Travel Tips
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It’s hard to choose between the many attractions of the Emilia-Romagna region: incredible cities, interesting cultural events and delicious food! If you’re traveling with your family and want to make sure they enjoy the vacation to the fullest, let us inspire you with this list of 30 activities for you and your little ones:
Being such a popular destination, we have prepared a list of 30 activities suitable for visitors who want to spend a relaxing and enriching vacation with their children. These activities include museums, theme parks, historical monuments and picturesque places.
If you’re in Emilia Romagna with your family and want to make the most out of your vacation, take a look at this list we’ve put together for you!
1. Visit Bologna: the city of Bologna is among the most important in Italy and is characterized by a vibrant cultural life and an incredible cuisine. We recommend booking a guided tour to discover its greatest landmarks, such as the Two Towers and the iconic “portici”. Don’t forget to grab your camera and capture one of its hidden canals through the famous “Finestrella”!
2. Visit Rimini: Rimini is one of the best destinations for families with children who want to explore Emilia-Romagna. The city features many landmarks dating back to the Roman period, such as the Arch of Augustus and the Tiberius Bridge, as well as a renowned culinary tradition. Take a guided tour of the city to ensure that you don’t miss its most important highlights!
3. The Garden of Forgotten Herbs: also called the Rasponi Garden, it’s a green area in the city of Ravenna near the Neonian Baptistery. Here you can get away from the bustle of the city and take a leisurely walk while you admire beautiful Mediterranean herbs and an elegant 19th-century layout.
4. Fattoria Urbana: this educational farm in Bologna is a great place for your little ones to learn about animals, biodiversity and agriculture. Here families regularly find special activities and workshops dedicated to children of different age groups.
5. Visit Ravenna: Ravenna is one of the most beautiful Italian cities! After all, it features plenty of amazing UNESCO World Heritage sites open to the public. The city is also very pedestrianized, so it’s ideal for families with smaller children.
6. Try the local food: the Emilia-Romagna region is considered one of the most important ones in terms of culinary traditions. Make sure to try the most iconic dishes, such as the Parma ham (“Prosciutto di Parma”), the stuffed pasta called “tortellini” and the balsamic vinegar of Modena. You can also book a food tour of one of the major cities in the region, to discover the best dishes with an expert local guide.
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7. 7. MAMbo: this unique museum in Bologna features both permanent and temporary art exhibitions. We recommend the MAMbo to families with kids as the museum has a rich educational offer with the goal of introducing art to children of different ages.
8. Visit a “Green Flag” beach: in Italy, the most family-friendly beaches are awarded the “Bandiera Verde”, acknowledging the high quality of the services offered in the area, as well as the presence of shallow waters, lifeguards and playgrounds. If you’re visiting the region in summer, make sure to spend a day in one of these, such as Cattolica, Cesenatico, Riccione and Rimini.
9. Visit Parma: Parma is a city with a long history where you and your family can spend a relaxing vacation. Stroll through Parco Ducale, a green area where kids can play, admire the Egyptian sarcophagus in the Archaeological Museum, and learn about the making process of cheese in the San Pier Damiani cheese factory.
10. Italia in Miniatura: this is a unique miniature park not far from the city of Rimini, where visitors can take a leisurely walk through hundreds of miniature reproductions of the greatest Italian landmarks, from the Colosseum to the canals of Venice. We’re sure that your little ones will love this unique way of exploring the country!
11. Carpignani Gelato Museum: this museum is perfect for children who have a sweet tooth and want to discover all the secrets of this world-famous Italian invention. Choose between many “gelato experiences”, such as a guided tour of the museum, a gelato making class with tasting and the workshop “Gelato for Families”.
12. Mortadella Festival: in the town of Zola Predosa, near Bologna, is held every year the festival “Mortadella Please”, which is dedicated to the iconic specialty of the region. You and your family will have the chance to try it in all its shapes and forms.
13. Oltremare Park: the perfect place for animal lovers in Riccione. Here you can book a guided tour during which the guide will introduce your kids to animals such as dolphins, birds of prey, wallabies and alligators.
