Bologna Italy: 20 Best Things to Do (2025 Travel Guide)

Bologna is one of my favourite cities in Europe. Without the overwhelming crowds of Venice or Florence, this Italian gem rewards you with world-class cuisine, medieval architecture, and rich cultural heritage.

The city’s character is captured in its many local nicknames: la rossa (the red one, for its terracotta buildings and left-wing politics), la dotta (the learned, home to the Western world’s oldest university), la grassa (the fat one, celebrating its unmatched cuisine), and la turrita (the towered, for its striking medieval skyline). Each nickname tells part of Bologna’s story.

In this complete guide I cover the 20 best things to do in Bologna in 2025, and everything else you need to know to plan your trip.

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Historic Landmarks and Architecture in Bologna

Marvel at the Archiginnasio

For us, this was Bologna’s most uniquely interesting sight. If there’s one thing Bologna is famous for across the globe (except for, of course, bolognese…) it’s its university: the oldest in the Western world, dating back almost 1,000 years. From the 16th to the 19th century, the Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio was the university’s main building.

It’s free to enter, and quite a sight to behold. As well as being a marvellous palazzo, the walls and ceilings are covered in coats of arms. Each one represents the city or country of a real student at the university, and their name.

These coats of arms were added continuously until the 18th century, and you can find coats of arms commemorating students from every corner of Europe. It gives a real sense of the international importance of the city. You feel a real connection to the history, knowing these marks were left by those who once walked, and studied, in these halls. 

The best bit – the Anatomical Theatre

Although entrance to the building is free, you have to pay a small entrance fee (3 euros as of 2024) for the most interesting sight: the 17th century Anatomical Theatre. This cedar-panelled lecture hall was once used for anatomy lessons and public human dissections. It’s entirely made out of wood, and creepy as hell. Among the decorates are two carvings of human figures called ‘the Skinned’ and a cherub handing a seated female figure not a flower, but a femur bone.

For this small fee, you can also get entry to the Stabat Master Hall – a dramatic lecture hall which was used by law students.

I wrote more about the history of The Archiginnasio, Bologna for my Building of the Week series.

Fun fact: Legend has it that the Archiginnasio is located where it is because of an intervention from the Pope. He wanted to stop the San Petronio church (next in the list) from being bigger than St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. So he encouraged the construction of the Archiginnasio, blocking off what would have been one of the churches horizontal arms.

The unfinished, unusual Basilica di San Petronio

This awe-inspiring, imposing basilica in Bologna’s main square is Europe’s sixth largest church. It was meant to be even bigger than St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, but it was never finished.

The horizontal arms to the church were never built (blocked by the Archiginnasio). From Via dell’Archiginnasio you can still see to the side of the church a cut off section, which looks like its been sawed off by a knife.

Its façade was also never completed. This leaves us with the unusual dichotomy we see today. The bottom half is in white marble (which was meant to cover the whole facade) and a top half in red brick. Still, it’s an incredible sight (in my opinion only more so because of these quirks!) and one of the most impressive religious buildings in northern Italy.

Inside are a couple of interesting sights too. Firstly, you’ll find a nearly 70 metre long sundial stretching down the eastern side (which helped lead to the creation of the leap year!). Elsewhere you’ll find Cappella Bolognini, depicting Heaven and Hell from Dante’s Divine Comedy. In this chapel is also a rare and controversial public depiction of the Prophet Muhammed. It’s often heavily guarded.

Other religious sights in Bologna

Bologna might not have the famous religious landmarks you’ll find in other Italian cities. But it has some beautiful, historic and interesting churches with important artworks and frescoes. A few highlights include:

• San Colombano – one of Bologna’s most beautiful churches, with original frescoes and a collection of historic musical instruments (7 euros entry)
• San Domenico – an important basilica, which features some relatively unknown sculptures by the great Michelangelo
• Basilica di Santo Stefano – a labyrinth of seven churches (though only four are now intact) from throughout the centuries. Free to visit and an interesting mishmash of architectural styles from throughout the centuries.

