Bologna completely charmed me. From the food to the porticos to the museums to food again. I really love this city. Dare I say I love it more than Rome and Venice. I said what I said. It should be the top of any Italian itinerary. I mean come on that food. It was some of the best I have ever eaten. Aside from the food, Bologna is absolutely beautiful; filled with great things to do from museums to wandering along the porticos. I can’t recommend visiting Bologna enough. If you need some travel inspiration for Bologna or help planning your next trip, keep scrolling. You will find the 11 best things to do in Bologna, Italy.
At Pragmatic Travelers, we only recommend what we have actually experienced and enjoyed. No round up from the internet. Just straight up/honest travel advice. Need a great restaurant? Check our our favorite restaurants in Bologna.
As a booking.com and Tripadvisor affiliate, I may earn a small commission on some of the links below, at no additional cost to you. As always, I only recommend what I have actually experienced so you know these recommendations are based on honesty rather a round up of internet research.
Best Place to Stay in Bologna
We stayed in a very small but cozy Airbnb while in Bologna. (Not affiliated with Airbnb.) It was clean, quiet and central. It is very small with only one bed so it won’t fit everyone’s needs. It was around a 20-25 minute walk from the train station. Also, there was a long flight of narrow stairs to the apartment so this won’t work for anyone who has mobility issues.
Not feeling this Airbnb? Check out the hotels in Bologna. I haven’t stayed in one so don’t have a specific one to recommend.
Best Things to do in Bologna
Wander the streets of Bologna
Bologna is the perfect city to wander and to get lost. The architecture of the city begs to be explored. There is a large university in the city which gives Bologna a buzzing youthful energy. (One of the oldest universities in the world. Built in 1088.) Truly just enjoy being in this beautiful city.
PRO TIP: Visit Bologna between Saturday and Sunday. The city closes down the main historic/shopping area to cars. So it becomes a giant pedestrian area, perfect for exploring Bologna. Here is some local information on what happens on the weekend.
Experience the Porticos
The porticos of Bologna (UNECO Heritage Sites) are nearly as famous as its food. Bologna’s porticos cover 62 kilometers of the city providing protection from the hot sun and rain. They are perfect for exploring and for relaxing with an espresso or aperitivo. Make sure to look up while exploring the porticos. Some are just downright beautiful such as Via Farini.
This portico self guided tour looks pretty great. I didn’t follow this while exploring Bologna but it doesn’t seem too bad.
Free Walking Tour
This Bologna Free Walking Tour was excellent. A tour guide well versed in the history of city takes you around all the famous sites. It was a great way to experience and learn about the history of Bologna. I highly recommend this tour. It was about 2 hours long and I saw so much of the city that I would have missed. You can book your tour online with the link above. Also don’t be a jerk and leave a decent tip.
Visit Piazza Maggiore
Bologna’s central square and and the heart of the city. This large square is surrounded with important buildings like Basilica of San Petronio. The piazza dates back to 1200 and is a sight to see. Absolutely stunning and breathtaking. It is a must visit. While exploring the piazza make sure to visit the Fountain of Neptune.
Visit Basilica di San Petronio
Located in the Piazza Maggiore. You can’t miss the half completed Basilica. (See picture at the top of the page.) I loved standing in the piazza and really taking in this Basilica. It is just beautiful and interesting to look at. It is said that the construction of this basilica was halted by the Catholic Church in order to build Archiginnasio. The façade has remained unfinished. The inside is majestic and overwhelmingly large. Make sure to stop and appreciate the organ in the Music Chapel. It is the oldest still in use.
PRO TIP: Bring a scarf if you are visiting on a hot summer day. Often churches in Italy will ask people to cover their exposed shoulders or knees. A large thin scarf will do the trick.
Go Shopping on Via Drapperie
Located in the Quadrilatero area. It is a narrow cobblestoned street filled with food, flower vendors and clothing shops. It is charming and tasty. The perfect spot for people watching with a Spritz. Don’t forget to wander the different side streets around Via Drapperie.
Rest in Piazza Santo Stefano
I am obsessed with this. I sat in this piazza with a spritz and just enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and people watching. It is a gorgeous piazza. Really don’t skip this. It is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy Bologna. Plus the Basilica of Santo Stefano (seven churches) is in this piazza. Sadly, we didn’t get to visit this Basilica. It was opened to the public at different times when we went so we always missed our chance.
Go Exploring for Towers
There are over 20 towers in Bologna. Most towers were built by powerful families during the 12th/13 centuries. Our walking tour guide explained that they became a symbol of wealth and power with the added benefit of protection. The most popular/well known towers in Bologna are Asinelli and Garisenda. Both are leaning and are like beacons drawing you in as you explore the historic center of Bologna. You can climb the 498 stairs of Asinelli for under $6.00 and have an incredible view of the city.
Eat All of the Food
Bologna is the foodie capital of Italy. Museums are cool and all but in Bologna the real attraction is the food. From ragu to tortellini to mortadella, there are so many tasty things to eat. Eat your way through the Quadrilatero and Mercato delle Erbe. Get a snack of cold cuts or a small tigelle sandwich then a bowl of ragu. Share with a friend so you can try more. Just eat as much as you can. Don’t you dare go to any American chains in Bologna. That would be a huge mistake.
Check out the best restaurants in Bologna to help your travel planning.
Pro tip: Overwhelmed by the tasty bites? Check out this great food tour! We got to eat great local food and learn about the city. Our guide was wonderful and engaging. We loved our time with Secret Food Tours in Bologna.
Visit the Anatomical Theatre and Library of Archiginnasio
The Archiginnasio palace is one of the most important buildings in Bologna. It is apart of the University of Bologna and has been home to the municipal library since 1838. The library is quite remarkable and goes on forever. The public is only limited to a few glances as it is closed to all but students. The real showstopper is the Anatomical Theatre. It was carved out of spruce starting in 1637 to teach anatomy. The decorations are elaborate and beautiful. There is even a sculpture of Hippocrates. The entrance fee is quite affordable being under $5.00 a person. The entrance fee also includes access to a beautiful and elaborately decorated courtyard. A must visit!
Go on a Day Trip
Bologna is the perfect base for exploring the food corridor of Italy. Hop on a quick train to Modena to sample delicious balsamic vinegar and to visit the Ferrari museum. Plus, the city is lovely to walk around.
Get back on that train and visit Parma where you can join factory tours for Parmigiano Reggiano and/or Prosciutto di Parma. We loved our tour with Parma Look. We learned so much about how Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma is made. We got to go through nearly every part of the production process. We had so many samples and great local wine that we didn’t need a lunch. The guides were fantastic, knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend this tour with Parma Look. Parma is also great for just exploring. I loved this small city.
Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the Parma Cathedral. It is one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever visited. The interior is covered in frescos. It was breathtaking.
Bologna is a special city. Make sure to include it on any trip to Italy. Use this list of the 11 best things to do in Bologna, Italy to fuel your wanderlust and make your planning easier. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
