Modena 3-Day Itinerary

The Romanesque cathedral, also a UNESCO site, famous for its intricate stone carvings by Wiligelmus. The interior includes a crypt with relics and stunning marble work. Entry to the main nave is free,

🕐 Mon-Sat 07:00-12:30, 15:30-19:00; Sun 07:00-13:00, 15:30-19:30

💡 Look for the carved reliefs on the facade called the 'Metope'—each tells a biblical story in surprisingly expressive detail. Mass times mean the interior is closed briefly at noon, so plan accordingly.

Modena's main square, flanked by the cathedral and town hall. It has a slight slope and hosts the Thursday market.

🕐 Always open

💡 Grab a coffee at Caffè Giusti on the corner, a local institution since 1880.

Trattoria Portile · ££

Agriturismo Rubbio · ££

Main square of Modena, also a UNESCO site. Surrounded by the cathedral, town hall, and porticoed buildings. The square slopes gently and is used for markets and events.

🕐 Open 24/7

💡 Come early morning when it's empty to see the light hit the cathedral facade. The column of the Preda Ringadora is where medieval edicts were proclaimed.

The main square surrounded by historic buildings, including the cathedral and town hall. Lively with cafes and benches.

🕐 Always open

💡 Visit on a Saturday morning for the market stalls selling local produce and crafts.

A Unesco World Heritage site with intricate Romanesque carvings and a striking facade. The interior is free to enter.

🕐 07:00-19:00 daily

💡 Go early morning to avoid crowds and see the sunlight filter through the rose window.

A free municipal museum housing archaeological finds, medieval sculptures, and a collection of local ceramics and paintings, all in the historic Palazzo dei Musei.

🕐 Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–13:00 and 15:00–18:00; closed Monday

💡 The museum is free on the first Sunday of every month, but it's already free for everyone every day. The ticket also gets you into the nearby Museo Lapidario Estense on the same day.

Trattoria Paganine

Tipico

A free municipal museum in Palazzo dei Musei, holding paintings, ceramics, and archaeological finds from Modena's history.

💡 Check the temporary exhibitions—often free too. Allow 1 hour max.

Free admission on the first Sunday of each month. Houses medieval sculptures, including the original statues from the cathedral's Porta della Pescheria.

💡 Go early on the free Sunday to avoid queues. The audioguide is worth a euro or two for context.

Romanesque cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage site. The exterior, with its intricate sculptures and rose windows, is free to view. The adjacent Ghirlandina tow

💡 Walk around the apse for the best views of the Lombard carvings by Wiligelmo—they're biblical scenes that predate the cathedral itself.

A free museum showcasing Modena’s history through art, artefacts, and archaeological finds. Housed in a former palace.

💡 Check the temporary exhibitions on the upper floor—they change often and are included in the free entry.

Il Moro

Ristorante da Pasticcino