Nestled within the coronary heart of Italy’s Food Valley in Emilia-Romagna sits the historic metropolis of Bologna. Although first-time guests to Italy typically overlook Bologna in favor of cosmopolitan Milan, Venice, Rome and Florence, vacationers “in the know” take the time to go to Bologna — a vibrant and foodie middle of Italy. There is rather a lot to see and much more to eat, however you’ll be able to “do” Bologna in in the future, whether or not you’re visiting on a day journey or staying in a single day in “La Grassa” (the fats one.)
A visit to Bologna needs to be in your “must-see” Italy listing. Even if you’re brief on time, you and your loved ones can simply navigate compact and charming Bologna in in the future. If you’re questioning what to see in Bologna, effectively it’s chock stuffed with medieval towers, beautiful colonnades, atmospheric cafes, Renaissance structure, and the tastiest pasta round.
If you’re taking an additional day whereas transiting between Florence and Venice, you’ll enjoyment of exploring one in all Italy’s greatest meals cities. And, if you happen to can spend two days in Bologna, you’ll be able to eat, I imply see, much more.
I’ve put collectively this 1 day in Bologna itinerary to make planning your journey simple. It cowl what to see in Bologna, one of the best excursions in Bologna, the place to remain in Bologna, and a few locations to eat that you simply don’t need to miss in your go to. Plus, I’ve added some foodie bonuses you probably have a bit extra time in Bologna.
Is Bologna Worth Visiting?
The brief reply is sure, Bologna is effectively price no less than a brief go to, particularly if you’re seeking to expertise extra of Italy’s meals tradition. But Bologna isn’t simply in regards to the meals. It can also be the house to the oldest constantly working University on this planet, with the University of Bologna courting again to 1088. Don’t be stunned if you happen to see younger folks parading round with wreaths on their heads to point they’ve simply completed their coursework on the University.
With over 90,000 college students, Bologna is an brisk and thriving “student city” that feels far more like a metropolis the place folks stay, work, and examine, than different Italian cities that appear like they’re principally populated by vacationers. This can provide a little bit of a chaotic vibe, with college students on bikes zipping right here and there, disregarding the visitors guidelines, and making cross the road really feel a bit like a recreation of Frogger.
So if you’re searching for an genuine Italian expertise, with nice meals and a wealthy historical past and progressive tradition, put Bologna in your Italy itinerary!
Bologna first got here on my radar over 10 years in the past when a buddy shared images of the attractive porticos in Bologna. At the time I believed, if I ever go to Bologna, I want to search out out the place these porticos are to ensure I see them. Later I realized that there are 42 kilometers of porticos within the historic metropolis middle of Bologna, so discovering some to {photograph} is just not a difficulty.
Some of those had been broken throughout bombings in World War II. Even then, Bologna was an anti-fascist capital (resulting in the nickname as a “red” metropolis even at present with left-leaning tendencies). These are actually protected and since 2021, Bologna is named the “City of Porticoes” following its nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2006, Bologna was additionally named the UNESCO “City of Music”, which contributes to a wealthy musical custom and a energetic nightlife.
The meals. The frenetic power. The schooling. The music. The tradition. There are many causes that make Bologna price visiting.
What to See In Bologna in One Day
Note: This put up could include affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
With 24 hours in Bologna, you’ll be able to tour town, eat your manner by way of city, store underneath intricate porticos, and even have fun with locals. And if you’re staying longer, make sure to take a look at this first-timer’s information to Bologna.
Morning: tour town
Exploration of town of Bologna virtually at all times begins in Piazza Maggiore, the beating coronary heart of town. This is the place you can find The Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo del Podesta (a civic constructing with a quiet courtyard), and the well-known Neptune’s Fountain.
Piazza maggiore
By the way in which, if you happen to go to with a information, make sure to ask them to indicate you the angle of Neptune that’s sculptor Giambologna’s little FU to the Papacy that commissioned the fountain, however who later objected to its Pagan sensuality.
The Basilica di San Petronio is the most important within the metropolis (and the sixth largest in Europe), devoted to Petronio, the Patron Saint of the City, who was a Bishop within the fifth century. This church dominates the sq. however is just not town’s official cathedral, that’s the Duomo di San Pietro (not the identical saint), simply down the highway. While the facade of the church is unfinished, this was at all times meant as a public area for the folks and the church really wasn’t even consecrated till 1954. Just keep in mind that if you happen to go to, you will want coated knees and shoulders for entry.
BOlogna Tours
It is simple to discover these landmarks by yourself, however for a extra in-depth take a look at Bologna and its historical past, I’d suggest taking a metropolis tour.
