Porticos, palazzos, and pasta. That’s what Bologna is all about, and we loved it.
After spending 5 days exploring this medieval city in the middle of Italy, we discovered that there are so many great things to do in Bologna.
In Bologna you can stroll through the longest portico walkway in the world, visit the oldest still functioning university in the world, and eat some of the best food in the world.
Bologna really is the perfect city to enjoy a weekend break in Italy.
That’s why we’ve decided to write this comprehensive travel guide. In this guide, you’ll find practical information such as how to get to Bologna, where to stay, and all the top things to do in the city. Hopefully, we can inspire you for your next trip to Italy’s grand, medieval city – Bologna.
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Things to know before you visit Bologna
What Bologna is known for
Bologna is located in Emilia-Romagna, which is Italy’s sixth largest region, and Bologna is known as its capital.
It’s a beautiful Medieval city that’s famous for its interesting history, beautiful architecture, and its mouth-watering cuisine.
Did you know that Bologna was actually voted Food Capital of the World in 2022? It’s safe to say that this city has the best of the best of Italian food. We found it really hard to find a tourist trap here even though we ate at several restaurants in the most touristic part of Bologna.
On top of that, Bologna’s porticos were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage in 2021. The porticos truly are beautiful, and the palazzos around them tell the tale of the Medieval time. In the Middle Ages, Bologna was actually a very popular city, and it’s even here that the oldest still-functioning university is located today.
During this Bologna travel guide, we’ll dive deeper into all the great things to do in the city, and we promise you that it involves food, history, and architectural beauties of the city.
Getting from the Airport to the city
Before you can explore all the best things that Bologna has to offer in its pristine city center, you first have to get there.
There are 3 ways to get between Bologna’s Airport and the city center. And we’ve tried two of them.
By Taxi
The most convenient way to get from the airport to the city is by taxi. The taxi stand is located right outside of the arrival hall, and the taxis run all night long.
Arriving in Bologna Airport at 1 AM in the night, we decided to take a taxi. But we weren’t the only ones. There was a long taxi line, but it actually went pretty quick. It took us 25 minutes to get a taxi, the ride to the city took about 10 minutes, and we paid €20 for two people and two pieces of luggage in the middle of the night.
Take a taxi if… you’re two or more people traveling together, you’re arriving in the middle of the night, or you want to get dropped off at the doorstep of your hotel.
By Marconi Express
The quickest way to get to and from Bologna Airport is by the Marconi Express, which is a rail link situated at the Central Station.
We stayed close to the Central Station in Bologna, so we decided to try the Marconi Express when going back to the airport. We ended up paying more than a taxi because one ticket is a whooping €11 per person. It was a bumpy and uncomfortable ride, but it surely was the quickest way to the airport as it got us there in only 7 minutes.
Take the Marconi Express if… you’re traveling alone, you need to get to the airport as fast as possible, or you stay close to the central station.
By Bus
The cheapest way to get to and from Bologna Airport is by bus. Look for Line 944, which goes from Bologna Airport to Ospedale Maggioere. Check out the schedule here. We’re unsure of the ticket price, but it should be in the span of €1,8 – €4 and take around 20 minutes.
We visited Bologna during a big heat wave, which topped at 38 degrees, so we decided not to take the bus this time, as it’s the least convenient way to travel in the heat. However, we would normally take the public transportation to try and save a few bucks.
Take the bus if… you’re traveling alone, you’re traveling on a budget, or your hotel is close to the drop off/pick up point of the bus.
Where to stay in Bologna
During our 5 nights in Bologna, we stayed at a hotel named The Social Hub. We had such a good experience with this accommodation, and we can’t recommend it highly enough.
In this hotel they have an outdoor swimming pool for the summer visitors, an all-year-round restaurant and bar, cool co-working spaces, a free gym, and a free laundry room. It really was a great place to stay, and we’ll definitely be back!
3 different places to stay in Bologna
- Hostel Il Nosadillo: For the solo backpacker who wants to save money. This hostel is located in the city center of Bologna, it has breakfast included in the price, and it has a super friendly staff.
- The Social Hub: For the digital nomad or the couple who’s looking for something affordable and hip. This hotel really has it all, and it’s only a short walk from here to the city center of Bologna.
