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Town of Bologna has at all times been one in every of my favourite locations in Italy. There are such a lot of enjoyable and scrumptious issues to do in Bologna — this metropolis is overflowing with artwork, structure, and fabulous meals!
Because the capital of the Emilia-Romagna area, Bologna is completely located between Milan, Venice, and Florence — but it’s ignored by most vacationers.
However it’s completely value making time for Bologna in your journey to Italy. You’ll discover simply as a lot tradition and historical past as in different Italian cities, nevertheless it’s far much less busy than the extra standard spots in Italy.
I’ve been touring in Bologna for greater than a decade. In that point, I’ve proudly watched Bologna’s tourism develop to new heights — and a lot of that’s because of the work we bloggers have been doing on the bottom.
(The truth is, in one in every of my reader surveys, Bologna was the second-most-popular vacation spot you guys have visited due to me!)
Bologna has had many nicknames: la rossa (the crimson), la dotta (the discovered), and la grossa (the fats). Bologna is dwelling to warm-colored buildings and the oldest college on this planet, and has lengthy been a gathering spot for youth activism. Town is younger, enjoyable, and has plenty of low-cost eats to feed hungry college students.
Talking of the meals, Emilia-Romagna is the perfect meals area in Italy. That is the house of conventional balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano, prosciutto di parma, and eating places which have a single dinner seating designed to final for hours.
I can’t wait to point out you why Bologna is one in every of my favourite cities in Italy. Listed below are the perfect issues to do in Bologna!
This put up was revealed in April 2024 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Dale Peterson.
Greatest Issues to Do in Bologna, Italy
Go on a meals tour
The most effective issues to do in Bologna is a meals tour — and in a metropolis as food-crazy as Bologna, I feel it’s a should! A meals tour is an effective way to find the specialties of Emilia-Romagna and find out how to eat them.
This strolling tour takes you on foot via Bologna. As you be taught concerning the metropolis’s culinary historical past, you’ll pattern recent pasta, conventional balsamic vinegar, cheese, wine, gelato, and extra. Or you may do that comparable tour with a educated native information.
Alternatively, this full-day expertise is one of the best ways to immerse your self within the delicacies of Bologna and Emilia-Romagna. You’ll go to family-run factories and native producers, sampling Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, conventional balsamic vinegar, prosciutto, and extra. You’ll additionally take pleasure in a neighborhood breakfast and a scrumptious lunch with wine pairings.
And be sure you peruse my listing of finest meals experiences in Emilia-Romagna!
Tour Bologna by strolling or biking tour
After you’ve eaten your means via town, get out of your meals coma by touring Bologna on foot or by bike. Don’t miss the central Piazza Maggiore, the meals market at Il Quadrilatero, or the Seven Church buildings of Santo Stefano.
For those who’re on the lookout for an outline of town, do that two-hour strolling tour. For those who’d choose to discover town with a personal information, this can be a good choice.
And if you wish to discover Bologna and its environment on two wheels, do that e-bike tour. Bologna is a fairly flat metropolis, however the e-bike motor will allow you to rise up the occasional hill! Following your native information, you’ll discover Bologna and among the surrounding countryside.
Discover Piazza Maggiore and the Fountain of Neptune
Piazza Maggiore is the beating coronary heart on the middle of Bologna. This sprawling piazza is surrounded by necessary and iconic buildings, together with a number of historic palaces and the Basilica of San Petronio.
On the middle of the sq., you’ll discover the Fountain of Neptune, a logo of Bologna. This fountain was erected within the sixteenth century and depicts the Roman water god Neptune flanked by dolphins, nereids, and angels.
The artwork of the passeggiata, or the early night stroll, is alive and nicely in Bologna, and Piazza Maggiore is a good place for people-watching right now of day.
Stroll via the porticoes
Exploring the porticoes of Bologna is among the finest issues to do within the metropolis. There are almost 25 miles of historic porticoes all through town middle, and so they have collectively been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
A few of the porticoes date again to the early twelfth century, whereas others had been constructed later in the course of the Renaissance. The porticoes supply glorious shade from the solar and rain it doesn’t matter what time of yr it’s, and so they’re enjoyable to discover by yourself or with a information.
This guided tour will take you previous lots of the most stunning porticoes in Bologna, in addition to the most important portico, which is positioned barely exterior town in San Luca.
