All citiesBologna Things to do and walking itinerary
Italy Bologna travel guide
30 things to do in Bologna, where to stay, airport transfers, 1 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Bologna
- San Petronio Basilica — minor basilica (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Fountain of Neptune, Bologna — water well (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca — church building in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Teatro Comunale — theater in Bologna (BO) (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Bologna Cathedral — cathedral (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Basilica of San Domenico — major church in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna — museum of arts in Bologna (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Santo Stefano Church — minor basilica in Bologna (visit ≈ 30 min)
- San Giacomo Maggiore — historic church and monastery in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- palazzo dei Notai — building in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio — palace in Bologna (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Asinelli tower — tower in Bologna (visit ≈ 40 min)
- orto botanico dell'Università di Bologna — botanical garden in Italy (visit ≈ 45 min)
- San Martino — church building in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Basilica of Saint Francis — minor basilica in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- San Paolo Maggiore, Bologna — church building in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vita — church building in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Palazzo Bentivoglio — building in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Porta Saragozza — building in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Synagogue of Bologna — Synagogue in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi — minor basilica in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Palazzo Fava — palace in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- palazzo Davia Bargellini — building in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Palazzo Pepoli — palace in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Collegio di Spagna — building in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 90 min)
- San Giovanni in Monte — church building in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Palazzo Poggi — building in Bologna (BO) (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Basilica of St. Mary Major — building in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Bologna Museum of Modern Art — museum in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Palazzo Hercolani — building in Bologna, Italy (visit ≈ 90 min)
1-day Bologna walking itinerary
Starting point: Piazza Maggiore / Centre. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 3.6 km · 4,920 steps · 50 min on the way): San Petronio Basilica → Basilica of San Domenico → Santo Stefano Church → Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna → Teatro Comunale → San Giacomo Maggiore → Bologna Cathedral → Fountain of Neptune, Bologna
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Bologna
- Museo Ducati — At the Borgo Panigale factory: the brand's racing motorcycles and history, with optional factory tours. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Mercato delle Erbe — Historic covered market on Via Ugo Bassi: produce stalls by morning, local food counters by night. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Torre Prendiparte — A quieter medieval tower than Asinelli, with old prison cells inside and a view over the red rooftops. (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Ferrari Museum Maranello — Museum in Ferrari's home town packed with F1 cars and classic models; ideal as a day trip. (visit ≈ 90 min)
Where to stay in Bologna
- Piazza Maggiore / Centre: The main square and the Quadrilatero market are here; everything is walkable.
- University Quarter: Student bars and cheap eats; lively at night.
- Santo Stefano: Calm, elegant streets around the square of the seven churches.
- Centrale Station: Handy for trains and the airport link.
Getting from the airport to Bologna
- Bologna Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ): Marconi Express monorail ≈ 7 min
Getting around
The centre is easy to explore on foot under miles of porticoes; the bus network is good too.
Classic places to eat
- Osteria del Sole: Serving only wine since 1465; you bring your own food.
- Trattoria Anna Maria: Home-made tortellini and tagliatelle; walls full of famous photos.
- Da Cesari: Classic Bolognese cooking since 1955.
- Osteria dell'Orsa: A student and local favourite; try the tagliatelle al ragù.
- Tamburini: A historic deli and fresh pasta shop in the Quadrilatero.
- Caffè Zanarini: An elegant old café and pastry shop on Piazza Galvani.
- Pasticceria Gamberini: Open since 1907, one of the city’s oldest pastry shops.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- I Portici — 1 MICHELIN star, Creative
Romantic views
- Sanctuary of San Luca (Sunset): Hilltop views at the end of the world’s longest portico walk.
- Via Piella Window (Evening): A small window opens onto a hidden canal.
- Piazza Santo Stefano (Evening): A cobbled triangular square that is calm in the evening.
- Giardini Margherita (Afternoon): The city’s biggest park, with a pond and long paths.
- San Michele in Bosco (Sunset): Views over the red roofs from the hilltop church.
Football stadiums in Bologna
- Stadio Renato Dall'Ara: Home of Bologna F.C. 1909
Good to know before visiting Bologna
- Fine: Carving or damaging monuments can bring heavy fines and prosecution.
- Fine: Buying counterfeit goods from street sellers can get the buyer fined too.
- Fine: Taking sand, pebbles or shells from beaches is banned, notably in Sardinia.
- Fine: Validate bus and tram tickets as soon as you board; unvalidated tickets are fined.
- Fine: Driving into historic-centre ZTL zones without a permit is caught on camera and fined.
- Warning: Validate paper regional train tickets at the platform machines; digital tickets are time-bound.
- Emergency: 112 (police 113, ambulance 118, fire 115)
- Plugs: C/F/L, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe; in Rome you can refill at the "nasoni" street fountains.
- Tipping: Bills often include a "coperto" cover charge; tipping isn't expected, rounding up is enough.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Italy, Turismo Roma — Trevi Fountain entry, Wikivoyage — Italy, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Bologna travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Bologna?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Bologna?
- Highlights: San Petronio Basilica, Fountain of Neptune, Bologna, Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, Teatro Comunale and Bologna Cathedral. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Bologna?
- Piazza Maggiore / Centre: The main square and the Quadrilatero market are here; everything is walkable. Other options: University Quarter, Santo Stefano and Centrale Station.
- How do you get from the airport to Bologna city centre?
- Bologna Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ): Marconi Express monorail ≈ 7 min
- How do you get around Bologna?
- The centre is easy to explore on foot under miles of porticoes; the bus network is good too.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Bologna?
- According to the last known data there are 1 starred restaurants: I Portici (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Bologna?
- Emergency: 112 (police 113, ambulance 118, fire 115).
- Do you tip in Bologna?
- Bills often include a "coperto" cover charge; tipping isn't expected, rounding up is enough.
Nearby cities
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