Maranello Italy should be a bucket list item for every car enthusiast with a love for Italian supercars. Why? Maranello Italy is not only where every single Ferrari in the world is manufactured at the Maranello Ferrari factory but also the home of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula One racing team.
Moreover, visitors can even take a Maranello Ferrari test drive. Drive a Ferrari in Italy through the sublime Italian landscape and feel like a race car driver/Hollywood superstar! Prepare for your epic Maranello test drive with a turn on a Ferrari F1 simulator.
Add lunch or dinner at the amazing Cavallino restaurant and top off your experience at the very impressive Maranello Ferrari Museum.
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Visiting Maranello Italy
You are probably raring to visit Maranello Italy after that introduction, but now you need the details.
Maranello is a tiny town in Northern Italy that isn’t on the usual well-trodden tourist lists, such as Bologna, Venice or even the hidden gems of Northern Italy list, like Treviso or San Daniele del Friuli.
Where Is Maranello Italy?
Maranello is located in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna just 10 miles south of the region’s capital, Modena.
Another popular city in Emilia Romagna, Bologna is a mere 30 miles to the east. Bologna has an international airport which is a destination for several low-cost European carriers.
In terms of major tourist cities, Maranello is conveniently located near major roads. Venice is 122 miles to the North (a 2.5 hour drive) and Florence is 93 miles (a 2 hour drive) to the south.
Why Visit Maranello Italy?
If you’re a serious sports car aficionado, then no trip to Italy would be complete without a visit to Maranello.
After all, it isn’t every day that you get to drive a Ferrari in Italy – let alone the exact place the vehicle was made!
Whether you take it for a spin around a track or around the Italian countryside, a Maranello Ferrari test drive is a unique and unforgettable experience that’s sure to be a highlight of your Italy trip.
You don’t have to drive a Ferrari in Maranello to enjoy your time though because there’s plenty to do in the town (see below).
For all F1 fans, a visit to Maranello Italy is a pilgrimage to where the Ferrari racing team is based.
How Do You Get to Maranello, Italy?
Here are the options if you’re traveling from either Bologna, Venice, or Modena.
By far the easiest way to get to Maranello is by car but there are public transportation options as well.
Getting from Bologna to Maranello
If you don’t have a car, then the easiest way to get from Bologna to Maranello is with a combination of train and bus.
Take the train from Bologna Centrale station to Modena, where you disembark to catch the number 800 bus from Piazza Risorgimento. The journey takes a total of around 2 hours.
Getting from Venice to Maranello
Without a car, the best way to travel from Venice to Maranello is also by train and bus. By car the drive is 2.5 hours.
From Venezia S. Lucia station, you’d take the train all the way to Modena via Bologna Centrale. You’d then catch the same number 800 bus from Piazza Risorgimento, as above.
We do not recommend this journey as a day trip option because public transportation from Maranello to Venice will take between 4 and 5 hours.
Getting from Modena to Maranello
The distance from Modena to Maranello is only 10 miles and a quick drive by car.
Using public transportation, the number 800 and 820 buses travel roughly every hour from Modena to Maranello. The journey takes between 25 and 40 minutes.
Maranello Ferrari Test Drive
There are a few options available for anyone who wishes to drive a Ferrari in Maranello.
Although you can book a Maranello test drive Ferrari while in the town, you may not get a time slot, a test drive duration or even the type of Ferrari that you like.
Avoid these uncertainties by booking your Maranello test drive ahead of time.
Get your choice of vehicle and time slot for a Maranello Ferrari test drive by booking ahead of time.
A LivTours Maranello Test Drive
We booked our Maranello Ferrari test drive through LivTours Italy which offers a range of options.
The LivTours test drive Maranello experience has high ratings on Trip Advisor and boasts many positive reviews from past customers.
Our LivTours Maranello Test Drive Ferrari was a super cool bright red.
The option you choose will come down to personal preference (e.g. do you want to drive a Ferrari F488 Spider or a four-seater California model?) and availability on the dates you plan to visit. Prices vary depending on the car you wish to drive and how long you want to drive it.
The time options for a Maranello test drive range from 10 minutes to whole day. A 10 minute Ferrari test drive starts at an affordable €110 to €1029 for a 2 hour drive.
Other options include a full day Ferrari and food experience and a full day tour that includes a visit to the Maranello Ferrari Museum and the Ferrari Maranello Factory.
Our LivTours Maranello Test Drive Experience
We chose a Ferrari California which is the family-friendly experience as a four-person car.
You are accompanied in the Ferrari by a specialist instructor who knows how to operate the car and the best roads to take.
My husband drove with the specialist instructor riding shotgun. My son and I were in the back seat.
We received a complimentary 10 minute ride courtesy of LivTours. However, we paid to add 10 more minutes to this tour so that my husband and I could both take turns driving.
The best plans laid to waste…
My husband did all 20 minutes driving though because I forgot to take my drivers’ license with me. Yes, stupid. I had forgotten to take my driver’s license from the safe in the hotel because my husband had done all the driving the day before.
Learning to drive a Ferrari in Italy is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
On the other hand, we had a super cool experience as passengers. And, my husband LOVED driving.
In terms of younger drivers, the minimum age to test drive Maranello Ferraris is 18 years old with one year of driving experience.
I have promised to take my 16 year old back when he is older… and this time I won’t forget my driver’s license!
