You should keep a list of the best things to do in Bologna if you’re visiting this delightful Italian city and want to make the most of your stay. You will surely want to take note of the activities you should do when visiting, so read on to find out the top things to do in Bologna we’ve handpicked for you.
Bologna is known as La Dotta (“the learned one”) for having the oldest and actively functioning university, La Grassa (“the fat one”) because of the well-known Bolognese cuisine, and La Rossa (“the red one”) for its political views as anti-fascist and leftist. It is the city in Italy you don’t want to miss for the world.
Bologna is in north of Florence, between the Reno and Savena rivers. It is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in the northern part of Italy and also its largest city.
10 Best Things To Do in Bologna, Italy
Bologna is one of the most famous cities in the country. There are various reasons to visit this stunning city – from Bolognese sauce ragù, to Parmigiano Reggiano and tortellini, to historical and famous places like churches, school, museums, towers, plazas, and porticoes. Bologna should definitely be included in your grand Italian vacation!
With all that being said, here are the best things to do in Bologna, Italy.
1. Start your journey at Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore
Piazza Maggiore is located at the center of Bologna, so a lot of things you want to discover is around this central square. First and foremost are the historical places that are easily accessible from Piazza Maggiore.
Just being in the plaza is a wonderful experience itself. Look around the open square and take photos of the historical structures, such as the Fountain of Neptune nearby, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bologna.
2. Discover the wonders of Basilica di San Petronio at Piazza Galvani
In the southeast of Piazza Maggiore lies Basilica di San Petronio, the 10th largest church in the world by volume. The church is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, San Petronio. He was the bishop of Bologna in the 15th century.
Although constructed in 1390, the façade was left unfinished. The church’s main doorways are embellished with scenes from the Old Testament while the interior is decorated with Madonna and Child with Saints and also a Pieta. A detailed ciborium is found above the main altar. The basilica has 22 side chapels.
You surely don’t want to miss checking out the left aisle of the church with the 219-foot meridian line marking by Giovanni Cassini from 1655. The terrace of the church provides the perfect view of Bologna, especially its two leaning towers.
Basilica di San Petronio opens daily from 7:45 AM to 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Access to the church is free.
A little reminder, though: You have to dress properly when stopping by the basilica. No shoulder or knees exposed, and hats off please.
3. Stroll around UNIBO (Alma Mater Studiorum- Unibersità di Bologna)
Exploring the oldest and most prestigious research university in the world simply is one of the best things to do in Bologna – and maybe in all of Italy.
UNIBO was founded in 1088. With the words Alma-Mater Studiorum engraved in the university logo, meaning “nourishing mother of studies,” it has produced a great number of successful graduates all throughout the years.
Spend some time at Via Zamboni where you can find the university’s faculties and immerse yourself in the student life.
It is free to access the UNIBO and stroll around anytime of the day except Saturday afternoon and the whole Sunday. The botanical garden in the university is one place you will love to see and stop by after your stroll. It is also a museum of various dried plants since the 16th century.
Travel through time with every historic building you can find here.
You can also access the Palazzo Poggi, a museum inside the university, for around €5. It exhibits various stuff related to geography, nautical studies, human anatomy, natural history, military, chemistry, and physics – just to name some.
The Museo della Specola, the tower of Specola can be found, houses the astronomical observatory with showcases various astronomical instruments used by Bolognese astronomers within the century. Access to Specola is around €5.
Don’t forget to check out Collegio di Spagna, too, which caters Spanish students.
4. Discover what’s inside the Archiginnasio of Bologna
Since the Archiginnasio used to be to be the main building of UNIBO, it is considered one of the most important buildings in the city, which you should definitely not miss a chance to discover and explore.
Be amazed with this historic piece of architecture, definitely one of the best attractions in Bologna. You can find a courtyard at the center inside the building and take a peek at the almost endless Municipal Library, as well as the Anatomical Theater where the 17th century anatomical hall made of wood with intricate carvings is located. The Anatomical Theater is also where the first scientific study of the human body took place.
Entry to the Archiginnasio costs around €3. Opens Monday to Friday 9 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 2PM, and closes on Sundays.
5. View Bologna from up the Two Towers
One of the best way to enjoy your Bologna visit is to view the city from the top.
The two leaning towers can be found in the road intersection to the five gates of the old ring wall. They were named after two distinctive Italian families: the Asinellis and the Garisendas.
The Asinelli Tower, the taller one, is 97.2 meters high with 498 steps. It used to be a detention and a fortress. Located at Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, with a wooden staircase that will lead you to the top and platforms to take a rest in between, the Asinelli Tower is definitely an unforgettable climb. Bologna from this different angle is a picturesque landscape with a wonderful sight to from the top.
The Garisenda is the smaller and more leaning tower. It stands 48 meters, with most striking tilt.
A climb to one or both of the towers is denitely among the fun things to do in Bologna.
6. Dig in at the Bologna Civic Archaeological Museum
Know Bologna deeper as you dig in the archives of the Bolognia Archaeological Museum. From the Prehistoric era to the Etruscan, Celtics, Greek, Egyptian, Numimastic, with collections from the Bronze Age – you can spend hours here!
Spend around €6 in this history-rich building.
7. Go modern at MAMbo (Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna)
Enough of Bologna’s old history? Let’s go modern, then.
The Bologna Modern Art Gallery can be found in a former bakery. The 9,500 square meters of modern and fluid architectural design displays permanent and loaned art collections. It is now the center of creative and experimental works. Most importantly, the museum exhibits the collection of Bologna native Giorgio Morandi, a famous Italian still life painter.
There is a €6 admission ticket which can be reduced depending on age if you visit the place.
8. Walk along the porticoes
Photo by Carlo Pelagalli via Wikimedia Commons
A lot of well-preserved porticoes are available at Bologna, which are definitely among the most recognizable attractions in Bologna. These porticoes are worth the walk as they are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the cultural and architectural heritage of the city.
The Arco Bonaccorsi serves as the entrance to a 4-kilometer portico which is the longest in Bologna – the Portico of San Luca. It caters 665 other arches as well.
Along the way, you can check more historical structures like the Madonna di San Luca Sanctuary, a church on a hill and a well-known city landmark.
There is also the “Portico of Death,” where, in ancient times, a hospital nearby was built.
These famous porticoes are essential as they provide protection from the summer sun as well as the winter snow and winds.
9. Indulge yourself at Bologna’s FICO Eataly World
Undeniably, no one should ever go hungry while they are in Bologna, Italy!
When it comes to food which Bologna is known for, the FICO Eataly World is the best place to be. This food-centric theme park is located on Via Paolo Canali 8.
Fill your stomach and indulge yourself in the park’s various themes such as the salami and cheese theme, pasta, oil and sweets, and wine, as well as game and sports theme.
From various restaurants available to street foods, factories with shows in multimedia, an animal farm, and the 6-meter-high cheese, as well as an actual pizza kneading show – surely, food and fun await at FICO.
FICO unlimited pass throughout the year costs €29 per pax while ticket valid for 1 day costs €10 each. Shuttle buses are available for free for every ticket holder on weekends.
You shouldn’t miss it, considering a food trip is an absolutely must in the list of best things to do in Bologna.
10. Go shopping and sightseeing at Quadrilatero
Being the oldest market in Bologna, everything Bolognese that you would want to buy or see is available at Quadrilatero.
Located at Via Drapperie, explore the narrow ancient-like market that will also give you access to shopping malls like Galeria Cavour where luxury brands are available and the historical Middle Market which was modernized and is a popular dining and shopping center.
From food to merchandise, special handicrafts, luxury stuff, and historical ambiance, Quadrilatero has it all for you.