesting but we drove up. The church was ok but not as impressive as I expected.

I enjoyed Modena, and found a really good and tasty local restaurant next to the Market. I think I found it in the blue guide.

I haven't experienced Parma yet - I am surprised that it just registered that I've never visited there....

But I don't know what things are important to you...

If I were in that area I'd be a little further north at Vicenza. But that's me...

Bologna-Modena day trip the train takes 30 minutes.

Have you considered other places in Northern Italy?
Vicenza and Bassano del Grappa in the Veneto are wonderful small cities to visit, near Venice.
Or, Alba in the Piemonte, wine country with far fewer tourists than Tuscany.
We also love Bologna, the historic university town with a fabulous food history. The university gives it an energy. It is the oldest in Europe. We could easily spend a month there.
Enjoy wherever you choose.

Thanks everyone. I love the RS Forum!
Feel free to continue to add comments. We’re renting a car and any helpful driving tips are always appreciated!
Peggy

I've been to all three. Been to Bologna three times - does that answer the question.

Bologna has much more going on, more to see.

For all those who recommended Bologna— where do you like to stay?

My vote is Bologna, one of the most underrated cities in Italy. Best food and gelato on the Peninsula (Gelateria Gianna on Via Monte Grappa is believed by many, including me, to be the best in Italy, has won numerous awards).

In case anyone hasn't warned you, August in Italy can be brutal, it is the holiday month and many places close for 2 weeks to the entire month.

Also on Via Montegrappa in Bologna is Incrocio Montegrappa, a wonderful casual restaurant run by twin sisters with everything from pizza to seafood to pasta, you name it. A littler further down the road is the Market building, with many little side restaurants with good food.

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to help us with our trip! Now if anyone has experience with the required Green Pass (that shows you’re vaccinated) please do tell. I found a CDC site as well as a EU passenger form but nothing that says Green pass on it. I’ll keep looking. Thanks!!

Your CDC card is your green pass.

Bologna is as suggested here - fantastic in a gritty, irresistibly authentic way. But noticeably absent is Verona, which is more polished, accessible, and romantic. Visited both cities last week and loved every bite, step, and sip.

Bologna, is bigger than Modena and Parma and has more to do. But all three are great. If I may suggest an alternative: Turin. It is simply beautiful, is far less touristic and has wonderful museums, palaces, squares, historic cafes and restaurants. It is the most underrated city in Europe so it is refreshingly "real".