Top places to visit in Bologna

• Piazza Maggiore

  Piazza · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Bologna's magnificent central piazza is ringed by the Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo dei Banchi, and Palazzo d'Accursio. The Neptune Fountain (1566) by Giambologna anchors the adjacent Piazza del Nettuno.

• Basilica of San Petronio

  Basilica · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry

  The fifth-largest church in the world (begun 1390) was designed to rival St Peter's in Rome but was never completed — the façade remains half-marble, half-brick. Contains Europe's longest sundial (67 m) and Uccello's frescoes of English…

• Two Towers (Asinelli & Garisenda)

  Medieval Towers · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Bologna's symbol: the 97-metre Torre degli Asinelli (1109) and the stubby, heavily leaning Torre Garisenda beside it — two of 180 medieval towers once built as status symbols by rival noble families. Climbing Asinelli's 498 steps rewards…

• Quadrilatero Market

  Food Market · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Bologna's medieval market quarter — a labyrinth of narrow streets (Via Pescherie Vecchie, Via Drapperie) packed with salumerias, cheese shops, fresh pasta makers, and fishmongers. The authentic heart of Bologna's legendary food culture…

• Archiginnasio of Bologna

  Historic University · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Built in 1563 as the first permanent seat of the University of Bologna (est. 1088, world's oldest), the Archiginnasio's porticoed courtyard is covered entirely in coats of arms and memorial tablets of past students. The Anatomical Theatre…

• Portici of Bologna (UNESCO)

  UNESCO arcades · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Bologna's 62 km of covered arcaded porticoes (portici) are a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2021); the longest unbroken portico in the world leads 3.5 km up to the San Luca Sanctuary.

• Bologna Modena Day Trip Ferrari

  ferrari-modena · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A day trip from Bologna to Modena — the home of Ferrari (with the spectacular Ferrari Museum), the Maserati factory, the Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale producers, and the UNESCO Modena Cathedral.

• Bologna Asinelli Tower Climb

  medieval-tower · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry €5 (≈ ₹530)

  The Asinelli Tower (97m) — the taller of the famous Two Towers, with the spectacular 498-step climb to the top providing panoramic views over the medieval centre and the Apennines.

• Bologna Quadrilatero Market

  food-market · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Quadrilatero district — Bologna's spectacular historic food market neighbourhood with the medieval narrow streets, the famous Tamburini, Atti, and Paolo Atti bakeries, and the heart of Bologna food culture.

• Bologna Ravenna Mosaics Day

  byzantine-mosaics · 4.9 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A day trip from Bologna to Ravenna — the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage early Byzantine mosaics in 8 monuments, including the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.

• Bologna Porticoes UNESCO

  unesco-porticoes · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Porticoes of Bologna — the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage 38km of medieval porticoes (covered walkways), the largest concentration in the world, including the famous 3.8km San Luca portico.

• Two Towers (Due Torri)

  medieval towers · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The twin medieval towers of Bologna's skyline: the taller Asinelli tower (97.2 m, lean 2.2 m) can be climbed for 500 steps of panoramic views; the smaller Garisenda is closed.

Things to do

• Bologna Food Tour — Mortadella Tortellini & Tagliatelle Food Drink · 3 h · from EUR 33 per person

Day trips and tours

• Bologna Food Tour: Tortellini, Mortadella & Gelato 3.5 h · from EUR 37
• Bologna Porticoes & Medieval Towers Walking Tour 2.5 h · from EUR 16

Where to stay in Bologna

• University Quarter about EUR 120 per night

  Heart of Europe's oldest university; great food, aperitivo, and nightlife; central and walkable

Hotels

• Grand Hotel Majestic Gia Baglioni 5-star · EUR 250 to EUR 700 per night
• Albergo delle Drapperie 3-star · EUR 75 to EUR 160 per night

Where to eat

• Osteria dell'Orsa Italian, Bolognese · about EUR 12 per person
• Trattoria Anna Maria Italian, Bolognese, Emilian · about EUR 28 per person
• Mercato di Mezzo Italian, Street Food, Emilian · about EUR 10 per person
• Ristorante I Portici Italian, Emilian, Contemporary · about EUR 120 per person

Getting to Bologna

Airport: Bologna (BLQ)

Getting around

• Bicycle
• Bus
• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• ATM Skimmer Devices

  ATMs near train station and university area

  Fake card-reading overlays on ATMs steal card data

  How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside banks; cover PIN pad; check for loose card readers

More in Italy

• Rome
• Venice
• Florence
• Milan
• Naples
• Cinque Terre

Frequently asked questions about Bologna

What are the top-rated places to visit in Bologna?

The highest-rated places in our Bologna guide are Bologna Ravenna Mosaics Day, Portici of Bologna (UNESCO), Bologna Modena Day Trip Ferrari, Bologna Quadrilatero Market, Bologna Porticoes UNESCO.

Where should I stay in Bologna?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Bologna: University Quarter.

How do I get around Bologna?

Ways to get around Bologna covered in our guide: Bicycle, City bus, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Bologna?

Scams reported to us for Bologna include ATM Skimmer Devices. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

Which airport is nearest to Bologna?

The nearest airport to Bologna has the code BLQ.