Emilia-Romagna with Kids: The Ultimate Italy Family Itinerary

This Emilia-Romagna with kids itinerary balances beaches, medieval villages, hands-on food experiences, and lively cities without overwhelming young children.

One of the things I loved about this trip was how different each stay felt. Instead of one standard hotel experience, every stop gave us something unique: from a beachside suite in Rimini to a vineyard stay in Santarcangelo di Romagna, a historic hotel in Modena, and an easy central base in Bologna. It made our Emilia-Romagna with kids itinerary feel varied and exciting for the whole family.

We started at the Parioli Hotel Rimini, in a spacious Deluxe Suite with a pull-out sofa in the living room, separate bedroom and balcony. It was exactly what we needed after a later than expected arrival - stylish, clean, and family-friendly, with enough room for all of us to spread out. It was a short walk to the beach and lively strip, which made it easy to head over without overcommitting and also grab a pizza and a cold beer. Parioli Hotel Rimini also had a great breakfast included in the morning. 

In Santarcangelo, we stayed at Collina dei Poeti, a small countryside inn surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The location itself was absolutely beautiful, but what made it stand out was the pasta-making class right on site. After rolling out tagliatelle, we had dinner overlooking the estate, and the kids spent the evening running around outside while we enjoyed a glass of wine. Our room had a bunk bed for kids and breakfast included in the morning. The staff was incredible and even drove us to the train station in the morning. Family-friendly Emilia-Romagna stays don’t get better than this!

For Modena, we checked into the Hotel Phi Canalgrande, a historic hotel right in the city centre. The location couldn’t have been better - just steps from Piazza Grande and an easy walk to all the restaurants and shops. The style is old-world Italian, with high ceilings and period details. The family room was actually two adjoining rooms and gave us all the space we needed. It worked well as a base for all of our day trips to cheese factories, balsamic vinegar estates, and the Ferrari museums. We also loved the included breakfast, with an amazing buffet spread, juicer setup to make your own green juice, and a beautiful outdoor courtyard to eat in. 

Our last stop was Zanhotel Regina in Bologna, located along Via dell’Indipendenza. It was central enough that we could walk everywhere - from Piazza Maggiore to the medieval food markets. The hotel itself was straightforward but reliable, with a separate sleep area for the kids and breakfast included. 

The regional trains connect Rimini, Modena, and Bologna in about 1–2 hours and are easy to use with kids. Make sure to book tickets in advance through Rail Europe so you can choose seats together. If you’re travelling with a stroller, look for the wheelchair symbol when booking as those cars usually have more space.

One of the things we really wanted to do on this trip was a Flytographer photoshoot in Bologna. Unfortunately, we couldn’t line up the timing, so we ended up booking our session in Venice instead. That said, Bologna has some truly incredible photographers. I especially love the portfolios of Yeleynaya and Alice, both of whom capture the city’s mix of medieval streets, porticoes, and lively piazzas so beautifully.

We’ve used Flytographer in so many cities including Barcelona, Venice, Lisbon, New York, Porto, and Amsterdam, and every single time we walk away with photos that feel like treasures. It’s honestly one of my favourite souvenirs from travelling as a family. If you’re heading to Bologna, I’d definitely recommend booking a session. The setting is gorgeous, and you’ll come home with frame-worthy images.

Here are a few tips for a smooth photoshoot experience with kids:

• Book the shortest session (30 minutes is perfect with little ones)

• Morning light is always the best

• Bring small treats as motivation (sometimes bribes are necessary! we bring skittles or smarties)

Discount Code: If you’d like to try it out, use this link  to get $50 USD off your first booking when booked during the month of September (note: you'll see the discount applied at checkout after you create an account).

Our trip started in Rimini, and it turned out to be the perfect gateway into our Emilia-Romagna with kids itinerary. British Airways just launched a direct flight from London to Rimini, and it made getting here incredibly easy. Within a couple of hours we were on the Adriatic coast, ready to dive straight into beaches, theme parks, and a colourful historic centre.

Rimini is famous for its beaches - wide stretches of sand lined with umbrellas and family-friendly beach clubs. Public beaches in Rimini are free but have no amenities. Paid beach clubs (lidos) are worth it with kids because they include umbrellas, loungers, bathrooms, showers, cafés, and often playgrounds right on the sand. It’s easy to spend an entire day here because the set-up is so family-friendly. Kids can run between the water and the play areas while parents relax nearby, and everything you need is right at hand.

Just along the waterfront is the Rimini Panoramic Wheel (La Routa Panoramica), which makes for a fun add-on before or after beach time. The views stretch over the coast and the old town, and at sunset it’s especially pretty.

The city isn’t just about the beach. Rimini’s historic centre is compact and walkable, with Roman ruins, pretty piazzas, and cool murals.. We walked under the Arch of Augustus, crossed the Tiberius Bridge, and spent time in the Borgo San Giuliano, a neighbourhood filled with colourful street art inspired by Federico Fellini. Visiting Rimini’s historic centre adds a nice balance to an Emilia-Romagna itinerary with kids, giving families a taste of culture without overwhelming little ones.

