The Via degli Asini, the Rocca, the Clock Tower, the Pieve del Thò and an oil tasting.
One of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, on the first hills of the Lamone valley. Medieval houses sit at the foot of three chalk spurs, each with its own monument: the Rocca, the Clock Tower and the Santuario del Monticino. You finish with the extra virgin olive oil of Brisighella, one of the first DOP oils in Italy.
Times are a guide: driving times are worked out without traffic, then come the visits and ten minutes at every stop to park. In summer towards the coast and at rush hour allow extra time.
A covered, raised street from the 14th century, unique in the world: built as a defensive walkway along the walls, it was later used by carters who brought chalk down from the quarries on donkeys. It is lit by large arches of different shapes and sizes that look out over the village. The houses above the street are still inhabited.
Always open, free admission.
The fortress was built by the Manfredi, lords of Faenza, at the beginning of the 14th century and enlarged by the Venetians in the early 16th century, with the great round tower. You walk along the patrol walkways with views over the whole valley, the badlands and the village. Inside are rooms with objects from the valley's rural life.
In winter it opens mainly at weekends: check opening times. Separate ticket.
On the second hill, facing the Rocca. In its place stood a watchtower from 1290 built by Maghinardo Pagani; the present one dates from 1850 and bears a large clock. You reach it by a scenic path from the Rocca: from the top, the finest photograph of Brisighella.
Exterior always accessible.
The hills of Brisighella are home to an oil with a fruity, peppery flavour, among the first in Italy to obtain DOP status. At the mill or at the village cooperative you taste the oil on bread, with an explanation of local varieties such as Nostrana di Brisighella. You can add a tasting of local wines.
Booking required in advance.
One of the oldest Romanesque parish churches in Romagna. The name 'in Ottavo' comes from the eighth mile of the Roman road from Faenza towards Tuscany. Inside, the columns are all different because they were taken from older Roman buildings, and one of them is an ancient milestone. Tradition links it to Galla Placidia; the atmosphere is intimate and silent.
Free admission, outside service times.
How long it takes from each town, the drive back included. Tap a town to see the plan from there.
Almost every old town has a limited traffic zone (ZTL) with cameras: park outside and walk in. The fine reaches your home, abroad too. ZTL and car parks town by town
Romagna Transfer picks you up at your hotel, drops you in front of every stop and brings you back: no parking, no ZTL, and the wine is yours to enjoy.
San Vitale, Galla Placidia, the Neonian Baptistery, Dante's Tomb and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, all on foot in the centre
5 h 15 from Bologna Half day
The plan
The Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Classis museum and Sant'Apollinare in Classe, driving from one stop to the next.
5 h 30 from Bologna Half day
The plan
The International Museum of Ceramics, the squares, the Cathedral, Palazzo Milzetti and a ceramicist's workshop.
5 h 10 from Bologna Half day
The plan
The elliptical Piazza Nuova, the Pieve di San Pietro in Sylvis, the Rocca di Lugo, the Pavaglione and Francesco Baracca.
5 h 40 from Bologna Half day
The plan
The Cervia salt pans, the Salt Warehouse, Cesenatico's canal harbour with its historic boats.
6 h 50 from Bologna Full day
The plan
A boat trip through the Valli, the Trepponti, the Manifattura dei Marinati and the Museo Delta Antico.
6 h 35 from Bologna Full day
The plan
The Rocca Sforzesca in Imola, the Senna memorial at the racing circuit, the painted walls and the Regional Wine Library of Dozza.
4 h 45 from Bologna Half day
The plan
The Palazzo Pubblico, the Basilica of the Saint, the Guaita and Cesta Towers and shopping in the historic centre.
6 h 30 from Bologna Long half day
The plan
The Este Castle, the Cathedral, the Palazzo dei Diamanti and Via delle Volte.
4 h 30 from Bologna Half day
The planTrips written by our editors from the facts of our monument pages and the official sites. Opening days and hours change: the note under every place tells you what to check before you leave. No prices: you find them on the museums' sites.
