The Ducati museum and factory: tours, tickets and tips for your visit
Bologna's Ducati Museum is an unmissable attraction for anyone who prefers their thrills served on two wheels, and is a great showcase for one of the world's greatest motorcycle brands.
The site is made up of two sections: the factory where Ducati bikes have been designed and manufactured since the 1940s and the museum, which shows off the creations that have roared out of the factory over the years.
The Ducati factory offers a close-up look at the manufacturing process as it currently stands. Visitors are guided around the various sections and have the chance to watch Ducati technicians at work, finely tuning the company's famous bikes. They also have privileged access to the Race Department, where the fastest bikes in the world are put through their paces before being handed over to professional racers.
After that, it's over to the museum. Opened in 1998, the museum underwent a renovation in 2016, bringing the galleries and exhibits right up to date. The exhibits are divided into three sections dealing with production bikes, racers and the history of the company, giving a complete picture of how Ducati's iconic technology developed, and where it might be heading.
Find out how Ducati changed from being a successful early radio manufacturer into a high-performance racing legend, and see how the early post-war years saw the company supplying a mass market for affordable but cutting edge engines like the Cucciolo. After that, the story moves onto Ducati's golden age, as the company branched out during the 1960s and 70s - creating revolutionary superbikes like the 750 GT and establishing itself as a champion racing outfit.
One of the highlights of the museum is its hall of fame. Unlike other halls of fame, this gallery celebrates the company's elegant and powerful creations, from the 250 GP Desmo raced by British rider Mike Hailwood to the 916 F94 ridden to World Championship glory by Carl "the King" Fogarty.
It's a great Italian success story, and an inspiration for all superbike fans or everyday motorcyclists. There's no need to book museum visits. However, you will need to book any tours of the Ducati Factory, so be sure to do so in advance of your trip.
If you want to make the ultimate motorcycling pilgrimage, getting to Bologna is easy. Our company operates many flights each day to Bologna via Munich, choose the flight option that best suits your needs.
