Italy: The 10 most beautiful towns in Emilia Romagna

Between culinary delights, dreamy landscapes and dreamy medieval towns. Emilia-Romagna in Italy has something for everyone! Already 4 times I have traveled to the enchanting region in the north of Italy and can not be more delighted, moreover I have brought back many tips.

Did you know that Emilia-Romagna is famous for its culinary delights?? Not for nothing is Bologna also called La Grassa, the fat one. The food in Emilia Romagna is rich and above all characterized by tradition.

Again and again I got lost on the cobblestone streets and in the charming places. In between a stop for a delicious cafe or a tasty gelato – because dolce vita is very important in Emilia-Romagna! Here you will find some very interesting

I will now introduce you to the places I liked best in Emilia-Romagna and answer the question, what must I see in Emilia-Romagna?? Many tips for the 10 most beautiful cities in Emilia Romagna included!

Italy: The 10 most beautiful cities in Emilia Romagna

1. Bologna – between arcades and delicious food

Hundreds of arcades, also called porticos, line the streets of Bologna's historic center. In the middle of it all there are monuments, facades and piazzas like from a picture book. This is exactly how I imagine Italy. Dreamily romantic and a bit ancient.

Bologna has many names, but it has earned the name La Grassa for its excellent cuisine. The red city, La Rossa, that's how Bologna is also called and that's because of the unique color in which the entire center of Bologna is immersed.

Besides museums, churches and the most beautiful views, Bologna's culinary scene is first class. Here you can eat good home cooking according to old recipes. The people of Bologna are proud of their gastronomic tradition and live out this passion.

In the many restaurants of the old town you have to try the typical cuisine of Emilia-Romagna between one or the other palazzo. In one case should be missing: Ragu Bolognese, Piadina, Tortellini, Lasagne ..

If you have not yet had enough, you can go to the "Emilia Romagna Gastronomic Park", a theme park dedicated to food and the gastronomic history of the whole of Emilia-Romagna. Here the motto is: "from farm to table". In addition to first-class food, you can also explore the production, animal husbandry and other food manufacturing processes here.

2. Comacchio – the Venice of Emilia-Romagna

Comacchio is the Venice of Emilia-Romagna. Even if the small city in the east of Emilia-Romagna is largely unknown, it does not mean that you should not visit it.

You'll easily get lost in the small streets and along the various canals of the city. And you could almost think you really are in Venice. It is much quieter here and you will probably not meet any tourists.

By the way, the 20.000 souls town of Comacchio especially known for an extraordinary delicacy: Eel. And this is in the most different variations. Dare to try it?

3. Parma – ham, cheese and a great old town

Parma is the city that most people know because of the delicious Parma ham. For in the region around Parma the delicacy is produced. But even without the Parma ham in focus, it is worth visiting the city.

In the center towers the Palazzo della Pilotta, today it is a complex that is home to several museums. The city of Parma invites you to explore and visit the cathedral. The cathedral of Parma is one of the largest in the region and the great ceiling painting leaves one in awe.

If the hunger for delicacies then becomes too great (understandable!), then it is worth visiting a Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma or even Aceto Balsamico production in Modena.

4. Sant'Agata Feltria – truffle stronghold with impressive view

Somewhere in the nowhere, inconspicuous between truffle forests and agriculture is the small village of Sant'Agata Feltria, which is known especially for the annual truffle festival. For the black and white gold is here in the months from September to January particularly in focus.

Truffles are a cultural treasure here and a very special reason to celebrate. In Italy there are not many regions dedicated to truffles, but Sant'Agata Feltria is one of them.

During the truffle festival the town turns into a great culinary oasis. Various merchants offer everything with truffles: Cheese, salami, pickled truffles, focaccia with truffles. Even beer is refined here with truffles.

But the highlight of the festival in Sant'Agata Feltria is a huge tent, which offers space for nearly 500 hungry. Here we dine together and pay homage to the truffle. From fresh pasta with shaved truffles to delicious beef – gourmets get their money's worth here.

Find out more about the truffle festival in Sant'Agata Feltria and the unique experience of searching for truffles here:

5. San Leo – San Marino's little but nice brother

One of my highlights in Emilia-Romagna is the small town of San Leo, which is very close to San Marino. Historically, the country of San Marino and the town of San Leo in Emilia Romagna are closely linked.

