Top Things to Do in Bologna, Italy – Medieval City with Youthful Atmosphere
Last Updated on April 2, 2025 by Polly Dimitrova
A fusion of timeless medieval charm and youthful lively atmosphere – Bologna unlike any other Italian cities. The list of the best things to do in Bologna is endless, offering an unforgettable experience where history, culture and cuisine collide. Walk under the unique porticoes, get lost in the narrow alleys of the Quadrilatero, admire the architecture of ancient basilicas, dive in the smells and flavors of local meals and experience the true Italian atmosphere!
Piazza Maggiore
As the beating heart of the city, Piazza Maggiore is the perfect start to a day of exploration in Bologna, Italy. Home to some of the most notable medieval buildings, the Piazza has managed to preserve its 15th-century layout throughout the years. With its 115 meters of length, the square’s grandeur is truly outstanding. No wonder it was home to one of the biggest open-air markets for trading until the 19th century. Nowadays, Piazza Maggiore is a meeting spot for locals and one of the must-see attractions for tourists.
Take your time and admire the incredible architecture as you lay your eyes on the surrounding buildings – Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo d’Accursio, Palazzo dei Bianchi, and Palazzo del Podestà. The Fountain of Neptune completed in 1566, another symbol of Bologna, is also located at Piazza Maggiore.
Located at the Piazza, you can also find the Bologna Visitor Center – ask your questions, get a map, and buy tickets to some of the best attractions in town.
Basilica di San Petronio
Basilica di San Petronio is undoubtedly the first building to catch your eye at Piazza Maggiore. As the world’s largest Gothic church made out of brick, the church took 3 centuries to build, and even nowadays the facade remains unfinished. The exterior is extraordinary as the marble only covers the bottom part of the church, while the top is dominated by the brick design.
Taking a step inside to admire the beautiful interior is another must-do when visiting Bologna. The combination of incredible high ceilings, stained glass windows, and impressive frescoes are some of the main characteristics of San Petronio. It is the famous Meridian Line created in 1656 helping Gian Domenico Cassini to prove the Earth’s orbit is elliptical, though that makes the Basilica di San Petronio one of the most important churches in Italy. Entering through a small hole, the sun rays hit the meridian around midday showing the exact time of the year on the line. Not only is Basilica di San Petronio one of the best things to do in Bologna, but it is also free to enter!
The Archiginnasio & the Anatomic Theater
Built in the 16th century, the Archiginnasio is a palace, which was once used as the seat of the University of Bologna. Nowadays, it serves as a library and has almost 6,000 coats of arms of students – the largest collection of heraldic wall adornments in existence. Visitors can easily find the entrace located left of the Basilica di San Petronio. Walk through the alley and you will find yourself standing at the courtyard. The colorful coats of arms of students painted all over the porticoes will immediately impress you. Take a second to admire them, but keep going and climb to the second floor for even more vibrant and stunning coats of arms. I thought they were truly remarkable!
On the second floor, visitors can also purchase tickets to enter the famous Anatomic Theater and Stabat Meter Room. The ticket is only €3 and totally worth the price, however, it is strongly advisable to book in advance as only a limited number of people are allowed at a time.
The Anatomic Theater was built in the 1637 to teach anatomic lessons. The name “theater” comes from its amphitheater-like shape with numerous statues in the different corners of the hall. Covered in wood with a coffer ceiling, the Anatomic Theater is a remarkable piece of art of itself. Interestingly enough, this part of the palace suffered significant damage during the World War II. Luckily, the sculptures and figures were found among the ruins and the room was restored to its previous glory.
The Sabat Meter Room is down the hall allowing visitors the chance to admire the colorful coats of arms covering the ceilings and walls one more time. Once used as the auditorium for law students, it is now open to the public (upon purchasing a ticket) and offers a quick glimse into the actual library through a window.
Note: The first floor and parts of the second floor of the Archiginnasio are free to visit, making this one of the best free things to do in Bologna. I do recommend getting the extra ticket to visit the Anatomic Theater, though. Keep in mind that the library is not open to tourists.
Basilica di Santo Stefano
The Basilica di Santo Stefano is actually a complex of seven churches and chapels interconnected through courtyards, doorways, and alleys. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre dates all the way back to the 5th century and has a unique irregular octagonal base with a brick dome and 12 columns of marble. The basilica-shaped Church of the Saints Vitale and Agricola is the oldest as it was first built in the 4th century, however, it had to be rebuilt in the 12th century. If you take a closer look under the glass you can catch glimpses of the remains of the original Roman mosaic floor.