Climb the Torre Asinelli
The Torre Asinelli offers a surprising, panoramic view over Bologna. It’s the taller of two medieval towers within the middle of Bologna, and climbing it is among the hottest issues to do in Bologna.
Simply be ready — you’ll climb 498 steps to achieve the highest of the tower! It is a massive climb, and in contrast to among the towers in close by Florence, there aren’t platforms to cease alongside the way in which. Be sure to’re up for it. Tickets are 5 EUR ($5.50 USD.)
Alternatively, you may climb the Bologna Clock Tower for a 360-degree metropolis view. I don’t have a step depend, nevertheless it’s considerably lower than the Torre Asinelli. Tickets for this are 8 EUR ($9 USD.)
No matter you climb, I extremely advocate rewarding your self with a gelato on the bottom!
Discover the markets
Bologna is dwelling to 2 nice meals markets: Il Quadrilatero and Mercato delle Erbe. The Quadrilatero is the oldest market in Bologna, courting again to the Center Ages. Right now, this outside market on Bologna’s slender historic streets is filled with butchers, fishmongers, cheese stands, produce sellers, small wine bars, and different eateries.
You’ll additionally discover small jewellery shops, clothes boutiques, and artisan retailers. The Quadrilatero is a well-liked spot for locals and vacationers alike in Bologna.
Mercato delle Erbe is a sprawling coated market that can also be positioned within the historic middle of Bologna. You’ll additionally discover loads of recent vegatables and fruits, native cheeses, and different meals right here. A part of this market has additionally been reworked right into a meals courtroom with tons of distributors, making it an ideal spot to seize a fast lunch.
Go to the Seven Church buildings of Santo Stefano
The Seven Church buildings of Santo Stefano is Bologna’s most necessary non secular advanced. This basilica, made up of a number of historic buildings, is positioned within the middle of Bologna. It dates again to no less than the tenth century.
Visiting the Seven Church buildings of Santo Stefano is free. It’s open day by day, however the timetables might change based mostly on non secular features and holidays.
Discover the Window to Little Venice
Bologna is dwelling to a number of canals, however not like Venice, they’re largely hidden from view. Since Bologna’s canals run between non-public buildings and are largely inaccessible to guests, there are just a few locations to catch a glimpse of them.
A type of locations is the so-called “Window to Little Venice.” Yow will discover this spot on Google Maps underneath Finestra sul Canale. It’s a little bit window overlooking the Canale delle Moline, providing the proper view for photographers.
It is a not-so-hidden gem lately because of the window’s recognition on TikTok, so arrive early if you wish to snap a photograph of the perfect view of the canal with out having to attend in line.
Archiginnasio Anatomical Theatre
One of the crucial distinctive issues to do in Bologna is go to the Archiginnasio Anatomical Theatre. This historic Seventeenth-century corridor was as soon as used for anatomy lectures and shows on the College of Bologna’s medical college.
The room itself is fascinating, with intricately carved picket partitions and ceiling.
You’ll be able to go to the Anatomical Theatre for 3 EUR ($3. USD), and your ticket additionally consists of entrance to a number of different historic college rooms.
Parco Giardini Margherita
Parco Giardini Margherita is the most important and finest inexperienced house in Bologna. Within the hotter months, this can be a standard spot with picnickers and teams of mates hanging out. Whatever the season, it’s a superb place to go for a stroll.
For a really particular lunch in Bologna, decide up lunch from one of many markets and have a picnic on the grass.
The park is a 20-minute stroll from the middle of Bologna.
Go to Bologna Museums
Bologna is a wonderful metropolis to go to for artwork, historical past, and tradition. Town is dwelling to many museums, good for exploring on a wet day or when it is advisable to stroll off among the scrumptious meals you’ve been consuming.
These are among the prime museums to take a look at in Bologna:
Housed within the Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio, a medieval palace, Museo della Storia di Bologna is devoted to the historical past of Bologna.
The Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna (MAMbo) homes a powerful assortment of contemporary and experimental artwork.
If fashionable artwork isn’t your pace, take within the assortment on the Bologna Nationwide Gallery, which homes works by Raphael, Tintoretto, and extra.
Situated barely exterior town, the Ferrari Museum is devoted to the historical past of the Ferrari sports activities automobile model. It’s a must-visit for automobile fanatics! Extra of a motorbike fan? Take a look at the Museo Ducati!