There are some ways to discover Bologna’s highlights and hidden gems. I took a three-hour strolling tour within the morning with WithLocals. My information was Margherita and she or he was full of information and enjoyable tales, serving to me get my bearings and be taught a bit extra in regards to the lengthy and attention-grabbing historical past of Bologna. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Languages & Cultures in Bologna and nice perception into the previous streets, stunning monuments, Medieval towers, church buildings, museums, and the meals traditions of Bologna.
Another technique to discover, which is particularly enjoyable with teenagers is by segway! Lisa and her daughter took a BolognaAway City Tour to zoom round this spectacular Italian metropolis. Their energetic and lovely tour information, co-owner Vanessa, expertly led them by way of this colourful metropolis on petite Ninebot-like transporters. (Note: contributor Lisa and her daughter got complimentary excursions for functions of evaluation.)
These slighter smaller and lighter weight Segway kind machines make metropolis maneuvering really easy…and a lot extra enjoyable for teenagers (and adults too). This firm prioritizes security, ensuring that we felt snug utilizing the Segway earlier than setting off by way of the streets.
I’d additionally suggest a personal strolling tour of Bologna with LivTours, one in all my favourite companions for small-group and personal excursions in Italy.
TIP: Schedule a tour early within the day so you’ll be able to orient your self and determine the place you need to spend the remainder of your afternoon.
Most excursions will cowl the principle highlights of what to see in Bologna, however it would be best to test the tour description to see if you happen to merely see these sights from the skin or have a guided tour of the within as effectively. This will typically rely on how lengthy your tour is (and clearly you aren’t going inside many locations with a segway!)
Whether you tour by yourself or with a information, there are a couple of must-see sights in Bologna that you simply need to squeeze into your in the future in Bologna. You can match many of those into one morning.
Two Towers
After beginning on the Piazza Maggiore and seeing the Neptune fountain the Basilica di San Petronio, it’s five-minute stroll to the Asinelli Twin Towers. These buildings had been constructed by rich Bolognese households to display their wealth, which is why you’ve got two proper subsequent to one another — attempting to compete to be the tallest. Today these towers lean barely and aren’t capable of maintain an elevator.
So if you wish to climb the Asinelli tower, which was constructed between 1109 and 1119, you will want to return again after your tour and climb 498 steps to the highest. Just make sure to e book your tickets a couple of days prematurely! When I visited in October, it was nonetheless fairly heat and I had no need to get scorching and sweaty climbing to the highest. (Tip: if you would like one other view with out fairly as many energy traces from the cable automobiles, it’s also possible to climb to the panoramic terrace on the Basilica di San Petronio.)
Seven Churches
From the Two Towers, it’s a 5 minute stroll to the complicated of the Seven Churches at Basilica di Santo Stefano and Piazza Santo Stefano, one of many prettiest squares in Bologna. The entrance to this complicated of church buildings begins on the Church of the Crucifix (Chiesa del Crocifisso). Your information can discover the distinctive historical past of how these church buildings happened and their distinctive histories.
In between the assorted buildings you’ll be able to take a peaceable break within the Pilato Courtyard and medieval cloister.
Teatro Anatomico
From the Seven Churches it’s a seven-minute stroll over the Teatro Anatomico. At first I believed, why on earth would I need to see an previous anatomical theater, the place college students realized to function utilizing cadavers? But not solely is that this room an architectural marvel, its historical past, in excessive distinction with the management of the church and papacy which was decidedly anti-science, was equally fascinating. This is a tiny glimpse into Bologna’s buzzing University Quarter.
This amphitheater was was designed in 1637 for anatomical classes and it was constructed by the Bolognese architect Antonio Paolucci. The partitions are fabricated from spruce wooden and festooned with statues depicting twelve well-known physicians. The ornate wooden ceilings are a masterpiece. As gory because the historical past of the room is perhaps, it would be best to sit down and take time to understand the small particulars.
By this time you’ll in all probability be getting hungry for lunch. There are extra landmarks to see however these are the highest highlights and can go away you loads of time to discover the attractive streets by yourself later. Some excursions might also embrace a go to to the Bologna’s “secret window” that gives a view of the “Venice of Bologna.”
Just remember that these canals in Bologna are generally drained to be cleaned in the course of the fall, so your view might not be as fairly as it’s at different occasions of yr.
Afternoon: Eat and Explore Some More
After all that strolling you’ll be hungry so attempt to beeline it over to Sfoglia Rina. This famend pasta store may have a line out the door by midday. If you get there late and aren’t ready to attend, there are many tempting cafes to be discovered at each nook. But ready at Sfoglia Rina is price it.