With its free entry, the Basilica di Santo Stefano is one of the best free things to do in Bologna, Italy. It is a truly spectacular sight to step in and admire the ancient architectural styles used to create the stunning complex it is now.
Bologna’s Unique Porticoes
My favorite thing to do in Bologna was just strolling around and admiring the city’s unique porticoes. Made out of wood, stone, brick, they cover streets, squares and paths creating what seems like an endless system of arches. In reality then extend for 62 km of which 40 km in the city centre! Due to their cultural significant, the porticoes have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and have become the most iconic symbol of Bologna.
Charming Italian restaurants, small cafes and bars are hiding beneath the ancient porticoes. The young and vibrant crowd strolling through the pathways, while the medieval buildings are rising high above. This is the truly incredible character of Bologna and how I will remember it for a long time ahead.
The Bologna’s unique porticoes seem endless and it is best to just stroll around and find your favorite ones. If you are looking for ideas on where to start, though, the ones that I enjoyed the most are:
- Portico of Piazza Maggiore
- The original wooden Porticoe at Via Marsala
- Portico of Bianchini Palace
- Portico of Malvezzi Campeggi Palace
- Portico of the Bank of Italy Palace
- Commercial porticoes of Pavaglione
The Little Window of Via Piella
Right at the center of Bologna, visitors can find a hidden little window – a reminiscence of an extensive 37 mile long waterway network. During the 12th century the canals were built as a method to transport goods, primarily silk, which later on led to Bologna becoming a major hub for silk and tobacco. After the World War II, the canels slowly started losing its function as roadways were constructed above. Located on Via Piella (area also known as “little Venice”, the small window is now one of the few spots throughout Bologna where you can still catch glimpses of the medieval waterway network winding between the houses. A truly charming and intriguing thing to do in Bologna!
The Quadrilatero
The Quadrilatero is the heart and soul of Bologna. Market stands fill the narrow streets by day and charming restaurant tables by night. Within the small alleys, visitors will find some of the best meat, cheese and produce shops in the city. From the baskets filled with fresh pasta to the cured hams hanging from the shelves, this part of the city is bustling in colors and life and one of the best things to see in Bologna. Head to the Quadrilatero for an afternoon antipasti accompanied by a glass of local wine or sparking Aperol Spritz.
Two Towers
As the most easily recognizable symbol of the city, the two towers are one of the must visit sights in Bologna. Built during the 12th century by two prominent families, the towers once served as defensive fortifications due to their strategic location. With its 97 meters height and a noticeable 1.3° off-centre, the Asinelli Tower is Italy’s tallest leaning tower. There are 498 steps to climb to the top but I am sure the views are truly spectacular. Unfortunately, the Two Towers were fully closed during our visit, so we were only able to marvel at their grandeur from the piazza below.
Interesting Fact: Once upon a time, there were over 180 towers dominating the skyline in Bologna. Unfortunately, only 20 remain nowadays, but even still it will feel like another one is peaking behind every corner.
San Luca and the World’s Longest Portico
Situated on top of a hill, the Sanctuary of San Luca is another major symbol of the city. Taking the 4 km long walk, with 666 porticoes along the way, is one of the best things to do in Bologna, Italy. The pathway starts at Piazza Maggiore, unwinds its way up to Colle della Guardia and concludes at the stunning Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca Basilica. Built in 1723, the church is not only impressive on the outside, but holds incredible frescoes and artwork inside. Taking the walkway up is a significant religious act for “Bolognesi”, so if you are visiting on a weekend you will be also joining many locals.
Unfortunately, we were not able to visit the Sanctuary of San Luca during our visit to Bologna, as we were traveling with our 2-year-old. Later on we found out there is an alternative to walking up – taking the San Luca Express. Besides taking you straight up to the hill, there is also audioguide in 10 different languages sharing more about the history of Bologna and the importance of San Luca for the locals. I am definitely adding this to my itinarry for Bologna next time!
More Ideas on Things to Do in Bologna
Take a Day Trip from Bologna
There are a few popular day trips from Bologna you can choose from if you also want to explore the nearby area. As big Formula 1 fans, the one we were most interested in was visiting the Ferrari museum. Both Modena and Maranello have museums you can visit. We personally picked Maranello, but you can also visit both on the same day if you would like. The history of the brand, the most significant cars on display and interesting facts about the Ferrari Formula 1 team were the highlights of the museum.