- Hotel Metropolitan: For those who wants to stay somewhere luxurious with a rooftop terrace in the heart of the Medieval city center. This hotel features so many different rooms, suites, and apartments that you can easily find something to your taste.
Things to do in Bologna, Italy
1. Climb the Asinelli Tower
The most iconic landmark in Bologna is probably the Asinelli Tower.
Also known as Torre degli Asinelli, this iconic tower is 97,2 meters tall and offers the greatest view of Bologna and its surrounding landscapes.
The Asinelli Tower was built between 1109 and 1119 by the Asinelli family. Back in the Middle Ages there were more than 100 towers within the city walls of Bologna, but today only 24 remains – and the Asinelli Tower is the tallest one still standing.
Right next to the Asinelli Tower, you’ll find a much smaller, yet way more leaning tower named Torre Garisenda. Sometimes they’re referred to together as the “Two Towers”. You can’t visit the Garisenda Tower, so you’ll just have to enjoy it from the outside.
We absolutely loved our visit at the Asinelli Tower and climbing it is without a doubt one of the best things you can do in Bologna.
But please beware that you have to be able to walk the 498 steps up to the top, so it does require you to have a fitness level that’s suitable for that.
You can either get your tickets on Get Your Guide, which have a food tasting included in the price or go directly to the official website. Choose whatever time slot fits you – we recommend visiting during the sunset hour for a beautiful sky.
2. Explore Piazza Maggiore
Piazza Maggiore is Bologna’s most central square, so it’s a must visit.
At the piazza, you’re surrounded by many historical buildings including Basilica di San Petronio, which is one of the largest churches in the world, the Palazzo D’Accursio, which has been home to Bologna’s city council since 1336, and Palazzo Re Enzo, which is where King Enzo of Sardinia lived his live in captivity until his death.
Apart from all the magnificent buildings, you’ll also see the Fontana del Nettuno, which is a big fountain completed in 1566 featuring a statue of Neptune on the top. Here, you’ll also find a little drinking fountain, which you can safely drink from – tried and tested by us.
Exploring the surroundings of Piazza Maggiore is just one of the things you must do when you’re in Bologna. If not to enjoy the magnificent buildings, then at least to listen to some of the great street musicians roaming the square.
3. Eat Ragú and Tortellini
Tagliatelle, Tortellini, Tortelloni, Balanzoni, Gnocchi, Gramigna, there are so many delicious pasta dishes in Bologna.
We spent a total of 5 nights in Bologna, and we never managed to find a bad place to eat. The food here is exceptional, and everywhere we went, the pasta was homemade.
Bologna is especially known for 2 pasta dishes: Tagliatelle al Ragú and Tortellini in Brodo.
Tagliatelle al Ragú is what everyone but Italians would know as “Spaghetti Bolognese”, however, this is not the correct name for the dish. The Tagliatelle al Ragú is a homemade pasta served with a ragu that’s been simmering for hours. Absolutely delicious!
Tortellini in Brodo is also a classic Bolognese dish. It’s small pork filled pastas served in a simple broth instead of the heavy, creamy sauces which tortellinis are also often served in. During our trip, we had several tortellini dishes and they were all super good!
One of the best things to do in Bologna is to just try out all the pasta dishes – you really can’t go wrong! If you want to know how to make pasta like the Bolognese, then join this Home Cooking Class.
4. Get lost wandering the Porticos
One of the best things to do in Bologna is to just follow your feet and explore all the porticos.
As mentioned earlier, the porticos of Bologna are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage, so experiencing them at their fullest is a must.
The porticos was first built in the 12th and 13th century as a way to create apartments to live in above the sidewalks. This way, Bologna could accommodate the growing population and the influx of people coming from afar to study at the popular university.
Today, you find a total of 62 kilometres of porticos in Bologna! Some of them are really beautiful with paintings on the ceiling, so make sure to go explore them while you’re in the city.
5. Visit the Anatomical Theatre
One of the best things to do in Bologna is to visit the Anatomical Theatre.
The Anatomical Theatre is located in The Archiginnasio of Bologna, which is a beautiful Medieval palace, which used to house the University of Bologna. Today you’ll find the Anatomical Theatre and a public library in this extraordinary building.
The Anatomical Theatre was built in the 17th century as a place where anatomical lessons took place. It’s a beautiful room constructed of wood pine and decorated with statues of famous physicians.