A extra offbeat selection, the Museum for the Reminiscence of Ustica is devoted to the controversial and mysterious Itavia Flight 870 airplane crash of 1980.
Housed within the Fifteenth-century Palazzo Galvani, Museo Civico Archeologico affords a powerful archaeological assortment within the middle of Bologna.
Go Wine Tasting in Bologna
You could consider Tuscany or Piemonte in relation to wine areas in Europe, however right here’s a tip — EVERY area in Italy makes nice wine! Emilia-Romagna makes fantastic wines, and is especially identified for its glowing crimson wines from Lambrusco.
On this wine tour, you may pattern 4 totally different wines and be taught from a neighborhood knowledgeable throughout the metropolis of Bologna. Or get out of city on this Emilia-Romagna wine tour and luxuriate in wine tasting within the hills surrounding Bologna.
For those who’d choose to go to Tuscany for wine tasting, you are able to do so on this full-day tour from Bologna that features wine tasting in a fortress! Although actually, in the event you’re visiting Florence later in your journey, save that for Florence.
Tour Bologna by Vespa
Ever since seeing The Gifted Mr. Ripley, I dreamed of zipping round Italy on a Vespa sometime. And you may fulfill that dream within the countryside surrounding Bologna! This Vespa tour will take you out of town and thru the countryside on a panoramic tour.
You don’t have to fret about navigating, as you’ll trip on the again of a Vespa pushed by your educated native information, who will level out the sights round Bologna’s scenic countryside.
Go on an escape sport treasure hunt
Strive an escape sport treasure hunt for a unusual and offbeat exercise in Bologna. This enjoyable exercise for teams combines exploring Bologna with a fast-paced sport.
This homicide thriller escape sport will lead you thru the historic streets of Bologna as you resolve a thriller and be taught extra concerning the metropolis. Or do that outside escape sport that reveals untold tales about medieval Bologna.
It’s a enjoyable, fashionable smartphone-oriented sport that makes a pleasant distinction to all of the historic locations you’ll be visiting!
Take a cooking class
I’ve been happening and on about Bologna’s fantastic meals — so wouldn’t you wish to learn to cook dinner it? Taking a cooking class is enjoyable for newbie and skilled cooks alike.
There are a number of choices for studying to cook dinner recent pasta with a neighborhood Bolognese chef. With Alessia, you may learn to make pasta based mostly on her grandmother’s recipe and with Cesarina, you may put together two pasta dishes whereas sipping on Prosecco. Chef Antonino is knowledgeable chef and knowledgeable in Bolognese delicacies, so count on to be taught concerning the historical past of the dishes you put together with him.
Regardless of which cooking expertise you select, you’ll end with some selfmade tiramisu.
Go to FICO Eataly World
FICO Eataly World describes itself as a food-centric theme park. And it does type of really feel like a Disney World for foodies, making it a must-visit attraction in Bologna.
At FICO Eataly World, you’ll discover a sprawling advanced with a working farm, hands-on reveals about Italian meals, cooking demonstrations, varied eateries, and pop-up retailers. It’s simple to spend a day studying and consuming your means via this foodie paradise.
Take a foodie day journey via Emilia-Romagna
Whereas Bologna could also be dwelling to among the finest eating places and markets in Emilia-Romagna, I feel it’s value getting out of town to discover the place these merchandise are made.
You’ll be able to uncover the area’s finest meals on a day journey like this one, the place you’ll pattern parmigiano reggiano cheese, conventional balsamic vinegar, and Lambrusco glowing wine.
Or do that non-public half-day tour, which features a non-public tasting tour and a sit-down lunch with native wine pairings.
Find out about supercars in Motor Valley
One other beautiful factor about Emilia-Romagna is that that is the area of Motor Valley, dwelling to well-known names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati. Even in the event you aren’t an enormous automobile fanatic, it’s nonetheless fascinating to be taught extra concerning the historical past of this area.
This present day tour is an efficient choice for anybody brief on time as a result of it takes you to a few of the most well-liked automobile factories and museums within the Motor Valley. Even in the event you’re not tremendous into automobiles, it’s actually attention-grabbing!
And, it should be stated…this top-rated tour provides you the choice to test-drive a Ferrari. How wonderful is that?!
Take a day journey to Parma
As a lot as I like Bologna, there’s one other metropolis in Emilia-Romagna that I like — Parma. Parma is only a 50-minute prepare trip from Bologna, and it’s additionally on the prepare trip to Milan, making it an ideal stopover between the cities.