The real highlight for our kids in Rimini was Italia in Miniatura, a quirky theme park that recreates the entire country in miniature. There’s a Venetian lagoon with gondolas, a monorail that loops above the landmarks, and even a miniature piazza where kids can press buttons to make little puppets appear from windows. It’s incredibly detailed and interactive, and we spent a few hours here. The biggest hit was the kids’ driving school, where my son got to get a driving lesson, drive tiny cars around a track, and proudly take home his own license. If you’re looking for quirky things to do in Emilia-Romagna with kids, this park is a must.

A short 20 minute drive from Rimini is Santarcangelo di Romagna, one of the prettiest medieval villages in the region. Narrow cobblestone streets, colourful houses, and a lively main piazza give it a storybook feel, but what really made it memorable was the underground city! This stop added so much variety to our Emilia-Romagna with kids itinerary and was one of the highlights of our entire trip.

Beneath the town is a network of around 160 mysterious underground caves dating back to Roman times. We joined a private guided tour with Enrica (who was by the way SO amazing with our kids) who handed my son a giant metal key to unlock the gates into the cave entrance. It was an immediate hit with the children - winding passageways, vaulted chambers, and the thrill of being under the streets of a medieval town. Our guide explained how the caves have been used over the centuries, from storage cellars to bomb shelters, while others may date back to early Christian or pagan use, possibly as places of worship. It was totally unexpected adventure! Tours of the Monumental Caves are run through Santarcangelo’s Tourist Information Office (IAT), which is managed by the local Pro Loco association. If you’re looking for things to do in Emilia-Romagna with kids, this is a must.

Above ground, Santarcangelo is small enough to explore at kid pace. The main piazza is lively without being overwhelming, and the streets are filled with charming details like small fountains, gelato stops in the square, and a lovely playground and green space at Parco "Campo della Fiera" Giardino Pubblico. Don’t miss Osteria La Sangiovesa, a Michelin-recognized restaurant set in a historic palazzo, where dining rooms are decorated with incredible local art. You can also check out the underground caves once used as pigeon houses and the food here (handmade pastas, piadina, and cured meats from their own farm) is some of the best in the region.

Don’t miss Osteria La Sangiovesa, a Michelin-recognized restaurant set in a historic palazzo, where dining rooms are decorated with incredible local art. You can also check out the underground caves once used as pigeon houses and the food here (handmade pastas, piadina, and cured meats from their own farm) is some of the best in the region.

A short and easy walk outside the village, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, we joined a pasta-making class at Collina dei Poeti. Under the guidance of a Romagnola grandmother, we learned how to make, roll and cut tagliatelle by hand. The kids were completely into it and it was such a fun family experience! 

Dinner afterwards was one of the most delicious meals we had on the trip: fresh pasta that we made with ragù, bruschetta, desserts, and local wine from the estate. The kids devoured their plates and then spent the evening happily running around outside, collecting rocks and treasures, while us parents sat with a glass of wine in peace. Adding hands-on food experiences like this makes an Emilia-Romagna family itinerary so much more memorable.

If Rimini is about beaches and Santarcangelo is about medieval charm, Modena is where Emilia-Romagna with kids really shines. The city itself is beautiful and walkable, but what made it unforgettable with kids were the mix of hands-on gastronomic experiences and flashy car museums that appealed to the whole family.

Just outside Modena we visited Caseificio 4 Madonne, one of the dairies authorized to produce authentic Parmigiano Reggiano. This was easily one of the coolest food experiences we’ve ever done. We walked through the production area where fresh milk was being stirred in giant copper vats, and then into the aging rooms where over 30,000 wheels of cheese were stacked to the ceiling. The kids were amazed at the sheer scale of it - it felt almost like walking through a cheese library. The best part was the tasting at the end, where we tried different ages of Parmigiano and learned how each wheel is inspected before it earns the official stamp. It's a really incredible process and if you’re looking for things to do in Emilia-Romagna with kids, a family-friendly tour of the parmigiano factories and balsamic vingegar estates is unforgettable.

Back in the city, we all LOVED visiting the Enzo Ferrari Museum, which is housed in a striking yellow building next to Enzo Ferrari’s childhood home. Even if you’re not a car person (like me), the museum is so cool, beautifully designed and surprisingly interactive. The displays combine historic cars with multimedia exhibits that kept the kids engaged, and lunch at the Museum’s Bistrot afterwards was great. 

A short transfer away is the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, which takes the experience to the next level. Here you’ll find Formula 1 cars, simulators, and exhibits dedicated to Ferrari’s racing history. It was definitely a hit with my husband and son, but even as someone who isn’t into cars, I enjoyed the energy of it and the chance to see such iconic Italian design up close. For families, it’s a highlight of the Emilia-Romagna Motor Valley.