Unfortunately everything in the room was destroyed during the Second World War except for the original wooden sculptures. But it has been reconstructed to its former glory.
We only paid €3 per person to visit the Anatomical Theatre in 2023, and included in the price you’ll get to visit the Sabat Mater Room. In here, there is a door with an open view to endless rows of library books. It looks so beautiful!
The Archiginnasio Palace and the Anatomical Theatre is such a unique place to visit, so make sure to put it on your list.
6. Explore Bologna’s churches
Bologna is home to many churches – all of which you can easily visit on your trip. Most of them have an interesting history, and a beautiful interior, so remember to enter the churches when you pass by.
We visited 5 different churches in Bologna and they were all very different:
- Basilica di San Petronio: One of Europe’s biggest churches, which is located right on Piazza Maggiore. This one is so grand, you really can’t miss it.
- Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro: Our favorite church in Bologna. This one is just beautiful! And every weekend you can go on a tour to see the crypt and walk up the bell tower for a nice view.
- Church of Saints Bartholomew and Cajetan: This one looks beautiful from the outside with its iconic dome contributing to the cityscape of Bologna.
- Basilica santuario Santo Stefano: Another beautiful church with a lot of history behind it, located right on the Santo Stefano Square.
- Basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi: The most gloomy church we visited in Bologna, yet it was surrounded by the most beautiful porticos outside. So make sure to check this one out!
All the churches we visited were free to enter, so it’s really easy to just pop your head in and have a look around. However, be mindful of the people praying, and consider if you’re dressed appropriately before entering the church.
7. Stroll through the longest Portico walkway in the world
One of the most iconic things to do in Bologna is to walk through the Portico of San Luca.
The Portico of San Luca is the longest in the world with its 666 arches stretching over a total of 3,8 kilometre long walk. It starts at Porta Saragozza in Bologna and ends at the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca in the hills.
We woke up early one morning, took a taxi to Porta Saragozza, and did the full portico walk. It was absolutely amazing! And definitely one of the best things we did in Bologna.
8. Visit the Sanctuary of San Luca
Even if you don’t want to walk the San Luca Portico, we still recommend you to visit this beautiful sanctuary in the hills surrounding Bologna.
The San Luca Sanctuary, as we see it today, was built in the 18th century to replace a previous construction in the 15th century. At the sanctuary, you can find a view over Bologna, you can see a beautiful view of the surrounding hillsides, and you can visit the church.
The church is open daily from 7 AM – 7 PM (the Piazzale from 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM), so you have plenty of time to visit this calm sanctuary in the hills.
Visiting the San Luca Sanctuary is also one of the best free things to do in Bologna since there is no entrance fee. You can either walk here for free or book a ticket for the San Luca Train, which leaves from Bologna’s city center.
It’s also possible to go on a private tour around the sanctuary, which also has the train tickets included in the price.
9. Try some Mortadella
No trip to Bologna is complete without trying the Mortadella (unless you’re a vegetarian of course, way to go!)
Mortadella is the most iconic type of cold cut you can eat in Bologna. It really has such a long history, and it has to be made in a very specific way for it be approved as Mortadella.
The Mortadella used to be a luxurious delicacy, which was much more expensive than ham and beef, and in 1720 an edict was issued, which banned producing it outside of the city of Bologna. On top of that, it has to be produced in a certain way and made from special parts of the pig.
As you can imagine, you can find Mortadella everywhere in Bologna. And it was honestly really tasty whether it came fresh on a board with other cold cuts, in a deli sandwich, or in a homemade pasta.
So if you want to try a local Bolognese delicacy, then we can definitely recommend the Mortadella.
10. Walk up Torre dell’Orologio for the best view of Bologna
One of the best things to do in Bologna is undoubtedly walking up the Torre dell’Orologio in Palazzo D’Accursio for the best view of Bologna’s main square and iconic towers.
Palazzo D’Accursio is a beautiful building, which is situated right on Piazza Maggiore and is home to Bologna’s city council. Inside the palace you’ll find the Civic Art Collection and the entrance to the Torre dell’Orologio (also known as the clock tower).
From Torre dell’Orologio, you get a much closer look at Bologna than from the Asinelli Tower since you’re closer to the ground, and the main square is right in front of you. We honestly thought that this was the best view of the city, and we were surprised that not many other people were here. We almost had the view all to ourselves.
