Oh, beautiful Bologna: as the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region and a foodie paradise, there are dozens of things to do in Bologna, Italy to captivate you during your visit (and yes, many of them are related to eating as much as you can!).
Bologna is one of our favorite cities in Italy–admittedly a hotly contested designation–and one that we plan to continue visiting again and again.
By now, we’ve visited Bologna several times, ranging from one day trips to a solid month spent “living” in the city.
Known as La Dotta (the learned, for its university), La Rossa (the red, for its architecture), and La Grassa (the fat, for its food), Bologna is such a stunningly beautiful city that perhaps the most remarkable fact about its beauty is that it may come second to its food in reasons to visit.
Planning a trip to Bologna and not sure where to start?
Here’s are the best things to do in Bologna, Italy!
Planning your trip to Bologna at the last minute?
Planning your trip to Bologna in a hurry and want to see as much as you can, as fast as you can?
We’ll cover all the best things to see in Bologna in much more detail below, but to get you started, here are the top tours and travel experiences we recommend in this blog post:
- Bologna Food & Market Tour With Local Dishes (food is THE biggest draw of visiting Bologna: we recommend learning about the local cuisine early in your trip!)
- Torre dell’Orologio Climb (the best viewpoint in Bologna that’s currently open)
- Parmigiano-Reggiano & Parma Ham Factory Tour (a Parma cheese and ham tour has been one of our favorite travel experiences of all time!)
Wondering where to stay? Here are some of our top picks:
- B&B Casa Faccioli (a cozy bed & breakfast close to Piazza Maggiore)
- B&B Lame 87 (a bit further from the center, but excellent reviews & more budget-friendly)
- Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni (a luxurious retreat in the heart of the action)
The Best Things to Do Bologna, Italy
Stop by the Piazza Maggiore.
Bologna’s main square is the perfect first stop on any trip to Bologna.
The Piazza Maggiore holds Bologna’s Basilica of San Petronio, the elaborate Neptune Fountain, and some of the city’s best people-watching opportunities.
As of 2026, the basilica is free to access and (still) doesn’t require any ticketed reservations or advance planning to visit, so be sure to duck inside!
Afterward, grab a cappuccino or a spritz from one of the shaded cafes and enjoy watching the city go by. You’ll pay a bit more to enjoy a classic Italian breakfast overlooking the piazza, but there’s no doubt it’s a lovely view to start your trip to Bologna with!
Climb the Asinelli Tower for an incredible view of Bologna.*
2026 Update: There is no doubt in my mind that Torre Asinelli offers the most incredible view of Bologna… but it is currently closed until at least 2028, and realistically likely longer.
As an alternative, if you have time, consider walking the famous portico of San Luca, or taking the tourist train up.
If you are planning well in advance, you can email the San Petronio Basilica about visiting their bell tower.
Willing to make a big splurge? You can enjoy the views from Torre Prendiparte… by staying there overnight.
As far as Asinelli goes, check here for any updates.
Here are our thoughts on climbing Asinelli before the closure:
Want to see a leaning tower in Italy but not planning to make it to Pisa? Don’t worry: Bologna is actually home to a taller leaning tower than Pisa anyway!
The leaning towers of Asinelli and Garisenda, also known as Bologna’s Two Towers, stand right next to each other.
If you’re up for quite the climb (all 498 steps of it), Asinelli is available to tour and boasts incredible views over Bologna, including the view featured in the very first image at the top of this blog post.
If you’re feeling brave, you can lean over up top (don’t worry, it’s enclosed and safe) to get a great view of the shorter Garisenda Tower beneath you.
As someone who is scared of heights, climbing this tower wasn’t my favorite thing in the world… but the views made it worth it.
There are only a limited number of people allowed to climb Asinelli at a time (we had to wait several hours for our time slot), so we recommend booking tickets and arranging a set time to climb in advance.
Stroll down Via Drapperie and explore the Quadrilatero area.
Via Drapperie is one of the most picturesque streets we have seen in Italy (and considering how much we travel here, that’s really saying something!).
Imagine a small cobblestone street with towering buildings reaching up on either side, and then add in tons of food stalls, crowded shops, flower stands, and cafes with tables spilling onto the sidewalk: that’s Via Drapperie.
Via Drapperie and its surrounding streets make up the oldest market in Bologna, dating back to the Middle Ages, and is known today as the Quadrilatero area.
