Italy’s Food Valley: Parma to Ravenna
Parmigiano, prosciutto and balsamic along the Via Emilia, with Bologna’s arcades and Ravenna’s mosaics.
- Distance
- 195 km (121 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 41 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 4
- Countries
- Italy
- Updated
- September 3, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 195 km (121 mi) with 4 stops, from Parma to Ravenna mosaics. About 2 h 41 min of driving in total.
Route description
In Parma, the cathedral and the pink marble baptistery stand in the same square, and the hills to the south are prosciutto country. Parmigiano Reggiano dairies around the city can be visited in the morning, when the cheese is made; book ahead.
The Via Emilia and the A1 motorway lead southeast to Modena, whose cathedral, tower and Piazza Grande are a UNESCO site. Traditional balsamic vinegar is aged in attics in and around the town, and many producers offer visits.
Bologna is next, with miles of arcades and the two leaning towers in the centre. Most of the city has a 30 km/h speed limit and the centre is a ZTL limited traffic zone, as in Parma and Modena, so use the park-and-ride car parks.
The A14 then heads east across the plain to Ravenna, where fifth- and sixth-century mosaics in gold and deep blue cover the walls of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. Allow a full day for the mosaics, which are spread over several sites in the town.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Parma
Italy - 263 km
Modena
Italy - 346 km
Bologna
Italy - 485 km
Ravenna mosaics
HistoryRavenna, ItalyFifth- and sixth-century mosaics in gold and deep blue cover the walls of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.
