Things to Do in Bologna

Bologna, the capital of the Emilia Romagna region, is located in northern Italy. With a population of 390,000, It is an important city due to its location between Florence, Venice, and Milan.

The city’s strategic location made it an essential city in agriculture, industry, and finance, so many companies have chosen to establish their headquarters in Bologna. In 2009, according to the economic growth rate, Bologna was rated as the first Italian city and the 47th European city. The city knows it is Italy’s gastronomic capital, so if you are a food lover, we recommend tasting the many flavours of Bologna.

There are many cultural sights in Bologna. Most of the attractions are located downtown, and the best thing is that you can visit them all by walking around the city as they are very near each other. The city also contains the University of Bologna, founded in 1088 AD; it is the oldest university in the world. In 2000, it was announced that Bologna was the European capital of culture, and in 2006, it was declared by UNESCO as the city of music and a part of the Creative Cities Network.

There are also many charming places to visit, from the Piazza Maggiore and Asinelli Tower to shopping at the Quadrilatero, so let us break them all down.

Things to do in Bologna

Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno

You can start your day by visiting Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno, the two squares in the city centre near each other. Stepping into Piazza Maggiore, you will be amazed by its magnificent grand Renaissance buildings, such as the Pallazo d’Accursio, the Palazzo del Podesta, the Basilica di San Petronio, and the Palazzo Comunale.

While walking north of Piazza Maggiore, you will find the Piazza del Nettuno, another beautiful square in Bologna that Giambologna designed in the 16th century, and it contains the famous Fountain of Neptune. Much like Piazza Maggiore, Piazza del Nettuno also contains many palaces and basilicas that you can enjoy visiting, and you can have a delicious meal at any restaurant in the street of Porticos and admire all the beauty of the architecture all around you. One of the enjoyable things found in Piazza del Nettuno is the open-air movie screenings and concerts that take place often. Also, not far from the square, there is the famous shopping street Via dell’Indipendenza and the street Galleria, renowned for its many aristocratic mansions.

Santo Stefano (St. Stephen Basilica)

The St. Stephen Basilica is located in Piazza Santo Stefano. It contains the Church of Saint John the Baptist, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the courtyard of Pilate, all of which are called the cradle of faith in Bologna. The Benedictines built it between the 10th and 13th centuries to shelter the remains of Bologna’s early martyrs, Saints Vitale and Agricola.

The main church is called Chiesa del Crocifisso, and it has an exterior pulpit and a cellar dating back to 1019. The second church, Santo Sepolcro, opens onto a pillared courtyard adjoining a monastery. The third church features styles from previous Roman and Byzantine buildings with mosaic floors from the 6th century. Every church showcases different designs and artwork from the others, and you will also find a museum that provides information about St. Stephen Basilica.

The Leaning Towers of Bologna

Did you know that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is not the only leaning tower in the world? Yes, that’s right. Two of these towers are in Bologna. The Asinelli, the tallest at 97.2 meters, and the Garisenda, 48 meters, are named after famous Italian families. The two towers are just a five-minute walk from Piazza Maggiore.

These towers were built in the 12th century, as many were built at the time to be watchtowers and places of refuge in case of attack, but now they are famous attractions in the city. You will have the chance to climb 498 steps inside the tower of Asinelli, and it is worth it because, at the top, you will have a fantastic view of all of Bologna.

San Petronio (Basilica of St. Petronius)

This is one of the most famous attractions in Bologna, as it is the 10th largest church in the world and is located in Piazza Maggiore. The church was built in 1390, and the façade wasn’t completed. The lower part was coloured marble stonework, and the top was bare and contained exposed brown brickwork. In the inner part of the church, you will see colourful and frescoed walls with high ceilings and stained-glass windows. Also inside, you will be able to see Cassini’s 67-meter-long meridian line, which is drawn into the marble floor.

Bologna Archaeological Museum

The museum is in the middle of Bologna, specifically in the famous Piazza Maggiore, and it shows the city’s history throughout the ages. The museum has nine sections: prehistoric, Etruscan, Celtic, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Numismatic.

These sections contain many artefacts, such as Bronze Age tools, skeletal remains, pottery, weaponry, china, and marble statues. Due to the extensive collections, you can spend hours in the museum, but you will enjoy being there and discovering these rare and unique artefacts.

Bologna National Gallery

The National Gallery is located in the old university complex near Piazza Maggiore. It is divided into two sections: the Accademia Clementina and the Academy of Fine Arts Gallery. The Accademia Clementina contains many wonderful Byzantine paintings from the 13th century, and the other gallery includes works from different centuries.

Archiginnasio Anatomical Theater

The Archiginnasio, located on Piazza Galvani, was built in the 16th century. This magnificent example of historical architecture was the former main building of the University of Bologna. The Anatomical Theatre, built of wood, dates back to the 17th century. It comprises a small room where medical students once learned about anatomy by watching as corpses were dissected, and there are carved statues of famous medical practitioners.

San Domenico (St. Dominic Church)

San Domenico is one of the essential churches in Bologna, near the Piazza Maggiore. Saint Dominic founded it as an abbey. While you visit the church, you will see the marble tomb containing his remains, which were craved in detail by the greatest artists of that time, like Michelangelo and Nicola Pisano.

