Modena
Where balsamic vinegar ages for decades, Ferraris roar, and Pavarotti's voice still echoes.
About Modena
Modena is a city that takes excellence seriously. Its UNESCO-listed Romanesque cathedral and Ghirlandina tower anchor a beautiful centro storico, but the city's global fame rests on three obsessions: balsamic vinegar (aged for up to 100 years in wooden barrels), supercars (Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini all hail from the province), and opera (Luciano Pavarotti was born here). The food scene extends beyond the vinegar—Modena is home to Osteria Francescana, consistently ranked among the world's best restaurants, and to humbler treasures like gnocco fritto, tigelle bread, and lambrusco sparkling red wine that's far better than its reputation suggests.
Best Time to Visit
April to June or September to October. The Modena Motor Valley festival in May celebrates the region's car heritage. Autumn is harvest season for the vineyards and acetaie (balsamic houses).
Local Tips
- Visit an acetaia.
Traditional balsamic vinegar ages for 12 to 100 years in progressively smaller barrels. A local knows the family acetaie that open their attic ageing rooms and let you taste the difference between 12-year and 25-year balsamic.
- Tour Motor Valley.
Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Pagani all have museums and factories in the Modena province. A local can arrange VIP access and combine a factory tour with a test drive on the roads these cars were built for.
- Drink lambrusco seriously.
Forget cheap fizzy lambrusco—Modena's artisanal versions are complex, food-friendly sparkling reds. A local knows the small producers in the hills who pour their best vintages alongside gnocco fritto and culatello.
(the local lens)
Meet the Local Experts
Your on-the-ground insiders. The ones who know the enduring favourites, the quiet corners and what’s worth your time.
Costanza
Trento, Merano +7
Hi! My name is Costanza😊, I'm 25 years old and I'm travel addicted. I love to help others enjoy their travels. I studied Behavioural Economics in Trento and I decided to remain living here since this pretty city joins the mountains Dolomites beauty with a very high quality life. My roots are in Ancona where I grew up, in particoular in Sirolo a small town in Riviera del Conero, famous for beaches and good sea food. I have lived in Bologna for three years, where I did my bachelor degree. I know this city very well, I am an expert of Lasagne and Tortellini. I’ve been in more than 35 countries since 2017 but during these years I also visited my own country a lot, because I think that before going around is important to know well our home.
Francesca
Bologna, Ravenna +6
Hi! I'm Francesca and I live in a small town in the province of Ravenna. I've taken Cultural Heritage and Visual Arts faculties at University in Bologna. Then after more than one year living in Canada I came back to take a Travel Designer course then a month ago I just got the certification to become a Tour Leader.
Elisabeth
Bologna, Naples +2
Hi, I’m Elisabeth. I live in Italy and I’ve always been deeply connected to the rhythms of everyday life here—slow walks through historic streets, good food shared without rush, and small details that most travellers might miss. I love exploring places both like a local and like a curious outsider: from hidden cafés and traditional bakeries to quiet corners where you can really feel the atmosphere of a city. I’ve spent a lot of time discovering how to enjoy Italian life in a balanced, authentic way—whether that means finding the right spot for a relaxed meal, a scenic walk, or simply a peaceful moment away from the crowds. I’m especially drawn to culture, storytelling, and traditions, particularly from southern Italy, so I naturally bring a more emotional and immersive perspective to travel. If you’re looking to experience a place beyond the typical tourist path, I’ll help you see it with different eyes.
Isadora
Bologna, Modena +3
5.0(2)Born and raised in Bologna (with a few adventurous years spent in the United Kingdom and travelling all aorund the world), I know my region inside out, from the iconic landmarks you absolutely shouldn’t miss to the hidden corners most visitors walk straight past. I also know how tricky it can be to find the right balance: you want to see the highlights, of cours, but you also want to experience something real, personal, and memorable. That’s exactly where I come in. After several years working as an event producer in Bologna and abroad, I learned how to design experiences: atmosphere, storytelling, timing, emotion, those are the “secret ingredients” I would like to bring to your vacation. Combining your passions and mine to build something that fits you perfectly — like a tailor-made experience. Art, wine, food, history, contemporary culture… we can mix and match to create something that feels natural, inspiring, and very “you”. As a licensed local guide, I know what people look for when visiting my region, so you won’t miss the essentials. But we’ll also go beyond them, discovering the local scene in a way that feels authentic and, possibly, slightly unexpected.