This is one of our favorite spots to photograph in Bologna, and it also makes incredible dog and people-watching!
In the early evening, grab some prosecco and a plate of cured meats (one of Bologna’s specialties!) and settle in to enjoy the show.
Climb to the top of the Torre dell’Orologio (Clock Tower).
For a beautiful view of Bologna’s skyline, including its iconic two leaning towers, head to the top of the clock tower.
Located right off the Piazza Maggiore, the Torre dell’Orologio is about a 200-step climb and delivers beautiful skyline views from two terraces, plus an up-close look at the clock itself.
Tickets also include access to the Municipal Art Collections housed on-site in the Palazzo d’Accursio, though note that the tower and museum have slightly different hours, so be sure to choose your ticket time carefully.
This is a great alternative to the now-permanently-closed San Petronio’s Terrace, which we adored.
Eat your heart out.
Emilia-Romagna is one of Italy’s most foodie-friendly regions (this is the place that produces true parmigiano-reggiano and balsamic vinegar, after all), and the food is one of the major reasons to visit Bologna.
While you’re there, be sure to try the tagliatelle al ragu and the mortadella.
You’ve probably had less-than-ideal versions of both in the past, as they’re better known throughout the world by the names inspired by their origin: spaghetti bolognese and bologna (though I promise, mortadella is nothing like what you pick up in the average grocery store!).
Other specialities to try in Bologna include tortellini en brodo, parma ham, zuppa inglese, gramigna alla salsiccia, lasagna, and many more.
If you’d like to explore Bologna’s food scene in depth, we recommend signing up for a food tour like this early on in your trip!
This wildly popular food and market tour will point out some of Bologna’s major attractions while also teaching you all about Emilia-Romagna cuisine (with lots of sampling built in, of course).
Hunt down the hidden canals of Bologna.
Venice isn’t the only place you can see canals in Italy!
Bologna is home to several canals that date back to the Middle Ages, but you’ll have to go on a bit of a scavenger hunt to find them.
Many of the canals have been closed off as the city has grown, or can only be seen from certain spots (there’s even one you can spot through a window!).
Luckily, Bologna makes it easy for people seeking out (what’s left of the) canal views.
The city of Bologna helpfully provides this interactive map to help tourists find the best views, and following it will also lead you to plenty of cool and uncrowded corners of the city.
Take a cheese-centered day trip to Parma.
For foodies or those looking to stay close by, a day trip from Bologna to the city of Parma (home to parma ham and parmigiano-reggiano) is one of the absolute best things to prioritize during your trip to Emilia-Romagna.
We consider our foodie-centered day trip to Parma, which included a tour of a parmigiano-reggiano factory and a Parma ham factory, one of the absolute best day trips we have ever taken anywhere in the world.
In fact, we loved it so much that on a future trip to Emilia-Romagna, we based ourselves in Parma for almost a week!
… and additional day trips from Bologna to nearby destinations.
Bologna may be the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, but it’s far from the only place worth exploring during your trip!
The city makes an excellent base for day trips around Emilia-Romagna and beyond, and thanks to its status as a regional capital, many of the top day trips can easily be completed by train.
Consider a trip to Rimini for one of Emilia-Romagna’s best beaches, San Marino to visit the world’s fifth smallest country, Florence to get a taste of Tuscany, or Verona to chase the ghosts of Romeo and Juliet (or just to enjoy a delightful and underrated Italian city).
For small towns, it’s hard to beat a mini road trip to Brisighella or Castell’Arquato, and when it comes to memorable cities within Emilia-Romagna, Ravenna and Ferrara should both be on your radar.
Here are our picks for the best day trips from Bologna!
Visit the Anatomical Theatre and Library of Archiginnasio.
There’s something magical about wandering through opulent, historical universities.
There is just so much history and mystery (pardon the rhyme) in centuries-old centers of learning, all begging to be explored.
Add in a hefty dose of Italian beauty, and the picture gets even more inviting!
The Palace of Archiginnasio and its attached museums are a great example of this, and definitely one of the best places to visit in Bologna.
The palace, which has long been owned by the University of Bologna, is home to a 17th-century carved anatomical theatre, which is incredibly beautiful and yet historically was used for medical students to learn human anatomy via cadaver, which was quite controversial at the time!
