Things to Do in Modena

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, though the tower requires a ticket.

🕐 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.

A magnificent 12th-century Romanesque cathedral, another UNESCO site. Its exterior, especially the Porta della Pescheria with its carved fish market scenes, is as impressive as the interior.

🕐 Monday–Saturday 07:30–12:30 and 15:30–19:30; Sunday 07:30–13:00 and 15:30–19:30

💡 Avoid the lunchtime queue by visiting at 1pm. While you're inside, look for the small chapel dedicated to Saint Geminiano, the city's patron saint.

A UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning Romanesque architecture. The exterior carved by Wiligelmo is the main draw; the interior is free to enter.

🕐 Daily 07:00-12:30, 15:30-19:00

💡 Visit late afternoon for the best light on the facade. Sundays are quietest.

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.

Romanesque cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage site. The exterior, with its intricate sculptures and rose windows, is free to view. The adjacent Ghirlandina tower can be climbed but costs to enter.

🕐 Exterior accessible 24/7; interior 07:00-19:00 Mon-Sat, 07:00-20:00 Sun

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

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.

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 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.

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

🕐 Tue-Sun 10:00-13:00, 15:00-18:00; closed Mon

💡 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.

🕐 Tue-Sun 9:30-12:30, 15:00-18:00; closed Mon

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

A local history and art museum housed in a former palace, displaying Etruscan artefacts, Renaissance paintings, and 19th-century civic sculptures. The collection includes works by Correggio and a full reconstructed medieval pharmacy.

🕐 Tue-Sun 09:00-19:00; Mon closed

💡 Admission is always free on the first Sunday of the month. Use the free audio guide—it’s thoughtfully narrated and points out details you'd miss otherwise, like the secret door in the painted ceiling.

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

🕐 09:00-19:00 Tue-Sun (closed Mon)

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

A covered market with stalls selling local cheese, cured meats, and produce. Free to wander and sample.

🕐 07:00-14:00 Mon-Sat (closed Sun)

💡 Try the ‘tigelle’ (small breads) with lardo or stracchino cheese from the bakery stall—cheap and filling.

An indoor food market in a stunning early-20th-century iron-and-glass structure. Stalls sell local produce including Parmesan, balsamic vinegar, cured meats, and fresh pasta. It is a living cultural hub, not just a souvenir stop.

🕐 Mon-Sat 07:00-14:00; Sun closed

💡 Go just before noon to see the market at full chaotic life—but avoid the lunch rush. Grab a snack of tigelle (little bread rounds) with lardo from stall 23; it’s about €3 and beats any restaurant.

A quiet 13th-century Gothic church with beautiful terracotta detailing and unadorned interior. It's often overlooked by tourists and used for local concerts.

🕐 Monday–Saturday 07:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00; Sunday 08:00–12:30

💡 Check the noticeboard at the entrance for free classical music recitals, often held on Thursday evenings in spring and autumn.

An indoor food market from the early 20th century, with art nouveau architecture. Stalls sell Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, fresh pasta, and local produce.

🕐 Mon-Sat 07:00-14:00; closed Sun

💡 Go before noon for the freshest stuff. Samples are free if you ask politely. Closed Sunday.

A covered market from the 1930s with a stunning Art Nouveau interior. You can browse food stalls for free; sampling local cheese or balsamic vinegar is cheap or sometimes complimentary.

🕐 Mon-Sat 7:00-14:00; closed Sun

💡 Buy a sandwich of mortadella or prosciutto from a stall for under €5. The fish section has fresh catches from the Adriatic.

Large public park originally the gardens of the Este dukes. Features a pond, old trees, fountains, and a small lake with swans. Good for a quiet walk or picnic.

🕐 07:00-20:00 daily (hours vary seasonally, typically dawn to dusk)

💡 Enter through the gate next to the Military Academy. Bring bread for the ducks at the pond—locals do this. The park is at its best in late afternoon light.

A large public park with tree-lined avenues, a pond, and cycle paths. Popular for jogging and picnics.

🕐 06:00-21:00 daily

💡 Bring your own snacks—the park’s cafe is pricy. The best spot is near the fountain by the old stables.