Top Things to Do in Bologna, Italy: The Ultimate Bologna Bucket List

Bologna might just be one of the most underrated cities in Italy. I came here not really knowing much about the city and just needing a place to slow down for a while. I couldn't be happier that my choice fell on Bologna. It was everything I’d hoped for and is to this day still one of my favourite cities in Italy.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or using it as a base for exploring the Emilia-Romagna region, this guide covers everything you need to know — including where to stay, the best things to do, where to eat, hidden gems, and how to make the most of your time in beautiful Bologna.

Top Things To Do in Bologna

As always I’ll start with the fun part first, namely the top things to do in Bologna. If you also want more practical information like my favourite restaurants, the places I recommend staying and everything else you need to know to plan your trip, just scroll further down and you’ll find everything you need.

Wander Through Piazza Maggiore

If there’s one place where every Bologna itinerary begins, it’s Piazza Maggiore.

This large medieval square has been the social and political heart of the city for centuries, and it’s still one of the liveliest spots in Bologna. The square is surrounded by historic buildings, cafés, street musicians, and locals sitting on the steps chatting late into the evening.

One of the best things to do here is honestly just to slow down. I usually grabbed a gelato from one of the nearby spots and sat here just people-watching and admiring the architecture around the piazza.

You’ll also find several major landmarks directly around the square, including:

• Basilica di San Petronio
• Palazzo d’Accursio
• Palazzo dei Notai
• Neptune Fountain
• Archiginnasio Palace

Visit the Basilica di San Petronio

I mentioned this above, but it also deserves its own mention. Dominating Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica di San Petronio is one of the largest churches in Europe and easily one of Bologna’s most impressive landmarks.

The first thing you'll notice is the unfinished façade. The lower half is covered in marble, while the upper section still has exposed brick because construction was never fully completed.

Inside, the church feels enormous and surprisingly understated compared to some of Italy’s more extravagant cathedrals.

The church is free to enter, but for a small fee you can also climb to the panoramic terrace for incredible views over Bologna’s red rooftops.

Visit Archiginnasio Palace

Before the University of Bologna expanded across the city, the Archiginnasio Palace served as the university’s main building.

Today, it’s one of Bologna’s most beautiful historical sites.

Inside, you’ll find fresco-covered hallways, ancient coats of arms, ornate staircases and the famous Anatomical Theatre once used for anatomy lessons and dissections in the 17th century.

Climb the Asinelli Tower

Standing beside the slightly leaning Garisenda Tower, it dates back to the 12th century when wealthy families competed to build taller and taller towers throughout the city. Bologna once had over 100 medieval towers like this, though only a fraction remain today.

Climbing the Asinelli Tower involves nearly 500 wooden steps, but the view from the top is absolutely worth it.

From above, you’ll get panoramic views across Bologna’s terracotta rooftops, church domes and the surrounding Emilia-Romagna countryside

You need to book a time slot in advance because people can't go up and down at the same time because the steps are too narrow. I recommend booking a time slot right before sunset so you can witness it from the top because it's absolutely stunning.

2026 Update: I’ve learned that the Tower is closed due to restoration work, so make sure to double check if it's still closed before you plan your trip. Even though you can't walk up, it's a pretty cool sight just from the ground as well.

Walk Under Bologna’s Famous Porticoes

One of the most unique things about Bologna is its endless network of covered walkways known as porticoes.

The city has more than 60 kilometers of porticoes, many dating back hundreds of years. They were originally built to expand living space in the growing medieval city, but today they’ve become one of Bologna’s defining features and are even UNESCO-listed.

Walking beneath them becomes part of everyday life here. Some feel grand and elegant, while others are narrow, atmospheric, and slightly worn in the best possible way.

They also make Bologna perfect to explore year-round because you’re protected from both rain and summer heat.

I think some of the most beautiful stretches can be found around:

• Via Farini
• Strada Maggiore
• Piazza Santo Stefano
• The San Luca Portico

So no matter where you go in Bologna, make sure to look up occasionally because you might just be walking below one of the most stunning porticoes.

Walk to the Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca

This ended up being one of my favorite experiences in Bologna.

The Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca sits on a hill overlooking the city and is connected to Bologna by the world’s longest continuous portico. The covered walkway stretches for almost four kilometers and includes over 600 arches.

The walk itself is part of the experience. As you slowly climb uphill, the city views become better and better, and the atmosphere becomes quieter and greener.

Once you reach the sanctuary, you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views over Bologna and the surrounding countryside. And the sanctuary in itself is beautiful.