Climbing Torre dell’Orologio was a bit more expensive than climbing the Asinelli Tower. However, you also have the Civic Art Collection included in the price.
You can either buy your tickets directly at the bolognawelcome.com or book your entrance tickets on Get Your Guide with a food tasting included in the price.
11. See the Canal of Bologna
Back in the Middle Ages, Bologna was a popular trade city, and so a canal was created to connect the city with the Reno River.
In fact, there used to be about 60 kilometres of canals out in the open in Bologna. But today, only a small streak of the canal can be seen. The rest is hidden below the city.
Still, watching what’s left of Bologna’s canal is a nice thing to do. We found that the best place to see it is from the window carved out at Via Piella, which is located in between the main square and the central station.
12. Visit Bologna’s History Museum
Another great thing to do in Bologna is to check out some of the many museums scattered around the city.
We wanted to learn some facts about the city, so we chose to visit The History Museum of Bologna. The museum is located closely to the Two Towers in another old, beautiful, medieval palace – this one is named Palazzo Pepoli.
Spending a couple of hours in Bologna’s History Museum ended up being the most expensive attraction we paid for while visiting the city. So we don’t recommend you to visit this museum if you’re on a tight budget.
We ended up paying €20 for two hours of walking around the museum with a free audio guide included and a 15 minute virtual reality experience. Without the VR experience, the entrance fee was only €13.
The History Museum is nice to visit because it’s located in a beautiful palace, you get to see some old paintings of the city, and you get a little history lesson on the way.
However, nothing was written in English, so to be honest, it was hard to know where to look when the audio guide spoke to us.
All in all, it was a good experience, but it’s not something we’d recommend you to do if you’re very short on time in Bologna or if you are on a tight budget.
13. Eat everything at Quadrilatero
In the heart of Bologna’s city center, you’ll find the Quadrilatero, which used to be the old market center in the Middle Ages.
At Quadrilatero, you can find so many local treats like big chunks of Parmigiano Reggiano, all the different types of sausages and cold cuts your heart desire, fresh fish and vegetables, regional wines, and not to mention homemade Italian pasta.
You’d think that a place located in the middle of the city center would be full of tourist traps, but honestly, we ate at 3 different restaurants here, and we were only served homemade, handmade, hands-down delicious food!
So don’t be shy to stroll through Quadrilatero and get yourself something good to eat and drink, you won’t regret it.
14. Try something new at Mercato di Mezzo
Looking for an affordable place to eat lunch? Then check out Mercato di Mezzo, which is located in Quadrilatero.
The indoor food market is quite hip, and you’ll definitely see a lot of tourists here. But the food is delicious and the prices are good.
Make sure to have a look around all the food stalls before you choose your meal. Some of the places had things, which we never tried before. So just throw yourself into it and try a bit of everything. We’re pretty sure it’s impossible to find something that doesn’t taste good in here.
Looking for more food markets in Bologna? Then check out Mercato delle Erbe.
15. Join a walking/food/wine tour in Bologna
One of the best things to do in Bologna is to go on a tour. Why? Because then you really get to know the city and its history whether it’s trough a wine tour, a food tour, or a historical walking tour.
Having a local guide with you is a way to discover places you’d never find by yourself. Plus, you get all the extra inside-info about the city that a guide book or an online travel guide (like this one) don’t tell you.
16. Take pictures at Scalinata del Pincio
One of the less important things to do in Bologna is probably this one. Yet, we still felt that it’s worth a mention for those looking to take some nice pictures.
The Scalinata del Pincio is located closely to the central station and is one of the entry points to a local park named Parco della Montagnola.
While we don’t know the history about these steps, we found the whole setup pretty beautiful. And it’s definitely a place we’d recommend for those of you looking to do a few photo shoots. So make sure to pinpoint it if you’re looking for great photography locations in Bologna
17. Explore the Motor Valley
Are you into fast cars? Then this next thing to do is right up your alley!
There is an area surrounding Bologna, which is known as Motor Valley. This is where you’ll find many of the famous Italian automotive companies such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Ducati. There are also several race tracks located in the area nearby.
So if you’re into speed, then visiting Motor Valley is probably one of the best things you can do in Bologna.
We didn’t visit Motor Valley on our trip because we’re traveling on a budget, and it was just way out of our price range. But check it out if it’s something you’d like to do – it should be pretty cool!