The eponymous founder of San Marino founded the country together with San Leo. But at some point it was time to leave San Marino and San Leo founded the eponymous city in the 4. Century.

Since then time has stood still. Entering the town center I look at medieval facades, 2 important churches and not a single tourist. Above the city towers the castle Fortezza di San Leo, which you should definitely visit. The view over Emilia Romagna is unique and breathtaking.

6. Brisighella – the balcony of Emilia-Romagna

When I was in Brisighella and climbed the clock tower Torre dell'Orologio, I said that Brisighella must be the balcony of Emilia-Romagna. Beautifully blends into the landscape and the view is breathtaking.

From the bird's eye view you can not only see the brown roofs of the city, but also look into the beautiful surrounding countryside. The city impresses with its beautiful colorful houses and in the narrow streets a good portion of Bella Italia comes up.

7. Ferrara – small town idyll in historical garb

In Ferrara you can experience a UNESCO World Heritage Site that will take you back to the Middle Ages. In the beautiful city center of Ferrara the moated castle Castello Estense (also St. called Michael's Castle). 600 years the castle has now already on the hump.

The Castello Estense is particularly well preserved, but took a beating in the earthquake of 2012. The frescoes and paintings are therefore stabilized with tape. Especially beautiful is the view from one of the 4 towers on the lively Ferrara.

By the way, the historic center of Ferrara is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the beautiful ancient alleys from the Renaissance period invite you to explore this historic place. A must see in Ferrara? To taste the strange looking pastry Coppia Ferrarese! With its elongated curved shape it reminds a bit of spider legs.

8. Rimini – more than just party and beach

Beach, party and warm summer nights. Rimini is one of the most popular seaside resorts in Italy. Not only Italians like to spend their vacations here, but also all other nations. The more multicultural Rimini is of course. Because it hides behind the seaside resort also a small jewel.

Rimini's old town is just a few kilometers from the seafront and offers the "real" Italian life. Rimini was founded 268 v. Chr. Founded and held an important strategic position during the Roman period. The memories of this period are preserved until today. The most impressive is the Arco d'Augusto, which is 27 v. Chr. Built in honor of August Caesar and is the oldest surviving Roman triumphal arch.

The 62-meter-long Ponte di Tiberio is another Roman relic that has stood for over 2.000 years of existence. The five arches connect Rimini's Centro Storico with the historic district of Borgo San Giuliano. On a calm day, the mirror of the bridge in the deep blue water of the canal creates a picture perfect scene, just like in the pictures I took.

9. Ravenna – perfect for art lovers

Did you know that Ravenna was the capital 3 times?? Situated on the Adriatic coast is the little-visited yet amazingly historic city of Ravenna – the city of mosaics. After the fall of Rome, it was founded in 402 n. Chr. The last capital of the Western Roman Empire. Ravenna was founded around 700 n. Chr. To one of the most important cities in Europe.

Despite its turbulent history, Ravenna's compact center preserves unique buildings that span 1500 years and include no less than eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Elsewhere in Europe was built only about 1.000 years later created an art of similar quality, which is why these wonderful treasures are all the more amazing!

10. San Marino – actually a state, but so beautiful!

A must-do day trip during your stay is to visit the independent Republic of San Marino in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region. The fact is that it is a separate country and not a city. But you should not miss San Marino because of this!

San Marino is located on Mount Titano and was founded in 4 v. Chr. Founded. As you can imagine, the historic center is almost a small open-air museum, which is all the easier to explore because of its winding pedestrian streets. The narrow streets and small alleys wind in and around charming squares and churches, including the Piazza della LibertA, the Basilica of the Holy Patron Marino and the First Tower.

You can easily get lost in San Marino, even if the city center itself is not big. But the view at every corner of the city is just too beautiful to rush through the city center.

The most beautiful cities in Emilia Romagna?

Have you ever been to Emilia Romagna? Which cities did you like the most? Here you will find more tips for the neighboring region, the .

This post was created as part of the Europe 2018 campaign in collaboration with and. My opinion, as always, is not influenced by this. I only report on places and things that I can really recommend from the heart.