You can choose to pay an extra fee to walk to the top of the sanctuary. I did this, but I honestly think the views were more than good enough from the ground level.

You can also take the San Luca Express tourist train or a taxi if you don’t want to walk both ways. You’ll find the San Luca Express tourist train near Piazza Maggiore, so just check the updated times there.

Explore the Quadrilatero Market District

If you love food, this area will quickly become one of your favorite places in Bologna.

Located just off Piazza Maggiore, the Quadrilatero is a maze of narrow streets filled with traditional food shops, pasta stores, wine bars, bakeries, cheese counters, and delicatessens.

This has been Bologna’s market district since medieval times, and it still feels incredibly lively and authentic.

As you wander through the streets, you’ll see fresh handmade pasta hanging in shop windows, giant wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano, prosciutto and mortadella sliced to order as well as locals stopping for quick glasses of wine

This is one of the best areas to experience Bologna’s famous food culture. They have som pretty touristy restaurant, but if you take your time you’ll find some gems where all the locals go for lunch as well.

Eat your way through Bologna with a local guide

Try the best dishes in Bologna with a local guide showing you the best spots in the city.

Join a cooking class in Bologna

Learn how to make pasta Ragu from scratch

Eat Traditional Tagliatelle al Ragù

One of the biggest mistakes travelers make in Bologna is ordering “spaghetti bolognese.”

In Bologna, the traditional dish is tagliatelle al ragù — fresh egg pasta served with a slow-cooked meat sauce that’s much richer and less tomato-heavy than versions found abroad.

And honestly? It’s incredible. You can't really leave Bologna without at least trying it once. You can find some of my favourite spots to eat further down.

Visit the Mercato delle Erbe

For a more local and less touristy food market experience, head to Mercato delle Erbe.

This covered market is packed with fresh produce, cheese counters, seafood, pasta vendors as well as casual restaurants and wine bars

It’s a great place for lunch or a relaxed evening aperitivo.

The atmosphere feels much more local than some of the more famous market streets near Piazza Maggiore.

Visit Santo Stefano

Piazza Santo Stefano is one of the prettiest and most atmospheric areas in Bologna.

The square feels quieter and more local than Piazza Maggiore, and is surrounded by elegant buildings, cafés, and one of the city’s most fascinating religious complexes.

The Basilica di Santo Stefano is often called the “Seven Churches,” though today not all are connected anymore. It's worth a visit inside, but you probably wont spend ages on here.

The surrounding streets are also perfect for wandering slowly, especially in the evening when the area becomes incredibly atmospheric.

Experience Bologna’s Aperitivo Culture

I know this isn't just a thing in Bologna, but I'm still adding it!

In the late afternoon, locals gather at wine bars and cafés for pre-dinner drinks accompanied by small snacks or buffet spreads. Compared to cities like Milan, Bologna’s aperitivo scene feels a bit more relaxed and less polished — which honestly makes it even better.

Some popular drinks are:

• Aperol Spritz (I personally don't like this one. If you're the same give Hugo Spritz a try instead)
• Negroni
• Local Lambrusco wine (soooo good!)

You can find some of my favourite aperotivo bars further down.

Discover Bologna’s Hidden Canals

Most people don’t know that Bologna once had an extensive canal system similar to Venice.

Many canals were later covered over as the city expanded, but parts still remain hidden beneath the streets.

One of the best places to see them is through the small window on Via Piella, often called Bologna’s “little Venice.”

It’s a tiny hidden detail, but one that makes Bologna feel even more charming.

If you’ve seen videos on TikTok of Bologna you've no doubt seen some of these cute windows and people opening them to peek in. When I was there the opening function was not there anymore, but it's still an incredibly pretty sight.

I think some of them were pretty hard to find and if you're walking around the area you'll either see a line of people already looking or you'll be the first and have to find it yourself.

Take a Day Trip from Bologna

One of the best things about Bologna is how perfectly located it is for exploring the Emilia-Romagna region. You don't have to leave Bologna to have a good time, but if you want to explore more of the area I highly recommend a visit to the nearby towns of Parma famous for Parma ham and Modena famous for balsamic vinegar and the Ferrari museum.

I've also heard great things about Ravenna and Dozza, buy I haven't personally been there yet.

I always book all my longer train tickets in Italy through Omio and can highly recommend them. If you're just taking the local train a couple of stops you probably don't need to book in advance, but if you're taking the express train that goes between major cities like Rome and Milan,I highly recommend booking a ticket in advance even though you're not going many stops, especially if it's during summer months.

