The historic city center of Modena in northern Italy features several UNESCO heritage sites within easy walking distance from the train station. It’s a beautiful city perfect for strolling. But there are a couple of must-sees for the foodies, too!
Situated about halfway between Parma and Bologna, Modena is located in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy and a perfect day trip from either location. The train will get you there in about an hour. It’s a short walk from Stazione di Modena (train station) to the city center.
The Ghirlandina tower on Piazza Grande is a must-see, and the bell tower is hard to miss. The city of Modena, a Unesco world heritage site, offers breathtaking Romanesque architecture as a backdrop to your visit. Sites like the Duomo di Modena and the Palazzo Ducale (the Ducal Palace) in the heart of Modena are all within easy walking distance of each other.
Foodies will want to take note of two locations, specifically, to seek out while visiting the city.
Mercato Albinelli
The entrance to this market is kind of unassuming and if you’re not looking for it, you may very well miss it. We almost did! It was an accidental find in Modena and one that topped our list of fun stops not just in Modena but in Parma and Bologna as well.
Filled to the brim with stalls offering fresh produce, meat, and a variety of ready-to-eat foods from various vendors and producers, Albinelli Market was clearly a regular stop for locals to shop for ingredients or to grab a bite to eat.
The quality of food here tracks with what we noticed all across Italy; it’s excellent. The foods that Americans pay premium for at gourmet markets is standard fare here.
Wine bars offer tables where customers can sit and relax to enjoy a glass of their favorite vintage. Cheese and salumi purveyors offer a great selection that can be cut and wrapped to go. Fresh fruits and veggies abound. And then there are the dining options.
One side of the market features plenty of seating and a collection of places to order food to enjoy on site. Think: American food court, but better.
Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
The balsamic vinegar of Modena, Italy, is renowned worldwide for its flavor. My husband really wanted to take a tour of a production facility, but these operations are located some distance from train stations. (There are not a lot of drawbacks to using public transportation in Italy, but this was one!)
The production of balsamic vinegar in the Modena and Reggio Emilia regions of Italy dates back to the Middle Ages. There are stringent regulations that govern its production.
Balsamic vinegar of Modena has a Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) status. Granted by the European Union, this designation ensures that the vinegar is produced in a specific geographic area using traditional methods. Modena’s balsamic vinegar is made using grape varieties like Lambrusco, Trebbiano, Sangiovese, all grown in the Modena region. The process of making it calls for cooking and reducing the grape must, fermenting it, and then aging it in a series of wooden barrels for a minimum of 12 years.
While we couldn’t visit a production facility, we did stop in at the Guiseppe Guisti boutique where we were treated to an education on the entire process, coupled with a tasting of several different grades of vinegar. It was definitely a good alternative for the carless.
If you do have a vehicle to get around, there are a number of producers that offer tours and tastings outside of the city.
- Guiseppe Guisti offers a free guided tour of their facility and museum, complete with tastings.
- The Cavedoni balsamic vinegar tour offers pick up from Bologna.
- Or couple two of the regions most recognized foods in one tour with this Parmesan cheese and balsamic tour.
- A Modena food tour is another option where you’ll get to sample the famous balsamic vinegar of the region along with other specialties famous in the Emilia Romagna region.
Need to Know Info
The Bologna Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ) airport is the closest airport to Modena Italy, about 20 miles away.
The Museo Enzo Ferrari is not far from the heart of Modena and the perfect place for car lovers to visit.
Modena tourist information is available here.