Ferrari F1 Simulator
Included in our LivTours was a Ferrari F1 simulator ride. The Ferrari F1 simulator is the type that F1 racing drivers train on.
All of us took turns trying out the Ferrari F1 simulator which was a tremendous amount of fun.
For kids under 18, the Ferrari F1 Simulator is a great chance for them to get the feeling of being behind the wheel of a Ferrari.
I crashed and burned quite frequently on my simulator drive. Everyone was super happy that they weren’t getting in a real Ferrari with me.
Surprisingly (or not), my son was the best driver among us. We put that down to his finger dexterity playing MarioKart.
The Ferrari F1 simulator experience is fun for all ages.
Other Things to Do In Maranello, Italy
Looking for other activities to try on your trip to Maranello? Here are other things you won’t want to miss:
Maranello Ferrari Museum
Located a mere 300m from the Ferrari factory, the Museo Ferrari offers a fascinating insight into the brand and how it’s developed over time. Whether you’re an avid Ferrari enthusiast or simply have a casual interest in cars, you’re sure to love it.
Expect an immersive experience where you get up close and personal to famous Ferrari models, see the team’s trophies, and much more.
The Maranello Ferrari Museum has lots of cool exhibits about the Ferrari race car team.
There’s also an excellent Ferrari F1 driving simulator you can try (if you’re over 150cm tall and don’t mind paying the additional fee). We didn’t bother with this simulator since we had already done the LivTours driving simulator.
Maranello Ferrari Factory
Want to get even closer to where they make these famous cars?
For an extra charge, you can take a guided panoramic bus tour of the Maranello Ferrari factory estate. It’s super informative, you’ll see lots of Ferraris whizzing around, and get a definite sense of what it’s like to work here.
It wasn’t until the Maranello test drive that I realised the Ferrari gear stick is a paddle on the right of the steering wheel.
True Ferrari fans could also try to wangle a tour of the Maranello Ferrari factory itself.
The Ferrari Maranello factory tour is generally reserved for Ferrari owners and off-limits to the general public, but it’s sometimes possible if you arrange it through a Ferrari dealership. Just make sure you book it at least 30 days in advance.
Cavallino Restaurant
For a very literal taste of what Ferrari has to offer, head to Restaurant Cavallino. Once the company canteen, this historic building is set among the Ferrari Maranello factory buildings.
Nowadays , it’s a popular fine dining restaurant complete with a garden and open-air terrace.
Cavallino Maranello celebrates Ferrari, its accomplishments, and everything the company stands for including high standards and sleek design.
The sleek bar at the Cavallino Restaurant in the trademark Ferrari red.
Expect a warm atmosphere, an even warmer welcome, and delightful Italian food that you can eat while admiring the Ferrari memorabilia that adorns the walls.
For a complete Ferrari experience and an excellent Maranello restaurant, you need to visit Cavallino Restaurant.
At Cavallino Maranello I discovered Tagliatelle Modenese (like Bolognese but instead of beef mince, its shredded beef).
Ferrari Merchandise Shopping
If you want Ferrari merchandise, then Maranello is the place to buy them. In addition to official Ferrari merchandise, there are lots of other branded items.
The official Ferrari merchandise is NOT cheap.
Ferrari merchandise shopping includes this toy car which sells for as much as a Fiat 500 for everyday use.
Near Maranello Italy
Italian luxury car brands Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani and Ferrari are a byword for fast, sleek and expensive.
If you are in Northern Italy and you love luxury cars, make your way to the area around Modena and Bologna known as the Motor Valley – you won’t be disappointed!
Modena Italy
The picturesque city of Modena is on Maranello’s doorstep. An affluent and attractive university town, Modena has lots of museums, monuments, and other cultural activities.
For the car enthusiast though, Modena is home to many Italian supercar brands beyond Ferrari.
If you haven’t had your fill of Ferrari, visit the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari. Opened in 2012, this museum is all about the life of Enzo Ferrari, Ferrari’s founder.
A replica of Enzo Ferrari’s office at the Maranello Ferarri Museum.
You can also visit the Panini Motor Museum, the Lamborghini Museum and Maserati Museum and take a Maserati factory tour.
For the ultimate in Formula 1 wannabe, take your Ferrari test drive at the Modena race track. No beautiful Italian countryside flying by but then again, you can go as fast as you want!
Bologna Italy
Another ancient university town, what the city of Bologna doesn’t have in supercars is more than made up by its foodie reputation.
Walk of all that scrumptious food and the related calories by climbing the city’s famous towers and medieval plazas and streets.
On our visit to Bologna, we stayed at the fabulous Touring Hotel right in the historic center of the city.
Map of Maranello Italy and Vicinity
Wondering where in Italy Maranello is located? Here’s a map of the area so you can pinpoint exactly where you can find that great Ferrari drive in Italy experience you know you always wanted.
Map showing Maranello Italy in relation to other cities and towns in Northern Italy
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Would you love to test drive a Ferrari in Maranello Italy? It’s a travel bucket list item F1 lovers and car enthusiasts. ! Along with a Ferrari test drive, visit the Maranello Ferrari Factory for an unforgettable addition to your Italy travel itinerary!
We received part of our LivTours Ferrari drive as a complimentary experience which did not in any way affect our review contained herein.
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