Things to Do in Bologna
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Bologna, Italy, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Bologna. Porticoes stretching for miles, Europe's oldest university, and yes, the pasta really is as good as they say, this city undersells itself compared to Florence or Venice and that's honestly to your benefit. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Bologna: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the walk. Six main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The University of Bologna
Bologna is home to the oldest university in the Western world, founded in the 11th century, established in 1088 and operating continuously ever since, nearly a thousand years of teaching without interruption. The university's historic buildings, including the Archiginnasio, its former main seat, are scattered through the city centre and open to visitors, the Anatomical Theatre inside the Archiginnasio, an ornate 17th-century room used for public dissections, is one of the more unusual sights in the city.
The university's continued presence gives Bologna a young, lively energy that distinguishes it from Italy's more purely tourist-driven historic cities, worth factoring into how you experience the place, this is a properly lived-in student city, not a museum piece.
Hours Mon–Fri, roughly 9am–7pm, shorter Saturdays, closed Sundays
Address Piazza Galvani 1, Bologna
The Porticoes
Bologna's historic centre is famous for miles of covered walkways known as porticoes, a UNESCO-listed network stretching for tens of kilometres, letting pedestrians walk through the city sheltered from rain and sun, a properly practical piece of medieval and later urban planning that still shapes daily life here. The portico leading up to the Santuario di San Luca, over 3.5 kilometres long with nearly 700 arches, is the longest continuous portico in the world, a proper pilgrimage walk up to a hilltop basilica with sweeping views over the city.
Walking beneath the porticoes through the historic centre is one of the best free things to do here, worth doing without a fixed route, just following the arcades wherever they lead.
Best time Any time; useful in both rain and summer heat
Ragu alla Bolognese, the Real Version
Bologna is widely regarded as one of Italy's culinary capitals, giving its name to a famous meat sauce known internationally as bolognese sauce, though locals will quickly point out the authentic version differs a fair bit from the export version, traditionally served with tagliatelle rather than spaghetti, and considerably richer and more restrained with tomato than most versions found abroad.
Trattorias across the city serve it properly, alongside other regional specialities like tortellini in brodo and mortadella, worth seeking out a family-run spot away from the main tourist squares for the most authentic version.
Best time Lunch or dinner, either works well
Quadrilatero Market District
Bologna's historic market district, narrow medieval streets packed with delis, butchers, and produce stalls, the real source of the city's culinary reputation rather than a tourist-facing recreation. Parmesan wheels, cured meats hanging in shop windows, and fresh pasta made daily, a proper working food district right in the historic centre.
It's a good spot for lunch, several stalls and small counters serve food to eat standing or on the go, a cheaper, more local alternative to sitting down at a full trattoria.
Best time Morning through early afternoon, when stalls are busiest
Address Between Piazza Maggiore and Via Rizzoli
The Two Towers (Le Due Torri)
Bologna's own leaning towers, less famous than Pisa's but properly striking, medieval defensive towers built by rival noble families, the taller Asinelli Tower can be climbed (nearly 500 steps) for sweeping views over the city's red rooftops and surrounding hills.
The climb is a proper workout, no lift, narrow wooden stairs, worth pacing yourself, but the view at the top over Bologna's terracotta rooftops is a proper reward.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–6pm, shorter in winter
Address Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, Bologna
Piazza Maggiore & the Basilica of San Petronio
Bologna's main square, framed by the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest churches in the world, and famously unfinished, its facade left partly bare brick centuries ago due to funding disputes with the Vatican, a fascinating architectural quirk rather than a flaw. The piazza itself is the natural social heart of the city, cafes, evening gatherings, and a good starting point for exploring the rest of the historic centre.
The basilica's interior, despite the unfinished exterior, is properly impressive, a huge sundial embedded in the floor was once used for scientific observation, including work connected to Cassini.
Hours Daily, roughly 7.30am–6.30pm
Address Piazza Maggiore, Bologna
Best time to visit Bologna
April through June and September through October give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking under (and beyond) the porticoes this list involves, mild enough without summer's peak heat and crowds.
Bologna's food scene and covered walkways work well year-round, worth visiting even in winter if food is the priority, the porticoes earn their keep keeping you dry regardless of season.
Getting around Bologna
Bologna's historic centre is compact and easily walkable, aided considerably by the porticoes covering much of the route between major sights. Buses cover destinations further out, including the walk up to San Luca if you'd rather not do the full portico pilgrimage on foot.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Bologna worth visiting?
- Yes, genuinely underrated compared to Florence or Venice, the food scene alone justifies the trip, and the university history and porticoes add real character beyond the culinary reputation.
- How many days do you need in Bologna?
- Two days covers the historic centre comfortably, including the towers and a proper food-focused wander through the Quadrilatero.
- Is Bologna expensive?
- Moderate, generally cheaper than Florence or Venice for dining and accommodation, and genuinely good value given the food quality.
- What is Bologna famous for?
- Being home to the oldest university in the Western world, its UNESCO-listed network of covered porticoes, and giving its name to bolognese sauce, alongside a wider reputation as one of Italy's culinary capitals.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