What I like about Parma is that it feels rather a lot like Bologna, nevertheless it’s extra colourful — plenty of purples and greens along with the reds, oranges, and yellows of Bologna. The cathedral is breathtaking, the eating places are superior, and there’s various glorious buying, too.
Two of Parma’s most well-known meals are Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma (also referred to as Parma ham to the Brits studying this put up). This present day tour lets you be taught extra about each by visiting a dairy producer the place you’ll have the ability to pattern cheese and native wine, in addition to a ham manufacturing facility the place you’ll strive prosciutto and extra wine.
Learn Extra: Final Information to Parma, Italy
Take a day journey to Ferrara
One other nice day journey from Bologna is town of Ferrara, only a 45-minute prepare trip from Bologna. That is one other stunning (and superbly flat) metropolis simple to discover on foot, and an ideal place to get misplaced within the streets.
I truly spent a while in Ferrara when my pricey mates let me crash with them as I waited for the Czechs to provide me permission to return to the nation! I strongly advocate getting lunch at my favourite spot, Osteria dei Adelardi, which has an ideal plate of three native pastas. It’s proper by Al Brindisi, the oldest wine bar on this planet.
One factor value exploring is Estense Fort, proper in the midst of town. This imposing medieval fortress dates again to the 14th century and options 4 dramatic towers, a moat, and a drawbridge.
Tickets to Estense Fort are 12 EUR ($13 USD) for adults, with reductions out there for seniors, college students, and youngsters.
Go to different cities in Emilia-Romagna
For those who like small cities — and I’m a fan of small cities — you’ll love Emilia-Romagna. Being the transport hub within the area, Bologna is well-connected to different cities within the area by prepare and bus.
My prime advice, after Parma, is the mosaic-filled city of Ravenna. The mosaics listed below are beautiful and can knock you off your toes! This tour will take you thru 5 of town’s UNESCO monuments with a educated information. Past the mosaics, the city is gorgeous.
An alternative choice is Modena, a foodie city dwelling to its conventional balsamic vinegar, in addition to the city the place Aziz Ansari’s character holed up on Grasp of None. It’s one other stunning city with nice eating places.
And would you want to go to a brand new nation? Why not?! The lovable micronation of San Marino is inside day-tripping distance of Bologna. I like to recommend taking the prepare to the Adriatic seashore city of Rimini, then taking the bus to San Marino from there. The cities work nicely collectively as a day journey from Bologna.
Take a day journey to Venice
The enchanting metropolis of Venice is only a 1.5-hour high-speed prepare trip away from Bologna, making it among the best day journeys you may take. You’ll be able to spend a complete day exploring this metropolis of canals and bridges earlier than returning to Bologna within the night.
Is Venice value it if it’s only a day journey? I like to recommend staying just a few nights in Venice if potential, however in the event you solely have time for a day journey, it’s value it. And a day journey from Bologna is far simpler than coming all the way in which from Florence, Milan, or Rome.
Don’t miss St. Mark’s Sq. and the historic Doge’s Palace, and be sure you eat some cicchetti — but in addition take a while to get misplaced.
Venice is a metropolis that suffers considerably from over-tourism, notably day trippers visiting on huge cruise ships. Even in the event you’re solely visiting Venice for a day, I like to recommend making an effort to get off the well-trodden vacationer path — you typically solely must stroll a couple of minutes away from the primary vacationer areas to find quieter areas extra standard with locals.
Take a day journey to Florence
Florence is the magnificent metropolis of the Renaissance, with a lot artwork, it appears to spring out of the pavement by itself. Simply 35 minutes away from Bologna by prepare, Florence is a straightforward day journey from Bologna, and I’ve finished it as a day journey myself (although I like to recommend spending just a few days in the event you’re capable of).
Florence is enormously standard year-round, even within the so-called off season, and it’s crucial to make advance bookings if you wish to go to the three hottest websites: the Uffizi Gallery (dwelling to Botticelli’s Start of Venus and so many different nice works); the Accademia (dwelling to Michelangelo’s statue of David), and climbing the Duomo (although I choose the view from Giotto’s Bell Tower or the rose backyard, pictured above, as a result of you may’t see the Duomo from the Duomo!).