The women at Sfoglia Rina make tortellini by hand. You can select contemporary pasta to go on the counter (no wait) or sit within the cafe, opened in 2010, and revel in a scrumptious meal. I’d extremely suggest the easy dish of tortellini in brodo, which is simply the small stuffed pasta in a wealthy hen broth that’s higher than any tortellini soup you’ve got ever had.
The desserts are additionally scrumptious. I attempted a fig cheesecake that was unbelievable. Once your abdomen is full, it’s time to discover extra of Bologna. Maybe it’s time to climb these 498 steps up the Medieval Asinelli tower to burn off these energy.
Other highlights embrace the beautiful Library of Archiginnasio, stroll by way of the previous Jewish ghetto, or simply benefit from the many miles of porticos!
For a style of the oldest purchasing space, meander alongside the Via Drapperie and discover the atmospheric Quadrilatero space. If your loved ones prefers to buy till you drop, take a break from sightseeing and stroll underneath the porticos purchasing in stunning boutiques.
Early Evening: Take a Food Tour!
An absolute should in Bologna is to eat and eat and eat some extra. This culinary epicenter of Italy has a bounty of tasty treats. To be taught extra in regards to the foodie tradition of this area, Lisa joined proprietor of Delicious Bologna, Mattia Tozzoli, on his expertly curated mouth-watering meals tour to indicate us the place to eat in Bologna.
From hidden, small family-owned gourmand shops, to sitting all the way down to share a tasty meal, 4 hours with Mattia leaves visitors educated about wine, home-made pasta, pizza, native cured meat, cheese, balsamic vinegar, espresso, and small batch gelato!
This tour lets you pattern all kinds of Bolognese merchandise in only a few hours. If your loved ones wish to go to an operational pasta manufacturing facility as a part of the expertise, take a look at Delicious Bologna’s morning tour.
A spotlight on our meals tour was our enjoyable sit down dinner at an area conventional trattoria sampling hundreds (actually heaping plates) of assorted native pastas. Owner Mattia’s ardour for meals and his roots within the surrounding Emilia Romagna area are instantly evident! This gastronomic tour consists of hidden spots and attention-grabbing historic tidbits.
When I went to Bologna, I wasn’t capable of match a tour with Delicious Bologna into my schedule so I booked a Bologna meals tour with Taste Bologna as an alternative. It was a shorter, much less formal tour with stops in a bakery, butchery, cheese store, the well-known Osteria del Sole (see beneath), a stroll by way of an area meals market (Mercato del Herbe), a sampling of assorted pizza, and ending with a cease at an artisanal gelato store.
Luckily there are lots of meals excursions to select from in Bologna together with:
Anytime: Hang Out with the locals
Bologna is the last word school city and the youthful vibe that permeates town is contagious. Our spotlight was visiting in the course of the world-famous Sotto Le Stelle Del Cinema or open-air film pageant situated within the middle of town, Piazza Maggiore.
You pays to order a seat prematurely or mimic the locals grabbing some takeout pizza and gelato and lounging on the church steps picnicking in the course of the movie. Some nights, such because the night time we visited, even characteristic English-language films.
A priceless reminiscence for us was ending our go to to this magical metropolis experiencing what it’s wish to be an area on this area of Italy.
Another enjoyable technique to socialize with locals is by choosing up some mortadella, cheese, and bread on the markets and head over to Osteria del Sole, the oldest enoteca in Bologna. Welcoming locals since 1465, this osteria doesn’t serve meals however you’ll be able to carry your individual picnic. This no-frills atmosphere is a real native institution.
More Food Experiences
If you’ve got extra time in Bologna, you’ve got time for extra meals experiences!
Cooking Class with Cesarine
On my second day in Italy, I made a decision to take a cooking class. There are many choices, however I needed to strive a cooking class with Cesarine, a community of over 1,500 residence cooks throughout Italy who train cooking lessons utilizing their household recipes of their properties. I met my information and instructor Paola in Piazza Maggiore. From there we toured the markets, choosing up substances that we’d use throughout our cooking demo. We then walked to her charming condo simply exterior of the historic middle.
Over the course of the subsequent couple of hours, I realized to make piadina, a smooth Italian flatbread that we later served with cheese and meats that we picked up on the markets as an apertivo. Next, we made the dough for tagliatelle pasta — one in all my favorites. After making ready a tiramisu for dessert and taking a break for the apertivo, I realized (or tried no less than) easy methods to roll out the pasta by hand to that excellent, delicate thinness essential to make the right pasta bolognese.
We didn’t make the bolognese meat sauce within the class, since that takes hours to simmer, however Paola did share her personal recipe and we used the bolognese that she ready earlier than I arrived. When every thing was ready, it was time to eat! While I took a cooking class alone, this might even be such a enjoyable exercise to do with a household or pals. I extremely suggest attempting to slot in a cooking class while you’re in Bologna!
