Bologna, Italy: travel guide
"La Grassa, La Rossa, La Dotta" — the Fat, the Red, the Learned. Bologna is Italy's culinary capital (home of ragù, mortadella, tortellini), hosts Europe's oldest university, and shelters 38 km of arcaded porticoes under which to savour aperitivo.
- Country
- Italy
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Rome
- Nearest airport
- BLQ
Top places to visit in Bologna
Piazza Maggiore
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h
Bologna's magnificent central piazza is ringed by the Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo dei Banchi, and Palazzo d'Accursio. The Neptune Fountain (1566) by Giambologna anchors the adjacent Piazza del Nettuno.
Basilica of San Petronio
Church · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h
The fifth-largest church in the world (begun 1390) was designed to rival St Peter's in Rome but was never completed — the façade remains half-marble, half-brick. Contains Europe's longest sundial (67 m) and Uccello's frescoes of English…
Two Towers (Asinelli & Garisenda)
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · entry EUR 5
Bologna's symbol: the 97-metre Torre degli Asinelli (1109) and the stubby, heavily leaning Torre Garisenda beside it — two of 180 medieval towers once built as status symbols by rival noble families. Climbing Asinelli's 498 steps rewards…
Quadrilatero Market
Market · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
Bologna's medieval market quarter — a labyrinth of narrow streets (Via Pescherie Vecchie, Via Drapperie) packed with salumerias, cheese shops, fresh pasta makers, and fishmongers. The authentic heart of Bologna's legendary food culture…
Archiginnasio of Bologna
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry EUR 3
Built in 1563 as the first permanent seat of the University of Bologna (est. 1088, world's oldest), the Archiginnasio's porticoed courtyard is covered entirely in coats of arms and memorial tablets of past students. The Anatomical Theatre…
Portici of Bologna (UNESCO)
Cultural · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
Bologna's 62 km of covered arcaded porticoes (portici) are a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2021); the longest unbroken portico in the world leads 3.5 km up to the San Luca Sanctuary.
Bologna Modena Day Trip Ferrari
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from Bologna to Modena — the home of Ferrari (with the spectacular Ferrari Museum), the Maserati factory, the Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale producers, and the UNESCO Modena Cathedral.
Bologna Asinelli Tower Climb
Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry EUR 5
The Asinelli Tower (97m) — the taller of the famous Two Towers, with the spectacular 498-step climb to the top providing panoramic views over the medieval centre and the Apennines.
Bologna Quadrilatero Market
Market · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
The Quadrilatero district — Bologna's spectacular historic food market neighbourhood with the medieval narrow streets, the famous Tamburini, Atti, and Paolo Atti bakeries, and the heart of Bologna food culture.
Bologna Ravenna Mosaics Day
Heritage · 4.9 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from Bologna to Ravenna — the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage early Byzantine mosaics in 8 monuments, including the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.
Bologna Porticoes UNESCO
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
The Porticoes of Bologna — the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage 38km of medieval porticoes (covered walkways), the largest concentration in the world, including the famous 3.8km San Luca portico.
Two Towers (Due Torri)
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
The twin medieval towers of Bologna's skyline: the taller Asinelli tower (97.2 m, lean 2.2 m) can be climbed for 500 steps of panoramic views; the smaller Garisenda is closed.
Things to do
- Bologna Food Tour — Mortadella Tortellini & Tagliatelle Food Drink · 3 h · from EUR 33 per person
Day trips and tours
- Bologna Food Tour: Tortellini, Mortadella & Gelato 3.5 h · from EUR 37
- Bologna Porticoes & Medieval Towers Walking Tour 2.5 h · from EUR 16
Where to stay in Bologna
- University Quarter about EUR 120 per night
Heart of Europe's oldest university; great food, aperitivo, and nightlife; central and walkable
Hotels
- Grand Hotel Majestic Gia Baglioni 5-star · EUR 250 to EUR 700 per night
- Albergo delle Drapperie 3-star · EUR 75 to EUR 160 per night
Where to eat
- Osteria dell'Orsa Italian, Bolognese · about EUR 12 per person
- Trattoria Anna Maria Italian, Bolognese, Emilian · about EUR 28 per person
- Mercato di Mezzo Italian, Street Food, Emilian · about EUR 10 per person
- Ristorante I Portici Italian, Emilian, Contemporary · about EUR 120 per person
Getting around
- Bicycle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
ATM Skimmer Devices
ATMs near train station and university area
Fake card-reading overlays on ATMs steal card data
How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside banks; cover PIN pad; check for loose card readers