Down the hall, you’ll find the library, and while tourists aren’t allowed into most of it, even a quick glance is worth the time it takes to get there. It is gorgeous!
You can book tickets here, and choose between an audio tour (faster/more efficient and self-led) or a guided tour (which comes with access to some additional spaces).
Spend the night in the medieval Torre Prendiparte.
Looking for a unique view of Bologna, and a chance to access a medieval tower that few get to see inside?
If so, a stay in Torre Prendiparte fits the bill.
Not only does this tower boast a fabulous view of Bologna, Italy from its terrace and an interesting history as a prison, but you’ll have the view all to yourselve when you stay overnight!
Tucked into a quiet square in Bologna that you would never know is there without a map, Torre Prendiparte is home to a tiny bed & breakfast that definitely fits the bill if you’re looking for unique accommodation in Bologna!
Even if you have no intention of checking in, though, it’s still worth keeping an eye out for views of the exterior of the tower when you’re exploring Bologna on foot:
Pay a visit to the Museum of the History of Bologna.
Want to get an overview of Bologna?
The Museum of the History of Bologna is the perfect place to get acquainted with the story of the city!
Housed inside the Palazzo Pepoli, this museum is a great place to learn all about the different phases of Bologna’s history, and walk away with context that will help you enjoy the rest of your things to do in Bologna even more.
Patafisik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Check out the Museum for the Memory of Ustica.
In Jun 1980, Itavia Flight 870 was en route from Bologna to Palermo when it exploded, ending the lives all 81 people on board.
In the nearly 40 years since the flight has remained a source of controversy and contention.
It’s widely agreed that the plane was shot down by a missile, but less clear is who shot that missile, and why.
At the Museum for the Memory of Ustica, you can explore that question… with the plane itself.
The wreckage from the flight, along with personal artifacts from the victims, works to create a truly unique museum that highlights a violent and senseless tragedy.
This museum does have limited and somewhat strange hours, so if you want to make sure that visiting is one of the things you do in Bologna, be sure to plan ahead!
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Palickap, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Admire the porticoes.
Bologna is famous for its beautiful porticoes, which are so notable and beloved that they themselves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
These wide walkways flanked by columns keep you cool on hot days and dry on rainy ones, while also making sure that most roads have plenty of walking space that will never be interrupted by vehicle traffic.
Bologna is almost as famous for its gorgeous porticoes as it is for, say, tagliatelle al ragu, and while you’ll undoubtedly visit several, it’s worth taking a few minutes to sit and admire them in detail (perhaps with a coffee in hand).
Explore the markets.
Like any respectable Italian city, Bologna is home to more markets than you can count!
Be sure to stop by Mercato delle Erbe for food (parts of the market have even been converted into a food court, so no worries about bringing things home to cook!) and Campagna Amica for a delicious farmer’s market.
Outside the realm of food, you can visit La Piazzola for a clothes market with more of a local feel (though with plenty of history behind it).
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Bologna in the right window during the fall, don’t miss Fiera del Libro to peruse all kinds of books!
Visit a winery near Bologna, Italy.
Though nearby Tuscany is a much more famous wine region from an international perspective, Emilia-Romagna absolutely holds its own when it comes to wine production!
The region is home to several different wines, the most typical of which is Sangiovese di Romagna.
This well-reviewed day trip is a great option for not only exploring local wine specialties, but for getting a chance to enjoy some absolutely magnificent vineyard views outside the city.
Pay a visit to the Bologna National Gallery.
Italy is bursting at the seams with art museums, but the Bologna National Gallery (or Pinacoteca Bologna) has a special twist: it focuses on local work from Emilia-Romagna.
You won’t need a whole day here, but it is definitely worth stopping by for a couple of hours and getting a feel for what the style of Emilia-Romagna has been throughout the centuries.
The local art, unsurprisingly, reaches back much further in time than when the region has been part of a united Italy.
We loved our visit here, in large part because it’s always a treat to savor beautiful art in Italy without being surrounded by the crowds you’ll find at more famous museums!
AnetaMalinowskaART, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Stop by the Piazza Santo Stefano.
Small and quiet, Piazza Santo Stefano is located just a short walk away from Bologna’s leaning tower.
And, if you’re looking for a pretty spot to admire Bologna’s porticoes or simply somewhere to relax with a cup of coffee, this piazza is a great alternative to the busier, louder, and more expensive Piazza Maggiore.
