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Dina Essawy
Dina Essawy
Bologna in Italy! Are you thinking of a short break? Bologna is the perfect choice to make your European trip unforgettable. Picture a vacation in this European city, which is refreshing and thrilling.
Bologna is a small city that combines all the benefits of metropolises and towns. It offers much, from its architectural heritage to its uncontested traditional cuisine. Keep reading as we take you on a tour around this walkable and lively city in Italy.
Bologna: A Città Metropolitana
Welcome to Bologna, one of the most beautiful inland cities in Italy. Here, you will find culture, history, landscape, and food. This iconic city has porticoes, historical buildings, and mouth-watering dishes.
Between two of Italy’s most visited tourist hubs (Florence and Venice), Bologna has a charm that puts it at the top of the European country’s livability index. It is the capital city of the region of northern Italian Emilia-Romagna.
Bologna is one of a few cities whose residents can speak English, yet another asset. English signboards are everywhere in the city; even better, restaurant servers can take orders in English. After all, you won’t want to miss eating at any of the diners of Bologna—a gastronomic paradise!
The Delicious Cuisine of the Fat City
A fun fact: Bologna tops the list of the best food cities in Italy. Have you ever heard of the Spaghetti, Bolognese sauce, or Bologna sausage? Many signature dishes define this Italian city, which is famous for its traditional cuisine.
Tourists travel to Bologna to sample some of the tasty cuisines of this well-fed city. At least, this is one of many reasons to travel there, especially if it is one of the few Italian cities that produce Parmigiano Reggiano or Parmesan Cheese and they have their global stamp.
If you ever wonder where the ingredients of the delicious Bolognese dishes come from, we will tell you they are from the Po River Valley—the agricultural heartland of Italy. That is far from Bologna, located on the Po Plain’s edge.
Nicknamed the Fat City, Bologna is the food capital of Italy and even features the first food theme park in the world. We will take you there on our virtual tour of this culinary metropolis!
A Romantic City in Italy
Bologna is not a city that only caters to your stomach; it is also a perfect destination for sweethearts. Think of the city’s charming narrow streets and arcades that you might walk along during your tour as a couple to explore the most romantic spots.
Why not? After all, it is rightly designated as the world’s most arcaded city, with 53 kilometres of arcades extending throughout the city. It is undoubtedly a mecca for honeymooners.
Famous Attractions in Bologna
Having reached this far in the article, you are probably considering the attractions you could visit in Bologna. Well, we are saving the best for last to bring you the best places to visit in the city. Ready, set, let’s go!
FICO Eataly World: A Food Park in the Right Place
Short for Fabbrica Italiana Contadina (Italian Farming Factory), FICO Eataly World is a remarkable culinary destination celebrating Italy’s rich food culture. Extending over 100,000 square meters, FICO is considered the most significant food park in the world. The park is dedicated to Italian gastronomy and local products.
FICO adopts a farm-to-table concept that allows visitors to see through the different food production steps, from cattle breeding, cheese and pasta making, and cooking to preparing dishes and finally serving them to the tables.
Visitors to FICO can take a cooking class or go shopping at the marketplace to buy fresh Italian products. The Street of Taste is where you can dine at restaurants and trattorias (a trattoria is an Italian-style eating place). An important note is that the Street of Taste has more than 40 restaurants and food stalls; you can book your table online.
Of course, while enjoying the fresh air, there is much walking along the gardens, orchards, and vineyards at FICO Eataly. And guess what? There is an indoor sports area and a playground for the little ones. No wonder it is dubbed the Disney World of Food!
The Historical Centre of the City
Nostalgia has a great place in Bologna. The city’s historical centre, which extends over 350 acres and houses many medieval architectural sites worth visiting, recalls centuries of history.
One of the most popular attractions in the historical centre is the Piazza Maggiore, one of Italy’s largest and oldest squares. The city’s main square features the Fountain of Neptune, which is just in the centre. The Piazza Maggiore is also flanked by the Palazzo Comunale (the City Hall) and the Basilica di San Petronio, with its unfinished façade that looks like a puzzle with a missing piece.
The historical centre is also home to the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna—an art gallery that showcases a collection of Italian paintings dating between the 13th and 19th centuries. There is also the Archaeological Museum, which features some of the city’s ancient artefacts. History buffs will surely love the historical centre of Bologna!
The Two Towers: Have a Look at the Medieval Skyscrapers
The 97-metre Asinelli Tower and the 48-metre leaning Garisenda Tower, standing close to the Piazza Maggiore, were constructed in the 12th century. At their time, they were seen as skyscrapers.
The Asinelli, the taller of the two sister towers, can be climbed, offering a spectacular view of the city. You need to climb 498 steps on steep wooden staircases to reach the top, but the thrill is worth the effort.
The Garisenda Tower reached 60 metres before being shortened because it caused the building to lean. Stories suggest this was done to avoid using the tower for military purposes.
The two towers were used as a defensive site in medieval Bologna. Today, they are a reminder of the city’s strategic importance and are among the most popular tourist attractions. You can’t possibly be in the city and not visit its 900-year-old towers.
The Sanctuary of San Luca: Hike to that Church on the Hill
Now, this is where your trip to Bologna gets a bit challenging. Deciding to go on a foot journey up the hill to the Sanctuary of San Luca, where you can get a panoramic view of Bologna and the surrounding mountains, is a fantastic experience that should not be missed.
The church, with an elliptical dome on top, is located on Colle della Guardia, southwest of the city’s historical centre. It was constructed between 1741 and 1757 following the designs of Carlo Francesco Dotti. Since then, it has been an important pilgrimage destination in the Emilia-Romagna region.
You can reach the sanctuary by walking along a 3.3-mile trail from Bologna up to the hill, which could take up to an hour and a half. Another option is to walk along the arched walkway—the Portico di San Luca.
In 1793, the Portico di San Luca was built along 3.8 kilometres. This roofed arcade comprises 666 arches and is considered the longest-covered walkway in the world. You will need no map to ascend all 471 steps of the entrance to reach the Sanctuary of San Luca.
This walk is estimated to take about 70 minutes, during which you could pose for some pictures or stop for coffee from any of the few cafes near the sanctuary. The Sanctuary of San Luca is a must-see when visiting the Italian city of Bologna!
The University of Bologna: The World’s Oldest
Bologna is home to the oldest University in the world, and it is continuously operating. Yes, you got that right. Dating back to the High Middle Ages, the University of Bologna was founded in 1088 and tops the list of the most historical campuses. That is why Bologna is rightly named the Learned City.
“Nourishing Mother of the Studies”
The Latin motto of the University of Bologna
Located in the heart of the city’s historical centre, the University of Bologna’s architecture combines old and modern styles. It is home to various iconic buildings, such as the Archiginnasio, Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio, and Palazzo Poggi.
Who said you must be a student to visit this architectural heritage site in the city? You will be captivated by the medieval architectural style of the University of Bologna, with its red brick facades and arched doorways, which stand as a testament to this University’s historical and cultural significance.
A Perfect Vacation in Bologna
Though outshined by Rome, Florence, and Venice, the Italian city of Bologna has a lot to offer for unforgettable day trips that will leave you with many beautiful throwbacks.
A two-day visit is enough to explore all of Bologna, defined by its red-tiled rooftops—a good reason why it is nicknamed the Red City. For a satisfying travel experience, we recommend visiting Bologna during the spring, the best season there.
So, when it’s time for a short break, it’s always time for Bologna—the Fat, Learned, and Red City. This is undoubtedly a visit you will never forget or regret!
