Tuesday and Friday for the main market around Piazza Prampolini, and Saturday morning for the organic peasant market at Piazza Fontanesi. Piazza San Prospero's farmers' market runs on a similar weekly rhythm.
Discover Authentic Reggio Emilia: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Reggio Emilia, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Our map pins local favourites such as the Sala del Tricolore, Piazza Prampolini and the Maramotti Collection, alongside our Mercure hotel.
Top 5 Things to Do in Reggio Emilia
Piazza Prampolini
The main square holds the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and its Baptistery, and it's still where the town gathers, especially on Tuesday and Friday mornings when the weekly market fills the surrounding streets. Come at 8am to see stalls set up before the square fills in properly by mid-morning.
Piazza San Prospero farmers' market
A short walk from Prampolini, this smaller square hosts the city's farmers' market with producers selling straight from the Reggiano countryside, cheese, cured meats, seasonal vegetables. It's a working market for residents doing their actual weekly shop, not a display for visitors.
Piazza Fontanesi Saturday market
Every Saturday morning, an organic and peasant-style market takes over this smaller piazza, with small producers selling direct. It's a good spot to buy a wedge of real Parmigiano Reggiano to take home, sealed and vacuum-packed on request.
Collezione Maramotti
Housed in a former Max Mara factory, this private modern art collection includes works by Basquiat, Francis Bacon, and Lucio Fontana, opened to the public in 2007. Entry is free but by appointment, so book ahead online rather than showing up.
Teatro Municipale Valli
The city's historic theater, just a few streets from Piazza Prampolini, hosts opera and concerts through the season in a 19th-century hall. Even if there's nothing on when you visit, the exterior and foyer are worth the short detour.
Explore Reggio Emilia's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Reggio Emilia
We've mapped local spots in Reggio Emilia, birthplace of the Italian flag.
Historic centre
Historic centre
Ringed by a hexagon of avenues that trace the old walls, the centre stacks Roman, medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. Wander and read the layers.
City centre · Historic centre · Perfect for strolling
Sala del Tricolore and museum
In the Town Hall, the room where the Italian flag was born on 7 January 1797. The museum next door tells its story.
Town Hall · Historic room and museum · Ideal for history
Piazza Prampolini and the Cathedral
The 'piazza grande', framed by the Palazzo del Monte and the Cathedral – look up at the façade tower for its 15th-century gilded Madonna and Child.
City centre · Square and cathedral · Great for architecture
Culture
Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli
Overlooking Piazza Martiri del 7 Luglio, the city's opera house stages opera, concerts, ballet and theatre.
City centre · Theatre · Perfect for an evening show
Collezione Maramotti
Opened in 2007 in Max Mara's historic headquarters, a private collection of more than 200 contemporary works – free to visit by appointment.
Reggio Emilia · Contemporary art · Made for art lovers
Libreria del Teatro
One of Italy's forty historic bookshops: a little shop in the centre full of new, old and signed books. Browse slowly.
City centre · Historic bookshop · Perfect for book lovers
Museum of Psychiatry
The Lombroso Pavilion of the former San Lazzaro asylum, preserved as a museum.
San Lazzaro · Museum · Ideal for history
Food & wine
Farmers' market
Saturday mornings (8am–1pm): local producers selling typical and organic products. Taste before you buy.
Centre · Market · Great for local produce
Acetaia Il Borgo del Balsamico
A balsamic vinegar cellar in a historic villa, with barrels from the 1700s and 1800s – and tastings, drop by precious drop.
Botteghe di Albinea · Acetaia · Made for food lovers
Fattoria Rossi
A family farm since 1868 at the foot of the Matildic hills, making Parmigiano Reggiano and cured meats.
Quattro Castella · Farm · Perfect for tastings
Albinea Canali
A winery known for Lambrusco, one of Italy's oldest native grapes. Pop the cork.
Albinea · Winery · Great for wine lovers
FAQ
Yes. Mercure Reggio Emilia Centro Astoria is about a 10-15 minute walk from Piazza Prampolini and Teatro Valli, through the park the hotel backs onto.
Some dairies and acetaie run shuttle pickups or are reachable by short taxi from the center; ask the hotel to book ahead since most require a reservation and a fixed visiting time, often early morning for the cheese-making itself.
In the Sala del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia's Town Hall, on 7 January 1797.
Yes, the permanent collection is free to visit by appointment.
Piazza Prampolini, the 'piazza grande', with the Cathedral and Palazzo del Monte.
Where to Sleep in Reggio Emilia
See Mercure hotels in Reggio Emilia, all within reach of these picks.