Motor Valley Italy: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati and Factory Tours, Planned (2026)

The Motor Valley Italy trip is a car lover’s pilgrimage through Emilia-Romagna, the region where Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani, Dallara and Ducati all build their machines. Most of it sits within easy reach of Bologna and Modena. This guide matches each museum to a type of fan. It also shows which factory tours run on which days, and how to fit it all into one or two days.

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Motor Valley Italy at a glance

The Motor Valley consortium counts six brands, four circuits, 13 museums and 19 private collections, according to the official Motor Valley site (checked September 2026). Here are the main stops for international visitors.

Which Motor Valley museum is right for you?

Most Motor Valley Italy visitors have time for two or three stops, so choose by the kind of fan you are. The table below matches each type of traveler with the best first pick.

The Ferrari museums: Modena and Maranello

Museo Enzo Ferrari, Modena

The Modena museum tells the story of the founder. In fact, it combines Enzo Ferrari’s birthplace with a modern gallery, famous for its yellow roof. It sits in the city itself, so it is also the easiest Motor Valley stop without a car.

Museo Ferrari, Maranello

Maranello is the home of the brand, with Formula 1 cars, road cars and racing simulators. In addition, the museum sells a panoramic shuttle tour of the Fiorano track and Viale Enzo Ferrari inside the factory area. Note that this is a ride past the buildings, not a walk along a production line.

Both museums open every day, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. between November and March. Summer hours run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to the Motor Valley listing for the Ferrari Museum (checked September 2026). In spring and fall, doors open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Also, Ferrari sells time-slot tickets with priority entry, plus a combined ticket for both museums within 48 hours.

Lamborghini, Ducati, Maserati and Pagani

Factory tours are the real prize of a Motor Valley Italy trip. However, they run on fixed days and sell out, so plan around them first.

Lamborghini, Sant’Agata Bolognese

The Museo Automobili Lamborghini opens from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. from October to April, and until 7 p.m. from May to September, according to the official Lamborghini museum page (checked September 2026). The page also lists early closings on some 2026 dates, so check before you go. Meanwhile, factory tours run Monday to Friday, with a guided visit to the production lines and a free visit to the museum.

Ducati, Bologna

The Ducati Museum sits at the Borgo Panigale factory on Bologna’s western edge. It closes on Wednesdays, except in August. Factory tours run on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, in Italian and English, according to Bologna Welcome, the city’s official tourism site (checked September 2026). Book online, and wear closed-toe shoes for the factory.

Maserati, Modena

Maserati runs a showroom tour and a longer factory tour at its historic Modena site. Tours run Monday to Friday, by reservation only, and never in August or on holidays, according to the official Maserati tour booking site (checked September 2026). Also, Maserati discourages factory visits for children under seven.

Pagani, San Cesario sul Panaro

Pagani builds hand-finished hypercars between Modena and Bologna. The Horacio Pagani Museum and the Pagani Atelier open daily, and the full tour covers both. As a result, it suits fans of design and craftsmanship more than fans of racing.

Dallara and the circuits

Dallara builds race cars for many international series. Its Dallara Academy in Varano de’ Melegari, near Parma, opens its museum every day and offers guided tours on request. Similarly, the four Motor Valley circuits let you watch, or drive, on famous asphalt:

• Imola: the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, a historic Formula 1 venue with a small multimedia museum.
• Misano: the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli near Rimini, home of the MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix and WorldSBK.
• Modena: the Autodromo di Modena, known for supercar driving experiences.
• Varano: the Autodromo di Varano, in the hills near Parma.

Before you go, check each circuit’s calendar. Race weekends are busy, while track days and driving courses fill the quieter dates.

How to plan a Motor Valley Italy trip

Choose your base

For a Motor Valley Italy itinerary, Modena is the best base for Ferrari, Maserati and Pagani. By contrast, Bologna suits Ducati and Lamborghini, and it has far more flights and hotels. The two cities are a short regional train ride apart, so either works. See our guide to things to do in Bologna for the rest of your stay.

Train or car?

Without a car, you can see the Museo Enzo Ferrari in Modena and the Ducati Museum in Bologna. Meanwhile, private shuttles run from Modena to the Ferrari museums. For Maranello, Sant’Agata and Pagani, however, a rental car makes the day far easier. Both city centers have restricted traffic zones, so read our tips on driving in Italy and compare car rental in Italy first.

A two-day plan

1. Day 1, Ferrari day: start at the Museo Ferrari in Maranello with the Fiorano shuttle. Then drive back to Modena for lunch and the Museo Enzo Ferrari in the afternoon.
2. Day 2, factory day: book the Lamborghini factory tour in the morning. After that, continue to the Ducati factory in Bologna or to Pagani, depending on your passion.

In short, pick Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday. On those days, the Lamborghini, Ducati and Maserati factory tours can all run. Above all, book each tour before you fix your hotel dates.

Add food to your Motor Valley trip

The same area produces Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma and aceto balsamico tradizionale, the traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena, aged for years in wooden barrels. Therefore, a car day and a food day fit together naturally on any Motor Valley Italy trip. For example, many travelers visit a caseificio, or cheese dairy, early in the morning, when cheesemakers work the fresh milk.

Good pairings include a balsamic vinegar tour in Modena after the Ferrari museums, or a Parma food tour with Parmigiano and prosciutto on the way to Dallara. Back in Bologna, a Bologna food tour is an easy evening plan.

Book your Motor Valley experiences

• Ferrari tour in Maranello: a Ferrari tour in the brand’s hometown.
• Modena balsamic vinegar tour: balsamic vinegar in its home city, an easy add-on to the Ferrari museums.
• Parma food tour: Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma at the source.
• Bologna food tour: a food tour in the city, ideal after the Ducati Museum.
• Bologna cooking class: a hands-on cooking class for a rest day.

For more ideas, compare the best food tours in Bologna, browse all food tours in Italy, read our guide to Italian car brands or plan a longer route with our northern Italy itinerary.

Food lovers can add a producer day: our guide to Parma food tours explains what each stop shows you.

Basing yourself in Bologna for the Motor Valley? Our Bologna itinerary shows how to plan your days in the city.

Motor Valley Italy: frequently asked questions

Where is the Motor Valley in Italy?

The Motor Valley is in Emilia-Romagna, in northern Italy. Its main stops cluster around Modena and Bologna, with circuits at Imola, Misano, Modena and Varano.

Can you tour the Ferrari factory?

The Ferrari museum in Maranello sells a panoramic shuttle tour of the Fiorano track and Viale Enzo Ferrari. It is a ride past the factory, not a walk along a production line.

Which Motor Valley factory tours are open to visitors?

Lamborghini, Ducati and Maserati run factory tours on set weekdays, and Pagani offers a museum and atelier tour. Book each one in advance on the official sites.

Do I need a car for the Motor Valley?

Not for the Museo Enzo Ferrari in Modena or the Ducati Museum in Bologna. However, a car makes Maranello, Sant’Agata Bolognese and Pagani much easier in one day.

What is the best day to visit the Motor Valley?

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday. On those days, the Lamborghini, Ducati and Maserati factory tours can all run, while August has the fewest tours.