Start planning your trip to Autodromo Imola for the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Advice on visas, health, weather and staying safe in Italy.
- The 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is scheduled on May 17-19
- Tickets are now on sale. We also recommend F1 Experiences Ticket Packages
- The Editor attended the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
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Located in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea in Southern Europe, Italy is home to over 60 million inhabitants. Autodromo Imola is located in the Emilia Romagna (northwest) region of the country, around 40km east of the region’s capital Bologna. It is also 86km west of the seaside resort, Rimini, on the Adriatic coast.
Imola re-joined the Formula 1 calendar amid the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, fourteen years after the venue last appeared as host of the San Marino Grand Prix. The 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the first time since the 2006 San Marino Grand Prix that fans were in attendance for a Formula 1 race at the circuit. Sadly, the event was cancelled in 2023 due to severe local flooding. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix returns in 2024, and the race has a contract until at least 2025
Italy Travel: Need to Know
- Italy operates on Central European Time (CET), which equates to GMT +1 hour.
- The number to dial in case of an emergency in Italy is 112.
- You drive on the right-hand side of the road in Italy.
- Tap water in Imola and the surrounding area is safe to drink.
- Italy uses type-F power sockets. You’ll need an adaptor if coming from Australia, the United Kingdom or the USA.
- More Info: Official Italy Tourism Website
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Italy?
Most tourists will not require a visa to enter Italy. Italy is part of the Schengen area, which provides borderless travel between 27 European member states, including countries close to Italy such as France and Switzerland. You can find out here if you will require a visa to travel to Italy.
Staying Safe
Violent crime in the Emilia Romagna region is rare. As is recommended when visiting any unfamiliar location, be vigilant and avoid less-travelled streets. If you’re exploring the more highly populated areas of Emilia Romagna during your stay – such as the cities of Rimini and Bologna – beware of petty theft. Keep a firm hold on your belongings, particularly near popular tourist sites or on public transport. If you’re renting a car during your trip, don’t leave valuables in it, especially if parking trackside at Autodromo Imola, and make sure you purchase comprehensive insurance.
Money
The Euro is the only form of legal tender in Italy. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs (‘bancomat’ in Italian) are easy to find, especially in cities. There is no need to risk bringing lots of cash or travellers cheques with you – you can withdraw cash from ATMs as and when you need to. Tipping is not expected and is not the norm in Italy, though rewarding good service and leaving a tip of up to 10% for restaurant and bar wait staff is appreciated.
Language
Around a third of Italians have some English speaking ability. You’re likely to find more fluent English speakers if you’re staying in Bologna, especially in hotels and restaurants. It’s definitely worth acquiring an Italian phrasebook ahead of your visit and learning some basic phrases. Having the Google Translate app on your phone is also a good idea for emergencies when you cannot find an English speaker.
Health
Pharmacies (‘farmacia’) are plentiful and operate on a rota basis so there will always be one open nearby. You can find a list of pharmacies organised by Zip Code here, or you can call 1100 during your stay for details of the three closest pharmacies. It’s worth organising an EHIC card if you’re travelling from Europe in order to access free medical services. You should also organise adequate travel insurance in case of a medical emergency.
Imola Weather
Average daily temperatures in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy during the second half of May are on the rise as sprint turns into summer. Expect daily maximums of around 23°C and night time temperatures of around 14°C. Whilst it’s possible for sunny and warm weather, we know from recent experience that this area of Northern Italy can also be very wet during this time of year. Last year’s race at Imola was actually cancelled due to several local flooding, and the race was also rain-affected in both 2021 and 2022. Hopefully the weather is much improved this year, but it’s still worth packing for the likelihood of at least some rain during the weekend of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Is there bag storage for the day at the Imola race track for 2023?
No, I don’t believe so. Sorry, but make sure you have some plan in place, e.g. bag storage at the train station in Bologna or at your hotel. Don’t come to the track with large bags or suitcases, as you will probably be denied entry
Hi,
Can I take my own food and drink to IMOLA track? And do you maybe know if there will be some buses or transport from railway station in IMOLA to the track?
Thank you!
You can take your own food and drink to Imola, but no cans/glass bottles. You are also not allowed to have bottlecaps on your drinks, but I recommend putting a few in your pocket to use after you pass through security. Full list of allowed and prohibited items is here. There is no bus or transport from the train station to the track – you can walk through the town in about 20-30 minutes.
What languages are the race announcements typically given in?
At Imola, the trackside commentary will be in Italian and English