Your Day Trip Guide to Reggio Emilia

How to Get to Reggio Emilia

Arriving here is super easy.

Luckily, most of Emilia Romagna is well-connected, making it an easy area to explore by train.

Reggio Emilia sits on the route from Bologna to Milan and is nestled directly between Modena and Parma, just 15-minutes from each of its more famous neighbors.

You could easily combine it with one of these for a day trip where you could spend the morning in one town and the evening in the other but do think it would be too much to squeeze all 3 stops into one.

Most things in Italy close from 3-5 (sometimes until 7) so whichever town you visit during those dead hours would get the short end of the stick.

If you're staying in Modena or Parma, it's really easy to make time for a 15-minute train over to Reggio Emilia and something I really recommend you do. In my opinion, after visiting all 3 of these cities, Reggio Emilia may just be my favorite. At the very least it does beat Parma in my book - if you need to make a decision!

Know you can also drive but driving in this case would take longer and you'll have to deal with parking in the city centers, which is never very fun or easy.

Note that you might see a few train stations when booking your tickets here. Be sure to book the one that is simply "Reggio Emilia" and nothing else. Likely you won't be able to actually buy tickets for the other stations but just in case you get confused! I recommend Trainline to plan and book your trip.

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Best Time to Visit Reggio Emilia

Just like the rest of Emilia Romagna, Reggio Emilia gets 4 true seasons: the most extreme being a hot summer.

I visited Reggio Emilia in early June and could already feel the heat. Most people, myself included, were sticking to the shade and were avoiding walking in the direct sunlight whenever possible. Luckily this region makes good use of the portici (plural of portico) so you can usually find shade any time of the day.

Given the extreme weather but the fact that Reggio Emilia is best seen on foot, I'd recommend visiting in spring or fall.

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What to Eat Here

While this specific city doesn't have the fame like the balsamic vinegar of Modena, prosciutto of Parma, and lasagna of Bologna, that doesn't mean it's without great food.

Although Parmigiano Reggiano gets lumped in with prosciutto as being produced in Parma, it's actually made all around the area, including outside of Reggio Emilia (the name fits, right?).

Here are some foods you'll definitely want to try while in Reggio Emilia:

• Erbazzone: I fell deeply in love with this pastry and ate it every morning in Modena and during my time in Reggio Emilia. I kid you not. While you might see it in other parts of the region, it's from these 2 cities.
• Chizze: These are fried tortelloni of goodness. The ones I tried were stuffed with prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano and were absolutely delicious as an appetizer. I didn't see them on any menus outside of this city which makes me feel like you really do have to come here for them.
• Cappelletti Reggiani: This dish is most similar to Bologna's tortellini in brodo. The actual filling goes from recipe to recipe but if you're looking for the most traditional pasta, this would be it.

Unless you're traveling with a big group, you don't need to stress too much about making a reservation in-person.

Since I had a few hours to explore before lunchtime, I roamed around until I scouted a vibe I liked. It wasn't really my plan but I instantly was intrigued by the quiet alleyway and the old man wiping down the tables in preparation. I made a reservation for a few hours later and was so happy I did. The restaurant I chose was Matilde Bistrot.

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The Best Things to Do in Reggio Emilia

Now for the good stuff: exploring Reggio Emilia.

1. Wander the City Center Without Aim

You don't need an itinerary full of activities in Italy.

I will absolutely die on this hill.

One of the best things to do in any Italian city is to simply be. Walk, wander, stroll down random streets, and let yourself go without a strict schedule to adhere to.

It's really the best way to discover any new city, even just a small one like Reggio Emilia.

If you look at Reggio Emilia on a map, you'll see the city is surrounded by a hexagon shaped highway. If you're using Google Maps, you'll see a space within that map that's a light yellow color. That light yellow bit is the heart of the city but really anywhere within the hexagon will be walkable.

The very center is pedestrian-only but once you get outside of that, you can drive or take the bus.

All of Emilia Romagna (and really Italy in general) is super bike-friendly so if you don't like the idea of walking a lot, I suggest you rent a bike if possible.