18. Eat too many gelatos
We found that eating so much that pasta sometimes makes you crave something sweet. Luckily, you can find gelato in several places around Bologna.
While gelato is said to originate from Florence, it’s a frozen treat that’s available all over Italy.
And good news, gelato is mostly based on milk compared to ice cream, which uses cream, so it’s actually the healthier alternative of the two.
We ate several gelatos at Venchi, which had two stores located in Bologna and super friendly customer service. However, we noticed that the most popular one to try is named Cremeria Cavour – but we sadly never found this one.
19. Walk through the Jewish Quarter
Another great thing to do in Bologna is to walk through Ghetto Ebrairo, also known as the Jewish Quarter or the Jewish Ghetto.
This part of Bologna has a significant history as it was the neighbourhood where the Bolognese Jews lived in a strictly confined area in the Middle Ages.
It’s pretty interesting to read about this history, and you can learn more about the Jewish Ghetto on this page at Bolognawelcome.com. So make sure to stroll through this neighbourhood while you’re exploring the Medieval city center.
20. Walk up the Bell Tower of San Pietro Cathedral
One of the things we never got to do in Bologna was visiting the Crypt and Bell Tower at San Pietro Cathedral. It’s only open for visits in the weekend, so you have to plan a bit ahead if you want to go – something we often fail to do.
The Bell Tower at San Pietro Cathedral has a beautiful view over Bologna, and since it’s only open in the weekend, not that many people know about it.
The best advice we can give you about visiting is to go to San Pietro Cathedral and look for the next upcoming tour. You should expect to pay around a €5 entrance fee, which goes to maintenance of the church.
We wish we had a picture from the Bell Tower, but instead you have to make do with a picture from inside the beautiful cathedral.
21. Visit FICO – The Food Amusement Park
Have you ever heard of a food-themed amusement park? Well, Bologna has one. Of course they do…
Unfortunately we didn’t learn about this until after we left the city, which is a pity because it sounds fun!
FICO is the name of this food-themed park, which has so many different activities, and it really sounds like you could spend a whole day here.
Here is a list of some of the things that FICO offers:
- Courses where you learn to make pasta, gelato, mortadella, and pizza.
- See animals such as alpacas, sheep, donkeys, goats, and pigs.
- Many different gardens to explore and relax in.
- Learn about the history of Italian products in the factories.
- And many other things!
FICO is open from Thursday to Sunday, and as of July 2023, FICO has free admission, which means you only have to pay for the courses you want to take.
22. Take a day trip from Bologna
Are you staying in Bologna for more than just a couple of days? Then consider doing a day trip around the Emilia-Romagna region or to some of the great nearby cities like Modena, Parma, and Ravenna.
As we’ve established by now, the region is known for food, so there are several food tours you can do around the city.
If you prefer to explore some of the other nearby cities, then check out Modena, which has a beautiful city center that’s mostly known for its balsamic vinegar and UNESCO inscribed cathedral. A bit further away, you’ll find Parma, which is known for Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese and the delicious Parma Ham.
Or you can follow the road towards Ravenna where you’ll find a fresh sea breeze and some of the most incredible mosaics in the world, which are also UNESCO inscribed.
We could keep going about things to see nearby Bologna, but we fear that that’ll be for another blog post. For now, this is about beautiful Bologna itself.
Our top 3 things you must do in Bologna
Now that we’ve listed what we think are the best attractions in Bologna, we want to share our absolute favorite places in the city.
So here are our top 3 recommendations on the best things to do in Bologna:
- The Food: Explore everything you can when it comes to the Bolognese food! Try as many pasta dishes as possible, try the cold cuts, try the regional wine – you’ll fall in love with Italian food in this city.
- The Towers: Make sure to get a view of the city above. We recommend you to visit the Asinelli Tower and the Clock Tower for the best viewpoints in Bologna.
- San Luca Portico: If you have the opportunity, then do the San Luca portico walkway. Ascending the beautiful sanctuary by walking through the World’s longest portico is something we’ll never forget.
These were our top recommendations of things to do and see in Bologna. We absolutely loved our time in this Italian food heaven and we wish to go back someday.
We hope you enjoyed this Bologna travel guide, and that you found it helpful in planning your own trip to this magnificent Italian city. If you have any questions, then leave them in the comment box below, and we’ll get back to you.
Thanks for reading and happy travels!
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