14. Parco del Delta del Po: if your family loves the outdoor, you really can’t miss the chance to visit this park shared by the Emilia-Romagna and the Veneto regions. You’ll admire an incredible variety of flora and fauna, as well as important monuments such as Sant’Apollinare in Classe.
15. Museo La casa delle Marionette: this is one of the main highlights for families visiting Ravenna. Here little visitors can enjoy marionettes, puppets, stage accessories and other items related to this art form. The museum also offers activities tailored to children, such as workshops and guided tours.
16. Explore Comacchio: this picturesque town of the Po Delta Park is known as the City of Birdwatching for the International Birdwatching Fair that is regularly held here. Due to the presence of many charming bridges and canals, it’s also considered a “little Venice”. If your family likes nature want to spend a vacation in a quiet and authentic town, Comacchio is the ideal destination!
17. Acquario di Cattolica: this incredible Aquarium is one of the main landmarks in the region. Aside from joining a guided tour and discovering the secrets of many intriguing animal species, your children will also have the chance to see the moment when sharks and penguins are fed by the staff.
18. Museo della Marineria di Cesenatico: the Maritime Museum of Cesenatico is a must see for families who want to discover the secrets of the maritime traditions of the area. Your kids will be amazed by the ten boats in the unique Floating Section.
19. Dozza: this charming hamlet is a hidden regional gem. Adults and children alike are enchanted by the colorful street art that can be spotted at every corner. You and your family can explore the picturesque alleys and admire angels, dancers, cartoon figures and much more.
20. Parco Avventura Cerwood: this adventure park covers 25 acres and features hundreds of games for families with children. And the best part is, the access to the park is free! Visitors can try their hand at activities such as climbing, jumping, and much more.
21. Labirinto della Masone: this unique place located in the province of Parma features the largest bamboo labyrinth in existence. Get lost among 300 thousand bamboo plants belonging to many species before visiting the museum dedicated to many beautiful works of art.
22. Labante Caves: explore one of the most important travertine caves in the country. Your family will be enchanted by the beautiful waterfall as well as the spectacular stalactites in the Grotta dei Tedeschi.
23. TAMO Museum: this museum in Ravenna is dedicated to mosaics and it’s a great way to teach your little ones about this fascinating art form in an age-appropriate way. The museum offers many educational activities, such as workshops and guided tours.
24. Riccione Adventure Park: Riccione Avventura is located in the heart of the city, in the Parco Cicchetti. The 15 routes of varying levels of difficulty offered by the park feature Tibetan bridges, wooden bridges, ropes and suspended platforms. If your children have are the adventurous type, they’ll certainly love the thrill of this experience!
25. Day trip to San Marino: one of the unique characteristics of the Emilia-Romagna region is the presence of another country within it! San Marino is one of the world’s smallest and oldest Republic countries, it’s home to various UNESCO World Heritage sites and it’s easy to reach. Here you can spend a day of shopping and visit intriguing museums, such as the Museum of Ancient Arms and the Museum of Curious Objects.
26. Lamborghini Museum: this small museum is located near Modena features many iconic Lamborghini models as well as tours of the production lines and a thrilling driving simulator for those who want to imagine how it feels to drive one of these incredible cars. Your family will love the experience!
27. Salt Pans of Cervia Park: visit the unique ecosystem of Cervia, home to many stunning species of birds, and learn all about the local tradition of salt harvesting. This is an open-air museum where visitors can combine the observation of nature with a journey back in time.
28. Mirabilandia: not far from Ravenna there’s Mirabilandia, one of the most important amusement parks in the country. Here you can spend a day of fun with your family after visiting Ravenna, stroll through 6 themed areas and enjoy over 40 attractions and many shows.
29. Museo Civico Archeologico di Bologna: this archaeological museum was established in the 19th century and its remarkable collections feature Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek and Roman antiquities. If your kids are history enthusiasts, this interesting museum is a must see during your stay in Bologna.
30. Ferrari Museum: this incredible museum is located in Maranello, near Modena. If your children enjoy sports cars and want to know all the secrets of the iconic Ferrari, they’ll be amazed by the items on display here.
