Bologna, a city teeming with university students, is known for its medieval center—a mesmerizing mass of terracotta palazzi and porticoes. This beauty solidifies Bologna’s status as one of Italy’s best looking historic cities.
Equally alluring is the local cuisine, revered both nationally and internationally for its richness and depth of flavor, savored on the streets, in restaurants, and at markets.
Come stay for two or three days and this intoxicating city will quickly captivate you. Stay a day or two longer, and you may never want to leave.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Miemo Penttinen. Image Location: Piazza Maggiore, Bologna, Italy.
What to do in Bologna, Italy
Piazza Maggiore is the beating heart of Bologna. On the southern side, one of Italy’s finest Gothic buildings, the Basilica of San Petronio. This giant church remains unfinished, with its main facade still incomplete. Inside, admire the 15th-century frescoes and the long sundial stretching along the basilica.
From here, take Via Clavature to reach the Quadrilatero food market, an ancient grid of streets and a foodfest filled with a colorful combination of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheeses, salamis, and, of course, fresh pasta.
Next, visit the Archiginnasio Palace, once the main building of the University of Bologna, the world’s oldest university. Now the site of the largest library in the Emilia-Romagna region, wander into the main courtyard, book in hand, imagining yourself as a student there.
Bologna has dozens of museums, covering everything from Ducati motorbikes to water and music. Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna holds a collection of contemporary artworks from the mid-20th century to the present day, housed in a beautifully transformed older building.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Flavia Morlachetti
What to eat in Bologna
Bologna is a foodie's paradise, famed for some of Italy's most revered dishes and ingredients: lasagna, ragù, Parmesan cheese, and balsamic vinegar, to name a few. Don't miss the street food specialties like fried tortellini.
Hungry and seeking stimulation? FICO Eataly World is a huge theme park just outside Bologna. Think of it as Disneyland for foodies, complete with interactive exhibitions, multiple restaurants, and a huge food hall.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Julian Elliott Photography. Image Location: Bologna, Italy.
How to get around Bologna
The best way to enjoy Bologna is on foot, admiring the open-air museum of medieval architectural mastery as you stroll, or cycle if you’re energetic (there's bike rental near the bus station). If you prefer a more leisurely approach, hop on an open-top tour bus, which starts from the train station.
Choosing to arrive by train is wise, as the city has strict traffic restrictions. So, download the Trainline app today to find affordable train tickets to Bologna.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Francesco Riccardo Iacomino. Image Location: Bologna, Italy.