Try your hand at a cooking class in Bologna.
Bologna is known for some absolutely incredible food, and what better way to learn how to take the flavors of tagliatelle al ragu, tortellini en brodo, and more home with you finish working your way through all the things to do in Bologna than to make them yourself in a cooking class?
If you’re a big fan of hands-on learning with a side of delicious food, signing up for a cooking class like this is easily one of the best things to do in Bologna.
Climb (or ride) to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.
If you have an afternoon to spare, add climbing to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca to your list of what to do in Bologna!
The roughly hour-long walk from Piazza Maggiore to the sanctuary is mainly covered in beautiful porticoes, ensuring that the climb is shaded, dry, and lovely regardless of the weather.
Once you reach the sanctuary, you’ll be able to see beautiful views of Bologna down below!
Though you can also reach the sanctuary by car or via the handy San Luca Express tourist train, if you’re up for it, the walk is a far more memorable way to experience one of the best attractions in Bologna.
Stop by the archaeological museum.
One of the most extensive archaeological museums in Europe is housed right next door to the Piazza Maggiore in Bologna!
Home to exhibits that highlight artifacts from the Etruscans, Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, and beyond, the Museo Civico Archeologico in Bologna is an excellent place to step way, way back in time.
It’s also home to a beautiful courtyard featuring (what else?) porticoes.
No history lover should skip putting the archaeological museum on their list of things to do in Bologna!
Ugeorge, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What to Eat in Bologna
No list of things to do in Bologna, Italy would be complete without a detailed breakdown of what to eat!
Truly, if you were to visit Bologna for one thing and one thing only, it should be for the food. It’s that good.
A full rundown of local cuisine could fill a book, but if you’re looking for a quick overview of great dishes to try, here’s what you absolutely can’t miss eating while in Bologna.
Parmigiano-Reggiano
True parmigiano-reggiano, also known as one of the best cheeses in the world, hails from the cities of Parma and Reggio Emilia, both of which are located within an hour of Bologna.
That means that the parmigiano-reggiano in Bologna is, hands down, some of the best in the world.
We personally love the cheese that has been aged 30+ months, as it has the sharpest taste and most crumbly texture, but preferences vary. Many people love the creamier 24-month cheese!
The only way to be sure? Taste them all, of course!
Traditional Balsamic Vinegar
Forget the “salad dressing” you find on grocery store shelves at home!
Traditional balsamic vinegar is aged for a minimum of 12 years, preferably 25, and is more like a rich, almost-sweet-but-also-tangy syrup than a salad dressing.
Before trying it, the thought of dribbling a few drops of balsamic vinegar over strawberries, gelato, parmigiano-reggiano, or custard seemed utterly bizarre, but in fact, it is absolutely amazing.
It’s equally marvelous on more expected foods too: we drizzle ours over grilled vegetables all the time at home.
These days, when we visit Emilia-Romagna, a bottle of traditional balsamic vinegar is one of our most essential souvenirs. It is a bit of a splurge (around 100 Euro for a bottle, give or take), but it also lasts ages when slowly savored, as a few drops go a long way.
If you’d like to learn more about the (literal decades) of work that goes into making traditional balsamic vinegar, consider heading out on a foodie tour to Modena!
Tortellini en Brodo
Traditionally served on Christmas, tortellini en brodo (pasta in broth) is a very simple stuffed pasta dish.
It’s so simple, in fact, that you might be tempted to skip it in favor of heavier fare.
Definitely don’t!
While tortellini is delicious in all sorts of cream sauces (or smothered in pesto, which is our totally untraditional favorite way to eat it), the traditional dish is delicious and definitely worth sampling while in Bologna.
Tagliatelle al Ragu
If there’s one dish you add to your list of things to do in Bologna, make it this one.
The original version of what the rest of the world knows as spaghetti bolognese is incredibly delicious.
When you think tagliatelle al ragu, picture thick, wide noodles that are big and strong enough to hold the meat sauce in a way that the spaghetti used in “regular” spaghetti bolognese never could.
Mortadella
Like tagliatelle al ragu, mortadella comes with a different name abroad: bologna (gee, I wonder where that name came from?!).
Don’t be fooled, though: while you can tell enough similarities between mortadella and bologna to see why they are compared, mortadella is in a whole different league.
