Emilia Romagna is in the northern part of Italy. One half of the region is covered by the Apennine Mountains, the other half of plain land.

Emilia Romagna is known for its production of the luxurious cars Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati, and the region is a very popular holiday destination.

Besides the cities of Emilia Romagna, the mountains are very exciting to explore.

The landscape of Emilia Romagna

Approximately 7% of Emilia Romagna consists of protected natural reserves, which are primarily situated in the Apennine Mountains. You will find beautiful nature here with waterfalls, lakes, dense forests, roaring rivers and rich fauna.

Actually, you can also ski in Emilia Romagna in the winter.

Large cities in Emilia Romagna: Bologna, Rimini and Parma

Bologna is the largest city in the Emiglia Romagna region and carries its historical inheritance more beautifully than most other cities in Italy. The world’s first and thereby oldest university was founded in Bologna. The university is still one of Italy’s most prestigious universities, and today, the city is still a vivacious university city. In 2000, the city was elected City of Culture in Europe. In another part of Bologna, you will find the fashionable business area with one of Italy’s largest trade fair centres. Bologna also offers a lot of shopping possibilities.

Rimini is best known as a city of bathing and amusement. Other than the historical centre and the kilometre-long, wonderful, sandy beach, Rimini offers a little active fishing port and a lot of shops, restaurants and bars as well as famous and well-attended discotheques. Young Italian people and tourists meet here to party at weekends.

Parma is also called the capital of music because of the composer Giuseppe Verdi who comes from the area. 

Tourist attractions in Emilia Romagna

In Modena, they produce two of the world’s most attractive cars, i.e. Ferrari and Maserati.

Very good shopping possibilities in Bologna and Rimini.

Sports activities in Emilia Romagna

You can ski in Emilia Romagna.

The beaches of Rimini are good and child-friendly, and there are possibilities of windsurfing, water skiing and other water sports activities. 

Gastronomic characteristics of Emilia Romagna

Emilia Romagna is a region well known for the fine food which typically belongs in the more heavy part of the Italian cuisine. Ingredients such as cream and butter are often used instead of olive oil.

The Parmesan cheese and the Parma ham, which are equally popular, originate from Parma, which is also part of the Emilia Romagna region.

When it comes to wine, Emilia Romagne is best known for its Lambrusco. But other wines are also produced in the region and they become better and better as the years go by. If you would like to visit some of Emilia Romagna’s best vineyards, you can go to Montericco, Tenuta Bonzara, Madonia Giovanna, Tenuta la Palazza, Castelluccio and San Patrignano.

The climate of Emilia Romagna

The weather of Emilia Romagna is rather mild with an average temperature of 28 degrees in the summer.

Some of the photos are kindly lent out from the Italian Tourist Office. Photographer: Fototeca ENIT.