Explore Bologna’s porticos 

One of the most interesting things about Bologna (and an absolute god-send in the sweltering sun…) is its porticoes. Just about every street is covered by long, arched porticoes. In total, there are more than 60km of porticoes in Bologna, and they’re a UNESCO world heritage site.

This comes from the city’s university history. With so many students, it needed more space. So, to avoid narrowing the streets, it was made law that buildings on every street over a certain width needed porticoes. This allowed extra space in the building to house students!

The result of centuries of porticoes is magnificent. A truly unique urban landscape, and a wonderful mishmash of architectural and decorative styles. For example you’ll find old wooden, medieval porticoes still standing outside Casa Isolani; to grand renaissance style, intricate frescoes, and impossibly tall ones. Walking around and looking up at the porticoes makes exploring Bologna a delight. 

Take the long walk to Bologna’s famous hilltop Basilica

Starting from Bologna’s medieval city walls, the walk to Basilica Santuario della Madonna di San Luca is an absolute must when you’re in the city. At almost 4km, the walk takes you along the longest portico in the world, snaking up a hill towering over the city to an impressive church with even more impressive views.

The church is important because it houses a black representation of the Virgin Mary, said to have been painted by St Luke and brought to Bologna from the Middle East. But visiting the Basilica isn’t really about the church, it’s about the walk. 

Starting from Porta Saragozza, the first half is relatively flat (and to be honest, not that interesting). The main sights are the Arco del Meloncello, a gorgeous pedestrian bridge which was built to ensure the entire walk was porticoed, and Bologna’s football stadium, Renato Dall’Ara Stadium, a 1920s stadium which was once adorned by a large statue of Mussolini.

The second half is almost entirely uphill, on stairs. It’s quite a challenge. But the views of the red-hued old city and into the surrounding countryside, both on the walk and when you reach the top, are magnificent. 

If the walk sounds too much, you can get a train to the top. This starts in Piazza Maggiore in the centre of Bologna. You can book the train in advance here.

Explore Bologna’s main square, Piazza Maggiore

Everything in Bologna’s old town is centred around its main square, Piazza Maggiore. It’s the centre of Bologna’s political and social life, often teeming with people or public events, and a great starting point for your explorations.

Around the square are a number of bars and cafes, making it a great spot for people watching. Its main sight is the hulking basilica of San Petronio. But there are a number of other interesting landmarks in the square worth exploring:

• The Fountain of Neptune: A Renaissance-style fountain depicting the god of the sea with four angels at his feet, representing the Ganges, the Nile, the Amazon and the Danube – rivers from each of the four continents known at the time it was built (1566). Neptune symbolises the power of the Pope, who ruled Bologna and the surrounding land in the way Neptune ruled the sea.
• Palazzo d’Accursio: Bologna’s town hall complex, dating from the 14th century. From the square you can enter into a small courtyard and passageway, where you’ll find a cool small public gallery. For centuries, it was tradition for the pictures of those who would be married at the town hall to line the walls. Now, you can take a selfie on a public machine, and you’ll then appear on the gallery. Alongside this is a series of ‘then and now’ digital photos of Bologna. By walking towards the digital screens, you see how the city has changed.
• The whispering walls of Bologna: Walk through the small passageway in the centre of the square (put ‘Telefono senza fili’ into Google Maps if you’re struggling to find it!) and you’ll find one of Bologna’s more unusual sights. The architecture of the walls in the passage way means that you can stand in opposite corners, facing the walls, and hear each other perfectly. Legend has it it these whispering walls were used by lepers in mediaeval times, to confess their sins without getting too close to the priests. 

Top tip: Go on a walking tour

Piazza Maggiore is the starting point for most of the city’s walking tours. I can’t recommend a walking tour of the city enough. It’s a great way to learn more about its history, to find hidden gems, and to understand Bologna better. Most walking tours will take you to many of the sights on this list, too. You can book the top rated option here.