After you have your necessities booked, prepare for a enjoyable (and really crowded) day. I like to recommend visiting the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signorina, and just lately had a good time on the new-ish Gucci exhibit on the Gucci Backyard retailer. Strive an unlimited, uncommon bistecca fiorentina in the event you dare!
How A lot Time to Spend in Bologna
How a lot time do you want in Bologna? Bologna is a smaller metropolis, so two days is an inexpensive period of time to see the websites of Bologna itself.
HOWEVER! Bologna is a wonderful base for an extended keep — whether or not you’re utilizing it as a base for journeys across the area (which you completely ought to do), or in the event you’re coming for an extended stint as a digital nomad. I’ve visited Bologna a number of instances through the years, and particularly cherished after I spent two full weeks right here.
For those who’re utilizing Bologna as a day journey base, I feel round 5 days makes a superb time to go to. However me — I feel you’d be thrilled to remain for even longer!
The way to get to Bologna
Attending to Bologna is a breeze. It’s one in every of Italy’s most conveniently positioned cities, with tons of prepare and bus connections and an airport with direct flights throughout Europe.
Attending to Bologna by prepare is your best choice in the event you’re already in Italy. It’s a 35-minute high-speed prepare trip from Florence, one hour from Milan, 1.5 hours from Venice, and two hours from Rome. You’ll be able to take a slower prepare to save cash, however the quick trains are essentially the most environment friendly selection for attending to Bologna from different cities in Italy.
Though there are not any direct flights to Bologna from North America, there are quite a few reasonably priced connections from dozens of European cities.
The place to Keep in Bologna
The place must you keep in Bologna? You need to positively keep within the metropolis middle — anyplace inside a 15-minute stroll of Piazza Maggiore is fairly good, although I’d in all probability keep away from the sq. the place the prepare station is. This space is usually a bit tough at evening, as most prepare stations in Europe are — high-quality to cross via, however I wouldn’t select a lodge proper there.
Selecting a centrally-located lodge will make it simple to discover Bologna’s main websites. These are the perfect locations to remain in Bologna for each finances:
- High-Rated Luxurious Lodge in Bologna: Grand Lodge Baglioni is the perfect luxurious lodge in Bologna, with beautiful and chic rooms inside an 18th-century palace.
- High-Rated Mid-Vary Lodge in Bologna: For those who’re on the lookout for a stable mid-range lodge, Aemilia Lodge Bologna is the only option. Situated a 15-minute stroll from the middle of Bologna, this lodge affords snug, trendy rooms at an inexpensive worth.
- High-Rated Price range Lodge in Bologna: For finances vacationers, B&B Mercedes is a good place to remain in Bologna. It’s handy to the prepare station and the remainder of town.
- Discover extra locations to remain in Bologna right here.
Greatest Time to Go to Bologna
When must you go to Bologna? My absolute favourite time to go to Bologna is in the course of the fall, however each shoulder seasons (fall and spring) are beautiful.
Fall is a improbable time to go to anyplace in Emilia-Romagna — particularly October. It’s harvest season, there are many meals festivals happening, the climate is cooler however not chilly, and everybody appears to be in an ideal temper. I’ve acquired a number of pictures in my Autumn in Emilia-Romagna put up.
Spring brings nice climate, blooming flowers, and fewer vacationers.
Summer season may be oppressively sizzling, as Bologna is in the midst of a really flat a part of Italy, and much from the cooling breezes of the coasts. Summer season can also be essentially the most crowded time of yr in Italy. I like to recommend avoiding visiting in summer season if potential — although in the event you can solely go to in the course of the summer season, you’ll nonetheless have enjoyable! Use the porticoes for shade.
Winter is the quietest time of yr in Bologna, nevertheless it’s additionally a good time to go to, discover, and have a extra native really feel. Bologna has an exquisite, festive ambiance in December, with Christmas lights and decorations within the metropolis middle. And Carnival, normally in February, is a number of enjoyable!
Is Bologna Value It?
Bologna is one in every of my absolute favourite locations in Italy. The truth is, it’s in all probability within the prime three. I feel it’s such a improbable metropolis, so native, and so enjoyable.
Over time, I’ve despatched so lots of my readers to Bologna, and it at all times makes my coronary heart sing after I learn the way a lot they loved it!
Go to Bologna. You’ll have a improbable time.
Planning a Journey to Italy:
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Have you ever been to Bologna? Any tricks to share?