Emilia Romagna Region Things to do

Classic Italian Cities
The joy of holidays in Emilia Romagna is combining the beach resorts with the region’s superb historic cities with their wealth of art, history and culture, stylish shops and fine dining: the medieval streets of Modena, Renaissance art in Ferrara, magnificent basilicas and mosaics in Ravenna, and the regional capital Bologna, packed with historic sights including the Asinelli and Garisenda Towers, the Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica di San Domenico and Il Duomo.

Nightlife
Rimini nightlife is simply legendary. The resort is packed with cafes, bars, discos and nightclubs for all tastes, particularly in the throbbing Cattolica, Rimini and Riccione areas. Buses link the main nightlife centres. Many consider nightlife in Cattolica the best in Italy. There is also a very enjoyable nightlife scene in Modena. Emilia Romagna music festivals include the classical Sagra Musicale Malatestiana in Cattolica in late August.

Food
It would be easy to base an entire Emilia Romagna holiday around gourmet dining. Some of the best restaurants in Italy in a region famous for its produce: Parma ham, mortadella, parmigiano reggiano cheese, truffles, balsamic vinegar and fine wine.

Attractions
There are plenty of children’s attractions in and around Rimini. Popular Emilia-Romagna daytrips include Le Navi ocean theme park, the Aquafan waterpark, the dolphinarium, Little Italy, the Earth and Ocean theme park and the Natural Park of Monte San Bartolo.

Shopping
The major Emilia Romagna beach resorts and cities like Bologna and Modena offer stylish boutiques, superb Italian design and outstanding produce markets.

Rimini
While Rimini beaches and nightlife attract all the attention, the town also boasts an old town with Roman monuments, the gothic Palazzo del Podesta and Renaissance glories like the Malatesta Temple. The old town and the sparkling Adriatic promenade are particularly atmospheric at night.

Slow Living
Enjoy the Italian-inspired art of “slow living” in the region’s charming ancient villages, traditional hamlets, spa towns and fine woodlands. And Emilia Romagna restaurants are not to be rushed.

Sports
Water sports enthusiasts will enjoy good conditions for windsurfing, kite surfing and sailing. Golf fans should head for the Riviera Golf Club near Cattolica. Horse racing in Cesena.

Explore the Regions
Emilia Romagna is a superb base for exploring beautiful, little-known regions like Jesi and Le Marche, with beautiful green valleys, characterful hill towns, castles and churches. Trips to the country will enjoy quiet roads, fewer tourists and fantastic country restaurants. Towns like Tredozio are within reach of Tuscany and Umbria.

Spa Towns
Emilia Romagna spa towns like Castrocaro Terme offer a nice contrast to the buzzing beach resorts

Walking Holidays
Head for the rugged peaks and dramatic valleys of the little-known Apennines. Explore gorgeous, sleepy, traditional villages and head for the hills of Tuscany. The region also offers rewarding cycling and horse riding.

San Marino
Visit this tiny, idiosyncratic country, the third smallest in Europe.