Modena

Italy

Italy Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Balsamic vinegar barrels in a Modenese attic - Modena, Emilia-Romagna

Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

Why visit Modena

If Italy were a meal, Modena would be the main course. Here, on the flat plains of the slow-flowing Po, lies one of the nation's great gastronomic centres, the creative force behind real balsamic vinegar, giant tortellini stuffed with tantalising fillings, and sparkling Lambrusco wine. It boasts backstreets crammed with some of the best restaurants no one's ever heard of, and one, Osteria Francescana, that everybody's heard of – it was awarded top spot on the coveted 'World's 50 Best Restaurants' list in 2016, and again in 2018, the first Italian restaurant to nab the honour.

Meet your new travel partner

Stay connected in Modena

Holafly eSIM provides unlimited mobile data with no hidden fees, giving you peace of mind wherever you travel. Stay connected even after your plan ends with Always On. Use code LONELYPLANET for an exclusive discount.

Get 5% off

Take your Italy trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Island of Cannoli and Arancini: Eastern Sicily's Eats in 9 Days

9 days / 8 nights

highlights

  1. 1 Walking through history in eastern Sicily's Baroque beauties of Noto, Ragusa, and Modica
  2. 2 Learning how to make authentic Sicilian cannolis from a Taormina pastry chef
  3. 3 Tasting Modica chocolate straight from the source at one of the city’s oldest chocolate laboratories
from $3,600

per person

book this trip see trip details

Explore more trips

  • Italy: From the Heels to the Toes of Southern Italy: Naples, Amalfi, and Puglia
    Italy

    10 days / 9 nights

    Italy: From the Heels to the Toes of Southern Italy: Naples, Amalfi, and Puglia

    FROM $4,950

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • Italy: A Perfect Week In Tuscany
    Italy

    8 days / 7 nights

    Italy: A Perfect Week In Tuscany

    FROM $3,500

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • Northern Italy Dreamscapes: Dolomites, Garda, and Como in 12 Days
    Italy

    12 days / 11 nights

    Northern Italy Dreamscapes: Dolomites, Garda, and Como in 12 Days

    FROM $6,000

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • Sardinia's Spectacular Serenade: 10 Days on the Italian Island
    Italy

    10 days / 9 nights

    Sardinia's Spectacular Serenade: 10 Days on the Italian Island

    FROM $4,500

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • Italy's La Dolce Vita in Venice, Rome, and Florence
    Italy

    11 days / 10 nights

    Italy's La Dolce Vita in Venice, Rome, and Florence

    FROM $5,500

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • The Other Italy: a Grand Tour of Sicily's Taormina, Syracuse, and Palermo
    Italy

    11 days / 10 nights

    The Other Italy: a Grand Tour of Sicily's Taormina, Syracuse, and Palermo

    FROM $4,950

    per person

    See Trip Details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Top places to visit in Modena

Discover the best attractions in Modena from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Explore all

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Modena