Maranello Sports Car Museum Entry Ticket

Maranello, the town of the red sports cars

Maranello is a quiet town of about 17,000 people at the foot of the Apennine hills, some 18 kilometres south of Modena. Since the 1940s it has been the base of Italy's most famous sports car factory, and today the factory buildings, the private test track and the museum give the whole town a special atmosphere. Red cars pass on the streets, and car lovers from all over the world come here to see where the legend began.

The area around Modena and Bologna is known as Italy's Motor Valley, where several of the world's best-known car and motorcycle makers are based. That is why many visitors plan a Maranello day trip from Bologna, combining this museum with other factories and collections in the region. The museum is in the centre of town, close to restaurants where you can taste local dishes such as tortellini and gnocco fritto.

The collection: road cars, racing cars and trophies

The museum, opened in 1990, tells the story of the brand from its first road cars to its latest Grand Prix champions. You walk past elegant grand tourers of the 1950s and 1960s, iconic supercars of the 1980s and 1990s, rare prototypes and limited-edition models that shaped motoring history. Every few years the exhibitions change, so even returning visitors find something new.

A highlight for many visitors is the hall of single-seater racing cars, lined up in order, with the trophies won on circuits around the world. Engines are displayed like sculptures, so you can see the craftsmanship up close. If you are wondering whether the Maranello museum is worth visiting, the answer for anyone who enjoys cars, design or engineering is a clear yes.

Interactive exhibits and the racing simulator

Beyond the cars, interactive displays and multimedia installations explain the technical secrets behind the speed: aerodynamics, engine design, materials and the work of the racing team in the pit lane. Children enjoy the screens and sound effects, and adults appreciate the clear explanations of how a racing car is built and tested.

For an extra thrill, the museum offers professional racing simulators that recreate the feeling of driving on a real circuit. The simulator is not included in the ticket and is paid separately on site. The visit ends in the museum shop, where you can browse souvenirs, scale models and books before continuing your day in Maranello. Families often combine the museum with a stroll through the town centre, where sculptures and street names recall the town's long racing tradition.

Planning your visit: opening hours and getting there

The Maranello museum opening hours are 09:30 to 19:00 in April and May and again in September and October, 09:00 to 19:00 from June to August, and 09:30 to 18:00 from November to March. The museum is closed on 25 December and 1 January. Allow about one and a half to two hours inside, and come early on summer weekends, when the halls are busiest.

The easiest way to reach Maranello from Bologna is by car, in about 45 minutes. By public transport, take the train from Bologna to Modena and then a bus to Maranello. Your ticket covers this museum only; the separate museum in Modena, dedicated to the founder's birthplace, needs its own ticket. Show your ticket on your phone at the entrance.