Day 1 in Bologna

Welcome to Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna. Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to experience!

The first thing you`ll notice is how beautifully stunning Bologna is, with miles of medieval UNESCO heritage-listed porticos lining the streets with lights, shadows, and fantastic architecture. The terracotta buildings that fill the old town give Bologna its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Start your visit exploring the historical center. Make your way to Piazza Maggiore, the city`s hub, and admire the surrounding palaces and artworks. The piazza stands proudly surrounding the most important buildings of the medieval city, including the Basilica of San Petronio, Palazzo del Podesta, Palazzo Comunale, Palazzo dei Notai, and Palazzo dei Banchi. To the north west of the square sits the Piaza del Nettuno that contains the famous Fountain of Neptune. Take in the beautiful architecture, visit the palaces and basilica, or sit and enjoy a fine Italian meal at one of the quaint restaurants nestled in the Porticos.

We recommend making some time to discover the immense Basilica of San Petronio that`s found in the center of Piazza Maggiore. The church is the 10th largest in the world by volume. It was originally built in 1388 through to 1479, the church has never been truly finished and its front façade is rather peculiar with the lower half as a colored marble stone, while the top remains bare and contains exposed brown brickwork. Inside the church is adorned with elaborate decorations in a variety of styles. Best of all, once you’ve finished seeing the church`s interior, you can head around the rear of the building to the church tower. Taking an elevator to the top, you`ll be treated to fantastic panoramic views of the city, and a perfect spot to take pictures.

From here, continue on exploring the city, weaving in and out of the medieval colorful streets, including the lively market district of Quadrilatero. This district was where the many trades and guilds of Bologna based themselves and was built up during the Middle Ages. When you wander into the neighborhood full of porticos, palaces, and towers, you are witnessing the oldest part of Bologna. It is essentially a sprawling marketplace and still serves the same purpose today as it did from its beginning. Pop in the shops here which trade in traditional foods and ingredients including pastas, meats, cheese, and more. If you want to cook yourself an authentic meal while in Bologna, this is where you should pick up ingredients.

One of the biggest claims to fame for Bologna is that the city is home to the oldest university in Europe and one of the oldest in the world. Although there is an entire University Quarter in Bologna, one of the best sites linked to this history is the Archiginnasio palace. The University of Bologna has been around since 1088, but this building was ordered in the 16th century by Pope Pius IV to consolidate the university into one place.

On a visit to the Archiginnasio, you`ll be able to see different classrooms which were once used to teach students. This may not sound all that impressive, until you head inside the library and Anatomical Theater. The Anatomical Theater is particularly striking thanks to its amphitheater shape, wood paneling, and countless statues and busts. The other detail of the Archiginnasio which makes it so spectacular is its collection of heraldry, from coats of arms around its corridors and courtyards to the paintings which cover every square inch of its inner rooms.

As night falls the city comes alive, with its quiet streets on the outskirts leading to lively piazzas. The miles of porticos are fun to stroll during the day, but be sure to stay out long into the evening. Throughout the historic center, street lights illuminate glowing shades of orange and gold. The city is truly stunning at night. Grab a bite of some delicious Bolognese cuisine before heading back to your hotel for a restful night sleep.

However, if time and energy allow, stay out to experience more of what Bologna nightlife has to offer. The student population brings a lively scene with plenty of nightclubs, discos and live music venues to choose from, many remaining open until the wee hours of the morning. Good areas for nightlife are the student quarter (Via Zomboni hosts various inexpensive restaurants and pubs), the streets around the main square and Via del Pratelllo.

Day 2 in Bologna

Wake up early today and continue your exploration of the historic gems of the city. Visit some of the city`s best museums, but also venture a little further form the city center to see what the rest of Bologna is like.

Start out by visiting the leaning towers of Bologna. Yup, Pisa is not the only city that is home to a leaning tower. Bologna actually has a pair of leaning towers and one is taller than the iconic campanile! Bologna actually has several towers, but these two leaning towers, Asinelli and Garisenda are two tall towers that stand next to each other and are both names after important Italian families. Asinelli stands at 319-ft. and was used as a prison and a stronghold. Garisenda stands only at 157-ft. but appears to tilt even more alarmingly because of its narrow shape. These two towers are the best-known of the 20 towers that remain of the more than 100 that formed Bologna`s 12th-century skyline. Today, you can climb the 498 steps inside the Asinelli tower for beautiful panoramic views of the city.