Look up at Bologna’s two towers

One of Bologna’s many nicknames is the Medieval Manhattan – so called because of the huge number of towers that popped up in the Middle Ages. Modern estimates suggest that at its peak, Bologna was home to around 100 towers. Many were built for defensive purposes, some simply as a sign of wealth.

Most no longer exist. But two remain, known as Bologna’s two towers, and they’re the city’s main symbol. Both have significant drunken leans.

The tallest of the two (Torre degli Asinelli, at 97.2m) was open to the public until 2023, when it was closed for safety reasons. So now, sadly, you can’t climb either tower. But either way, they’re a great landmark, literally towering over much of the old town. 

Museums & Cultural Experiences in Bologna

Visit Bologna’s museums and galleries

As a historic university town, Bologna is filled with interesting galleries and museums. Many of these museums are somewhat hidden gems. Some of the best include:

• Museo della Storia di Bologna: A modern, interactive museum telling the story of the history of the city. 10 euros entry. Visit website.
• Pinacoteca Nazionale: Bologna’s main art gallery, especially notable for featuring local artists from the 14th century onwards. 6 euro entry. Visit website.
• The university museums: Found in Palazzo Poggi, a 14th century palace, are three university museums: the Observatory Museum (guided tour only, 5 euros) which includes a tower; Museo di Palazzo Poggi, featuring anatomical bodies, ship models and old maps; and the free European Student Museum, covering student life. Entry is 5 euros – visit website.
• Museum of Modern Art Bologna: Known as MAMBO, this is Bologna’s premier modern art gallery, showcasing Italian art from the Second World War to today. Found in the building of an old bakery. Entry includes the adjoining Morandi Museum, the world’s largest collection of work by Bologna’s most famous artistic export, Giorgio Morandi.  6 euros. Visit website.

Visit the stunning Palazzo della Musicala

Worthy of a mention all on its own is this stunning and unique museum. Its full name is ‘Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica di Bologna’, and it’s one of the most important collections of musical artefacts in the world.

Spanning centuries of European music history it includes extinct instruments, important documents and original sheet music from many of the greats. It’s one of the reasons that Bologna is a UNESCO Creative City of Music.

Part of the museum’s allure, though, is the building itself. Housed in Palazzo Sanguinetti, the former home of Napoleon’s Italian minister, it’s a remarkable setting for the beautiful displays of instruments, with intricately decorated elegant room after room.

It’s not a massive museum, and the information provided in English can be sparse. But it’s a lovely way to spend an hour, and well worth a visit. Your small entry fee includes access to the temporary exhibits hosted by the museum, often about more contemporary music.
5 euro entry. Visit website.

Food and Culinary Experiences in Bologna

Bologna isn’t called la grassa (the fat one) for nothing. This is Italy’s undisputed food capital, where some of the country’s most iconic dishes were born. From rich ragú to delicate tortellini, eating in Bologna is an experience in itself.

Must-Try Bologna Dishes

Before you start exploring restaurants, here’s what you absolutely need to try:

Tagliatelle al ragú – The original Bolognese sauce (never served with spaghetti!) features slow-cooked meat in a tomato base, served with fresh egg pasta. This is what made Bologna famous worldwide.

Tortellini in brodo – Small pasta parcels filled with meat, served in a rich capon broth. A traditional Christmas dish that’s available year-round.

Lasagne alla Bolognese – Layers of fresh pasta, ragú, béchamel sauce, and Parmigiano Reggiano. The authentic version is nothing like what you’ll find elsewhere.

Mortadella – Bologna’s famous cured meat, infinitely better than the processed version found abroad. Try it fresh-sliced at the market.

Cotoletta alla Bolognese – A breaded veal cutlet topped with prosciutto and melted Parmigiano Reggiano.

Tortellini alla panna – Tortellini in cream sauce – rich, indulgent, and perfect comfort food.

Don’t forget that Parma is just a short train ride away, meaning you’ll find exceptional Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma throughout the city.

Best Restaurants in Bologna

Bologna is foodie-heaven, and most restaurants are knock-outs – though its best to avoid the especially touristy areas around the Quadrilatero area. Here are some of the best restaurants to try.

