Things to Do in Emilia-Romagna on a Rainy Day

When everything seems to go for the best and you think you have successfully planned down to the last detail of your holidays or few days of relaxation in time, it might happen that bad weather barges in, throwing to the wind all of your plans.

It’s nobody’s fault, so don’t be upset, it happens. It’s right for this reason, however, that you should not risk spoiling your day with discontent and laziness. In Emilia-Romagna there is plenty to do even on a rainy day: let’s see the options together

Villages and Art Cities

Boasting eleven art cities and many ancient villages, Emilia-Romagna hosts a vast cultural and artistic heritage, the majority of which are buildings and thus perfect for a visit on rainy days.

UNESCO monuments, palaces, and historic buildings, churches and cathedrals: you are really spoilt for choice when it comes to visiting our region!

Basilica of San Vitale (Ravenna) | Ph. Wwikiwalter, via Wiki Love Monuments

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Visiting a Museum

Emilia-Romagna is an extraordinary region for art enthusiasts. There are so many internationally famous museums and historical buildings where you can take refuge on rainy days.

Cultural heritages on our territory are of course something more than a mere time killer on a bad weather day. But nonetheless, why don’t you seize the occasion to do unexpected discoveries?

National Gallery of Parma | Ph. sailko, via Wiki Love Monuments

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A Relaxing Day at the Spa

And what if it’s raining cats and dogs?! Well, then, the best choice might be to take care of yourself, maybe hiding in one of the many wellness centers of Emilia Romagna.

There is a wide choice – of any kind and for any person. They offer you therapeutic and rehabilitative treatments or innovative health and wellness programmes.

You have nothing left but to choose and leave behind the greyishness of the sky jumping in the blue thermal waters of our region.

Bagno di Romagna (FC), Ròseo Euroterme Wellness Resort | Ph. euroterme.com

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Watching a Movie

If it’s raining and it’s cold, spending some time in a cinema might be a good option, besides – it’s a classic. There are many cinemas in any city of Emilia-Romagna with different programmes. Two (or rather three) of them are very peculiar and deserve a better look.

On the one hand, the Lumière, the historical cinematographic room of the film library of Bologna. It’s a unique place in Italy that, thanks to projections, meetings and author festivals, spreads the knowledge of filmmaking’s history in all its declinations. Also in Bologna, we can find the Cinema Modernissimo, a charming underground theatre dating back to the early 20th century, which has recently been reopened to the public.

On the other hand, the Fulgor, right in the hear of Rimini’s city centre. It is bound to the memory of Federico Fellini and it has recently been restored to its original splendour.

Emilia Romagna's Castles

Everyone loves castles: adults, and even more children. And in case you have to choose how to spend your rainy and cold days, this is one of the best options.

Emilia-Romagna is starred by a widespread network of castles, fortresses, manors, towers, and walls with pleasant deviations across mountains and lands.

Some examples? Bardi, Torrechiara, Brisighella, Longiano, San Leo: these are only some of the multitude of castles standing in our region – absolutely not to be missed!

Castle of Vigoleno (Piacenza) | Ph. Cristiano della Casa

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Time for Shopping

Another classic on rainy days: to travel around the shelves of the boutiques of the city centres or to coop you up in one of the many shopping centres and stores, waiting for the worst to pass.

Emilia-Romagna features several shopping centres with a wide offer – ranging from fashion to design up to cultural and digital entertainment. And what about the street markets or the outlets where you can find real deals for every wallet?

Where? You can start with the Outlet Village of Castel Guelfo or with the one of Fidenza, for the rest – Google it, you will be surprised by the choice!

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Enjoying a Food Tour

There are guided tours that, more than others, are able to provide genuine sensory experiences. In Emilia-Romagna there are unique tours you should absolutely try, even more so if it’s bad weather and you can’t stay outside.

If you love food, for instance, we suggest you spend your day at Grand Tour Italia, the biggest food park in the world.

Here, you can discover and taste Italian food, as well as take part in educational and teaching workshops for young and old alike.

The ice cream enthusiasts – and good luck finding someone who isn’t – can take refuge inside the walls of Carpigiani Ice Cream Museum, an historical company that in 2012 opened the first and only museum in the world dedicated to the history of ice cream: workshops, guided tours and special events dedicated to the real “gelato lovers”.

Let’s not forget about the Museums of Food, located in the heart of the Italian Food Valley, which consists of a network of 9 exhibition spaces offering a journey in the world of taste and tradition.

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The Thrill of Speed

Do you wish to escape from the rain at full speed ? Then just visit one of the many museums of the Italian Motor Valley!

Discover the manufacturing companies of the most beautiful and innovative cars and motours in the world, with brands like Lamborgini, Maserati, Dallara, Ferrari, Ducati, Pagani and Tazzari.