Tour Food Valley
From Bologna, I continued on to Parma, from which I took a full day tour of the Food Valley, however it’s also possible to take this tour from Bologna. If you’ve got ever seen the Bologna episode of Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy, you’ll recognize this tour as you’re mainly following in Stanley’s footsteps!
My tour with Food Valley Travel was unbelievable! I began out visiting a cheese manufacturing facility and acquired to see how parmesan cheese (and a few ricotta) is made and aged, which was fascinating and a glimpse into the place meals comes from. Of course, every cease ended with a tasting (belief me there was no want for dinner once I was lastly deposited again on the resort.) Our subsequent cease was at a parma ham producer and wow, I’ve by no means seen a lot pork in my life.
Even although I used to be already getting full, it was subsequent time for lunch at an area vineyard with wonderful views of the meals valley. There was wine, there was cheese and meats, and, in fact, pasta. Luckily the subsequent cease was at a Balsamic vinegar producer at a household vineyard, since tasting small quantities of this liquid gold is nice in your digestion. Getting to style the assorted agings of each cheese, ham, and vinegar was such a incredible foodie expertise!
Fico Eataly World
Sadly, each Lisa and I weren’t capable of go to FICO Eataly World (situated simply exterior town) after we had been in Bologna both for lack of time or as a result of they had been closed on these days. Eataly has been described a theme park-like sprawling campus devoted to the tradition, traditions and craftsmanship of Italian meals (free entry, pay per exercise).
Your household can take insider excursions of culinary factories, join cooking lessons, and actually style your manner by way of all of Italy’s culinary delights. Eataly gives many family-friendly actions for all ages.
Getting to Bologna
You can typically discover reasonably priced flights to Bologna that join by way of Europe to G. Marconi Airport Bologna (BLQ). Getting from the airport to town middle is simple utilizing the brand new People Mover practice from the airport to the Central Station (Stazione Centrale). This high-speed practice takes solely seven minutes and is kind of reasonably priced (you should buy tickets utilizing contactless cost on-site.)
If you favor to go on to your resort without having to pull your baggage by way of busy streets, a taxi from the practice station will take roughly 15-Half-hour and value about 20 euro. There are taxis out there on the airport however if you wish to prepare a switch out of your resort to the airport with out worrying about ready time, I’d suggest scheduling a visit with Welcome Pickups.
Many guests arrive in Bologna through practice into Stazione Central from cities throughout Italy. Personally, I discovered the practice from Verona to Bologna very simple to make use of, whilst a solo traveler with giant baggage. From the practice station, it’s a 15-20 minute simple stroll to the middle of city. However, if you happen to don’t need to drag your baggage, you’ll be able to simply seize a taxi. Just remember that that practice station in Bologna is kind of giant, so when departing you need to give your self time to get to the suitable platform.
Where to Stay in Bologna
Lisa discovered the well-centered boutique Art Hotel Novecento to be the perfect base for our keep in Bologna. This resort nestled within the historic middle of town at Piazza Galileo is simply across the nook from the energetic Piazza Maggiore.
The included bountiful breakfast buffet that includes native culinary merchandise supplied us with a hearty begin to our each day adventures. The workers at this contemporary resort went above and past to reply all our questions and assist us map out our day’s plans.
When I visited Bologna in October, I stayed on the Grand Majestic Hotel “Glia Baglioni”, a 5-star property in a wonderful location within the metropolis middle. While it’s pricier than different inns I stayed at in Northern Italy, for a brief keep and luxury, the placement can’t be beat. My room wasn’t giant however it was beautiful, with a view looking on the Duomo di San Pietro.
The Grand Majestic Hotel is a part of American Express’ assortment of Fine Hotels, which implies if you happen to e book by way of American Express Travel utilizing your AmEx Platinum, you’ll obtain sure perks like a possible improve and a $100 meals and beverage credit score, which I used at I Carracci, a positive eating restaurant within the resort. At that point, I used to be additionally capable of obtain a $200 credit score for reserving a Fine Hotels Collection property on my AmEx Platinum, which made this luxurious resort very reasonably priced for a brief keep.
It is well-worth spending in the future in Bologna (or extra.) I’d wish to return to strive extra eating places and get a bit extra off-the-beaten-path. At the identical time, I’ll admit that I take pleasure in a few of the quieter cities like Parma and Verona a bit extra, however I’d nonetheless say to go, no less than as soon as.
This article was initially written by Lisa Grabelle and I’ve since revised and up to date it based mostly alone expertise spending two days in Bologna. Lisa is a journey author for Hilton Suggests and has been touring all her life. You can observe Lisa on Twitter or Instagram.