Local Favorites (€€)

Osteria dell’Orsa
Brilliant, long-standing joint serving traditional food in the university quarter. Always buzzing with locals, generous portions, and reasonable prices. The tagliatelle al ragú is exceptional.

Hostaria San Carlino
A lovely tucked-away restaurant with a cozy atmosphere. Book ahead as it’s small and popular with those in the know.

Osteria Santa Caterina
A step up in price but worth it for special occasions. Popular with locals who want to celebrate. Excellent wine list.

Budget-Friendly Options (€)

Trattoria di Via Serra
No-frills, authentic, and affordable. Cash only.

Sfoglia Rina
Fresh pasta shop that also serves simple, delicious dishes at lunch.

Where to Avoid

The restaurants immediately around Piazza Maggiore and in the Quadrilatero market area tend to be tourist traps with inflated prices and mediocre food. Walk just two streets away and you’ll find much better options.

Explore Bologna’s Markets

Bologna’s markets are where the city’s culinary heart beats loudest. From historic covered halls to authentic neighborhood markets, these are the best places to see (and taste) Bologna’s legendary food culture in action. In the centre of town, there are two main markets:

• Mercato di Mezzo – Bologna’s historic covered market, recently renovated. While it’s become quite touristy, it’s still worth visiting to see the incredible displays of fresh pasta, cheese, and cured meats. Great for a quick lunch at the food stalls upstairs.
• Mercato delle Erbe – A more authentic local market where Bolognese residents do their daily shopping. You’ll find fresh produce, meat, fish, and several affordable food stalls. Much less touristy than Mercato di Mezzo.

There are plenty of other options too, including seasonal markets and fresh farmers markets. I wrote a full guide to Bologna’s markets for Epicure and Culture, which you can read here.

Take a local cooking class

While you’re in town, why not learn how to cook like a local? Here are some of the top-rated cooking experiences in Bologna:

• Bologna: Pasta Making Class with Tagliatelle and Ragú
• Authentic Focaccia Cooking Class in Bologna
• Bologna: Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine
• Bologna: Pasta Cooking Class, Ragu, Spritz, and Mr. Gelato
• Bologna: Original Lasagna & Gelato Class at a Cooking School

Discover Bologna’s Character: Neighborhoods, Bars & Hidden Corners

Hang out in Bologna’s cool bars

Bologna is a cool city. Like, really cool. As well as being a uni town filled with students, it has long had a history for radical progressive politics. Along its graffiti strewn, narrow streets you’ll find plenty of awesome bars. A few favourites are:

• Senza Nome: Found outside Bologna’s market hall is a square with several popular bars. Best of the bunch is Senza Nome, Bologna’s only deaf-person owned and managed bar. You order using Italian sign language (there are little paper slips to help you along).
• Camera a Sud: A hipster’s paradise down a narrow alleyway in the uber-cool Ghetto Ebraico, usually filled with students from the university.
• Caffe Rubik: Just around the corner from the more famous Camera a Sud, a bit of a hidden gem popular with locals. Extremely affordable, equally as edgy as Camera a Sud, very friendly, and with tables spilling out onto the street under the porticoes.
• Gallery16: A bar-cum-record store which sometimes has live music and DJ sets.

Get lost in the maze of the Quadrilatero 

Found to the east of Piazza Maggiore are the bustling streets of Quadrilatero. It’s a compact district, known as the main market area of the city, made up of narrow medieval lanes. Many of its shops have been here for generations. It’s a great place to buy gifts or admire the beautiful piles of food.

That being said, avoid eating out here. It’s the one place in the city (alongside Piazza Maggiore) which is known to be a bit of a tourist trap.

Go to Bologna’s Little Venice

Bologna has had canals since the 12th century. At its height, there were 60km of canals in the city, a vital part in the town’s flourishing economy. But in the 1950s and ’60s, most of these canals were covered over, making space for buildings and car parks. 