The church is said to be the world’s eighth wonder due to the superb wood inlay by intarsia master fra Damiano da Bergamo in the choir, hailed by Renaissance contemporaries. If you visit Bologna on the first or second Saturday of the month, you can have a free tour of the church choir, Inquisition rooms, and St. Dominic’s cell from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Prendiparte Tower

This is one of the well-known towers in Bologna; as we said before, Bologna is full of watchtowers, and sure, this is one of them. The Prendiparte Tower was built in the 12th century during the Middle Ages and is 59.5 meters high. The tower is located on Prendiparte Square and near the Leaning Tower and Maggiore Square, which we discussed in the upper part. The exciting thing is that you can also stay there, have breakfast, and climb to the top to explore the beautiful views.

Oratory of Battuti

This part is for art lovers, located in the street of Clavature in Bologna, and it is a small chapel inside the church of Santa Maria Della Vita. This is one of the fantastic things you will see and one of Bologna’s unsung treasures. This place is a small oratorio decorated with Baroque paintings, frescoes, and gilded carvings. The Oratory was built in 1604 and designed by Floriano Ambrosini. When you enter there, you can lie on one of the benches and look up at the magnificent, splendid ceiling; also, in the same room, you will find a group of 15 statues, which are the statues of St. Proculus and St. Petronius and a set of lovely frescos.

Monte Della Guardia

It is a beautiful place to escape the city’s noise and relax. This forested hill is about 300 meters high and is located southwest of Bologna near the Reno River. To reach the top of the mountain, you will have to walk downhill through the length of the entrance. When you are at the top, you will see a beautiful view of Bologna and the places near it, and you can also visit the shelter of the Madonna of San Luca, which is at the top of the hill, and it is another excellent place to visit.

Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca

This is one of the oldest churches in Bologna. It was built in 1194 but wasn’t finished until 1765, and as we said before,, the Sanctuary of Madonna is located on top of the Monte Della Guardia; from there,, you can see a fantastic view of the city of Bologna. The church has the main basilica, created from orange and pink material with a green collar and is in a Baroque style. When you enter the church, you will be fascinated by the lovely decorations and detailed frescos.

Museum for the Memory of Ustica

The museum is considered one of the essential landmarks in Bologna’s history, as it is devoted to the fateful Ustica Disaster. This disaster took place in 1980 when the plane Douglas DC-9, with a total of 81 passengers, crashed while heading to Palermo, and all the people on board were killed. This disaster remains a mystery, and the reason for the crash is still unknown. If you visit the museum, you will see the remains of the plane Douglas DC-9, with some collections of photographs and the holdings of the victims. The museum was built to honour the victims of this disaster.

Bologna’s Historical Libraries

Bologna is famous for its historical libraries; there are more than 12 libraries in the city, whether it is a part of universities, in a historical palace, or even in conservatories. Among these libraries is the Archiginnasio of Bologna, a cultural space in the central Salaborsa library located at Piazza Maggiore. Also, you will find the Library of Music, only 10 minutes from the Piazza Maggiore, which contains over 80 historical musical instruments and documents by some of the world’s greatest composers.

The Porticoes

Bologna is a famous city for its 40 km of corridors. Among these corridors is the Bonaccorsi Arch, which leads to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. While walking through these corridors, you will be amazed by the unique architecture and the paintings that adorn their walls.

The Quadrilatero

The Quadrilaterois is a famous place for shopping, with its many well-known shops and malls, such as the Galleria Cavour, which contains many brands in one area, like Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci. There is also the historical market, Mezzo di Mercato, or the Middle Market, where you can sample delicious Italian food like fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables. It’s a great place to relax and have a good time in the middle of historical attractions.

Mercato delle Erbe (Herb Market)

The Herb Market is Bologna’s oldest street market, but it was restructured to resemble a courtyard. The market’s centre contains fruits and vegetables, and small shops sell anything from Mortadella to dried pasta plates. There are cafes where you can have coffee and small restaurants with delicious pizza, risotto, and porchetto. This is also another place to relax and discover everything, especially the local food in the market.

La Piazzola Market

The market is located in the Piazza dell Agosto, north of the city centre, with about 400 stalls. La Piazzola Market has been in Bologna for hundreds of years and is famous there. When you enter the market, you will find everything you need to buy, from clothes, shoes, fashion accessories, flowers, pottery, and jewellery to clothes, shoes, and accessories. It is a lovely place to go, and the atmosphere there is fantastic.

Sample the Local Dish of Tortellini

This is one of Bologna’s famous traditional Italian foods, and many restaurants serve it. Tortellini is ring-shaped pasta with pork, prosciutto, and cheese stuffed in it. It can be served with chicken or beef broth. Look for any restaurant in Piazza Maggiore so you can try this delicious local dish, as Bologna is one of the best places to try the Tortellini dish in Italy.

