When it comes to dream destinations for Formula 1 fans to travel to, I’d hazard a guess that most of them revolve around going to races. But if you’re looking for a place to go that offers some F1 highlights without a race weekend price tag, then you need to consider Maranello, Italy.
This small Italian city in the Emilia-Romagna region has one main claim to fame: being the home of Ferrari. Ferrari has all its headquarters in Maranello; it’s where all its cars are made, and where its Formula 1 team is based. It’s a big reason that the region surrounding it is known as “Motor Valley” today.
And there’s actually quite a few things to do in Maranello for Ferrari fans!
Maranello is easily accessible from popular Italian cities like Milan (2.5 hours), Florence (2 hours), and Bologna (1 hour), making it the perfect addition to any F1-lover’s Italy trip.
F1-related things to do in Maranello
Maranello is quite a small town, but there are several must-dos here for Ferrari fans. Elliot and I spent 2 nights in Maranello on our own F1 road trip in Italy in order to fit everything in!
Here are all the things to do in Maranello as a Ferrari fan:
1. Visit Museum Ferrari Maranello
First up, no visit to Maranello (or Motor Valley, for that matter) would be complete without visiting the Museum Ferrari Maranello. This museum is dedicated to the history of the Ferrari brand, from its design and technological advances to its integral contribution to motor racing and Formula 1.
This is the museum to go to if you’re interested in Ferrari’s history as a whole. There are lots of interesting exhibits here (and plenty of Ferrari cars from all eras to see!), though our favorites were obviously the F1 exhibits!
This museum also has the most fun F1 race simulators we’ve seen anywhere. Elliot wasn’t going to bother with the simulator since it costs like 30 euros… but then he saw the rigs and we both agreed he had to do it!
You can book tickets to the Museum Ferrari Maranello only, or get a combo ticket that also includes admission to the Enzo Ferrari Museum in nearby Modena (recommended!).
2. Take the Ferrari panoramic “factory tour”
Another thing to do in Maranello is the Ferrari panoramic “factory tour.” It’s not a true factory tour where you get to walk around and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Ferrari factory, though, as those types of tours are reserved for very high-paying clients and F1 sponsors.
However, the panoramic tour is still a pretty cool experience. You’ll take a bus along Ferrari’s Fiorano Circuit, a special track built for testing and development purposes. You’ll also drive down Viale Enzo Ferrari, a legendary boulevard within the factory complex*.
Tours are only available to visitors with valid museum admission. You can book a combo ticket that includes admission to the Museum Ferrari Maranello as well as the panoramic tour.
*Note that photos are not allowed on this tour!
3. Check out Ferrari shops
Maranello is a great place to shop for Ferrari merchandise. You’ll definitely want to visit the Ferrari Flagship Store, located across the street from the Ferrari factory. Here, you can find Ferrari-branded clothing, home goods, gadgets, and souvenirs – at Ferrari prices, of course.
The nearby Motorsport Maranello Store is another good place to shop for Ferrari-related merchandise, including a wide selection of model cars.
Warm-Up Maranello and Hors Ligne are two more Ferrari-inspired shops where you can find unique souvenirs, apparel, model cars, and more. And of course there’s a gift shop at the Ferrari museum, too.
4. Drive a Ferrari
Can you really come to Maranello as a Ferrari fan and not get behind the wheel of a car emblazoned with the Prancing Horse? If driving a Ferrari is on your bucket list, Maranello offers up lots of options.
There are many places around town offering Ferrari rentals and test-driving experiences. This is something that doesn’t come cheap, though — a 10-minute test drive will run you at least €120, and half-day rentals typically start at around €1,000. And, depending on the model you want to drive, it can get even pricier!
It’s also worth noting that the short test drives (like the 10-15 minute experiences) basically just have you driving on roads within Maranello, so don’t expect to go very fast! Feedback seems to be that the 20+ minute drives are the better option if you can afford it.
