Modena Playbook: Your Unrivalled Gialloblu Experience

The home of balsamic vinegar and Lambrusco, and the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari and Luciano Pavarotti, Modena has many claims to fame.

The city is also home to a vibrant football culture, with I Canarini pushing for promotion to Serie A less than a decade after going bankrupt. At long last, the future at the Stadio Alberto Braglia looks bright. 

So, if you are heading to Modena to watch the Gialloblu in action, the information below will help.

Where To Stay

Modena is a very compact and walkable city, which means you are never too far from historical landmarks, bars and restaurants. The centro storico is arguably the best option for first-time visitors because of its central location and blend of high-end hotels with reasonably-priced Airbnbs and rental accommodation. 

Central Park Hotel Modena is minutes from Via Emilia, the old Roman road that splits the city in two. This hotel offers up Modena on your doorstep while also serving as a handy base for the football-conscious traveller. A 10-minute walk gets you to the Stadio Alberto Braglia and 10 minutes more takes you to the train station with direct links to Bologna, Parma and Reggio Emilia.

RMH Raffaello Hotel on Strada Cognento provides a solid base. Large, clean rooms with friendly staff, there’s even a self-playing piano that tends to amuse guests passing through. The gym is well stocked, as is the breakfast buffet, the bar regularly hosts live music and and the car park often holds supercar meet-ups. It’s a 40–45 minute walk to the city centre for those who want the steps, or a 10-minute taxi for about €15 maximum. The hotel attracts a mix of sports teams, business conference guests and leisure travellers.

Where To Eat

Ristorante da Danilo was one of the highlights of Destination Calcio’s most recent trip to Modena. Characterful, old-school and entirely Modenese – the walls are lined with pictures of Pavarotti and local references. Service is warm and unhurried. Sassuolo’s Josh Doig recommended the gramigna while we also enjoyed the gnocco fritto with Parma ham, tortellini di zucca, and steak with balsamic sauce. The first page of the menu is Danilo’s own recommendations so if in doubt, don’t look further. If you haven’t booked, arrive at 7pm on the dot when they open and you should get a table.

Trattoria Ermes in the old town is a Modenese staple, all small wooden tables and a cosy and warm atmosphere with a rotating menu of classic pasta dishes. Covered in stickers, the front door speaks to Modena’s football passion, but don’t expect to just waltz in. Book if you are planning to go at the weekend, then treat yourself to a plate of lasagne for €10 or the local passatelli – a mix of breadcrumbs, parmesan, flour and eggs and nutmeg.

For a Sunday lunch, head to Locanda Redecocca, a five-minute walk south of Piazza Grande. Locals pack out the restaurant, sharing big bowls of pasta and ham and cheese boards. Pasta mains start from €10 and make sure you try the mascarpone for dessert.

Salumeria Hosteria Giusti is one of Modena’s most legendary culinary experiences. Hidden behind a historic deli that dates all the way back to 1605, the tiny dining room, which is accessed through a narrow corridor at the back of the shop, has four tables and is only open for lunch. If you are lucky enough to grab a place, try the traditional gnocco fritto, which is served with freshly cut salami.

Osteria di Modena Rossi – in the heart of the centro storico, opposite the imposing Military Academy building on Piazza Roma, this restaurant sits on the corner with brilliant views of a stunning square.

Bar Tiffany specialises in the local delicacy of gnocco fritto and with a strong Modena FC flavour running through the decor, this is a go-to for foodies and football fans alike.

Happy to splurge on a one-off experience? Try to get a table at the Osteria Francescana, a three-Michelin-starred institution that has twice been named the best restaurant in the world by the theworlds50best.com. It offers a unique experience where traditional Emilian ingredients are transformed into artful dishes. It is, as you may imagine, incredibly popular and reservations are normally sold out in minutes when they open three months in advance.

Where To Drink

Griffin’s Irish Pub in the historic centre is where Modena fans gather to celebrate a win and where locals and tourists mix. Good range of beers, Guinness at €5.90 and a fantastic patio and beer garden out front. The whole street has a great atmosphere with bars spilling onto the pavement. Inside you’ll find Modena ultras stickers alongside Hibernian tops – it’s that kind of place.

Via Dei Gallucci at the top end of the town is a street famous for revelry whenever Modena has something to celebrate. Sassuolo players headed here to party after their 2025 promotion.

Bar Schiavoni was in the Netflix hit Master of None and this bar is popular among fans seeking a sun trap ahead of kick-off at Stadio Braglia. Expect bottles of Lambrusco and glasses of Spritz, walked off by a 15-minute stroll to the stadium.

L’Archivio sits in the shadow of the city’s tribute to Panini and is a prime spot for people watching. It is known for its generous boards of snacks served during aperitivo hour and is loved by locals. The Chilli Margherita comes highly recommended.

La Lambruscheria focuses almost exclusively on different varieties of Lambrusco. and while seating is limited, this tiny bar is ideal to sample different kinds of the fizzy red wine, one of the city’s most famous exports, right in the middle of the old town.

Hit Slanzi Pub and Vinyl in the old town for a pint of craft beer and explore their record collection, or stop at nearby Al Goblet Birroteca, a local brewery that serves its own artisan beers on tap. It is routinely mentioned as one of the best spots in the city for beer enthusiasts.

Finally, Birralandia in the centro storico is the perfect spot to sip a pint in the sunshine, while Bar Stadio across the road from the Alberto Braglia is the ideal stop for a pre-match drink or two.

Don’t Forget

Tickets – Tickets for Modena matches can be purchased on the club’s official website, at the store in Via Del Taglio 22 or through VivaTicket.

When picking up tickets at the stadium or at the office, remember ID and leave a bit of time as they can get busy.

Kick-off times will be moved for television, so bear that in mind when arranging a trip far in advance.

Merchandise – All merchandise can be bought on the club website or at the Modena store in Via Del Taglio 22 in the city centre, which is open Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 1pm and from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. The store is also open from 10:30am to 7:30pm from Friday to Sunday.

Did You Know?

Modena are the most successful club in the history of the now defunct Anglo-Italian Cup, winning the trophy in 1981 and 1982.

Getting There

Modena does not have an airport but Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi is only 45 minutes away by train and well connected to the UK. Take the Marconi Express from the airport to Bologna Centrale, then change to one of the local services to Modena. A single ticket for the Marconi Express is about €12, while a regional train from Bologna to Modena comes in at €4.50.

Alternatively, you can fly to Parma, which is served by seasonal Ryanair flights from London Stansted, and then travel to Modena by train. The journey from Parma’s main station takes around 40 minutes.

As for the getting to the game, walking is the best option from the station and the city centre, both about 10-15-minutes from the ground. You will find all the key information in our stadium guide.

Need Another Football Fix?

Parma and Bologna and their respective Serie A clubs are a short train ride away as is Reggio Emilia, home of Sassuolo and Reggiana.