Nowadays you won’t find many canals at all in Bologna’s old centre. But one famous spot is Finestrella di Via Piella, a window onto one of the last visible sections.

Don’t get your hopes up though. Little Venice is a bit of a grandiose term for what is essentially one pretty view. It is cool, though – a literal small window that you have to push open for Bologna’s most Instagrammable spot. Sometimes there’s a bit of a queue of tourists lining up for the view.

Explore the wider region – day trips from Bologna

As one of Northern Italy’s major transport hubs, Bologna is a great gateway – both to the criminally underrated wider Emilia-Romagna region, and to other parts of Northern Italy. You can easily visit some of Italy’s big hitters like Venice and Lake Garda, as well as lesser known cities such as Ravenna. Read my guide of the top day trips and how to get to each of them here.

Where to Stay in Bologna

Bologna is wonderfully compact, making it easy to explore on foot from virtually anywhere in the historic center. The entire old town sits within the medieval city walls – now a ring road – with everything you’ll want to see within a 15-20 minute walk of Piazza Maggiore.

Here’s my guide to the best neighborhoods and hotels, based on what suits different types of travelers.

Centro Storico (Historic Center) – Best for First-Time Visitors

Why stay here: This is the heart of Bologna – porticoed streets, terracotta buildings, and that and all the top sights. You’ll be steps from Piazza Maggiore, the Two Towers, and the best restaurants. It’s the most atmospheric area, though you’ll pay a premium for the location.

Centro Storico is also home to many of Bologna’s most elegant and luxury hotels.

Best hotels in Bologna Centro Storico:

• Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni
  Bologna’s most prestigious hotel, 5* and housed in an 18th-century palace. Think chandeliers, marble, velvet, four-poster beds – pure old-world Italian luxury. The I Carracci restaurant is stunning, with authentic frescoes. If you’re celebrating something special, this is where to do it.
• Art Hotel Orologio
  A near unbeatable location, close to Piazza Maggiore, but still quiet, with romantic Italian-style rooms and beautiful decor.
• Hotel Corona d’Oro
  Set in a former noble family residence with a gorgeous glass-domed conservatory, right in the centre of town. Very elegant, and a longtime favorite among repeat visitors.
• Almarossa
  Cheerful serviced apartments at great prices. More space than a hotel room, perfect if you’re staying longer.

If you’re on a budget, check out Hotel Accademia, a well-located, comfortable hotel near the University district.

Bologna Centrale (Train Station Area) – Best for Day-Trippers

Why stay here: If you’re planning day trips to Florence, Venice, Modena, or Parma, staying near the station makes sense. It’s also close to the airport via the Marconi Express (10 minutes). Hotels are more affordable here, and you’re still only 15-20 minutes’ walk from Piazza Maggiore.

It’s less atmospheric than the historic center, but you’re still a short walk away from all the top sights.

Best hotels in Bologna Centrale

I Portici Hotel Bologna
Elegant minimalist rooms, some with balconies overlooking Via dell’Indipendenza. Two restaurants. Excellent value for the quality.

Hotel Commercianti
Quirky boutique hotel with antique-filled rooms and views of San Petronio basilica. Perfect for couples, in an unbeatable location.

Bologna Centrale 1
A modern, popular hotel which really couldn’t be any closer to the train station, and is still quick into the old centre. There are several other hotels alongside, including Mercure Bologna Centro, Starhotels Excelsior and UNA Hotels Bologna Centro, Bologna (updated prices 2025)

Bolognina – Best for Local Life and Street Art

Why stay here: North of the train station, Bolognina is Bologna’s most diverse, multicultural neighborhood. It’s where locals actually live, and it’s a totally different side to the city.

Bolognina is a former working-class area that has transformed into a trendy spot – you’ll find lots of cool bars, restaurants, and street art. It also offers much better value for money than more central locations. It’s still walkable to the Centro Storico.

Some of the best hotels in Bolognina include the Social Hub and, for more budget travellers, BB Veronesi.

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This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Bologna on GPSmyCity.

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