Best Hotels in Bologna

Bologna is fairly compact, and most attractions are walkable no matter where you choose to base yourself. If it's your first Tim in Bologna it can be nice to base yourself close to the historic center so you're close to all the major sttractions. The atmosphere here is lively, beautiful, and perfect for walking everywhere.

If you're looking for more of a nightlife scene or need to find a more budget friendly hotel the University district might be a good fit for you.

Alternatively you can choose to base yourself in the very pretty, but more calm.area around Santo Stefano. If you're staying for a while I recommend this area, but if you' re just here for a short trip I would look for something closer to the historic center.

Hotel Corona d'Oro 1890 ($850 per night)

If you're looking for the best hotel in Bologna, this is it. You're in the heart of the traffic free zone of the historic center. The hotel has a great mixture of

Art Hotel Commercianti ($470 per night)

This historic building used to be Bolognas Town Hall in the 12th century and is now restored to one of Bolognas most popular hotels. The restoration process has preserved all the distinctive features of this architectural gem, from vaulted ceilings to wooden beams.

Dopa Hostel ($70 per night)

If you're looking for a budget friendly, and yet nice stay this is your best bet. It has various rooms to choose from, both shared and private and is located in the heart of the city. It

Best Places to Eat in Bologna

Bologna is by many considered the culinary capital of Italy. This is where tagliatelle al ragù was born, where mortadella comes from, and where every second storefront seems to sell handmade pasta. You will not have a problem finding exepctionally good food in this city. If you want some tips, here are my favourite spots.

Osteria dell’Orsa

Probably Bologna’s most famous casual pasta spot. It's affordable, authentic, and always busy so prepare to stand in line and share a table with others.

Sfoglia Rina

A perfect spot for some fresh handmade pasta for lunch.

Trattoria di Via Serra

One of the best traditional restaurants in Bologna. It's cozy, local, and the food is absolutely delicious. I highly recommend making reservations ahead of time.

Tamburini

Not a restaurant per se, but perfect for aperitivo boards filled with local meats and cheeses. Have some for lunch, snack or small dinner.

Cremeria Santo Stefano

My favourite gelato spot in the city.

Best Bars & Aperitivo Spots in Bologna

As already mentions, Bologna has an amazing aperitivo culture and I highly recommend adding time for an aperitivo every day after exploring the city.

Some of my favourite spots are:

• Le Stanze
• Marsalino
• Banco 32
• Ruggine
• Camera a Sud

I find that the best evenings here usually involve slowly moving between wine bars and aperitivo spots.

How Many Days Do You Need in Bologna?

Bologna is the kind of pace you can spend a long time just wandering around without getting bored, but if you want to see the highlights I recommend 2–4 days. That gives you enough time to explore the city slowly, eat and drinking at various spots, and potentially take a day trip.

Honestly though, Bologna is one of those places that becomes more enjoyable the longer you stay.

Best Time to Visit Bologna

The best months to visit Bologna are:

• April to June
• September to October

During these months, temperatures are pleasant and the city feels lively without the intense summer heat.

Summer can get extremely hot, especially in July and August, when temperatures regularly climb above 35°C. Since this is a city without beach access and not many hotels offer pools, I would try to avoid the hottest months.

I visited in October and found it to be the perfect time.

How to Get to Bologna

Bologna is incredibly well connected and easy to reach from almost anywhere in Italy.

Flying to Bologna

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is located only around 20 minutes from the city center. You can easily reach the center by taxi, but the Marconi Express Monorail is super easy and affordable. It doesn't stop in the historic district, but form the end of the monorail station you can easily grab a taxi or jump on one of the local busses. Buy a ticket at one of the Tobacco shops you'll find around teh city and you're good to go.

Getting to Bologna By Train

Bolognas location in the centre of Italy makes it perfect for train travel. You can easily catch a fast train from all the major cities on Italy. If you find that flights are cheaper to Milan or Florence for instance just fly there and take the train the last part of the trip.

Here are some of the best connectons from Bologna:

• Florence (around 40 minutes)
• Milan (around 1 hour)
• Venice (around 1.5 hours)
• Rome (around 2 hours)

Is Bologna Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Bologna feels like the Italy many travelers are secretly searching for without really knowing. It's beautiful, historic, filled with amazing food, lively, but still authentic. And you have some of the most stunning nature and smaller villages in the area around.

After visiting Bologna, I honestly don't understand why I hadn't heard of it before and why it's not more popular.

I hope this helps you plan your upcoming adventure to Bologna and Italy. If you have any questions about travel in Italy, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid