Reggio Emilia: The children's city

The adventure begins just a short walk from Reggio Emilia station, at the Malaguzzi Centre, an international landmark for early childhood education. 

Here, children can discover the world through play and creativity. The nearby Playground, recently renovated, offers spaces for all ages, with basketball courts and a skatepark for older kids. 

After an active break, the journey continues at Remida, a creative recycling centre where, through multisensory exploration activities, little explorers can transform recycled materials into unique works of art.

After this first immersion into the world of creativity, it's time to move towards the historic heart of the city for a special surprise!

To reach the next stop, you can opt for a bicycle, also available in a cargobike version (suitable for carrying up to 2/3 children) or with bikes dedicated to the little ones, rentable nearby. Alternatively, you can comfortably take a city bus.

If you prefer to walk instead, know that the more athletic can reach it on foot in about 20 minutes, experiencing something that has thrilled little ones for generations.

After passing Piazza Grande, home of the Town Hall, you arrive in Piazza San Prospero, also known as Piazza dei Leoni. Here, only children are granted a special privilege: they can play on the lion statues that protect the basilica.

It is said that one of these lions is magical and, if chosen, can come to life, taking the child on its back for an enchanted journey through the city.

Our advice? Don't forget to capture this moment with a souvenir photo!

For the grown-ups

This square is the ideal place to end the day with an aperitif or a delicious taste of local cuisine."

On the second day, simply hop on your bicycle and, in five minutes from the center, following the eighteenth-century promenade of Viale Umberto I, you will reach the San Pellegrino Bridge.

To the left, after the bridge, you enter the park and, after a few minutes, you reach an area equipped for animals. Here you can participate in activities (by reservation only) to learn about and interact with the donkeys and goats of the park, as well as learn how to take care of them by cleaning their home.

Continuing along the Crostolo promenade, you will reach the corner of the Lady of the Crostolo, a mysterious figure who takes care of it daily, creating a welcoming atmosphere and teaching kindness through small attentions for her guests.

Tips for a stop

• you can improvise a picnic or take a play break in the numerous sunny areas near the Park. Bring a blanket and something tasty to enjoy in the open air!
• Alternatively, about 15 minutes by bike from the Lady of the Crostolo, you can reach the Vasca di Corbelli. Here you will find a bar with a lake view, where you can admire swans and ducks in a beautiful natural setting.

In the afternoon, if you are still energetic, you can decide to visit the nearby Eco Family Park of Rivalta, an amusement park themed on nature and exploration that offers many different activities for children and adults.

It can be reached by bike in about 25 minutes or by car in about ten (taking as a starting point the beginning of the Park, which we can now call, like the locals, "delle Caprette").

On the last day, using public transport or a bicycle, we proceed towards Corte Tegge, just outside the city center in the direction of Parma, in the municipality of Cavriago. 

Here, the stories of Otello Sarzi, a puppeteer who carried on the centuries-old artistic tradition of his family, come to life again.

Here, we can participate in interactive experiences, visits, and other activities.

The last destination of the trip is the Multiplo Cultural Center of Cavriago, where we can carve out a moment of relaxation. The whole family can, in fact, have fun with board games, watch movies, or challenge each other with video games.