Taking over the hire car

The most convenient way to reach Modena by air is via Bologna airport. You will find numerous hire car agencies directly in the terminal. There you can complete the formalities before picking up the hire car in car park 2 on level -1 or on the ground floor of car park 3.

Hire car prices

You can usually rent cars in Bologna at quite reasonable rates, just like in Modena. However, if the price seems too tempting, you should study the rental conditions carefully.

Often there are hidden costs, which then ultimately drive up the price. Cars, which are offered in our eyes at a good price-performance ratio, we have marked with the note “Good offer” or “Excellent offer”. Simply use our handy price comparison.

hire car price comparison Modena

age limit

You must be 19 or 21 years old and in possession of a driving licence valid for at least one year to hire car from most rental companies in Modena and Bologna.

And almost all of them charge additional fees from drivers younger than 25. Before you book the car, you should find out the terms and conditions of your hire car company.

Language barrier

In Modena and Bologna, despite your best knowledge of English, it is quite possible that you will not be understood at your hire car station, as the staff are not proficient in English. Better make a note of the telephone number of the Italian head office of your rental company. There you can ask for translation help in case of need.

Remember the tank regulation

Some hire car companies require customers to purchase the first tank of gas for an expensive service charge. The car can then be returned with an empty tank. However, since you will never succeed in driving the car really empty and since you also have to pay the service fee, you will always pay on top with this variant. It is better to book with a rental company where you receive the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Some customers find fault with the exterior condition of cars in Bologna and Modena. Always have defects such as scratches or dents confirmed in a fault report and keep the document safe.

With this you can prove when you return the car that it was not you who caused the damage. Lawsuits also occur because of long waits at the hire car counter. Especially when returning the car, plan enough time to make sure you don’t miss your train or plane.

Sights in Modena

Domo: Romanesque architecture
At the cathedral the city tour could begin. 1099 was begun with the building work. The cathedral is considered a prime example of Romanesque architecture. When you stand in front of the church, you will notice that the bell tower is a bit slanted. It sank over the years in the marshy ground, but it is allowed to be climbed up to the fifth floor.

Before entering the cathedral, you have the opportunity to admire the magnificent ornate main portal. Inside, a majestic nave in the Gothic architectural style awaits you. In the crypt, supported by many columns, are the bones of St. Geminianus. He was bishop of the city in the fourth century and, according to legend, saved Modena from the invading Huns.

Palazzo Comunale: Impressive frescoes
The Palazzo Comunale, richly decorated with frescoes and tapestries, can also be visited. Especially the Sala del Vecchio Consiglio with its magnificent ceiling painting delights visitors. The painting was created at the beginning of the 17th century by Bartolomeo Schedoni and Ercole dell’Abate and was intended to remind those in power to act responsibly.

Palazzo di Musei: Museal Diversity
Another worthwhile destination is the Palazzo di Musei. There you will find five museums in one building. In the Museo Lapidario Estense you can admire finds from Roman times to the Middle Ages. In the Biblioteca Estense you can marvel at old manuscripts. In the Galleria Estense you will find an extensive collection of paintings, focusing on works by Venetian and Emilian masters. Finally, at the Museo Civico Archeologico Etnologico and the Museo Civico d’Arte, you’ll see more finds from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages.

Aceto Balsamico: Black Gold
Gourmands now have the opportunity to stroll through the city to purchase Modena’s black gold at one of the shops. Ask for “Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena.” Only then can you be sure of getting the delicacy for which Modena is so famous. And don’t shy away from the cost of at least 50 euros for 100 ml. The production of balsamic vinegar is extremely (time) consuming and you only need a few drops to decisively improve a dish. From roasted steak to ice cream – everything gets an exquisite touch with a few dashes of Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena.

Find a good hotel

Many tourists visit Modena just passing through. Therefore, the choice of hotels is also limited. Book your room at the UNA Hotel Modena. A modern house with good comfort awaits you. The hotel is located about seven kilometers from the city center.

Suggestion for a trip by hire car

Mantova: Magnificent Palaces
A round trip with the hire car could start in Mantova. In just under an hour you will be there. In Mantova, the Palazzo Ducale awaits you, a huge palace in whose 500 rooms you could easily get lost. Especially the frescoes of Andrea Mategna in the Camera degli Sposi, which the artist created from 1465 to 1474, cast a spell over the visitors. Another palace worth seeing is the 16th-century Palazzo del Te in which the colourfully decorated Sala di Psiche takes visitors’ breath away.

Sirmione: Mediterranean flair with views of the Alps
Continue with your hire car in just under an hour to Sirmione. The town is located on the southern shore of Lake Garda and offers Mediterranean flair, excellent restaurants and of course the unique lake view with the backdrop of the Alps in the background.

Cremona: home of violin making
Before you park the hire car back in Modena, you could stop off in Cremona, where the famous violin maker Stradivari practiced his craft. Expect a drive of a good hour to get there You can learn a lot about the art of violin making in the city’s violin making museum and then buy original souvenirs in the small shops of the historic city centre. A drive of about an hour and a half now separates you from Modena, where you can recover from your exciting hire car trip.