Our final stop on the Motor Valley circuit was the Pagani Museum and Factory in San Cesario sul Panaro. Unlike Ferrari, Pagani produces only a handful of luxury cars each year, and the tour takes you right through the production floor where craftsmen are building them by hand. It felt more intimate than the Ferrari museums and it was really fascinating experience. Note: phones and recoding devices were not allowed on the production floor and had to be locked up prior to entry. 

Emilia-Romagna isn’t just about cheese - it’s also the only place in the world where you’ll find traditional balsamic vinegar and doing a family-friendly tour is a must. We visited Acetaia Gambigliani Zoccoli, a family-run estate where barrels of vinegar have been aging for over 12 years. The kids were curious about the tiny wooden barrels lined up in the attic and thought it was fun to do smell tests. Afterwards, we all got to taste different balsamic vintages alongside cheese, cured meats, and Lambrusco wine. We learned so much about the labour of love that goes into making balsamic vinegar and it completely changed how we think about balsamic. Once you’ve had the real thing, the supermarket version just doesn’t compare. The playground on-site was also a hit with the kids, making this one of the most family-friendly food experiences in Emilia-Romagna.

This was honestly one of my personal favourite experiences of the entire trip! And we were able to ship several boxes of the balsamic vinegar home as souvenirs for ourselves and our families.

In between the food and car experiences, Modena itself quickly became one of our favourite Italian cities. The main square, Piazza Grande, is framed by the Duomo and the Torre Ghirlandina, and the historic streets are full of cafes and shops. What struck me most was how relaxed it felt compared to bigger Italian cities. There were few tourists and crowds, even during July high season, and the kids could run through the piazzas and walk on the streets without concern. We felt Modena was a very special place where you could actually slow down and enjoy the atmosphere.  And of course, the food here is incredible. Don’t miss La Smorfia for pizza, or try a traditional Modenese specialty like tortellini in brodo at one of the local trattorias.

Bologna was our last stop on our Emilia-Romagna with kids itinerary, and it felt like the perfect finale. The city is known for its medieval towers, endless porticoes, and incredible food scene. It’s compact enough to explore on foot, with plenty of piazzas to pause in, and while it was busier with tourists than the other towns we visited, it still kept its laid-back charm.

While so many European cities are tricky with strollers thanks to endless cobblestones, Bologna is different. The porticoes stretch for miles across the city, giving you smooth, covered walkways that make it incredibly stroller and kid-friendly. They’re also perfect for hot or rainy days since you’re almost always under cover, and they’re so unique that Bologna’s porticoes have even been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At the heart of Bologna is Piazza Maggiore, a huge square framed by historic palaces and the massive Basilica di San Petronio. The kids had plenty of space to run around, and just behind the piazza are the medieval market streets of the Quadrilatero. This was one of our favourite parts of Bologna - lively, colourful, and packed with little food shops selling fresh pasta, cheeses, and cured meats. We loved grabbing a meat and cheese board with a glass of local wine at one of the tiny restaurants tucked along these streets, while the kids sampled bits of salami and gnocco fritto. At 6pm, the area comes alive with aperitivo hour, when locals crowd into the bars for drinks and snacks, and it’s the perfect time to duck into an enoteca (wine bar) for a glass of Lambrusco and a few small plates.

Don’t miss trying gelato topped with traditional balsamic vinegar at one of the many amazing gelaterias (such as Cremeria Santo Stefano and Galliera 49), or ordering a granita, a refreshing Sicilian-style fruit slushie that’s perfect on a hot day.

Bologna is known as Italy’s food capital, and I honestly wished we had one more day here to properly enjoy even more of its incredible restaurants and gastronomic experiences. This is the home of tagliatelle al ragù (what most of us call Bolognese), tortellini in broth, and mortadella. If we had one more day, we would have used Tripsitta to book a babysitter (use discount code "mini.jet" to get 25 euros off your booking) and do this evening food tour sans kids!

Our trip through Emilia-Romagna with kids was one of the most enjoyable family adventures we’ve done in Italy. The region has this perfect balance of food, culture, and fun ... but without the overwhelming crowds you’ll find in Rome, Florence, or Venice. Each stop felt unique: Rimini gave us beaches and theme parks, Santarcangelo brought medieval charm and pasta-making, Modena wowed us with cheese, balsamic, and Ferrari, and Bologna tied it all together with its legendary food scene and lively piazzas.

If you’re planning an Italy family trip, I’d honestly put Emilia-Romagna at the top of your list. It’s easy to get around by train, there are plenty of hands-on experiences for kids, and the food alone makes it worth the journey. I only wish we had a few extra days to soak up even more of what this underrated region has to offer.

This trip was hosted in collaboration with Visit Emilia-Romagna and local partners who made our family adventure possible. We’re so grateful for their hospitality and support. As always, all opinions are entirely our own.