- The Italian tricolour flag was adopted here in 1797
- The centre has lively squares and a good food market
- Parmigiano Reggiano takes part of its name from the province
- Canossa and the Apennine castles of Matilda are within an hour
- Airports
- Bologna (BLQ), Milan Linate (LIN), Milan Bergamo (BGY)
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October
- Type
- Province
Reggio Emilia sits on the Via Emilia between Parma and Modena, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. It is a prosperous, sociable city with a compact historic centre of squares and porticoes, best known in Italy as the place where the green, white and red tricolour was first adopted as a flag in 1797. Educators worldwide also know it for the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education.
For UK travellers, it is a relaxed, untouristy base for exploring the food valley, with Parmigiano Reggiano dairies, Lambrusco vineyards and the castles of the Apennines all close by. It also has good high-speed rail links via its striking Mediopadana station. For the rest of the country, see our Italy guide.
Things to do in Reggio Emilia
- Piazza Prampolini and Piazza San Prospero – the twin central squares, busy with markets on Tuesday and Friday mornings.
- Sala del Tricolore – the town hall room where the tricolour was adopted, with a small flag museum.
- Basilica della Ghiara – a Baroque church with richly painted and stuccoed interiors.
- Musei Civici – the city museums, with archaeology and natural history collections.
- Calatrava's bridges and Mediopadana station – Santiago Calatrava's white bridges and wave-like station on the edge of the city.
- Collezione Maramotti – a contemporary art collection in a former fashion factory, open by appointment.
- Canossa and Matilda's castles – the ruined castle where Emperor Henry IV famously waited in the snow in 1077, plus other castles of Matilda of Canossa in the hills.
- Pietra di Bismantova – a dramatic flat-topped rock in the Apennines, popular for walking and climbing.
Parma and Modena are each less than 30 minutes away by train.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Centro storico | Walk to the squares, market and restaurants |
| Near the station | Practical for regional trains |
| Apennine villages | Rural stays near Canossa and Bismantova |
| Lambrusco country | Agriturismi on the plain among vineyards |
Getting there
Fly to Bologna, which is about an hour away by train or around 45 minutes by road. From Milan, high-speed trains reach Reggio Emilia AV Mediopadana in about 40 to 50 minutes, with local connections into the centre. Parma and Modena are a short regional train ride away.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are ideal for food tours and walking in the hills. Summer is hot and humid on the plain but pleasant in the Apennines. Winter is quiet, with foggy mornings on the plain.
Try erbazzone, a savoury pie of greens and Parmigiano, and cappelletti, small filled pasta often served in broth.
Top attractions in Reggio Emilia
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LandmarkPompeii
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ViewpointSeceda
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Reggio Emilia on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Reggio Emilia worth visiting?
Yes, for an uncrowded, authentic city and an excellent base for food tours and castles.
Why is Reggio Emilia important to Italy?
It is where the tricolour was first adopted as the flag of the Cispadane Republic in 1797, the forerunner of the Italian flag.
How far is Reggio Emilia from Bologna?
About 45 minutes to an hour by train or car.
What is the Reggio Emilia approach?
A child-centred philosophy of early childhood education developed in the city's preschools after the Second World War.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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