Some popular test-drive experiences you can book include the Ferrari 458 and the Ferrari 488. Test Drive Maranello also offers several Ferrari options. If you’re looking for a half-day or full-day rental, Motorsport Maranello is a good option. And if you want (and can afford) to drive a Ferrari on a track, look into Push Start.
Note: There is no way to drive a Ferrari on the Fiorano test track in Maranello, unless you are Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc (or similarly wealthy/famous). So if a company is offering “track drives” in a Ferrari, it’s going to be at a different track (usually at the Autodromo di Modena)!
5. Eat at Ferrari restaurants
During your time in Maranello, don’t miss having a meal in a Ferrari-related restaurant. The most famous is Ristorante Cavallino, which was founded by Enzo Ferrari himself in 1950. This restaurant is located in the center of town, right across the street from the Ferrari factory.
It’s a stylish spot to grab a meal, with a vintage vibe and nods to Ferrari memorabilia in its decor. The menu features local specialties from the Emilia-Romagna region, which is widely considered to be the foodie capital of Italy. You can make reservations online for lunch or dinner.)
For something more casual, Ristorante Montana is another classic choice for Ferrari fans. While Cavallino is where Enzo would take clients for dinner, Montana is where race car drivers would come and hang out. This homey restaurant offers delicious cuisine, and its walls are decorated with Ferrari and car racing memorabilia. Reservations are required, but you’ll have to try your luck at calling to make them.
6. Bonus: Enzo Ferrari Museum
Although it’s not technically in Maranello, the Enzo Ferrari Museum is not far away in Modena and is also well worth a visit.
The Enzo Ferrari Museum is focused on the life and works of Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the Ferrari brand who grew up in Modena. This museum focuses a lot more on design and showcasing a full timeline of Ferrari cars on display in a huge showroom.
If you want to visit the museums in Maranello and Modena, the combo ticket offering admission to both will save you money compared to purchasing tickets separately (and it’s good for 2 days).
Where to Stay in Maranello
Where should you stay in Maranello? Although you could technically visit Maranello on a day trip, I personally think it’s worth it to stay at least 1 night (or more) so you can really see everything. It’s a small and quiet town, which is a nice break from some of the bigger cities in Italy you’ll probably be visiting.
Here are the best places to stay in Maranello:
- BBSuite 21: Elliot and I stayed at this very cute guesthouse in Maranello, run by an older Italian couple. It’s just a short walk from many of the Ferrari-related attractions in the center of town, like the Ferrari museum and the Ferrari factory.
- Hotel Maranello Village: This Ferrari-themed hotel is a unique place to stay in Maranello if you’re a Ferrari superfan. It’s slightly outside of town (about a 10-minute drive to the center of Maranello), but it offers free parking. The rooms are Ferrari-themed, and there’s also an onsite Ferrari store.
- Maranello Palace: This elegant hotel features many nods to Ferrari in its design and decor. Overlooking the Ferrari factory, this is a great place to stay if you want easy access to Maranello’s Ferrari-related attractions.
Getting to Maranello
There are several ways to get to Maranello. If you’re driving, it’s 2 hours from Florence, or 2 hours and 20 minutes from Milan.
You can also get to Maranello by public transportation. Maranello does not have a train station, but nearby Modena does. (And Modena also has a Ferrari museum, so it’s worth making a stop there first on your way to Maranello.) There are direct trains to Modena from both Florence and Milan. From Florence, it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, and from Milan it takes 1 hour and 25 minutes.
From the Modena train station, it’s a 25-minute drive to Maranello. Buses run regularly from the train station.
Day trip to Maranello
You can also easily get to Maranello from Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. From Bologna, it’s just a 1 hour drive, or a 20 minute train ride to Modena, then a 25-minute bus ride to Maranello.
If you’re planning to visit Maranello as a day trip, I’d recommend doing it from Bologna, or from Modena if you plan to stay there for a couple nights.
Have you been to Maranello before? If so, what was your favorite thing you did there?