During our trip to Maranello, we also enjoyed a Ferrari Test Drive and Ferrari Formula 1 Simulator. Both of these were extraordinary experience and we truly loved them!
Note: We brought help (grandparents) with us for this portion of the trip. While the Ferrari Museum is stroller friendly, we did not see any other children inside. Our 2-year-old son’s entrance was free, but after the first 4 cars on display, he was “all done” with the museum. On the bright side, there is a small playground right outside of the Ferrari Museum in Maranello – probably the highlight of our day trip to Maranello from Bologna for him!
Other Day Trip Ideas from Bologna
- Parma – 50 min by train
- Rimini – 55 min by train
- Florence – 40 min by train
- Verona – 50 min by train
Frequently Asked Questions and How to Plan a Trip to Bologna
Where is Bologna
As the capital city of the Emilia Romagna region, Bologna is located in Northern Italy. The population is close to 400,000 people, which makes the city the 7th largest in the country.
When to Visit and How Long to Stay
Italy tends to get a bit too crowded during the summer months. A trip in early spring and late fall is the best time to visit Bologna. When we went in March it was a bit cold and rainy, but we still made the most out of it. I recommend 3 days in the city to get a good feel of Bologna’s unique atmosphere.
Getting to Bologna
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is located just 30 minutes away from the city center. There are 42 airlines serving the airport, with Rynair and Wizzair being the major ones. You can definitely check flight options based on your departure city.
The high-speed train network connects Bologna with various other Italian cities. We traveled from Naples to Bologna and took us about 3 and a half hours by train.
Getting Around Bologna
We found Bologna to be extremely walkable. The best things to do in Bologna are all located within the city center and a short walking distance from one another. If you also want to see the incredible Bologna’s porticoes, there is no better way to experience them than just strolling around.
Where to Stay in Bologna
We strongly recommend staying within the city center as all will be within walking distance. For a luxurious stay Panorama Apartments and Grand Hotel Majestic gia’Baglioni are top choice. Those looking for a mid-range accommodation, can pick between Hotel Cavour and P House. Dopa Hostel is a great budget option. We accidentally booked an apartment in the university district, which had great traditional charm and atmosphere, but the neighborhood can be a bit loud even at night. More options below:
Tips for Visiting Bologna, Italy
- Bologna and especially its city center is very walkable. Put on your most comfortable shoes on and just stroll down its streets. You can always find something new to stumble upon depending on the time of day.
- We found Bologna not to be very toddler-friendly. The center with the best things to do in Bologna is dominated by streets and buildings and not too many parks or playgrounds in sight. Our son loved running under the porticoes and listening to the street musicians at the Piazzas but he also kept asking for a “playground”. That being said, taking a stroller is doable as most of the streets are paved.
- If you just like us are visiting with a toddler, though, and looking for some ideas on what to do with children in Bologna, my suggestion would be to take them to Biblioteca Salaborsa. It is located behind the Fountain of Neptune. We went to the “library bambini” located on the lower level and were truly surprised by the huge variety of books. There was a small language section with books in different languages and I even found a few in Bulgarian language. Our 2 year old enjoyed picking up his own books and bringing them over so we can read to him. It is free to use and you do not need a library card unless you are trying to check a book out. They host various events and exhibits throughout the year and it seems there is always something interesting happening inside. Worth checking out in my opinion!
- The porticoes create a nice covered pedestrian walkway and even if you are visiting on a rainy day, you can stay dry by just following the arches. We visited at the end of March and it rained every single day during our trip to Bologna, but we were never even had to use the umbrella. I am sure they also provide a nice shade during the hot summer months.
- Similar to other cities in Italy, Bologna starts coming to life later in the day. Many shops close for “siesta” around noon and reopen again around 4pm. The locals eat late so you will also notice that many restaurants will open for dinner around 6 or 7pm.
- A great idea is to purchase the Bologna Welcome Card beforehand, which will help you discover the best signts and things to do in Bologna cost-effectively.
Have you been to Bologna? What were your favorite things to do in Bologna? Are you planning a trip to Bologna and have any questions. Feel free to drop any thoughts and questions in the comments section below!
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