Emilia Romagna Grand Prix™ Travel Guide
Your guide on how to get to Autodromo Imola, where to explore & other important information to know before you go.
Practical Information
- Visas: Italy is part of the Schengen Zone, which provides border-free travel in 26 European countries for citizens of most Western countries.
- Currency: The Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in Italy and ATMs are easy to find. It is recommended that you have a few euros in cash before beginning your travels and at the circuit, just in case. Also, tipping is not expected in Italy, although leaving a tip of up to 10% for good service is appreciated.
- Language: Italian. Service staff at the circuit, hotels, and restaurants should be able to speak some English, but it’s worth having the Google Translate app on your phone in case of language emergencies.
- Time Zone: UTC +1 hour
- In an Emergency: Dial 112 to contact an operator that will forward your call to the appropriate personnel for the emergency.
- Power Sockets: Italy uses type F sockets with the standard voltage being 230 V and the frequency being 50 Hz. See if you need a plug adapter and voltage converter here.
- Weather: For the Imola Grand Prix™, temperatures should range from around 21.7°C (71°F) during the day to 12.8°C (55°F) at night. This can be a rather wet time in Imola, so we recommend packing a waterproof jacket!
Arrival & Getting Around
Flights to Imola
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) is the closest major airport to Imola, located 50.0 km (31.1 mi) away in Bologna. This airport offers connections to all corners of Europe and is a major hub for discount carrier Ryanair. The smaller Rimini Airport, Federico Fellini International Airport (RMI), near the coast, is just over an hour’s drive from Imola, and is also worth considering. Airports in Florence, Venice and Milan are also within a few hours’ driving distance of Imola. For those flying from outside Europe, Milan’s airports offer the largest number of long-haul connections.
Where to stay
Hotel availability is limited in the small city of Imola, but the circuit is quite close to the largest city in the region, Bologna, which is where we recommend staying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix™.
To get the most out of your weekend in Bologna, it’s best to stay in or near Centro Storico, the historic city centre. This area is in close proximity to the central train station, making the commute to Imola easier. Here, you will also find a wide selection of hotels for all different budgets while being immersed in the historic and authentic charm of Bologna. Ghetto Ebraico, Bolognina, and Fiera Di Bologna are notable districts located just outside of Centro Storico where lots of additional places to stay can be found.
F1® Experiences offers a selection of the best hotels in near Imola. If you are still looking for accommodation, contact your Sales Representative for more information about available hotel options.
How to get to Autodromo Imola
Public Transportation
If you decide to stay in the larger nearby city of Bologna, it’s also possible to take the train to Imola. Direct trains connect Bologna to Imola in just 20 minutes, though the train station in Imola is around 30 minutes walk or a short taxi ride from the circuit gates. Trains also connect Florence (1.5 hours) and Milan (2.5 hours) to Imola. Search routes on Trenitalia.
Taxi and Ridesharing
Uber does operate in Bologna and surrounding areas, or you can ask your hotel to recommend a reputable local taxi company. The ‘Free Now’ ride-hailing app is also worth downloading for convenient access to local taxi services throughout Europe.
Hire a Car
Hiring a car is probably the most convenient way to get to Autodromo Imola for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix™. The small town of Imola is located close to the E45 toll road which connects Modena and Bologna to the coastal city of Rimini, as well as providing access to a large network of good-quality highways in the north of Italy.
F1® Experiences
Booked accommodation along with your Official Ticket Package from F1® Experiences? Daily transfers to and from the circuit can be added to your Official Ticket Package for an additional cost.
What to see & do in the Emilia-Romagna region
Get immersed in Motor Valley
Emilia-Romagna is home to several car and motorcycle manufacturers, circuits, museums, and other attractions associated with the iconic brands: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani, and Ducati. To be exact, Emilia Romagna is home to four international racetracks, six specialized training centers, six manufacturers, 11 museums, and 19 private collections. Visit Maranello, home of Ferrari, where you can visit a museum filled with some of Ferrari’s most iconic creations and take a tour of the factory on the same day – the Museo Enzo Ferrari in nearby Modena is also worth a visit. Drive a Ferrari at Autodromo di Modena, see one of the biggest private car collections, Panini Collection, and get a taste of luxury at the Lamborghini Factory Tour & Museum. Plan your visit to Motor Valley here.
Enjoy an Aperitivo
Italian for ‘happy hour,’ aperitivo happens after the end of the working day and before dinner, usually between 5-8 pm. Find the best places for an aperitivo in Bologna here.
Explore Bologna
Visit the Piazza Maggiore, the main square in the city centre, where you can see one of the largest cathedrals in the world, Basilica of San Petronio. Here, you can go onto San Petronio’s Terrace to get a gorgeous view of Bologna. You can then easily access Piazza del Nettuno, where the Fountain of Neptune can be found, and The Quadrilatero, which is the oldest market in Bologna. Looking for a fun exercise, climb the 492 steps to the top of the Asinelli Tower, where you can see a breathtaking, panoramic view of Bologna.
Discover Emilia Romagna
This region may not be as popular as some other parts of Italy, but it is home to many world-class attractions. Visit Parma to see the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, an architectural symbol of the city filled with rich and vibrant paintings, statues, frescos, and carvings. Discover Cesenatico and experience the rich history and beautiful scenery at the Port-Canal designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Relax on one of the seven beaches found in Comacchio, “Little Venice”, the charming town originally built on 13 islands. Visit one of the smallest republics on earth, San Marino, and enjoy the views from Mount Titano. Lastly, experience history with a walk across the 2000-year-old bridge in Rimini that remained standing after World War II.
