Bologna, Italy

Bologna

Kilometres of porticoes, medieval towers and Italy's best food city.

  • All year
  • 2 nights
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
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Things to do

2 days in Bologna

Day 1

  1. MorningClimb the 498 steps of the Asinelli Tower, then see the Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune fountain.
  2. AfternoonBrowse the Quadrilatero food lanes, then walk the porticoes up to the San Luca sanctuary.
  3. EveningHave an aperitivo in Via del Pratello, then dinner in a trattoria.

Day 2

Day-trip to Modena for balsamic vinegar, or Parma for ham and cheese.

What to eat

Tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo and mortadella.

Local tips

Make the most of Bologna

Beat the crowds

Bologna is a living city, not a tourist town. Mornings are perfect for the market streets around Piazza Maggiore.

Best photo spot

Walk the long covered portico up to San Luca church on the hill for the view over the city and the countryside.

Getting there

The station has fast trains to Florence (35 min) and Milan. The centre is walkable and mostly covered by porticoes.

Don't miss nearby

Modena, 20 minutes by train, and Parma, both great food towns.

Good to know

The famous leaning towers have been closed for safety work; enjoy them from below. Bologna is the home of tagliatelle al ragù, not spaghetti bolognese.

Plan your visit

Getting to Bologna

Getting there

  • Bologna Airport (BLQ)6 km away
  • Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR)75 km away
  • Ferrara45 km away
  • Ravenna70 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forFood, Old towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay2 nights
CountryItaly

Questions

Bologna: good to know

Is Bologna worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like food and historic old towns. Kilometres of porticoes, medieval towers and Italy's best food city.

How many days do you need in Bologna?

Plan 2 nights. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Bologna?

You can visit all year. Bologna is a living city, not a tourist town. Mornings are perfect for the market streets around Piazza Maggiore.

How do you get to Bologna?

The nearest airport is Bologna Airport (BLQ), about 6 km away. The station has fast trains to Florence (35 min) and Milan. The centre is walkable and mostly covered by porticoes.

What is there to see near Bologna?

Nearby hidden places include Ferrara (44 km), Ravenna (69 km) and Florence (81 km).

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