Modena food tour: balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano, wine tasting

Balsamic vinegar aged in wooden barrels, tasted where it's made.

A guided walking tour of Modena lasting two hours, combining the city's landmarks—the Cathedral, Ghirlandina Tower, Orto Botanico—with tastings of balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano, local charcuterie, and a seated meal of gnocco fritto paired with Lambrusco wine. Your guide speaks English or Italian, chosen at checkout. Children under 18 receive non-alcoholic drinks in place of wine.

Step-by-step itinerary

Modena sightseeing and food tasting

• Visit Orto Botanico garden
• Pass by Palazzo Ducale
• Taste traditional balsamic vinegar at Acetaia Malpighi
• See Ghirlandina Tower
• Explore Albinelli Market
• Pass by Modena Cathedral
• Taste gnocco fritto with Prosciutto di Parma and Lambrusco wine at Fà a Mód

The Experience

The tour starts in Modena's historic center and moves between the Orto Botanico, a botanical garden founded in the 18th century, and the Palazzo Ducale, the former Este family residence now housing the Military Academy. You'll pass the Ghirlandina Tower at 86 meters—the city's most recognizable landmark—and the Modena Cathedral, both UNESCO-listed. The route is walkable and suitable for all fitness levels, though the pacing and stops are set by the guide.

At Acetaia Malpighi, a family-owned balsamic vinegar producer founded in 1850, you'll taste the vinegar and learn how it's aged in wooden barrels over years using techniques passed down through five generations. The Albinelli Market, a working food market, shows you where locals buy fresh produce and regional specialties. Then you sit down at Fà a Mód for gnocco fritto—golden fried dough—paired with sliced Prosciutto di Parma and a glass of sparkling Lambrusco wine. The combination is traditional to Emilia-Romagna: the effervescent wine balances the richness of the ham and the airy texture of the fried bread.

Inclusions cover the guide, all tastings (balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano, charcuterie, and a local sweet with chocolate or almonds), and the seated meal with wine or non-alcoholic drinks depending on age. The tour runs two hours total. Choose your guide's language—English or Italian—when you book. Children under 18 are welcome and will receive non-alcoholic beverages instead of wine.

What’s included

• A live guide in your choice of English or Italian.
• tastings of balsamic vinegar at the producer, Parmigiano Reggiano, and local charcuterie.
• a local sweet with chocolate or almonds.
• a seated meal of gnocco fritto with Prosciutto di Parma and sparkling Lambrusco wine (or non-alcoholic drinks for those under 18).

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Slow Travel Italia

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to taste Modena's signature foods where they're made—the balsamic vinegar at the producer, the cheese and ham at the market—rather than in a restaurant, and if a two-hour morning or afternoon fits your schedule better than a longer excursion. The guide's pacing and the fixed stops mean you don't plan the route yourself; the route is planned around the tastings and the meal.

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Top questions

What exactly is balsamic vinegar from Modena, and how is it made?

Modena's balsamic vinegar is made by aging cooked grape must in wooden barrels for years, a process that concentrates and darkens the liquid into a thick, complex condiment. At Acetaia Malpighi, the family has refined this technique over five generations, and you'll taste the result and see the aging process during the tour.

Will I have time to walk around Modena's historic center, or is it mostly tastings?

The tour combines both: you walk past the Modena Cathedral, the Ghirlandina Tower, the Orto Botanico, and the Palazzo Ducale as part of the route, then stop at the market and the balsamic producer to taste. The two-hour pace is set by your guide and includes all the stops.

What is gnocco fritto, and why is it paired with Lambrusco wine?

Gnocco fritto is golden fried dough, a traditional Emilia-Romagna specialty. At the final stop, it's served with thin slices of Prosciutto di Parma and sparkling Lambrusco wine; the wine's effervescence and slight fruitiness balance the richness of the ham and the airy texture of the fried bread, creating a classic regional combination.

Can I bring my children on this tour?

Yes, children of all ages are welcome. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and those under 18 will receive non-alcoholic drinks instead of wine during the tastings and the final meal. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

Do I need to arrange my own way to Modena, or is transportation included?

Transportation to and from Modena is not included; you'll need to arrange your own arrival. Public transportation options are available nearby, and the walking tour itself covers the city center on foot with your guide.

Which language will my guide speak?

You choose between English or Italian when you book. Your guide will lead the entire tour in the language you select.