Sports and leisure activities Emilia-Romagna

Budget & Tips

It's easy to stretch your legs without having to open your wallet. Cities have plenty of green space for your daily jogging: in Bologna, the Giardini Margherita are the green lung of the city with their 26 hectares. Parma has the Giardino Ducale, and Modena proudly boasts the highest percentage of green space per citizen in the region with five parks in the city. Of course, walking is still the best way to discover the cities of art in Emilia Romagna, and there are many opportunities for walks in the countryside. Cycling is king in the region; alongside the bike hire signs, several hotels offer bikes free of charge to their guests. You can cycle around the walls of Ferrara, discover the Po Delta Natural Park or ride from village to village. For motor sport enthusiasts, a highlight of their holiday will be a test drive in a Ferrari or Lamborghini. For this type of activity, prices rise (from 200 €). Information and reservations at Motorvalley (motorvalley.it), Motorsite (motorsite.it) and Modenatur (modenatur.it).

What's very local

The bicycle, of course! The people of Emilia Romagna make all their short trips by bike. Rent one to blend in with the crowd... if you're used to riding a bike, because here, it seems that people are born with two wheels instead of feet!

Your documents please

Needless to say, you must have your driver's license for a drive test aboard a branded model!

To be booked

A drive test can be booked well in advance. The cheaper solution is a Formula 1 simulator in one of the museums dedicated to the major car manufacturers, which can be booked online.

Main events

On the last weekend of May, the 100 km del Passatore race takes place, a race that connects Florence to Faenza and crosses the beautiful landscapes of the Apennines. Registration and information on the website: 100kmdelpassatore.it. The most enduring will be able to participate; the others will wait for the brave ones at the arrival in the square of Faenza to enjoy the festivities.

Various events are organized on the circuits of the Motor Valley: calendar on motorvalley.it. For more detailed calendars, see the websites of the circuits of Imola near Bologna (autodromoimola.it), Varano near Parma (autodromovarano.it) and Misano near Rimini (misanocircuit.com).

Tourist traps

During sporting events, dealers are present in the vicinity of the event venue. Although it is true that you can save a few euros by buying from them, it would be a shame to lose your money on fake entrance tickets. It is better to go through the official ticket offices.