At least 15% of any given mortadella is made up of small cubes of pork fat, giving it a smooth, creamy texture and a delicious taste.
Prosciutto di Parma
Sweeter than the better-known salty proscuitto of nearby Tuscany, prosciutto di parma is perhaps the most popular cured meat in Bologna!
We strongly recommend ordering a heaping plate of it (along with some mortadella and salame rosa) at an outdoor cafe in Bologna, adding a cheese plate and a glass of wine, and digging into it as a delicious (and simple) meal.
An early-evening aperitivo that looks something like the below picture is a must-have Bologna travel experience, and for us, is usually hearty enough to serve as a light dinner:
Where to Stay in Bologna, Italy
Looking for a well-reviewed, centrally located place to stay when enjoying the best activities in Bologna, Italy?
Our biggest advice is to prioritize somewhere within walking distance of Piazza Maggiore if you can, especially since you’re trying to experience the best of Bologna in 24 hours or less!
In the center of Bologna, B&B Casa Faccioli and Casa Isolani Piazza Maggiore, both located right by the Piazza Maggiore and therefore in the heart of Bologna’s best sightseeing, are excellent options for places to stay.
Hoping to stick to more of a budget? B&B Lame 87 is a bit further of a walk from the center, but is still extremely convenient and gets wonderful reviews (especially for its included breakfast).
Hoping to splurge on a luxurious and very memorable hotel?
You won’t forget checking into the grand and opulent Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni anytime soon!
Check rates & book your stay in Bologna today!
Getting Around When Visiting Bologna
Bologna is a fairly compact city, and if you stay within walking distance of the Piazza Maggiore, you’ll be able to reach virtually all of the best things to do in Bologna, Italy on foot.
The train station (Bologna Centrale) is about a 20-minute walk from Piazza Maggiore, and right across from the train station, you’ll also find the main Bologna bus station.
The bus system in Bologna is fairly extensive, so if you want to avoid some walking, that might be an option to consider.
If you do intend to use quite a bit of public transportation and visit several museums, you might want to price out the Bologna Welcome Card.
It’s worth noting that, like in most of Italy, Uber is unavailable (except for Uber Black). Instead, if you need one, use IT Taxi or FreeNow for hailing taxis from your phone.
If you’re driving into Bologna as part of an Italian road trip, be cautious!
There are parking garages just outside the historic center where you can leave your car, but driving into the ZTL zones, which make up most of the historic center, can result in a hefty fine.
Unfortunately, a few of our family members found this out the hard way!
Read More About Visiting Emilia-Romagna & Beyond
Excited to visit Bologna soon… and maybe some of the other incredible Italy travel destinations that are nearby, too?
If you found this guide to the best things to do in Bologna helpful, we’d love to continue to be part of your travel planning process here on Our Escape Clause!
You can browse our ~150 Italy blog posts here, read more about us here, or check out these travel guides to places near Bologna:
- 15+ Common Travel Mistakes in Italy (What NOT to Do!)
- Enchanting Emilia-Romagna, Italy: Itinerary for 7 Food-Filled Days
- 21 Best Things to Do in Verona, Italy (+ Travel Tips!)
- 7+ Fun Day Trips from Parma, Italy (+ How to Get There)
- 7 Days in Italy: 7 Epic Itineraries for a Week in Italy
We are headed to Bologna in June. Thanks for your posts. Did you happen to visit the Basilica Santo Stefano Complex? Thanks again!
Only to the piazza outside it! We haven’t been in that particular complex. 🙂 Hope you have an amazing time in Bologna!
I’ve been to Italy so many times, but never to Bologna. I’ve heard from so many travelers though that it’s their favorite place in Italy. Hopefully next year! 🙂
Fingers crossed for you! It’s a fabulous city. 🙂 Italy has so many delightful nooks and crannies, I think it will take a lifetime to get to them all!
Awesome and super-comprehensive post! That view from the tower though, gulp! The museum to the crashed plane sounds really interesting and moving. A friend just got back from Bologna and really raved about it, and after reading this post I think I’ll have to put it on my list too!
Haha, right?? The view itself was manageable for me (very enclosed), but the way up was NOT FUN. Worth it, though!
I would spend hours at the piazza! Gotta love some good old fashioned people watching. Rocking post!
Thanks, Ryan!