Next, make your way to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Bologna. While it may not seem overly remarkable from the outside, inside this landmark church offers a spectacular interior of marble and frescoes. Besides the exquisite interior, the cathedral also offers some amazing views from its bell tower.

Afterward, head over to the northern end of the city and visit Montagnola Park. Sitting on the ruins of Castello di Galliera, some of which can still be seen, the park was built by Napoleon in 1805. The park is best known for its elegant staircase the Scalinata Del Pincio, popular with visitors looking for a nice photo opportunity. Between the stairways and the fountain are sculptures of a nymph and a seahorse. This is a great place to enjoy an afternoon picnic on a warm, sunny day.

Spend the remaining part of your day exploring one or a few of the excellent museums Bologna has to offer. The Archaeological Museum is located near the Piazza Maggiore. The museum is housed inside a 15th century palace, which itself will capture your attention. The exhibits have a large focus on the ancient world here, with fantastic displays on ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Etruscans of Italy. This includes some local history as exhibits document Roman life in Bononia, as Bologna was known then.

To gain a better understanding of Bologna, pay a visit to the Medieval Museum, set inside the Palazzo Ghisilardi, the incredible frescoes alone are worth a visit in itself. The exhibits here will take you through the highs and lows which Bologna experienced during the Middle Ages, while also showing you suites of armor, statues, and documents from that period.

Finish your day with a food tour of the city. For many visitors, one of the main reasons for coming to Bologna is for the delicious food, after all, Bologna is known for dishes like spaghetti ragu, more commonly known as spaghetti Bolognese, and its mortadella sausage, known around the world as bologna sausage or baloney. A dedicated food tour is a great way to get to the heart of Bologna allowing you to eat your way through the city enjoying the best foods Bologna is known for. These tours also provide a great overview of the food scene with someone who knows the city and its cuisine.

Day 3 in Bologna

Start your last day in Bologna by visiting the Monte della Guardia, a historic market that has been held in Bologna for hundreds of years. The market is located in the Piazza dell Agosto which can be found to the north of the city center. The market offers over 400 different stalls and a perfect way to enjoy the local atmosphere of the city. Watch the locals haggle and shout, smell the fantastic food, spices and creations in the air, and savor all the wonderful different colors on display. Here you can find practically anything for sale from clothes, shoes, fashion accessories, flowers, pottery and jewelry. It is also the perfect spot to pick up a picnic lunch for later in the day.

Next up, discover the sights beyond Bologna`s historical center. Walk under the porticoes all the way to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca for breathtaking views of the entire city. A pilgrimage destination for thousands each year, the church sits 984-ft. above sea level and is located 1.5 miles outside the city center. It is connected by the world`s longest portco - a covered arcade of 666 arches which starts at the Arco Del Meloncello and takes you up to the sanctuary of the hill. This destination requires stamina and comfortable shoes. However, you can also opt to take the San Luca express, a tourist train that leaves the city`s Piazza Maggiore to visit the Church.

Complete your time in Bologna discovering the hidden canals of the city. A majority of Bologna`s thriving canal network was sadly filled in over two centuries ago. Yet with some still remaining, these canals form one of the most beautiful parts of Bologna; and are an area certainly worth exploring. There are a few different view points from which to admire these canals, but the most enchanting, though not the prettiest, is through the small square, Via Piella, cut into the wall that is easily overlooked by passers-by. The city`s tourism office has a great resource available to find the all the locations visible from the street.

Additional Days in Bologna

Should you be able to spend additional days in Bologna we recommend the Adriatic Coast, it is within easy reach of Bologna. A rail line runs along the coast from the city of Trieste in the north to Lecce in the south, although it`s necessary to change trains at least once to make the entire trip. A highway also runs along the coast, so it`s possible to drive the whole route.

Alternatively, take a day trip to Modena (1 hour by train). It is home to several bastions of Italian genius (Ferrari, Pavarotti, and balsamic vinegar) and is one of our picks for a great day trip from Bologna. Modena was the birthplace of both Enzo Ferrari and Luciano Pavarotti, town of Italy`s most beloved heroes who retained close ties with the city throughout their lifetimes. And balsamic vinegar, the sweet and delicious food made from cooked grape juice, is known around the world as one of Italy`s most important food products.

Your Last Day in Bologna

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel in time to take you to the airport for your flight out. Savor the memories of a very special time in Bologna in the romantic Emilia-Romagna.