FICO Park is able to entertain the entire family with its animal farm and food-themed activities. While having fun playing with the multimedia displays, learn how to gain the trust of the animals, classify the current plant species, and manufacture the delights you love so much!
Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy, is renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and culinary excellence. With its medieval architecture, picturesque streets, hidden gems, and bustling piazzas, Bologna offers a captivating blend of old-world charm and modern vitality. Home to the oldest university in the Western world, Bologna is a vibrant center of education, art, and intellectual pursuits.
Bologna’s Fico Eataly World debuted in November 2017 amid much hoopla. FICO calls itself “the world’s largest food and agriculture park” and was widely covered by the worldwide media, which called it a “Disneyland for foodies” even before it opened. It is indeed huge at 100,000 square meters; there is lots of food; and agriculture also.
Due to the size of FICO, it is best to come prepared if you plan to visit, especially if there are specific activities you are interested in seeing or doing. You may learn more about FICO Eataly World in the following brief overview, which will also help you decide if FICO is a good fit for you.
Table of Contents
What is FICO?
FICO is a 10-hectare area devoted to Italian cuisine, with the overarching goal of illuminating the process of food production by highlighting some of Italy’s top offerings. The phrase “dal campo alla forchetta,” which translates as “from field to fork,” is the organization’s motto.
There is a 2-hectare outdoor area with 200 farm animals, including some of the most typical Italian breeds of dairy and beef cattle, sheep, and pigs (such as Chianina, mora romagnola, Altamura, etc.), as well as vegetable, cereal, and herb plots, fruit orchards, an olive grove, vineyards, and a truffle plantation, totaling 2,000 cultivars (types of plants).
The indoor section of the area covers 8 hectares and features a convenient L-shaped path. Within this space, you’ll find 44 kiosks, restaurants, shops, and a market where you can buy various Italian products. Additionally, there are 40 food factories where you have the option to pay and observe the fascinating process of ingredient transformation.
Furthermore, there are six multimedia educational pavilions called “giostre.” These pavilions are designed to provide an immersive experience centered around the interaction between individuals and the natural world. Each pavilion entrance costs €2, offering a valuable and educational experience for visitors.
FICO Pasta Making | Admission, Ticket, and All Information
Ticket Price: € 39 / per person | Validity: One Day | Cancellation: up to 24 hours before
Explore the “park to taste”, pique your interest in Italian cuisine, and have fun while doing so. Find a new entry with farm animals, and 7 themed zones (Area of Salami, Cheese, Pasta, Game, Wine, Oil, and Sweets) dedicated to great Italian culinary perfection, split by fresh and stunning landscapes and enhanced with games, rides, and food-related attractions. Wheelchair accessibility is available.
FICO with Gelato Cooking Class
Ticket Price: € 39 / per person | Validity: One Day | Cancellation: up to 24 hours before
Visitors are invited to Fico Eataly World to learn about and take part in the production of Italian cuisine and drink. Take a stroll down the educational pathways and stop by the multimedia exhibits that highlight the key offerings and discoveries in the agricultural industry.
FICO Eataly World | Ticket with Tour and Tastings
Visit the FICO Eataly World in Bologna to experience the rich culture of Italy. Immerse yourself in a fantastic amusement park with an Italian food theme. Discover 7 famous locations that serve to highlight the superiority of Italian cuisine. Enjoy a guided tour that includes 4 mouthwatering sampling of the various restaurants. Participate in enjoyable activities while seeing the magnificent multimedia pavilion.
3-Hour Secret Food Tour
Ticket Price: € 90 / per person Validity: One Day Cancellation: up to 24 hours before
Bologna is the nation’s culinary center, so take a 3-hour trip to experience a variety of delectable ingredients, regional products, old-world knowledge, and a centuries-old passion for food.
Mortadella Class
Take advantage of the complimentary 1-hour Mortadella class while experiencing Fico, a special “park to taste” that combines the love of Italian food and entertainment with the stimulation of the five senses.
To find 7 themed zones dedicated to the best of Italian cuisine, enter the park through an entrance with farm animals. The sectors, which are each enhanced with games, rides, and food-themed attractions, are devoted to salami, cheese, pasta, game, wine, oil, and sweets.
How to Get to FICO Park?
By Car :
From Milan, Florence, or Ancona: Take the A14 highway’s “Bologna Fiera” exit. As you head toward Via Paolo Canali, continue on Viale Europa and then Viale Tito Carnacini and Viale Giuseppe Fanin.
From Padova: Take the Tangenziale Nord of Bologna in the direction of Ancona after exiting at Bologna Arcoveggio. toward Granarolo dell’Emilia, take exit 8bis. Finally, proceed toward Via Paolo Canali along Viale Europa and Viale Giuseppe Fanin.