Have a Drink at Osteria del Sole

The Osteria del Sole is one of the oldest bars in Piazza Maggiore, located behind Palazzo dei Bianchi. It has been open since 1465. It is an excellent place to hang out with your friends, and there are some outstanding wine collections, such as Fattoria del Cerro from the Montepulciano hillsides of Tuscany.

Margherita Gardens

The Margherita Gardens is a perfect choice for families to visit. It is located south of Bologna at the Piazza di Porta Santo Stefano. It is a massive place with a beautiful lake surrounded by vast green lawns, cypress, and oak groves. Families can escape the noise and traffic in the city and come here, where kids can have fun and play freely. There are also tortoises in the lake and birds inhabiting the trees; it is a fantastic place to relax.

City Red Bus Tour

Another exciting thing to discover and enjoy many of Bologna’s attractions is the red bus. While riding the bus, you can put on headphones so they can guide you through the historical sites and areas. Also, you can take beautiful pictures while you are on top of the bus. The bus tickets cost 14 Euros and half that for children.

Villa Spada

Villa Spada was built in the 18th century, and it is a famous Italian park and villa in Bologna. The villa is full of statues and frames of natural landscapes, and there is a museum where you can see many dresses from different cultures and periods. It is an exciting place to explore, and you can relax in the gardens with many kinds of plants, like Mediterranean cypresses and laurels.

Gelato Museum (Ice Cream Museum)

This is a great place to visit for ice cream lovers, as you can learn about the past and current famous Italian desserts. When you enter the museum, you will see many kinds of equipment used in making ice cream, whether old or modern and some historical pictures. Entering the museum costs 5 Euros.

Botanical Gardens

This is one of the best family destinations in Bologna. It is in the city’s centre, specifically at the University of Bologna. Kids will love the gardens, where they can scout the tropical rainforest house. The exciting thing is that some herb samples date back to the 16th century. You will love being there and relaxing in these lovely gardens while your kids can play around.

Luigi Bombicci Museum of Mineralogy

The museum has a vast collection of over 50,000 specimens, including meteorites and ornamental stones. It also shows about 10,000 other objects, such as Systematic Mineralogical, Italian Regional Mineralogical, Bolognese Mineralogical-Petrographical, and Systematic Petrographical. The museum also contains the silvery-white Bologna stone, 142 meteorites, and tools used by 19th-century scholars.

Montagnola Park

This park is a beautiful place to visit, one of the oldest public parks in Bologna. The magnificent views in Montagnola Park were designed in the 19th century by the French when they were in the city. If you visit the park, you will see the fantastic entrance on the northern side beside the Scalinata del Pincio staircase, built to welcome anyone coming to Bologna by train. There is also a memorial dedicated to those who died in a battle against the Austrians in 1848.

Teatro Testoni Ragazzi

Teatro Testoni Ragazzi is a great attraction for kids, hosting live shows suitable for them. The theatre also hosts conferences, meetings, and exhibitions all year long. Located in the city centre, it produces about 200 productions for kids throughout the year, and that’s why it is considered one of Bologna’s best live show venues.

Teatro Comunale

Another famous theatre in Bologna is Teatro Comunale. It is located north of Piazza Maggiore on Rizzoli Street. When you enter the theatre, you will be fascinated by its design, which features a convex auditorium with rows of boxes across four levels above its main ground seating area. Tickets for symphony and opera performances start from 52 Euros.

Museum of Modern Art of Bologna

This is a pretty lovely museum where kids can discover their artistic side. The museum’s art collections are divided into 8 themed areas, presenting masterpieces from the 19th century to modern artworks. You can also look at many temporary exhibitions and a broad collection of art books. The museum’s goal is to provide knowledge and necessary tools for interpreting the language and message of art, and kids can also participate in workshops that help to encourage their creativity and develop artistic sensitivity.

Giovanni Capellini Geological Museum

This is a famous museum for prehistoric animals. It contains rocks and fossils that were discovered about 500 years ago. The museum has an exciting exhibit for children, where they will see a Proboscidean mastodon skeleton, a giant mammoth, and a model of a 26-meter-long and 4-meter-tall Diplodocus dinosaur.

Capriolandia

Capriolanda is a nice place for family, relaxation, and entertainment in Bologna. It is 70,000 square meters and contains a wooden castle, slides, and climbing frames. All the activities are safe with trained staff; there is also a botanical route among vegetable gardens and orchards and a nature trail through the woods. Capriolandia is a perfect place for a picnic, with a food truck available nearby.

Places to Stay in Bologna

Grand Hotel Majestic Gia Baglioni:

This fantastic hotel is located near the Basilica and Piazza Maggiore. It has beautifully decorated rooms and a lovely historical building.

Al Cappello Rosso:

The hotel is in the Piazza Maggiore and is stocked with luxuries and amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Metropolitan Hotel:

It is located near Piazza Maggiore, with many shops and restaurants surrounding the hotel.

Hotel Albergo Atlantic:

It is on the street between Piazza Maggiore and the railway station. The hotel is affordable and close to most of the city’s major attractions.

Bologna certainly has more than meets the eye. It might not be the most famous Italian city among tourists. Still, it also has no shortage of attractions, museums, theatres, and restaurants that guarantee you will have an enjoyable time in this quaint Italian city.