I'd suggest setting outside a few hours to wander at your leisure. If you're short on time, you could stay right around the very center, without venturing out too much.

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2. Go Piazza Hoping

For those that prefer to have a few destinations in mind, I'm still going to suggest you walk and ogle at the stunning architecture but with some destinations in mind.

Go ahead and add these to your map (links below) to make walking from one to another easy.

My favorite piazze (plural for piazza, or square/plaza) in Reggio Emilia are:

• Piazza Camillo Prampolini: This is the main piazza and one you can't miss. When I visited, the cathedral, Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, was under construction but the piazza is still impressive and you're still able to go inside the church for free if you'd like.
• Piazza San Prospero: This is a small but charming square just behind the main piazza. Because you're in Italy, there is of course a cathedral here you can also walk inside if you'd like.
• Piazza Luigi Roversi/Piazza del Cristo: The map has this square under two names so I'm not entirely sure which is "correct." This one I stumbled upon while out on my walk and was super impressed by. I even sat down at one of the benches to relax for a bit as it was so peaceful and beautiful.
• Piazza Antonio Fontanesi: When I visited, this square was being used for a local food and clothing market. It was really lively and made for great people watching. The day I visited the main square was also hosting a market. Surprising for a Friday and not a Saturday or Sunday.
• Piazza della Vittoria: This is the biggest piazza (at least that I saw) while in town. It's connected to a large park, Parco del Popolo, if you're craving some green space. This piazza feels more residential than the others and can be skipped if you're short on time.

3. Learn About the Italian Flag

Here's a little fun fact and Reggio Emilia's claim to fame: the tricolor flag you know and love as Italy's was actually born right here in the city back in 1797. If you've heard of the town outside of Italy, it's likely thanks to the "Reggio Emilia Approach" to education but within Italy, it's famed for the flag.

I'll be honest, I did not go to the museum that commemorates this moment but wanted to add it to the list for history buffs that would enjoy that.

You can visit the Sala del Tricolore and the Tricolor Museum, both in Piazza Prampolini in the Municipal Palace.

More than just learning about the Italian flag, the museum walks you through the events and history leading up to Italy's unification.

4. Eat Up

I'm going to say it again for the people in the back: this region of Italy is famous for the food. Eat, eat, and eat some more while you're here.

I recommend trying the items mentioned in the article above and letting your taste buds guide you on the rest.

In case this is your first time visiting Italy, just be aware that restaurants here have strict serving times. Breakfast isn't much of a thing here but you'll find plenty of cafes/bars serving up croissants (brioche) or other pastries to go along with your morning coffee.

Lunch is between 12-3, sometimes with the window closer to 12:30-2:30. Dinner starts often around 7 and sometimes as late as 9 (this was really common in Sardinia). Read more about meal times in Italy on our Substack.

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How to Extend Your Day Trip into a Weekend One

Although we chose Modena to be our base for this past trip, you could easily make Reggio Emilia your base instead. For those that prefer a smaller city and one that doesn't get quite as much tourism, it's a really great choice.

If you do this, I recommend staying in the city center. You could also opt for a hotel near the train station but I wouldn't recommend it. The areas right around the train station are never the best (in any city) so if you're able, head for the historic center instead.

I recommend a stay at:

• Budget Stay: Student's Hostel Della Ghiara: There's a really nice shared area and garden, perfect if you're traveling with kids that need some extra space to run and play.
• Mid-Tier Stay: Hotel Posta: This hotel is right in the center of town, just steps from Piazza Prampolini in a historic building. You can choose from a variety of room types.
• Luxury Stay: Loft of Love: Also located right in the center, this one-bedroom apartment is unlike any you've stayed in before. The ceiling is a work of art and really unique.

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Enjoy Your Reggio Emilia Day Trip

I was completely surprised by Reggio Emilia, in the best way possible. The city is small enough to get by on foot and charming enough that I didn't want to miss a single alleyway.

While I was able to cover most of the center with just a day trip, if you wanted to dive deeper and visit more museums, you could easily spend a few days here.