By Bus:
It’s easy and direct to take a bus to get to FICO.
On working days, from 6 am to 8 pm, and until 2.35 pm on Saturday, the 35 TPER bus runs to and from the Facoltà di Agraria stop.
Working days, 7.41 am to 5.07 pm, 55 TPER bus (to and from Facoltà di Agraria stop).
Every day from 5.38 am to 0:38 am: 20 TPER bus (to and from Pilastro stop).
The 20N TPER bus (to and from the Caab stop) Every 60 minutes, from midnight to six in the morning, between Friday and Saturday and Saturday and Sunday.
By Shuttle Bus:
Viale Pietramellara 18/3
Via dei Mille, Bologna
Fermata Navetta
What is the Location of Fico Park?
Address: Via Paolo Canali, 8, 40127 Bologna
Why you should visit FICO Park?
If you only have two days in Bologna, you might want to go if you don’t have time to visit the countryside but would like to learn more about how Parmigiano Reggiano is made. You could also go if you want to squeeze in a day of food-related activities like making fresh pasta, pizza, and gelato, tasting chocolate, watching how mortadella is made, or developing your wine-tasting skills. Make sure to check the days and hours the activity is available on FICO’s website as not all activities are offered every day. You might want to look at their events website as well because they do organize a lot of themed events.
Wrapping Up!
In conclusion, FICO Eataly World in Bologna is an extraordinary destination for food enthusiasts and those interested in Italian cuisine. Spanning a vast area, FICO Park offers a unique blend of education, entertainment, and gastronomic experiences. From the outdoor animal farm and diverse plant species to the indoor section with its multitude of kiosks, restaurants, shops, and food factories, visitors can immerse themselves in the captivating world of food production.
The presence of six multimedia educational pavilions enhances the interactive experience, allowing visitors to explore the connection between people and the natural world. With themed zones dedicated to salami, cheese, pasta, game, wine, oil, and sweets, FICO Park caters to every culinary interest.
Whether you’re interested in participating in pasta making, gelato cooking classes, or guided tours with tastings, FICO Park offers a range of activities to suit every palate. It is an ideal destination for families, foodies, and those seeking to gain a deeper understanding of Italian cuisine.
While FICO Park may not be a traditional park in the conventional sense, its unique combination of food-themed attractions, educational exhibits, and immersive experiences make it a must-visit destination in Bologna. So, plan your visit to FICO Eataly World and embark on a culinary journey through the diverse and delicious world of Italian cuisine.
FAQs
What is FICO Eataly World?
FICO Eataly World is a 10-hectare area in Bologna, Italy, dedicated to Italian cuisine. It aims to showcase the process of food production and highlights some of Italy’s best offerings, following the motto “dal campo alla forchetta” (from field to fork).
What does the outdoor area of FICO Park offer?
The outdoor section spans two hectares and features 200 farm animals, including typical Italian breeds of dairy and beef cattle, sheep, and pigs. It also includes vegetable, cereal, and herb plots, fruit orchards, an olive grove, vineyards, and a truffle plantation, totaling 2,000 different plant varieties.
What can I find in the indoor section of FICO Park?
The indoor area covers eight hectares and features a convenient L-shaped path. Inside, you’ll discover 44 kiosks, restaurants, shops, and a market where you can purchase various Italian products. There are also 40 food factories where you can pay to observe the fascinating process of transforming ingredients.
What are the “giostre” multimedia educational pavilions?
FICO Park has six multimedia educational pavilions called “giostre.” These pavilions offer an immersive experience that focuses on the interaction between individuals and the natural world. Each pavilion entrance costs €2 and provides visitors with valuable educational insights.
What activities and attractions are available at FICO Park?
FICO Park offers a range of activities and attractions related to Italian cuisine. These include pasta making, gelato cooking classes, guided tours with tastings, themed food zones dedicated to salami, cheese, pasta, game, wine, oil, and sweets, as well as a 3-hour secret food tour. Some activities may have specific prices and cancellation policies.
Why should I visit FICO Park?
FICO Park offers a unique opportunity to learn about Italian cuisine, engage in food-related activities, and explore themed food zones. Whether you want to discover how Parmigiano Reggiano is made, participate in pasta, pizza, and gelato making, taste chocolate, observe the production of mortadella, or enhance your wine-tasting skills, FICO Park provides a range of experiences. It’s a great option for those with limited time to explore the countryside and who are interested in culinary activities. Keep in mind that activity availability may vary, so it’s advisable to check FICO’s website for specific schedules and themed events.
