Faenza is well connected to all the region’s main cities and is famous worldwide for its ceramic tradition.
A stroll through the historic centre will lead you to the elegant and picturesque Piazza del Popolo and the Duomo, a Renaissance gem.

Be sure to visit the MIC – International Museum of Ceramics, which is one of the most important museums of its kind in the world.

There are also plenty of artisan workshops and cafés where you can take a break and embrace the slow-living lifestyle surrounded by art.

About 20 minutes by train from Faenza lies Forlimpopoli, the birthplace of Pellegrino Artusi, the renowned gastronome and author of the first great Italian cookbook, La scienza in cucina e l’arte di mangiar bene (Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well).

The historic centre is dominated by the 14th-century Rocca Albornoziana, one of the best-preserved fortresses in Romagna.

Just a few steps away, in the magnificent complex of the Chiesa dei Servi, you will find Casa Artusi: a gastronomic centre that celebrates Artusi’s culinary heritage through a library, a restaurant, and a cooking school open to the public.

From Forlimpopoli, the number 121 bus will take you to Bertinoro in a few minutes. This charming hilltop village is known as the ‘Balcony of Romagna’ thanks to the splendid panoramic view that can be enjoyed from the central Piazza della Libertà.

Here, you will also find one of the village’s most iconic monuments: the Colonna dell’Ospitalità (Hospitality Column). This is linked to an ancient local tradition that is still celebrated today at the Festa dell’Ospitalità (Hospitality Festival).

As you stroll through the narrow streets and panoramic terraces, why not stop at a wine bar to enjoy a glass of Albana accompanied by a basket of piadina and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of this authentic corner of Romagna?

Our final stop on this tour of Romagna’s villages by train is the charming town of Santarcangelo di Romagna, which is easily accessible by train from Forlimpopoli in around half an hour.

Santarcangelo surprises visitors with its artistic soul and architecture, consisting of noble palaces, burgher houses, narrow streets and small squares.

From the station, it is a 15-minute walk to the picturesque Piazza Ganganelli, characterised by a fountain designed by the Santarcangelo poet Tonino Guerra and a triumphal arch dedicated to Pope Clement XIV, a fellow citizen of the town.

From here, you can explore the village among picturesque alleys and artisan workshops on your way to the Malatesta Fortress, which stands on Monte Giove and offers beautiful views of the surrounding area.

If you have time, we recommend visiting the Tuff Caves, an intricate system of underground cavities dug into the tuff whose origins remain shrouded in mystery.

Finally, end the day in one of the lively local taverns, where you can enjoy Romagna specialities such as passatelli or cappelletti al ragù with a glass of Sangiovese.